scholarly journals Gamma entrainment frequency affects mood, memory and cognition: an exploratory pilot study

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan L. S. Sharpe ◽  
Mufti Mahmud ◽  
M. Shamim Kaiser ◽  
Jianhui Chen
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Correlation Analysis ◽  
Negative Correlation ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Assessment Scores ◽  
Frequency Group ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Mood Score ◽  
40 Hz

AbstractHere we provide evidence with an exploratory pilot study that through the use of a Gamma 40 Hz entrainment frequency, mood, memory and cognition can be improved with respect to a 9-participant cohort. Participants constituted towards three binaural entrainment frequency groups: the 40 Hz, 25 Hz and 100 Hz. Participants attended a total of eight entrainment frequency sessions twice over the duration of a 4-week period. Additionally, participants were assessed based on their cognitive abilities, mood as well as memory, where the cognitive and memory assessments occurred before and after a 5-min binaural beat stimulation. The mood assessment scores were collected from sessions 1, 4 and 8, respectively. With respect to the Gamma 40 Hz entrainment frequency population, we observed a mean improvement in cognitive scores, elevating from 75% average to 85% average upon conclusion of the experimentation at weak statistical significance ($$\alpha$$ α = 0.10, p = 0.076). Similarly, memory score improvements at a greater significance ($$\alpha$$ α = 0.05, p = 0.0027) were noted, elevating from an average of 87% to 95%. In pertinence to the mood scores, a negative correlation across all populations were noted, inferring an overall increase in mood due to lower scores correlating with elevated mood. Finally, correlation analysis revealed a stronger R$$^2$$ 2 value (0.9838) within the 40 Hz group between sessions as well as mood score when compared across the entire frequency group cohort.

Improving Self-Confidence of Military Medical Providers With Joint Procedure Simulation: A Pilot Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victoria m.f Mank ◽  
Zhaohui Arter ◽  
Jeffrey Mank ◽  
Ki Suk Eum ◽  
Jefferson Roberts
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Simulation Training ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Military Medicine ◽  
P Value ◽  
Medical Providers ◽  
Medical Provider ◽  
Self Confidence ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Military Facilities

ABSTRACT Introduction Military medical providers are a unique population that encounter different environments across the world. From hospital clinics to war zones, these providers must perform procedures and rely on their training and skill to help their patients. This pilot study aimed to assess the self-confidence of military medical providers performing joint aspiration and injection before and after a simulation workshop in both clinical and austere settings. Methods In 2016, 25 military physicians from various military facilities participated in a 1-hour knee arthrocentesis and injection and shoulder injection workshop. Education was provided on the knee and shoulder anatomy and various approaches to performing the procedures before the hands-on portion of the workshop. Surveys assessing self-reported confidence levels by performing the procedures in the clinic and austere settings were completed before and after simulation training. Results The results were analyzed and grouped based on the provider experience level, simulation environment, and specific procedure performed. There was a statistical significance seen in the shoulder arthrocentesis group, which included all participating providers, with a P-value of <.01 in the clinic setting and a P-value of <.001 in the austere setting. In the knee aspiration simulation, there were also improvements in the provider confidence, but it was not statistically significant with P-values of .36 and .14 in the clinical and austere settings, respectively. Conclusion Simulation training can lead to increased medical provider self-confidence in performing musculoskeletal joint aspirations and injections in both clinic and austere settings. The military medicine demographics have had little research in joint injections and provider confidence to date. This pilot study was one of the first to evaluate this unique population. The methods used in this study, and the positive data collected on provider confidence, can be used in larger studies, encompassing other medical providers to increase the confidence of providers throughout various fields of medicine.

scholarly journals Change of Blink Rate in Viewing Virtual Reality with HMD

Symmetry ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 400 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jungho Kim ◽  
Yadav Sunil Kumar ◽  
Jisang Yoo ◽  
Soonchul Kwon
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Correlation Analysis ◽  
Negative Correlation ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Near Field ◽  
Blink Rate ◽  
Strong Positive Correlation ◽  
Strong Negative Correlation ◽  
Eye Blink ◽  
Head Mounted Display

