Do Flexible Silicone Tubes Immersed in Water Combined With Vocalise Improve the Immediate Effect on Voice?

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-28
Author(s):  
Nathália Suellen Valeriano Cardoso ◽  
Jonia Alves Lucena ◽  
Zulina Souza de Lira ◽  
Silvio José de Vasconcelos ◽  
Leonardo Wanderley Lopes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acoustic Measurements ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Silicone Tube ◽  
Maximum Phonation Time ◽  
Range Profile ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Vocal Effort ◽  
Cepstral Peak Prominence ◽  
Voice Range

Purpose: This study aimed to analyze the immediate effect on a singer's voice of a flexible silicone tube immersed in water combined with ascending and descending vocalise scales compared with ascending and descending vocalise scales alone. Method: A pre- and post-intervention quasi-experimental study was conducted. Thirty adult singers between 18 and 45 years old with no laryngeal disorders performed the two techniques for 3 min each on different days. Acoustic measurements of frequency, jitter, shimmer, glottal-to-noise excitation ratio, noise, smoothed cepstral peak prominence (CPPS), maximum phonation time (MPT), voice range profile, and self-perceived vocal effort (Borg Category Ratio 10-BR Scale adapted for vocal effort) were assessed before and after performing the techniques. Results: The results indicated an increase in singers' CPPS and MPT values and a decrease in shimmer and noise when performing with a flexible silicone tube immersed in water combined with vocalise. The singers reported a perception of decreased vocal effort after both methods. However, the diminished perceived vocal effort became more pronounced with the tube phonation technique combined with vocalise. Conclusions: Phonation in tubes combined with vocalise improved the vocal acoustic parameters (including cepstral measurements), increased MPT, and diminished perceived vocal effort. Although using vocalise alone diminished perceived vocal effort, this decrease was more pronounced in the tube phonation technique combined with vocalise.

scholarly journals Promotion of Early and Exclusive Breastfeeding in Neonatal Care Units in Rural Rwanda: a Quasi-experimental Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saidath Gato ◽  
Francois Biziyaremye ◽  
Catherine M. Kirk ◽  
Chiquita Palha De Sousa ◽  
Alain Mukuralinda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Exclusive Breastfeeding ◽  
Child Survival ◽  
Neonatal Care ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Evidenced Based ◽  
Additional Support

Abstract Background: Early initiation of breastfeeding after birth and ongoing exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months improves child survival, nutrition and health outcomes. However, only 42% of newborns worldwide are breastfed within the first hour of life. Small and sick newborns are at greater risk of not receiving breastmilk and often require additional support for feeding. This study compares breastfeeding practices in Rwandan neonatal care units (NCUs) before and after the implementation of a package of interventions aimed to improve breastfeeding, aligned with the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative for small and sick newborns.Methods: A pre-post quasi experimental study was conducted at two District hospital NCUs in rural Rwanda from October 2017–December 2017 (pre-intervention) and September 2018–March 2019 (post-intervention). Only newborns admitted before their second day of life (DOL) were included. Data was extracted from patient charts for clinical and demographic characteristics, feeding throughout admission, and patient outcomes. Bivariate analyses were conducted using Fisher’s exact and Wilcoxon rank sum tests. Logistic regression was used to evaluate factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding at discharge following a backwards stepwise procedure.Results: Pre-intervention, 255 newborns were admitted in the NCUs and 793 were admitted in the post-intervention period. The percentage of infants who were exclusively breastfed on their day of birth, or day-of-life zero (DOL0) increased from 5.4% to 35.9% (p<0.001). For newborns discharged alive, the proportion exclusively breastfeeding increased from 69.6% to 87.0% (p<0.001). The mortality rate for all admitted newborns decreased from 16.1% to 10.5% (p<0.019). Factors associated with greater odds of exclusive breastfeeding at discharge included post-intervention time point (Odds Ratio (OR): 4.91, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.99-12.11, p<0.001), and admission for infection (OR 2.99, 95%CI 1.13-7.93, p=0.027). Home deliveries (OR 0.15, 95%CI 0.05-0.47, p=0.001), preterm delivery (OR 0.36, 95%CI 0.15-0.87, p=0.0260 and delayed first breastmilk feed (OR=0.04 for DOL3 vs. DOL0, 95%CI 0.01, 0.35, p=0.004) reduced odds of exclusive breastfeeding at discharge. Conclusion: Expansion and adoption of evidenced-based guidelines, using innovative approaches, aimed at the unique needs of small and sick newborns should be expanded and adapted in similar settings to improve outcomes for these infants.

