scholarly journals Virtual reality-based neurological examination teaching tool(VRNET) versus standardized patient in teaching neurological examinations for the medical students: a randomized, single-blind study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sang Gil Han ◽  
Young Dae Kim ◽  
Tae Young Kong ◽  
Junho Cho

Abstract Background The conventional methods for teaching neurological examination with real patients to medical students have some limitations if the patient with the symptom or disease is not available. Therefore, we developed a Virtual Reality-based Neurological Examination Teaching Tool (VRNET) and evaluated its usefulness in in teaching neurological examinations for the medical students. Methods In this prospective, randomized, single-blind study, we recruited 98 medical students and divided them into two groups: 1) A standardized patient(SP) group that received the clinical performance examination utilizing standard patients complaining of dizziness was provided neurological findings using conventional method such as verbal description, photographs, and video clips; 2) A SP with VRNET group that was provided the neurological findings using the newly developed tool. Among the 98 students, 3 did not agree to participate, and 95 were enrolled in this study. The SP group comprised 39 students and the SP with VRNET group had 56 students. Results There were no statistical differences in VRNET’s realness and student satisfaction between the SP and SP with VRNET groups. However, a statistically significant difference was found in the Neurologic Physical Exam (NPE) score (p = 0.043); the SP with VRNET group had higher NPE scores (3.81 ± 0.92) than the SP group (3.40 ± 1.01). Conclusions VRNET is useful in teaching senior (graduating) medical students with SP with a neurologic problem.

1976 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 74-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Borges ◽  
C Zavaleta

The effect of a new analgesic compound ( propoxyphene, acetaminophen, caffeine, hydroxyzine) was investigated in a single-blind study comparing it with plain acetaminophen administered to forty patients with tension headache. For the study, patients were assigned to one of two groups of twenty each. Starting dose for each group was one to two tablets followed by one tablet every four to six hours. The results show that 90% clinical success was obtained with the analgesic compound, while a 45% success was obtained with plain acetaminophen. This is a statistically significant difference. Side-effects observed with analgesic compound were primarily drowsiness and dizziness of mild intensity; acetaminophen caused gastro-intestinal alterations ( nausea, vomiting) and dizziness of greater severity. Therapy was withdrawn in 20% of patients taking acetaminophen because of side-effects. The dosage of analgesic compound required to control each episode of tension headache way smaller than that of acetaminophen. These results can be explained by a possible potentiation of pharmacological activity of the compound's components. It can be concluded that the analgesic compound is a new and effective combination for the symptomatic treatment of tension headache.


1980 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 343-346 ◽  
Author(s):  
R V Magnus

A single-blind study compared the clinical efficacy of biperiden hydrochloride (Akineton®, Abbott) and benzhexol (Artane®, Lederle) in the treatment of neuroleptic-induced Parkinsonism. Both drugs were highly effective and all patients responded favourably to medication. No significant difference was observed between the two treatment groups when individual symptoms were examined.


2003 ◽  
Vol 82 (4) ◽  
pp. 305-308 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy M. Cupero ◽  
Sam Y. Kim ◽  
Andrew B. Silva

We conducted a placebo-controlled, single-blind study to determine the efficacy of a local preoperative injection of a steroid/anesthetic combination in preventing post-tonsillectomy pain. We randomized 21 adults to receive either triamcinolone/bupivacaine on the left side and saline on the right or vice versa. Injections were administered in the area of the tonsillar pillars following intubation and prior to tonsillectomy. Based on the “generalized estimating equations” model of statistical analysis, we found no significant difference in the degree of postoperative pain between the active-treatment and control sides.


2002 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 220-229 ◽  
Author(s):  
YK Kang ◽  
YH Park ◽  
BY Ryoo ◽  
YJ Bang ◽  
KS Cho ◽  
...  

