scholarly journals Development and Complex Dynamics at School Environment

Complexity ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miguel Angel Fuentes ◽  
Juan Pablo Cárdenas ◽  
Natalia Carro ◽  
Mariana Lozada
Keyword(s):  
Social Interactions ◽  
Social Relationships ◽  
Behavioral Plasticity ◽  
School Context ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Positive Interactions ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Quantitative Evidence ◽  
The Impact

In this work we use complex systems methodologies to analyze quantitatively the impact of an intervention involving cooperative and self-awareness activities on social interactions in children. The aim of this study is to evaluate behavioral plasticity of social relationships between peers in 6-7 year-olds who participated in the intervention conducted in a school context. The intervention consisted of 8 one-hour long sessions comprising mindfulness-based practices, collaborative activities that required cooperation, and perspective-taking instances in which children shared feelings, perceptions, and needs felt during the activities. We used complex network and game theory to evaluate pre-post-intervention variations. Social relationship was analyzed with a sociogram in both the intervention group and a control group which continued with regular classes. By means of the sociometric questionnaire we asked each child to mention which classmates he/she would choose as playmates and which he/she would not. Changes in the number of peers selected and rejected reflected changes in the pattern of social relationships pre-post-intervention. Our findings show that participating in the intervention positively modulated social interactions since we found an increase in the diversity and quality of positive links and a reduction in negative ones; a higher level of integration, indicated by enhanced positive networks where children with many positive connections tended to connect with those with few links; and more positive interactions between genders. These findings were not observed in the control group. Through the use of the mentioned methodologies, the current investigation provides new quantitative evidence of social network plasticity in children, an important topic which, to our knowledge, has been little studied. Results from this work indicate that positive transformations in social relationships can be fostered through the performance of this kind of intervention.

Impact of Stress Ulcer Prophylaxis Algorithm Study

2005 ◽  
Vol 39 (5) ◽  
pp. 810-816 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian J Coursol ◽  
Sabrina E Sanzari
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care ◽  
Stress Ulcer ◽  
Treatment Algorithm ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Stress Ulcer Prophylaxis ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Ulcer Prophylaxis ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The Impact

BACKGROUND: In the intensive care unit at Royal Victoria Hospital, we noted that drugs prescribed for stress ulcer prophylaxis were not always indicated or optimal. Accordingly, we implemented an algorithm for stress ulcer prophylaxis to guide the medical team in their decisions. The agents selected for the algorithm were intravenous famotidine and omeprazole suspension or tablets, depending on the available administration route. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of a treatment algorithm on the appropriateness of prescriptions for stress ulcer prophylaxis. METHODS: A quasi-experimental—type evaluative study was conducted based on a pre-/post-intervention design without a concurrent control group. A total of 555 complete admissions met the selection criteria; 303 patients formed the pre-intervention group, and 252 made up the post-intervention group (exposed to the treatment algorithm). RESULTS: After implementation of the algorithm, the proportion of inappropriate prophylaxis was decreased (95.7% vs 88.2%; p = 0.033). The number of days of inappropriate prophylaxis was also reduced significantly (p = 0.013), as was the cost per patient (p = 0.003) for all admissions. However, no difference was observed when the subgroup of patients who received prophylaxis alone was studied (p = 0.098 and p = 0.918). The presence of bleeding was similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Introduction by pharmacists of a treatment algorithm for stress ulcer prophylaxis in intensive care units allows a reduction of inappropriate prescriptions and thus a reduction in the cost of drugs. The use of omeprazole suspension seems to be an alternative to intravenous histamine2-inhibitors; however, a large-scale study is necessary to confirm the efficacy and safety of proton-pump inhibitors administered by an enteral tube.

scholarly journals The impact of a peer-based education on fruits and vegetables intake among housewives

2021 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Roya Sheybani ◽  
Zahra Hosseini ◽  
Sayed Hossein Davoodi ◽  
Teamur Aghamolaei ◽  
Amin Ghanbarnejad
Keyword(s):  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Peer Education ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Evidence indicates the lower intake of fruits and vegetables than the recommended daily amount. Study aimed at determining the effects of peer education intervention on the consumption of fruits and vegetable in housewives. Methods A quasi-experimental was conducted with 130 housewives referring to health care centers in Bandar Abbas, Iran. Sixty-five subjects were recruited in each of the intervention and the control groups. Intervention group were divided into three subgroups each receiving a seven-sessions educational programs (lecturing and group discussion) through peers about the importance of benefits of fruits and vegetables consumption. Participants were followed for two months. Data were collected using a questionnaire in two stages of pre- and post-intervention. Differences in the outcome before and after the intervention were tested using T-test and paired T-test. Results The daily servings of fruits and vegetables in the intervention group increased from 1.73 to 4.20 and in the control group from 1.96 to 2.16; a statistically significant difference was also observed between the groups (P < 0.001). After the intervention benefits and self-efficacy of fruits and vegetables consumption significantly increased and perceived barriers of fruits and vegetables consumption significantly decreased in the intervention group (P < 0.001). Conclusion Peer education improves benefits and self-efficacy, reduces barriers, and increases the daily servings of fruits and vegetables in housewives.