scholarly journals A low-cost intervention to promote immediate skin-to-skin contact and improve temperature regulation in Northern Uganda

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva Nissen ◽  
Kristin Svensson ◽  
Scovia Mbalinda ◽  
Kajsa Brimdyr ◽  
Peter Waiswa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Hospital Staff ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Skin Contact ◽  
Group Data ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Skin To Skin ◽  
Post Intervention Group

Background Uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact between mothers and newborns during the first hour after birth has been reported to be 2% in Uganda. Aims To investigate if a low-cost intervention targeting the behaviors of hospital staff would increase skin-to-skin contact and to investigate whether skin-to-skin contact stabilised temperature in the newborn. Methods The study had a quasi-experimental, before and after design. The sample included 110 in the pre-intervention group, and 93 in the post-intervention group. Data collection included observations of skin-to-skin contact and temperature measurements. Data were also collected from medical records and interviews. Findings No infants had skin-to-skin contact before the intervention, whereas the proportion was 54.8% after the intervention. Infants who received skin-to-skin contact (n=51) and infants who did not receive skin-to-skin contact (n=146) increased in temperature; however, infants who received skin-to-skin contact were significantly warmer after 5 minutes and remained so at 60 minutes. Conclusions The intervention increased the practice of skin-to-skin contact, which was found to be safe in regard to temperature stabilisation.

scholarly journals Placement of Outdoor Exercise Equipment and Physical Activity: A Quasi-Experimental Study in Two Parks in Southern California

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (7) ◽  
pp. 2605
Author(s):  
Mojgan Sami ◽  
Megan Smith ◽  
Oladele A. Ogunseitan
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Orange County ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Physical Activity Levels ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Intensity Physical Activity ◽  
Control And Prevention ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Exercise Equipment

To reduce the burden of chronic disease, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) funded the Orange County Partnerships to Improve Health (OC-PICH) project in Orange County, California. One of the strategies included adding outdoor exercise equipment (OEE) in two parks in Garden Grove and Anaheim. Using a quasi-experimental pre-post design, we evaluated park users’ physical activity levels before and after OEE installation using the System for Observing Play and Recreation in Communities (SOPARC). The OEE was installed along a walking path in Edison Park (Anaheim) and grouped within a single area (a “fitness zone”) in Garden Grove Park. In both parks, there were significantly greater odds of high-intensity physical activity overall after the installation—19% higher odds in Anaheim, and 23% higher odds in Garden Grove. However, the fitness zone area in Garden Grove had substantially higher odds of increased physical activity post-intervention (OR = 5.29, CI: 3.76–7.44, p < 0.001). While the increases in physical activity levels are consistent with past studies that link OEE to higher levels of physical activity among park users, our findings also suggest that the location and placement of equipment within a park may be an important factor to consider when improving park amenities for physical activity.

scholarly journals Teaching Cardiac Arrhythmias Using Educational Videos and Simulator Software in Nurses: An Educational Interventional Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hamed Tavan ◽  
Siros Norouzi ◽  
Masoumeh Shohani
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Arrhythmias ◽  
Heart Diseases ◽  
Educational Interventions ◽  
P Value ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Educational Videos

