Reviewing Clinical Effectiveness of Active Training Strategies of Platform-Based Ankle Rehabilitation Robots

Objective. This review aims to provide a systematical investigation of clinical effectiveness of active training strategies applied in platform-based ankle robots. Method. English-language studies published from Jan 1980 to Aug 2017 were searched from four databases using key words of “Ankle∗” AND “Robot∗” AND “Effect∗ OR Improv∗ OR Increas∗.” Following an initial screening, three rounds of discrimination were successively conducted based on the title, the abstract, and the full paper. Result. A total of 21 studies were selected with 311 patients involved; of them, 13 studies applied a single group while another eight studies used different groups for comparison to verify the therapeutic effect. Virtual-reality (VR) game training was applied in 19 studies, while two studies used proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) training. Conclusion. Active training techniques delivered by platform ankle rehabilitation robots have been demonstrated with great potential for clinical applications. Training strategies are mostly combined with one another by considering rehabilitation schemes and motion ability of ankle joints. VR game environment has been commonly used with active ankle training. Bioelectrical signals integrated with VR game training can implement intelligent identification of movement intention and assessment. These further provide the foundation for advanced interactive training strategies that can lead to enhanced training safety and confidence for patients and better treatment efficacy.

Download Full-text

Certolizumab pegol (CIMZIA®) for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

Health Technology Assessment ◽

10.3310/hta14suppl2-01 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 14 (Suppl 2) ◽

pp. 1-10

Author(s):

M Connock ◽

S Tubeuf ◽

K Malottki ◽

A Uthman ◽

J Round ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽

Cost Effectiveness ◽

Treatment Option ◽

English Language ◽

Certolizumab Pegol ◽

Clinical Effectiveness ◽

Quality Of Life Measures ◽

Language Studies

This paper presents a summary of the evidence review group (ERG) report into the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of certolizumab pegol (CZP) for adults with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) that have not responded adequately to treatment with conventional disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) including methotrexate (MTX), in accordance with the licensed indication, based upon the evidence submission from the manufacturer to the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) as part of the single technology appraisal (STA) process. The outcome measures included American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 20, 50 and 70 response rates and quality of life measures after 3 months and 6 months of treatment. The ERG examined the submission’s search strategies and considered they appeared comprehensive and that it was unlikely that relevant studies would have been missed. Only English language studies were considered in the submission and non-English language studies relevant to the decision problem may possibly have been ignored. The ERG analysed the first submitted economic model so as to itemise in detail clarification points that were brought to the attention of the manufacturer. In response the manufacturer submitted a modified cost-effectiveness analysis. The ERG undertook further analysis of this second model and other additional submitted evidence. The clinical evidence was derived from two multicentre blinded randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing CZP + MTX to placebo + MTX (the RAPID 1 and RAPID 2 trials). RAPID 1 lasted 52 weeks with 982 patients and RAPID 2 24 weeks with 619 patients. Evidence for clinical effectiveness of CZP in mono-therapy came from the 24-week FAST4WARD trial with 220 patients that compared CZP (400 mg every 4 weeks) versus placebo. The three key RCTs demonstrated statistically significant superiority of CZP + MTX versus placebo + MTX and of CZP versus placebo with respect to a variety of outcomes including ACR 20, ACR 50 and ACR 70 measures and quality of life measures at 3 and 6 months. On the basis of results from the indirect comparison meta-analyses, the manufacturer suggested that CZP may be at least as effective as other ‘biological’ DMARD (bDMARD) comparators and, in a few ACR measures at 3 and 6 months, more effective. CZP is an effective therapy for adult RA patients whose disease has failed to respond adequately to cDMARDs including MTX or who are intolerant of MTX. The cost-effectiveness of CZP relative to other bDMARDs is unclear because the economic modelling undertaken may have ignored relevant effectiveness data and potential differences between trial populations, and so may have included effectiveness results that were biased in favour of CZP; underestimated uncertainty in the relative effectiveness of compared DMARDs; and ignored the potential influence of differences between bDMARDs with regard to adverse events and their related costs and health impacts. The NICE guidance issued in October 2009 states that: the Committee is minded not to recommend certolizumab pegol as a treatment option for people with RA; and the Committee recommends that NICE asks the manufacturer of CZP for more information on the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of CZP for the treatment of people with RA. On receipt of this information and details of a patient access scheme NICE issued final guidance recommending CZP, under certain criteria, as a treatment option for people with RA.

