scholarly journals Portable rotating grating stimulation for anisometropic amblyopia with 6 months training

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wen-Hsiu Yeh ◽  
Li-Ju Lai ◽  
Da-Wei Chang ◽  
Wei-Sin Lin ◽  
Guan-Ming Lin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Daily Practice ◽  
Dropout Rate ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Slight Improvement ◽  
Corrected Visual Acuity ◽  
Home Based ◽  
High Dropout Rate ◽  
Portable System ◽  
Stimulation System ◽  
Grating Acuity

AbstractTreatment of grating stimulation has been used in amblyopia for decades, but high dropout rate and inconvenience for daily practice occur in previous studies. We developed a home-based portable system with rotating grating stimulation on a tablet. Thirty anisometropic amblyopic children were randomly allocated into the control or Grating group. They drew contour of the picture under patch of a better eye for 6 months. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), grating acuity (GA), and contrast sensitivity (CS) were assessed at the baseline, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 6th months of training. All participants completed the 6-month training. Patched eyes of both groups exhibited no difference. Trained eyes of the control group had significantly slight improvement in BCVA and GA. In particular, the Grating group exhibited significantly higher BCVA, GA, and CS compared with those of the control group at the 3rd and 6th months of training. Moreover, percentage of the Grating group with great improvement (BCVA ≥ 0.3 or CS ≥ 0.3) was significantly larger than those of the control group at the 3rd or 6th months of training. The portable grating stimulation system demonstrates its trainability by no dropout and effectiveness by significant improvements in all assessments through a well experimental design.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04213066, registered 30/12/2019, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04213066.

scholarly journals Vitamin D Status and Thyroid Autoantibodies in Autoimmune Thyroiditis

2019 ◽  
Vol 51 (12) ◽  
pp. 792-797 ◽  
Author(s):  
Viktoria F. Koehler ◽  
Natalie Filmann ◽  
W. Alexander Mann
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Autoimmune Thyroiditis ◽  
Inverse Correlation ◽  
Analysis Data ◽  
Dropout Rate ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Thyroid Peroxidase ◽  
Hydroxyvitamin D ◽  
Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials ◽  
High Dropout Rate

AbstractA lack of vitamin D seems to be related to autoimmune diseases including autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT). This study intends to determine the correlation between improvement of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels and AIT in patients from an outpatient endocrine clinic in Frankfurt, Germany. This study included 933 patients with thyroid peroxidase antibodies (anti-TPO-Ab) ≥34 kIU/l, including most patients with clear AIT due to a concurrent sonographic evidence of reduced echogenicity. We performed clinical evaluation and laboratory analysis at five points in time within two years retrospectively. Due to a high dropout rate within the observation period, we excluded the last two time points from analysis. Data from 933 AIT patients revealed 89% having vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency [25(OH)D <75 nmol/l] with a median 25(OH)D level of 39.7 nmol/l. At baseline, a weak inverse correlation between 25(OH)D and anti-TPO-Ab was observed during winter (rs=–0.09, p=0.048*), but not during summer time (p>0.2). We discovered 58 patients having initially a 25(OH)D level < 75 nmol/l (median: 40.2 nmol/l), which improved over time to a 25(OH)D level ≥ 75 nmol/l (median: 83.2 nmol/l, p<0.0005***). Simultaneously, the median anti-TPO-Ab level showed a significant decrease of 25% from 245.8 to 181.3 kIU/l (p=0.036*). A significant reduction of the median anti-TPO-Ab level of 9% was also observed in the control group, which consisted of patients having constantly a 25(OH)D level <75 nmol/l. The result may suggest that in particular patients with 25(OH)D levels < 75 nmol/l benefit from an increase of 25(OH)D levels ≥ 75 nmol/l. Further prospective randomized controlled clinical trials are needed to finally evaluate if vitamin D has immunmodulatory effects in AIT.

Using Social Media to Improve Student-Instructor Communication in an Onlinef Learning Environment

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rong Guo ◽  
Yide Shen ◽  
Lei Li
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Group ◽  
Online Education ◽  
Learning Environment ◽  
Student Performance ◽  
Dropout Rate ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Communication Tool ◽  
Instructor Communication ◽  
High Dropout Rate ◽  
Student Instructor

The lack of effective faculty-student interaction has been identified as a main contributor to the high dropout rate in online education. For this paper, the authors conducted an empirical study using a social networking tool, specifically Facebook, to improve student-instructor communication and student performance in an online learning environment. They recruited three sections of an introductory IT course at a public university and divided them into two groups: (1) a treatment group where Facebook was used as an additional communication tool and (2) a control group where the course setting wasn't changed. The authors surveyed the participants' opinions on the use of Facebook in the treatment group, and collected participants' academic performance data for both the treatment and control groups. Their research findings show that the use of Facebook as a supplemental communication method can help an instructor better reach out to students, reduce a course's failure rate, and improve student course performance.

