Effects of the introduction of objective criteria for referral and discharge in physical therapy for ischemic stroke in China: a randomized controlled trial

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 345-356
Author(s):  
Nan Xia ◽  
Jan D Reinhardt ◽  
Shouguo Liu ◽  
Juanjuan Fu ◽  
Caili Ren ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Motor Function ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Teaching Hospitals ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Tier 2 ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Tier 3

Objective: To examine the effectiveness of a set of rules for referral and therapy input in a three-tiered physiotherapy program on activities of daily living (ADL), motor function, and quality of life of stroke survivors. Design: Randomized controlled study. Setting: Rehabilitation departments of 11 teaching hospitals. Subjects: A total of 285 participants with stroke. Outcome measures: Primary outcome was ADL independence measured with the Modified Barthel Index (MBI) at weeks 3, 6, 9, 13, and 17. Secondary outcomes were motor function and quality of life measured with Fugel-Meyer Assessment (FMA) and Stroke-Specific Quality-of-Life (SSQOL) scale. Intervention: Two complementary sets of rules governing rehabilitation delivery were introduced: a set of criteria that determined when someone ought to move from tier 1 onto tier 2, and from tier 2 onto tier 3, and a second set of rules that determined the amount and type of physiotherapy input given in each tier. Control group participants received conventional rehabilitation without any specified guidelines. Results: With a difference of 3.97 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.59–6.36), MBI increased stronger in the study group than in controls between baseline and week 3 ( P = 0.001). This difference could be sustained until study end-point. No significant differences were found for FMA. Differences in increase of SSQOL were higher in the intervention than control at week 9 ( P < 0.05). Conclusion: Introduction of a set of rules for referral and therapy input at different stages of rehabilitation partially improved patients’ ADL and quality of life, but did not improve motor function.

scholarly journals Modulation of the human immune status by spinal thermal massage: a non-randomized controlled study

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Nk Cells ◽  
Nk Cell ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Experimental Group

Thermal and massage therapies have long been used to control pain. Although spinal thermal massage (STM) has been used worldwide, its effectiveness has not been proven in a controlled clinical study. We here conducted a non-randomized controlled trial to assess the pain-relieving and immunomodulatory effects of STM in old-aged patients experiencing pain or disability. The experimental group was treated with STM five times a week for 8 weeks and rehabilitative regular care (RRC). The control group was treated with only RRC. Pain and immunological parameters were tested before treatment and after 4 and 8 weeks of treatment. The scores of three pain parameters were lowered by STM, and the differences between the groups were statistically significant at the two time points (p < 0.01). Quality of life determined using the 3-level EuroQol five-dimensional questionnaire scores was significantly higher in patients in the experimental group than those in the control group. Effect sizes (ES) were in the range of medium to large in the pain-related measures (0.54–1.22). The total leukocyte counts and the proportions of lymphocytes and subsets were not significantly different between the groups, whereas the proportions of monocytes and natural killer (NK) cells were higher in the experimental group than in the control group after 8 weeks (p < 0.05). The production of interleukin (IL)-4 and interferon γ in T cells was not significantly different between the groups, whereas the production of IL-2 was high in the control group. However, there was a significant increase in IFN-γ production by NK cells in the experimental group (at 4 weeks, p < 0.05). ES were medium in the immunological measures (0.53–0.68). No significant difference was observed in the production of proinflammatory cytokines, IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor α, or IL-6 between the groups. In conclusion, STM treatment has a positive effect on subjective pain and quality of life. It also enhanced NK cell proportion and activity, suggesting that STM may be beneficial in the prevention of viral diseases and cancer in old-aged people.

scholarly journals Effects of daily mindfulness practice on fatigue, kinesiophobia, and quality of life in patients with acute myocardial infarction: a randomized controlled trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
C Karadas ◽  
M Oksul ◽  
N Ozer ◽  
L Ozdemir
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Mindfulness Practice ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Quality Of Life Scale ◽  
Tampa Scale For Kinesiophobia

