Elderly Persons with Intellectual Disability: A Study of Clinical Characteristics, Functional Status, and Sensory Capacity

Longer life expectancy is resulting in increasing numbers of elderly adults with intellectual disability (ID). There has been the question whether persons with ID demonstrate early signs of aging before the general population. The aim of this study was to determine if persons with ID (with and without Down syndrome) showed premature aging changes compared with a control group. Elderly persons (n = 24, average age of 61) from one residential care center in Israel and younger adults from another center (n = 37, average age of 45) were compared with elderly residents without ID in an independent living facility. The study considered demographic data, medical data, anthropometric measurements, body fat and body mass index, flexibility, and sensorimotor function tests. The results showed that the persons with ID had basically similar body composition to that of persons without ID, however, the functional performance of elderly adults with ID was more impaired. We postulate that the slower functioning responses may be explained by a less physically active lifestyle, that may accelerate the onset of disease and result in symptoms associated with aging that are detrimental to health. It is therefore important that persons with ID participate in physical activity and exercises in order to promote health and prevent disease.

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A Resistance Training Intervention for Adults With Intellectual Disability in the Community: A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial

Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly ◽

10.1123/apaq.2020-0218 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-23

Author(s):

Iva Obrusnikova ◽

Albert R. Cavalier ◽

Richard R. Suminski ◽

Ashleigh E. Blair ◽

Cora J. Firkin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Intellectual Disability ◽

Resistance Training ◽

Muscular Strength ◽

Functional Performance ◽

Analysis Of Covariance ◽

Training Intervention ◽

Control Group ◽

Community Based ◽

Resistance Training Exercise ◽

Experimental Group

Adults with an intellectual disability have significantly lower levels of fitness compared with the general population. This study examined the effects of a 13-week theoretically guided, community-based, multicomponent resistance training intervention, resistance training for empowerment, on muscular strength and independent functional performance in 24 adults with an intellectual disability, aged 18–44 years. Twelve participants were randomly allocated to an experimental group and 12 to an active control group. An analysis of covariance revealed that the experimental group had significantly greater increases (p < .05) on the chest press and leg press one-repetition maximum tests and the 6-min walk test from the baseline to postintervention compared with the control group. The experimental group correctly and independently performed a significantly greater number of steps of resistance training exercise tasks than the control group. Marginal significance and large effect sizes were found for the prone plank test and the stair climb test. The resistance training for empowerment was effective in promoting muscular strength and independent functional performance among adults with an intellectual disability.

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A Telemedicine Robot System for Assisted and Independent Living

Sensors ◽

10.3390/s19040834 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 19 (4) ◽

pp. 834 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Natasa Koceska ◽

Saso Koceski ◽

Pierluigi Beomonte Zobel ◽

Vladimir Trajkovik ◽

Nuno Garcia

Keyword(s):

Independent Living ◽

Field Experiments ◽

Robot Manipulator ◽

Elderly Care ◽

Care Center ◽

Evaluation Study ◽

Assistive Robotics ◽

Elderly Persons ◽

Robot System ◽

Everyday Activities

The emerging demographic trends toward an aging population, demand new ways and solutions to improve the quality of elderly life. These include, prolonged independent living, improved health care, and reduced social isolation. Recent technological advances in the field of assistive robotics bring higher sophistication and various assistive abilities that can help in achieving these goals. In this paper, we present design and validation of a low-cost telepresence robot that can assist the elderly and their professional caregivers, in everyday activities. The developed robot structure and its control objectives were tested in, both, a simulation and experimental environment. On-field experiments were done in a private elderly care center involving elderly persons and caregivers as participants. The goal of the evaluation study was to test the software architecture and the robot capabilities for navigation, as well as the robot manipulator. Moreover, participants’ reactions toward a possible adoption of the developed robot system in everyday activities were assessed. The obtained results of the conducted evaluation study are also presented and discussed.

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Effects of a Community-Based Familiarization Intervention on Independent Performance of Resistance-Training Exercise Tasks by Adults With Intellectual Disability

Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities ◽

10.1352/1934-9556-59.3.239 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 59 (3) ◽

pp. 239-255

Author(s):

Iva Obrusnikova ◽

Albert R. Cavalier ◽

Haley M. Novak ◽

Ashleigh E. Blair-McKinsey ◽

Rick R. Suminski

Keyword(s):

Intellectual Disability ◽

Resistance Training ◽

Functional Performance ◽

Control Group ◽

Community Based ◽

Training Exercise ◽

Activity Schedule ◽

Resistance Training Exercise ◽

Community Fitness ◽

Experimental Group

Abstract Adults with intellectual disability (ID) have significantly lower levels of fitness compared to the general population. The study examined the effects of a multicomponent familiarization intervention, consisting of a visual activity schedule and a video-enhanced system of least-to-most prompting, both displayed via an iPad, on the acquisition of resistance-training exercise tasks by adults with ID, aged 18–44 years, in a community fitness center. Twelve participants were randomly allocated to an experimental group (EG) and 12 to an active control group (CG). ANOVA revealed EG correctly and independently performed a significantly greater number of steps of four resistance-training exercise tasks compared with CG, relative to preintervention levels (p < .01). The intervention was effective in promoting functional performance of resistance-training exercise tasks among adults with ID.

