Smartphone application-assisted oral hygiene of orthodontic patients: a multicentre randomized controlled trial in adolescents

2020 ◽  
Vol 42 (6) ◽  
pp. 605-611 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marine Deleuse ◽  
Catherine Meiffren ◽  
Annick Bruwier ◽  
Nathalie Maes ◽  
Michel Le Gall ◽  
...  

Summary Objective The aim of this trial was to test whether the use of a smartphone application (app) connected to a toothbrush improves the oral hygiene compliance of adolescent orthodontic patients. Design The study was designed as a multicentre, randomized, controlled clinical trial. Setting Two academic hospitals. Ethical approval The study was approved by the ethics committee. Subjects and methods This multicentre randomized controlled trial was conducted on 38 adolescents aged 12–18 years with full-fixed orthodontic appliances. Participants were randomly assigned either to a test group that used an interactive oscillating/rotating electric toothbrush connected to a brushing aid app or to a control group that used an oscillating/rotating electric toothbrush alone. At baseline, all patients received verbal and written oral hygiene instructions. Outcome measurements Data collection was performed at T1 (baseline), T2 (6 weeks), T3 (12 weeks) and T4 (18 weeks—end of the study). At each time point, the plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI) and white spot lesion (WSL) score were recorded. Several app-related parameters were evaluated. Patient-related outcome measures were investigated in the test group. Results Test and control groups were similar at baseline except for WSL score. Between T1 and T4, PI and GI decreased significantly in both groups but evolutions were globally similar in both groups. Interestingly, at T3 (12 weeks), the PI was significantly lower in the app group than in the control group (P = 0.014). Data showed a marked decline in the use of the app over time in the test group. Conclusions This trial, conducted over 18 weeks in two academic hospitals, showed no significant effect of the use of the app in promoting oral hygiene. Trial registration Not registered

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-38
Author(s):  
Erum Behroz Khan ◽  
◽  
Mairah Shah ◽  
S.M. Tariq Rafi ◽  
Sadia Rizwan ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVES: To determine the extent of improvement in oral hygiene via text message reminder in patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment. METHODOLOGY: The participants were from 13 to 30 years of age recruited from Department of Orthodontics, Sindh Institute of Oral Health Sciences, Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Karachi, Pakistan. The sample comprised of 70 patients (59 female and 11 male) about to have fixed orthodontic treatment, 35 in text message group and 35 in control group. Patient's plaque index was evaluated at baseline and after 30 days. RESULTS: Text message group had highly significant (P < .05) plaque index score (PostPI) than control group. CONCLUSIONS: Orthodontic patients frequently reminded to brush have better oral hygiene. KEYWORDS: Plaque index, Text message, Oral hygiene, Orthodontics. HOW TO CITE: Khan EB, Shah M, Rafi S.M.T, Rizwan S, Ahmed Z, Fatima S. Oral hygiene maintenance via teledentistry in orthodontic patients: A randomized controlled trial. J Pak Dent Assoc 2021;30(1):34-38.


2018 ◽  
Vol 89 (2) ◽  
pp. 262-267 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mike C. Ross ◽  
Phillip M. Campbell ◽  
Larry P. Tadlock ◽  
Reginald W. Taylor ◽  
Peter H. Buschang

ABSTRACTObjective:To determine whether automated text messages sent daily to adolescent orthodontic patients improves oral hygiene more than weekly reminders.Materials and Methods:A blinded, prospective, randomized controlled trial was designed to evaluate the effects of automated messages on oral hygiene. Subjects were recruited from patients undergoing orthodontic treatment at the Texas A&M University College of Dentistry, Department of Orthodontics. They were being treated with a variety of fixed full appliances in both arches. Subjects were randomly assigned to either a once-a-week text message group or a daily text message group. There were 52 females and 27 males who were 12 to 17 years of age. Oral hygiene was measured at the beginning of the study and again 8.6 ± 0.9 weeks later.Results:The daily reminder group (N = 42) had significantly greater improvements in oral hygiene compliance than the weekly reminder group (N = 37). The daily score decreases were 48%, 21% and 19% for the bleeding index (BI), plaque index (PI), and gingival index (GI), respectively. The weekly score decreases were 27%, 14% and 13% for the BI, PI, and GI. There were no sex differences in hygiene changes during the study. The 42% of patients who completed the survey at the end of the study wanted more frequent messages and reported that messages related to decreasing treatment time were the most effective, while those related to oral hygiene were the least effective.Conclusions:Daily text messages are more effective at improving oral hygiene than weekly text messages.


