scholarly journals Facebook as a Novel Tool for Continuous Professional Education on Dementia: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

10.2196/16772 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. e16772 ◽  
Author(s):  
Windy SY Chan ◽  
Angela YM Leung
Keyword(s):  
Professional Education ◽  
Retention Rate ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Multiple Choice Questions ◽  
Participant Engagement ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean ◽  
And Control

Background Social network sites (SNSs) are widely exploited in health education and communication by the general public, including patients with various conditions. Nevertheless, there is an absence of evidence evaluating SNSs in connecting health professionals for professional purposes. Objective This pilot randomized controlled trial was designed to evaluate the feasibility of an intervention aiming to investigate the effects of a continuous professional education program utilizing Facebook to obtain knowledge on dementia and care for patients with dementia. Methods Eighty health professionals from Hong Kong were recruited for participation in the study and randomized at a 1:1 ratio by a block randomization method to the intervention group (n=40) and control group (n=40). The intervention was an 8-week educational program developed to deliver updated knowledge on dementia care from a multidisciplinary perspective, either by Facebook (intervention group) or by email (control group) from October 2018 to January 2019. The primary outcomes were the effects of the intervention, measured by differences in the means of changes in pre- and postintervention scores of knowledge assessments from the 25-item Dementia Knowledge Assessment Scale (DKAS) and formative evaluation of 20 multiple choice questions. Other outcome measurements included participant compliance, participant engagement in Facebook, satisfaction, and self-perceived uses of Facebook for continuing professional education programs. Results Significantly more intervention group participants (n=35) completed the study than the control group (n=25) (P<.001). The overall retention rate was 75% (60/80). The mean of changes in scores in the intervention group were significant in all assessments (P<.001). A significant difference in the mean of changes in scores between the two groups was identified in the DKAS subscale Communication and Behavior (95% CI 0.4-3.3, P=.02). There was no significant difference in the total DKAS scores, scores of other DKAS subscales, and multiple choice questions. Participant compliance was significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group (P<.001). The mean numbers of participants accessing the learning materials were 31.5 (SD 3.9) and 17.6 (SD 5.2) in the intervention and control group, respectively. Polls attracted the highest level of participant engagement, followed by videos. Intervention group participants scored significantly higher in favoring the use of Facebook for the continuing education program (P=.03). Overall, participants were satisfied with the interventions (mean score 4 of a total of 5, SD 0.6). Conclusions The significantly higher retention rate, together with the high levels of participant compliance and engagement, demonstrate that Facebook is a promising tool for professional education. Education delivered through Facebook was significantly more effective at improving participants’ knowledge of how people with dementia communicate and behave. Participants demonstrated positive attitudes toward utilizing Facebook for professional learning. These findings provide evidence for the feasibility of using Facebook as an intervention delivery tool in a manner that can be rolled out into practical settings.

scholarly journals Facebook as a Novel Tool for Continuous Professional Education on Dementia: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Windy SY Chan ◽  
Angela YM Leung
Keyword(s):  
Professional Education ◽  
Retention Rate ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Multiple Choice Questions ◽  
Participant Engagement ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean ◽  
And Control

