Effect of intensive handwashing in the prevention of diarrhoeal illness among patients with AIDS: a randomized controlled study

2007 ◽  
Vol 56 (5) ◽  
pp. 659-663 ◽  
Author(s):  
David B. Huang ◽  
Jing Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy ◽  
Shigella Flexneri ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Randomized Controlled Study ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Therapy Regimen ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Highly Active ◽  
Before And After

Patients with AIDS frequently develop diarrhoeal illness. In this randomized, controlled study, 260 patients were screened for those who had not had diarrhoea in the preceding 3 months and who had received a stable highly active antiretroviral therapy regimen for at least 6 weeks prior to the study enrolment. A total of 148 patients met the inclusion criteria and were enrolled: 75 patients were randomly assigned to an intensive handwashing intervention (i.e. handwashing after defecation, after cleaning infants who had defecated, before preparing food, before eating, and before and after sex) and 73 patients were randomly assigned to the control group. Patients in both groups were called weekly by telephone to determine compliance with handwashing and to determine the number of diarrhoeal episodes for the preceding week. Patients were observed for 1 year. Patients assigned to the intensive handwashing intervention group washed their hands more frequently compared with the control group (seven vs four times a day, respectively; P <0.05) and developed fewer episodes of diarrhoeal illness (1.24±0.9 vs 2.92±0.6 new episodes of diarrhoea, respectively; P <0.001) during the 1 year observation. The most common pathogens identified in both groups in patients who developed diarrhoeal illness were Giardia lamblia, Cryptosporidium, Entamoeba histolytica and Shigella flexneri. These data suggest that intensive handwashing reduces diarrhoeal illness in patients with AIDS.

scholarly journals The Use of a Game-Based Decision Aid to Educate Pregnant Women about Prenatal Screening: A Randomized Controlled Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (03) ◽  
pp. 322-328 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erin Johnson ◽  
Bob Wong ◽  
Nancy Rose ◽  
Gwen Latendresse ◽  
Roger Altizer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Decision Aid ◽  
Prenatal Screening ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Randomized Controlled Study ◽  
Constructive Method ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Randomized Controlled

Purpose This project developed and evaluated the efficacy of a game decision aid among pregnant women about prenatal screening in a randomized controlled study. Study Design Participants were recruited from an obstetric clinic of an academic urban medical center and randomized (n = 73) to one of two study groups: the control group (n = 39) that used a brochure or the intervention group (n = 34) that also used a game decision aid. Result Participants who played the game had higher knowledge scores (m = 21.41, standard deviation [SD] = 1.74) than participants in the control group (m = 19.59; SD = 3.31), p = 0.004. The median time of game playing was 6:43 minutes (range: 2:17–16:44). The groups were similar in frequency of completing screening after the study, control = 6 (15%) versus intervention = 11 (32%), p = 0.087. However, the more interaction with the game resulted in more positive attitudes toward screening. Conclusion The addition of a game decision aid was effective in educating pregnant women about prenatal screening. As other genetic testing decisions continue to increase within clinical care, game-based decision tools may be a constructive method of informed decision-making.

scholarly journals Effects of Long-Term Use of Insoles with a Toe-Grip Bar on the Balance, Walking, and Running of Preschool Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Hideki Nakano ◽  
Shin Murata ◽  
Teppei Abiko ◽  
Nozomi Mitsumaru ◽  
Atsuko Kubo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Preschool Children ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Step Length ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Length Step

This randomized controlled study is aimed at investigating the effects of long-term use of insoles with a toe-grip bar on the balance, walking, and running of preschool children. Fifty-two preschool children were randomly assigned to an intervention group or control group. Children included in the intervention group wore shoes with insoles that had a toe-grip bar, and those in the control group wore shoes with regular insoles without a toe-grip bar for 4 weeks while they were at school. The center of gravity sway (total trajectory length and envelope area), walking parameters (walking speed, cadence, stride length, step length, stance time, and swing time), and time to run 25 m were measured before and after the intervention. The 25 m running time of the intervention group was significantly improved after the intervention (F=5.66; p<0.05). This study suggests that insoles with a toe-grip bar may contribute to improvements in the running of preschool children.

