WHICH QUESTIONNAIRE IS BEST? THE RELIABILITY, VALIDITY AND EASE OF USE OF THE PATIENT EVALUATION MEASURE, THE DISABILITIES OF THE ARM, SHOULDER AND HAND AND THE MICHIGAN HAND OUTCOME MEASURE

2008 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. J. DIAS ◽  
R. A. RAJAN ◽  
J. R. THOMPSON
Keyword(s):  
Outcome Measure ◽  
Random Order ◽  
Time Correlation ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Dash Score ◽  
Outcome Questionnaire ◽  
Patient Evaluation ◽  
Pain Sensation ◽  
Evaluation Measure ◽  
Very High

The Patient Evaluation Measure (PEM), The Michigan Hand Outcome Questionnaire (MHQ) and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score were assessed independent of their originators for reliability, construct and criterion validity and acceptability, using an ease of use questionnaire. These were administered in random order to 100 patients with different hand and wrist disorders and with different impairments of movement, pain, sensation and strength. The internal consistency of all three questionnaires was very high suggesting redundancy in the questions. All questionnaires were reproducible and valid for finger and wrist disorders, but less for nerve disorders. All had poor construct validity. The PEM was the easiest to understand and complete, taking the least time. Correlation between the scales is high and conversion equations were calculated. All three are reliable and reproducible patient completed questionnaires, but the PEM is the easiest to use. The validity of all is suspected for nerve disorders.

Validity and Responsiveness of the Patient Evaluation Measure as an Outcome Measure for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

2005 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 350-354 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. L. HOBBY ◽  
C. WATTS ◽  
D. ELLIOT
Keyword(s):  
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ◽  
Carpal Tunnel ◽  
Outcome Measure ◽  
Carpal Tunnel Release ◽  
Hand Function ◽  
Objective Measures ◽  
Dash Score ◽  
Patient Evaluation ◽  
Tunnel Syndrome ◽  
Evaluation Measure

The aim of this study was to assess the validity of the Patient Evaluation Measure questionnaire (PEM) as an outcome measure in carpal tunnel syndrome. The PEM was compared to the DASH questionnaire and to objective measurements of hand function. We also compared its responsiveness to changes following carpal tunnel release with that of the DASH score. Twenty-four patients completed the PEM and DASH questionnaires before and 3 months after open carpal tunnel release. Grip strength, static two-point discrimination and the nine-hole peg test were measured. There was a significant correlation between individual items of the PEM and the objective measures. There was also strong correlation between PEM and DASH scores. The PEM showed a greater responsiveness to change (effect size 0.97) than the DASH score (effect size 0.49). The PEM correlates well with objective measures of hand function and the DASH score when used in carpal tunnel syndrome. It is more responsive to change than the DASH score. It is very simple to complete and score and is an appropriate and practical outcome measure in carpal tunnel syndrome.

scholarly journals Ultrasensitive antibody-aptamer plasmonic biosensor for malaria biomarker detection in whole blood

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Minopoli ◽  
Bartolomeo Della Ventura ◽  
Bohdan Lenyk ◽  
Francesco Gentile ◽  
Julian A. Tanner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Whole Blood ◽  
Limit Of Detection ◽  
Sample Pretreatment ◽  
High Specificity ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Enhanced Fluorescence ◽  
High Throughput Analysis ◽  
Malaria Rapid Diagnostic Tests ◽  
Copolymer Micelle ◽  
Very High

AbstractDevelopment of plasmonic biosensors combining reliability and ease of use is still a challenge. Gold nanoparticle arrays made by block copolymer micelle nanolithography (BCMN) stand out for their scalability, cost-effectiveness and tunable plasmonic properties, making them ideal substrates for fluorescence enhancement. Here, we describe a plasmon-enhanced fluorescence immunosensor for the specific and ultrasensitive detection of Plasmodium falciparum lactate dehydrogenase (PfLDH)—a malaria marker—in whole blood. Analyte recognition is realized by oriented antibodies immobilized in a close-packed configuration via the photochemical immobilization technique (PIT), with a top bioreceptor of nucleic acid aptamers recognizing a different surface of PfLDH in a sandwich conformation. The combination of BCMN and PIT enabled maximum control over the nanoparticle size and lattice constant as well as the distance of the fluorophore from the sensing surface. The device achieved a limit of detection smaller than 1 pg/mL (<30 fM) with very high specificity without any sample pretreatment. This limit of detection is several orders of magnitude lower than that found in malaria rapid diagnostic tests or even commercial ELISA kits. Thanks to its overall dimensions, ease of use and high-throughput analysis, the device can be used as a substrate in automated multi-well plate readers and improve the efficiency of conventional fluorescence immunoassays.

scholarly journals Advancements in Real-Time Simulation for the Validation of Grid Modernization Technologies

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (16) ◽  
pp. 4036 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kati Sidwall ◽  
Paul Forsyth
Keyword(s):  
Power System ◽  
Real Time ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
System Modelling ◽  
Simulation Fidelity ◽  
Real Time Simulation ◽  
Time Simulation ◽  
Working Groups ◽  
Very High

Real-time simulation and hardware-in-the-loop testing have increased in popularity as grid modernization has become more widespread. As the power system has undergone an evolution in the types of generator and load deployed on the system, the penetration and capabilities of automation and monitoring systems, and the structure of the energy market, a corresponding evolution has taken place in the way we model and test power system behavior and equipment. Consequently, emerging requirements for real-time simulators are very high when it comes to simulation fidelity, interfacing options, and ease of use. Ongoing advancements from a processing hardware, graphical user interface, and power system modelling perspective have enabled utilities, manufacturers, educational and research institutions, and consultants to apply real-time simulation to grid modernization projects. This paper summarizes various recent advancements from a particular simulator manufacturer, RTDS Technologies Inc. Many of these advancements have been enabled by growth in the high-performance processing space and the emerging availability of high-end processors for embedded designs. Others have been initiated or supported by developer participation in power industry working groups and study committees.

