scholarly journals Effects of barefoot walking on the flat foot in school going children: A Randomised control trial

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (SPL4) ◽  
pp. 1805-1812
Author(s):  
Sharath Hullumani V ◽  
Purusotham Chippala

Flat foot is also called Plano-valgus foot, and it is a term, that is commonly used in describing flat foot. Some studies have suggested, that certain foot-specific exercises and barefoot weight bear walking can change foot function like flat foot, and also confirm that shoed walking children are more likely to get a flat foot. An Assessor blinded, Randomized controlled trial with thirty-eight children with flat foot aged 6 – 14 years, both male and female were randomised to the control group (n= 19) and intervention group (n=19). The control group had performed barefoot walking for 45 minutes a day for eight weeks, and the intervention group had received foot-specific exercises with barefoot walking for eight weeks. Foot posture was evaluated by the arch index, while the Oxford foot and ankle questionnaire was used to measure the subjective well-being of children. Measurements were taken before and after the eight weeks of intervention. The outcome of the randomised control trial showed that the barefoot walking group faired far better than that which didn't (p-value <0.05). The intervention group outcomes measure Arch Index, and Oxford Foot and Ankle Questionnaire were p-values is <0.05 from seventh and eight weeks. This study results suggest that barefoot walking and specific foot exercises are effective in improving the flat foot in school-going children.

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 463
Author(s):  
Mar Gomis-Pastor ◽  
Sonia Mirabet Perez ◽  
Eulalia Roig Minguell ◽  
Vicenç Brossa Loidi ◽  
Laura Lopez Lopez ◽  
...  

Non-adherence after heart transplantation (HTx) is a significant problem. The main objective of this study was to evaluate if a mHealth strategy is more effective than standard care in improving adherence and patients’ experience in heart transplant recipients. Methods: This was a single-center, randomized controlled trial (RCT) in adult recipients >1.5 years post-HTx. Participants were randomized to standard care (control group) or to the mHeart Strategy (intervention group). For patients randomized to the mHeart strategy, multifaceted theory-based interventions were provided during the study period to optimize therapy management using the mHeart mobile application. Patient experience regarding their medication regimens were evaluated in a face-to-face interview. Medication adherence was assessed by performing self-reported questionnaires. A composite adherence score that included the SMAQ questionnaire, the coefficient of variation of drug levels and missing visits was also reported. Results: A total of 134 HTx recipients were randomized (intervention N = 71; control N = 63). Mean follow-up was 1.6 (SD 0.6) years. Improvement in adherence from baseline was significantly higher in the intervention group versus the control group according to the SMAQ questionnaire (85% vs. 46%, OR = 6.7 (2.9; 15.8), p-value < 0.001) and the composite score (51% vs. 23%, OR = 0.3 (0.1; 0.6), p-value = 0.001). Patients’ experiences with their drug therapy including knowledge of their medication timing intakes (p-value = 0.019) and the drug indications or uses that they remembered (p-value = 0.003) significantly improved in the intervention versus the control group. Conclusions: In our study, the mHealth-based strategy significantly improved adherence and patient beliefs regarding their medication regimens among the HTx population. The mHeart mobile application was used as a feasible tool for providing long-term, tailor-made interventions to HTx recipients to improve the goals assessed.


Author(s):  
Tzofnat Zadok-Gurman ◽  
Ronit Jakobovich ◽  
Eti Dvash ◽  
Keren Zafrani ◽  
Benjamin Rolnik ◽  
...  