The Effect of 20-Minute Mindful Breathing on the Perception of Suffering and Changes in Bispectral Index Score (BIS) in Palliative Care Informal Caregivers: A Randomized Controlled Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (8) ◽  
pp. 606-612 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seng Beng Tan ◽  
Hui Chi Ching ◽  
Yuik Ling Chia ◽  
Anne Yee ◽  
Chong Guan Ng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Bispectral Index ◽  
Informal Caregivers ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Index Score ◽  
Randomized Controlled Study ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
The University

Informal caregivers are at risk of being overwhelmed by various sources of suffering while caring for their significant others. It is, therefore, important for caregivers to take care of themselves. In the self-care context, mindfulness has the potential to reduce caregiver suffering. We studied the effect of a single session of 20-minute mindful breathing on the perceived level of suffering, together with the changes in bispectral index score (BIS) among palliative care informal caregivers. This was a randomized controlled study conducted at the University of Malaya Medical Centre, Malaysia. Forty adult palliative care informal caregivers were recruited and randomly assigned to either 20-minute mindful breathing or 20-minute supportive listening. The changes in perceived suffering and BIS were measured preintervention and postintervention. The reduction in suffering score in the intervention group was significantly more than the control group at minute 20 ( U = 124.0, n1 = n2 = 20, mean rank1 = 24.30, mean rank2 = 16.70, z = −2.095, P = .036). The reduction in BIS in the intervention group was also significantly greater than the control group at minute 20 ( U = 19.5, n1 = n2 = 20, mean rank1 = 29.52, mean rank2 = 11.48, z = −4.900, P < .0001). Twenty minutes of mindful breathing was more efficacious than 20 minutes of supportive listening in the reduction in suffering among palliative care informal caregivers.

scholarly journals A small dose of dezocine suppresses remifentanil-induced cough in general anesthesia induction: a prospective, randomized, controlled study

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rui Ma ◽  
Yu Wei ◽  
Zifeng Xu
Keyword(s):  
General Anesthesia ◽  
Small Dose ◽  
Operating Time ◽  
Randomized Controlled Study ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Anesthesia Induction ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Before And After ◽  
And Control

Abstract Background The aim of this prospective randomized controlled study was to evaluate whether pretreatment with a small dose of dezocine could prevent remifentanil-induced cough in general anesthesia induction. Trial design a prospective, randomized, controlled study. Methods A total of 210 patients receiving elective operative hysteroscopy from December 2018 to April 2019 were enrolled in the present study. They were randomly equally separated into dezocine group (n = 105) and control group (n = 105). Patients were intravenously pre-administrated with dezocine 0.03 mg/kg (diluted to 5 mL) or the same volume of normal saline 1 min prior to remifentanil infusion. One minute later, intravenous injection of propofol 1.5 mg/kg and cisatracurium 0.1 mg/kg were given to all patients for induction of general anesthesia. The counts of coughs occurred during the anesthesia induction period were recorded and the severity of cough was scaled. Results There were 7 cases of mild cough in dezocine group and 18 cases of mild cough, 12 cases of moderate cough and 4 cases of severe cough in control group. The incidence rate of cough was significantly lower and the severity of cough was obviously relieved in dezocine group compared to control group (6.67% vs. 32.38%, P <  0.001). The two groups were not significantly different in heart rate and mean arterial pressure before the induction, before and after the intubation, and in operating time and postoperative visual analog scale pain scores. Conclusion This study recommends the efficacy and safety of a pretreatment with a small dose of dezocine in reducing remifentanil-induced cough during general anesthesia. Trial Registration ChiCTR2000032035. Date of registration: Retrospectively registered on 2020/04/18.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the Quilting Technique for Reduction of Postmastectomy Seroma: A Randomized Controlled Study

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashraf Khater ◽  
Waleed Elnahas ◽  
Sameh Roshdy ◽  
Omar Farouk ◽  
Ahmed Senbel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intervention Group ◽  
Pathological Finding ◽  
Late Complications ◽  
Demographic Characteristics ◽  
Randomized Controlled Study ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Wound Drainage ◽  
Axillary Clearance ◽  
Randomized Controlled

