scholarly journals Assessing the feasibility of a classroom-based visual attention training program targeting academics for students with extremely low IQ

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine Archambault ◽  
Domenico Tullo ◽  
Emma Clark ◽  
Jocelyn Faubert ◽  
Armando Bertone

Abstract Background This feasibility study investigated the viability of implementing a cognitive-based training program (NeuroTracker) and assessing its potential effects on academic performance for adolescents with extremely low IQ. Methods Twenty-six adolescents aged between 11 and 16 years with a Wechsler-based IQs in the extremely low range (MIQ = 56.00, SDIQ = 13.89) completed 15 training sessions on either the NeuroTracker or an active control task; math and reading performance were assessed using clinically validated instruments before and after training. Recruitment and retention rates, adherence, and properties of the academic measures were assessed. Results All recruited participants completed 15 training sessions within a 6-week period. Eighty-three percent of participants meeting initial inclusion criteria completed all stages of the study from baseline to post-intervention assessments. Some limitations of the academic measures were identified. Conclusions Results suggest that implementing NeuroTracker as a classroom-based intervention and using clinically validated outcome measures is feasible with this population.

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S72-S72
Author(s):  
Dayna McManus ◽  
Jeffrey E Topal ◽  
Hagar Kassab

Abstract Background The MRSA nasal swab has been shown to have a negative predictive value of 97–100% for an MRSA infection. Therefore, a negative MRSA swab can be an important antimicrobial stewardship tool to stop unnecessary empiric anti-MRSA therapy. Prolonged anti-MRSA therapy may increase hospital length stay, adverse effects, antimicrobial resistance, and increase the risk of acute kidney injury. Timely obtainment of the MRSA nasal swab is paramount to prevent these complications. To improve the timely collection at our institution, we linked the MRSA nasal swab order with the initial order for vancomycin in the ED using the electronic medical record. Methods This was a single-center, retrospective review of adult ED patients (≥ 18 years) who recieved vancomycin at Yale New Haven Hospital, New Haven, CT, USA and had an MRSA nasal swab collected. The pre-intervention cohort were patients who met inclusion criteria between September 2018 and October 2018. The post-intervention cohort, following the linking of the MRSA nasal swab with the vancomycin order included patients between June 2019 and July 2019. The primary endpoint was the time from the ED visit to vancomycin discontinuation in patients with a negative MRSA nasal swab. The secondary endpoint was a comparison of inpatient vancomycin usage before and after implimentation of the intervention. Results In the pre-intervention cohort 665 patients were reviewed with 100 meeting inclusion criteria and in the post-intervention cohort 242 patients were reviewed with 100 meeting inclusion criteria. Baseline demographic characteristics were similar between the two cohorts. For the primary endpoint, the time from ED visit until vancomycin discontinuation was 61 hours in the pre-intervention cohort versus 34 hours in the post-intervention cohort (p< 0.001). The secondary endpoint of the impact of the intervention on vancomycin usage is depicted figure attached. Vancomycin IV Days of Therapy/1000 Patient Days Before and After Intervention Conclusion Linking the MRSA nasal swab order with the order for vancomycin in the ED led to a significantly shorter time of empiric vancomycin which in turn resulted in an overall reduction in the use of vancomycin. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Holly Foot ◽  
Kebede Beyene ◽  
Rob Horne ◽  
James Fingleton ◽  
Jeff Harrison ◽  
...  

