Tinnitus Impact: Three Different Measurement Tools

The impact of tinnitus and overall levels of distress were measured with three assessment tools for patients with tinnitus. The Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R) and an activities limitations questionnaire were administered to 53 audiology patients reporting tinnitus. Forty-three percent of these patients experienced either quality of life reductions associated with tinnitus, substantial perceived handicap, and/or a high level of distress. Results from the General Severity Index (GSI) of the SCL-90-R indicated that 25% of these patients displayed distress greater than that of the general medical population. The SCL-90-R can be a useful tool for audiologists working with tinnitus patients in assessing needs for referral for psychological or psychiatric counseling.

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Evaluation of the efficacy of hearing aids in older adults: a multiparametric longitudinal study protocol

BMC Geriatrics ◽

10.1186/s12877-021-02033-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Domenico Cuda ◽

Sara Ghiselli ◽

Alessandra Murri

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Older Adults ◽

Speech Perception ◽

Hearing Aids ◽

Assessment Tools ◽

Elderly Subjects ◽

Single Subject ◽

Measurement Tools ◽

First Time

Abstract Background Prevalence of hearing loss increases with age. Its estimated prevalence is 40–50 % in people over 75 years of age. Recent studies agree that declinein hearing threshold contribute to deterioration in sociality, sensitivity, cognition, and quality of life for elderly subjects. The aim of the study presented in this paper is to verify whether or not rehabilitation using first time applied Hearing Aids (HA) in a cohort of old people with hearing impairment improves both speech perception in a noisy environment over time and the overall health-related quality of life. Methods The monocentric, prospective, repeated measurements, single-subject, clinical observational study is to recruit 100 older adults, first-time HA recipients (≥ 65 years).The evaluation protocol is designed to analyze changes in specific measurement tools a year after the first HA usage in comparison with the evaluation before HA fitting. Evaluations will consist of multiparametric details collected through self-report questionnaires completed by the recipients and a series of commonly used audiometric measures and geriatric assessment tools. The primary indicator of changes in speech perception in noise to be used is the Italian version of Oldenburg Satz (OLSA) test whereas the indicator of changes in overall quality of life will be the Assessment of Quality of Life (AQoL) and Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly (HHIE) questionnaires. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) will help in screening the cognitive state of the subjects. Discussion The protocol is designed to make use of measurement tools that have already been applied to the hearing-impaired population in order to compare the effects of HA rehabilitation in the older adults immediately before first HA usage (Pre) and after 1 year of experience (Post). This broad approach will lead to a greater understanding of how useful hearing influences the quality of life in older individuals, and therefore improves potentials for healthy aging. The data is to be analyzed by using an intrasubject endpoint comparison. Outcomes will be described and analyzed in detail. Trial registration This research was retrospectively registered underno. NCT04333043at ClinicalTrials.gov (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/) on the 26 March 2020. This research has been registered with the Ethics Committee of the Area Vasta Emilia Nord under number 104, date of approval 17/07/2017.

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SQoF-WEAR Project. The Use of Wearable Devices to Identify the Impact of Stress on Workers’ Quality of Life

Engineering Proceedings ◽

10.3390/engproc2021007025 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. 25

Author(s):

Patricia Concheiro-Moscoso ◽

Betania Groba ◽

Sílvia Monteiro-Fonseca ◽

Nereida Canosa ◽

Cristina Queirós

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Wearable Devices ◽

Assessment Tools ◽

Self Report ◽

Major Public Health Problem ◽

The University ◽

And Control ◽

The Impact

(1) Background: Stress is a major public health problem due to its relevant health, social and economic repercussions. Moreover, stress can be associated with work; when stress increases over time, burnout can occur, an occupational phenomenon recognized by the WHO in 2019. There is interest in the use of wearable devices to monitor and control stressors and their influence on the condition of workers. This study aims to identify the level of job stress and its influence on the quality of life of workers. (2) Methods:This longitudinal study was carried out between the end of May and mid-July 2021. Three assessment tools along with a daily and a weekly questionnaire were computerized through the RedCap platform. The participants had to fill out the diary and weekly questionnaires and wear a Xiaomi Mi Band 5 during the project. (3) Results and discussion: Thirty-six workers from the University of Coruña and from the University of Porto participated in the project. This study promotes the awareness of workers regarding their work stress and the influence of this factor on their quality of life using physiological (e.g., activity, sleep, and heart rate) and psychological indicators (self-report questionnaires in different moments).

