scholarly journals Effect of virtual reality exercises on balance and fall in elderly people with fall risk: a randomized controlled trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Noorolla Zahedian-Nasab ◽  
Azita Jaberi ◽  
Fatemeh Shirazi ◽  
Somayyeh Kavousipor
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Nursing Homes ◽  
Elderly People ◽  
Fear Of Falling ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Timed Up And Go ◽  
Xbox Kinect ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Deficient balance and fear of falling in elderly people can lead to disturbed daily activities, falling, and finally reduced quality of life. Therefore, evaluation of low-risk methods that might partially improve balance in this group of people is of utmost importance. The present study aimed to investigate the impact of Virtual Reality (VR) exercises based on Xbox Kinect on balance and fear of falling among elderly people. Methods This clinical trial was performed on 60 elderly individuals living in nursing homes divided into two groups of control and Xbox. The participants in the intervention group received VR exercises based on Xbox Kinect in form of two 30–45-min sessions held on a weekly basis for 6 weeks. The individuals in the control group, on the other hand, received routine exercises of the nursing homes. The research tools used in this study included a demographic questionnaire, the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, and the Falling Efficacy Scale (FES). Results The findings of the current study demonstrated that the scores of BBS and TUG test as the indices of balance among elderly people improved significantly in the Xbox group after the intervention (p < 0.001 for both BBS and TUG test). Moreover, the score of fear of falling diminished significantly in the intervention group compared to the control group (p < 0.001). Conclusion According to the results of the present investigation, 6 weeks of VR balance exercises could enhance balance and fear of falling among elderly people living in nursing homes. Trial registration Code:IRCT20190727044347N1, Date: 17-8-2019.

scholarly journals Impact of virtual reality anatomy training on ultrasound competency development: A randomized controlled trial

PLoS ONE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (11) ◽  
pp. e0242731
Author(s):  
Kai-Chun Hu ◽  
Daniel Salcedo ◽  
Yi-No Kang ◽  
Che-Wei Lin ◽  
Chin-Wang Hsu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Group Analysis ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Spatial Relationship ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Psychomotor Skills ◽  
Anatomical Structures ◽  
Image Identification ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The use of Virtual Reality (VR) in health professions education has increased dramatically in recent years, yet there is limited evidence of its impact on educational outcomes. The purpose of the study was to assess the impact of VR anatomy instruction on the ultrasound competency of novice learners participating in a ultrasonography workshop. Method We designed a VR-enhanced ultrasonography training program and utilized a plane transection tool to interact with a three-dimensional (3D) VR model of the human body which facilitated the 3D conceptualization of the spatial relationship of anatomical structures, leading to faster and better development of ultrasonographic competency. This was a randomized control study which enrolled third-year medical students (n = 101) without previous exposure to formal or informal ultrasonography training. The participants were randomly divided into an intervention and control group. We assessed participants’ competency through ultrasound performance stations on live subjects, we also measured anatomical and ultrasound image identification ability using multiple choice tests. Result Participants in the intervention group (median = 16; interquartile 13 to 19) had significantly higher scores in ultrasonography task performance tests than the control group (median = 10; interquartile 7 to 14; Mann-Whitney U = 595; P < 0.01). In sub-group analysis, the intervention group performed significantly better in the six out of ten ultrasound tasks. Participants in the intervention group also had greater improvement in ultrasonographic image identification MCQ tests than the control group (Mann-Whitney U = 914; P < 0.05). Conclusion This study suggests that VR-enhanced anatomical training could be of significant benefit in ultrasonography training by promoting a better understanding of the spatial relationships of anatomical structures and the development of early psychomotor skills transferable to the handling of ultrasonographic probes.

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.