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on teachers professional and personal lives. Our primary aim was to assess the effect of a blended Inquiry-Based Stress Reduction (IBSR), an emerging mindfulness and cognitive reframing intervention on teacher’s well-being. Our secondary aims were to assess the effect of IBSR on resilience, burnout, mindfulness, and stress among teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The study was a prospective controlled trial with an intervention group (N = 35) and a comparison control group (N = 32). The intervention took place in the Jerusalem District throughout the school year from November 2019 to May 2020. The sessions were conducted in blended learning that included traditional learning (face-to-face) and online learning. Data was analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis. Results: IBSR blended intervention enhanced the resilience and improved the subjective and psychological well-being of teachers in spite of the breakout of the COVID-19 pandemic and the first lockdown in Israel. Simultaneously the control group suffered from enhanced burnout levels and a decline in psychological and subjective well-being. Conclusions: Implementation of IBSR blended intervention during the school year may benefit teachers’ well-being and ability to flourish, even during stressful events such as the COVID-19 pandemic.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvina Catuara-Solarz ◽  
Bartlomiej Skorulski ◽  
Inaki Estella ◽  
Claudia Avella-Garcia ◽  
Sarah Shepherd ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Against a long-term trend of increasing demand, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a global rise in common mental disorders. Now more than ever, there is an urgent need for scalable, evidence-based interventions to support mental well-being. OBJECTIVE The aim of this proof-of-principle study was to evaluate the efficacy of a mobile-based app in adults with self-reported symptoms of anxiety and stress in a randomised control trial that took place during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK. METHODS Adults with mild to severe anxiety and moderate to high levels of perceived stress were randomised to either the intervention or control arm. Participants in the intervention arm were given access to the app, Foundations, for the duration of the 4-week study. All participants were required to self-report a range of validated measures of mental well-being (10-item Connor-Davidson Resilience scale [CD-RISC-10]; 7-item Generalised Anxiety Disorder scale [GAD-7]; Office of National Statistics Four Subjective Well-being Questions [ONS-4]; World Health Organisation-5 Well-Being Index [WHO-5]) and sleep (Minimal Insomnia Scale [MISS]) at baseline and weeks 2 and 4; and, in addition, on perceived stress weekly (10-item Perceived Stress Score [PSS]). RESULTS 136 participants completed the study and were included in the final analysis. The intervention group (n=62) showed significant improvements compared to the control group (n=74) on measures of anxiety (GAD-7 score, delta from baseline to week 2 in the intervention group: -1.35 [SD 4.43]; control group: -0.23 [SD 3.24]; t134= 1.71 , P=.04), resilience (CD-RISC score, delta from baseline to week 2 in the intervention group: 1.79 [± SD 4.08]; control group: -0.31 [± SD 3.16]; t134 -3.37, P<.001), sleep (MISS score, delta from baseline to week 2 in the intervention group: -1.16 [± SD 2.67]; control group: -0.26 [± SD 2.29]; t134= 2.13, P=.01), and mental well-being (WHO-5 score, delta from baseline to week 2 in the intervention group: 1.53 [5.30]; control group: -0.23 [± SD 4.20]; t134= -2.16, P=.02) within 2 weeks of using Foundations, with further improvements emerging at week 4. Perceived stress was also reduced within the intervention group, although the results did not reach statistical significance relative to the control group (PSS score, delta from baseline to week 2 in the intervention group: -2.94 [± SD 6.84]; control group: -2.05 [± SD 5.34]; t134= 0.84, P=.20). CONCLUSIONS This study provides proof-of-principle that the digital mental health app, Foundations, can improve measures of mental well-being, anxiety, resilience, and sleep within 2 weeks of use, with greater effects after 4 weeks. It therefore offers potential as a scalable, cost-effective, and accessible solution to enhance mental well-being, even during times of crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyoko Tanaka ◽  
Maoko Hayakawa ◽  
Chihiro Noda ◽  
Moemi Nakamura ◽  
Akio Nakamura ◽  
...  

