Effectiveness of ozone therapy in addition to conventional treatment on mortality in patients with COVID-19

Aim In this study, we aimed to investigate the effectiveness of ozone therapy, which is one of the integrative medicine applications that has been used safely for many years, on the prevalence of mortality in patients receiving COVID-19 treatment. Methods This was a prospective, controlled study conducted on patients with COVID-19 who were hospitalized in Health Sciences University, Haydarpasa Numune Training and Research Hospital. In this study, 55 patients were included. The patients were divided into two groups as the ozone group and the control group. Ozone therapy (major autohemotherapy) was applied to 37 patients who were being treated with the appropriate COVID-19 treatment protocol determined by the infectious diseases committee of our hospital. The ozone treatment protocol consisted of seven sessions (1 session/day) of intravenous ozone administration, applied in a volume of 100 mL and a concentration of 30 μg/mL. Only the conventional COVID-19 treatment protocol was applied to 18 patients in the control group. Clinical follow-up was performed until the discharge of the patients from the hospital with successful treatment or until the mortality occurred. Factors affecting mortality were analyzed using univariate regression analysis. Results Intensive care unit (ICU) hospitalization was required in six of 37 patients who were treated with ozone (16.2%), while four of 18 patients in the control group required ICU treatment (22.2%) (p = 0.713). When the mortality rates between the two groups were compared, mortality was lower in the ozone group (p = 0.032). As a result of univariate logistic regression analysis performed to determine the factors affecting mortality, treatment without ozone therapy was determined as a risk factor for mortality (OR:0.149, 95%CI 0.026-0.863, p=0.034). Conclusion In this study, we demonstrated that administration of ozone therapy along with the conventional medical treatment in patients hospitalized for COVID-19 could reduce mortality.

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Effectiveness of Abdominal and Gluteus Medius Training in Lumbo-Pelvic Stability and Adductor Strength in Female Soccer Players. A Randomized Controlled Study

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18041528 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (4) ◽

pp. 1528

Author(s):

Héctor Guerrero-Tapia ◽

Rodrigo Martín-Baeza ◽

Rubén Cuesta-Barriuso

Keyword(s):

Repeated Measures ◽

Gluteus Medius ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Controlled Study ◽

Control Group ◽

Extrinsic Factors ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Limb Injuries ◽

Experimental Group

Background. Abdominal and lumbo-pelvic stability alterations may be the origin of lower limb injuries, such as adductor pathology in soccer players. Imbalance can be caused by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial over 8 weeks, 25 female footballers were randomly allocated to an experimental group (isometric abdominal training and gluteus medius-specific training) or a control group (isometric abdominal training). Evaluations were performed at baseline, at the end of the intervention and after a 4-week follow-up period. The exercise protocol in common for both groups included three exercises: Plank, Lateral plank and Bird dog. Specific exercises for the gluteus medius were: Pelvic drop and Stabilization of the gluteus medius in knee valgus. Outcome measures were lumbar-pelvic stability and adductor strength. Results: After the intervention, there was an increase in lumbo-pelvic stability in both groups, being greater in the control group than in the experimental group (mean differences [MD]: 4.84 vs. MD: 9.58; p < 0.01) with differences in the analysis of repeated measures (p < 0.001), but not in group interaction (p = 0.26). Changes were found in adductor strength in the experimental group (MD: −2.48; p < 0.001 in the left adductor; MD: −1.48; p < 0.01 in right adductor) and control group (MD: −1.68; p < 0.001 in the left adductor; MD: −2.05; p < 0.001 in the right adductor) after the intervention, with differences in the analysis of repeated measures in left (p < 0.001) and right (p < 0.001) adductor strength. Conclusions: An abdominal and gluteal training protocol shows no advantage over a protocol of abdominal training alone for lumbo-pelvic stability and adductor strength, while improvements in both variables are maintained at four weeks follow-up.