BACKGROUND Social network sites (SNSs) are widely exploited in health education and communication by the general public, including patients with various conditions. Nevertheless, there is an absence of evidence evaluating SNSs in connecting health professionals for professional purposes. OBJECTIVE This pilot randomized controlled trial was designed to evaluate the feasibility of an intervention aiming to investigate the effects of a continuous professional education program utilizing Facebook to obtain knowledge on dementia and care for patients with dementia. METHODS Eighty health professionals from Hong Kong were recruited for participation in the study and randomized at a 1:1 ratio by a block randomization method to the intervention group (n=40) and control group (n=40). The intervention was an 8-week educational program developed to deliver updated knowledge on dementia care from a multidisciplinary perspective, either by Facebook (intervention group) or by email (control group) from October 2018 to January 2019. The primary outcomes were the effects of the intervention, measured by differences in the means of changes in pre- and postintervention scores of knowledge assessments from the 25-item Dementia Knowledge Assessment Scale (DKAS) and formative evaluation of 20 multiple choice questions. Other outcome measurements included participant compliance, participant engagement in Facebook, satisfaction, and self-perceived uses of Facebook for continuing professional education programs. RESULTS Significantly more intervention group participants (n=35) completed the study than the control group (n=25) (<i>P</i>&lt;.001). The overall retention rate was 75% (60/80). The mean of changes in scores in the intervention group were significant in all assessments (<i>P</i>&lt;.001). A significant difference in the mean of changes in scores between the two groups was identified in the DKAS subscale Communication and Behavior (95% CI 0.4-3.3, <i>P</i>=.02). There was no significant difference in the total DKAS scores, scores of other DKAS subscales, and multiple choice questions. Participant compliance was significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group (<i>P</i>&lt;.001). The mean numbers of participants accessing the learning materials were 31.5 (SD 3.9) and 17.6 (SD 5.2) in the intervention and control group, respectively. Polls attracted the highest level of participant engagement, followed by videos. Intervention group participants scored significantly higher in favoring the use of Facebook for the continuing education program (<i>P</i>=.03). Overall, participants were satisfied with the interventions (mean score 4 of a total of 5, SD 0.6). CONCLUSIONS The significantly higher retention rate, together with the high levels of participant compliance and engagement, demonstrate that Facebook is a promising tool for professional education. Education delivered through Facebook was significantly more effective at improving participants’ knowledge of how people with dementia communicate and behave. Participants demonstrated positive attitudes toward utilizing Facebook for professional learning. These findings provide evidence for the feasibility of using Facebook as an intervention delivery tool in a manner that can be rolled out into practical settings.

The effectiveness of emotional freedom techniques (EFT) on depression of postmenopausal women: a randomized controlled trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Asieh Mehdipour ◽  
Parvin Abedi ◽  
Somayeh Ansari ◽  
Maryam Dastoorpoor
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Postmenopausal Women ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Moderate Depression ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Mean ◽  
And Control

Abstract Objectives Postmenopausal women are at greater risk of depression. Depression may negatively affect the quality of life of women. An emotional freedom technique (EFT) is an evidence-based therapy combining cognitive and exposure components with acupressure. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of EFT on depression in postmenopausal women. Methods This was a randomized controlled trial in which 88 women with mild to moderate depression recruited from a menopausal clinic in Ahvaz, Iran, and randomly assigned into two groups of EFT (n=44) and control for sham therapy (n=44). Women in the EFT group received two sessions of training and asked to continue EFT for 8 weeks, one time per day. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI2) completed by women before and after the intervention. The control group received training on sham acupressure points similar to the intervention group. Data collected using a demographic and BDI2. Women requested to complete the BDI2 before and after the intervention. The independent t-test, chi-square, and ANCOVA were used to analyze data. Results The mean depression score in the intervention group reduced from 20.93 ± 4.6 to 10.96 ± 4.38 in comparison to the control group that reduced from 19.18 ± 2.79 to 17.01 ± 6.05 after intervention (p=0.001). After the 8 week intervention, the frequency of moderate depression decreased from 56.8 to 9.35% in the intervention and from 50 to 29.5% in the control group. In total, 63.4 and 34.15% in the intervention and control groups were free of depression respectively after the intervention (p<0.001). Conclusions The results of this study showed that using EFT for 8 weeks could significantly reduce the mean score of depression in postmenopausal women. Using this method in public health centers for postmenopausal women is recommended.

scholarly journals Effect of Hope-oriented group counseling on mental health of infertile women with failed IVF cycles: a randomized controlled trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Roya Rahimi ◽  
Shirin Hasanpour ◽  
Mojgan. Mirghafourvand ◽  
Khalil Esmaeilpour
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Group Counseling ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Mean Difference ◽  
Control Group ◽  
The Mean ◽  
And Control