Control of nausea and vomiting is very important in determining patient compliance with cisplatin chemotherapy. A multicentre, randomized, single-blind study was conducted to compare the tolerability and efficacy of ramosetron with those of granisetron over 24 h following cisplatin administration to cancer patients. In eight study centres, a total of 194 adult patients were randomly assigned to receive either intravenous ramosetron 0.3 mg or intravenous granisetron 3.0 mg. The anti-emetic effect of ramosetron determined from the no-vomiting rate lasted longer, but there was no significant difference in the number of acute vomiting episodes or the severity of nausea between the two groups. In the tolerability evaluation, there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups, except for a higher incidence of dull headache in the granisetron group. Ramosetron and granisetron appear to have equivalent efficacy and tolerability profiles, but the effects of ramosetron on the prevention of acute vomiting in patients undergoing cisplatin chemotherapy were longer lasting.


Author(s):  
Ibrahim Npochinto Moumeni ◽  

Background: Some patients who have had a stroke develop paresis. With time it can become spastic and even distorting. Spastic deforming paresis is often accentuated in the upper limb. It is a real brake in the performance of daily activities, with a psychological impact. The physical therapy of the upper limb today, appears like a real sea snake. Hence the strategies of physical medication must be thought out, studied and developed on a daily basis to overcome this unsightly condition. Objective: Is conventional physiotherapy more effective than supervised self-rehabilitation, in terms of functional recovery in deforming spastic paresis after stroke of the upper limb? This was the major question / objective of this study. Methods: Our study was a multicenter, prospective, interventional, controlled, and randomized, single-blind study. Comparing conventional physiotherapy versus supervised self-rehabilitation over a 12-month period. We recruited 37 patients in France and Spain more than 6 months after their stroke. The judgment tool used during all phases (1st day; 6 months; 9 months and 12 months) of the assessment was the modified Frenchay scale (MFS). Results: The mean age of our cohort was 69 ± 7 years and the mean mounts after stroke was 11,9 ± 5 months. Supervised self-rehabilitation was significantly superior to conventional physiotherapy during the three evaluations carried out on the modified Frenchay scales. At 6 months: 5.99 ± 4.7 Vs 6.97 ± 2.1 (P <0.5). At 9 months: 6.71 ± 9.4; against 7.83 ± 4.1 (P <0.5). Three months after the follow up, we reassessed the patients to see the residual effect, the retention of acquired knowledge and behavioral adaptation after the protocol: 6.57 ± 11, Vs 7.9 ± 6 (P= 0,14). Conclusion: Supervised self-rehabilitation is more effective than conventional physiotherapy. Because from 6 months, and 9 months, a statistically significant difference is demonstrated. this difference persists even 3 months after stopping the follow-up. For the techniques used in the supervised self-rehabilitation group: learning a motor skill could strengthen the circuits of spinal interneurons that facilitate movement. We realized that learning a simple and reciprocating movement, associated with activo-dynamic stretching, done several times a day on target muscles (antagonists were more significant than traditional physiotherapy which, it was rather holistic and nonspecific) would produce an influence in the spinal cord. And, over time, would promote reciprocal inhibition between antagonist and agonist muscles. All the same, further studies with a larger cohort must be carried out in order to conclude on this mentioned neurophysiological hypothesis.


1992 ◽  
Vol 106 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. T. K. Choy ◽  
A. P. Su

AbstractForty-nine children for tonsillectomy were entered in a prospective controlled single blind study to compare the post-tonsillectomy morbidity of bipolar diathermy as opposed to ligation for haemostasis. We found no significant difference in post-operative discomfort nor reactionary or secondary haemorrhage in the two methods used. This is the first controlled trial where bipolar, rather than unipolar diathermy is used, and compared with ligation in the operation of tonsillectomy


Author(s):  
Tzyy-Yurn Tzeng ◽  
Chia-An Hsu ◽  
Ying-Ying Yang ◽  
Eunice J. Yuan ◽  
Ya-Ting Chang ◽  
...  