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Behavioural Treatment of Orgasmic Dysfunction: A Controlled Study

The British Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1192/bjp.129.5.497 ◽

1976 ◽

Vol 129 (5) ◽

pp. 497-502 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

Dennis Munjack ◽

Alan Cristol ◽

Alan Goldstein ◽

Debora Phillips ◽

Alice Goldberg ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Behavioural Therapy ◽

Controlled Study ◽

Control Group ◽

Assessment Instruments ◽

Sexual Relations ◽

Behavioural Treatment ◽

Symptom Check List ◽

Orgasmic Dysfunction ◽

Multiple Assessment

SummaryTwenty-two anorgasmic women received 20 sessions of a multiple-technique behavioural therapy. The design included blind ratings by two independent assessors, multiple assessment instruments, and a waiting list control group.Treatment was significantly better than no treatment in terms of: (1) the percentage of patients experiencing orgasm during at least 50 per cent of sexual relations; (2) the percentage of women reporting satisfactory sexual relations at least 50 per cent of the time; (3) patients' ratings of positive reactions to various sexual behaviours; and (4) assessors' global clinical ratings.Significant improvement was also noted on the MMPI, IPAT, and Symptom Check List. Improvement was maintained at a follow-up average 9 months later. These results support the impression that a behavioural approach offers much promise in treating female orgasmic dysfunction.

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Studying the effects of fish oil infusion to prevent atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery: data from implantable continuous cardiac monitor

Patologiya krovoobrashcheniya i kardiokhirurgiya ◽

10.21688/1681-3472-2014-3-12-18 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 18 (3) ◽

pp. 12

Author(s):

S. M. Yefremov ◽

Ye. A. Pokushalov ◽

A. B. Romanov ◽

A. M. Chernyavskiy ◽

A. N. Shilova ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Fatty Acids ◽

Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids ◽

Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Controlled Study ◽

Control Group ◽

Study Group ◽

Omega 3 ◽

Cardiac Monitor

The study was aimed at testing the hypothesis that perioperative infusion of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids would reduce the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation in CAD patients operated under CPB. The authors carried out a prospective, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. 39 CAD patients who had undergone surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass were randomized into 2 groups. 18 patients were infused with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (Omegaven, Fresenius Kabi, Germany) starting with 200 mg/kg/day before anaesthesia induction for 24 hours followed by 100 mg/kg/day from second to seventh day postoperatively. 21 patients received an equivalent dose of placebo (Intralipid, Fresenius Kabi, Germany). The primary endpoint was freedom from atrial fibrillation at 2-year follow-up. A Reveal cardiac monitor was implanted subcutaneously in all patients. Data from cardiac monitor was collected on the 10th day and at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months postoperatively. Postoperative atrial fibrillation developed in 4 (19%) patients in the control group and in 5 (27.8%) patients in the study group at 10-day follow-up (p = 0.88). At 2-year follow-up, 5 (27.8%) patients in the control group and 6 (35.3%) patients in the study group had atrial fibrillation (p = 0.9). The results of our research do not confirm the efficiency of perioperative infusion of omega-3 polyun-saturated fatty acids to prevent the occurrence of atrial fibrillation.

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Allogeneic platelet-derived growth factors local injection in treatment of tennis elbow: a prospective randomized controlled study

International Orthopaedics ◽

10.1007/s00264-022-05300-9 ◽

2022 ◽

Author(s):

Mahmoud Ibrahim Kandil ◽

Abdel-Salam Abdel-Aleem Ahmed ◽

Rasha Shaker Eldesouky ◽

Sherif Eltregy

Keyword(s):

Growth Factors ◽

Treatment Group ◽

Tennis Elbow ◽

Local Injection ◽

Controlled Study ◽

Saline Control ◽

Control Group ◽

Patient’S Satisfaction ◽

Significant Difference

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of local injection of allogeneic platelet-derived growth factors in treatment of patients with tennis elbow. Patients and methods This study included 120 tennis elbow patients randomly divided into two groups. The patients were locally injected with allogeneic growth factors (treatment group) or with normal saline (control group). The outcomes were assessed using Patient-Related Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE) and quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (qDASH) scales. The clinical outcomes were accordingly classified as excellent, good and poor. The patient’s satisfaction and adverse effects were also recorded. Results There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding the age, gender, dominant arm or the pre-injection scores. At three month follow-up, the reductions in the mean PRTEE and qDASH scores were 88.7% and 70.6% in the treatment group versus 21.8% and 14.9% in the control group, respectively. At the last follow-up, the outcomes in the treatment group were excellent in 85% of patients and good in 15%, versus 8% and 32% in the control group. Overall, 95% were satisfied in the treatment group compared to 25% in control group. Forty patients in the treatment group experienced mild transient post-injection pain. Conclusion This study strongly suggests that local injection of allogeneic platelet-derived growth factors could be a promising safe treatment option for tennis elbow with significant pain relief, functional improvement and patient’s satisfaction. Yet, additional larger studies are needed to assess the durability of these outcomes.

