scholarly journals Acute effect of foot orthotics on drag area and perceived comfort in cyclists affected by an anatomic asymmetry in time trial position

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-12
Author(s):  
Anthony Bouillod ◽  
Marc Retali ◽  
Georges Soto-Romero ◽  
Emmanuel Brunet ◽  
Maxim Frémeaux ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Effect Size ◽  
Test Group ◽  
Time Trial ◽  
Acute Effect ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Small Effect Size ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Limb Length Inequality ◽  
Elite Cyclists ◽  
Drag Area

The aim of this study was to analyse the acute effect of biomechanical foot orthotics on drag area (ACd) and perceived comfort in elite cyclists affected by a lower limb length inequality (LLLI) in TT position. Twenty-nine cyclists performed two discontinuous incremental exercises (before and after orthopaedic correction) using their personal TT bicycle and equipment on a 250-m indoor velodrome. The ACd was unchanged in both the test group (TG) (‑0.5%, p = 0.707) and the control group (CG) (-1.4%, p = 0.276), whereas the perceived comfort was improved in the TG (+6.2%, p = 0.002) and stabilised in the CG (+0.7%, p = 0.546), after the fitting of the foot orthotics. Pelvis movements were decreased (small effect size) in the TG (-6.2%, p = 0.093, ES = 0.251), whereas they were increased (small effect size) in the CG (+5.2%, p= 0.159, ES = 0.215). TT position was slightly improved by compensating for a LLLI, as the ACd was stabilised and the level of comfort was improved. Thus, cyclists affected by a LLLI are recommended to compensate with foot orthotics in order to improve their level of comfort and consequently their performance in TT position.

Immediate Effect of Acupuncture on the Sleep Pattern of Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea

2010 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 115-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anaflávia O Freire ◽  
Gisele C M Sugai ◽  
Sônia Maria Togeiro ◽  
Luiz Eugênio Mello ◽  
Sérgio Tufik
Keyword(s):  
Obstructive Sleep Apnoea ◽  
Placebo Treatment ◽  
Acute Effect ◽  
Sham Acupuncture ◽  
Sleep Apnoea ◽  
Sleep Pattern ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Respiratory Events ◽  
Obstructive Sleep ◽  
Before And After

Background Most patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) do not tolerate treatment with nasal continuous positive airway pressure, the ‘gold standard’ treatment for this condition. It was shown in a pilot study that acupuncture was more effective than placebo treatment (sham acupuncture) in producing significant changes in the respiratory events assessed by polysomnography (PSG). Objectives To investigate the immediate effect of manual acupuncture (MA) and electroacupuncture (EA) on the sleep pattern of patients presenting with moderate OSA. Methods 40 patients with an Apnoea–Hypopnoea Index (AHI) of 15–30/h were randomly allocated to MA treatment (n=10), EA 10 Hz treatment (n=10), EA 2 Hz treatment (n=10) and a no-treatment control group (n=10). The patients received MA or EA (2 or 10 Hz) just before the PSG study at 20:00. Results The AHI (p=0.005; p=0.005), the Apnoea Index (p=0.038; p=0.009) and the respiratory events (p=0.039; p=0.014) decreased significantly in the MA and EA 10 Hz groups, respectively (AHI (21.9, 11.2), Apnoea Index (5.15, 0.7), respiratory events (120.5, 61.0) in the MA group before and after. AHI (20.6, 9.9), Apnoea Index (8.2, 0.3), respiratory events (117.0, 56.0) in the EA 10 Hz group before and after). The micro-arousals decreased only in the MA group (146.0 vs 88.5, p=0.0002). There were no significant changes in the EA 2 Hz group or in the control group. Conclusion A single session of either MA or EA 10 Hz had an acute effect in reducing the AHI as well as the number of nocturnal respiratory events of patients presenting with moderate OSA.

scholarly journals Nurses’ perspectives about communication with patients in an intensive care setting using a communication board: A pilot study

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martelize Gropp ◽  
Ensa Johnson ◽  
Juan Bornman ◽  
Rajinder Koul
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care ◽  
Care Setting ◽  
Test Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Intensive Care Setting ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Communication Needs ◽  
Communication Board

Background: Communication in the intensive care setting (ICS) is critical for both the patient and the medical staff to provide efficient care and thus alleviate possible patient adverse effects. Persons with complex communication needs are particularly vulnerable in ICSs and therefore require additional communication support.Aim: This study focused on the perspectives of nurses about communication with patients with communication needs in ICSs using paper-based communication boards, namely the translated Vidatak EZ Board, before and after a training session.Setting: A 1650-bed public hospital with a 26-bed ICS in a semi-urban, low socio-economic area in South Africa served as the research setting.Methods: A quasi-experimental pre-test post-test group design with withdrawal and a control group was used. Data were gathered using a custom-designed questionnaire completed by ICS nurse participants recruited from a public hospital.Results: Responses of some nurses did not change in post-test 1, but their responses did change in post-test 2. Some of the nurses’ perspectives changed, as expected from the pre-test to post-test 1. Nurses recommended specific adaptations to the communication board.Conclusions: Most nurses agreed that communication is crucial in ICSs and that a communication board can be implemented; however, limited success was observed implementing the board following a short training. The inter-professional collaboration between nurses and speech-language therapists to provide optimal health care to patients in ICS is emphasised.