Author(s):  
Pernille Lunde ◽  
Asta Bye ◽  
Astrid Bergland ◽  
Birgitta Blakstad Nilsson

Abstract Background Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs are evidence-based and widely recommended. However, benefits from CR are likely lost among individuals who discontinue their regular exercise routines and healthy habits. One possible approach to enhance adherence to lifestyle advice after completion of CR, may be individualized follow-up enabled by a smartphone application (app). Methods A protocol of a single-blinded, pragmatic randomized controlled trial. The study will take place in the eastern part of Norway, and will include heart patients who have completed CR. Participants will be recruited from two CR centers. Based on power calculation, 113 participants will be included. The intervention group will receive individualized follow-up through an app on a weekly basis throughout a year. The app will be set up with the participant’s own goals, and the follow-up will be based on these individual goals. The control group will receive usual care, including general advice regarding physical activity, exercise and diet. The participants will be assessed at baseline (at completion of CR) and 12 months after baseline. Primary outcome of the study will be peak oxygen uptake. Secondary outcomes include exercise performance, quality of life, health status, health literacy, self-perceived goal achievement, exercise habits, body weight, blood pressure as well as lipids and triglycerides. Discussion To our knowledge, this will be the first study to examine the effects of individualized follow-up with an app for one year, in patients completing CR. Hence, it is reasonable to assume that the study may be groundbreaking. Due to the large sample size and the theoretically based intervention, the study has the potential to generate new knowledge that may improve the design of future technology-based follow-up interventions of patients that have completed rehabilitation. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov. NCT03174106. First registration, 19/05/2017.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pei-Hui Ding ◽  
Anna Dai ◽  
Hua-Jiao Hu ◽  
Jia-Ping Huang ◽  
Jia-Mei Liu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Dentine hypersensitivity (DH) could occur or intensify after non-surgical periodontal therapy because of the exposure of dentine tubules. It has been demonstrated that nano-sized particles could seal these the dentine tubules. This randomized controlled trial aimed to investigate the efficacy of dentifrice containing nano-carbonate apatite (n-CAP) in reducing dentine hypersensitivity (DH) after non-surgical periodontal therapy. Methods: 48 periodontitis patients with DH were included in this clinical trial. After non-surgical periodontal therapy, patients included were randomized to test and control group and the respective dentifrices were applied at chairside, after which they were instructed to brush teeth with the allocated dentifrices twice a day at home. Periodontal parameters were recorded at baseline and the last follow-up. DH was measured by air-blast test and recorded by visual analogue scale (VAS) and Schiff sensitivity scale at baseline, after polishing (0 week) and 2/4/6 weeks. Results: 45 participants completed the follow-up. Periodontal parameters were improved and comparable between groups. Significant reduction in DH was observed in both groups at all time-points compared to baseline in terms of VAS and Schiff score. The test group achieved significantly greater relief from hypersensitivity compared with the control group after 4-week at-home use (for VAS, test group: 0.66 ± 0.68 versus control group: 0.84 ± 0.78, p = 0.005; for Schiff score, test group: 0.69 ± 0.71 versus control group: 0.97 ± 0.77, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Home-use of n-CAP based dentifrice provided a significantly better alleviation of DH following non-surgical periodontal therapy after 4 weeks compared to the control product. Trail registration: Chinese Clinical Trials Registry (No. ChiCTR-IPR-17011678, http://www.chictr.org.cn/, registered 16 June, 2017)


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 706
Author(s):  
Andrea Scribante ◽  
Simone Gallo ◽  
Karin Bertino ◽  
Stefania Meles ◽  
Paola Gandini ◽  
...  

