scholarly journals Impact of the TEAM Wheels eHealth manual wheelchair training program: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (10) ◽  
pp. e0258509
Author(s):  
Ed Giesbrecht ◽  
Julie Faieta ◽  
Krista Best ◽  
François Routhier ◽  
William C. Miller ◽  
...  

Background Variable, and typically inadequate, delivery of skills training following manual wheelchair (MWC) provision has a detrimental impact on user mobility and participation. Traditional in-person delivery of training by rehabilitation therapists has diminished due to cost, travel time, and most recently social distancing restrictions due to COVID-19. Effective alternative training approaches include eHealth home training applications and interactive peer-led training using experienced and proficient MWC users. An innovative TEAM Wheels program integrates app-based self-training and teleconference peer-led training using a computer tablet platform. Objective This protocol outlines implementation and evaluation of the TEAM Wheels training program in a randomized control trial using a wait-list control group. Setting The study will be implemented in a community setting in three Canadian cities. Participants Individuals ≥ 18 years of age within one year of transitioning to use of a MWC. Intervention Using a computer tablet, participants engage in three peer-led teleconference training sessions and 75–150 minutes of weekly practice using a video-based training application over 4 weeks. Peer trainers individualize the participants’ training plans and monitor their tablet-based training activity online. Control group participants also receive the intervention following a 1-month wait-list period and data collection. Measurements Outcomes assessing participation; skill capacity and performance; self-efficacy; mobility; and quality of life will be measured at baseline and post-treatment, and at 6-month follow-up for the treatment group. Impact statement We anticipate that TEAM Wheels will be successfully carried out at all sites and participants will demonstrate statistically significant improvement in the outcome measures compared with the control group.

2021 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Saida Affouneh ◽  
Fayez Azez Mahamid ◽  
Denise Ziya Berte ◽  
Ali Z. Shaqour ◽  
Marouf Shayeb

Abstract Background For youth in geopolitically at-risk environments, such as Palestine, the issues related to Internet overuse and addictions are complex. Youth residing in the occupied territories of Palestine as in other highly militarized zones have high levels of environmental stressors (e.g., militarization, poverty, lack of employment opportunities, cultural pressures, etc.) and few chemical or social outlets such as alcohol, intoxicants, and leisure activities. As such, the easily accessible and unrestricted opportunities for stress-reducing social contact of social media can lead easily to excessive and maladaptive Internet use. Therefore, interventions directly aimed at awareness and education on how to manage Internet use are critical for addressing these issues in high risk populations. Aims The purpose of the current study was to test the efficacy of a time-limited group training program aimed at improving social skills and reducing addictive Internet behaviors among university students. Methods and results The sample consisted of 30 university students who self-reported high scores on an Internet addiction scale. Participants were randomly assigned to either wait list or treatment group (15 in each condition). Results demonstrated that using a social skills training program over an 8-week period improved the level of social skills and reduced addictive Internet behaviors significantly in those who experienced the intervention when compared with a wait list control group. Conclusions These findings support the implementation of time limited training programs targeting social skills and addictive patterns of Internet use with university students identified with high levels of Internet addictive behaviors.


2021 ◽  
pp. 136749352110037
Author(s):  
Alison E. Parker ◽  
Tracy M. Scull ◽  
Abigail M. Morrison

Pediatric clinical trials allow for the testing of appropriate and effective treatments for children. However, some challenges exist with recruitment. This study examined the effectiveness of DigiKnowIt News, an interactive, multimedia website (which includes activities, videos, and comic books) designed to educate children about clinical trials. A randomized controlled trial was conducted in 2018 with 91 participants ( M age = 10.92 years; SD = 2.06). Participants were randomly assigned to intervention or wait-list control groups and completed questionnaires at pretest and posttest (1 week later) about their knowledge, attitudes, beliefs about clinical trials, and self-efficacy for participating in clinical trials. Participants in the intervention group received access to DigiKnowIt News between pretest and posttest and completed a satisfaction questionnaire at posttest. At the end of the study, participants in the wait-list control group were offered the option to use the website and complete a satisfaction questionnaire. At posttest, participants in the intervention group, compared to participants in the wait-list control group, had more knowledge about clinical trials and more reported confidence for participating in clinical trials. Participants reported high levels of satisfaction with DigiKnowIt News. The findings suggest that an educational website can improve factors related to increasing rates of participation in clinical trials.


2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (20) ◽  
pp. 2166-2172 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maiko Fujimori ◽  
Yuki Shirai ◽  
Mariko Asai ◽  
Kaoru Kubota ◽  
Noriyuki Katsumata ◽  
...  