The eye blink rate, a major human physiological response, directly affects ocular diseases, such as keratitis and dry eye syndrome. It has been shown that the eye blink rate in normal eyes has a certain frequency for individuals, from 6–30 times/min. It was suggested in a previous study that the eye blink rate can be decreased during the viewing of high-intensity and realistic content. Therefore, in this paper, we examine the change of the eye blink rate during the HMD (head-mounted display) viewing of VR (virtual reality) contents; accordingly, we propose an algorithm to measure the eye blink rate as well as compare and analyze this rate in three different environments (natural, monitor, and HMD). We confirmed that IPD (interpupillary distance) and phoria affected the eye blink rate in each environment. In this experiment, 21 subjects (28.38 ± 6.87 years) were selected, and a paired t-test was performed for changes in the eye blink rate over 1 min for each environment. The IPD and phoria effects on the eye blink rate were confirmed using the Spearman’s correlation coefficient. In this experiment, the eye blink rate was decreased in the monitor and HMD environments compared with the natural environment, while that in the HMD environment was decreased compared with the monitor environment. The results of the correlation analysis of far IPD and the eye blink rate show no statistical significance or correlation. The correlation analysis of near IPD and the eye blink rate showed a strong positive correlation of the eye blink rate in the monitor environment. The correlation analysis of distance phoria and the eye blink rate showed a strong negative correlation of the eye blink rate in the HMD environment. The correlation analysis of near-field phoria and the eye blink rate showed a strong negative correlation of the eye blink rate in the HMD environment. It is expected that the results of this study will be used as a VR-viewing recommendation.

scholarly journals A multicomponent intervention to decrease sedentary time during hospitalization: a quasi-experimental pilot study

2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (7) ◽  
pp. 901-915
Author(s):  
D Conijn ◽  
L van Bodegom-Vos ◽  
WG Volker ◽  
BJA Mertens ◽  
HM Vermeulen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Sedentary Time ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Digital Information ◽  
Multicomponent Intervention ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Digital Training

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary effects of a multicomponent intervention to decrease sedentary time during and shortly after hospitalization. Design: This is a quasi-experimental pilot study comparing outcomes in patients admitted before and after the implementation of the intervention. Setting: The study was conducted in a university hospital. Subjects: Participants were adult patients undergoing elective organ transplantation or vascular surgery. Interventions: In the control phase, patients received usual care, whereas in the intervention phase, patients also received a multicomponent intervention to decrease sedentary time. The intervention comprised eight elements: paper and digital information, an exercise movie, an activity planner, a pedometer and Fitbit Flex™, a personal activity coach and an individualized digital training program. Measures: Measures of feasiblity were the self-reported use of the intervention components (yes/no) and satisfaction (low–high = 0–10). Main outcome measure was the median % of sedentary time measured by an accelerometer worn during hospitalization and 7–14 days thereafter. Results: A total of 42 controls (mean age = 59 years, 62% male) and 52 intervention patients (58 years, 52%) were included. The exercise movie, paper information and Fitbit Flex were the three most frequently used components, with highest satisfaction scores for the fitbit, paper information, exercise movie and digital training. Median sedentary time decreased from 99.6% to 95.7% and 99.3% to 91.0% between Days 1 and 6 in patients admitted in the control and intervention phases, respectively. The difference at Day 6 reached statistical significance (difference = 41 min/day, P = 0.01). No differences were seen after discharge. Conclusion: Implementing a multicomponent intervention to reduce sedentary time appeared feasible and may be effective during but not directly after hospitalization.

scholarly journals EFFECTS OF A 12-WEEK STRENGTH AND BALANCE EXERCISE PROGRAM ON FUNCTIONAL FITNESS OF OLDER MEN

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilija Stijepić
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Dynamic Balance ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
Upper Body ◽  
Functional Fitness ◽  
Mature Adults ◽  
Paired Samples ◽  
Balance Exercise ◽  
Before And After

For the majority of mature adults, the maintenance of independent functioning, intact cognitive abilities, and good mental status could be the most important achievements in late life. Functional fitness is defined as the physical capacity to perform daily activities independently and without the appearance of fatigue. Functional fitness can be measured using the Senior Fitness Test – SFT. The experimental group consisted of 30 men mean age 76,9±6,27. Participants completed a 12-week strength and balance exercise program. The participants were evaluated before and after completing the exercise program for lower- and upper-body strength, aerobic endurance, lower- and upper-body flexibility, agility and dynamic balance. To determine the changes in particular parameters, paired samples T-test was used. The statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Statistically significant improvements were found in all tests.

