scholarly journals Responsiveness of Instruments to Assess Disorders of Consciousness: A Literature Review

2012 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 285-315 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmah J. Doig ◽  
Amanda T. Lane-Brown
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Sensory Modality ◽  
Sensory Stimulation ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Disorders Of Consciousness ◽  
Assessment Measure ◽  
Pertinent Information ◽  
Key Terms

Objectives: To summarise available evidence for responsiveness of six key assessments used with patients with disorders of consciousness: Coma Recovery Scale – Revised (CRS-R), Disorders Of Consciousness Scale (DOCS), Sensory Modality Assessment and Rehabilitation Technique (SMART), Sensory Stimulation Assessment Measure (SSAM), Wessex Head Injury Matrix (WHIM), and the Western Neuro Sensory Stimulation Profile (WNSSP).Method: A literature search of five electronic databases was conducted using a systematic search strategy. Relevant literature was evaluated and pertinent information extracted.Results: Database searches using key terms initially yielded 132 articles. Following review for inclusion identified 24 articles. No studies were specifically designed to investigate responsiveness of any of the measures and therefore responsiveness data were either based on statistical significance of change post-treatment or descriptive analysis of change scores. The majority of studies identified used the CRS-R (n= 11), WHIM (n= 5) and WNSSP (n= 6) and have established responsiveness to change. There is some preliminary evidence for the responsiveness of the other measures, based on very few available studies: DOCS (n= 2), SMART (n= 1) or SSAM (n= 1).Conclusion: Future studies should seek to include responsiveness analysis, particularly in relation to the DOCS, SMART and SSAM.

scholarly journals Repeated Clinical Assessment Using Sensory Modality Assessment and Rehabilitation Technique for Diagnosis in Prolonged Disorders of Consciousness

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liliana da Conceição Teixeira ◽  
Danielle Blacker ◽  
Carlos Campos ◽  
Carolina Garrett ◽  
Sophie Duport ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Correct Diagnosis ◽  
Sensory Modality ◽  
Sensory Stimulation ◽  
Final Diagnosis ◽  
Disorders Of Consciousness ◽  
Validity And Reliability ◽  
Reliable Diagnosis ◽  
Secondary Objective ◽  
Multiple Assessment ◽  
First Time

Purpose: The recommended way to assess consciousness in prolonged disorders of consciousness is to observe the patient’s responses to sensory stimulation. Multiple assessment sessions have to be completed in order to reach a correct diagnosis. There is, however, a lack of data on how many sessions are sufficient for validity and reliability. The aim of this study was to identify the number of Sensory Modality Assessment and Rehabilitation Technique (SMART) assessment sessions needed to reach a reliable diagnosis. A secondary objective was to identify which sensory stimulation modalities are more useful to reach a diagnosis.Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis of all the adult patients (who received a SMART assessment) admitted to a specialist brain injury unit over the course of 4 years was conducted (n = 35). An independent rater analyzed the SMART levels for each modality and session and provided a suggestive diagnosis based on the highest SMART level per session.Results: For the vast majority of patients between 5 and 6 sessions was sufficient to reach the final clinical diagnosis. The visual, auditory, tactile, and motor function modalities were found to be more associated with the final diagnosis than the olfactory and gustatory modalities.Conclusion: These findings provide for the first time a rationale for optimizing the time spent on assessing patients using SMART.

scholarly journals Does Social Support Affect the Health of the Elderly in Rural China? A Meta-Analysis Approach

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (18) ◽  
pp. 3471 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natuya Zhuori ◽  
Yu Cai ◽  
Yan Yan ◽  
Yu Cui ◽  
Minjuan Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Rural China ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Meta Regression ◽  
The Impact

