scholarly journals Effectiveness of Physical Therapy for the Management of Chronic Spine Disorders: A Propensity Score Approach

2006 ◽  
Vol 86 (3) ◽  
pp. 381-394 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janet K Freburger ◽  
Timothy S Carey ◽  
George M Holmes
Keyword(s):  
Physical Therapy ◽  
Propensity Score ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Sf 36 ◽  
Spine Disorders ◽  
And Control

Abstract Background and Purpose. Evidence on the effectiveness of physical therapy for the management of chronic spine disorders is limited. The purpose of this study was to use a large current database, the National Spine Network database, to assess the effectiveness of physical therapy in the management of chronic spine disorders. Subjects. The participants were people who had spine problems lasting 3 months or longer and who were seen for an initial visit and a follow-up visit (N=4,479) at 1 of 17 US spine centers. Methods. A propensity score approach was used to create a matched sample of participants who received physical therapy (intervention group) and participants who did not receive physical therapy (control group). The 2 groups were similar with regard to more than 50 baseline characteristics. Outcomes were assessed with the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). Results. Both the intervention and control groups improved between the initial and the follow-up visits on ODI scores and on SF-36 physical function, role physical, and bodily pain scores. Although the amount of improvement in the outcome measures was significantly greater for the intervention group than for the control group, the differences were small (3–5 points). When the subgroup of participants who had the greatest propensity for receiving physical therapy was examined, differences in the amount of improvement between the intervention and control groups were larger (5–13 points). Discussion and Conclusion. Physical therapy was effective in the management of chronic spine disorders in participants with the greatest propensity for receiving physical therapy. When the entire sample was considered, differences in the amount of improvement between the intervention and control groups were not clinically relevant. [Freburger JK, Carey TS, Holmes GM. Effectiveness of physical therapy for the management of chronic spine disorders: a propensity score approach.

scholarly journals Prophylactic Effect of Memantine in Docetaxel Induced Neuropathy in Patients With Breast Cancer

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pegah Mohammadzadeh ◽  
Elnaz Shaseb ◽  
Zohreh Sanaat ◽  
Parvin Sarbakhsh ◽  
Nasrin Gholami ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Peripheral Neuropathy ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Metastatic Breast ◽  
Control Group ◽  
P Value ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
And Control

Abstract Purpose Peripheral neuropathy is a complication of taxane that in severe cases can limit the optimal treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of memantine in prevention of docetaxel induced peripheral neuropathy in patients with breast cancer. Methods In this randomized clinical trial, 40 women between the ages of 18 and 64 years with non-metastatic breast cancer (stages I to III) were included (registry number: IRCT20160310026998N9 and registry date: 26 March 2019). All patients were treated with the AC-T regimen (with docetaxel). Patients in intervention group received memantine at a dose of 20 mg for 8 weeks at the beginning of the first cycle of docetaxel. Patients in control group did not take any medication for neuropathy prevention. To assess the neuropathy, DN4 and CTCAE questionnaires were used at baseline, one months, three months and six months after the intervention. Results The DN4 questionnaire score was remarkably less in memantine group in follow up one (p-value: 0.033) and three (p < 00.1). The CTCAE follow up score did not change during study. The Neuropathy duration and Neuropathy onset, were shown significant difference between the intervention and control groups, p = 0.050 and p = 0.001, respectively. From 40 patients, 8 (40%) in memantine group and 2 (10%) in control group, did not experience any kind of neuropathy. Conclusion Data showed that prophylactic administration of memantine 20 mg/day has been effective in prevention of severity and incidence of docetaxel induced neuropathy in patients with breast cancer.

scholarly journals Effect of Health-Promoting Lifestyle Modification Education on Knowledge, Attitude, and Quality of Life of Postmenopausal Women

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Nirmala Rathnayake ◽  
Gayani Alwis ◽  
Janaka Lenora ◽  
Iresha Mampitiya ◽  
Sarath Lekamwasam
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Lifestyle Modifications ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Health Promoting ◽  
Health Promoting Lifestyle ◽  
And Control