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Technology-Enhanced Reading Therapy for People With Aphasia: Findings From a Quasirandomized Waitlist Controlled Study

Journal of Speech Language and Hearing Research ◽

10.1044/2019_jslhr-l-18-0484 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 62 (12) ◽

pp. 4382-4416 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Anna Caute ◽

Celia Woolf ◽

Stephanie Wilson ◽

Carol Stokes ◽

Katie Monnelly ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Reading Comprehension ◽

Oral Reading ◽

Group Analysis ◽

Assistive Technologies ◽

Controlled Study ◽

Control Group ◽

Assisted Reading ◽

Reading Therapy ◽

Reading Impairments

Purpose This study investigated the effects of technology-enhanced reading therapy for people with reading impairments, using mainstream assistive reading technologies alongside reading strategies. Method The study used a quasirandomized waitlist controlled design. Twenty-one people with reading impairments following stroke were randomly assigned to receive 14 hr of therapy immediately or after a 6-week delay. During therapy, participants were trained to use assistive reading technology that offered a range of features to support reading comprehension. They developed skills in using the technology independently and in applying the technology to their personal reading goals. The primary outcome measure assessed reading comprehension, using Gray Oral Reading Test–Fourth Edition (GORT-4). Secondary measures were as follows: Reading Comprehension Battery for Aphasia–Second Edition, Reading Confidence and Emotions Questionnaire, Communication Activities of Daily Living–Second Edition, Visual Analog Mood Scales, and Assessment of Living With Aphasia. Matched texts were used with the GORT-4 to compare technology-assisted and unassisted reading comprehension. Mixed analyses of variance explored change between T1 and T2, when the immediate group had received therapy but the delayed group had not, thus serving as untreated controls. Pretherapy, posttherapy, and follow-up scores on the measures were also examined for all participants. Results GORT-4 results indicated that the immediately treated group improved significantly in technology-assisted reading following therapy, but not in unassisted reading. However, the data were not normally distributed, and secondary nonparametric analysis was not significant. The control group was unstable over the baseline, improving significantly in unassisted reading. The whole-group analysis showed significant gains in assisted (but not unassisted) reading after therapy that were maintained at follow-up. The Reading Confidence and Emotions Questionnaire results improved significantly following therapy, with good maintenance of change. Results on all other secondary measures were not significant. Conclusions Technology-assisted reading comprehension improved following the intervention, with treatment compensating for, rather than remediating, the reading impairment. Participants' confidence and emotions associated with reading also improved. Gains were achieved after 14 therapy sessions, using assistive technologies that are widely available and relatively affordable, meaning that this approach could be implemented in clinical practice.

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Comprehensive Evaluation of Factors Affecting Tremor Relapse after MRgFUS Thalamotomy: A Case-Control Study

Brain Sciences ◽

10.3390/brainsci11091183 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (9) ◽

pp. 1183

Author(s):

Federico Bruno ◽

Alessia Catalucci ◽

Francesco Arrigoni ◽

Alessio Gagliardi ◽

Elena Campanozzi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Parkinson's Disease ◽

Comprehensive Evaluation ◽

Demographic Characteristics ◽

Control Group ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Gender And Age ◽

Determining Factors ◽

Relevant Factors

Objective: To identify possible relevant factors contributing to tremor relapse after MRgFUS thalamotomy in patients with essential tremor (ET) and Parkinson’s disease (PD). Methods: We identified patients with tremor relapse from a series of 79 treatments in a single institution. The demographic and clinical characteristics of the study group patients were compared to those of patients who did not relapse in the same follow-up period. Imaging and procedural factors were compared using a control group matched for clinical and demographic characteristics. Results: Concerning clinical and demographic characteristics, we did not find statistically significant differences in gender and age. Seventy-three percent of patients with tremor relapse were Parkinson’s disease patients. Using MRI, we found larger thalamotomy lesions at the 1-year follow-up in the control group with stable outcomes, compared to patients with tremor relapse. In the tractography evaluation, we found a more frequent eccentric position of the DRTt in patients with tremor relapse. Conclusions: The most relevant determining factors for tremor relapse after MRgFUS thalamotomy appear to be tremor from Parkinson’s disease and inaccurate thalamic targeting. Size of the thalamotomy lesion can also influence the outcome of treatment.