Investigating the Impact of Cognitive Training for Individuals With Bothersome Tinnitus: A Randomized Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
pp. 019459982199474
Author(s):  
Maggie Xing ◽  
Dorina Kallogjeri ◽  
Jay F. Piccirillo
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Cognitive Training ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Functional Index ◽  
Open Label ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
The Impact

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of cognitive training in improving tinnitus bother and to identify predictors of patient response. Study Design Prospective open-label randomized controlled trial. Setting Online. Methods Participants were adults with subjective idiopathic nonpulsatile tinnitus causing significant tinnitus-related distress. The intervention group trained by using auditory-intensive exercises for 20 minutes per day, 5 days per week, for 8 weeks. The active control group trained on the same schedule with non–auditory intensive games. Surveys were completed at baseline, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks. Results A total of 64 participants completed the study. The median age was 63 years (range, 25-69) in the intervention group and 61 years (34-68) in the control group. Mixed model analysis revealed that within-subject change in Tinnitus Functional Index in the intervention group was not different than the control group, with marginal mean differences (95% CI): 0.24 (–11.20 to 10.7) and 2.17 (–8.50 to 12.83) at 8 weeks and 2.33 (–8.6 to 13.3) and 3.36 (–7.91 to 14.6) at 12 weeks, respectively. When the 2 study groups were compared, the control group had higher Tinnitus Functional Index scores than the intervention group by 10.5 points at baseline (95% CI, –0.92 to 29.89), 8.1 at 8 weeks (95% CI, –3.27 to 19.42), and 9.4 at 12 weeks (95% CI, –2.45 to 21.34). Conclusion Auditory-intensive cognitive training was not associated with changes in self-reported tinnitus bother. Given the potential for neuroplasticity to affect tinnitus, we believe that future studies on cognitive training for tinnitus remain relevant.

scholarly journals Community Health Workers as a Strategy to Tackle Psychosocial Suffering Due to Physical Distancing: A Randomized Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 3097
Author(s):  
Dorien Vanden Bossche ◽  
Susan Lagaert ◽  
Sara Willems ◽  
Peter Decat
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Psychosocial Support ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Psychosocial Health ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
The Impact

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, many primary care professionals were overburdened and experienced difficulties reaching vulnerable patients and meeting the increased need for psychosocial support. This randomized controlled trial (RCT) tested whether a primary healthcare (PHC) based community health worker (CHW) intervention could tackle psychosocial suffering due to physical distancing measures in patients with limited social networks. Methods: CHWs provided 8 weeks of tailored psychosocial support to the intervention group. Control group patients received ‘care as usual’. The impact on feelings of emotional support, social isolation, social participation, anxiety and fear of COVID-19 were measured longitudinally using a face-to-face survey to determine their mean change from baseline. Self-rated change in psychosocial health at 8 weeks was determined. Results: We failed to find a significant effect of the intervention on the prespecified psychosocial health measures. However, the intervention did lead to significant improvement in self-rated change in psychosocial health. Conclusions: This study confirms partially the existing evidence on the effectiveness of CHW interventions as a strategy to address mental health in PHC in a COVID context. Further research is needed to elaborate the implementation of CHWs in PHC to reach vulnerable populations during and after health crises.

Abstract P186: A Randomized Preschool Trial To Promote Cardiovascular Health In Colombia: 18 Month Follow Up.

Circulation ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 125 (suppl_10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaime Céspedes ◽  
German Briceño ◽  
Michael Farkouh ◽  
Rajesh Vedanthan ◽  
Martha Leal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Educational Intervention ◽  
Cardiovascular Health ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Educational Programs ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Active Lifestyle ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Impact

Introduction: Educational programs for children can increase uptake of healthy lifestyle behaviors. However, the impact of educational programs in preschool-aged children in low- and middle-income countries is not known. We conducted a five month educational intervention in preschool facilities (PF) in Bogota, Colombia, to assess changes in preschooler’s knowledge, attitudes and habits (KAH) towards healthy eating and living an active lifestyle. Methods: We conducted a cluster, randomized, controlled trial, and randomly assigned 14 PF in Bogota to a five-month educational intervention (7 PF) or to usual curriculum (7 PF). The intervention included classroom activities and use of printed material and videos. A total of 1216 pre-school children, 928 parents, and 120 teachers participated. A structured survey was used to evaluate changes in KAH with a weighted total score (WTS). The primary outcome was change in children's WTS, and the secondary outcomes were change in parents’ and teachers' WTS. The control PF were provided the intervention after the initial evaluation. To assess sustainability, we evaluated both intervention and control groups at 18 months. Results: At 6 months, children in the intervention group showed 10.9% increase in WTS vs. 5.3% in controls, p<0.001, after adjustment for cluster, sex, age and teachers' educational level. Among parents, the equivalent results were 8.9% and 3.1%, respectively, p< 0.001, and among teachers 9.4% and 2.5%, p=0.06. At the 18-month extended follow-up, both the intervention and control children showed a significant further increase in WTS, p<0.001 (Figure 1). In parents and teachers in the intervened group, there was no significant increase in WTS, p=0.7417, and p=0.1197. In the control group, there was an increase in WTS in teachers but not in parents, p=0.001, and p=0.4239. Conclusion: A preschool based intervention, aimed at changing KAH related to healthy diet and active lifestyle, is feasible, efficacious and sustainable up to 18 months in very young children in Colombia.