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Effect of Chewing Gum on Bowel Motility in Women Undergoing Post-Operative Cesarean Section

International Journal of Innovative Research in Medical Science ◽

10.23958/ijirms/vol03-i06/04 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 3 (06) ◽

Author(s):

Dr.Randa Mohammed AboBaker

Keyword(s):

Cesarean Section ◽

Hospital Stay ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Length Of Hospital Stay ◽

Chewing Gum ◽

Control Group ◽

Controlled Clinical Trial ◽

Bowel Motility ◽

Gum Chewing ◽

Significant Difference

Postoperative Ileus (POI) is one of the most common problems after obstetrics, gynecologic and abdominal surgeries. Sham feeding, such as gum chewing, accelerates the return of bowel function and the length of hospital stay. The present study aims to evaluate the effect of chewing gum on bowel motility in women undergoing post-operative cesarean section. Intervention study was used at the Postpartum Department of Maternity and Children Hospital, KSA. A randomized controlled clinical trial research design. Through a convenience technique, 80 post Caesarian Section (CS) women were included in the study. Data were collected through three tools: Tool (I): Socio-demographic data and reproductive history interview schedule. Tool (II): Postoperative Assessment Sheet. Tool (III): Outcomes of gum chewing and the length of hospital stay. Method: subjects were assigned randomly into two groups of (40) the experimental and (40) the control. Subjects in the study group were asked to chew two pieces of sugarless gum for 30 min/three times daily in the morning, noon, and evening immediately after recovery from anesthesia and in Postpartum Department; while subjects in the control group followed the hospital routine care. Each woman in both groups was tested abdominally using a stethoscope to auscultate the bowel sounds and asked to report immediately the time of either passing flatus or stool. Results: illustrated that a highly statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups concerning their gum chewing outcomes. Where, P = 0.000. The study concluded that gum chewing is safe, well tolerated and appears to be effective in reducing the incidence and consequences of POI following CS.

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Community Living, Intellectual Disability and Extensive Support Needs: A Rights-Based Approach to Assessment and Intervention

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18063175 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (6) ◽

pp. 3175

Author(s):

Laura Esteban ◽

Patricia Navas ◽

Miguel Ángel Verdugo ◽

Víctor B. Arias

Keyword(s):

Intellectual Disability ◽

Independent Living ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Equation Modeling ◽

Community Living ◽

Support Needs ◽

Related Services ◽

The Right To Privacy ◽

The Right

People with intellectual disability (ID) and extensive support needs experience poorer quality of life than their peers whose disability is not as severe. Many of them live in residential settings that limit community participation and prevent them from exercising control over their lives. This work analyzes the extent to which professional practices are aimed at promoting the right to community living for people with ID and extensive support needs, as well as the rights that are particularly linked to it, such as the right to habilitation and rehabilitation and the right to privacy. A specific questionnaire was designed and administered to 729 adults with intellectual disability (M = 37.05; DT = 12.79) living in different settings (family home, residential facilities and group homes). Measurement and structural models were estimated using exploratory structural equation modeling. Results obtained reveal that people with extensive support needs receive less support in terms of guaranteeing their right to independent living and privacy, especially when they live in disability-related services. This study highlights the need to implement and monitor, using valid and reliable indicators, mesosystem strategies that guarantee the right to live and participate in the community, especially for individuals with ID and extensive support needs.

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Effect of Resisted Sprint and Plyometric Training on Lower Limb Functional Performance in Collegiate Male Football Players: A Randomised Control Trial

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18136702 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (13) ◽

pp. 6702

Author(s):

Shahnaz Hasan ◽

Gokulakannan Kandasamy ◽

Danah Alyahya ◽

Asma Alonazi ◽

Azfar Jamal ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Functional Performance ◽