The prevalence of Trichomonas vaginalis and Candida albicans infection in the lower genital tracts of antenatal patients in Abakaliki, Southeastern Nigeria

1970 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
IM Sunday-Adeoye ◽  
JOK Adeoye ◽  
OUJ Umeora ◽  
PI Okonta
Keyword(s):  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Pregnancy Outcomes ◽  
Trichomonas Vaginalis ◽  
Dropout Rate ◽  
Antenatal Clinic ◽  
Southeastern Nigeria ◽  
High Dropout Rate ◽  
Adverse Pregnancy ◽  
June July ◽  
A Prospective Study

Aims: To determine the prevalence of Trichomonas vaginalis and Candida albican infection among anasymptomatic pregnant population and to document their pregnancy outcomes.Methods: This was a prospective study involving antenatal clinic attendees at the Ebonyi State UniversityTeaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Nigeria. They were randomly recruited and informed consent obtained. Vaginalspecimens were collected from them and analyzed in the laboratory. They were followed up till delivery andpregnancy outcomes documented.Results: Two hundred expectant mothers were recruited. The prevalence rate of Trichomonas vaginalis andCandida albicans were 0.5% and 27.5% respectively. Due to the high dropout rate in the study, it wasimpossible to make any reasonable inference about the pregnancy outcomes associated with these conditions.Conclusion: There is probably the need for the use of more sophisticated methods for the detection ofTrichomonas vaginalis. The existing methods in most laboratories in the country may not be adequate. Thereis also probably the need for a larger sample size and a stricter follow up of the patients in order to documentany adverse pregnancy outcomes associated with these conditions.Keywords: Prevalence; Trichomonas vaginalis; Candida albicans; antenatal careDOI: 10.3126/njog.v4i1.3325Nepal Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology June-July 2009; 4(1): 11-14

The Level of Cytokines in the Vitreous Body of Severe Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy Patients Undergoing Posterior Vitrectomy

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (27) ◽  
pp. 3276-3281 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dorota Raczyńska ◽  
Katarzyna A. Lisowska ◽  
Krzysztof Pietruczuk ◽  
Joanna Borucka ◽  
Mateusz Ślizień ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diabetic Retinopathy ◽  
Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy ◽  
Vitreous Body ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Slit Lamp ◽  
Corrected Visual Acuity ◽  
Cytokine Levels ◽  
Pars Plana ◽  
Eye Examination

Objective: The objective of the study was to compare cytokine levels in the vitreous body of patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) undergoing posterior vitrectomy. Patients and methods: The study included 39 patients (39 eyes) undergoing pars plana vitrectomy (PPV). Patients were divided into three groups: patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) without aflibercept injection prior to the surgery, PDR patients administered aflibercept injection prior to the surgery, and patients without diabetes mellitus (control group). All patients underwent a comprehensive eye examination one day before and 3 weeks after the surgery, including measurements of: best-corrected visual acuity (BVCA) and intraocular pressure (IOP), slit-lamp examination and spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SOCT). Concentrations of cytokines: IL-6, IL-8, IL-12p70, TNF, IL-10, IL-1β were measured in the vitreous body of patients with BD™ Cytometric Bead Array (CBA) Human Inflammatory Cytokines Kit. Results: PDR patients who received pretreatment with aflibercept injection showed significantly lower concentrations of IL-12p70, TNF, IL-10 and IL-1β in the vitreous body compared to the control group. Meanwhile, patients without prior aflibercept injection had a significantly higher concentration of IL-8. There was also a significant positive correlation between IOP before PPV and IL-8 concentration in both PDR patients’ groups. Conclusion: Findings of our study suggest an important role of IL-8 in the development of severe PDR. Aflibercept administration on the day before elective vitrectomy facilitated the surgery.

Increasing Life-Space Mobility in Community-Dwelling Older Persons With Cognitive Impairment Following Rehabilitation: A Randomized Controlled Trial

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phoebe Ullrich ◽  
Christian Werner ◽  
Martin Bongartz ◽  
Tobias Eckert ◽  
Bastian Abel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Older Persons ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Life Space ◽  
Home Based ◽  
Independent Life