Background: Cardiac arrhythmias are among the most prominent causes of mortality in patients with heart diseases. By timely diagnosis of arrhythmias, nurses can provide necessary therapeutic measures to these patients. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of teaching cardiac arrhythmias using educational videos and simulator software in nurses. Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 22 novice nurses were selected based on the census method. Evaluations were performed before and after educational interventions for cardiac arrhythmia. The interventions included using simulator software and face-to-face education. A questionnaire with 20 questions regarding cardiac arrhythmias organized in 4 parts of sinus arrhythmias, atrial arrhythmias, ventricular arrhythmias, and blocks and junctional rhythm, and each with 5 questions was used to collect data. Each question was scored 1 point, and the final score ranged from 0 to 20. The scores were categorized into poor (< 10), moderate (11 - 15), and good (16 - 20) levels. Data were analyzed using SPSS V.20 software. Results: There was a significant difference in the mean of total score regarding the diagnosis of arrhythmias before (9.9) and after (15.68) the education (P value = 0.022). This indicated an increase of about 6 scores at post-intervention. The classification of the scores showed that 9 (40.9%) and 13 (59.1%) nurses had poor and moderate diagnostic abilities before training. However, following education, 10 nurses (50%) acquired moderate and 10 (50%) nurses obtained good scores. Conclusions: Arrhythmia scores varied before and after training, with the mean scores after training increased, and arrhythmia detection rate was increased after the intervention. It is advisable to use modern educational methods as good alternatives for reviewing educational content and concepts.

scholarly journals Effect of an Interactive Training on Choosing Delivery Method among Primiparous Pregnant Women: An Interventional Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nahid Zarifsanaiey ◽  
Alireza Bagheri ◽  
Faezeh Jahanpour ◽  
Samaneh Nematollahi ◽  
Parviz Azodi
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Vaginal Delivery ◽  
Delivery Method ◽  
Interventional Study ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Delivery Methods ◽  
Interactive Training ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Quasi Experimental

Objective. To evaluate the effect of interactive training conducted during pregnancy on choosing delivery method among primiparous women. Methods. Quasi-experimental study carried out in 2017 in two hospitals in the city of Bushehr (Iran), with the participation of 108 primiparous pregnant women in an educational program consisting of eight 2-hour sessions every two weeks in which interactive training activities were performed (group discussions, classroom sessions, and delivery of printed educational material) on themes related with physiological delivery, painless vaginal delivery methods, and complications of cesarean delivery without indication, among others. Before and after the intervention, the Knowledge and Preferred Method of Delivery Questionnaire by Moradabadi et al., was used to obtain information. Results. The results indicated that the level of knowledge in the group of mothers increased significantly between the pre-intervention and post-intervention assessment (13.2 versus 19.4, of 20 possible maximum points; p <0.001). Additionally, significant difference was observed in the selection of the vaginal delivery method before and after the intervention (74.1% versus 98.1%; p<0.001). Conclusion. Implementation of interactive training increased knowledge of pregnant women on the delivery and induced a positive effect to encourage the primiparous mothers to have a vaginal delivery.How to cite this article: Zarifsanaiey N, Bagheri A, Jahanpour F, Nematollahi S, Azodi P. Effect of an Interactive Training on Choosing Delivery Method among Primiparous Pregnant Women: An Interventional Study. Invest. Educ. Enferm. 2020; 38(1):e04.

scholarly journals Continuous Vocal Fry Simulated in Laboratory Subjects: A Preliminary Report on Voice Production and Listener Ratings

2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 1539-1545
Author(s):  
Anumitha Venkatraman ◽  
M. Preeti Sivasankar
Keyword(s):  
Voice Quality ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Voice Production ◽  
Paired Samples ◽  
Visual Analog Scales ◽  
Phonation Threshold Pressure ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Vocal Effort ◽  
Cepstral Peak Prominence ◽  
Listener Ratings