Abstract Procedures and actions such as injections and immobilization cause pain and distress to children. In the pediatric field, there is a need for interventions and support to alleviate the pain and distress caused by such medical procedures. In recent years, the introduction of robots as a means of distraction has begun to be attempted. In this study, we conducted a non-randomized controlled trial to examine the effect of intervention using ‘aibo’, a dog-like robot which has artificial intelligence (AI), to promote distraction in children after vaccination. As a result, 57 children (32 in the intervention group) participated in the study. Results of a t-test with the control group showed that the intervention group using aibo had significantly less pain following the post-vaccination intervention than the control group using stuffed dog (Face Scale, t(55) = 2.582, p = .0125; Behavioral Observation Scale, t(55) = 2.772, p = .00759). The results support the hypothesis that the aibo intervention group will be less distressed and able to calm down more quickly after vaccination than the control group. Conclusion : AI-powered aibo interventions that allow for interactive interaction can be an effective distraction method during painful procedures such as vaccinations.


Author(s):  
Erdnaxela Fernandes do Carmo Souza ◽  
Alfredo Almeida Pina-Oliveira ◽  
Antonieta Keiko Kakuda Shimo

Objective: to assess the effect of a breastfeeding educational intervention on the counseling provided to postpartum women. Method: this is a randomized controlled trial including 104 postpartum women (intervention group = 52 and control group = 52) from a private hospital, whose educational intervention was based on the pragmatic theory and on the use of a soft-hard technology called Breastfeeding Educational Kit (Kit Educativo para Aleitamento Materno, KEAM). Women were followed-up for up to 60 days after childbirth. Chi-Squared Test, Fischer’s Exact Test, and Generalized Estimating Equation were used, with a significance level of 5% (p-value <0.05). The analyses were performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 24. Results: the postpartum women in the intervention group had fewer breastfeeding difficulties and a higher percentage of exclusive breastfeeding at all time points compared with those in the control group. Conclusion: the educational intervention based on active methodologies and stimulating instructional resources was effective in developing greater practical mastery among postpartum women with regard to adherence and maintenance of exclusive breastfeeding. Registry REBEC RBR – 8p9v7v.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-82
Author(s):  
Widyo Subagyo ◽  
Dyah Wahyuningsih ◽  
Mukhadiono Mukhadiono

This study aimed to determine the effect of the development of horticultural therapy to improve the social skills of mental disorders patients in the community. This research's method is quantitative research with a pre-posttest queasy experimental research design with a control group. The study results the social skills score before and after treatment in the intervention group given horticultural therapy was marked with a p-value of 0.01 (<0.05). In conclusion, there is a significant difference in the mean difference in social skills scores between the intervention and control groups.   Keywords: Mental Disorders, Social Skills, Horticultural Therapy


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-30
Author(s):  
Candra Saputra ◽  
Yulastri Arif ◽  
Fitra Yeni

This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of ANNISA development on nurses' knowledge of nursing documentation. This method uses quantitative research with a quasi-experimental design and a time series approach non-equivocal control group design. The study results were there were differences in the measurement of nurses' knowledge about nursing documentation in the intervention group before the intervention by measuring posttest-1 with p-value = 0.000. There were differences in nurses' experience about nursing documentation between the intervention group and the control group in the posttest-1 and posttest-2 measurements after the intervention using ANNISA with p-value = 0,000. There was an increase in differences in nurses' knowledge about nursing documentation from the pretest, posttest-1, and posttest-2 measurements after using ANNISA in the intervention group and the control group with p-value = 0.000. In conclusion, ANNISA development affects increasing the knowledge of nurses about nursing documentation   Keywords: ANNISA, Nursing Documentation, Knowledge


Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 939 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amjad H. Jarrar ◽  
Jeannette M. Beasley ◽  
Eric O. Ohuma ◽  
Leila Cheikh Ismail ◽  
Dina A. Qeshta ◽  
...  