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Distal Chevron Osteotomy vs The Simple, Effective, Rapid, Inexpensive Technique (SERI) for Mild to Moderate Isolated Hallux Valgus: A Randomized Controlled Study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-17170/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Ezequiel Palmanovich ◽

Nissiom Ohana* - equal first author contribution ◽

Ilan Small ◽

Iftach Hetsroni ◽

Eyal Amar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Minimally Invasive ◽

Hallux Valgus ◽

Controlled Study ◽

Wound Complications ◽

Invasive Technique ◽

Control Group ◽

Chevron Osteotomy ◽

The Mean ◽

One Year

Abstract Background Hallux valgus is a common foot deformity that leads to functional disability with serious sequelae. Minimally invasive surgery is often used to treat hallux valgus in order to reduce wound complications and improve recovery time. The objective of this study was to compare a Simple, Effective, Rapid, Inexpensive (SERI) technique with a simple Chevron technique in patients with minimum of one-year follow. Methods and Materials Between the years 2014-2015 we performed a prospective study comparing the SERI minimally invasive technique to treat symptomatic hallux valgus with a standard chevron osteotomy technique. All procedures were performed by a single fellowship trained foot and ankle surgeon. Twenty-one patients were randomized to the SERI cohort and 15 to the standard Chevron technique. Results The mean pre-operative intermetatarsal angle (IMA) of the SERI group was 14.8 ± 1.9 (11.9 - 22.9). The mean pre-operative IMA of the Chevron control group was 13.3 ± 2.3 (10.4 -18.2) (p = 0.038). The mean IMA two weeks after surgery was 6.0 ± 2.3 (2.4-12) in the SERI group, and 6.1 ± 3 (2.6-13.1) in the control group. At the two week and one year follow up, there was no significant difference found in the IMA between the two groups (p = 0.871). Neither groups reported symptomatic transfer metatarsalgia throughout the follow up period. The SERI group had increased metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ) motion (p < 0.001) however, all other parameters with similar. Conclusion The SERI technique provided comparable outcomes at up to one year follow up when compared to a standard Chevron osteotomy for moderate hallux valgus. This study demonstrated good reproducible results using the SERI technique for moderate hallux valgus.

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Transiency of postoperative cervical kyphosis seen after surgical correction of sagittal malalignment in adult spinal deformity patients

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0254381 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (7) ◽

pp. e0254381

Author(s):

Ki Young Lee ◽

Jung-Hee Lee ◽

Sang Kyu Im ◽

Hae Sung Lim ◽

Gil Han

Keyword(s):

Regression Analysis ◽

Spinal Deformity ◽

Adult Spinal Deformity ◽

Deformity Correction ◽

Sagittal Imbalance ◽

Cervical Lordosis ◽

Multilinear Regression ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Multilinear Regression Analysis

Objective In this study, we evaluated factors affecting changes in cervical lordosis after deformity correction and during follow-up period in adult spinal deformity (ASD) patients with severe sagittal imbalance. Methods Seventy-nine patients, with an average age of 71.6 years, who underwent long-segment fixation from T10 to S1 with sacropelvic fixation were included. We performed a comparative analysis of the radiographic parameters after surgery (Post) and at the last follow-up (Last). We calculated the Pearson’s correlation coefficient and performed multilinear regression analysis to predict independent parameters for Post and Last cervical lordosis (CL), T1 slope (T1S), and thoracic kyphosis (TK). Results Hyperlordotic changes of -23.3° in CL before surgery was reduced to -7° after surgery, and Last CL had increased to -15.3°. T1S was reduced from 27° before surgery to 14.4° after surgery and had increased to 18.8° at the last follow-up. Through multilinear regression analysis, we found that Post CL and T1S were more significantly affected by the amount of LL correction (p = .045 and .049). The effect of Last T1S was significantly associated with the Last CL; the effect of Last TK, with the Last T1S; and the effect of Post PI-LL, with the Last TK (p < .05). Conclusion The postoperative kyphotic change in CL in ASD patients with preoperative cervical hyperlordosis is not permanent and is affected by drastic LL correction and SVA restoration. To achieve spinopelvic harmony proportional to the difference in LL relative to PI, TK becomes modified over time to increase T1S and CL, in an effort to achieve optimal spine curvature.