Purpose The aim of this study was to identify the effects of a communication skills training (CST) program for oncologists, developed based on patient preferences regarding oncologists' communication. Participants and Methods Thirty oncologists were randomly assigned to either an intervention group (IG; 2-day CST workshop) or control group (CG). Participants were assessed on their communication performance during simulated consultation and their confidence in communicating with patients at baseline and follow-up. A total of 1,192 patients (response rate, 84.6%) who had consultations with the participating oncologists at baseline and/or follow-up were assessed regarding their distress using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, satisfaction with the consultation, and trust in their oncologist after the consultation. Results At the follow-up survey, the performance scores of the IG had improved significantly, in terms of their emotional support (P = .011), setting up a supportive environment (P = .002), and ability to deliver information (P = .001), compared with those of the CG. Oncologists in the IG were rated higher at follow-up than those in the CG in terms of their confidence in themselves (P = .001). Patients who met with oncologists after they had undergone the CST were significantly less depressed than those who met with oncologists in the CG (P = .027). However, the CST program did not affect patient satisfaction with oncologists' style of communication. Conclusion A CST program based on patient preferences is effective for both oncologists and patients with cancer. Oncologists should consider CST as an approach to enhancing their communication skills.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlotte Loumann Krogh ◽  
Charlotte Ringsted ◽  
Charles B. Kromann ◽  
Maria Birkvad Rasmussen ◽  
Tobias Todsen ◽  
...  

Introduction. The aim of this study was to explore the learning effect of engaging trainees by assessing peer performance during simulation-based training.Methods. Eighty-four final year medical students participated in the study. The intervention involved trainees assessing peer performance during training. Outcome measures were in-training performance and performance, both of which were measured two weeks after the course. Trainees’ performances were videotaped and assessed by two expert raters using a checklist that included a global rating. Trainees’ satisfaction with the training was also evaluated.Results. The intervention group obtained a significantly higher overall in-training performance score than the control group: mean checklist score 20.87 (SD 2.51) versus 19.14 (SD 2.65)P=0.003and mean global rating 3.25 SD (0.99) versus 2.95 (SD 1.09)P=0.014. Postcourse performance did not show any significant difference between the two groups. Trainees who assessed peer performance were more satisfied with the training than those who did not: mean 6.36 (SD 1.00) versus 5.74 (SD 1.33)P=0.025.Conclusion. Engaging trainees in the assessment of peer performance had an immediate effect on in-training performance, but not on the learning outcome measured two weeks later. Trainees had a positive attitude towards the training format.


1993 ◽  
Vol 163 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom Burns ◽  
Alan Beadsmoore ◽  
Ashok V. Bhat ◽  
Andrew Oliver ◽  
Carola Mathers

While research has shown community-based psychiatric care to be as good as, or better than, hospital-based care, generalisation to clinical practice has been difficult. This prospective, randomised controlled study examined a community-based approach feasible within NHS conditions. Ninety-four patients were randomly allocated to experimental and 78 to control treatments and followed for one year. The groups were well matched apart from an excess of psychotic control patients. No differences in clinical or social functioning outcome were found. Both groups improved substantially on clinical measures in the first six weeks, with some slow consolidation thereafter. There were three suicides in the control group and one in the experimental group. Access to care was better in the experimental group (93% attended assessment) than in the control group (75% attended assessment).


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven Lubitz ◽  
Steven J. Atlas ◽  
Jeffrey M. Ashburner ◽  
Ana Lipsanopoulos ◽  
Leila Borowsky ◽  
...  