Evaluating the Impact of Teacher-designed, Wellbeing and Sustainability Play-based Learning Experiences on Young Children's Knowledge Connections: A Randomised Trial

2018 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. 33-42
Author(s):  
Heather Morris ◽  
Susan Edwards ◽  
Amy Cutter-Mackenzie ◽  
Leonie Rutherford ◽  
Janet Williams-Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Digital Media ◽  
Randomised Trial ◽  
Learning Experiences ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Parent Report ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Waitlist Control Group ◽  
Children's Interests ◽  
The Impact

THIS PAPER REPORTS FINDINGS from a randomised investigation into the effect of teacher-designed, play-based learning experiences on preschool-aged children's knowledge connections between healthy eating and active play as wellbeing concepts, and sustainability. The investigation used a ‘ funds of knowledge’ theoretical framework to situate young children's interests in digital media and popular culture, as a site for learning these knowledge connections. The findings suggest that the intervention group children created more wellbeing and sustainability knowledge connections than the waitlist control group children. Additionally, the intervention group children demonstrated an increase in vegetable serves and a decrease in unhealthy food servings post intervention (measured by parent report). The paper suggests that more attention should be paid to early childhood teachers’ capacity for actively building children's knowledge about wellbeing and sustainability concepts through play-based learning, as opposed to top-down approaches towards obesity education and prevention alone.

Physical activity and prenatal depression: going beyond statistical significance by assessing the impact of reliable and clinical significant change

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Marina Vargas-Terrones ◽  
Taniya S. Nagpal ◽  
Maria Perales ◽  
Harry Prapavessis ◽  
Michelle F. Mottola ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Exercise Intervention ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Prenatal Depression ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Point Change ◽  
Significant Change ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Previous literature supports exercise as a preventative agent for prenatal depression; however, treatment effects for women at risk for prenatal depression remain unexplored. The purpose of the study was to examine whether exercise can lower depressive symptoms among women who began pregnancy at risk for depression using both a statistical significance and reliable and clinically significant change criteria. Methods This study is a secondary analysis of two randomized controlled trials that followed the same exercise protocol. Pregnant women were allocated to an exercise intervention group (IG) or control group (CG). All participants completed the Center for Epidemiological Depression (CES-D) scale at gestational week 9–16 and 36–38. Women with a baseline score ⩾16 were included. A clinically reliable cut-off was calculated as a 7-point change in scores from pre- to post-intervention. Results Thirty-six women in the IG and 25 women in the CG scored ⩾16 on the CES-D at baseline. At week 36–38 the IG had a statistically significant lower CES-D score (14.4 ± 8.6) than the CG (19.4 ± 11.1; p < 0.05). Twenty-two women in the IG (61%) had a clinically reliable decrease in their post-intervention score compared to eight women in the CG (32%; p < 0.05). Among the women who met the reliable change criteria, 18 (81%) in the IG and 7 (88%) in the CG had a score <16 post-intervention, with no difference between groups (p > 0.05). Conclusions A structured exercise program might be a useful treatment option for women at risk for prenatal depression.

scholarly journals The Effect of Group Spiritual Care on Hope in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis referred to the MS Society of Zahedan, Iran

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mozhgan Rahnama ◽  
Malihe Rahdar ◽  
Mehdi Afshari
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Spiritual Care ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Sample Selection ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Chronic Inflammatory Condition ◽  
The Impact

Background and Aim: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is known as an autoimmune disease and a chronic inflammatory condition, inducing a wide variety of mood affective disorders, including depression and feelings of hopelessness in many aspects of patients&rsquo; quality of life (QoL). In view of the positive side effects of spirituality and spiritual care on finding appropriate strategies for further adaptation, this study aimed to determine the impact of group spiritual care (GSC) on levels of hope in patients suffering from MS. Materials and Methods: This clinical trial was conducted on a total number of 96 patients with MS, referring to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) in the city of Zahedan, Iran. Following sample selection via the convenience sampling technique, the patients meeting the inclusion criteria were randomized into two groups, i.e., intervention and control. The data collection tools for this purpose included a demographic information form and the Adult Hope Scale (AHS, Snyder et al. 1991), completed by the subjects at the pre- and post-intervention stages. As well, the intervention group received five sessions of GSC during three weeks but the control group members only talked over daily issues along with their mental health problems. The data were also analyzed using the SPSS Statistics software (ver. 14). Results: The Kruskal-Wallis test results revealed that the GSC intervention could have a significant positive effect on raising hope in the patients with MS (p&lt;0.001). Moreover, a significant growth was observed in the scores of hope dimensions including agency and pathway (p&lt;0.001). Conclusion: GSC can effectively boost levels of hope in patients suffering from MS in all dimensions. Therefore, it is recommended to utilize this type of care in order to nurture hope in such individuals.