Effectiveness of balance training programme in reducing the frequency of falling in established osteoporotic women: a randomized controlled trial

2016 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 217-224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ibolya Mikó ◽  
Imre Szerb ◽  
Anna Szerb ◽  
Gyula Poor
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Balance Training ◽  
Training Programme ◽  
Exercise Programme ◽  
Berg Balance Scale ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Timed Up And Go ◽  
Randomized Controlled

Objective: To investigate the effect of a 12-month sensomotor balance exercise programme on postural control and the frequency of falling in women with established osteoporosis. Design: Randomized controlled trial where the intervention group was assigned the 12-month Balance Training Programme and the control group did not undertake any intervention beyond regular osteoporosis treatment. Subjects: A total of 100 osteoporotic women – at least with one osteoporotic fracture – aged 65 years old and above. Main measures: Balance was assessed in static and dynamic posture both with performance-based measures of balance, such as the Berg Balance Scale and the Timed Up and Go Test, and with a stabilometric computerized platform. Interventions: Patients in the intervention group completed the 12-month sensomotor Balance Training Programme in an outpatient setting, guided by physical therapists, three times a week, for 30 minutes. Results: The Berg Balance Scale and the Timed Up and Go Test showed a statistically significant improvement of balance in the intervention group ( p = 0.001 and p = 0.005, respectively). Balance tests using the stabilometer also showed a statistically significant improvement in static and dynamic postural balance for osteoporotic women after the completion of the Balance Training Programme. As a consequence, the one-year exercise programme significantly decreased the number of falls in the exercise group compared with the control group. Conclusion: The Balance Training Programme significantly improved the balance parameters and reduced the number of falls in postmenopausal women who have already had at least one fracture in the past.

scholarly journals The Use of Telehealth Technology in Assessing the Accuracy of Self-Reported Weight and the Impact of a Daily Immediate-Feedback Intervention among Obese Employees

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolaas P. Pronk ◽  
A. Lauren Crain ◽  
Jeffrey J. VanWormer ◽  
Brian C. Martinson ◽  
Jackie L. Boucher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Linear Mixed Model ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Study Groups ◽  
Outcome Variable ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Immediate Feedback ◽  
The Impact

Objective.To determine the accuracy of self-reported body weight prior to and following a weight loss intervention including daily self-weighing among obese employees.Methods.As part of a 6-month randomized controlled trial including a no-treatment control group, an intervention group received a series of coaching calls, daily self-weighing, and interactive telemonitoring. The primary outcome variable was the absolute discrepancy between self-reported and measured body weight at baseline and at 6 months. We used general linear mixed model regression to estimate changes and differences between study groups over time.Results.At baseline, study participants underreported their weight by an average of 2.06 (se=0.33) lbs. The intervention group self-reported a smaller absolute body weight discrepancy at followup than the control group.Conclusions.The discrepancy between self-reported and measured body weight appears to be relatively small, may be improved through daily self-monitoring using immediate-feedback telehealth technology, and negligibly impacts change in body weight.

scholarly journals Community Health Workers as a Strategy to Tackle Psychosocial Suffering due to Physical Distancing: A Randomized Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dorien Vanden Bossche ◽  
Susan Lagaert ◽  
Sara Willems ◽  
Peter Decat
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Psychosocial Support ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Psychosocial Health ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
The Impact