Abstract Background Considering the prevalence of infertility in the community and the consequences of failure of infertility treatments on women’s mental health, interventions that can control stress, anxiety and depression in infertile women with a history of IVF failure will be very helpful. This study aimed to determine the effects of hope-oriented group counseling on mental health (primary outcome) and quality of life (QoL) (secondary outcome) of women with failed IVF cycles. Method This randomized controlled trial was conducted on 60 women with failed IVF cycles visiting Infertility Clinic at Al-Zahra Teaching Hospital of Tabriz- Iran. Participants were allocated to the intervention group (n = 30) and control group (n = 30) based on a randomized block design. Hope-oriented group counseling was provided to the intervention group in six 45–60 min sessions (once a week). The control group only received routine care to undergo another IVF cycle. The Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) and the SF-12 Quality of Life Scale were filled out by interviewing the participants before the intervention and one week and one month after the intervention. After intervention 26 participants in each group were included in the analysis. Results There was no significant difference between the intervention and control groups in the socio-demographic profile of participants (P > 0.05). The post-intervention mean score of stress (adjusted mean difference = − 1.7, 95% confidence interval: − 3.2 to − 0.3, P = 0.018) and depression (adjusted mean difference = − 1.3, 95% confidence interval: − 4.7 to − 1.5, P < 0.001) was significantly lower in the intervention group compared to the control. Although the mean anxiety score was lower in the intervention group compared to the control, the difference between them was not statistically significant (adjusted mean difference = − 1.1, 95% confidence interval: − 2.6 to 0.4, P = 0.153). The mean score of QoL was significantly higher in the intervention group than that of the control group (adjusted mean difference = 6.9, 95% confidence interval: 5.1 to 8.8, P < 0.001). Conclusion Hope-oriented group counseling was effective in reducing stress and depression and improving QoL in women with failed IVF cycles. It is recommended to use this counseling approach, along with other methods, to improve the mental health of women with failed IVF cycles. Trial registration TCT Registration Number: TCTR 20191017003, registered on October 17, 2019.

scholarly journals Comparison of the Effect of Inhalation Aromatherapy with 10% and 30% Peppermint Essential Oils on the Severity of Nausea in Abdominal Surgery Patients

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Yasin Ahmadi ◽  
Jahangir Rezaei ◽  
Mansour Rezaei ◽  
Alireza Khatony
Keyword(s):  
Abdominal Surgery ◽  
Essential Oils ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Green Food ◽  
Severity Scores ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Mean ◽  
And Control

Background. One of the most common surgical complications is nausea. Regarding the contradictory findings on the effect of aromatherapy with peppermint on the severity of nausea, in the present study, we aimed at comparing the effect of aromatherapy with 10% and 30% peppermint essential oils on the severity of nausea in surgical patients. Methods. This single-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted at the surgical ward of Imam Reza Hospital in Kermanshah, Iran. A total of 120 patients undergoing abdominal surgery were randomly divided into three groups of 10% peppermint, 30% peppermint, and control (40 patients in each group) using a random number table. In each of the intervention groups, 0.2 ml of 10% and 30% peppermint essential oil was inhaled. In the control group, the same amount of distilled water colored with green food coloring was inhaled. The severity of nausea was measured by nausea visual analog scale (NVAS) before and 10 minutes after the intervention. Results. In the 10% peppermint group, the mean severity of nausea before the intervention was 52.3 ± 13.7 out of 100, which reduced to 40.5 ± 13.5 after the intervention (p<0.001). In the 30% peppermint group, the mean severity scores of nausea before and after the intervention were 60.2 ± 15.0 and 39.7 ± 12.4, respectively (p<0.001). In the control group, the mean severity scores of nausea before and after the intervention was not statistically significant. There was no significant difference between the two intervention groups in terms of the mean severity of nausea after the intervention. Conclusions. It can be concluded that 10% and 30% peppermint essential oils are equally effective on the severity of nausea.

scholarly journals The Effect of Black Tea (Camellia sinensis (L) Kuntze) on Pediatrics With Acute Nonbacterial Diarrhea

2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 114-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sareh Doustfatemeh ◽  
Mohammad Hadi Imanieh ◽  
Abdolali Mohagheghzade ◽  
Mohammad M. Zarshenas ◽  
Zahra Torkamani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Standard Treatment ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Black Tea ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Old Patients ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean ◽  
And Control ◽  
Single Blind

We aimed to evaluate the antidiarrheal effect of black tea in pediatric patients with acute nonbacterial diarrhea. This single-blind randomized clinical trial study was performed on 2 to 12-year-old patients, with acceptable criteria for acute nonbacterial diarrhea in Shiraz, Iran. In total, 120 patients took part in this study. Blocked randomization method was used to allocate them into 2 groups of intervention (black tea tablet + standard treatment) and control group (standard treatment; 60 patients in each). Frequency of defecation, volume, and consistency of stool were registered on arrival and 24 hours later. We used χ2 test, t test, and Mann-Whitney U test. After a 24-hour follow-up, the proportion of patients with formed stool was higher in the intervention group when compared with the control group ( P < .001). There was a significant difference between the mean number of defecations per 24 hours in both groups, after treatment ( P < .001). We found a possible antidiarrheal effect of black tea.

scholarly journals The effect of distraction techniques on pain and stress during labor: a randomized controlled clinical trial