Download Full-text

Introducing Augmentative Communication: Interactive Training Strategies

NSSLHA Journal ◽

10.1044/nsshla_14_68 ◽

1986 ◽

Vol 14 ◽

pp. 68-82

Author(s):

Caroline Musselwhite

Keyword(s):

Augmentative Communication ◽

Interactive Training ◽

Training Strategies

Download Full-text

“Twenty Years of Studies in Sport Humanities – a Look at the Journal’s Archival Issues”

Studies in Sport Humanities ◽

10.5604/01.3001.0014.8904 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 28 ◽

pp. 7-12

Author(s):

Joanna Basiaga-Pasternak ◽

Jan Blecharz

Keyword(s):

English Language ◽

Present Form ◽

International Studies ◽

Language Studies

In the text, it is shows how the journal – Studia Humanistyczne [Eng. Humanistic Studies] has changed, initially published as Zeszyty Naukowe [Eng. Scientifi c Notebooks], then as an independent periodical, to fi nally assume the form of the English-language Studies in Sport Humanities. The stages of the Journal’s operation, managed by successive Editors-in-Chief, were presented. It was showed who comprised the Editorial Board and what modifi cations the Journal underwent to fi nally take the present form of international Studies in Sport Humanities.

Download Full-text

Factors Which Facilitate or Impede Interpersonal Interactions and Relationships after Spinal Cord Injury: A Scoping Review with Suggestions for Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation Research and Practice ◽

10.1155/2016/9373786 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2016 ◽

pp. 1-13 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Delena Amsters ◽

Sarita Schuurs ◽

Kiley Pershouse ◽

Bettina Power ◽

Yvonne Harestad ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Spinal Cord ◽

Spinal Cord Injury ◽

Scoping Review ◽

English Language ◽

International Classification Of Functioning ◽

Interpersonal Interactions ◽

Self Image ◽

Language Studies ◽

Cord Injury ◽

Review Question

Interpersonal interactions and relationships can influence an individual’s perceptions of health and quality of life in the presence of disability. In the case of people with spinal cord injury (SCI), positive interpersonal interactions and relationships have been shown to contribute to resilience and adaptability. Understanding factors which facilitate or impede the development and maintenance of relationships after SCI may form the basis for proactive relationship support for people with SCI. To gain a broad insight into these factors, a scoping review was undertaken. Databases were searched for English language studies published between 2000 and 2015 that informed the review question. Sixty-two (62) studies were identified. Thematic analysis was conducted on data extracted from the studies and 51 factors which may facilitate relationships and 38 factors which may impede relationships after SCI were noted. The majority of factors could be categorized as environmental or personal according to the domains of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF). The facilitating factors included partner and social support, reciprocity in relationships, and presenting oneself positively. Impeding factors included physical environmental barriers, real and perceived social biases, and poor self-image. Factors identified may inform the provision of supportive, holistic rehabilitation for people with SCI.

Download Full-text

Fathers’ Views and Experiences of Creating a Smoke-Free Home: A Scoping Review

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph16245164 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (24) ◽

pp. 5164 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Rachel O’Donnell ◽

Kathryn Angus ◽

Peter McCulloch ◽

Amanda Amos ◽

Lorraine Greaves ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gender Equity ◽