Background/Aims: To avoid the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on clinical clerkship, supplemental teachings such as digital materials in the scenario-based distal simulations were implemented. This study utilized the OSCE (objective-structured clinical examination) to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the learning outcome of medical students from the regular group (class of 2020) and pandemic-impacted group (class of 2021). Methods: All medical students serially took, firstly, the mock-OSCE, secondly, the mock-OSCE, and the national OSCE. Then, the serial OSCE scores were compared between groups. Results: Although with similar scores in the first mock OSCE, the regular group (n = 78) had a higher average score in the national OSCE than the pandemic-impacted group (n = 80) (872.18 vs. 834.96, p = 0.003). In terms of improvement, the performances of the regular group were also better than the pandemic-impacted group between the second mock OSCE and the national OSCE (79.10 vs. 38.14, p = 0.014), and between the second mock OSCE and the national OSCE (125.11 vs. 77.52, p = 0.003). While separating distinct genres, the regular group had more of a score increment in standardized patient-based stations between the second mock OSCE and the national OSCE (regular vs. pandemic-impacted: 57.03 vs. 18.95, p = 0.003), as well as between the first mock OSCE and the national OSCE (75.97 vs. 26.36, p < 0.001), but there was no significant difference among the skill-based stations. In particular, the scores of the emergency medicine associated station in the national OSCE of the pandemic-impacted group was lower. Conclusions: Our study implies that the pandemic significantly hampered the learning outcomes of final year medical students in their clinical participation. Especially facing the COVID-19 pandemic, more supplemental teachings are needed to compensate the decreasing emergency medicine exposure.


1984 ◽  
Vol 51 (03) ◽  
pp. 347-348 ◽  
Author(s):  
C Cordova ◽  
A Musca ◽  
F Violi ◽  
C Alessandri ◽  
A Ghiselli ◽  
...  

SummaryThe behaviour of plasma malondialdehyde-like material (MDA-LM) was evaluated in 13 healthy subjects by a single-blind study that consisted of placebo (30 days), vitamin E treatment (300 mg/day) (30 days) and placebo (30 days). The study demonstrated that MDA-LM did not change during placebo treatment while it significantly decreased after vitamin E administration.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1357633X2110098
Author(s):  
Aya Sedky Adly ◽  
Afnan Sedky Adly ◽  
Mahmoud Sedky Adly ◽  
Mohammad F Ali

Introduction Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease is a systemic progressive inflammatory autoimmune disorder. Elderly-onset RA can be assumed as a benign form of RA. Until recently, face-to-face therapeutic sessions between health professionals and patients are usually the method of its treatment. However, during pandemics, including coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), teletherapeutic sessions can extensively increase the patient safety especially in elderly patients who are more vulnerable to these infections. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate a novel teletherapy approach for management of elderly patients suffering from RA by utilizing laser acupuncture. Methods A teletherapy system was used for management of elderly patients suffering from RA. Sixty participants were allocated randomly into two groups and the ratio was 1:1. Patients in the first group were treated with laser acupuncture and telerehabilitation sessions, which consisted of aerobic exercise and virtual reality training. Patients in the second group received telerehabilitation sessions, which consisted of aerobic exercise and virtual reality training. Evaluation of patients was done by using the Health Assessment questionnaire (HAQ), the Rheumatoid Arthritis Quality of Life (RAQoL) questionnaire, and the analysis of interleukin-6 (IL-6), serum C-reactive protein (CRP), plasma adenosine triphosphate (ATP) concentration and plasma malondialdehyde (MDA). Results A statistically significant difference was found in CRP, RAQoL, IL-6 and MDA between the pre- and post-treatments in the first group ( p < 0.05) favouring the post-treatment group, while the HAQ showed a statistically significant difference between pre- and post-treatments ( p < 0.05) in both groups. Statistically significant post-treatment differences were also observed between the two groups ( p < 0.05) in RAQoL, CRP, ATP and MDA, favouring the first group. Discussion Laser acupuncture teletherapy could be suggested as a reliable treatment method for elderly patients suffering from RA, as it can provide a safe and effective therapeutic approach. Teletherapy provided safer access to health professionals and patients while giving a high patient satisfaction value with a relatively lower cost (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04684693).


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document