scholarly journals Dynamic Lycra® orthoses as an adjunct to arm rehabilitation after stroke: a single-blind, two-arm parallel group, randomized controlled feasibility trial

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (8) ◽  
pp. 1331-1343 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacqui H Morris ◽  
Alexandra John ◽  
Lucy Wedderburn ◽  
Petra Rauchhaus ◽  
Peter T Donnan
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Action Research ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Adverse Reactions ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Arm Rehabilitation ◽  
Parallel Group ◽  
Single Blind

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the feasibility of conducting a randomized controlled trial of dynamic Lycra® orthoses as an adjunct to arm rehabilitation after stroke and to explore the magnitude and direction of change on arm outcomes. Design: This is a single-blind, two-arm parallel group, feasibility randomized controlled trial. Setting: In-patient rehabilitation. Subjects: The study participants were stroke survivors with arm hemiparesis two to four weeks after stroke receiving in-patient rehabilitation. Interventions: Participants were randomized 2:1 to wear Lycra® gauntlets for eight hours daily for eight weeks, plus usual rehabilitation ( n = 27), or to usual rehabilitation only ( n = 16). Main measures: Recruitment, retention, fidelity, adverse events and completeness of data collection were examined at 8 and 16 weeks; arm function (activity limitation; Action Research Arm Test, Motor Activity Log) and impairment (Nine-hole Peg Test, Motricity Index, Modified Tardieu Scale). Structured interviews explored acceptability. Results: Of the target of 51, 43 (84%) participants were recruited. Retention at 8 weeks was 32 (79%) and 24 (56%) at 16 weeks. In total, 11 (52%) intervention group participants and 6 (50%) control group participants (odds ratio = 1.3, 95% confidence interval = 0.2 to 7.8) had improved Action Research Arm Test level by 8 weeks; at 16 weeks, this was 8 (61%) intervention and 6 (75.0%) control participants (odds ratio = 1.1, 95% confidence interval = 0.1 to 13.1). Change on other measures favoured control participants. Acceptability was influenced by 26 adverse reactions. Conclusion: Recruitment and retention were low, and adverse reactions were problematic. There were no indications of clinically relevant effects, but the small sample means definitive conclusions cannot be made. A definitive trial is not warranted without orthoses adaptation.

scholarly journals Increasing response rates to follow-up questionnaires in health intervention research: Randomized controlled trial of a gift card prize incentive

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 381-386 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy J Morgan ◽  
Ronald M Rapee ◽  
Jordana K Bayer
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Response Rates ◽  
Health Intervention ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Gift Card

Background/aims Achieving a high response rate to follow-up questionnaires in randomized controlled trials of interventions is important for study validity. Few studies have tested the value of incentives in increasing response rates to online questionnaires in clinical trials of health interventions. This study evaluated the effect of a gift card prize-draw incentive on response rates to follow-up questionnaires within a trial of an online health intervention. Method The study was embedded in a host randomized controlled trial of an online parenting program for child anxiety. A total of 433 participants were randomly allocated to one of two groups: (1) being informed that they would enter a gift card prize-draw if they completed the final study questionnaire (24-week follow-up) and (2) not informed about the prize-draw. All participants had a 1 in 20 chance of winning an AUD50 gift card after they completed the online questionnaire. Results The odds of the informed group completing the follow-up questionnaire were significantly higher than the uninformed group, (79.6% vs 68.5%, odds ratio = 1.79, 95% confidence interval = 1.15–2.79). This response rate increase of 11.1% (95% confidence interval = 2.8–19.1) occurred in both intervention and control groups in the host randomized controlled trial. The incentive was also effective in increasing questionnaire commencement (84.6% vs 75.9%, odds ratio = 1.74, 95% confidence interval = 1.07–2.84) and reducing the delay in completing the questionnaire (19.9 vs 22.6 days, hazard ratio = 1.34, 95% confidence interval = 1.07–1.67). Conclusion This study adds to evidence for the effectiveness of incentives to increase response rates to follow-up questionnaires in health intervention trials.

scholarly journals Comparing The Efficacy of Two-Week Therapy With Modified Bismuth Quadruple Versus Modified Levofloxacin Concomitant Regimen for Helicobacter Pylori Infection in Syrian Patients. A Randomized Controlled Trial.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marouf Muhammad Alhalabi ◽  
Mohammed Waleed Alassi ◽  
Kamal Alaa Eddin ◽  
Khaled Cheha
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Helicobacter Pylori ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Line Treatment ◽  
First Line ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
First Line Treatment