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic some family physicians were overburdened and experienced difficulties reaching vulnerable patients and meeting the increased need for psycho-social support. This randomized controlled trial (RCT) tested whether a primary healthcare (PHC) based community health worker (CHW) intervention could tackle psychosocial suffering due to physical distancing measures in patients with limited social networks. Methods: CHWs provided 8 weeks of tailored psychosocial support to the intervention group. Control group patients received &lsquo;care as usual&rsquo;. The impact on feelings of emotional support, social isolation, social participation, anxiety and fear of COVID-19 were measured longitudinally using a face-to-face survey to determine their mean change from baseline. Self-rated change in psychosocial health at 8 weeks was determined. Results: We failed to find a significant effect of the intervention on the prespecified psychosocial health measures. However, the intervention did lead to significant improvement in self-rated change in psychosocial health. Conclusions: This study confirms partially the existing evidence on the effectiveness of CHW in-terventions as a strategy to address mental health in PHC in a COVID context. Further research is needed to elaborate the implementation of CHWs in PHC to reach vulnerable populations during and after health crises.

The Impact of Traditional Medicine-Based Lifestyle and Diet on Infertility Treatment in Women Undergoing Assisted Reproduction: A Randomized Controlled Trial

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 230-241
Author(s):  
Zeinab Alibeigi ◽  
Effat Jafari-Dehkordi ◽  
Soleiman Kheiri ◽  
Maryam Nemati ◽  
Gholamreza Mohammadi-Farsani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Traditional Medicine ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Infertility Treatment ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Lifestyle Modifications ◽  
Mature Ovum ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Diet And Lifestyle

The problem of infertility is growing rapidly in the world. Traditional medicine with thousands of years of history has claimed that it can treat some kinds of infertility using nutritional and lifestyle modifications and interventions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a traditional medicine-oriented diet and lifestyle on infertility treatment. Based on a clinical trial study, 180 infertile women who were 20–40 years old and candidates for in vitro fertilization (IVF) were randomly assigned to 2 groups: an intervention group and a control group. The intervention group used diet and lifestyle recommendations based on Iranian traditional medicine for at least 3 months. The number of ova, mature ovum number, embryo number, embryo quality, and fertilization rate were significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group (for all items; p < 0.05). Overall pregnancy rate was significantly higher in the intervention group (35.2 vs. 12.4%; odds ratio [OR], 3.8; 95% CI, 1.8–8.3). The intervention group had a higher rate of getting spontaneous pregnancy than the control group (20.9 vs. 2.2%; OR, 11.5; 95% CI, 2.6–50.9). Chemical pregnancy was significantly higher in the intervention group (64 vs. 27.5%; OR, 4.7; 95% CI, 1.9–11.6). Diet and lifestyle modifications based on traditional medicine can contribute greatly to the infertility treatment. Thus, many infertility cases can be treated without the need to use advanced methods. In case of using assisted reproductive techniques, traditional medicine can enhance the efficiency of these methods.

scholarly journals A Nutrition Education Intervention Using NOVA Is More Effective Than MyPlate Alone: A Proof-of-Concept Randomized Controlled Trial

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 2965
Author(s):  
Aydin Nazmi ◽  
Marilyn Tseng ◽  
Derrick Robinson ◽  
Dawn Neill ◽  
John Walker
Keyword(s):  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Education Intervention ◽  
Proof Of Concept ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Level Of Processing

The ability to classify foods based on level of processing, not only conventional MyPlate food groups, might be a useful tool for consumers faced with a wide array of highly processed food products of varying nutritional value. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of a proof-of-concept nutrition education intervention on nutrition knowledge, assessed by correct classification of foods according to MyPlate food groups, MyPlate ‘limit’ status (for fat, sugar, sodium), and level of processing (NOVA categories). We utilized a randomized, controlled design to examine the impact of a MyPlate vs. combined MyPlate + NOVA intervention vs. control group. Intervention groups received educational flyers via email and participants were assessed using electronic baseline and follow-up surveys. The MyPlate + NOVA intervention group performed at least as well as the MyPlate group on classifying conventional food groups and ‘limit’ status. Moreover, the MyPlate + NOVA group far outperformed the other groups on classifying NOVA categories. Longer-term trials are needed, but our results suggest that NOVA principles may be more easily understood and applied than those of MyPlate. Education strategies focusing on level of food processing may be effective in the context of the modern food environment.

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