Background. Postmastectomy seroma causes patients’ discomfort, delays starting the adjuvant therapy, and may increase the possibility of surgical site infection.Objective. To evaluate quilting of the mastectomy flaps with obliteration of the axillary space in reducing postmastectomy seroma.Methods. A randomized controlled study was carried out among 120 females who were candidates for mastectomy and axillary clearance. The intervention group (N=60) with quilting and the control group without quilting. All patients were followed up routinely for immediate and late complications.Results. There were no significant differences between the two groups as regards the demographic characteristics, postoperative pathological finding, and the immediate postoperative complications. The incidence of seroma was significantly lower in the intervention group compared with the control group (20% versus 78.3%,P<0.001). Additionally, the intervention group had a shorter duration till seroma resolution (9 days versus 11 days,P<0.001) and a smaller volume of drainage (710 mL versus 1160 mL,P<0.001) compared with the control group.Conclusion. The use of mastectomy with quilting of flaps and obliteration of the axillary space is an efficient method to significantly reduce the postoperative seroma in addition to significantly reducing the duration and volume of wound drainage. Therefore we recommend quilting of flaps as a routine step at the end of any mastectomy.

The Effect of Exercise on Sleep and Fatigue in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Randomized Controlled Study

2014 ◽  
Vol 41 (10) ◽  
pp. 1966-1973 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Durcan ◽  
Fiona Wilson ◽  
Gaye Cunnane
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Exercise Intervention ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
Chronic Fatigue ◽  
Randomized Controlled Study ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Randomized Controlled

Objective.Sleep disturbance and chronic fatigue are common in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and contribute to disability, symptomatology, and healthcare use. It has long been recognized in other populations that exercise can improve sleep and diminish fatigue. The effect of exercise on sleep quality and fatigue in RA has not been evaluated.Methods.Ours is a randomized controlled study in RA to determine the effect of an exercise program on sleep quality and fatigue. These were measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and the Fatigue Severity Scale. Patients were randomized to either a 12-week, home-based exercise intervention or usual care. The exercise program consisted of specific exercises to target individual deficiencies identified using the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) with cardiovascular work as per the guidelines. The intervention group was evaluated on a 3-week basis. Full evaluation was carried out at baseline and at 12 weeks.Results.Forty patients were randomized to the intervention with 38 controls. In the exercise intervention group, there was a statistically significant improvement in HAQ (p = 0.00), pain (p = 0.05), stiffness (p = 0.05), sleep quality (p = 0.04), and fatigue (p = 0.04). In our control group, there was a statistically significant improvement demonstrated in their overall perceptions of the benefits of exercise, but none of the other variables.Conclusion.Our study demonstrates that an exercise program resulted in significant improvement in sleep quality and fatigue. This is particularly interesting given the importance of fatigue as an outcome measure in RA and gives us yet another reason to prescribe exercise in this population.

scholarly journals Effects of a Differential Diagnosis List of Artificial Intelligence on Differential Diagnoses by Physicians: An Exploratory Analysis of Data from a Randomized Controlled Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (11) ◽  
pp. 5562
Author(s):  
Yukinori Harada ◽  
Shinichi Katsukura ◽  
Ren Kawamura ◽  
Taro Shimizu
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Differential Diagnosis ◽  
Primary Outcome ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Exploratory Analysis ◽  
Differential Diagnoses ◽  
Randomized Controlled Study ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Randomized Controlled

A diagnostic decision support system (DDSS) is expected to reduce diagnostic errors. However, its effect on physicians’ diagnostic decisions remains unclear. Our study aimed to assess the prevalence of diagnoses from artificial intelligence (AI) in physicians’ differential diagnoses when using AI-driven DDSS that generates a differential diagnosis from the information entered by the patient before the clinical encounter on physicians’ differential diagnoses. In this randomized controlled study, an exploratory analysis was performed. Twenty-two physicians were required to generate up to three differential diagnoses per case by reading 16 clinical vignettes. The participants were divided into two groups, an intervention group, and a control group, with and without a differential diagnosis list of AI, respectively. The prevalence of physician diagnosis identical with the differential diagnosis of AI (primary outcome) was significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group (70.2% vs. 55.1%, p < 0.001). The primary outcome was significantly >10% higher in the intervention group than in the control group, except for attending physicians, and physicians who did not trust AI. This study suggests that at least 15% of physicians’ differential diagnoses were affected by the differential diagnosis list in the AI-driven DDSS.