Purpose Vocal fry is prevalent in everyday speech. However, whether the use of vocal fry is detrimental to voice production is unclear. This preliminary study assessed the effects of using continuous vocal fry on voice production measures and listener ratings. Method Ten healthy individuals (equal male and female, mean age = 22.4 years) completed 2 counterbalanced sessions. In each session, participants read in continuous vocal fry or habitual voice quality for 30 min at a comfortable intensity. Continuous vocal fry was simulated. Phonation threshold pressure (PTP 10 and PTP 20 ), cepstral peak prominence, and vocal effort ratings were obtained before and after the production of each voice quality. Next, 10 inexperienced listeners (equal male and female, mean age = 24.1 years) used visual analog scales to rate paired samples of continuous vocal fry and habitual voice quality for naturalness, employability, and amount of listener concentration. Results PTP 10 and vocal effort ratings increased after 30 min of continuous vocal fry. Inexperienced listeners rated continuous vocal fry more negatively than the habitual voice quality. Conclusions Thirty minutes of simulated, continuous vocal fry worsened some voice measures when compared with a habitual voice quality. Samples of continuous vocal fry were rated as significantly less employable, less natural, and requiring greater listener concentration as compared with samples of habitual voice quality. Future studies should include habitual users of vocal fry to investigate speech stimulability and adaptation with cueing to further understand pathogenesis of vocal fry.

Reproducibility of Dual-Microphone Voice Range Profile Equipment

2017 ◽  
Vol 60 (12) ◽  
pp. 3369-3377 ◽  
Author(s):  
Trine Printz ◽  
Ellen Raben Pedersen ◽  
Peter Juhl ◽  
Troels Nielsen ◽  
Ågot Møller Grøntved ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Anechoic Chamber ◽  
Reference Source ◽  
Positive Finding ◽  
Low Frequencies ◽  
Retest Reliability ◽  
Range Profile ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Test Retest Reliability ◽  
Voice Range ◽  
The Voice

Purpose The aim of this study was to add further knowledge about the usefulness of the Voice Range Profile (VRP) assessment in clinical settings and research by analyzing VRP dual-microphone equipment precision, reliability, and room effect. Method Test–retest studies were conducted in an anechoic chamber and an office: (a) comparing sound pressure levels (SPLs) from a dual-microphone VRP device, the Voice Profiler, when given the same input repeatedly (test–retest reliability); (b) comparing SPLs from 3 devices when given the same input repeatedly (intervariation); and (c) assessing the room effect. Results (a) The mean standard deviation across 17 measurement points was 0.7 dB for 1 device. (b) One device was less precise than the other 2 devices. All devices presented high SPLs at low frequencies compared with the reference. (c) Mean SPLs were almost equal in the anechoic chamber and the office. Conclusions The high test–retest reliability of the dual-microphone VRP equipment, especially in general office surroundings, is a positive finding. Attention must be paid to specific factors such as using the same device when comparing the same voice before and after treatment, caution in headset placement, and manual recalibrations when automatic recalibration occurs. We suggest recalibrations verified with a reference source at regular intervals.

scholarly journals EVALUATION OF INTERACTIVE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY EDUCATION PROGRAM (IPAEP): A PRELIMINARY STUDY

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (32) ◽  
pp. 247-258
Author(s):  
Ahmad Faezi Ab. Rashid ◽  
Nor Dalila Marican ◽  
Abdullah Mohamed Yusoff ◽  
Nurul Hafizah Mohd Yasin ◽  
Mohd Hafzal Abdul Halim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
University Students ◽  
Education Program ◽  
Knowledge Score ◽  
P Value ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Interactive Lectures ◽  
Quasi Experimental

The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in physical activity knowledge among university students after exposure to Interactive Physical Activity Education Program (IPAEP). In current globalization, physical inactivity or sedentary lifestyle becomes a major underlying cause of chronic diseases worldwide. There is a growing concern of inadequate physical activity levels among young adult especially university students. The acquisition and dissemination of physical activity recommendations through physical activity program are essential in the delivery of an adequate level of physical activity knowledge among university students Materials and Methods: A quasi-experimental study design was conducted, and data were collected using a questionnaire among students (n=116) of Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, to evaluate the changes of physical activity knowledge after exposure to IPAEP intervention. All of them participated in 10 weeks of IPAEP intervention. In the IPAEP intervention, students were exposed to interactive lectures and various online activities related to types, risks, benefits, and key recommendations of physical activity. Pre- and post-intervention surveys were taking place before and after the program to evaluate the same measure, which is the physical activity knowledge. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 25.0. Paired-sample t-tests were used to evaluate the differences between pre- and post-intervention of the physical activity knowledge scores. Result: The present study showed a significant increment in physical activity knowledge score (P-value <0.001) among university students after participating in IPAEP intervention. Conclusion: Since the present study emphasized physical activity education for university students, the IPAEP could contribute to better physical activity knowledge which eventually beneficial for their active lifestyle in the future.