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of Instagram in improving oral hygiene compliance and knowledge in young orthodontic patients compared to traditional chairside verbal instructions. Design: Single-center, parallel, randomized controlled trial. Setting: Section of Dentistry of University of Pavia. Participants: 40 patients having fixed appliances in both arches were recruited and randomly divided into an intervention (n = 20) and a control group (n = 20). Intervention: At a first appointment, both groups were given verbal instructions and motivated to oral hygiene. In addition, multimedia contents on Instagram were sent weekly to trial participants for six months. Main outcome measures: For all participants, the bleeding index (BI), modified gingival index (MGI), and plaque index (PI) were assessed at baseline (T0), after one (T1), three (T2), and six months (T3). A questionnaire was administered at the beginning (T0) and at the end of the study (T3) to assess participants’ knowledge. Results: In both groups, BI, MGI, and PI significantly decreased (p < 0.05) at T1 (means control group: BI 0.26 ± 0.22, MGI 0.77 ± 0.36, PI 0.53 ± 0.20; means test group: BI 0.24 ± 0.22, MGI 0.65 ± 0.46, PI 0.49 ± 0.21) compared to baseline (means control group: BI 0.56 ± 0.27, MGI 1.23 ± 0.41, PI 0.87 ± 0.23; means test group: BI 0.54 ± 0.26, MGI 1.18 ± 0.39, PI 0.93 ± 0.20) but no significant differences in clinical measures were showed between T1, T2, and T3 (p > 0.05) (intragroup differences). Trial patients demonstrated significant improvements in knowledge with respect to controls comparing scores at T0 and T3 (p < 0.05) but despite this result in the test group clinical outcomes did not report significant intergroup differences at any time (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Presenting multimedia information through Instagram resulted in a significant improvement in knowledge. Therefore, this social media represents an aid to the standard verbal motivation performed by orthodontists towards young patients under an orthodontic treatment.


Circulation ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 132 (suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Toshihiro Hatakeyama ◽  
Chika Nishiyama ◽  
Tomonari Shimamoto ◽  
Kosuke Kiyohara ◽  
Tetsuhisa Kitamura ◽  
...  

[Introduction] Although earlier shock with an automated external defibrillator (AED) is the key to increase survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCA), it is not easy to find out an AED in emergency settings. We recently developed a new smartphone application “AED-SOS.” This application sends a special signal to the smartphone of potential co-rescuers existing in the neighborhood and indicates the OHCA scene and AED locations on the display. According to these notifications, co-rescuers find out and deliver an AED to the OHCA scene. [Objective] To elucidate how this new application can shorten the process to find out an AED and bring it to the OHCA scene. [Methods] Design: Randomized controlled trial (UMIN000016506). Participants: Lay persons aged 18 years or older. Randomization: Participants were randomly assigned to either the AED-SOS group or the control group using permuted blocks after stratification by sex. Intervention: We provided an OHCA scenario to the study participants of both groups. Participants assigned to the AED-SOS group were encouraged to use the AED-SOS application. Data collection: We observed the process until the participants or their co-rescuers brought an AED to the scene. Outcomes: The primary outcome was the time from the recognition of OHCA to AED delivery by either the participant or the co-rescuers. The secondary outcome was their travel distance. [Results] Among 61 participants enrolled, 52 were analyzed. The time from recognition of OHCA to AED delivery was significantly shorter in the AED-SOS group than in the control group (133.6±44.4 versus 202.2±122.2, p=0.01). The travel distance was similar between the groups (Table). [Conclusion] The smartphone application to prompt potential co-rescuers in the neighborhood to deliver an AED, would shorten the time from recognition of OHCA to AED delivery. It will help increase the survivors after OHCA.


Author(s):  
Dong Yuan ◽  
Jing Zhang ◽  
Xiaoxue Wang ◽  
Su Chen ◽  
Yue Wang

In this pilot, single-blind, randomized controlled trial, we investigated the effects of intensified oral hygiene care (IOHC) on reducing stroke-associated pneumonia (SAP) incidence. Patients admitted within 24 hours of stroke onset were recruited and randomized to receive IOHC or routine oral hygiene care. The occurrence of SAP was checked and oral swabs were obtained during the 7-day follow-up. The SAP incidence was lower, though not significantly, in the IOHC group than in the control group. IOHC successfully decreased SAP incidence among patients who were male, had higher National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale and Debris Index scores, and lower Glasgow Coma Scale and Gugging Swallowing Screen scores. Furthermore, IOHC significantly decreased the prevalence of oral suspected SAP pathogens. These results suggest that IOHC can decrease the incidence of SAP in the most vulnerable patient groups and lower the prevalence of suspected oral SAP pathogens.


2019 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. 174550651983836
Author(s):  
Sarah Weddell ◽  
Georgina L Jones ◽  
Sheila Duffy ◽  
Cameron Hogg ◽  
Sarah Johnson ◽  
...  