The effectiveness of emotional freedom techniques (EFT) on depression of postmenopausal women: a randomized controlled trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Asieh Mehdipour ◽  
Parvin Abedi ◽  
Somayeh Ansari ◽  
Maryam Dastoorpoor
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Postmenopausal Women ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Moderate Depression ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Mean ◽  
And Control

Abstract Objectives Postmenopausal women are at greater risk of depression. Depression may negatively affect the quality of life of women. An emotional freedom technique (EFT) is an evidence-based therapy combining cognitive and exposure components with acupressure. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of EFT on depression in postmenopausal women. Methods This was a randomized controlled trial in which 88 women with mild to moderate depression recruited from a menopausal clinic in Ahvaz, Iran, and randomly assigned into two groups of EFT (n=44) and control for sham therapy (n=44). Women in the EFT group received two sessions of training and asked to continue EFT for 8 weeks, one time per day. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI2) completed by women before and after the intervention. The control group received training on sham acupressure points similar to the intervention group. Data collected using a demographic and BDI2. Women requested to complete the BDI2 before and after the intervention. The independent t-test, chi-square, and ANCOVA were used to analyze data. Results The mean depression score in the intervention group reduced from 20.93 ± 4.6 to 10.96 ± 4.38 in comparison to the control group that reduced from 19.18 ± 2.79 to 17.01 ± 6.05 after intervention (p=0.001). After the 8 week intervention, the frequency of moderate depression decreased from 56.8 to 9.35% in the intervention and from 50 to 29.5% in the control group. In total, 63.4 and 34.15% in the intervention and control groups were free of depression respectively after the intervention (p<0.001). Conclusions The results of this study showed that using EFT for 8 weeks could significantly reduce the mean score of depression in postmenopausal women. Using this method in public health centers for postmenopausal women is recommended.

scholarly journals Effect of Tourniquet Use in Ankle Arthroscopic Surgery on Postoperative Recovery: A Prospective Non- Randomized Controlled Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tingting Huang ◽  
Haixiao Liu ◽  
Yuezheng Hu ◽  
Xinxian Xu
Keyword(s):  
Functional Outcome ◽  
Ischemia Reperfusion Injury ◽  
Ischemia Reperfusion ◽  
Arthroscopic Surgery ◽  
Randomized Controlled Study ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Complication Rates ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
The Mean

Abstract The aim of this prospective non- randomized controlled study was to explore the effect of tourniquet use on joint swelling, pain, functional outcome, and tourniquet- related ischemia- reperfusion injury (IRI) during ankle arthroscopic surgery.52 patients who received ankle arthroscopy were allocated to had the procedure done with the tourniquet inflated (the Control group, n= 27) or without the tourniquet inflated (the NT group, n= 25). The main outcome measures were: (1) The amount of swelling of the ankle; (2) Pain as measured by a visual analog scale (VAS); (3) The levels of MDA, IMA,TOS, TAS and OSI at 10 min before incision (T1)，after the completion of surgery (T2), and 30 min after tourniquet deflation (T3); (4) The functional outcome as measured by American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle hindfoot score; (5) The rate of complication. All patients were reviewed at a mean follow- up of 14.2 months (range, 12- 19 months). The mean circumferences of the ankle in the NT group were significantly lower than those in the Control group on postoperative day 2 and 5 (p<0.05). The mean level of VAS in the Control group was significantly higher on postoperative day 2 (p<0.05). The outcomes of AOFAS ankle hindfoot score were comparable between groups postoperatively (p>0.05). The levels of MDA, IMA, TOS and OSI were all significantly lower in the NT group compared at T2 and T3 (p<0.05), and the level of TAS was significantly lower in the NT group at T3 (p<0.05). The complication rates of two groups were comparable (p>0.05).With the use of tourniquet during ankle arthroscopic surgery, there was increased joint swelling and pain postoperatively, and a trend toward increased levels of MDA, IMA, TOS, TAS and OSI intraoperatively. Thus, we do not recommend using a tourniquet in this type of procedure.

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