Limited knowledge and negative attitudes about menopause among postmenopausal women (PMW) create a multitude of health-related issues leading to impaired quality of life (QOL) among them. This study evaluated the impact of a health-promoting lifestyle education intervention (HPLEI) on knowledge, attitude, and QOL in a group of PMW in Sri Lanka. A quasi-experimental study was conducted with 72 PMW, matched for sociodemographic status of the community from two geographically separated areas in Galle, and they were allocated to intervention (n=37) and control (n=35) groups. HPLEI is comprised of health education sessions focused on postmenopausal health management with lifestyle modifications provided only for the intervention group for 8 weeks and follow-up for 6 months. The control group was not given any planned education programme and was allowed to proceed with the usual lifestyle during this period. Knowledge, attitude, menopause-specific QOL (MENQOL), and overall QOL were evaluated in both groups with self-administered questionnaires at the baseline, after 8 weeks of education sessions and at the end of 6 months of follow-up. The mean (SD) ages of the intervention and control groups were 54.6 (4.5) and 56.5 (3.4) (p=0.06) years, respectively. All evaluated variable scores were not different between the intervention and control groups (p>0.05) at the baseline. In the intervention group, knowledge (mean±SD; 21.70±1.05) and attitude (mean±SD; 44.02±5.33) scores increased at the end (p<0.001). In the control group, a marginal increase in all dimensions of knowledge scores (mean±SD; 9.71±2.21) and unchanged attitude scores (mean±SD; 23.91±7.56) were seen. All MENQOL scores decreased during the follow-up in the intervention group (mean±SD; 138.51±18.47) (p<0.001) except the sexual domain (p=0.32). MENQOL scores were increased in the control group (mean±SD; 92.05±28.87) (p<0.001) with time. Overall QOL scores increased (mean±SD; 74.85±9.71) (p<0.001) in the intervention group during the study period and in the control group overall QOL (mean±SD; 51.03±13.61) showed a reduction (p<0.001) at the end. Health education focused on health-promoting lifestyle modifications was effective in improving knowledge, attitude, MENQOL, and overall QOL of PMW.

scholarly journals An experimental study of an educational intervention to promote maternal self-efficacy in breastfeeding

2015 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 725-732 ◽  
Author(s):  
Regina Cláudia Melo Dodt ◽  
Emanuella Silva Joventino ◽  
Priscilla Souza Aquino ◽  
Paulo César Almeida ◽  
Lorena Barbosa Ximenes
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Educational Intervention ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Flip Chart ◽  
Duration Of Breastfeeding ◽  
And Control

AbstractObjective: to build, validate and assess an educational intervention using the flip chart titled "I Can Breastfeed My Child."Method: an experimental study using a pretest, intervention and posttest, as well as a control group. A total of 201 women, who had been hospitalized immediately, for at least 6 hours, postpartum. The mothers were allocated to the intervention (100 women) or control groups (101 women) according to the length of their hospital stay. The effectiveness of the flip chart was assessed by applying the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale - Short-Form at admission, discharge and by telephone in the second month postpartum. The intervention and control groups were similar in their socio-demographic, obstetric and gynecological variables.Results: the intervention was beneficial because mothers in the intervention group had higher self-efficacy scores, more mothers continued breastfeeding and mothers had a longer duration of exclusive breastfeeding, both at the time of hospital discharge and at the second month postpartum, with statistically significant associations.Conclusions: this experimental study assessed the educational strategy mediated via the flip chart titled "I Can Breastfeed My Child" as being effective both in increasing self-efficacy and increasing the duration of breastfeeding.

Impact of intrawound vancomycin powder on prevention of surgical site infection after posterior spinal surgery

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Hiroki Ushirozako ◽  
Tomohiko Hasegawa ◽  
Yu Yamato ◽  
Go Yoshida ◽  
Tatsuya Yasuda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Propensity Score ◽  
Spinal Surgery ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Propensity Score Model ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Surgical Data ◽  
Vancomycin Powder ◽  
Vancomycin Group ◽  
And Control