(1) Background: Fasting during Ramadan involves large changes in daily eating patterns which strongly impacts the daily biorhythm and challenges the regular function of the digestive tract. The aim of this study was to assess satiety, bowel habits, body composition, blood glycaemia, and blood lipidemia after the consumption of high fiber cereal at dawn (Sohor) during the month of Ramadan; (2) Methods: A two-arm randomized, controlled, single-blinded, parallel-design study was conducted in Ramadan month. Participants were randomized to consume either 90 g of high fiber cereal (11 g fiber/90 g) at Sohor for 20 consecutive days (intervention group, n = 45) or to maintain their habitual diet intake (control group; n = 36); (3) Results: The intervention group reported higher satiety rating scores, improved bowel habits and reduced bloating frequency after the 20-day intervention. Significantly higher intake of carbohydrates and dietary fiber were observed in the intervention group. Total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol were significantly lower among the intervention group compared to the control group (p-value = 0.043, and p-value = 0.033, respectively) at the end of the intervention. No significant differences in body weight, body fat percentage, waist circumference, body mass index, blood glucose, high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides were observed between the two groups; (4) Conclusions: Consuming high fiber cereal had a positive effect on health and well-being during the month of Ramadan with better satiety, improved bowel functions, and improved blood lipids.


Author(s):  
Ellen van der Gaag ◽  
Job van der Palen ◽  
Pim Schaap ◽  
Mirthe van Voorthuizen ◽  
Thalia Hummel

Purpose: Subclinical hypothyroidism (SH) in children and adults is a subject for discussion in terms of whether to treat it or not with respect to the short-term clinical implications and consequences of SH and in the long term. If treatment with thyroxine supplementation is not indicated, no other treatment is available. We investigated whether a lifestyle (dietary) intervention improves or normalizes SH or decreases the presence of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) and/or tiredness. Methods: We randomized children aged 1–12 years with SH to the control group (standard care = no treatment) or intervention group (dietary intervention). The dietary intervention consisted of green vegetables, beef, whole milk and butter for 6 months. The rest of the diet remained unchanged. We measured TSH, FreeT4, Lipid profile, Body Mass Index (BMI) and Pediatric Quality of Life (PedQL) multidimensional fatigue scale scores. Results: In total, 62 children were included. After 6 months, TSH decreased in both groups without a significant difference between the groups (p = 0.98). PedQL fatigue scores for sleep (p = 0.032) and total fatigue scores (p = 0.039) improved significantly in the intervention group, compared to the control group. No unfavorable effects occurred in the lipid profile or BMI. Conclusion: The lifestyle (dietary) intervention did not normalize SH and TSH levels, but it significantly reduced tiredness. These results suggest that children’s well-being can be improved without medication.


2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 432-438 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra B Hall ◽  
Catherine Ho ◽  
Bianca Albanese ◽  
Lisa Keay ◽  
Kate Hunter ◽  
...  

BackgroundIncorrect use of child restraints is a long-standing problem that increases the risk of injury in crashes. We used user-centred design to develop prototype child restraint instructional materials. The objective of this study was to evaluate these materials in terms of comprehension and errors in the use of child restraints. The relationship between comprehension and errors in use was also explored.MethodsWe used a parallel-group randomised controlled trial in a laboratory setting. The intervention group (n=22) were provided with prototype materials and the control group (n=22) with existing instructional materials for the same restraint. Participants installed the restraint in a vehicle buck, secured an appropriately sized mannequin in the restraint and underwent a comprehension test. Our primary outcome was overall correct use, and our secondary outcomes were (1) comprehension score and (2) percent errors in the installation trial.ResultsThere was 27% more overall correct use (p=0.042) and a higher mean comprehension score in the intervention group (mean 17, 95% CI 16 to 18) compared with the control group (mean 12, 95% CI 10 to 14, p<0.001). The mean error percentage in the control group was 23% (95% CI 16% to 31%) compared with 14% in the intervention group (95% CI 8% to 20%, p=0.056). For every one point increase in comprehension, there was an almost 2% (95% CI −2.7% to −1.0%) reduction in errors (y=45.5–1.87x, p value for slope <0.001).ConclusionsConsumer-driven design of informational materials can increase the correct use of child restraints. Targeting improved comprehension of informational materials may be an effective mechanism for reducing child restraint misuse.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document