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background and Aim Mindfulness meditation (MM) leads to controlled blood pressure and positive improvements in other symptoms which may trigger acute coronary diseases. The present randomized controlled study was aimed to investigate the effect of the MM on fatigue, kinesiophobia, and the quality of life (QoL) in patients with acute MI. Method The study was carried out with 56 MI patients. Participants were randomly assigned to meditation group (MG; n = 28) or control group (CG; n = 28).  The MG patients received a 15 min MM session comprising sitting and breathing for a total of eight weeks, while the CG patients received only a single-time attention-matched education. Piper Fatigue Intervention, Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia-Heart and MacNew Quality of Life scales were utilized for data collection. Results After completion of the 8-week MM, any significant difference was not found in the fatigue scores of the patients (p &gt; 0.05). On the other hand, kinesiophobia scores in the MG were significantly lower in the 4th, 8th and 12th weeks (p &lt; 0.05). Similarly, the QoL scores were significantly higher in the MG in 8th week (p &lt; 0.05). Significant change in the emotional function sub-dimension of QoL continued in the follow-up assessment at 12th week (p &lt; 0.05). Conclusion The MM can significantly improve the QoL and decrease kinesiophobia in patients with MI. Beneficial effect of MM is maintained particularly in the emotional aspect. Based on the results of the study, MM may be recommended as a mind-body based complementary approaches within the scope of secondary protection after MI. Comparison of the study groupsGroupBaseline(Mean ± SD)4th week(Mean ± SD)8th week(Mean ± SD)12th week(Mean ± SD)PFSMM2.08 ± 1.870.90 ± 0.990.47 ± 0.780.44 ± 0.76CG1.56 ± 2.011.12 ± 1.590.98 ± 1.520.76 ± 1.33tp1.004 0.32-0.6210.54-1.5840.12-1.0850.28TSK-HMM40.25 ± 5.0436.18 ± 4.4934.39 ± 4.6134.96 ± 4.71CG41.71 ± 7.2841.89 ± 6.7441.82 ± 5.8441.00 ± 5.54tp-0.8750.39-3.7340.001-5.279 0.000-4.3900.00MacNewMM5.04 ± 0.715.53 ± 0.455.76 ± 0.475.77 ± 0.47CG5.17 ± 0.855.32 ± 0.605.37 ± 0.525.53 ± 0.46t; p-0.640; 0.531.436; 0.162.933; 0.0051.964; 0.06(Mean ± SD): Mean ± Standard Deviation; PFS: Piper Fatigue Scores; TSK-H: Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia-Heart; MacNew: MacNew Quality of life Scale; EFS: emotional functioning sub-dimension; PFS: physical functioning sub-dimension; SFS: social functioning sub-dimension; t= Student T Test value; p&lt; 0.05

scholarly journals Asthma in Adolescents: A Randomized, Controlled Trial of an Asthma Program for Adolescents and Young Adults with Severe Asthma

2002 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 253-259 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert L Cowie ◽  
Margot F Underwood ◽  
Cinde B Little ◽  
Ian Mitchell ◽  
Sheldon Spier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Emergency Department ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Asthma Control ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Disease Specific

BACKGROUND: Asthma is common and is often poorly controlled in adolescent subjects.OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of an age-specific asthma program on asthma control, particularly on exacerbations of asthma requiring emergency department treatment, and on the quality of life of adolescents with asthma.METHODS: The present randomized, controlled trial included patients who were 15 to 20 years of age and had visited emergency departments for management of their asthma. The interventional group attended an age-specific asthma program that included assessment, education and management by a team of asthma educators, respiratory therapists and respiratory physicians. In the control group, spirometry was performed, and the patients continued to receive usual care from their regular physicians. The outcomes were assessed by a questionnaire six months after entry into the study.RESULTS: Ninety-three subjects entered the study and were randomly assigned to the intervention or control group. Of these, only 62 patients were available for review after six months. Subjects in both the control and the intervention groups showed a marked improvement in their level of asthma control, reflected primarily by a 73% reduction in the rate of emergency department attendance for asthma. Other indexes of disease control, including disease-specific quality of life, as assessed by questionnaires, were improved. There was, however, no discernible difference between the subjects in the two groups, with the exception of an improvement in favour of the intervention group in the symptom (actual difference 0.7, P=0.048) and emotional (actual difference 0.8, P=0.028) domains of the asthma quality of life questionnaire. The overall quality of life score favoured the intervention group by a clinically relevant difference of 0.6, but this difference did not reach statistical significance (P=0.06).CONCLUSIONS: Although all subjects demonstrated a significant improvement in asthma control and quality of life, the improvement attributable to this intervention was limited to two domains in disease-specific quality of life.