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Validation of the Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus Disease Area and Severity Index and pSkindex27 for use in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus

Lupus Science & Medicine ◽

10.1136/lupus-2018-000275 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

pp. e000275

Author(s):

Ashwaq AlE'ed ◽

Pinar Ozge Avar Aydin ◽

Nora Al Mutairi ◽

Alhanouf AlSaleem ◽

Hafize Emine Sonmez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Lupus Erythematosus ◽

Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus ◽

Severity Index ◽

Assessment Tools ◽

Measurement Properties ◽

Childhood Onset ◽

Disease Area ◽

Cutaneous Lupus

ObjectiveTo determine the measurement properties of the Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus Disease Area and Severity Index (CLASI) and the paediatric adaptation of the Skindex29 (pSkindex27) when used in childhood-onset SLE (cSLE).MethodsPatients with mucocutaneous involvement of cSLE were evaluated at the study entry and 6 months later. Besides the CLASI and pSkindex27, the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Generic Core scale (PedsQL-GC), its Rheumatology Module (PedsQL-RM), the SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) and the SLE Damage Index (SDI) were completed.ResultsThe CLASI and pSkindex27 had high internal consistency (both Cronbach α >0.82). Children were able to complete the pSkindex27, with self-report and caregiver proxy-reports showing excellent agreement (intraclass correlation coefficient=0.97). The CLASI Activity Score (CLASI-A) was strongly correlated with the mucocutaneous domain score of the SLEDAI as was the CLASI Damage Score (CLASI-D) with that of the SDI (both: Spearman correlation coefficients (rs) >0.68). pSkindex27 summary scores were moderately correlated with those of the PedsQL-GC and PedsQL-RM (all: rs>|0.51|), the CLASI-A and CLASI-D (both: rs> 0.64), respectively. Patients who experienced a >50% improvement of the CLASI-A between study visits had significantly higher PedsQL-GC and pSkindex27 scores than those without improvement of mucocutaneous features.ConclusionBoth CLASI and pSkindex27 are useful assessment tools in cSLE, active and chronic mucocutaneous lesions and their changes over time can be measured using the CLASI and the pSkindex27 can capture the impact of mucocutaneous involvement on patient health-related quality of life.

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Moyamoya disease: functional and neurocognitive outcomes in the pediatric and adult populations

Neurosurgical FOCUS ◽

10.3171/2011.3.focus1150 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 30 (6) ◽

pp. E21 ◽

Cited By ~ 33

Author(s):

David G. Weinberg ◽

Rudy J. Rahme ◽

Salah G. Aoun ◽

H. Hunt Batjer ◽

Bernard R. Bendok

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Executive Function ◽

Clinical Outcomes ◽

Moyamoya Disease ◽

Pediatric Patients ◽

Adult Population ◽

Cognitive Outcome ◽

High Level ◽

The Impact

Object Moyamoya disease is an occlusive cerebrovascular disorder commonly resulting in neurocognitive impairment. The cognitive outcome parameters commonly affected are intelligence, memory, executive function, and quality of life. In this paper, the authors review the existing literature on cognitive and clinical outcomes in adult and pediatric moyamoya populations separately. Methods A systematic review of the cognitive and clinical outcome literature was performed using the PubMed/MEDLINE database. Outcomes data were contrasted between adult and pediatric populations. Results Intelligence is the main cognitive outcome parameter affected in pediatric patients with moyamoya disease, whereas adults most commonly suffer from executive function impairment. Memory has not been studied sufficiently in pediatric patients, and its dysfunction in the adult population remains controversial. Quality of life has not been studied appropriately in either population. Surgical revascularization is the only beneficial treatment option, and a combination of direct and indirect bypass techniques has shown benefit, but the impact on the above-mentioned parameters has not been sufficiently elucidated. Conclusions Moyamoya disease affects the cognition and daily function in pediatric patients to a greater extent than in adult patients. Due to the rarity of the disease, there is a distinct lack of high-level evidence regarding cognitive and clinical outcomes.