Analysis of variations in and correlations between selected physical parameters of common beech (Fagus silvatica L.) nuts

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (21) ◽  
pp. 49-63
Author(s):  
Zdzisław Kaliniewicz ◽  
Piotr Markowski ◽  
Andrzej Anders ◽  
Paweł Tylek ◽  
Zbigniew Krzysiak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Correlation Analysis ◽  
Cross Sections ◽  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Physical Parameters ◽  
Common Beech ◽  
Mesh Screen ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Fagus Silvatica ◽  
Highly Correlated

The basic dimensions and the mass of common beech nuts and seeds from five nut batches, harvested from tree stands in northern Poland, were determined. Environmental conditions had a greater influence on seed plumpness than the age of tree stands. The results of measurements were analyzed statistically by analysis of variance, correlation analysis and linear regression analysis. Despite differences in their plumpness, nuts were characterized by nearly identical cross-sections which resembled an equilateral triangle. The thickness of nuts and seeds was highly correlated with their mass, and this information can facilitate seed husking and separation into mass categories. Before and after husking, seeds should be separated with the use of a mesh screen with longitudinal openings. Medium-sized (most numerous) seeds were separated into the following plumpness categories using a screen separator with ≠6 mm and ≠7 mm openings: 84% of moderately plump seeds, 3% of seeds with reduced plumpness, and 13% of plump seeds.

STUDY CLINICAL FEATURE AND RESULT OF TREATMENT PHACOMORPHIC GLAUCOMA

2015 ◽  
pp. 71-75
Author(s):  
Van Nam Phan ◽  
Ba Ken Tran
Keyword(s):  
Visual Acuity ◽  
Intraocular Pressure ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Corneal Edema ◽  
Clinical Feature ◽  
Anterior Chamber Angle ◽  
Male Population ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Operative Complications ◽  
Before And After

Purpose: Study clinical feature of phacomorphic glaucoma. To evaluate the result of treatment phacomorphic glaucoma. Method: The retrospective, interventional study on 36 cases with phacomorphic glaucoma who underwent treated at Hue Central Hospital from 6/2010 to 6/2011. Standard of research: visual, IOP, before and after surgery, accompanying lesions and post-operative complications. The surgery is considered successful when postoperative IOP less than 21 mmHg. Results: Age 50-59 presented 30.5 percent, ≥ 60 presented 91.7 percent. There was a slight female preponderance (66.7%) compared to the male population (33.3%) which implies a statistically marginally significant difference. However there was no statistical significance difference when compared by the two subgroups. Patient in country presented 61,1% and city presented 38,9%. The duration between the onset of pain and surgery from 0 to < 5 days (77.8%), from 6 to 10 (16.7%) and >10 days presented 5.5%. The preoperative intraocular pressure 35 to 45mmHg (47.2%), 46-55 (30.6%), 56-65 (13.9%) and more than 65 presented 8.3%. The visual acuity preoperation less than 1metre count finger (94.5%), less than 3 metre count finger presented 5.5%. Close anterior chamber angle presented 80.6% and shallow was presented 19.4%. Corneal edema presented 100%, iritis presented 94.4%, dilated pupil larger 5mm presented 83.3%, Synchynea iris and cataract presented 72.2%. ECCE, implantation IOL combined trabeculectomy presented 11.1%, Phaco, implantation IOL combined trabeculectomy presented 69,5%, ECCE implantation IOL presented 5.6%, Phaco, implantation IOL presented 13.8%. Postoperative visual acuity from 1/10 to 5/10 presented 72.2%, no case have VA larger than 5/10. Postoperative 3 months VA 1/10 to 5/10 presented 72.2%, larger VA 5/10 presented 8.3%. Postoperative 3 months intraocular pressure ≤ 21mmHg presented 91.7%, 22 to 24mmHg presented 8.3%, no case have IOP ≥25mmHg. Postoperative edema presented 58.3%, iritis presented 58.3%. Key words: phacomorphic Glaucoma