Abstract BackgroundIn patients with asthma, over-reliance and overuse of short-acting beta2 agonist (SABA) is common and associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Patient beliefs are a key driver of inappropriate reliever use. A recently developed, brief, online intervention has been shown to identify and shift patient beliefs that drive inappropriate reliever use. Whether this intervention works to shift beliefs in individuals with asthma when delivered by community pharmacists is unknown. ObjectiveTo investigate the feasibility and acceptability of a brief community pharmacist-delivered behavior change intervention, and its effect on beliefs about SABA and SABA use in patients with asthma. MethodsThis is a non-randomised, before- and after- study of 120 individuals aged 18 years and older, prescribed a SABA for their asthma symptoms, presenting to one of two enrolled community pharmacies in Auckland, New Zealand. At enrolment, all participants will complete the SABA Reliance Questionnaire (SRQ), Asthma Control Test and 5-item Medication Adherence Report Scale via an online survey platform. Control participants will receive usual asthma care from their community pharmacy. Intervention participants will receive the intervention to shift any misplaced beliefs about SABA, comprising the SRQ to identify individual beliefs about SABA, then personalized information and discussion between pharmacist and patient based on the specific responses to the questionnaires. Those on SABA monotherapy and/or are at risk of SABA overuse will be referred to the general practitioner. Effect on beliefs about SABA and actual SABA use will be assessed by the SRQ and dispensing records, respectively. Feasibility will be evaluated through participant recruitment and retention rates, intervention fidelity, appropriateness and procedures of outcome measures pre- and post-intervention, and acceptability by obtaining feedback from participants (both patients and pharmacists) on the intervention.


2014 ◽  
Vol 04 (04) ◽  
pp. 010-017
Author(s):  
Reda S.M. Sarhan ◽  
Mohamed Faisal Chevidikunnan ◽  
Riziq Allah Mustafa Gaowgzeh

Abstract Purpose: This study intended to understand and compare the effect of loco-motor treadmill training program using robot-assisted gait therapy (Driven gait-orthosis DGO) and manual treadmill therapy on motor function in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy on their gross motor skills related to walking speed, ambulation and endurance. Subjects and Methods: Twelve spastic diplegic cerebral palsy children with the age under 5 years were participated in different ambulation training 3 times per week for 30 - 40 minutes sessions consisting of 2 different treadmill walking programs, for 10 weeks, and were tested pre and post intervention. The outcome measures included were; a timed 10-m walk test, ground walking speed, walking distance, and balance which were measured before and after treatment. Results & Conclusion: The results of this study suggests preliminary findings that children with CP under the age of 5 years can benefit their gross motor function, gait variables after intensive ambulation training using Driven gait orthotis (DGO).


Author(s):  
José Antonio González-Jurado ◽  
Walter Suárez-Carmona ◽  
Sergio López ◽  
Antonio Jesús Sánchez-Oliver

Obesity is related to low-grade systemic inflammation. This state of inflammation is characterized by the alteration in adipokine regulation, which may lead to a situation of cardiometabolic risk. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a concurrent training program on markers of lipoinflammation in adult people with obesity, comparing the response to the training between men and women. A quasi-experimental, quantitative, and longitudinal study with a pre–post intervention was conducted. An 8-week concurrent training program was carried out, in which 26 individuals with obesity participated (mean ± SD; age = 46.38 ± 4.66) (BMI = 36.05 ± 4.99) (12 men and 14 women). Before and after the intervention period, blood samples were taken by percutaneous puncture. The blood levels of adiponectin and leptin were evaluated. Significant differences were obtained in the adiponectin–leptin ratio (A/L ratio) of the entire sample (p = 0.009, ES = 0.53), which indicates a decrease in the risk of cardiovascular diseases and lipoinflammation. There were no significant differences in the improvements observed after the training in A/L ratio between women (A/L change = +63.5%) and men (A/L change= +59.2%). It can be concluded that the combination of aerobic exercise and resistance training induced an improvement in markers of lipoinflammation and cardiometabolic risk in the individuals with obesity evaluated in this study.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (SPL1) ◽  
pp. 1250-1254
Author(s):  
Kurvatteppa Halemani ◽  
Merlin Cheema ◽  
Shabana Khatun ◽  
Yadidya ◽  
Bhumika Singh ◽  
...  