Objectives: A prospective, randomized controlled trial in women seeking to conceive examined the impact of using ovulation tests on self-reported levels of stress, psychological well-being, and quality of life in women with unexplained infertility. Method: The test group used a home ovulation test to detect the day of ovulation, whereas the control group were provided with a predicted day of ovulation based on the average length of menstrual cycle reported during study recruitment. Volunteers collected their first morning urine samples to evaluate biochemical levels of stress (urinary cortisol and estrone-3-glucouronide) and completed questionnaires over two complete menstrual cycles. Results: Overall, the use of digital ovulation tests by sub-fertile women under medical care had negligible negative effects and no detectable positive benefit on psychological well-being, according to multiple measurements of stress by questionnaire and biochemical markers. No significant differences were found between groups for all stress measures at the various study time points, except in relation to “couple concordance” where the test group scored much higher than the control group (mean difference at end of study was 21.25 (95% confidence interval: 9.25, 33.25; P = 0.0015)). The maximum difference in log cortisol: creatinine ratio between the test and control groups was −0.28 (95% confidence interval: −0.69, 0.13). Conclusions: These results do not support propositions that using digital ovulation tests can cause stress in women trying to conceive.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pei-Hui Ding ◽  
Anna Dai ◽  
Hua-Jiao Hu ◽  
Jia-Ping Huang ◽  
Jia-Mei Liu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Dentine hypersensitivity (DH) could occur or intensify after non-surgical periodontal therapy because of the exposure of dentine tubules, but currently no gold standard exists to treat DH. It has been demonstrated that nano-sized particles presented potential for dentine tubules blocking and remineralization. This randomized controlled trial aimed to investigate the efficacy of dentifrice containing nano-carbonate apatite (n-CAP) in reducing dentine hypersensitivity (DH) after non-surgical periodontal therapy. Methods: 48 periodontitis patients with DH were included in this clinical trial. After non-surgical periodontal therapy, patients included were randomized to test and control group and the respective dentifrices were applied at chairside, after which they were instructed to brush teeth with the allocated dentifrices twice a day at home. Periodontal parameters were recorded at baseline and the last follow-up. DH was measured by air-blast test and recorded by visual analogue scale (VAS) and Schiff sensitivity scale at baseline, after polishing (0 week) and 2/4/6 weeks. Results: 45 participants completed the follow-up. Periodontal parameters were improved and comparable between groups. Significant reduction in DH was observed in both groups at all time-points compared to baseline in terms of VAS and Schiff score. The test group achieved significantly greater relief from hypersensitivity compared with the control group after 4-week at-home use (for change of VAS, test group: 2.27 ± 2.47 versus control group: 1.68 ± 2.24, p = 0.036; for change of Schiff, test group: 0.94 ± 0.92 versus control group: 0.61 ± 0.83, p < 0.001). The 6-week results showed borderline significance between groups in terms of change of Schiff (p = 0.027) and no significance in terms of change of VAS (p = 0.256). Conclusions: Home-use of n-CAP based dentifrice had some benefit on alleviation of DH following non-surgical periodontal therapy after 4 weeks compared to the control product. Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trials Registry (No. ChiCTR-IPR-17011678, http://www.chictr.org.cn/, registered 16 June, 2017) Keywords: dentin hypersensitivity; dentifrices; randomized controlled trial; periodontitis


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lei Qi ◽  
Weiwen Ge ◽  
Ningning Cao ◽  
Shoupeng Wang ◽  
Yifeng Qian ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Earlier studies have not given clear results of concentrated growth factor (CGF) on gingival thickness (GT) in periodontal accelerated osteogenic orthodontics (PAOO). This randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the effects of CGF on GT in patients with thin gingival phenotype undergoing PAOO.Methods: 44 patients with 264 surgical sites were recruited at baseline. All patients were randomly allocated to either a control (collagen matrix memberane) or test (CGF) group and received PAOO. GT, gingival height (GH), buccal alveolar bone thickness (BT), and buccal alveolar bone height (BH) were evaluated depending on cross-sectional CBCT images at t0 (before surgery) and t1(6 months after surgery). Results: GT were increased in both groups at t1 compared to t0. Yet, higher values were observed in the test group (from 0.95±0.26 to 1.29±0.34mm) compared to the control group (from 0.92±0.25 to 1.01±0.18mm) (p < 0.05). Moreover, in the intergroup comparison, GT at t1 in the test group was significantly higher compared to the control group (p < 0.01). Furthermore, the GT of central incisors, lateral incisors and canine teeth all showed significantly changes compared with baseline and the test group showed higher increase (p < 0.01). No statistically significant difference were found in GH, BT, BH and all clinical parameters between two groups at t1 (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Within the limitation of this study, gingival thickness could be increased by using CGF in PAOO for the patients with thin gingival phenotype. Trial registration The study was registered in Chinese Clinical Trial Registry(http://www.chictr.org.cn/index.aspx)under the number ChiCTRINR17013346, Registered 11 November 2017.


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