scholarly journals Does regularly playing serious gaming improve cognitive functioning of seniors in care facilities? Controlled Effectiveness Trial on a Representative German Sample. (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jana Kleschnitzki ◽  
Luzi Beyer ◽  
Reinhard Beyer ◽  
Inga Großmann

BACKGROUND Exergames have not only found to have enhancing and preventative effects on physical but also on cognitive abilities in healthy older adults. Yet, there are just few results on effects for older seniors with age-related low physical and/or cognitive impairments. Their special needs were considered when designing and using innovate technology for the field of prevention, especially being relevant due to the continuously ageing population. OBJECTIVE In this controlled trial, we test a serious game with various modules specifically designed for seniors in care homes, the so-called MemoreBox. METHODS Over a period of one year and four points in time 1.000 seniors were tested in their cognitive abilities via the Mini-Mental-Status-Test. Half used the serious games three times a week for one hour and half did not. The objective data from the games gave us the opportunity to divide the intervention-group through identify those who played regularly. RESULTS The sample consists of an intervention group (n=56) and a control group (n=55) that does not play. Due to the technical data, a second intervention group (n=38) could be identified within the original intervention group, which carried out the study design correctly according to plan. The are no noteworthy differences between the demographic and main variables of the overall sample. The large reduction in the sample size is due to the effects of the corona-situation, in the middle of the survey (Drop-Out 88,9%). The Confidence Interval was set at 5%. The mixed ANOVA between the cognitive abilities of the IG and the CG couldn’t show a significant difference between time an group F(2,710,295,379) = 1.942, p <.129, partial η² = .018. The same for the mixed ANOVA between the cognitive abilities of the IG2 und CG F(3.273) = 2.574, p <.054, partial η² = .028, but with a clear tendencies and a significant difference between the two groups after 9 month of intervention t(88.1) = - 2,394, p = .021. CONCLUSIONS The results of this paper basically report something like the current research situation and the tendency for the intervention to be effective on the cognitive abilities of seniors can be formulated, provided that they regularly play the serious games of the MemoreBox. The small sample, the non-existent RCT and the no significance at an α= 5% suggest additional, further research. Establishing a preventively effective tool as part of standard care in nursing homes by means of an easy-to-use serious game would be a relieving contribution to the weakened health system, in which there is a lack of activating offers for senior citizens in (partially) inpatient care facilities. CLINICALTRIAL German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS), DRKS00016633

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-18
Author(s):  
James Chong Boi Lee ◽  
Caroline Robert ◽  
Nurhazimah Binte Naharudin ◽  
Mojisola Erdt ◽  
Harsha Vijayakumar ◽  
...  

Background: Singapore faces challenges in providing efficient health-care services for the ageing population. Objectives: We evaluated the effectiveness of a novel holistic nutrition programme among the elderly who were staying in several senior activity centres in Singapore. Methods: A total of 83 elderly participants (>55 years old) took part in a mixed-methods experimental study. Participants were assigned to the control group (CG), the intervention group without health talks (IGH–) or the intervention group with health talks (IGH+). Demographics, perceived satisfaction score of the administered programme and pre–post measurement on nutritional knowledge and perceived competence were measured. Subsequently, in-depth interviews were also carried out with some participants. Results: One-way analysis of variance revealed significantly higher scores for the IGH– and IGH+ groups compared to the CG in terms of perceived satisfaction of the programme ( p=0.009 and p=0.005, respectively). There was also a significant difference in terms of the change in nutritional knowledge before and after the programme between the IGH– and IGH+ groups ( p=0.002) but not for perceived competence ( p=0.26). Several determinants of dietary behaviours in the elderly such as living arrangements, attitudes and finances were identified from thematic analyses of the interviews. Conclusions: The findings from the study demonstrate the effectiveness of an holistic programme in effecting changes in nutritional knowledge but not perceived competence.