A pilot study on the effect of ulipristal acetate on myoma angiogenesis, measured by 2D ultrasound and VEGF serum levels

2020 ◽  
pp. 19-29
Author(s):  
Patricia Diaz Ortega ◽  
Manuel García Manero
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Power Doppler ◽  
Uterine Fibroids ◽  
Premenopausal Women ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Ulipristal Acetate ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Angiogenesis Process ◽  
2D Ultrasound ◽  
Average Size

Introduction: Symptomatic uterine fibroids can cause symptoms that can be disabling. There are many treatments, including ulipristal acetate, whose role in reducing symptoms and decreasing the size of the fibroid is well known. With this preliminary study, we also try to evaluate the correlation between myoma vascularization measured by ultrasound (Power Doppler 2D) and serum VEGF levels, before and after treatment with ulipristal acetate; in patients diagnosed with symptomatic uterine fibroids. Materials and Methods: A preliminary, prospective observational pilot study was designed. Twenty-four premenopausal women, diagnosed with symptomatic uterine fibroids, were included and all of them completed the study. Four cycles of ulipristal acetate were administered according to the dose and indications specified in the data sheet. In order to assess the influence of this treatment on the angiogenesis process of the fibroids, measurements of VEGF serum levels were made and their vascularization was assessed by means of 2D power doppler ultrasound; at the beginning and the end of treatment. In addition, several determinations of the same parameters were made throughout the successive visits. Endpoints were defined as the decrease in VEGF levels from previous levels, the decrease in myoma vascularization on ultrasound, and the reduction in myoma size. Result: 24 patients who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled (n=24). The average size of myomas was reduced from 45,08 ? 24,02mm to 29?16,96mm after treatment. The average VEGF serum level significantly decreased after the first treatment cycle (from 147,17 ? 153,51 pg/ml to 102,04 ? 186,08pg/ml). Vascularization of myomas after treatment with ulipristal acetate was analyzed, and a significantly decrease was achieved in 83,3% of cases. Conclusion: There is a correlation between myoma vascularization and treatment with Ulipristal acetate. SPRMs may provide effective treatment for women with symptomatic fibroids by two ways: supports selective progesterone receptor modulators and reduced angiogenesis. Keywords: Angiogenesis; Ulipristal Acetate; Uterine fibroids; VEGF

scholarly journals Treatment of HIV-associated facial lipoatrophy: impact on infection progression assessed by viral load and CD4 count

2013 ◽  
Vol 88 (4) ◽  
pp. 570-577 ◽  
Author(s):  
Flávia Machado Gonçalves Soares ◽  
Izelda Maria Carvalho Costa
Keyword(s):  
Viral Load ◽  
Disease Progression ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Undetectable Viral Load ◽  
Fat Distribution ◽  
Cd4 Count ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Facial Lipoatrophy ◽  
A Prospective Study ◽  
The Impact

BACKGROUND: HIV/AIDS-Associated Lipodystrophy Syndrome includes changes in body fat distribution, with or without metabolic changes. The loss of fat from the face, called facial lipoatrophy, is one of the most stigmatizing signs of the syndrome.OBJECTIVES:To evaluate the effect of FL treatment using polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) implants on disease progression, assessed by viral load and CD4 cell count.METHODS: This was a prospective study of 44 patients treated from July 2009 to December 2010. Male and female patients, aged over 18 years, with clinically detectable FL and who had never been treated were included in the study. PMMA implantation was done to fill atrophic areas. Laboratory tests were conducted to measure viral load and CD4 count before and after treatment.RESULTS: Of the 44 patients, 72.72% were male and 27.27% female, mean age of 44.38 years. Before treatment, 82% of patients had undetectable viral load, which increased to 88.6% after treatment, but without statistical significance (p = 0.67). CD4 count before treatment ranged from 209 to 1293, averaging 493.97. After treatment, the average increased to 548.61. The increase in CD4 count after treatment was statistically significant with p = 0.02.CONCLUSION: The treatment of FL with PMMA implants showed a statistically significant increase in CD4 count after treatment, revealing the impact of FL treatment on disease progression. Viral load before and after treatment did not vary significantly.

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