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paria Amiri ◽  
Mojgan Mirghafourvand ◽  
Khalil Esmaeilpour ◽  
Mahin Kamalifard ◽  
Reyhaneh Ivanbagha
Keyword(s):  
Intervention Group ◽  
Active Phase ◽  
Labor Pain ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Controlled Clinical Trial ◽  
Fear Of Childbirth ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean ◽  
And Control

Abstract Background Pain control and the stress associated with labor and delivery are among the most important issues of health care system. Use of distraction techniques during childbirth is reported to reduce pain and stress of labor. However, there is a limited publication that looked on the effect of distraction techniques on labor pain and stress. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of distraction techniques on labor pain and stress (primary outcomes), fear of childbirth, length of delivery stages, first minute Apgar score and oxytocin consumption (secondary outcomes). Methods A randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 68 pregnant women. Participants were allocated into two groups (intervention and control groups) by blocked randomization. Participants in the intervention group received distraction techniques in four sessions. Questionnaires of Fear of Childbirth (W-DEQ version A) and PSS once were completed before intervention and again at the 36th week for the W-DEQ and in the active phase for the PSS through interviews. The pain was assessed through VAS during active phase per hour. The length of delivery stages was recorded in the partograph chart. Data were analyzed by independent t-test and ANCOVA. Results The mean of perceived stress during labor in the intervention group was significantly less than that of the control group (AMD: -3.2; 95% CI: − 0.8 to − 6.0; P = 0.01). The mean (SD) of pain intensity during labor was less than in the intervention and control groups compare to the control group (6.2 vs 7.5; P < 0.001). There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of fear of childbirth score (AMD: 5.3; 95% CI: 13.0 to − 6.0; P = − 2.3). Moreover, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of the active phase of labor (P = 0.504), second stage of delivery (P = 0.928), total length of delivery (P = 0.520), Apgar score (P = 1.000) and frequency of oxytocin consumption (P = 0.622). Conclusion According to the results, distraction techniques can reduce the pain and stress of labor, but further studies by using the distraction techniques are needed to reach a decisive conclusion. Trial registration IRCT2017042910324N39; Name of registry: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials; Registered 11 September 2017. URL of registry: https://fa.irct.ir/user/trial/10814/view. Date of enrolment of the first participant to the trial: September 2017.

scholarly journals The Effect of Distraction Techniques on Pain and Stress during Labor: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paria Amiri ◽  
Mojgan Mirghafourvand ◽  
Khalil Esmaeilpour ◽  
Mahin Kamalifard ◽  
Reyhaneh Ivanbagha
Keyword(s):  
Intervention Group ◽  
Active Phase ◽  
Labor Pain ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Controlled Clinical Trial ◽  
Fear Of Childbirth ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean ◽  
And Control

Abstract Background: Pain control and the stress associated with labor and delivery are among the most important issues of health care system. Use of distraction techniques during childbirth is reported to reduce pain and stress of labor. However, there is a limited publication that looked on the effect of distraction techniques on labor pain and stress. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of distraction techniques on labor pain and stress (primary outcomes), fear of childbirth, length of delivery stages, first minute Apgar score and oxytocin consumption (secondary outcomes). Methods: A randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 68 pregnant women. Participants were allocated into two groups (intervention and control groups) by blocked randomization. Participants in the intervention group received distraction techniques in four sessions. Questionnaires of Fear of Childbirth (W-DEQ version A) and PSS once were completed before intervention and again at the 36th week for the W-DEQ and in the active phase for the PSS through interviews. The pain was assessed through VAS during active phase per hour. The length of delivery stages was recorded in the partograph chart. Data were analyzed by independent t-test and ANCOVA . Results: The mean of perceived stress during labor in the intervention group was significantly less than that of the control group (AMD: -3.2; 95% CI: -0.8 to -6.0; P= 0.01). The mean (SD) of pain intensity during labor was less than in the intervention and control groups compare to the control group (6.2 vs 7.5; P<0.001). There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of fear of childbirth score (AMD: 5.3; 95% CI: 13.0 to -6.0; P= -2.3). Moreover, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of the active phase of labor (P= 0.504), second stage of delivery (P= 0.928), total length of delivery (P= 0.520), Apgar score (P= 1.000) and frequency of oxytocin consumption (P= 0.622). Conclusion: According to the results, distraction techniques can reduce the pain and stress of labor, but further studies by using the distraction techniques are needed to reach a decisive conclusion .