Author(s):  
Lingling Huang ◽  
Qu Shen ◽  
Qiyu Fang ◽  
Xujuan Zheng

(1) Background: Some primiparous women are usually confronted with many parenting problems after childbirth, which can negatively influence the wellbeing of some mothers and infants. Evidence identified that internet interventions can include more tailored information, reach a larger research group, and supply more anonymity than face-to-face traditional interventions. Therefore, the internet-based support program (ISP) was designed to improve the parenting outcomes for Chinese first-time mothers. (2) Methods: A multicenter, single-blinded, pilot randomized controlled trial was conducted. From May to October 2020, a total of 44 participants were recruited in the obstetrical wards of two tertiary hospitals in China. Eighteen women in the control group received routine postnatal care; while eighteen women in the intervention group accessed to the ISP and routine postnatal care. The duration of intervention was not less than three months. Intervention outcomes were assessed through questionnaires before randomization (T0), immediately after intervention (T1), and three months after intervention (T2). The Self-efficacy in Infant Care Scale (SICS), Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), and Postpartum Social Support Scale (PSSS) were included to measure MSE, postpartum depression (PPD), and social support, respectively. (3) Results: No significant difference between the two groups were found in terms of the baseline social-demographic characteristics; and the scores of SICS, EPDS and PSSS at T0 (p > 0.05). Repeated measures multivariate analysis of covariance found that women in the intervention group had a higher MSE score at T1 (6.63, p = 0.007), and T2 (5.75, p = 0.020); a lower EPDS score at T1 (3.11, p = 0.003), and T2 (2.50, p = 0.005); and a higher PSSS score at T1 (4.30, p = 0.001); and no significant difference at T2 (0.35, p = 0.743), compared with women in the control group. (4) Conclusion: The effect of ISP was evaluated to significantly increase primiparous women’s MSE, social support, and to alleviate their PPD symptoms. However, the small sample in pilot study restricted the research results. Therefore, the ISP should be further investigated with a larger, diverse sample to confirm whether it should be adopted as routine postnatal care to support primiparous women on parenting outcomes and mental wellbeing in the early stage of motherhood.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
mehmet emin aksoy ◽  
mehmet erhan sayali

Background Computer-based learning methodologies have become more prevalent in the last decade. Web based serious gaming and virtual patients are novel in medical education, which have the potential to become important tools to improve today's medical students' knowledge and performance.Methods A total of 81 medical students participated in our study. They were either assigned to an intervention group or a control group . The intervention group completed a serious game module designed for Basic Life Support education. The control group received a theoretical lecture on the same content. On the next day both groups received simulation-based hands-on training for BLS using the same criteria. All students were assessed with an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) the following week. Results There was no difference between the intervention group that used a web based serious game module for BLS and the control group that received a standard theoretical lecture from the faculty. Discussion and Conclusion Computer based interactive serious games seem to present a favourable additional tool for medical education. OSCE results imply, that the use of serious games as a self-learning strategy can be as useful as theoretical lectures; which means that it is saving time of learners and educators


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-55
Author(s):  
Somayeh Soltani Nejad ◽  
◽  
Maryam Zeighami ◽  
Ashraf Beirami ◽  
Ahmadali Amirifar ◽  
...  

Objective: Humans always have faced with the phenomenon of anxiety and have tried to find solutions to overcome this problem by various methods. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of echium amoenum on the anxiety of college students. Methods: This is a clinical trial study. Participants were 40 nursing students in Kerman, Iran who were randomly assigned into two groups of intervention (n=20) and control (n=20). The data collection tools were a demographic form and Cattle’s anxiety questionnaire. First, the baseline assessment was conducted in both groups. Then, the intervention group received 1 g echium amoenum powder in 250cc boiling water daily. After a month, both groups were assessed again. Data analysis was performed in SPSS v.20 software using descriptive and inferential statistics (mean, standard deviation, chi-square test, paired t-test, independent t-test, Mann-Witney U test). Results: At baseline, there was no significant difference between the two groups. After consumption of echium amoenum, the overall anxiety score decreased from 40.4±6.31 to 38.65±3.39 in the intervention group and increased from 39.7±9.29 to 41.75±9.91 in the control group; however, these differences were not statistically significant. Conclusion: Echium amoenum could reduce anxiety in the students, but its effect was not significant maybe due to the short duration of its use or small sample size. Hence, further studies with a larger sample size are recommended.


2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 75-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark X. Cicero, MD ◽  
Travis Whitfill, MPH ◽  
Kevin Munjal, MD ◽  
Manu Madhok, MD, MPH ◽  
Maria Carmen G. Diaz, MD ◽  
...  