Group Analysis ◽

Training Group ◽

Control Group ◽

Football Players ◽

Plyometric Training ◽

Sprint Training ◽

Short Term ◽

Hop Test ◽

Collegiate Football

The main objectives of this study were to evaluate the short-term effects of resisted sprint and plyometric training on sprint performance together with lower limb physiological and functional performance in collegiate football players. Ninety collegiate football players participated in this three-arm, parallel group randomized controlled trial study. Participants were randomly divided into a control group and two experimental groups: resisted sprint training (RST) (n = 30), plyometric training (PT) (n = 30), and a control group (n = 30). Participants received their respective training program for six weeks on alternate days. The primary outcome measures were a knee extensor strength test (measured by an ISOMOVE dynamometer), a sprint test and a single leg triple hop test. Measurements were taken at baseline and after 6 weeks post-training. Participants, caregivers, and those assigning the outcomes were blinded to the group assignment. A mixed design analysis of variance was used to compare between groups, within-group and the interaction between time and group. A within-group analysis revealed a significant difference (p < 0.05) when compared to the baseline with the 6 weeks post-intervention scores for all the outcomes including STN (RST: d = 1.63; PT: d = 2.38; Control: d = 2.26), ST (RST: d = 1.21; PT: d = 1.36; Control: d = 0.38), and SLTHT (RST: d = 0.76; PT: d = 0.61; Control: d = 0.18). A sub-group analysis demonstrated an increase in strength in the plyometric training group (95% CI 14.73 to 15.09, p = 0.00), an increase in the single leg triple hop test in the resisted sprint training group (95% CI 516.41 to 538.4, p = 0.05), and the sprint test was also improved in both experimental groups (95% CI 8.54 to 8.82, p = 0.00). Our findings suggest that, during a short-term training period, RST or PT training are equally capable of enhancing the neuromechanical capacities of collegiate football players. No adverse events were reported by the participants.

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A mixed-methods examination of the gap between intelligence and adaptive functioning in autistic young adults without intellectual disability

Autism ◽

10.1177/13623613211018334 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 136236132110183

Author(s):

Nicole L Matthews ◽

Kyla Christenson ◽

Sarah Kiefer ◽

Christopher J Smith

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Intellectual Disability ◽

Statistical Analysis ◽

Qualitative Analysis ◽

Independent Living ◽

Adaptive Functioning ◽

Parent Report ◽

Intellectual Ability ◽

Standardized Assessments ◽

Service Needs

This study examined adaptive functioning, strategies used to develop adaptive functioning skills, and areas where additional services could benefit autistic young adults without intellectual disability. Participants were 21 autistic young adults and at least one parent of each young adult. Quantitative analyses replicated previous reports of an adaptive functioning disadvantage relative to intellectual functioning such that adaptive functioning standard scores were significantly lower than intelligence quotient scores. Qualitative analysis utilized grounded theory methodology and yielded a conceptual model describing the nature and development of adaptive functioning in this demographic. Together, findings provide a more nuanced understanding of the gap between intellectual and adaptive functioning in autistic young adults without intellectual disability. Lay abstract Adaptive functioning describes the age-appropriate skills necessary for independent living. Research suggests that autistic children, adolescents, and adults who do not have an intellectual disability demonstrate adaptive functioning challenges relative to their intellectual ability. Thus, even though many of these individuals have the intellectual capacity to excel in mainstream educational and vocational settings, their adaptive functioning challenges may serve as an obstacle to independence. The research on adaptive functioning in autistic adults is focused on statistical analysis of standardized assessments (e.g. parent-report on multiple choice questionnaires). Qualitative research that examines the narratives of young adults and their parents is needed to better understand adaptive functioning in young adults and their resulting service needs. This study combined statistical analysis of standardized assessments with qualitative analysis of interview responses from autistic young adults without intellectual disability and their parents. Findings replicated previous reports of adaptive functioning challenges and identified influences on adaptive functioning development, consequences of independence, and service needs. Taken together, findings indicate the need for interventions and services that facilitate adaptive functioning development in autistic adolescents and young adults and provide insight into potential intervention targets and strategies.

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Association of interleukin-17A rs2275913 polymorphism with rheumatoid arthritis susceptibility in Sudanese population

SAGE Open Medicine ◽

10.1177/20503121211020207 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

pp. 205031212110202

Author(s):

Rgda Mohamed Osman ◽

Mounkaila Noma ◽

Abdallah Elssir Ahmed ◽

Hanadi Abdelbagi ◽

Rihab Ali Omer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽

Confidence Interval ◽

Statistical Tests ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Control Group ◽