Harnessing Telehealth to Mitigate the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Sleep and Well-being: A Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen P. O'Hora ◽  
Raquel A. Osorno ◽  
Dena Sadeghi-Bahmani ◽  
Mateo Lopez ◽  
Allison Morehouse ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Early Treatment ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Insomnia Symptoms

BACKGROUND The COVID-19 Pandemic led to drastic increases in the prevalence and severity of insomnia symptoms. These increases in insomnia complaints have been paralleled by significant decreases in well-being, including increased symptoms of depression, anxiety, and suicidality and decreased quality of life. However, the efficacy and impact of early treatment of insomnia symptoms on future sleep and well-being remains unknown. OBJECTIVE Here, we present the framework and protocol for a novel study that aims to investigate whether a brief telehealth insomnia intervention targeting new insomnia that developed during the pandemic prevents deterioration of well-being, including symptoms of insomnia, depression, anxiety, suicidality, and quality of life. METHODS The protocol details a two-arm randomized controlled trial to investigate the efficacy of a brief, telehealth-delivered, early treatment of insomnia and evaluate its potential to prevent a deterioration of well-being. Participants with clinically significant insomnia symptoms that began during the pandemic are randomized to either a treatment group or a 28-week waitlist control group. Treatment consists of 4 telehealth sessions of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) delivered over 5 weeks. All participants will complete assessments of insomnia symptom severity, well-being, and daily habits checklist at baseline (week 0), and at weeks 1-6, 12, 28, and 56. RESULTS The trial began enrollment June 3, 2020 and closed enrollment June 17, 2021. As of October 2021, 49 participants have been randomized to either immediate treatment or a 28-week waitlist. 23 participants are still active in the protocol. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, this protocol would be represent the first study to test an early sleep intervention for improving insomnia that emerged during the COVID-19 Pandemic. The findings of this study could provide information about the utility of CBT-I for symptoms that emerge in the context of other stressors before they develop a chronic course and deepen understanding of the relationship between sleep and well-being. CLINICALTRIAL NCT04409743

Comparison of the effects of Buteyko and pranayama breathing techniques on quality of life in patients with asthma – a randomized controlled trial

2012 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 133-141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Venkatesan Prem ◽  
Ramesh Chandra Sahoo ◽  
Prabha Adhikari
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Life Questionnaire ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Quality Of Life Questionnaire ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Questionnaire Score ◽  
And Control

Objective: To compare two breathing exercises (Buteyko and pranayama) with a control group in patients with asthma. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Subjects: One hundred and twenty subjects were randomized to three groups through block randomization. Subjects with an Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire score <5.5 participated in the study. Setting: Outpatient pulmonary medicine department. Interventions: Subjects in the Buteyko and pranayama groups were trained for 3–5 days and instructed to practise the exercises for 15 minutes twice daily, and for three months duration. The control group underwent routine pharmacological management during the study period. Outcome measures: Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire, Asthma Control Questionnaire and pulmonary function test. Results: The baseline characteristics were similar in all three groups. Post intervention, the Buteyko group showed better trends of improvement (mean (95% confidence interval), P-value) in total Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire score than the pranayama (0.47 (–0.008–0.95), P = 0.056) and control groups (0.97 (0.48–1.46), P = 0.0001). In comparison between the pranayama and control groups, pranayama showed significant improvement (0.50 (0.01–0.98), P = 0.042) in total Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire score. Conclusion: The Buteyko group showed better trends of improvement in quality of life and asthma control than the group performing the pranayama breathing exercise.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of Hydrogalvanic Bath on Improving Pain, Disability, and Quality of Life in Individuals with Chronic Nonspecific Neck Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Mastour Saeed Alshahrani ◽  
Jaya Shanker Tedla ◽  
Ravi Shankar Reddy ◽  
Faisal Asiri
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Pain Disability ◽  
Sf 36 ◽  
Neck Disability ◽  
Experimental Group