Introduction: Disaster triage training for emergency medical service (EMS) providers is not standardized. Simulation training is costly and time-consuming. In contrast, educational video games enable low-cost and more time-efficient standardized training. We hypothesized that players of the video game “60 Seconds to Survival” (60S) would have greater improvements in disaster triage accuracy compared to control subjects who did not play 60S.Methods: Participants recorded their demographics and highest EMS training level and were randomized to play 60S (intervention) or serve as controls. At baseline, all participants completed a live school-shooting simulation in which manikins and standardized patients depicted 10 adult and pediatric victims. The intervention group then played 60S at least three times over the course of 13 weeks (time 2). Players triaged 12 patients in three scenarios (school shooting, house fire, tornado), and received in-game performance feedback. At time 2, the same live simulation was conducted for all participants. Controls had no disaster training during the study. The main outcome was improvement in triage accuracy in live simulations from baseline to time 2. Physicians and EMS providers predetermined expected triage level (RED/YELLOW/GREEN/BLACK) via modified Delphi method.Results: There were 26 participants in the intervention group and 21 in the control group. There was no difference in gender, level of training, or years of EMS experience (median 5.5 years intervention, 3.5 years control, p = 0.49) between the groups. At baseline, both groups demonstrated median triage accuracy of 80 percent (IQR 70-90 percent, p = 0.457). At time 2, the intervention group had a significant improvement from baseline (median accuracy = 90 percent [IQR: 80-90 percent], p = 0.005), while the control group did not (median accuracy = 80 percent [IQR:80-95], p = 0.174). However, the mean improvement from baseline was not significant between the two groups (difference = 6.5, p = 0.335).Conclusion: The intervention demonstrated a significant improvement in accuracy from baseline to time 2 while the control did not. However, there was no significant difference in the improvement between the intervention and control groups. These results may be due to small sample size. Future directions include assessment of the game's effect on triage accuracy with a larger, multisite site cohort and iterative development to improve 60S.


2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Farokh Saljughi ◽  
Mitra Savabi-Esfahani ◽  
Shahnaz Kohan ◽  
Soheila Ehsanpour

Mother-infant attachment is an intimate, lasting and satisfying relationship that leads to better cognitive, emotional and social growth of the infant. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of breastfeeding training by role-play on mother-infant attachment behaviours. This research was a randomised clinical trial (parallel design). Inclusion criteria were: no history of mental disorders; ability to read and write the Persian language to complete the questionnaire; no history of drug and tobacco intake in primigravida women. The sample comprised 100 pregnant women (in 2 groups), selected through simple random sampling at healthcare centres. The researcher reviewed prenatal care registries of selected healthcare centres and extracted the names of pregnant women in their early third trimester. The data were imported into randomisation software. The control group received routine breastfeeding training, while the intervention group received routine training together with training through role-play. The data collection tool was the Maternal Behaviour Inventory Questionnaire. Consequently 75 samples were analysed in SPSS16. Independent t-tests and chi-square tests were used to examine the difference between the two groups. Results showed that the mean score of mother-infant attachment one week after delivery was significantly higher in the intervention group in comparison to that in the control group (p<0.001). No significant difference was observed between the two groups in maternal age, age of marriage, neonatal gender, maternal employment and education, number of parity, and number of abortions (P>0.05). Since breastfeeding training through role-play could affect mother-infant attachment, it is suggested that this type of training should be provided for pregnant women to promote mother-infant attachment and exclusive breastfeeding.


2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Wenny Savitri ◽  
Nani Fidayanti ◽  
Paulus Subiyanto

Background: Surgery is one of medical interventions which can cause fear, anxiety, and stressed because of its effects toward the integrity of body and soul. Nurses have significant roles in any preoperative care which is helping patients to decrease preoperative anxiety by using complementary therapy. The use of music therapy as one of the complementary therapies is not common in Indonesia. Therefore, scientific studies to prove the role of this therapy to decrease the level of anxiety of pre-operative patients is needed. Objective: To investigate the effects of music therapy in reducing anxiety levels of preoperative patients. Methods: A quasy experimental study with pre-test and post-test design with control group was applied to 50 respondents from medical ward in Panembahan Senopati Hospital of Yogyakarta who met the inclusion criteria.Dara were then analyzed by using t-test statistical analysis. Results: The control group showed the increased value of anxiety level of0.8 without music intervention (t= - 1503, df = 24, p<.05), whereas the intervention group showed the decreased value of anxiety level of -5.52 (t=5.081, df=24, p<.05). Meanwhile the independent t-test results for both groups showed a significant difference between group (t= 3,373, df=48, p<.05). Conclusion: Music therapy has significant effect in reducing preoperative anxiety levels of patients. Keywords: anxiety, preoperative, music therapy


2018 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Azita Kamjoo

Background: Pain control is considered as the key issue in modern midwifery. Along with medical painkillers, reflexology is viewed as a non-medical and noninvasive method. Hence, we aimed to investigate the effect of reflexology on the intensity of pain and length of labor. Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial, participants included 240 Iranian primiparous women with term and singleton pregnancy. Having a 3-4 cm cervical dilatation once they visited the hospital. Through a convenient sampling method, they were selected and then randomly divided into two groups. In the intervention group, reflexology was performed, and the intensity of pain during the active phase of labor along with the length of labor in the active phase was measured by visual analog scale (VAS) and compared with the control group. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, and Mann-Whitney U-test. Result: Data analysis showed a statistically significant difference between the intensity of pain in the 5-7 and 8-10 cm dilatation in the two groups (P=0.01). Moreover, the labor length in the active phase was found to be significantly shorter in the intervention group (P<0.001). Conclusion: It appears that reflexology can lead to a reduction in the pain and length of labor. Therefore, through instructing this technique, a goal of midwifery, which is reducing labor pain and its length can be achieved. Keywords: Reflexology, Labor Pain, Labor Length, Primiparous Women


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-77
Author(s):  
Rohimah Ismail ◽  
Chong Mei Chan ◽  
Wan Muhammad Azly W. Zulkafli ◽  
Hasnah Zani ◽  
Zainab Mohd Shafie

                The evolution of information technology has exerted great influence on nursing education via new pedagogy of knowledge delivery without time and place restriction. Mobile technology revolutionises nursing education and clinical practice via empowering skills of critical thinking and clinical decision-making through learning. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of using mobile messenger (Whatsapp) as an educational supporting tool among nursing students. The study design used is a Cluster Randomized Control Trail. Two nursing colleges were selected. Sample size was 93 participants, 48 from the Kuala Terengganu Nursing College Kuala Terengganu as the intervention group while the control group were recruited among 45 participants from UniSZA Nursing College. There is a significant difference in the level of knowledge between pre and posttest among intervention group (mean difference was -8.70 with a standard deviation 8.42, p-value< 0.001) and 93.8 percent of the respondents perceived the usefulness of using WhatsApp mobile messenger to enhance learning. This demonstrates that learning through mobile messenger (WhatsApp) enhances learning and is well received as a new method of learning by almost all students.   Keywords: Mobile learning, WhatsApp messenger, Social Interaction


2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (9) ◽  
pp. 815-822
Author(s):  
Maryam Safary ◽  
Sevil Hakimi ◽  
Noushin Mobaraki-Asl ◽  
Paria Amiri ◽  
Habib Tvassoli ◽  
...  

Introduction: Atrophic vaginitis is a common problem in postmenopausal women and results from decreased levels of blood estrogen. It is associated with symptoms of itching, burning, dyspareunia, and postmenopausal bleeding. The present study evaluated the effects of fenugreek extract on atrophic vaginitis. Materials and Methods: This randomized controlled clinical trial was performed on 60 postmenopausal women in Ardabil, Iran, in 2018. The participants were selected using block randomization with the allocation ratio 1:1. Those in the intervention group received 0.5g (the applicator filled to the half-full mark) fenugreek vaginal cream 5% twice a week for 12 weeks. The control group received conjugated estrogens vaginal cream at the dose of 0.625 mg (the applicator filled to the half-full mark) containing 0.3 mg of conjugated estrogens. Atrophic vaginitis was evaluated before and after the treatment through clinical examination, clinical signs, and measurement of Vaginal Maturation Index (VMI). Findings: After the 12-week intervention and modification of the baseline score, the mean (standard error) score for atrophic vaginitis signs was 3.100 (1.43-4.75). This difference was statistically significant in intragroup comparison and in favor of the control group in intergroup comparison (p=0.001). VMI was less than 49% in 86.7% and 46.7% of the participants in the intervention and control groups, respectively. This was a significant difference in favor of the control group (p=0.001). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that total fenugreek extract could be effective in treating signs of atrophic vaginitis, but it was not as effective as ultra-low-dose estrogen.


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