The pandemic COVID-19 is a highly infected disease caused by a novel coronavirus or SARS-Cov-2. The virus was reported for the first time  December 2019 in, China's Wuhan province. Later the virus has broken down into the world and claimed millions of lives. In India, the disease was reported for the first time in Kerala on 30th January 2020. a cross-section one group pre-test & post-test research design was used among the 40 final year BSc nursing students, College of Nursing SGPGIMS, Lucknow India. Samples were selected based on purposive sampling technique and sample criteria. An instrument, the first tool included demographic characteristics Similarly, second instrument used for knowledge assessment. After pre-test assessment, a teaching session was held at the seminar room, college of nursing SGPGIMS Lucknow, India. Subsequently post assessment was held after intervention.  A total of 40 participants responded to the study. Demographic variables like 30(75%) participants had less than 22 years of age, 22(55%) were girls, 14(35%) families income found INR 10000-15000, and the majority of participants obtained COVID-19 related knowledge from news paper16(40%). A gender was found significant with pretest knowledge, and other variables weren't found significant (P=0.05). Knowledge mean & standard deviation in pre & post-intervention, 11.90±2.16 vs15.82±1.39. The mean difference was found in a pre-test & post-test-1 &post-test-2, 3.9, 5.02, & 1.1, respectively. The effectiveness of the training program was checked by paired t-test -10.20 & -13.93, P=0.00.  The study revealed that the teaching session was efficient in the COVID-19 program among BSc nursing students.


2021 ◽  
pp. 003335492097466
Author(s):  
Kate Wilson ◽  
Amir Juya ◽  
Ahmed Abade ◽  
Senga Sembuche ◽  
Devotha Leonard ◽  
...  

Objectives Sub-Saharan Africa faces a shortage of skilled epidemiologists to prevent, detect, and respond to health threats. Tanzania has implemented one of the first Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP) Intermediate courses in Africa. This course aims to strengthen health workforce capacity in surveillance system assessment, outbreak investigation, and evaluation, prioritizing HIV control. We conducted an outcome evaluation of this new course. Methods We used a pre/post evaluation design using data from 4 cohorts of trainees who took the FETP Intermediate course from 2017 to 2020. We conducted knowledge assessments before and after each cohort and combined those results. Outcomes included knowledge and self-rated competency and trends in integrated disease surveillance and response (IDSR) data. We collected data through tests, field assignments, exit interviews, and data audits. We compared the mean change in pre-/posttest scores using linear regression and 95% CIs. We used content analysis to summarize exit interviews. Results Fifty-three FETP trainees from 10 regions enrolled in the FETP Intermediate course, and 52 (99.0%) completed the course. We found substantial increases in mean knowledge (44.0 to 68.0 points) and self-rated competency (4.14 to 4.43) scores before and after the course. Trainees evaluated 52 surveillance systems and 52 district HIV care programs, and 39 (75.0%) trainees participated in outbreak investigations. From before to after cohort 1, timeliness and completeness of IDSR reports increased from 4.2% to 52.1% and from 27.4% to 76.5%, respectively. Course strengths were quality of instruction, individualized mentoring, and practical skills gained. Challenges were mentor availability, limited time for data analysis practice, and balancing work and field assignments. Conclusions The Tanzania FETP Intermediate course substantially improved trainee knowledge and helped to improve local data quality and reporting. This course is a promising model to strengthen subnational capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to public health threats in Africa.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S362-S363
Author(s):  
Gaurav Agnihotri ◽  
Alan E Gross ◽  
Minji Seok ◽  
Cheng Yu Yen ◽  
Farah Khan ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Although it is recommended that an OPAT program should be managed by a formal OPAT team that supports the treating physician, many OPAT programs face challenges in obtaining necessary program staff (i.e nurses or pharmacists) due to limited data examining the impact of a dedicated OPAT team on patient outcomes. Our objective was to compare OPAT-related readmission rates among patients receiving OPAT before and after the implementation of a strengthened OPAT program. Methods This retrospective quasi-experiment compared adult patients discharged on intravenous (IV) antibiotics from the University of Illinois Hospital before and after implementation of programmatic changes to strengthen the OPAT program. Data from our previous study were used as the pre-intervention group (1/1/2012 to 8/1/2013), where only individual infectious disease (ID) physicians coordinated OPAT. Post-intervention (10/1/2017 to 1/1/2019), a dedicated OPAT nurse provided full time support to the treating ID physicians through care coordination, utilization of protocols for lab monitoring and management, and enhanced documentation. Factors associated with readmission for OPAT-related problems at a significance level of p< 0.1 in univariate analysis were eligible for testing in a forward stepwise multinomial logistic regression to identify independent predictors of readmission. Results Demographics, antimicrobial indications, and OPAT administration location of the 428 patients pre- and post-intervention are listed in Table 1. After implementation of the strengthened OPAT program, the readmission rate due to OPAT-related complications decreased from 17.8% (13/73) to 6.5% (23/355) (p=0.001). OPAT-related readmission reasons included: infection recurrence/progression (56%), adverse drug reaction (28%), or line-associated issues (17%). Independent predictors of hospital readmission due to OPAT-related problems are listed in Table 2. Table 1. OPAT Patient Demographics and Factors Pre- and Post-intervention Table 2. Factors independently associated with hospital readmission in OPAT patients Conclusion An OPAT program with dedicated staff at a large academic tertiary care hospital was independently associated with decreased risk for readmission, which provides critical evidence to substantiate additional resources being dedicated to OPAT by health systems in the future. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures


Children ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 149
Author(s):  
Noura A. AlMadhi ◽  
Ayman M. Sulimany ◽  
Hamad A. Alzoman ◽  
Omar A. Bawazir

Interventions and management modalities of pediatric halitosis have been suggested in the literature, however, the effect of full mouth rehabilitation (FMR) under general anesthesia (GA) on pediatric halitosis was not reported. Therefore, the present study was conducted to investigate parents’ perceptions of their child’s halitosis before and after FMR under GA; and to evaluate the effect of FMR on clinical halitosis. Fifty-seven children between 3–8 years old, scheduled for FMR under GA, were included after satisfying the inclusion criteria and upon parental consent. Parents’ perception of halitosis in their children was evaluated using a standardized questionnaire and a breath sample was collected to assess the level of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) using OralChromaTM before and after FMR under GA. Sixty percent (n = 34) of the parents perceived halitosis in their children before FMR and about 80% (n = 27) of them reported improvement in halitosis after FMR. Clinical halitosis was detected in 84.2% (n = 48) of the sample before treatment. A statistically significant reduction in halitosis was found in 56.3% (n = 27) of the children after treatment (p < 0.001). In conclusion, majority of parents perceived an absence or reduction of halitosis in their children following FMR and significant improvement of clinical halitosis.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ioana Marcu ◽  
Adrian Balica ◽  
Jeffrey A. Gavard ◽  
Eugen C. Campian ◽  
Gustavo Leme Fernandes ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The objective of this study is to characterize participants in a laparoscopic cadaveric neuroanatomy course and assess knowledge of pelvic neuroanatomy before and after this course. Methods This is a survey-based cohort study with a setting in a university educational facility. The participants are surgeons in a multiday laparoscopic cadaveric pelvic neuroanatomy course. Participants completed a precourse survey, including demographics and comfort with laparoscopic surgery. They then completed an identical precourse and postcourse anatomic knowledge test. Main outcomes are scores on the anatomic knowledge test precourse and postcourse. Results 44 respondents were included: 25 completed fellowship, 15 completed residency, 2 were residents, and 2 were fellows. Participants were on average 11.09 years post training, with an average of 8.67 years from training if they completed fellowship and 18.62 years if they completed residency only. 22 of 42 respondents strongly agreed or agreed they are comfortable performing complex laparoscopic hysterectomies. The average precourse score was 32.18/50 points and the mean difference score (MDS, defined as mean of Postcourse scores minus Precourse scores) was 9.80, showing significant improvement (p <  0.001). Precourse and MDS scores were not significantly different when comparing country of practice, level of training, or time since training. Conclusion Baseline knowledge of pelvic neuroanatomy was similar among groups when comparing fellowship status, place of training, or time since training. There was significant improvement in knowledge after training in this dissection method. This course garnered interest from surgeons with broad training backgrounds.


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