Background. Neck pain is one of the world’s leading factors in years lived with disability. Ambiguity in the effect of electrotherapy modalities for the treatment of chronic nonspecific neck pains (CNSNP) needs to be examined further. This study sought to elucidate the effectiveness of hydrogalvanic bath on improving pain, disability, and quality of life among individuals with CNSNP. Methods. Thirty-four individuals with a diagnosis of CNSNP were selected through convenient sampling and randomly divided into two groups by block randomization. The control group treatment underwent low Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) and exercise, and the experimental group was subjected to hydrogalvanic bath therapy (HGBT) and exercise. Individuals were evaluated for pain using a visual analog scale (VAS), disability with the Neck Disability Index (NDI), and quality of life with Short Form-36 (SF-36). These measures were applied at baseline and after 12 weeks of treatment. Results. The pretreatment and posttreatment results for VAS, NDI, and SF-36 were compared for both control and experimental groups. We found that all the three variables showed significant differences between the two time points with p < 0.05 in both the groups but the experimental group improvements were more significant than the control group with p < 0.05 . Conclusion. Twelve weeks of low TENS or HGBT along with exercises can decrease pain and neck disability and increase the quality of life in individuals with CNSNP. However, HGBT along with exercise has superior effects relative to low TENS along with exercise. This randomized controlled trial was registered in the International Standard Randomized Controlled Trials Number-ISRCTN29695190 and registered on 05/02/2020. This study is a retrospective registration.

Randomized Controlled Trial of Mindfulness-Based Cancer Recovery Versus Supportive Expressive Group Therapy for Distressed Survivors of Breast Cancer (MINDSET)

2013 ◽  
Vol 31 (25) ◽  
pp. 3119-3126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda E. Carlson ◽  
Richard Doll ◽  
Joanne Stephen ◽  
Peter Faris ◽  
Rie Tamagawa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Stress Symptoms ◽  
Over Time

Purpose To compare the efficacy of the following two empirically supported group interventions to help distressed survivors of breast cancer cope: mindfulness-based cancer recovery (MBCR) and supportive-expressive group therapy (SET). Patients and Methods This multisite, randomized controlled trial assigned 271 distressed survivors of stage I to III breast cancer to MBCR, SET, or a 1-day stress management control condition. MBCR focused on training in mindfulness meditation and gentle yoga, whereas SET focused on emotional expression and group support. Both intervention groups included 18 hours of professional contact. Measures were collected at baseline and after intervention by assessors blind to study condition. Primary outcome measures were mood and diurnal salivary cortisol slopes. Secondary outcomes were stress symptoms, quality of life, and social support. Results Using linear mixed-effects models, in intent-to-treat analyses, cortisol slopes were maintained over time in both SET (P = .002) and MBCR (P = .011) groups relative to the control group, whose cortisol slopes became flatter. Women in MBCR improved more over time on stress symptoms compared with women in both the SET (P = .009) and control (P = .024) groups. Per-protocol analyses showed greater improvements in the MBCR group in quality of life compared with the control group (P = .005) and in social support compared with the SET group (P = .012). Conclusion In the largest trial to date, MBCR was superior for improving stress levels, quality of life, and social support for distressed survivors of breast cancer. Both SET and MBCR also resulted in more normative diurnal cortisol profiles than the control condition. The clinical implications of this finding require further investigation.

scholarly journals Randomised controlled trial of the effects of a self-management patient education program on overall quality of life and knee pain of older people with mild to moderate knee(s) osteoarthritis

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 80
Author(s):  
Alhadi M. Jahan
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Patient Education ◽  
Education Program ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Human Beings