scholarly journals Effect of short-chain fructooligosaccharide-enriched energy-restricted diet on weight loss and serum haptoglobin concentration in Beagle dogs

2011 ◽  
Vol 106 (S1) ◽  
pp. S120-S123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Ricci ◽  
Isabelle Jeusette ◽  
Jean-Marie Godeau ◽  
Barbara Contiero ◽  
Marianne Diez
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Test Group ◽  
Blood Parameters ◽  
Short Chain ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Beagle Dogs ◽  
Restricted Diet ◽  
Serum Haptoglobin ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Haptoglobin Concentration

The effects of the dietary inclusion of two levels of short-chain fructooligosaccharides (sc-FOS) on weight loss, biochemical parameters and serum haptoglobin concentration were investigated in twelve experimental obese Beagle dogs. Dogs were randomised into two groups and submitted to a weight loss program (WLP): the control group (C) received a commercial energy-restricted high-protein diet containing 1 % DM sc-FOS, whereas the test group (T) received the same diet enriched with sc-FOS to attain a 3 % DM content. Body weight (BW) and body condition score were weekly assessed in each dog and blood was collected before and after WLP to measure total plasma cholesterol (CHOL), TAG, NEFA, glucose (GLUC), insulin, serum leptin and haptoglobin. Groups showed similar BW and blood parameters before treatment. When values before and after treatment of the dogs were compared, significant reductions were observed for all parameters, with the exception of NEFA and GLUC. However, when these reductions were compared between C and T groups, significant differences were detected only for haptoglobin (T before v. T after: 1545 v. 605 mg/l, P = 0·03; C before v. C after: 1635 v. 1400 mg/l, P = NS). Positive correlations between haptoglobin and CHOL and between haptoglobin and TAG were observed before but not after WLP. In conclusion, feeding obese dogs with the energy-restricted diet caused significant weight loss and reduction of blood parameters, irrespective of the sc-FOS content included. However, serum haptoglobin level, and the subclinical inflammatory condition associated with it, was significantly lowered in the T but not in the C group.

scholarly journals INVESTIGATING THE EFFECT OF REFLEXOLOGY IN INTENSITY OF PAIN AND ANXIETY AMONG PATIENTS SUFFERING FROM METASTATIC CANCER IN ADULTS’ HEMATOLOGY WARD

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 401 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simin Jahani ◽  
Fatemeh Salari ◽  
Nasrin Elahi ◽  
Bahman Cheraghian
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Metastatic Cancer ◽  
Test Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Anxiety Management ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Mean ◽  
And Control

Objective: Findings suggest dissatisfaction of half of the cancer patients regarding pain and anxiety management. This study aimed to determine the effect of reflexology on the intensity of pain and anxiety among patients with metastatic cancer hospitalized inadulthematology ward.  Methods: In this study, the samples were selected from adult hematology ward in Baghaei 2 hospital in Ahwaz, Iran, according to the inclusion criteria. They were then assigned into treatment and control groups. In the treatment group, reflexology protocol was performed following manual reflexology method by Fr Josef Eugster based on Ingham method on the patient’s bed. In the control group, sole touching was used as the placebo. Reflexology was performed for three days, 30 min per day. Spielberger questionnaire were provided to the samples and completed in the first and third days, and Spielberger questionnaire was provided to the samples and completed. The data obtained from this study were then analyzed by SPSS 20.Results: The two groups did not show a significant difference in terms of demographic characteristics (p>0.05). Based on the obtained results, it was found that in the test group, there was a significant difference between the mean intensity of pain before and after the treatment across all 3 days as well as the mean anxiety of the 1st and 3rd days (p<0.05). However, in the control group, there was no significant difference in terms of mean pain intensity before and after the treatment across 3 days (p>0.05). No significant difference was observed between the mean anxiety of the 1st and 3rd days either (p>0.05).Conclusion: Considering the findings of this research, it can be concluded that reflexology has a positive effect on mitigating the intensity of pain and anxiety in metastatic cancer patients. Therefore, it is recommended that nurses employed in cancer centers benefit from the findings of this research to further help patients with cancer. It is also suggested that further research be conducted on the effect of reflexology on the pain and anxiety of other patients.

scholarly journals C – reactive protein in saliva of non-smoking patients with periodontitis (a pilot study)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zerina Hadžić ◽  
Ivan Puhar
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Test Group ◽  
Periodontal Therapy ◽  
Control Group ