Effectiveness of a virtual-reality anti-stigma application to reduce the stigma of depression: a randomized controlled trial (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Public stigma against depression contributes to low employment rates among individuals with depression and self-stigmatization of people with depression. Contact-based educational (CBE) interventions, either using in-person contact or video-based contact, have been shown to reduce stigma against mental illness effectively. In-person contacts can stimulate empathy in participants but are challenging to arrange, while video-based contact is cost-effective but encounters difficulty stimulating empathy towards the patient. In this paper, we examined the usefulness of the virtual-reality anti-stigma (VRAS) application to reduce public stigma. OBJECTIVE To develop and evaluate a VRAS application that could provide CBE intervention without using real patients. METHODS Sixteen medical students were recruited and randomized 1:1 to intervention and control groups. Participants in the intervention group (VRAS group) used the VRAS application, while those in the control group watched video material on depression. Participants' depression stigma score was assessed using the Depression Stigma Scale (DSS) and Attitudinal Social Distance (ASD), both pre-and post-intervention. The feasibility of both the VRAS application and video, and the utility of the VRAS application was also evaluated post-intervention. RESULTS Feasibility score was significantly higher in the intervention group (mean 5.63, SD 0.74) than in the control group (mean 3.88, SD 1.73; P=.03). This result indicates that the VRAS application promoted an understanding of stigma in participants. However, no significant differences were apparent between the intervention and control groups for DSS (intervention: mean 35.13, SD 5.30; control: mean 35.38, SD 4.50; P=.92) or ASD (intervention: mean 12.25, SD 3.33; control: mean 11.25, SD 1.91; P=.92). Stigma scores tended to decrease, but the stigma-reducing effects of the VRAS application were not statistically significant for either DSS (pre: mean 33.00, SD 4.44; post: mean 35.13, SD 5.30; P=.12) or ASD (pre: mean 13.25, SD 3.92; post: mean 12.25, SD 3.33; P=.12). CONCLUSIONS No significant differences in mean DSS or ASD were seen between VRAS and control groups. However, one item in the feasibility score showed a significant difference, and feedback comments suggested that VRAS was effective in educating about the stigma of depression. CLINICALTRIAL University hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN-CTR) UMIN000043020; https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000049109

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Perceptions of caregivers on immunization in Ntungamo district, Uganda

International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health ◽

10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20214559 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (12) ◽

pp. 5729

Author(s):

Byamukama Topher ◽

Keraka M. Margaret ◽

Gitonga Eliphas

Keyword(s):

Risk Factor ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Systematic Sampling ◽

Control Group ◽

Post Intervention ◽

Mortality And Morbidity ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Quasi Experimental ◽

And Control

Background: Immunization is one of the most cost-effective public health interventions to reduce child mortality and morbidity associated with infectious diseases. The objective of this study was to determine the perceptions of caregivers on immunization in Ntungamo district.Methods: Quasi-experimental study was used with health centres assigned to intervention and control groups. Purposive sampling was used to select the two counties where the study was done. Proportional sampling was done to get study samples from each health facility, while systematic sampling was done to get study participants. A total of 787 children from twelve health facilities provided the study sample. A post intervention evaluation was conducted to determine the effect of these interventions. Association of variables was tested using Mann Whitney U-test and Chi-square.Results: On benefits, most caregivers in the intervention group (85.3%) and in the control group (54.3%) regarded immunization as very highly and moderately beneficial to their children respectively. On risks, most caregivers in the intervention group (85.5%) and control group (43.1%) regarded the risk factor associated with immunization as very low and moderate respectively. From hypothesis testing, there was a significant difference on the perceived benefits and risks of immunization between the intervention and control group.Conclusions: Most caregivers in the intervention and control group regarded immunization as very highly beneficial and moderately to their children respectively. Most of the caregivers in the intervention and control group regarded the risk factor associated with immunization as very low and moderate respectively.

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Investigation of the effect of the virtual reality application on experimental pain severity in healthy

Revista da Associação Médica Brasileira ◽

10.1590/1806-9282.65.3.446 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 65 (3) ◽

pp. 446-451

Author(s):

Dilek Karaman ◽

Funda Erol ◽

Dilek Yılmaz ◽

Yurdanur Dikmen

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Virtual Reality ◽

Control Group ◽

Control Groups ◽

Adult Type ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Mean ◽

And Control ◽

Experimental Group ◽

Virtual Reality Application

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the effect of virtual reality application on experimental ischemic pain created with a blood pressure instrument in healthy volunteers. METHODS: The research sample consisted of 172 volunteer adult students who conformed to the inclusion criteria. These individuals were assigned into an experimental (n=86) and a control group (n=86) by a simple randomization method. All individuals in the experimental and control groups wereexperimentally subjected to pain for two minutes by applying 260 mmHg of pressure 3-4 cm above the antecubital region of the left arm with an aneroid adult-type blood pressure instrument. During the procedure, the volunteers in the experimental group watched virtual reality images, while those in the control group received no intervention. Immediately after the procedure, the pain levels of the individuals in both groups were assessed with a Visual Analog Scale (VAS). RESULTS: We found that the mean pain score of the individuals in the experimental group was 2.62±1.82, and that of individuals in the control group was 5.75±1.65. Results of the statistical analysis showed a statistically significant difference between the mean pain scores of the individuals in the experimental and control groups (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: This study found that the use of virtual reality was effective in reducing the level of pain in healthy individuals. This method used a smartphone with widespread availability and ease of transportation, which can be used by health professionals as a non-pharmacological method in the management of pain.

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The Effect of Cognitive- Behavioral Counseling on the Sexual Compatibility of New Married Couples: A Clinical Trial Study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-78870/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Parvin Allahyari ◽

Mitra Kolivand ◽

Arash Namdari ◽

Khaled Rahmani

Keyword(s):

Intervention Group ◽

Married Couples ◽

Cognitive Behavioral ◽

Control Group ◽

Counseling Centers ◽

Control Groups ◽

Behavioral Counseling ◽

Sexual Compatibility ◽

Significant Difference ◽

And Control

Abstract Objective: sexual desire is an integral part of an identity and character of a human being, that affect how to behave with spouse. This study aimed to study the effect of cognitive-behavioral counseling (CBT) on sexual compatibility of new married couples in Sanandaj City in 2018. Method: This was a randomized clinical trial study and participants were 80 new married couples whose information was recorded at the premarital counseling centers that were randomly divided into intervention and control groups. Intervention group received 8 weekly 120-minute sessions of group consultation with cognitive-behavioral approach. Data were collected before the intervention, after 8 weeks of counseling, and two months after the last counseling session using the National Sexual Compatibility Scale. Data were analyzed using chi-square inferential statistics and independent t-test or nonparametric Mann-Whitney test. analysis of covariance was used to control of potential confounders. Results: The mean values of sexual compatibility in two intervention and control groups before counseling were 94.20±3.30 and 93.41±6.84 respectively. These scores reached to 100.11±2.96 in the intervention group and 98.83±3.66 in the control group immediately after the intervention. Also two months after the end of counseling, this rate was 101.98±4.03 in the intervention group and 98.83±3.66 in the control group. The intra-group comparison of sexual adjustment scores before and after counseling and two months after the intervention, showed a statistically significant difference (P <0.001). The trend of changes in the control group was not significant (P >0.05). There was a significant difference between two groups in level of scores two months after the intervention (P <0.001). Conclusion: CBT was effective in improving the level of sexual compatibility between new married couples. It is recommended to use this method of counseling, along with other services provided at pre-marriage counseling centers, to continue and improve the quality of sex and vitality of couples.

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Assessment of The Effect of Interprofessional Professionalism Training On The Surgical Team Members' Perception of The Ethical Climate

10.21203/rs.3.rs-842059/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Fatemeh Keshmiri ◽

Azam Hoseinpour

Keyword(s):

Operating Room ◽

Interprofessional Education ◽

Ethical Climate ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Educational Interventions ◽

Control Group ◽

Educational Systems ◽

Control Groups ◽

Significant Difference ◽

And Control

Abstract BackgroundThe aim of present study was to assess the effect of interprofessional education concerning interprofessional professionalism on learners' perception of the ethical climate of the operating room.MethodThe present study is quasi-experimental design. Learners include surgical residents, operating room technicians, and anesthesia technicians (n=130) that distributed to intervention and control groups. The objectives of the intervention were the development of competencies of ethics and professionalism (including communication, altruism, respect, and excellence). The educational strategy was interprofessional education and the main method of training was scenario-based learning. Participants completed the Olson Moral Climate Questionnaire before and one month after the intervention. We used descriptive tests (mean, SD, percentage), student t-test and ANOVA to compare the scores of learners in the intervention and control groups.ResultsThe results of the study showed that the scores of the learners in the intervention group 4.05 (0.31) improved significantly compared to the control group 3.35 (0.37) (P = 0.0001). The scores of learners in the domain of “managers” improved higher and the domain of physicians improved lesser than other domains. There was no significant difference between the three groups of residents, operating room, and anesthesia technicians in terms of moral climate scores.ConclusionIn the present study showed the positive effect of interprofessional education interventions on individuals' perceptions of the operating room ethical climate. It is suggest that educational interventions be planned and implemented continuously in the educational systems and hospitals.

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Prophylactic Effect of Memantine in Docetaxel Induced Neuropathy in Patients With Breast Cancer

10.21203/rs.3.rs-692391/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Pegah Mohammadzadeh ◽

Elnaz Shaseb ◽

Zohreh Sanaat ◽

Parvin Sarbakhsh ◽

Nasrin Gholami ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Peripheral Neuropathy ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Metastatic Breast ◽

Control Group ◽

P Value ◽

Control Groups ◽

Significant Difference ◽

And Control

Abstract Purpose Peripheral neuropathy is a complication of taxane that in severe cases can limit the optimal treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of memantine in prevention of docetaxel induced peripheral neuropathy in patients with breast cancer. Methods In this randomized clinical trial, 40 women between the ages of 18 and 64 years with non-metastatic breast cancer (stages I to III) were included (registry number: IRCT20160310026998N9 and registry date: 26 March 2019). All patients were treated with the AC-T regimen (with docetaxel). Patients in intervention group received memantine at a dose of 20 mg for 8 weeks at the beginning of the first cycle of docetaxel. Patients in control group did not take any medication for neuropathy prevention. To assess the neuropathy, DN4 and CTCAE questionnaires were used at baseline, one months, three months and six months after the intervention. Results The DN4 questionnaire score was remarkably less in memantine group in follow up one (p-value: 0.033) and three (p < 00.1). The CTCAE follow up score did not change during study. The Neuropathy duration and Neuropathy onset, were shown significant difference between the intervention and control groups, p = 0.050 and p = 0.001, respectively. From 40 patients, 8 (40%) in memantine group and 2 (10%) in control group, did not experience any kind of neuropathy. Conclusion Data showed that prophylactic administration of memantine 20 mg/day has been effective in prevention of severity and incidence of docetaxel induced neuropathy in patients with breast cancer.

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Effects of vibration on chronic leg edema in chair-bound older adults: A randomized pilot trial

10.21203/rs.3.rs-54743/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Sayumi Tsuchiya ◽

Aya Sato ◽

Terumi Ueda ◽

Misako Dai ◽

Mayumi Okuwa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pilot Trial ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Nursing Home Residents ◽

Interquartile Range ◽

Control Group ◽

Control Groups ◽

Post Intervention ◽

Leg Edema ◽

Clinical Trials Registry ◽

And Control

Abstract BackgroundElderly individuals can easily develop leg edema that can become chronic, which may result in various problems. Therefore, appropriate care for the edema should be provided. In some cases, chronic leg edema among elderly individuals cannot be controlled by the standard care such as leg elevation or compression. A previous study reported that vibration benefited upper limb lymphedema; however, its effects on chronic leg edema are not yet clarified. Therefore, this study aimed to clarify the effects of vibration for reducing chronic leg edema among chair-bound elderly individuals.MethodsFor participant allocation, a computer-generated list of random numbers was used. Nursing home residents aged ≥65 years with chronic leg edema who spent more time sitting than standing or lying during the day were randomly assigned to the intervention (n = 7) or control group (n = 7). The intervention group underwent vibration therapy three times a day for 2 weeks at 47 Hz and 1.78 m/s2 frequency and horizontal vibration acceleration, respectively. The pitting test was performed at 22 sites, and participants’ pitting scores were calculated based on the pitting depth. Pitting score changes at pre- and post-intervention were compared between the intervention and control groups. Both participants and investigators were not blinded to group assignment.ResultsThe median age of the intervention and control groups was 86 and 84 years, respectively. Participants’ characteristics and edema severity at baseline were not significantly different. The median total pitting score change in the intervention group was −0.4 (interquartile range: −5.3–1.8), which was significantly lower than that of the control group (2.0 [interquartile range: 1.0－5.3], P = 0.01). The intervention group was more likely to have controlled edema (64.3%) than the control group (21.4%) (χ2 (1) = 5.25, P = 0.02).ConclusionsThe intervention group was more likely to have controlled edema than the control group, suggesting that vibration could prevent the worsening of chronic leg edema in chair-bound elderly individuals.Trial registration: UMIN Clinical Trials Registry, UMIN000017716. Registered 1 July 2015, https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000020522

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The Effect of Humor Intervention Program on Positive and Negative Symptoms among Schizophrenic Patients

10.53350/pjmhs211572022 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 15 (7) ◽

pp. 2022-2028

Author(s):

Eman Asran Mohamed ◽

Enayat Abd El Wahab Khalil ◽

Zeinab Abd El Halim Osman ◽

Mona Rakhawy ◽

Naglaa Mostafa G

Keyword(s):

Intervention Program ◽

Negative Symptoms ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Intervention Group ◽

University Hospital ◽

Control Group ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Schizophrenic Patients ◽

And Control ◽

Positive And Negative Symptoms

Background: Schizophrenia is a chronic disease characterized by distortions in thinking, perception, emotions, language, sense of self and behavior. Humor could be used as an alternative to conventional treatment with the goal of helping patients with schizophrenia cope with symptoms, enhance recovery through its emotional, cognitive, social and physiological effects. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of humor intervention program on positive and negative symptoms among schizophrenic patients. Design: Randomized control trial (RCT) design was used. Sample: Purposive sample consisted of 40) schizophrenic patients, the study group (n= 20) and control group (n= 20). The patients were selected and allocated randomly into two groups, intervention group (received the humor interventions program) and control group (received traditional care). The study conducted in the Psychiatry and Addiction Prevention "El Kasr AlAini University Hospital and al Rakhawy Hospital for Mental Health. Tools: three tools were used for data collection were; the Socio Demographic Data Sheet, Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and Multidimensional Sense of Humor Scale (MSHS). Results: revealed that, there was a statistical significant difference between total score of PANSS between study and control groups post intervention. Conclusion: The present study emphasizes the importance of humor intervention program in reducing severity of symptoms of patients with schizophrenia. Key words: schizophrenia, humor intervention, positive symptoms, negative symptoms

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

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth ◽

10.1186/s12884-019-2683-y ◽

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.

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The Effect of 5A Self-management Program on Medication Adherence of Epileptic Patients in During the COVID – 19 Pandemic

10.21203/rs.3.rs-1131999/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Seyede Fateme Moosavimoghadam ◽

Ali Dehghani ◽

Rasool Eslami Akbar

Keyword(s):

Medication Adherence ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Management Training ◽

Wilcoxon Test ◽

Self Management ◽

Control Group ◽

Control Groups ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Epileptic Patients ◽

And Control

Abstract Background: Adherence to medication adherence plays a vital role in controlling the problems and complications of epilepsy. During the COVID – 19 pandemic and limitations of face-to-face education, the use of distance education can play an important role in providing education to patients. Therefore, the aim of this study is the effect of model 5A self-management training on medication adherence in epileptic patients.Methods: In this single-blind randomized controlled trial, 56 epilepsy patients referred to Shiraz Namazi Hospital were divided into intervention and control groups using random allocation. Thereafter, 5A self - management training sessions were virtually held in 5 sessions in WhatsApp application for intervention group. The data collection tool was Morisky medication adherence scale at two stages of before and two months after intervention. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 21 software.Results: The results of Wilcoxon test showed that in intervention group, the mean drug adherence in patients after intervention significantly increased compared to before intervention (p = 0.005). But in control group, this was not significant (p = 0.909). According to results of Mann-Whitney test, there was no significant difference between intervention and control groups before intervention (p = 0.632). However, by passing two months from intervention, a significant difference was found between intervention and control groups (p = 0.041).Conclusion: Based on results, the implementation of Model 5A can be effective on medication adherence in epilepsy patients. This program can be considered as a suitable method in epileptic patients in during COVID – 19 pandemic.

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The Potential Effect of Coconut Water as Natural Healer in Adult Patient with Chronic Periodontitis: A Preliminary Clinical Study

IIUM Medical Journal Malaysia ◽

10.31436/imjm.v18i2.661 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 18 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Zurainie Abllah ◽

Syarifah Nurul Afifah Syed Ibrahim ◽

Hamiza A Rahaman ◽

Munirah Yaacob ◽

Yunita Dewi Ardini

Keyword(s):

Chronic Periodontitis ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Potential Effect ◽

Coconut Water ◽

Control Group ◽

Post Intervention ◽

Plaque Score ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Ethical Approval ◽

And Control

Introduction: Mechanical and chemical debridement had been practiced as one of the management for chronic periodontitis. Recent interest and advances in the field of alternative medicine has promoted the use of various herbal and natural products for multiple uses in the field of medicine. As for it, coconut water is one of the potential natural sources that have various health benefits. Materials and method: Randomized control study was chosen as study design in this research project. 12 patients who have moderate to severe chronic periodontitis were selected from patients whom attended Polyclinic Kulliyyah of Dentistry, IIUM Kuantan Campus from November 2016 to January 2018. After stratified random sampling done, the subjects divided into 2 groups; Intervention Group and Control Group. All patients will go for ultrasonic scaling and root planning by using hand instruments. 6 patients in Intervention Group were given fresh coconut water to drink during daytime. The first re-assessment was done after 6 weeks. The control group of another 6 patients didn’t receive any medicament. Paired sample t-test was used to analyse the pre and post intervention data. The study had obtained ethical approval from IREC (IREC 849). Results: Probing depth (PD) at mid-buccal site and bleeding on probing (BoP) shown significant result (p<0.05 ) in intervention group. There is no significant difference noted in the control groups, which are for PD, BoP and Plaque Score (PS) variables. Conclusion: Coconut water has potential benefit in reducing the periodontal pockets with chronic periodontitis as an adjunct after mechanical debridement.

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