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Sirolimus Ointment for Facial Angiofibromas in Individuals with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex

International Scholarly Research Notices ◽

10.1155/2017/8404378 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2017 ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

S. Amin ◽

A. Lux ◽

A. Khan ◽

F. O’Callaghan

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Tuberous Sclerosis ◽

Tuberous Sclerosis Complex ◽

Positive Impact ◽

Severity Index ◽

Recurrent Bleeding ◽

Facial Disfigurement ◽

Psychosocial Domain ◽

The Impact

Background. Facial angiofibromas affect most patients with tuberous sclerosis complex. They tend to progress, can cause recurrent bleeding and facial disfigurement, and have significant psychological effects. We reviewed the effectiveness and safety of topical sirolimus ointment 0.1%. We also assessed the effect of treatment on quality of life. Methods. We report our experience in using sirolimus ointment in 14 patients with TSC (9 children and 5 adults). The impact of sirolimus ointment was monitored with digital photography, dermatological review using a validated Facial Angiofibroma Severity Index (FASI), and quality of life assessments using the questionnaires PedsQL for children and SF36 for adults. Results. The FASI scores were improved in 12/14 cases after six months’ treatment, and improvement was more likely in children (median FASI scores of improvement after treatment were 3 points for children and 1 for adults). Proxy-reported PedsQL scores for the total psychosocial domain improved significantly in the children in the cohort with treatment. Conclusions. Sirolimus ointment 0.1% administered once a day was effective in treating facial angiofibromas. It appears to be safe and well tolerated and to have a positive impact on patients’ quality of life. It appeared to be most beneficial when started in childhood.

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Quality of life in patients with melasma in Turkish women

Dermatology Reports ◽

10.4081/dr.2017.7340 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Hacer Uyanikoglu ◽

Mustafa Aksoy

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Severe Disease ◽

Life Quality ◽

Severity Index ◽

Older Individuals ◽

Turkish Women ◽

Moderate Disease ◽

Study Population ◽

The Impact

The aim of this study was to determine the impact of melasma on quality of life (QoL) using the dermatology life quality index (DLQI) questionnaire in a group of outpatients. This study is questionnairebased. A total of 101 Turkish women suffering from melasma, who themselves were able to understand and complete the Turkish version of the DLQI questionnaire, were enrolled. This questionnaire included 10 questions; each of each was scored on a scale of 0-3, with a maximum score of 30. The data were analyzed after the results had been collated and the higher the DLQI score, the poorer the QoL. The participants’ mean age was 29.53±6.87 years, and mean DLQI score was 6.02±4.94. When we divided the participants into two subgroups according to age, the DLQI scores for younger and older individuals were 7.44±4.99 and 4.33±4.36, respectively (P=0.001). When the melasma area and severity index (MASI) score was used, participants with mild and moderate disease had mean DLQI scores of 5.80±4.72 and 7.11±5.90, respectively. No patient had severe disease. Melasma might affect the participants’ QoL, especially that of the younger individuals, in our study population.

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Virtual Reality-Based Therapy Improves Fatigue, Impact, and Quality of Life in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis. A Systematic Review with a Meta-Analysis

Sensors ◽

10.3390/s21217389 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (21) ◽

pp. 7389

Author(s):

Irene Cortés-Pérez ◽

Marcelina Sánchez-Alcalá ◽

Francisco Antonio Nieto-Escámez ◽

Yolanda Castellote-Caballero ◽

Esteban Obrero-Gaitán ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Virtual Reality ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Simple Observation ◽