Background: Undiagnosed atrial fibrillation (AF) may cause preventable strokes. Guidelines differ regarding AF screening recommendations. We tested whether point-of-care screening with a handheld single lead electrocardiogram (ECG) at primary care practice visits increases diagnoses of AF. Methods: We randomized 16 primary care clinics 1:1 to AF screening using a handheld single-lead ECG (AliveCor KardiaMobile) during vital sign assessments, or usual care. Patients included were aged ≥ 65 years. Screening results were provided to primary care clinicians at the encounter. All confirmatory diagnostic testing and treatment decisions were made by the primary care clinician. New AF diagnoses over one-year follow-up were ascertained electronically and manually adjudicated. Proportions and incidence rates were calculated. Effect heterogeneity was assessed. Results: Of 30,715 patients without prevalent AF (n=15,393 screening [91% screened], n=15,322 control), 1.72% of individuals in the screening group had new AF diagnosed at one year versus 1.59% in the control group (risk difference [RD] 0.13%, 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.16,0.42, P=0.38). New AF diagnoses in the screening and control groups differed by age with the greatest effect observed for those aged ≥ 85 years (5.56% versus 3.76%, respectively, RD 1.80%, 95% CI 0.18,3.30). The difference in newly diagnosed AF between the screening period and the prior year was marginally greater in the screening versus control group (0.32% versus -0.12%, RD 0.43%, 95% CI -0.01,0.84). The proportion of individuals with newly diagnosed AF who were initiated on oral anticoagulants was similar in the screening (n=194, 73.5%) and control (n=172, 70.8%) arms (RD 2.7%, 95% CI -5.5,10.4). Conclusions: Screening for AF using a single-lead ECG at primary care visits was not associated with a significant increase in new AF diagnoses among individuals aged 65 years or older compared to usual care. However, screening may be associated with an increased likelihood of diagnosing AF among individuals aged 85 years or older and warrants further evaluation.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1.SP) ◽  
pp. 20
Author(s):  
Parviz DABAGHI ◽  
Seyyed-Javad HOSSEINI-SHOKOUH ◽  
Reza SHAHRABADI

Background and objective:    Drug abuse is one of the diseases that are highly dependent on individual behaviors and social interactions. This disease can be created in places like military garrisons due to their relationship with such behaviors. Therefore, soldiers and staffs are at risk of drug abuse. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of prevention training program of drug abuse on reducing risk factors in soldiers and staffs in Iran.Methods:In this quasi-experimental interventional study, 392 soldiers and staffs in two military garrisons in Khorasan Razavi (Intervention group 242 and control group 150) were randomly conducted to training program. The data collection tools were questionnaire of identifying people in risk of addiction, life skills questionnaire and demographic variables. The questionnaires were completed as self-report. Educational content was consisted of seven training sessions (60-minute) that only applied in the intervention group. 45 days after the last training session, educational software was distributed as a reminder in the intervention group. The two groups were followed up three months after the intervention. Finally, the data were analyzed using SPSS version 16.Results:  The findings showed that there was no significant difference between the two groups in demographic variables (Pvalue>0.05). The mean scores for risk factors on drug abuse after training program (Depression and feeling of inability, Positive attitude toward drug abuse and Anxiety and fearing of others) were significantly improved in the intervention group (Pvalue<0.05). Also, life skills variables except the problem solving skill (Pvalue>0.05) had a significant change after intervention in the intervention group (Pvalue<0.05).Conclusion:The findings indicated that the prevention training program of drug abuse based on life skills training could reduce the risk factors of drug abuse for soldiers and staffs in military garrisons.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Tchirikov ◽  
Christian Haiduk ◽  
Miriam Tchirikov ◽  
Marcus Riemer ◽  
Stephan Henschen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: The classic mid-trimester preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM), is defined as rupture of fetal membranes prior to 28 weeks’ gestation (WG) with oligo/ anhydramnion, complicates approximately 0.4-0.7% of all pregnancies and is associated with very high neonatal mortality and morbidity.Antibiotics have limited success to prevent bacterial growth, chorioamnionitis and fetal inflammation. The repetitive amnioinfusion doesn’t work because of immediately fluid lost after the intervention. The continuous amnioinfusion through the transabdomianal port system or catheter in patients with classic PPROM shows promise by flush out of bacteria and inflammatory components from the amniotic cavity, replacing amniotic fluid and thus prolonging PPROM-to-delivery interval.Aim: This multicenter trial tests the effect of continuous amnioinfusion on the neonatal survival without the typical major morbidities, like severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia, intraventricular hemorrhage, cystic periventricular leukomalacia and necrotizing enterocolitis one year after the delivery.Methods/Design: randomized multicenter trial; two-arm parallel design. Control group: PPROM patients between 22/0 (20/0) -26/0 WG treated with antibiotics and corticosteroids in accordance to guidelines of German Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology (standard PPROM therapy). In the interventional group the standard PPROM therapy will be complemented by “Amnion Flush Method” with the amnioinfusion of artificial amniotic fluid (up to 100 ml/h, 2400 ml/day).Subjects: 68 patients with classic PPROM between 22/0 (20/0)-26/0 WG.TRIAL-registration: ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT04696003 and German Clinical Trials Register: DRKS00024503, January 2021.The trial is approved by the Ethic committee of the Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (2020-185, January 25, 2021).


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