OBJECTIVESurgical site infection (SSI) after posterior spinal surgery is one of the severe complications that may occur despite administration of prophylactic antibiotics and the use of intraoperative aseptic precautions. The use of intrawound vancomycin powder for SSI prevention is still controversial, with a lack of high-quality and large-scale studies. The purpose of this retrospective study using a propensity score–matched analysis was to clarify whether intrawound vancomycin powder prevents SSI occurrence after spinal surgery.METHODSThe authors analyzed 1261 adult patients who underwent posterior spinal surgery between 2010 and 2018 (mean age 62.3 years; 506 men, 755 women; follow-up period at least 1 year). Baseline and surgical data were assessed. After a preliminary analysis, a propensity score model was established with adjustments for age, sex, type of disease, and previously reported risk factors for SSI. The SSI rates were compared between patients with intrawound vancomycin powder treatment (vancomycin group) and those without (control group).RESULTSIn a preliminary analysis of 1261 unmatched patients (623 patients in the vancomycin group and 638 patients in the control group), there were significant differences between the groups in age (p = 0.041), body mass index (p = 0.013), American Society of Anesthesiologists classification (p < 0.001), malnutrition (p = 0.001), revision status (p < 0.001), use of steroids (p = 0.019), use of anticoagulation (p = 0.033), length of surgery (p = 0.003), estimated blood loss (p < 0.001), and use of instrumentation (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in SSI rates between the vancomycin and control groups (21 SSIs [3.4%] vs 33 SSIs [5.2%]; OR 0.640, 95% CI 0.368–1.111; p = 0.114). Using a one-to-one propensity score–matched analysis, 444 pairs of patients from the vancomycin and control groups were selected. There was no significant difference in the baseline and surgical data, except for height (p = 0.046), between both groups. The C-statistic for the propensity score model was 0.702. In the score-matched analysis, 12 (2.7%) and 24 (5.4%) patients in the vancomycin and control groups, respectively, developed SSIs (OR 0.486, 95% CI 0.243–0.972; p = 0.041). There were no systemic complications related to the use of vancomycin.CONCLUSIONSThe current study showed that intrawound vancomycin powder was useful in reducing the risk of SSI after posterior spinal surgery by half, without adverse events. Intrawound vancomycin powder use is a safe and effective procedure for SSI prevention.

scholarly journals Effects of Self RehAbilitation Video Exercises (SAVE) on Functional Restorations in Patients with Subacute Stroke

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 565
Author(s):  
Seung-Hwan Jung ◽  
Eunhee Park ◽  
Ju-Hyun Kim ◽  
Bi-Ang Park ◽  
Ja-Won Yu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Stroke ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
Berg Balance Scale ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Early Recovery ◽  
Subacute Stroke ◽  
Sf 36 ◽  
State Examination

Background: Additional exercise therapy has been shown to positively affect acute stroke rehabilitation, which requires an effective method to deliver increased exercise. In this study, we designed a 4-week caregiver-supervised self-exercise program with videos, named “Self rehAbilitation Video Exercises (SAVE)”, to improve the functional outcomes and facilitate early recovery by increasing the continuity of rehabilitation therapy after acute stroke. Methods: This study is a non-randomized trial. Eighty-eight patients were included in an intervention group (SAVE group), who received conventional rehabilitation therapies and an additional self-rehabilitation session by watching bedside exercise videos and continued their own exercises in their rooms for 60 min every day for 4 weeks. Ninety-six patients were included in a control group, who received only conventional rehabilitation therapies. After 4 weeks of hospitalization, both groups assessed several outcome measurements, including the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Modified Barthel Index (MBI), physical component summary (PCS) and the mental component summary of the Short-Form Survey 36 (SF-36), Mini-Mental State Examination, and Beck Depression Inventory. Results: Differences in BBS, MBI, and PCS components in SF-36 were more statistically significant in the SAVE group than that in the control group (p < 0.05). Patients in the SAVE group showed more significant improvement in BBS, MBI, and PCS components in SF-36 as compared to that in the control group. Conclusions: This evidence-based SAVE intervention can optimize patient recovery after a subacute stroke while keeping the available resources in mind.

scholarly journals College Classroom Instructors Can Effectively Promote Standing among Students Provided with Standing Desks

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 4464
Author(s):  
Matthew S. Chrisman ◽  
Robert Wright ◽  
William Purdy
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Sedentary Behaviors ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Student Preferences ◽  
Standing Time ◽  
Urban University ◽  
Facilitators And Barriers ◽  
And Control