Kids Active: Evaluation of an Educator-Led Active Play and Fundamental Movement Skill Intervention in the Irish Preschool Setting

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 389-407
Author(s):  
Christina Duff ◽  
Johann Issartel ◽  
Wesley O’ Brien ◽  
Sarahjane Belton
Keyword(s):  
Vertical Jump ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Anthropometric Data ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Active Play ◽  
Fundamental Movement Skill ◽  
Overhand Throw ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Preschool Setting

The Kids Active program was developed with the aim of increasing physical activity (PA) and fundamental movement skill (FMS) levels of children in preschool services in Ireland through training educators to encourage active play opportunities. In this study, the impact of a six-week pilot program on educator confidence, as well as children’s PA levels and FMS proficiency, is evaluated. Educators’ (n = 32) confidence to teach PA was measured through questionnaire, while data (anthropometric data, PA via accelerometry, and proficiency in four FMS; run, vertical jump, overhand throw, and catch) were collected from 141 children in five intervention and four control services. Educators in the intervention group achieved significantly higher confidence scores at post-intervention testing in comparison to the control group. No significant differences between control and intervention groups were found for children’s PA across the three-hour period. Children in the intervention group significantly increased scores in the overhand throw. Small positive changes in educator confidence to teach PA and in children’s performance of the skill of overhand throw indicate potential effects of the Kids Active intervention that warrant further investigation of efficacy over longer periods of time.

scholarly journals 230 The Impact of a Palliative Care ECHO Programme on Symptom Severity Scores and Phases Score in a Nursing Home Population

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. iii17-iii65
Author(s):  
Claire Murphy ◽  
Una Molloy ◽  
Sarah McLean ◽  
Daniel Ryan
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Nursing Homes ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Healthcare Outcomes ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Nursing Home Population ◽  
Severity Scores ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background In Ireland most deaths occur in acute hospitals however 20% of deaths occur in residential facilities. Less than 30% receive specialist palliative care input. ECHO (extension for community healthcare outcomes) is a palliative care education programme consisting of a 10 part lecture series. Twenty nursing homes and 353 staff participated. A phases score is a 5-point rating scale classifying the status of a palliative care patient ranging from stable to bereaved. Methods Data collected by palliative care professionals from September 2017 to December 2018 was analysed. This included demographic features, a phases score and scores for pain, carer stress, spiritual and psychological need. Nursing homes that attended ≤ 3 ECHO sessions were excluded, 15 participating nursing homes were included. Age matched control subjects were selected from non-participating nursing homes on a 2:1 basis. Data was analysed using the paired T Test and Chi squared was analyzed for frequency data. Results There were 40 patients in the intervention group and 80 in the control group. Mean ages were 83yrs and 82yrs respectively. Palliative care referral numbers did not change significantly between the two groups (111 and 114). The Phases score was significantly reduced in the ECHO group compared to controls (P=< 0.007). There was no significant reduction in the phases score in the ECHO group pre and post intervention (P=0.29). There was no difference in Pain scores between groups (P=0.98) Conclusion The ECHO intervention led to a reduction in the overall phases score in participating nursing homes. This was not the result of increased palliative care referrals. We would infer it is a reflection of better control of symptoms overall. We did not demonstrate a significant reduction in individual symptoms. The phases score is an overall representation of a patient’s status. With the expansion of the ECHO programme on-going analysis will be performed.

scholarly journals A cluster-randomized trial study on effectiveness of health education based intervention (HEBI) in improving flood disaster preparedness among community in Selangor, Malaysia: a study protocol

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M. N. Mohd Tariq ◽  
Hayati Kadir Shahar ◽  
Mohd Rafee Baharudin ◽  
Sharifah Norkhadijah Syed Ismail ◽  
Rosliza Abdul Manaf ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Education ◽  
Disaster Preparedness ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Flood Disaster ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Validated Questionnaire ◽  
Cluster Randomized ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Perception Score