High Level ◽

The Impact ◽

Better Than

Patients with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) have a high level of fatigue and a reduced quality of life (QoL) due to the impact of multiple sclerosis (MS). Virtual reality-based therapy (VRBT) is being used to reduce disability in PwMS. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of VRBT on fatigue, the impact of MS, and QoL in PwMS. Methods: A systematic review with meta-analysis was conducted through a bibliographic search on PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and PEDro up to April 2021. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with PwMS that received VRBT in comparison to conventional therapy (CT) including physiotherapy, balance and strength exercises, and stretching or physical activity, among others; or in comparison to simple observation; in order to assess fatigue, MS-impact, and QoL. The effect size was calculated using Cohen’s standardized mean difference with a 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Results: Twelve RCTs that provided data from 606 PwMS (42.83 ± 6.86 years old and 70% women) were included. The methodological quality mean, according to the PEDro Scale, was 5.83 ± 0.83 points. Our global findings showed that VRBT is effective at reducing fatigue (SMD −0.33; 95% CI −0.61, −0.06), lowering the impact of MS (SMD −0.3; 95% CI −0.55, −0.04), and increasing overall QoL (0.5; 95% CI 0.23, 0.76). Subgroup analysis showed the following: (1) VRBT is better than CT at reducing fatigue (SMD −0.4; 95% CI −0.7, −0.11), as well as in improving the mental dimension of QoL (SMD 0.51; 95% CI 0.02, 1); (2) VRBT is better than simple observation at reducing the impact of MS (SMD −0.61; 95% CI −0.97, −0.23) and increasing overall QoL (SMD 0.79; 95% CI 0.3, 1.28); and (3) when combined with CT, VRBT is more effective than CT in improving the global (SMD 0.6, 95% CI 0.13, 1.07), physical (SMD 0.87; 95% CI 0.3, 1.43), and mental dimensions (SMD 0.6; 95% CI 0.08, 1.11) of QoL. Conclusion: VRBT is effective at reducing fatigue and MS impact and improving QoL in PwMS.

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The influence of low back pain on health – related quality of life and the impact of balneal treatment

Balneo and PRM Research Journal ◽

10.12680/balneo.2021.475 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 433-438

Author(s):

Liliana-Elena STANCIU ◽

Lucian Cristian PETCU ◽

APOSTOL Sterian ◽

Elena-Valentina IONESCU ◽

Doinița OPREA ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Low Back Pain ◽

Back Pain ◽

Social Life ◽

Functional Independence ◽

Assessment Tools ◽

Low Back ◽

The Impact

Introduction. Low back pain has a direct and proportional impact on function and a general one on the quality of life. The present study aims to evaluate the functional impact of low back pain using specific self-assessment tools as indexes of appreciation and epidemiological correlations of potential risk factors involved. The conceptual model of our research is based on the importance of correlating symptoms with clinical assessment, using scales of pain, disability, quality of life, and determination of epidemiological correlations of these areas and the determined factors of the pathology. Material and method. The study group is made up of 106 cases with clinical diagnostic of low back pain, admitted from 28 September 2020 to 28 March 2021, at Balneal and Rehabilitation Sanatorium of Techirghiol. After performing anamnesis, general clinical examination, specific neuro-musculo-skeletal examination, the patients filled the surveys highlighting the impact of their low back pain on functionality and disability deriving from it. The survey included the Oswestry Disability Index, the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) instrument and the Visual analog scale (VAS) score evaluated at the moment of hospitalization and at discharge. Statistical analysis of data was carried out and correlations between variables resulting from study were highlighted. The study was conducted according to the norms of deontology and medical ethics. The authors declare no conflict of interest. Results and discussions. Lumbar pathology is common in patients who are hospitalized for a complex balneary-physical-kinetic treatment at Balneal and Rehabilitation Sanatorium of Techirghiol. About 80% of patients who have addressed to our unit in which the study was conducted, have presented low back pain. The majority of patients were females, representing 57,55% of the total number. Regarding the patients’ age, 58,5% of them were in the 50-70 years interval. The study reveals a major positive impact of our treatment on spinal symptomatology, an effect pointed out by the relevant statistical differences between the admittance and discharge VAS scores(p<0.001). Reporting the investigated disability with the Oswestry questionnaire of painful lumbar syndrome, and functional evaluation scale (FIM) demonstrates the impact of this pathology on the patient's social life, once again emphasizing the special attention to be paid to axial pathology, both as curative treatment and the importance of prophylactic treatment. Statistical analysis of identified risk factors, reveals the importance of prophylaxis and patient’s education in this area. A strong and important statistical correlation was found between the Oswestry total score and the walking and standing items, and a moderate, but strong correlation with the other items. Regarding the sex life item, the correlation is existent, but at a modest level. Conclusions. The study reveals the importance of correlation of the data obtained from anamnesis, the general clinical examination and the specific examination neuromioarthrokinetic with assessment tools that determine the level of functional independence, the functional impact on social life in high-frequency pathologies treated in medical facilities that provide healthcare in the field of medical recovery. It is necessary to quantify the therapeutic results obtained, in order to assess the level of improvement in quality of life. Keywords: low back pain, balneal, functional indicators, quality of life,