Scoping Review ◽

English Language ◽

Second Hand Smoke ◽

Language Studies ◽

Shs Exposure ◽

Gender Power ◽

Attitudes And Knowledge ◽

Successes And Challenges ◽

Children’S Exposure

Enabling parents to create a smoke-free home is one of the key ways that children’s exposure to second-hand smoke (SHS) can be reduced. Smoke-free home interventions have largely targeted mothers who smoke, and there is little understanding of the barriers and facilitators that fathers experience in creating a smoke-free home. Systematic searches combining terms for fathers, homes, and SHS exposure were run in April 2019 in Web of Science’s Citation Indices, PsycINFO, and PubMed for English-language studies published since 2008. The searches identified 980 records for screening, plus 66 records from other sources. Twelve studies reported in 13 papers were included in this scoping review. Eight of the studies were conducted in Asian countries (five in China, one in India, one in Japan, and one in Iran), three were conducted in Canada, and one in Turkey. Findings were extracted in verbatim text for thematic analysis. The review identified that attitudes and knowledge, cultural and social norms, gender power relations, and shifting perceptions and responsibilities related to fatherhood can impact on fathers’ views of their role in relation to creating and maintaining a smoke-free home. There were too few published studies that had assessed smoke-free home interventions with fathers to draw conclusions regarding effective approaches. Research is clearly needed to inform our understanding of fathers’ roles, successes and challenges in creating and maintaining a smoke-free home, so that father-inclusive rather than mother-led interventions can be developed to benefit entire households and improve gender equity as well as health.

Download Full-text

Health Beneficial Effects of Moomiaii in Traditional Medicine

Galen Medical Journal ◽

10.31661/gmj.v9i0.1743 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

pp. 1743

Author(s):

Solmaz Rahmani Barouji ◽

Amir Saber ◽

Mohammadali Torbati ◽

Seyyed Mohammad Bagher Fazljou ◽

Ahmad Yari Khosroushahi

Keyword(s):

Traditional Medicine ◽

English Language ◽

Modern Medicine ◽

In Vivo Studies ◽

Beneficial Effects ◽

Anticancer Properties ◽

Language Studies ◽

Health Complications

raditional medicine (TM) that developed over the years within various societies consists of medical experimental knowledge and practices, which apply natural methods and compounds for general wellness and healing. Moomiaii as a pale-brown to blackish-brown natural exudate is one of the natural compounds in traditional medicine that has been used over 3000 years in many countries of the world especially in India, China, Russia, Iran, Mongolia, Kazakhstan and Kirgizstan. We reviewed all English-language studies about Moomiaii that we accessed them. In traditional medicine, many beneficial activities have been attributed to Moomiaii and to its main constituents, Humic acid and Fulvic acid, which are widely used to prevent and treatment of different diseases. Some modern scientific investigations showed that Moomiaii as a safe dietary supplement can be beneficial in various health complications. Even though the beneficial effects of Moomiaii have been confirmed in traditional and modern medicine, it seems that additional in-vitro/in-vivo studies and comprehensive clinical trials are necessary to explain the whole mechanisms of action and to determine the effective doses in various diseases. We discuss and clarify the claimed health beneficial effects of Moomiaii in some wide-spread diseases regarding its anti-ulcerogenic, immunomodulatory, antidiabetic, antioxidative and anticancer properties. [GMJ.2020;9:e1743]

Download Full-text

Language in the Workplace Project and Workplace Communication for Skilled Migrants course at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand

10.26686/wgtn.12749651 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

J de Bres ◽

J Holmes ◽

Angela Joe ◽

Meredith Marra ◽

Jonathan Newton ◽

...

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

English Language ◽

Applied Linguistics ◽

Research Unit ◽

Deaf Studies ◽

Ongoing Research ◽

Language Studies ◽

Language Courses ◽

Set Up ◽

English Language Institute

The School of Linguistics and Applied Language Studies (LALS) at Victoria University of Wellington conducts research and teaching in Linguistics, Applied Linguistics, Writing and Deaf Studies. It incorporates a Deaf Studies Research Unit, which undertakes research on topics relating to deaf people and their language in New Zealand, and the New Zealand Dictionary Centre, set up in partnership with Oxford University Press, which provides a base for research into New Zealand lexicography and aspects of language in New Zealand. It also incorporates an English Language Institute, which specialises in teaching English language courses and teacher education programmes. A particular strength of the School's makeup is the opportunity to engage in research which benefits and is benefited by both theoretical and practical approaches to issues in linguistics and applied linguistics. This report describes one of a number of examples of the productive integration of language teaching and language research at LALS. We describe an ongoing research project that has developed organically over the past twelve years. The research involved first collecting and analysing authentic workplace interaction between native speakers, and then making use of it in explicit instruction aimed at developing socio-pragmatic proficiency in the workplace among skilled migrants with English as an Additional Language (EAL). We are now engaged in evaluating the results of the instruction, not only in the classroom, but also in workplaces where the migrants have been placed as interns.

