Smartphone app as a follow-up tool after cardiac rehabilitation: Single-arm feasibility study (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pernille Lunde ◽  
Birgitta Blakstad Nilsson ◽  
Astrid Bergland ◽  
Asta Bye

BACKGROUND Long-term maintenance of preventive activities is fundamental for achieving improved outcomes of cardiac rehabilitation (CR). Despite this, it is shown to be a major challenge for many patients to follow recommendations and thereby adhere to a heart-friendly lifestyle. Smartphone applications (apps) have been emphasized as potential tools to promote preventive activities after attendance in a CR program. Before commencing a trial to assess the potential effect of using an app for long-term adherence to preventive activities after attendance in CR, a study to assess the feasibility of the intervention is warranted. OBJECTIVE To assess the feasibility of an intervention where an app is used as a tool enabling individualized and monitored follow-up for patients after attendance in a CR program. METHODS Experimental, pre-post single arm trial, lasting for 12 weeks. All patients received access to an app aimed to guide people to change or to maintain a heart friendly lifestyle. During the study period, they got weekly, individualized follow-up through the app, based on their own goalsetting. Feasibility outcome assessed were adherence to the intervention, recruitment rate, resource requirements and efficacy regarding capability to detect a difference on quality of life (QoL), health status and perceived goal achievement as well as evaluating ceiling and floor effect in these outcomes. Criteria’s for success were preset to be able to evaluate whether the intervention were feasible in a potential future RCT. RESULTS All 14 patients included in the study used the app to promote preventive activities throughout the study. Satisfaction with the technology were high and the patients found the technology based follow-up intervention both useful and motivational. In total, 71% of the patients completed CR were eligible for a potential RCT as well as for the present study. Ceiling effect was achieved in more than 50% of the patients in questionnaires evaluating quality of life (SF-36 and COOP/WONCA) and health status (EQ-5D). Overall self-rated health status (EQ VAS) and perceived goal achievement were found to be able to detect a difference through the study. CONCLUSIONS Individual follow-up intervention through an app after attendance in CR is feasible. All patients used the app for preventive activities and found the follow-up intervention through an app as both useful and motivating for adherence to a heart-friendly lifestyle. Several points of guidance from the patients in the current study has been taken along and have contributed to the final design of the RCT now in the field.

2015 ◽  
pp. 267-273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Gierat-Haponiuk ◽  
Ireneusz Haponiuk ◽  
Dominika Szalewska ◽  
Maciej Chojnicki ◽  
Radosław Jaworski ◽  
...  

Neurosurgery ◽  
2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanna Israelsson ◽  
Anders Eklund ◽  
Jan Malm

Abstract BACKGROUND The short- and long-term impact of cerebrospinal fluid shunting on quality of life (QoL) in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (INPH) is poorly understood. OBJECTIVE To investigate QoL in shunted INPH patients compared to the population and to investigate which factors influence QoL in INPH. METHODS INPH patients consecutively shunted in Sweden during 2008-2010 were scrutinized. Population-based controls were age- and sex-matched to the patients. Included participants were the following: 176 INPH patients and 368 controls. QoL was assessed using the EuroQol 5-dimension 5-level (EQ5D5L) instrument, which measures overall QoL and health status in 5 dimensions. Independency (accommodation and/or need for in-home care) and comorbidities were assessed. Patients were followed up 6-45 mo after surgery (mean follow-up time: 21 mo). RESULTS Shunting improved QoL (P < .001) and health status in all dimensions (P < .005). Shunted INPH patients had lower QoL than controls (P < .001). The patients’ health status in mobility, self-care, daily activities, and anxiety/depression was worse than the controls both before and after surgery (P < .001). The main predictors of low QoL in INPH were symptoms of depression (P < .001) and severity of gait disturbance (P = .001). Fewer INPH patients than controls lived independently (45% vs 85%, P < .001). Time after shunting had no influence on QoL. CONCLUSION QoL remains improved in shunted INPH patients at a mean follow-up time of 21 mo, but the patients do not reach the same QoL as the population. Symptoms of depression and severity of gait disturbance are the strongest predictors of low QoL in INPH.