As the trend of aging in rural China has intensified, research on the factors affecting the health of the elderly in rural areas has become a hot issue. However, the conclusions of existing studies are inconsistent and even contradictory, making it difficult to form constructive policies with practical value. To explore the reasons for the inconsistent conclusions drawn by relevant research, in this paper we constructed a meta-regression database based on 65 pieces of relevant literature published in the past 25 years. For more valid samples to reduce publication bias, we also set the statistical significance of social support to the health of the elderly in rural areas as a dependent variable. Finally, combined with multi-dimensional social support and its implications for the health of the elderly, meta-regression analysis was carried out on the results of 171 empirical studies. The results show that (1) subjective support rather than objective support can have a significant impact on the health of the elderly in rural areas, and there is no significant difference between other dimensions of social support and objective support; (2) the health status of the elderly in rural areas in samples involving western regions is more sensitive to social support than that in samples not involving the western regions; (3) among the elderly in rural areas, social support for the older male elderly is more likely to improve their health than that for the younger female elderly; and (4) besides this, both data sources and econometric models greatly affect the heterogeneity of the effect of social support on the health of the elderly in rural areas, but neither the published year nor the journal is significant. Finally, relevant policies and follow-up studies on the impact of social support on the health of the elderly in rural areas are discussed.

Rehabilitation of Post Stroke Sensory Dysfunction—A Scoping Review

2021 ◽  
pp. 251660852098429
Author(s):  
Dorcas B. C. Gandhi ◽  
Ivy Anne Sebastian ◽  
Komal Bhanot
Keyword(s):  
Motor Behavior ◽  
Sensory Modality ◽  
Sensory System ◽  
Sensory Stimulation ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Post Stroke ◽  
Sensory Dysfunction ◽  
Electronic Database Search ◽  
External Stimuli

Sensory dysfunction is one of the common impairments that occurs post stroke. With sensory changes in all modalities, it also affects the quality of life and incites suicidal thoughts. The article attempts to review and describe the current evidence of various approaches of assessment and rehabilitation for post-stroke sensory dysfunction. After extensive electronic database search across Medline, Embase, EBSCO, and Cochrane library, it generated 2433 results. After screening according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, we included 11 studies. We categorized data based on type of sensory deficits and prevalence, role of sensory system on motor behavior, type of intervention, sensory modality targeted, and dosage of intervention and outcome measures used for rehabilitation. Results found the strong evidence of involvement of primary and secondary motor areas involved in processing and responding to somatosensation, respectively. We divided rehabilitation approaches into sensory stimulation approach and sensory retraining approach focused on using external stimuli and relearning, respectively. However, with varied aims and targeted sensory involvement, the study applicability is affected. Thus, this emerges the need of extensive research in future for evidence-based practice of assessments and rehabilitation on post-stroke sensory rehabilitation.

scholarly journals A Review of Job Role Localization in the Oil and Gas Industry

Energies ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 2779 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jack Pegram ◽  
Gioia Falcone ◽  
Athanasios Kolios
Keyword(s):  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Oil And Gas Industry ◽  
Critical Discussion ◽  
Future Application ◽  
Gas Industry ◽  
Local Content ◽  
Job Role ◽  
Key Terms

Job role localization is a strategic local content solution used by countries bearing natural resource stocks to maximize the long-term benefits of exploring and producing them. Currently, there is significant variation in how countries and organizations plan and implement local content and job role localization strategies; hence, this paper aims to gather, classify, and discuss relevant literature with a view to identify best practices for future application. After a multi-dimensional discussion of key terms relevant to the topic, the drivers and theoretical underpinnings of local content are examined, followed by an assessment of job role localization literature qualifying enablers and barriers to localization. A critical discussion on the means of evaluating local content policies summarizes the findings of this critical review.

scholarly journals Knowledge in palliative care of nursing professionals at a Spanish hospital

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Chover-Sierra ◽  
Antonio Martínez-Sabater ◽  
Yolanda Lapeña-Moñux
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Basic Education ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Educational Background ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Cross Sectional

Resume Objective: to determine the level of knowledge in palliative care of nursing staff at a Spanish tertiary care hospital. Method: descriptive, cross-sectional study. Data were collected about the results of the Spanish version of the Palliative Care Quiz for Nurses (PCQN), sociodemographic aspects, education level and experience in the field of palliative care. Univariate and bivariate descriptive analysis was applied. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05 in all cases. Results: 159 professionals participated (mean age 39.51 years ± 10.25, with 13.96 years ± 10.79 of professional experience) 54.7% possessed experience in palliative care and 64.2% educational background (mainly basic education). The mean percentage of hits on the quiz was 54%, with statistically significant differences in function of the participants’ education and experience in palliative care. Conclusions: although the participants show sufficient knowledge on palliative care, they would benefit from a specific training program, in function of the mistaken concepts identified through the quiz, which showed to be a useful tool to diagnose professionals’ educational needs in palliative care.