Abstract Background: Antibiotic-resistant reduces the efficacy of conventional triple therapy for Helicobacter Pylori infections worldwide, lead to varying treatment protocols according to locations. The primary outcome of this research is to estimate the eradication rates of modified bismuth quadruple versus modified levofloxacin concomitant as empirical first-line treatment by intention to treat analysis (ITT) and per-protocol analysis (PPA) in a referral hospital in Syria.Settings and Design: an open‑label parallel blind randomized controlled trial.Methods: We randomly assigned seventy-eight naïve who tested positive for Helicobacter Pylori gastric infection, with a 1:1 ratio to (B-group) which receive (bismuth subsalicylate 524 mg four times daily, doxycycline 100 mg, tinidazole 500 mg, and esomeprazole 20 mg, each twice per day for two weeks), or (L-group) which receive (levofloxacin 500 mg daily, tinidazole 500 mg, amoxicillin 1000 mg, and esomeprazole 20 mg each twice per day for two weeks). We confirmed Helicobacter Pylori eradication by stool antigen test at eight weeks.Results: Thirty-nine patients were allocated in each group. In the B- group, thirty-eight patients completed the follow-up, thirty patients were cured. While in the L-group, thirty-nine completed the follow-up, thirty-two patients were cured. According to ITT, the eradication rates were 76.92%, and 82.05%, for the B-group and L-group respectively. Odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was 1.371 [0.454-4.146]. According to PPA, the eradication rates were 78.9 %, and 82.1% for the B-group and L-groups respectively. The odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was 1.219 [0.394-3.774]. We didn’t report serious adverse effects.Conclusions: The eradication rates in both therapy regimes were fair. Further researches are required to help select the optimum first-line treatment for Helicobacter-Pylori Infection in the Syrian population.Trial registration: We register this study as a standard randomized clinical trial (Clinicaltrial.gov, identifier‑NCT04348786, date:29-January-2020, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04348786).

scholarly journals Comparing the efficacy of two-week therapy with bismuth quadruple versus levofloxacin concomitant regimen for Helicobacter Pylori infection in Syrian patients. A randomized controlled trial.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marouf Muhammad Alhalabi ◽  
Mohammed Waleed Alassi ◽  
Kamal Alaa Eddin ◽  
Khaled Cheha
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Helicobacter Pylori ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Line Treatment ◽  
First Line ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
First Line Treatment

Abstract Background: Antibiotic-resistant reduces the efficacy of conventional triple therapy for Helicobacter Pylori infections worldwide, lead to varying treatment protocols according to locations. The primary outcome of this research is to estimate the eradication rates of modified bismuth quadruple versus modified levofloxacin concomitant as empirical first-line treatment by intention to treat analysis (ITT) and per-protocol analysis (PPA) in a referral hospital in Syria.Settings and Design: an open‑label parallel blind randomized controlled trial.Methods: We randomly assigned seventy-eight naïve who tested positive for Helicobacter Pylori gastric infection, with a 1:1 ratio to (B-group) which receive (bismuth subsalicylate 524 mg four times daily, doxycycline 100 mg, tinidazole 500 mg, and esomeprazole 20 mg, each twice per day for two weeks), or (L-group) which receive (levofloxacin 500 mg daily, tinidazole 500 mg, amoxicillin 1000 mg, and esomeprazole 20 mg each twice per day for two weeks). We confirmed Helicobacter Pylori eradication by stool antigen test at eight weeks. Results: Thirty-nine patients were allocated in each group. In the B- group, thirty-eight patients completed the follow-up, thirty patients were cured. While in the L-group, thirty-nine completed the follow-up, thirty-two patients were cured. According to ITT, the eradication rates were 76.92%, and 82.05%, for the B-group and L-group respectively. Odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was 1.371 [0.454-4.146]. According to PPA, the eradication rates were 78.9 %, and 82.1% for the B-group and L-groups respectively. The odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was 1.219 [0.394-3.774]. We didn’t report serious adverse effects. Conclusions:The eradication rates in both therapy regimes were fair. Further trials are intended to help select the right first-line treatment for Helicobacter-Pylori Infection in the Syrian population.Trial registration: We register this study as a standard randomized clinical trial (Clinicaltrial.gov, identifier‑NCT04348786, date:29-January-2020, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04348786).

scholarly journals An internet-based self-help intervention for people with psychological distress due to COVID-19: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Trials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Noemi Anja Brog ◽  
Julia Katharina Hegy ◽  
Thomas Berger ◽  
Hansjörg Znoj
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
The Self ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Self Help ◽  
Parallel Group ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related

Abstract Background The coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) has reached pandemic status and is affecting countries all over the world. The COVID-19 pandemic is accompanied by various stressors that require adjustment in everyday life and possibly changes in personal future prospects. While some individuals cope well with these challenges, some develop psychological distress including depressive symptoms, anxiety, or stress. Internet-based self-help interventions have proven to be effective in the treatment of various mental disorders such as depression and anxiety. Based on that, we developed an internet-based self-help program for individuals with psychological distress due to the situation surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. The 3-week self-help program consists of 6 modules comprising texts, videos, figures, and exercises. Participants can request guidance within the self-help program (guidance on demand). The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of the self-help program compared to a waiting control condition. Methods The design is a parallel group randomized controlled trial. Participants are allocated to a 3-week self-help intervention plus care as usual or a 3-week waiting period with only care as usual. There are follow-ups after 6 weeks and 18 weeks. At least 80 participants with COVID-19 pandemic related psychological distress will be recruited. Primary outcome are depressive symptoms. Secondary outcomes include anxiety and chronic stress, suicidal experiences and behavior, health-related quality of life, generalized optimism and pessimism, embitterment, optimistic self-beliefs, emotion regulation skills, loneliness, resilience, and the satisfaction with and usability of the self-help program. Discussion To the best of our knowledge, this is one of the first studies investigating the efficacy of an internet-based self-help program for psychological distress due to the situation surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, the results of this study may give further insight into the use of internet-based self-help programs in pandemic-related psychological distress. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04380909. Retrospectively registered on 8 May 2020.

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