Abstract Background Flood disaster preparedness among the community seldom received attention. Necessary intervention must be taken to prevent the problem. Health Education Based Intervention (HEBI) was developed following the Health Belief Model, particularly in improving flood disaster preparedness among the community. The main objective of this study is to assess the effect of HEBI on improving flood disaster preparedness among the community in Selangor. This study aims to develop, implement, and evaluate the impact of health education-based intervention (HEBI) based on knowledge, skills, and preparedness to improve flood disaster preparedness among the community in Selangor. Method A single-blind cluster randomized controlled trial will conduct at six districts in Selangor. Randomly selected respondents who fulfilled the inclusion criteria will be invited to participate in the study. Health education module based on Health Believed Theory will be delivered via health talks and videos coordinated by liaison officers. Data at three-time points at baseline, immediate, and 3 months post-intervention will be collected. A validated questionnaire will assess participants’ background characteristics, knowledge, skill, and preparedness on disaster preparedness and perception towards disaster. Descriptive and inferential statistics will be applied for data analysis using IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25. Longitudinal correlated data on knowledge, skills, preparedness, and perception score at baseline, immediate post-intervention, and 6 months post-intervention will be analyzed using Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE). Discussion It is expected that knowledge, skills, preparedness, and flood disaster perception score are more significant in the intervention group than the control group, indicating the Health Education Based Intervention (HEBI). Trial registration Thai Clinical Trial TCTR20200202002.

scholarly journals An exploratory trial of parental advice for increasing vegetable acceptance in infancy

2015 ◽  
Vol 114 (2) ◽  
pp. 328-336 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison Fildes ◽  
Carla Lopes ◽  
Pedro Moreira ◽  
George Moschonis ◽  
Andreia Oliveira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Full Sample ◽  
Novel Foods ◽  
Cultural Variations ◽  
Secondary Analyses ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

Research suggests that repeatedly offering infants a variety of vegetables during weaning increases vegetable intake and liking. The effect may extend to novel foods. The present study aimed to investigate the impact of advising parents to introduce a variety of single vegetables as first foods on infants' subsequent acceptance of a novel vegetable. Mothers of 4- to 6-month-old infants in the UK, Greece and Portugal were randomised to either an intervention group (n 75), who received guidance on introducing five vegetables (one per d) as first foods repeated over 15 d, or a control group (n 71) who received country-specific ‘usual care’. Infant's consumption (g) and liking (maternal and researcher rated) of an unfamiliar vegetable were assessed 1 month post-intervention. Primary analyses were conducted for the full sample with secondary analyses conducted separately by country. No significant effect of the intervention was found for vegetable intake in the three countries combined. However, sub-group analyses showed that UK intervention infants consumed significantly more novel vegetable than control infants (32·8 (sd 23·6) v. 16·5 (sd 12·1) g; P =0·003). UK mothers and researchers rated infants' vegetable liking higher in the intervention than in control condition. In Portugal and Greece, there was no significant intervention effect on infants' vegetable intake or liking. The differing outcome between countries possibly reflects cultural variations in existing weaning practices. However, the UK results suggest in countries where vegetables are not common first foods, advice on introducing a variety of vegetables early in weaning may be beneficial for increasing vegetable acceptance.

The effect of the implementation of a good medical practice booklet on nursing home residents’ drug prescriptions: a difference-in-differences analysis based on data from electronic pill dispensers (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stéphane Sanchez ◽  
Cécile Payet ◽  
Marie Herr ◽  
Anne Dazinieras ◽  
Caroline Blochet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Homes ◽  
Medical Practice ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Medication Use ◽  
Nursing Home Residents ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Multilevel Regression ◽  
Difference In Differences ◽  
Good Medical Practice ◽  
The Impact

BACKGROUND The elderly are particularly exposed to adverse events from medication. Among the various strategies to reduce polypharmacy, educational approaches have shown promising results. OBJECTIVE We aimed to evaluate the impact of the implementation of a good medical practice booklet on polypharmacy in nursing homes. METHODS We identified nursing homes belonging to a geriatric care provider that had launched a policy of proper medication use using a good medical practice booklet delivered to prescribers and pharmacists. Data were derived from electronic pill dispensers. The effect of the intervention on polypharmacy was assessed with multilevel regression models, with a control group to account for natural trends over time. The main outcomes were the average daily number of times when medication was administered and the number of drugs with different presentation identifier codes per resident per month. RESULTS 96,216 residents from 519 nursing homes were included between 1 January 2011 and 31 December 2014. The intervention group and the control group both decreased their average daily use of medication (-0.05 and -0.06). The good medical practice booklet did not have a statistically significant effect (exponentiated difference-in-differences coefficient 1.00, 95% confidence interval 0.99-1.02, P=.45). CONCLUSIONS Although the good medical practice booklet itself did not seem effective in decreasing medication use, our data show the effectiveness of a higher-level policy to decrease polypharmacy.

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