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Effect of the Use of WeChat to Disseminate Preoperative Health Education to Parents of Children with Restrictive Ventricular Septal Defects: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Study

The Heart Surgery Forum ◽

10.1532/hsf.3323 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 23 (6) ◽

pp. E897-E901

Author(s):

Qiliang Zhang ◽

Ning Xu ◽

Shuting Huang ◽

Qiang Chen ◽

Hua Cao

Keyword(s):

Health Education ◽

Ventricular Septal Defect ◽

Septal Defect ◽

Preoperative Care ◽

Randomized Controlled Study ◽

Controlled Study ◽

Control Group ◽

Loss To Follow Up ◽

Randomized Controlled

Background: This study explored the clinical effect of implementing WeChat-based preoperative health education for parents of children with restrictive ventricular septal defect. Methods: A prospective randomized controlled study was conducted in a provincial hospital on the southeast coast of China. Participants were randomly divided into an intervention (WeChat) group (n = 35) and a control group (leaflet) group (n = 35). The study explored the parents’ knowledge of preoperative care, the follow-up rate, and complications of children with restrictive ventricular septal defect. Results: The score of preoperative care knowledge of the WeChat group (66.9 ± 3.5) was significantly higher than that of the leaflet group (47.3 ± 6.3) (P = .006). Compared with the score of care knowledge at the first visit, the score of the WeChat group at the preoperation was significantly higher (P < .05), whereas the increase in the score of the leaflet group was not significant. The rate of lost follow-up in the WeChat group (0%) was significantly lower than in the leaflet group (16.7%) (P = .02). The complications in the leaflet group were significantly higher than in the WeChat group. Conclusions: Using WeChat to provide preoperative health education to parents of children with restrictive ventricular septal defect can effectively enhance the parents’ knowledge of preoperative care and reduce the occurrence of complications and loss to follow-up.

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Effect of Cigarette Smoking on Patient-Reported Outcomes in Hip Arthroscopic Surgery: A Matched-Pair Controlled Study With a Minimum 2-Year Follow-up

Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1177/2325967118822837 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. 232596711882283 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Ajay C. Lall ◽

Jon E. Hammarstedt ◽

Asheesh G. Gupta ◽

Joseph R. Laseter ◽

Mitchell R. Mohr ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Patient Reported Outcomes ◽

Smoking Status ◽

Arthroscopic Surgery ◽

Matched Pair ◽

Harris Hip Score ◽

Controlled Study ◽

Control Group ◽

Patient Reported ◽

Smoking Group

Background: The rate of hip arthroscopic surgery has recently increased; however, there is limited literature examining patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in cigarette smokers. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether smoking status for patients undergoing hip arthroscopic surgery affects clinical findings and PRO scores. We hypothesized that patients who smoke and undergo primary hip arthroscopic surgery will have similar clinical examination findings and preoperative and postoperative PRO scores compared with nonsmoking patients. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Data were collected on all patients who underwent primary hip arthroscopic surgery from February 2008 to July 2015. A retrospective analysis of the data was then conducted to identify patients who reported cigarette use at the time of the index procedure. Patients were matched 1:2 (smoking:nonsmoking) based on sex, age within 5 years, labral treatment (repair vs reconstruction vs debridement), workers’ compensation status, and body mass index within 5 kg/m2. All patients were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively using 4 PRO measures: the modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), Non-Arthritic Hip Score (NAHS), Hip Outcome Score–Sport-Specific Subscale (HOS-SSS), and International Hip Outcome Tool–12 (iHOT-12). Pain was estimated using a visual analog scale. Satisfaction was measured on a scale from 0 to 10. Significance was set at P < .05. Results: A total of 75 hips were included in the smoking group, and 150 hips were included in the control group. Preoperatively, the smoking group had significantly lower PRO scores compared with the control group for the mHHS, NAHS, and HOS-SSS. Both groups demonstrated significant improvement from preoperative levels. A minimum 2-year follow-up was achieved, with a mean of 42.5 months for the smoking group and 47.6 months for the control group ( P = .07). At the latest follow-up, the smoking group reported inferior results for all outcome measures compared with controls. The improvement in PRO scores and rates of treatment failure, revision arthroscopic surgery, and complications was not statistically different between the groups. Conclusion: Patients who smoke had lower PRO scores preoperatively and at the latest follow-up compared with nonsmokers. Both groups demonstrated significant improvement in all PRO scores. These results show that while hip arthroscopic surgery may still yield clinical benefit in smokers, these patients may ultimately achieve an inferior functional status. To optimize results, physicians should advise patients to cease smoking before undergoing hip arthroscopic surgery.

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