2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 84-84
Author(s):  
Egle Jezerskyte ◽  
Suzanne Gisbertz ◽  
Mark I Van Berge Henegouwen ◽  
Luca Saadeh ◽  
Marco Scarpa

Abstract Background Treatment of distal esophageal and gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancers is challenging. The therapy for these cancers mainly consist of (neo)adjuvant chemo(radio)therapy and surgery. There are different surgical approaches possible for these patients: transthoracic esophagectomy with a cervical anastomosis (McKeown) or an intrathoracic anastomosis (Ivor Lewis). However, there is no evidence which is the preferred approach in terms of oncology, morbidity and quality of life. The aim of this study was to investigate the difference in the long-term quality of life in patients undergoing McKeown (McK) versus Ivor Lewis (IL) esophagectomy in a tertiary referral center. Methods Consecutive patients after either McK or IL for distal oesophagus, GEJ or proximal gastric carcinoma were asked to fill in EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-OG25 questionnaires to evaluate quality of life during the period of January 2014 – December 2017. EORTC QLQ-INFO25 quality of life questionnaire was used to evaluate information needs of patients in both groups. All answers with a long follow up (> 1 year) after surgery were analysed. Results In the McK group 62 and in the IL group 110 patients were included. Median follow up was 3 years for McK and 2 years for IL. Median age was 62,4 years. Cognitive functioning was significantly better in the IL group (P = 0.038). Complaints of dyspnoe (P = 0.004) and dysphagia (P = 0.028) were significantly higher in the McK group. Patients after IL had significantly less trouble with eating with others (P = 0.003), trouble with taste (P = 0.032), chocking when swallowing (P = 0.022) and trouble with talking (P = 0.038). There was no significant difference in global health status or physical, role, social or emotional functioning. Furthermore there was no difference in symptoms of nausea, fatigue, pain, discomfort or information scores between McK and IL groups. Conclusion After a follow up of > 1 year no differences in global health status or physical, role, social or emotional functioning scales between McK and IL esophagectomy were found. However, significant differences in some symptom scales and cognitive functioning were observed in favor of IL. These findings should be taken into consideration when deciding between a McK and IL esophagectomy in patients where both procedures are feasible. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.


2012 ◽  
Vol 60 (S 01) ◽  
Author(s):  
I Kammerer ◽  
M Höhn ◽  
AH Kiessling ◽  
S Becker ◽  
FU Sack

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 416
Author(s):  
Carla Piano ◽  
Francesco Bove ◽  
Delia Mulas ◽  
Enrico Di Stasio ◽  
Alfonso Fasano ◽  
...  

Previous investigations have reported on the motor benefits and safety of chronic extradural motor cortex stimulation (EMCS) for patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD), but studies addressing the long-term clinical outcome are still lacking. In this study, nine consecutive PD patients who underwent EMCS were prospectively recruited, with a mean follow-up time of 5.1 ± 2.5 years. As compared to the preoperatory baseline, the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS)-III in the off-medication condition significantly decreased by 13.8% at 12 months, 16.1% at 18 months, 18.4% at 24 months, 21% at 36 months, 15.6% at 60 months, and 8.6% at 72 months. The UPDRS-IV decreased by 30.8% at 12 months, 22.1% at 24 months, 25% at 60 months, and 36.5% at 72 months. Dopaminergic therapy showed a progressive reduction, significant at 60 months (11.8%). Quality of life improved by 18.0% at 12 months, and 22.4% at 60 months. No surgical complication, cognitive or behavioral change occurred. The only adverse event reported was an infection of the implantable pulse generator pocket. Even in the long-term follow-up, EMCS was shown to be a safe and effective treatment option in PD patients, resulting in improvements in motor symptoms and quality of life, and reductions in motor complications and dopaminergic therapy.