scholarly journals Gloves Perforations in Minor Oral Surgical Procedures: A Comparison of Latex and Nitrile Gloves

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (02) ◽  
pp. 103-106
Author(s):  
Ajeet Kumar ◽  
◽  
Naveed Iqbal ◽  
Javaria Farooq ◽  
Saad Uddin Siddiqui
Keyword(s):  
Local Anesthesia ◽  
Surgical Procedures ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
P Value ◽  
Dominant Hand ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Oral Surgical Procedures ◽  
Latex Gloves ◽  
Chi Square Test

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to compare incidence of perforations in Latex and Nitrile examination gloves during Minor Oral surgical procedures performed under local anesthesia. METHODOLOGY: 100 pairs of latex and 100 pairs of Nitrile examination gloves where used to perform 200 minor oral surgical procedures under local anesthesia. After completion of every minor oral surgical procedure each gloves was examined by Water Inflation method to observe presence or absence of Perforations. A data sheet was used to collect data including type of Gloves used (Latex or Nitrile) presence of perforations, sites of perforations and nature of minor oral surgical procedures. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Descriptive analysis was conducted to calculate frequency and percentages of Number and sites of perforations for both Nitrile and latex examination gloves. Chi Square test was used to find out statistical significance of difference of perforations rate between Nitrile and Latex gloves. P value of < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Out of 200 latex gloves 23 (11.5) had 29 perforations whereas out of total 200 Nitrile gloves 28 (14%) had 22 perforations. Nitrile gloves had a statistically significant higher rate of perforations as compared to Latex gloves. (P value 0.043). For both Nitrile and Latex gloves left non dominant hand had highest frequency of perforations Latex 18 (81.81%) perforations and Nitrile 18(62.06%). Index finger and thumb were most frequent sites of perforations in both Latex and Nitrile gloves. CONCLUSION: Gloves perforations were more common in Nitrile examination gloves however total number of perforations was more in Latex examination gloves.

scholarly journals Relationship between Internet addictions and academic performance among Afghan universities students

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 49-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hassan Rahnaward Ghulami ◽  
Mohd Rashid Ab Hamid ◽  
Mohd Reza Ibrahim ◽  
Ali Hikmat ◽  
Hussein Aziz
Keyword(s):  
Academic Performance ◽  
Internet Addiction ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Demographic Characteristics ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Academic Activities ◽  
Undergraduate University Students ◽  
Performance Results ◽  
The Relationship

This study evaluates the relationship between Internet addiction and academic performance among students of eight Afghan universities. The differences between internet addiction in terms of gender was also identified. The survey/research method adopted the Internet Addiction Test (IAT) based on Young’s survey applied with some modifications. From 1000 distributed questionnaires only 976 participants (358 females, and 618 males) were responded completely. The descriptive analysis was used to identify the demographic characteristics of student’s Internet usage profile. The independents sample t-test was performed to determine the differences in the level of Internet addiction in terms of gender. Statistical significance was set at a value of p <0.01. Likewise, the correlation test was implemented to identify the relationship between Internet addiction and academic performance, with referencing of sample. The results indicated that statistically there is a significant correlation among Internet addiction and academic performance. Results also indicated that statistically there were significant differences between Internet addictions in terms of demographic characteristics. This study suggests that future researchers need to work on large sample while conducting the related research. It emphasizes that students should concentrate more on their academic activities than spending time on unnecessary Internet surfing. Findings also revealed that, in Afghanistan the problem of Internet addiction is not a serious challenge, but this information should be disseminated among undergraduate university students to stop the indulgent in using the Internet.

scholarly journals Effect of Pitch Size on Technical-Tactical Actions of the Goalkeeper in Small-Sided Games

2018 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 157-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Jara ◽  
Enrique Ortega ◽  
Miguel-Ángel Gómez ◽  
Pilar Sainz de Baranda
Keyword(s):  
Ad Hoc ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Male Youth ◽  
Zone Length ◽  
Exact Test ◽  
Fisher's Exact Test ◽  
Observational Tool ◽  
Fisher’S Exact Test