Standing desks may reduce sedentary behaviors in college students. Students at one mid-size urban university in the Midwestern United States were randomized into intervention (n = 21) and control groups (n = 27) to assess standing time when given access to standing desks. The intervention group received visual and oral instructor prompts to stand, while the control received no prompts during a 50 min lecture. All students were provided with adjustable tabletop standing desks. ActivPAL accelerometers measured sitting and standing time. A brief survey assessed student preferences, including facilitators and barriers to standing. Mean standing time was greater in the intervention vs. control group (26 vs. 17 min, p = 0.023). Students tended to stand in the corners and edges of the room. Main facilitators for standing included to break up sitting, reduce back pain, and increase attention and focus; main barriers were not wanting to distract others or be the only one standing. In total, 87.5% of intervention group participants found five prompts to stand were adequate. Students increased standing time in class when provided with standing desks and instructor prompts to stand. Findings can inform the layout of classrooms and when and how to promote standing desks during lectures.

scholarly journals Alleviating psychological distress associated with a positive cervical cancer screening result: a randomized control trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yukari Isaka ◽  
Ai Hori ◽  
Rie Tanaka ◽  
Masao Ichikawa
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Cancer ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Cancer Screening ◽  
Cervical Cancer Screening ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
And Control ◽  
Screening Result

Abstract Background The method of communicating a positive cancer screening result should seek to alleviate psychological distress associated with a positive result. We evaluated whether the provision of information through a leaflet would help reduce psychological distress in a randomized controlled trial. Methods The participants were women aged 20–69 years who were about to undergo cervical cancer screening at health centers. Before the screening, they received hypothetical screening results, with a leaflet (intervention group, n = 493) or without it (control group, n = 479), randomly. Their psychological distress and intention to undergo further examination were then compared between the intervention and control groups. Results After the intervention (providing a leaflet with hypothetical screening results), psychological distress appeared to be higher in the control group than in the intervention group among those who received a hypothetical positive screening result (odds ratio: 2.57, 95% confidence interval: 1.87–3.54), while 95% and 97% of those in the intervention and control groups, respectively, reported that they would undergo further examination. Conclusions Information provision might help reduce psychological distress but not hinder further examination among women who screen positive for cervical cancer. Trial registration: UMIN Clinical Trials Registry UMIN000029894. Date of Registration: November 2017.

Abstract P186: A Randomized Preschool Trial To Promote Cardiovascular Health In Colombia: 18 Month Follow Up.

Circulation ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 125 (suppl_10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaime Céspedes ◽  
German Briceño ◽  
Michael Farkouh ◽  
Rajesh Vedanthan ◽  
Martha Leal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Educational Intervention ◽  
Cardiovascular Health ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Educational Programs ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Active Lifestyle ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Impact

Introduction: Educational programs for children can increase uptake of healthy lifestyle behaviors. However, the impact of educational programs in preschool-aged children in low- and middle-income countries is not known. We conducted a five month educational intervention in preschool facilities (PF) in Bogota, Colombia, to assess changes in preschooler’s knowledge, attitudes and habits (KAH) towards healthy eating and living an active lifestyle. Methods: We conducted a cluster, randomized, controlled trial, and randomly assigned 14 PF in Bogota to a five-month educational intervention (7 PF) or to usual curriculum (7 PF). The intervention included classroom activities and use of printed material and videos. A total of 1216 pre-school children, 928 parents, and 120 teachers participated. A structured survey was used to evaluate changes in KAH with a weighted total score (WTS). The primary outcome was change in children's WTS, and the secondary outcomes were change in parents’ and teachers' WTS. The control PF were provided the intervention after the initial evaluation. To assess sustainability, we evaluated both intervention and control groups at 18 months. Results: At 6 months, children in the intervention group showed 10.9% increase in WTS vs. 5.3% in controls, p<0.001, after adjustment for cluster, sex, age and teachers' educational level. Among parents, the equivalent results were 8.9% and 3.1%, respectively, p< 0.001, and among teachers 9.4% and 2.5%, p=0.06. At the 18-month extended follow-up, both the intervention and control children showed a significant further increase in WTS, p<0.001 (Figure 1). In parents and teachers in the intervened group, there was no significant increase in WTS, p=0.7417, and p=0.1197. In the control group, there was an increase in WTS in teachers but not in parents, p=0.001, and p=0.4239. Conclusion: A preschool based intervention, aimed at changing KAH related to healthy diet and active lifestyle, is feasible, efficacious and sustainable up to 18 months in very young children in Colombia.