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The transformative outcomes of frontline employee adaptability for service value co-creation: a study of the banking sector

International Journal of Bank Marketing ◽

10.1108/ijbm-03-2021-0093 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽

Author(s):

Hau Nguyen Le ◽

Tram-Anh Ngoc Pham ◽

Thuy Ngoc Pham

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Job Satisfaction ◽

Banking Sector ◽

Structural Model ◽

Well Being ◽

Content Type ◽

Service Offering ◽

High Level ◽

The Impact

PurposeThis study aims to address two relatively unexplored issues in banking service literature. The first relates to the impact of co-creation behaviors of frontline employees (FLEs) on their well-being. The second is the impact of FLEs' adaptability on their performance of co-creation behaviors and their well-being in the workplace.Design/methodology/approachA structural model was built and tested using survey data collected from 366 FLEs offering financial consulting services to customers at banks.FindingsFLE co-creation behaviors have positive impacts on FLEs’ well-being, including well-being in the workplace (job satisfaction) and general well-being (quality of life). Moreover, FLEs with a high level of interpersonal and service-offering adaptability perform co-creation behaviors better than those with lower adaptability and have higher job satisfaction. Between service-offering adaptability and interpersonal adaptability, the former has stronger effects than the latter.Practical implicationsThe findings suggest that banks develop and enhance FLEs’ adaptability and co-creation behaviors to enhance their well-being and customer value.Originality/valuePrior research on FLEs' co-creation mainly focuses on customer-related transformative outcomes, leaving their own well-being less examined. This study fills this gap by providing evidence to suggest that although active co-creation behaviors require FLEs to have more skills and put in more effort, they do bring about transformative impacts in terms of better job satisfaction and quality of life. Additionally, a high level of adaptability helps FLEs to comfortably perform their co-creation behavior, thereby reducing stress and improving well-being.

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Development of a disease-specific measure of quality of life in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS): The “QUALMS-1”.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2012.30.15_suppl.6103 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 30 (15_suppl) ◽

pp. 6103-6103 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Gregory Alan Abel ◽

Stephanie Lee ◽

Richard M. Stone ◽

David P. Steensma ◽

Nancy Young ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Health Care Providers ◽

Disease Status ◽

Institutional Setting ◽

Care Providers ◽

Routine Tasks ◽

High Level ◽

The Impact ◽

Disease Specific

6103 Background: Studies assessing the quality of life (QoL) experienced by patients with MDS have almost universally relied upon generic measures; however, disease-specific QoL tools can allow for more sensitive assessments of the impact of changes in disease status. Methods: Using a clinical impact method of instrument development, individual and combined focus groups were conducted with 32 members of our institution’s MDS community (patients, their caregivers, and health care providers) to identify MDS-relevant QoL domains and associated question topics. Participants’ rankings of the importance of the domains and question topics were compared, collapsing patients/caregivers into one group and physicians/other providers into another. A draft scale was constructed taking a greater number of questions from the more highly-ranked domains. Results: “Fatigue” was ranked as the most important domain (see table). None of the 12 domains were ranked significantly differently by patients/caregivers versus providers. The two groups ranked 5 of 60 question topics differently: “Too tired for routine tasks” (providers higher; p= .05); “limited availability of support beyond the family” (providers higher; p= .02); “organizing life around transfusion/MD appointments” (providers higher, p= .03); “bruising” (patients/caregivers higher, p= .05) and “anger over diagnosis” (providers higher, p= .03). Conclusions: A high level of agreement in the rankings of domains and question topics between MDS patients/caregivers and providers suggests that the QoL experience of MDS patients is consistently compromised. The resulting 38-item draft QUALMS-1 tool is now being piloted (cognitive debriefing and behavioral coding) in a new cohort of MDS patients, with the ultimate goal of validation in a multi-institutional setting. [Table: see text]

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