Abstract Background Community-dwelling older persons with cognitive impairment (CI) following discharge from geriatric rehabilitation are at high risk of losing life-space mobility (LSM). Interventions to improve their LSM are, however, still lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a CI-specific, home-based physical training and activity promotion program on LSM. Methods Older persons with mild-to-moderate CI (Mini-Mental State Examination: 17–26 points) discharged home from rehabilitation were included in this double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial with a 12-week intervention period and 12-week follow-up period. The intervention group received a CI-specific, home-based strength, balance, and walking training supported by tailored motivational strategies. The control group received a placebo activity. LSM was evaluated by the Life-Space Assessment in Persons with Cognitive Impairment, including a composite score for LSM and 3 subscores for maximal, equipment-assisted, and independent life space. Mixed-model repeated-measures analyses were used. Results One hundred eighteen participants (82.3 ± 6.0 years) with CI (Mini-Mental State Examination: 23.3 ± 2.4) were randomized. After the intervention, the home-based training program resulted in a significant benefit in the Life-Space Assessment in Persons with Cognitive Impairment composite scores (b = 8.15; 95% confidence interval: 2.89–13.41; p = .003) and independent life-space subscores (b = 0.39; 95% confidence interval: 0.00–0.78; p = .048) in the intervention group (n = 63) compared to control group (n = 55). Other subscores and follow-up results were not significantly different. Conclusions The home-based training program improved LSM and independent life space significantly in this vulnerable population. Effects were not sustained over the follow-up. The program may represent a model for improved transition from rehabilitation to the community to prevent high risk of LSM restriction.

scholarly journals Supported progressive resistance exercise training to counter the adverse side effects of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: a randomised controlled trial

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruth E. Ashton ◽  
Jonathan J. Aning ◽  
Garry A. Tew ◽  
Wendy A Robson ◽  
John M Saxton
Keyword(s):  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Radical Prostatectomy ◽  
Muscular Strength ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Robot Assisted ◽  
Resistance Exercise Training ◽  
Home Based ◽  
Aerobic Exercise Capacity ◽  
Randomised Controlled

Abstract Purpose To investigate the effects of a supported home-based progressive resistance exercise training (RET) programme on indices of cardiovascular health, muscular strength and health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) in prostate cancer (PCa) patients after treatment with robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). Methods This study was a single-site, two-arm randomised controlled trial, with 40 participants randomised to either the intervention or control group over a 10-month period. In addition to receiving usual care, the intervention group completed three weekly RET sessions using resistance bands for 6 months. Participants performed 3 sets of 12–15 repetitions for each exercise, targeting each major muscle group. The control group received usual care only. Brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) was the primary outcome and assessed at baseline, 3 and 6 months. Secondary outcomes included body weight, body fat, aerobic fitness, strength and blood-borne biomarkers associated with cardiometabolic risk. Results There was no significant difference between the groups in FMD at 3 or 6 months. However, there were improvements in aerobic exercise capacity (P < 0.01) and upper- (P < 0.01) and lower-limb (P = 0.01) strength in favour of the RET group at 6 months, accompanied by greater weight loss (P = 0.04) and a reduction in body fat (P = 0.02). Improvements in HRQoL were evident in the RET group at 3 and 6 months via the PCa-specific component of the FACT-P questionnaire (both P < 0.01). Five adverse events and one serious adverse event were reported throughout the trial duration. Conclusion This study demonstrates that home-based RET is an effective and safe mode of exercise that elicits beneficial effects on aerobic exercise capacity, muscular strength and HR-QoL in men who have undergone RARP. Trial registration ISRCTN10490647.

scholarly journals Effect of mobile guided cardiac rehabilitation on quality of life – the EU-CaRE randomised clinical trial

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
V Houben ◽  
J.A Snoek ◽  
E Prescott ◽  
N Mikkelsen ◽  
A.E Van Der Velde ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Elderly Patients ◽  
Cardiac Rehabilitation ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Funding Source ◽  
Multi Centre Study ◽  
Old Patients ◽  
Home Based ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract Background and purpose Although participation in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) improves quality of life (QoL), participation in CR, especially among elderly, is limited. We conducted this study to assess whether mobile home-based CR (mCR) increases QoL in elderly (≥65 years old) patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) or a valvular intervention who decline participation in conventional CR. Methods It is designed as a randomised multi-centre study with two parallel arms. Randomisation assigned patients either to mCR or a control group. mCR Consisted of six months of home-based CR with telemonitoring and coaching. Control-group patients did not receive any form of CR throughout the study period. Quality of life was measured with the SF-36v2 questionnaire at 0, 6 and 12 months. Results A total of 179 patients were included in this study (90 control, 89 mCR). A flowchart of the trial is presented in Figure 1. Patients were predominantly male (81.1%). Baseline characteristics can be found in Table 1. Patients using mCR improved on physical QoL after 6 (p=0.026) and 12 (p=0.008) months. There was no difference on mental QoL for both groups (mCR 6 months p=0.563, 12 months p=0.945; control 6 months p=0.589, 12 months p=0.542). No difference existed in QoL between the mCR and control group (physical: 6 months p=0.070, 12 months p=0.150; mental: 6 months p=0.355, 12 months p=0.625). Conclusion Although there is no significant difference in QoL between the control and mCR group, mCR increases physical QoL after 6 and 12 months in elderly patients who decline participation in conventional CR. Therefore E-Health tools should be considered as an alternative for conventional CR when (elderly) patients decline to participate in conventional CR. Figure 1. Flow chart of all eligible patients Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – EU funding. Main funding source(s): European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme

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