scholarly journals Schisto and Ladders version 2: a health educational board game to support compliance with school-based mass drug administration with praziquantel – a pilot study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cynthia Uchechukwu Ejike ◽  
Akinola Stephen Oluwole ◽  
Olaitan Olamide Omitola ◽  
Adedotun Ayodeji Bayegun ◽  
Islamiat Yetunde Shoneye ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drug Administration ◽  
Mass Drug Administration ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Board Game ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
School Based ◽  
Praziquantel Treatment ◽  
And Control

Abstract Background We redesigned the Schisto and Ladders health educational board game and evaluated its potential to encourage compliance to school-based mass drug administration with praziquantel. Methods Two hundred and seventy-five children from six schools who rejected praziquantel treatment were divided into intervention and control groups. Before the intervention, preassessment interviews were conducted on their knowledge about praziquantel treatment and schistosomiasis. The Schisto and Ladders version 2 game as an intervention, and the Snakes and Ladders game as a control, were played for 6 mo. Postassessment interviews, including focus group discussions, were conducted. Results At preassessment, 0/98 (0.0%) children in the intervention group had heard of praziquantel compared with 2/177 (1.1%) in the control group. Similarly, 0/98 (0.0%) children in the intervention group did not know that praziquantel does not kill compared with 4/177 (2.3%) in the control group. The postassessment showed that 53/78 (67.9%) in the intervention group were aware of praziquantel compared with 2/177 (1.1%) in the control group (p=0.000). Similarly, 53 (69.7%) in the intervention group knew about the safety of praziquantel compared with 0/177 (0.0%) in the control group (p=0.000). Sixty-four children (65.3%) from the intervention group sought praziquantel treatment after the trial. Conclusions Schisto and Ladders version 2 is a useful sensitisation tool with which to encourage compliance to praziquantel treatment in schools.

scholarly journals Impact of ascorbic acid in reducing the incidence of vancomycin associated nephrotoxicity in critically ill patients: A preliminary randomized controlled trial

F1000Research ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 929
Author(s):  
Nouran Hesham El-Sherazy ◽  
Naglaa Samir Bazan ◽  
Sara Mahmoud Shaheen ◽  
Nagwa A. Sabri
Keyword(s):  
Ascorbic Acid ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Critically Ill Patients ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
The Absolute ◽  
And Control

Background Antioxidants show nephroprotective effect against vancomycin associated nephrotoxicity (VAN) in animals. This study aimed to assess the ascorbic acid nephro-protective role against VAN clinically. Methods Forty-one critically ill patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups: intervention group (vancomycin IV plus ascorbic acid, n=21) or control group (vancomycin IV only, n=20). Primary outcomes were the incidence of VAN and the absolute change in creatinine parameters, while mortality rate was the secondary outcome. Nephrotoxicity was defined as an increase in serum creatinine (S.cr) by at least 0.5 mg/dL or 50% of baseline for at least two successive measurements. This study is registered at Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03921099), April 2019. Results Mean absolute S.cr increase was significant when compared between both groups, P-value = 0.036, where S.cr increased by 0.05(0.12) and 0.34(0.55) mg/dL in the intervention and control groups, respectively. Mean absolute Cr.cl decline was significant when compared between both groups, P-value = 0.04, where Cr.cl was decreased by 5.9(17.8) and 22.3(30.4) ml/min in the intervention and control groups, respectively. Incidence of VAN was 1/21(4.7%) versus 5/20(25%) in the intervention and control groups, respectively (RR: 0.19; CI: 0.024–1.49; P-value = 0.093). Mortality was higher in the control group; however, it was not statistically significant, P-value = 0.141. Conclusion Co-administration of ascorbic acid with vancomycin preserved renal function and reduced the absolute risk of VAN by 20.3%, however, the reduction in VAN incidence didn’t reach statistical significance level. Further large multicenter prospective trials are recommended.

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