2021 ◽  
pp. 000313482198905
Author(s):  
John A. Perrone ◽  
Stephanie Yee ◽  
Manrique Guerrero ◽  
Antai Wang ◽  
Brian Hanley ◽  
...  

Introduction After extensive mediastinal dissection fails to achieve adequate intra-abdominal esophageal length, a Collis gastroplasty(CG) is recommended to decrease axial tension and reduce hiatal hernia recurrence. However, concerns exist about staple line leak, and long-term symptoms of heartburn and dysphagia due to the acid-producing neoesophagus which lacks peristaltic activity. This study aimed to assess long-term satisfaction and GERD-related quality of life after robotic fundoplication with CG (wedge fundectomy technique) and to compare outcomes to patients who underwent fundoplication without CG. Outcomes studied included patient satisfaction, resumption of proton pump inhibitors (PPI), length of surgery (LOS), hospital stay, and reintervention. Methods This was a single-center retrospective analysis of patients from January 2017 through December 2018 undergoing elective robotic hiatal hernia repair and fundoplication. 61 patients were contacted for follow-up, of which 20 responded. Of those 20 patients, 7 had a CG performed during surgery while 13 did not. There was no significant difference in size and type of hiatal hernias in the 2 groups. These patients agreed to give their feedback via a GERD health-related quality of life (GERD HRQL) questionnaire. Their medical records were reviewed for LOS, length of hospital stay (LOH), and reintervention needed. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v 25. Satisfaction and need for PPIs were compared between the treatment and control groups using the chi-square test of independence. Results Statistical analysis showed that satisfaction with outcome and PPI resumption was not significantly different between both groups ( P > .05). There was a significant difference in the average ranks between the 2 groups for the question on postoperative dysphagia on the follow-up GERD HRQL questionnaire, with the group with CG reporting no dysphagia. There were no significant differences in the average ranks between the 2 groups for the remaining 15 questions ( P > .05). The median LOS was longer in patients who had a CG compared to patients who did not (250 vs. 148 min) ( P = .01). The LOH stay was not significantly different ( P > .05) with a median length of stay of 2 days observed in both groups. There were no leaks in the Collis group and no reoperations, conversions, or blood transfusions needed in either group. Conclusion Collis gastroplasty is a safe option to utilize for short esophagus noted despite extensive mediastinal mobilization and does not adversely affect the LOH stay, need for reoperation, or patient long-term satisfaction.


Author(s):  
Loay Shoubash ◽  
Jörg Baldauf ◽  
Marc Matthes ◽  
Michael Kirsch ◽  
Matthias Rath ◽  
...  

AbstractThe aim of this study is to analyze the long-term quality of life after surgery of cavernoma. A monocentric retrospective study was conducted on 69 patients with cavernoma treated microsurgically between 2000 and 2016. The eloquence was adopted from Spetzler-Martin definition. A most recent follow-up was elicited between 2017 and 2019, in which the quality of life (QoL) was evaluated with the Short Form-12 questionnaire (SF12). Forty-one lesions were in eloquent group (EG), 22 in non-eloquent group (NEG), 3 in orbit, and 3 in the spinal cord. Postoperative worsening of the modified Rankin scale (mRS) occurred in 19.5% of cases in EG versus 4.5% in NEG. After a mean follow-up of 6.5 years (SD 4.6), the neurological status was better or unchanged compared to baseline in 85.4% of EG and 100% of NEG. Regarding QoL assessment of 44 patients (EG n = 27, NEG n = 14) attended the last follow-up. Patients after eloquent cavernoma resection reported a non-inferior QoL in most SF12 domains (except for physical role) compared to NEG. However, they reported general health perception inferior to norms, which was affected by the limited physical and emotional roles. At a late follow-up, the surgical morbidity was transient in the NEG and mostly recovered in the EG. The QoL comparison between eloquent and non-eloquent cavernomas created interesting and new data after prolonged follow-up. These results add value for decision-making as well as patient counseling for future encountered cases. Preoperative evaluation of QoL is recommended for future studies to assess QoL dynamics.


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