P Value ◽

Case Group ◽

Molecular Technique ◽

Interleukin 17A ◽

Significant Difference

Objectives: Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease. This study aimed to determine the association of interleukin-17A-197G/A polymorphism with rheumatoid arthritis in Sudanese patients. Methods: A case–control study was conducted between March and December 2018. Clinical and demographic data of the study participants were collected and analyzed. Polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism molecular technique was done to investigate interleukin-17A-197G/A polymorphisms. All statistical tests were considered statistically significant when p < 0.05. Results: The study population included 266 participants aged between 1 and 85 years, with an average of 40 years, classified into 85 (31.2%) cases (mean age 48.5 ± 11.3 years), and 181 (68.8%) controls (mean age 35.3 ± 15.9 years). The interleukin-17A homozygote AA genotype was more frequent among the control group compared to the case group; 95 (52.5%) and 7 (8.2%), respectively. The homozygote GG and the heterozygote AG genotypes were proportionally not different among the cases and control groups; 13 (54.2%) and 11 (45.8%), and 65 (46.4%) and 75 (53.6%), respectively. According to the distribution of interleukin-17A genotypes, a statistically significant difference was observed among cases with the interleukin-17A AA and AG genotypes, p values 0.001 and 0.004, respectively. For the association interleukin-17A genotypes and family history a negatively significant association was reported (95% confidence interval, –0.219, p value = 0.001). There was also a negatively significant association of interleukin-17A genotypes and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (95% confidence interval, −0.141, p value = 0.002). Conclusion: This study is the first study in Sudan established the association between interleukin-17A-197G/A (rs2275913) polymorphisms and susceptibly to rheumatoid arthritis. These findings appeal for further research in Sudan to investigate the exact role of IL-17A in immunopathology and disease severity among Sudanese rheumatoid arthritis

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Enhancing Patient Experience in Office-Based Laryngology Procedures With Passive Virtual Reality

OTO Open ◽

10.1177/2473974x20975020 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

pp. 2473974X2097502

Author(s):

Joseph Chang ◽

Sen Ninan ◽

Katherine Liu ◽

Alfred Marc Iloreta ◽

Diana Kirke ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Virtual Reality ◽

Local Anesthesia ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Care Center ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Control Group ◽

Procedure Time ◽

Pain Scores ◽

Distress Scale

Objectives Virtual reality (VR) has been used as nonpharmacologic anxiolysis benefiting patients undergoing office-based procedures. There is little research on VR use in laryngology. This study aims to determine the efficacy of VR as anxiolysis for patients undergoing in-office laryngotracheal procedures. Study Design Randomized controlled trial. Setting Tertiary care center. Methods Adult patients undergoing office-based larynx and trachea injections, biopsy, or laser ablation were recruited and randomized to receive standard care with local anesthesia only or local anesthesia with adjunctive VR. Primary end point was procedural anxiety measured by the Subjective Units of Distress Scale (SUDS). Subjective pain, measured using a visual analog scale, satisfaction scores, and procedure time, and baseline anxiety, measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), were also collected. Results Eight patients were randomized to the control group and 8 to the VR group. SUDS scores were lower in the VR group than in the control group with mean values of 26.25 and 53.13, respectively ( P = .037). Baseline HADS scores did not differ between groups. There were no statistically significant differences in pain, satisfaction, or procedure time. Average satisfaction scores in VR and control groups were 6.44 and 6.25, respectively ( P = .770). Average pain scores were 3.53 and 2.64, respectively ( P = .434). Conclusion This pilot study suggests that VR distraction may be used as an adjunctive measure to decrease patient anxiety during office-based laryngology procedures. Procedures performed using standard local anesthesia resulted in low pain scores and high satisfaction scores even without adjunctive VR analgesia. Level of Evidence 1

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Management of ongoing direct anticoagulant treatment in patients with hip fracture

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-89077-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Carlo Rostagno ◽

Alessandro Cartei ◽

Gianluca Polidori ◽

Roberto Civinini ◽

Alice Ceccofiglio ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hip Fracture ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Drug Intake ◽

Control Group ◽

Complication Rates ◽

Adherence To Guidelines ◽

Time To Surgery ◽

Clinical Records ◽

Current Guidelines ◽

Type Of Fracture

AbstractAim of the present study was to investigate the effects of ongoing treatment with DOACs on time from trauma to surgery and on in-hospital clinical outcomes (blood losses, need for transfusion, mortality) in patients with hip fracture. Moreover we evaluated the adherence to current guidelines regarding the time from last drug intake and surgery. In this observational retrospective study clinical records of patients admitted for hip fracture from January 2016 to January 2019 were reviewed. 74 patients were in treatment with DOACs at hospital admission. Demographic data, comorbidities and functional status before trauma were retrieved. As control group we evaluated 206 patients not on anticoagulants matched for age, gender, type of fracture and ASA score. Time to surgery was significantly longer in patients treated with DOACs (3.6 + 2.7 vs. 2.15 ± 1.07 days, p < 0.0001) and treatment within 48 h was 47% vs. 80% in control group (p < 0.0001). The adherence to guidelines’ suggested time from last drug intake to surgery was 46%. Neither anticipation nor delay in surgery did result in increased mortality, length of stay or complication rates with the exception of larger perioperative blood loss (Hb levels < 8 g/dl) in DOACs patients (34% vs 9% p < 0.0001). Present results suggest that time to surgery is significantly longer in DOAC patients in comparison to controls and adherence to guidelines still limited.

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