Study 2: Proposed Study Design, Instrument Development, and Pilot Study

2017 ◽  
pp. 203-231
Author(s):  
Michael Goller
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Instrument Development ◽  
Study Design

scholarly journals The Clean pilot study: evaluation of an environmental hygiene intervention bundle in three Tanzanian hospitals

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Giorgia Gon ◽  
Abdunoor M. Kabanywanyi ◽  
Petri Blinkhoff ◽  
Simon Cousens ◽  
Stephanie J. Dancer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Study Design ◽  
Low Income ◽  
High Volume ◽  
Surface Cleaning ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Training Period ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Environmental Hygiene ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Healthcare associated infections (HAI) are estimated to affect up to 15% of hospital inpatients in low-income countries (LICs). A critical but often neglected aspect of HAI prevention is basic environmental hygiene, particularly surface cleaning and linen management. TEACH CLEAN is an educational intervention aimed at improving environmental hygiene. We evaluated the effectiveness of this intervention in a pilot study in three high-volume maternity and newborn units in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Methods This study design prospectively evaluated the intervention as a whole, and offered a before-and-after comparison of the impact of the main training. We measured changes in microbiological cleanliness [Aerobic Colony Counts (ACC) and presence of Staphylococcus aureus] using dipslides, and physical cleaning action using gel dots. These were analysed with descriptive statistics and logistic regression models. We used qualitative (focus group discussions, in-depth interviews, and semi-structured observation) and quantitative (observation checklist) tools to measure why and how the intervention worked. We describe these findings across the themes of adaptation, fidelity, dose, reach and context. Results Microbiological cleanliness improved during the study period (ACC pre-training: 19%; post-training: 41%). The odds of cleanliness increased on average by 1.33 weekly during the pre-training period (CI = 1.11–1.60), and by 1.08 (CI = 1.03–1.13) during the post-training period. Cleaning action improved only in the pre-training period. Detection of S. aureus on hospital surfaces did not change substantially. The intervention was well received and considered feasible in this context. The major pitfalls in the implementation were the limited number of training sessions at the hospital level and the lack of supportive supervision. A systems barrier to implementation was lack of regular cleaning supplies. Conclusions The evaluation suggests that improvements in microbiological cleanliness are possible using this intervention and can be sustained. Improved microbiological cleanliness is a key step on the pathway to infection prevention in hospitals. Future research should assess whether this bundle is cost-effective in reducing bacterial and viral transmission and infection using a rigorous study design.

scholarly journals Acute and Short-Term Effects of Dry Needling in Patients with Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain and Hamstring Tightness: A Pilot Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Mahnaz Bazzaz-Yamchi ◽  
Soofia Naghdi ◽  
Amin Nakhostin-Ansari ◽  
Monavar Hadizadeh ◽  
Noureddin Nakhostin Ansari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Study Design ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Medium Effect ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Dry Needling ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Short Term Effects

Background. Chronic nonspecific low back pain (LBP) is one of the common health issues. Hamstring tightness contributes to the development of LBP. This study aimed to investigate the acute and short-term effects of deep dry needling (DN) in patients with chronic nonspecific LBP and hamstring muscle tightness. Methods. A single-group pretest-posttest clinical study design was followed. The outcome measures were the visual analog scale (VAS), passive knee extension (PKE) test, finger-floor distance (FFD) test, and functional rating index (FRI). Patients underwent one session of deep DN of three points on both hamstring muscles, each point for one minute. Patients were assessed before (T0), immediately after (T1), and one week after DN (T2). The FRI was assessed at T0 and T2. Results. Ten women with a mean age of 21.1 years (SD = 1.6) participated in the study. Significant large effect sizes in VAS pain reduction (d = 1.25) and PKE hamstring tightness were obtained (hamstring: right, d = 0.82; left, d = 0.88) at T2. Medium effect sizes were obtained for FFD (d = 0.45) and FRI (d = 0.72) at T2. Conclusion. A single session of deep DN improved pain and function and increased hamstring flexibility. This pilot study supports the use of DN in patients with LBP and hamstring tightness; however, future research with a rigorous study design of randomized controlled trial is required to confirm the findings. This trial is registered with IRCT20180511039612N1.

scholarly journals A randomized pilot study comparing graft-first to fistula-first strategies in older patients with incident end-stage kidney disease: Clinical rationale and study design

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 100357 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariana Murea ◽  
Randolph L. Geary ◽  
Matthew S. Edwards ◽  
Shahriar Moossavi ◽  
Ross P. Davis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Kidney Disease ◽  
Study Design ◽  
Older Patients ◽  
End Stage Kidney Disease ◽  
End Stage

The lifestyle interventions and independence for elders (LIFE) pilot study: Design and methods

2005 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 141-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Jack Rejeski ◽  
Roger A. Fielding ◽  
Steven N. Blair ◽  
Jack M. Guralnik ◽  
Thomas M. Gill ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Study Design ◽  
Lifestyle Interventions ◽  
Design And Methods

Rehabilitation Professionals’ Attitudes towards Medicinal Marijuana Use: A Pilot Study

2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie L. Lusk ◽  
Teresia M. Paul
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Study Design ◽  
Medical Marijuana ◽  
Marijuana Use ◽  
Full Scale ◽  
Rehabilitation Professionals ◽  
Design And Implementation

Attitudes toward the use of medicinal marijuana have continued to change, which is reflected in the number of states that have passed legislation allowing for its use and in the number of states petitioning to place this matter on upcoming ballots. Understanding the attitudes of rehabilitation professionals toward medicinal marijuana use is important as they are responsible for providing appropriate support and services to all consumers and will be responsible for navigating through uncharted territory when it comes to this new trend. Their attitudes might determine how they approach the ensuing demands and consequences associated with the use of medical marijuana by their consumers. This manuscript reports the results of a pilot study conducted as a means to determine the most appropriate way to measure the attitudes of these professionals toward the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes. Results from the pilot are used to inform the researchers on the appropriateness of their study design and implementation procedures before a full scale study is conducted..

scholarly journals Indoor rock climbing (bouldering) as a new treatment for depression: study design of a waitlist-controlled randomized group pilot study and the first results

2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katharina Luttenberger ◽  
Eva-Maria Stelzer ◽  
Stefan Först ◽  
Matthias Schopper ◽  
Johannes Kornhuber ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Study Design ◽  
Rock Climbing ◽  
First Results ◽  
New Treatment

Practice Visits: A Pilot Study

1995 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 624-631 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gordon Parker ◽  
Murray Wright ◽  
Sadie Robertson
Keyword(s):  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Study Design ◽  
Focal Concerns ◽  
Design Changes

Objective: The aim of the paper is to report a pilot study of practice visits. Method: The study involved 35 psychiatrists as hosts and/or visitors, as well as four non-psychiatrist visitors, with the model and subsequent design changes described. Results: The Quality Assurance Committee's rationale for practice visits is detailed, together with several focal concerns raised by committee members and other Fellows of the College. Conclusions: Feedback was highly positive, with visitors being generally more positive and enthusiastic than hosts. A follow-up questionnaire indicated ongoing enthusiasm for such an activity and provided evidence of participants making changes to their practices. Identified concerns and some suggested modifications to the pilot study design are noted.

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