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is the most important chronic rheumatic disease affecting human beings. It is more common among the older population. The objective of OA treatment is to control the symptoms, such as pain, mobility problems and consequently, to improve overall quality of life. Although, self-management patient education programs, such as educational workshops and other learning activities are effective approaches in some chronic diseases, the evidence for arthritis is still inconclusive. The aim of this trial is to compare the effectiveness of an OA of the knee self-management education program with a control group, as determined by improvements in pain and quality of life<span lang="EN-IN">. </span></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> In this study, we will perform a two-group, randomized (1:1 ratio), controlled study with repeated-measures to examine the differences between the two groups over time. The research sample will be selected from the patients who are referred to a physiotherapy department with a diagnosed mild to moderate knee(s) OA, aging from 45 to 65 years<span lang="EN-IN">.</span></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Positive findings of this trial will pave the road for new methods of cooperation between patients and healthcare providers. Also, patient education ensures that patients are well-informed about their own health and they could avoid any deterioration and disability due to bad practices. Finally, an increased understanding helps patients to make informed decisions about their healthcare avenues.</p>

scholarly journals Effects of Virtual Reality Associated With Serious Games for Upper Limb Rehabilitation in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis. a Randomized Controlled Trial

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alicia Cuesta-Gómez ◽  
Patricia Sanchez-Herrera Baeza ◽  
Edwin Daniel Oña-Simbaña ◽  
Alicia Martínez-Medina ◽  
Carmen Ortiz-Comino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Serious Games ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Experimental Group

Abstract Background: Dexterity and activities of daily living limitations on the upper limb (UL) represent one of the most common problems in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the specially developed Serious Games that make use of the Leap Motion Controller (LMC) as main user interface for improving UL grip muscle strength, dexterity, fatigue, quality of life, satisfaction and compliance. Methods: A single-blinded randomized controlled trial was conducted. The sample was randomized into two groups: an experimental group who received treatment based on serious games designed by the research team using the developed LMC based Serious Games for the UL plus conventional rehabilitation, and a control group who received the same conventional rehabilitation for the UL. Both groups received two 60 min sessions per week over a ten-week period. Grip muscle strength, coordination, speed of movements, fine and gross UL dexterity, fatigue, quality of life, satisfaction and compliance were assessed in both groups pre-treatment, post-treatment and in a follow-up period of one month without receiving any treatment. Results : In the experimental group compared to the control group, significant improvements were observed in the post-treatment assessment for coordination, speed of movements, fine and gross UL dexterity. Also, significant results were found in the follow-up in coordination, speed of movements, fine and gross for the more affected side. Conclusions: An experimental protocol using an LMC based Serious Games designed for UL rehabilitation showed improvements for unilateral gross manual dexterity, fine manual dexterity, and coordination in MS patients with high satisfaction and excellent compliance.

scholarly journals Effect of a Smartphone-Based App on the Quality of Life of Patients With Heart Failure: Randomized Controlled Trial

JMIR Nursing ◽  
10.2196/20747 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. e20747
Author(s):  
Mahboube Davoudi ◽  
Tahereh Najafi Ghezeljeh ◽  
Farveh Vakilian Aghouee
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Heart Failure ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Controlled Clinical Trial ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Patients With Heart Failure

Background Patients with heart failure have low quality of life because of physical impairments and advanced clinical symptoms. One of the main goals of caring for patients with heart failure is to improve their quality of life. Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the use of a smartphone-based app on the quality of life of patients with heart failure. Methods This randomized controlled clinical trial with a control group was conducted from June to October 2018 in an urban hospital. In this study, 120 patients with heart failure hospitalized in cardiac care units were randomly allocated to control and intervention groups. Besides routine care, patients in the intervention group received a smartphone-based app and used it every day for 3 months. Both the groups completed the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire before entering the study and at 3 months after entering the study. Data were analyzed using the SPSS software V.16. Results The groups showed statistically significant differences in the mean scores of quality of life and its dimensions after the intervention, thereby indicating a better quality of life in the intervention group (P<.001). The effect size of the intervention on the quality of life was 1.85 (95% CI 1.41-2.3). Moreover, the groups showed statistically significant differences in the changes in the quality of life scores and its dimensions (P<.001). Conclusions Use of a smartphone-based app can improve the quality of life in patients with heart failure. The results of our study recommend that digital apps be used for improving the management of patients with heart failure. Trial Registration Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials IRCT2017061934647N1; https://www.irct.ir/trial/26434

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