Download Full-text

Clinical benefits and adverse effects of siwak (S. persica) use on periodontal health: a scoping review of literature

BMC Oral Health ◽

10.1186/s12903-021-01950-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Haslinda Ramli ◽

Tuti Ningseh Mohd-Dom ◽

Shahida Mohd-Said

Keyword(s):

Adverse Effects ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Oral Hygiene ◽

English Language ◽

Final Analysis ◽

Clinical Effectiveness ◽

Periodontal Health ◽

Clinical Attachment Loss ◽

Tooth Cleaning ◽

Wide Range

Abstract Background Siwak is a chewing stick used as an oral hygiene aid associated with Muslim communities across the globe since more than 1500 years ago. Used either exclusively or in conjunction with a regular toothbrush, there is evidence supporting its clinical effectiveness in plaque control, but adverse effects on periodontal health remains inconclusive. Objective This study aims to systematically review the wide range of data and literatures related to siwak practice and its effect on periodontal health. Method The review was conducted based on scoping review techniques, searching literature in EBSCOHOST, PubMed, SCOPUS and Google scholar databases using the following search terms: “siwak’ or ‘miswak’ or ‘chewing stick” for intervention, and “periodontium or ‘periodontal’ or ‘periodontal health’ or ‘periodontal disease” for outcome. Articles published between January 1990 to March 2021 and written in English language were included. Results A total of 721 articles collected from the search and 21 of them were eligible for the final analysis. Results of this study was described based on clinical and antibacterial reporting of siwak, method of siwak practice and its adverse effect on oral health. Siwak was found effective at removing dental plaque and improving periodontal health over time although its effect on subgingival microbiota was inconclusive. Presence of gingival recession and clinical attachment loss were much more commonly reported in siwak users, attributable to variations in the methods employed for tooth cleaning using the siwak. Conclusion There is substantial evidence that the lack of standardised reporting for effective siwak use may have resulted in contradictory findings about its oral hygiene benefits and adverse effects. As such, future work on safe and effective siwak practice is to be advocated among its users.

Download Full-text

Impacts on employment, finances, and lifestyle for working age people facing an expected premature death: A systematic review

Palliative & Supportive Care ◽

10.1017/s1478951517000979 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 16 (3) ◽

pp. 347-364 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Slavica Kochovska ◽

Tim Luckett ◽

Meera Agar ◽

Jane L. Phillips

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

English Language ◽

Financial Burden ◽

Premature Death ◽

Well Being ◽

Family Responsibilities ◽

Language Studies ◽

Working Age ◽

Nonmalignant Disease ◽

The Impact

ABSTRACTObjective:The working ages (25–65 years) are a period when most people have significant work, financial, and family responsibilities. A small proportion of working age people will face an expected premature death from cancer or other life-limiting illness. Understanding the impact an expected premature death has on this population is important for informing support. The current study set out to summarize research describing the effects that facing an expected premature death has on employment, financial, and lifestyle of working age people and their families.Method:A systematic review using narrative synthesis approach. Four electronic databases were searched in July 2016 for peer-reviewed, English language studies focusing on the financial, employment, and lifestyle concerns of working age adults living with an advanced life-limiting illness and/or their carers and/or children.Results:Fifteen quantitative and 12 qualitative studies were included. Two-thirds (n = 18) were focused on cancer. All studies identified adverse effects on workforce participation, finances, and lifestyle. Many patients were forced to work less or give up work/retire early because of symptoms and reduced functioning. In addition to treatment costs, patients and families were also faced with child care, travel, and home/car modification costs. Being younger was associated with greater employment and financial burden, whereas having children was associated with lower functional well-being. Changes in family roles were identified as challenging regardless of diagnosis, whereas maintaining normalcy and creating stability was seen as a priority by parents with advanced cancer. This review is limited by the smaller number of studies focussing on the needs of working age people with nonmalignant disease.Significance of results:Working age people facing an expected premature death and their families have significant unmet financial, employment, and lifestyle needs. Comparing and contrasting their severity, timing, and priority for people with nonmalignant conditions is required to better understand their unique needs.

Download Full-text