Abstract The aim of this paper was to determine how the size of the pitch affected technical and tactical actions of the goalkeeper when playing small-sided games. The participants were 13 male youth players, including 3 goalkeepers. Three different pitch sizes were used (62 x 44 m; 50 x 35 m; 32 x 23 m). On each pitch, the players played three matches of 8 minutes, with 5-minute breaks between matches. Numerous variables were recorded and examined: defensive and offensive technical and tactical actions, opponent’s shooting zone, length and zone of the offensive action, and goal zone where the shoot was directed. An ad hoc observational tool was used. A descriptive analysis was described. The Fisher’s exact test was used when the expected distribution was below 5 or included values below 1%. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. The results showed that the technical-tactical actions of the goalkeeper differed among pitch sizes. In defensive actions, when the pitch was larger, the 1-on-1 situations took precedence, whereas when the pitch was smaller, the proportion of blocks increased. In offensive actions, the goalkeepers did not show a wide variety of actions when the pitch was larger, but when the pitch was smaller, passes with a hand or foot increased. These results show that the size should be taken into account when planning and designing tasks.

scholarly journals Innovation indicators in the context of Romanian SMEs: A research agenda

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 149-158
Author(s):  
Ioana Alexandra Onea
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Innovation Management ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Regional Innovation ◽  
Actual Application ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
Key Terms ◽  
Innovation Indicators

AbstractThe purpose of this paper is to present an overview of the theoretical connection between key terms such as innovation indicators and entrepreneurship, highlighting the main trends of innovative activities and practices in the context of Romanian small and medium enterprises. Innovation management has gained an increased interest nowadays since it provides tools for creating competitive advantage and economic growth for enterprises. In this sense, at global and European Union level, innovation indicators have been identified in order to measure the efficiency of innovation. In addition, innovation and entrepreneurship have been connected by scholars, since their application provides business opportunities. Starting from the Europe 2020 Strategy that has innovation as a pillar for reaching economic growth, the present study provides a descriptive analysis of the Regional Innovation Scoreboard 2019 report, followed by a comparative analysis of the European Innovation Scoreboard reports published in the last 5 years. The present paper contributes to the existing knowledge regarding the actual application of innovation indicators in Romanian SMEs. The paper provides an answer to the research questions, which focus on depicting what are the exact innovation indicators that characterize the activities of Romanian SME and what are the trends and weaknesses in the actual business environment in terms of innovative endeavors. This paper provides some recommendations in terms of improvement of innovative efforts for the enterprises that operate in the Romanian market.

scholarly journals Healthcare Workers Infection Rate in the Era of Coronavirus Disease 2019 - in Tertiary Teaching Hospital

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (A) ◽  
pp. 651-658
Author(s):  
Mona Mohiedden ◽  
Aml M. Said ◽  
Ahmed M. Ali ◽  
Mohammed M. Abdel Razik ◽  
Maha Ali Gad
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
University Hospitals ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Tertiary Teaching ◽  
Potential Risk Factors

BACKGROUND: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at the frontline defense against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. AIM: The study aimed to describe the characteristics and appraise potential risk factors of COVID-19 transmission among HCWs who tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) in one of Cairo University Hospitals. METHOD: Cross-sectional descriptive analysis of confirmed polymerase chain reaction (PCR) positive versus negative cases for COVID-19. RESULTS: Through March–June 2020, (145/846; 17%) suspected HCWs were tested for COVID-19 by PCR; out of them (70/145; 48.3%) were confirmed as positive, these positive cases represented (70/846; 8.3%) of all HCWs of the hospital. About 33% of confirmed COVID-19 positive HCWs acquired the infection from the healthcare while only (13/70; 19%) from community settings, and no clear exposure data were identified in (34/70; 48%) of cases. Most of symptomatic cases showed a positive PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 versus asymptomatic cases, p < 0.001. There was no statistical significance regarding gender, age, presence of comorbidity, workload or the type of acquisition. CONCLUSION: HCWs are at an increased risk of COVID-19 infection at the workplace. Strict implementation of infection control measures is of crucial role in preventing transmission of COVID-19 infection in health-care settings.

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