Transtheoretical model for change in obese adolescents: MERC randomized clinical trial

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (13-14) ◽  
pp. 2272-2285 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raquel de Melo Boff ◽  
Marina Alves Dornelles ◽  
Ana Maria Pandolfo Feoli ◽  
Andreia da Silva Gustavo ◽  
Margareth da Silva Oliveira
Keyword(s):  
Transtheoretical Model ◽  
Readiness To Change ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Transtheoretical Model Of Change ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Obese Adolescents ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
And Control

The randomized controlled trial evaluated the effectiveness of an intervention based on the Transtheoretical Model of Change on anthropometric, metabolic and motivational outcomes in obese adolescents. A total of 135 male and female adolescents were randomized to two groups: intervention group ( n = 65) and control group ( n = 70). The adolescents were evaluated 1 week before the interventions began and at the end of 12 weeks. There was no statistically significant difference between groups in the outcome variables. Intervention group reported magnitude of effect more expressive on body mass index percentile, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, readiness to change diet and readiness to start exercise.

scholarly journals The Effect of Teaching Palliative Care on the Self-Efficacy of Elderly Patients with Chronic Heart Failure

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 201-207
Author(s):  
Mahnaz Modanloo ◽  
Ameneh Tazikeh-Lemeski ◽  
Shohreh Kolagari
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Palliative Care ◽  
Chronic Heart Failure ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean ◽  
And Control

ABSTRACTObjetive: Determine the effect of teaching palliative care on the self-efficacy of elderly with Chronic Heart Failure. Material and Methods: This single-blind randomized clinical trial was done on patients with Chronic Heart Failure attending to the heart clinics of Golestan University of Medical Sciences in 2018. 48 eligible patients with class-III were selected via convenience sampling. Patients allocated into control and intervention group randomly (n=32). Palliative care training was done for intervention group for six weeks. Data was gathered through the Cardiac Self-Efficacy Scale (CSES) on three time points (before, immediately, and one month after intervention). Data were analyzed in SPSS-18 using independent t-test, chi-squared, Fisher's exact, and repeated-measures ANOVA with corrected Bonferroni post-hoc test. Results: Finding showed that before intervention the mean scores of self-efficacy in intervention and control group was 23.95±8.34 and 24.11±9.41, respectively. Immediate and one month after intervention it was 26.30±8.30 vs. 28.95±8.53 in intervention group and 24.68±9.32 vs. 25.53±10.39 in control group. In intervention group there was no significant difference between the mean scores of before with immediate and one month after intervention. However, there was a significant difference between the two time follow up in both intervention (p<0.0001) and control (p<0.003) groups. Conclusion: Although the education of palliative care has increased the ability to care in elderly, it seems that self-managing in complex conditions is required follow-up over time.

scholarly journals Investigating the effect of Sesame Ointment on Wound healing of Episiotomy

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 182-184
Author(s):  
Najmeh Amani Babadi ◽  
Masoomeh Kheirkhah ◽  
Faraz Mojab ◽  
Hamid Haghani
Keyword(s):  
Wound Healing ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
P Value ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Randomized Control ◽  
Spss Software ◽  
And Control

Episiotomy is one of the most common midwifery interventions method for preventing injuries to the pelvic floor during the delivery process. Traditional medicine has a special place in improving the quality of postpartum care. Sesame is one of the herbs with anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and antioxidant activity.  This study was evaluate the effect of sesame ointment on episiotomy healing. Methods: This randomized control clinical trial was performed on 104 eligible women. The samples were block randomly assigned to one of the groups Intervention and control. Samples were used sesame and placebo ointment for epizootics from 4 hours after delivery for ten days every 8 hours. Clinical evaluation of episiotomy ulcer was performed 4 hours, 7 and 10 days after delivery with using REEDA tool. SPSS software version 16 was used for data analysis. P value less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The average of wound healing rate was 7 days after episiotomy in the intervention group 0.09 ± 0.29 and in the control group was 0.73 ± 0.44. Independent t-test showed that the two groups had a significant difference (p <0.001).Healing of the wound 10 days after episiotomy showed that the mean scores in the control group (0.4 ± 0.49) and in the intervention group (0.02 ± 0.13), healing in the intervention group significantly decreased from the control group (p <0.001). Conclusion: Sesame ointment can be used as a pain relief and accelerator for episiotomy healing.  

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