First Metatarsalphalangeal Joint Arthrodesis: Evaluation of Plate and Screw Fixation

2009 ◽  
Vol 30 (8) ◽  
pp. 752-757 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gordon L. Bennett ◽  
James Sabetta
Keyword(s):  
Screw Fixation ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
The Other ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Fusion System ◽  
Hardware Failure ◽  
Low Profile ◽  
Final Followup ◽  
Implant System ◽  
Very High

Background: First metatarsalphalangeal joint (MTPJ) arthrodesis is a commonly performed procedure for the treatment of a variety of conditions affecting the hallux. There are several different methods to accomplish the fusion. We utilized a method incorporating a ball and cup preparation of the joint, followed by stabilization of the arthrodesis site utilizing the Accutrak congruent first MTPJ fusion set. Materials and Methods: We prospectively evaluated two hundred consecutive patients who underwent first MTPJ arthrodeses utilizing the Accutrak congruent first MTPJ fusion set. Patients were evaluated preoperatively, postoperatively, and at a final followup, utilizing the AOFAS forefoot scoring system. Results: Two hundred consecutive patients underwent first MTPJ arthrodeses by the same surgeon. All but three feet (230/233) (98.7%) went on to solidly fuse. Three of the patients did not fuse solidly. One patient broke two of the screws, and the other two patients did not have hardware failure. All patients dramatically improved their AOFAS scores compared with pre-surgical values. There were three minor hardware problems in the group of patients who solidly fused their joint. Conclusion: We concluded that a solid first MTPJ fusion results in excellent function and pain relief. The Accutrak first MTPJ fusion system would appear to be an ideal implant system to accomplish a fusion because of its low profile, strength, and ease of use. Compared to other methods we have used, this procedure results in a very high rate of fusion, with minimal complications and excellent patient satisfaction.

CQPweb — combining power, flexibility and usability in a corpus analysis tool

2012 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 380-409 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Hardie
Keyword(s):  
Data Model ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Corpus Analysis ◽  
Analysis Tool ◽  
Analysis Software ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Query System ◽  
Analysis System ◽  
High Degree ◽  
Very High

CQPweb is a new web-based corpus analysis system, intended to address the conflicting requirements for usability and power in corpus analysis software. To do this, its user interface emulates the BNCweb system. Like BNCweb, CQPweb is built on two separate query technologies: the IMS Open Corpus Workbench and the MySQL relational database. CQPweb’s main innovative feature is its flexibility; its more generalised data model makes it compatible with any corpus. The analysis options available in CQPweb include: concordancing; collocations; distribution tables and charts; frequency lists; and keywords or key tags. An evaluation of CQPweb against criteria earlier laid down for a future web-based corpus analysis tool suggests that it fulfils many, but not all, of the requirements foreseen for such a piece of software. Despite some limitations, in making a sophisticated query system accessible to untrained users, CQPweb combines ease of use, power and flexibility to a very high degree.

A Novel Device for the Measurement of Functional Finger Pinch Movement Discrimination

2011 ◽  
Vol 66-68 ◽  
pp. 620-625 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jia Han ◽  
Gordon Waddington ◽  
Judith Anson ◽  
Roger Adams
Keyword(s):  
Area Under The Curve ◽  
Random Order ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Absolute Judgment ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Portable Device ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Novel Device ◽  
Interclass Correlation ◽  
Movement Discrimination

Proprioception provides feedback that is vitally important for motor control. A deficiency in joint proprioception is thought to be associated with various upper limb rheumatological disorders. Currently, there is a lack of a portable device that could be used for measuring functional proprioception at the fingertips in the field. Therefore, a novel portable device for measuring pinch movement discrimination between index finger and thumb of either hand was constructed. This device is manually operated and requires the subject to make an absolute judgment of a joint position, choosing which one of five pre-experienced positions is being presented to them, with trials given in a random order. The 5 physical differences used were between 1.22 and 2.42cms. Reliability analysis was performed over a 7-day interval, with 8 healthy young adult volunteers. The discrimination scores, measured as the Area Under the Curve (AUC), for the group showed a mean (SD) of 0.794 (0.544) and 0.794 (0.549) on days 1 and 8, respectively. The day 1 and 8 reliability assessed with the interclass correlation coefficient ICC(3,1) was 0.85. Nondominant hands showed better pinch discrimination on the two days, with AUC values of 0.800 and 0.810 compared with 0.788 and 0.778, but these differences were not statistically significant (p>0.05). No difference in pinch movement discrimination was found between sexes. The ease of use and portability of the novel device for measuring functional proprioception at the fingertips described in this note make it ideal for measuring hand functional proprioception as part of clinical and epidemiological studies. The mid-range AUC discrimination scores found with healthy young adults mean that factors thought to diminish (eg. hand injury) or improve (eg. having expert finger skills) discrimination could be detected with the device.

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