scholarly journals Installation of pedal-operated alcohol gel dispensers with behavioral nudges and changes in hand hygiene behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic: a hospital-based quasi-experimental study

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wit Wichaidit ◽  
Sommanas Naknual ◽  
Nanta Kleangkert ◽  
Tippawan Liabsuetrakul
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Hand Hygiene ◽  
Tertiary Hospital ◽  
Pathogen Transmission ◽  
P Value ◽  
Intervention Period ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Observation Area ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Quasi Experimental

We conducted a quasi-experimental study and compared hand hygiene behaviors at potential pathogen transmission events among outpatient visitors (according to structured observations a trained enumerator) before and after installation of 12 pedal-operated alcohol gel dispensers with behavioral nudges (signs attached to the dispensers) at a tertiary hospital in southern Thailand during the COVID-19 pandemic. The enumerator observed 243 events during the pre-intervention period and 223 events during the post-intervention period. Prevalence of hand hygiene was significantly different between the pre-intervention and post-intervention periods (0 vs 24 events, or 0% vs 11%, respectively; p-value <0.001). However, 21 of 24 hand hygiene events were of participants who came from outside the observation area, used the dispensers, then left. Nonetheless, the intervention might have helped to increase access to hand hygiene materials and created opportunities for hand hygiene among hospital visitors in general.

Sustained improvement in hospital cleaning associated with a novel education and culture change program for environmental services workers

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (9) ◽  
pp. 1024-1029 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena K. Martin ◽  
Elizabeth L. Salsgiver ◽  
Daniel A. Bernstein ◽  
Matthew S. Simon ◽  
William G. Greendyke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hand Hygiene ◽  
Acute Care ◽  
Culture Change ◽  
Acute Care Hospitals ◽  
Role Playing ◽  
Environmental Services ◽  
Audience Response ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Quasi Experimental

AbstractObjective:To sustainably improve cleaning of high-touch surfaces (HTSs) in acute-care hospitals using a multimodal approach to education, reduction of barriers to cleaning, and culture change for environmental services workers.Design:Prospective, quasi-experimental, before-and-after intervention study.Setting:The study was conducted in 2 academic acute-care hospitals, 2 community hospitals, and an academic pediatric and women’s hospital.Participants:Frontline environmental services workers.Intervention:A 5-module educational program, using principles of adult learning theory, was developed and presented to environmental services workers. Audience response system (ARS), videos, demonstrations, role playing, and graphics were used to illustrate concepts of and the rationale for infection prevention strategies. Topics included hand hygiene, isolation precautions, personal protective equipment (PPE), cleaning protocols, and strategies to overcome barriers. Program evaluation included ARS questions, written evaluations, and objective assessments of occupied patient room cleaning. Changes in hospital-onset C. difficile infection (CDI) and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) bacteremia were evaluated.Results:On average, 357 environmental service workers participated in each module. Most (93%) rated the presentations as ‘excellent’ or ‘very good’ and agreed that they were useful (95%), reported that they were more comfortable donning/doffing PPE (91%) and performing hand hygiene (96%) and better understood the importance of disinfecting HTSs (96%) after the program. The frequency of cleaning individual HTSs in occupied rooms increased from 26% to 62% (P < .001) following the intervention. Improvement was sustained 1-year post intervention (P < .001). A significant decrease in CDI was associated with the program.Conclusion:A novel program that addressed environmental services workers’ knowledge gaps, challenges, and barriers was well received and appeared to result in learning, behavior change, and sustained improvements in cleaning.

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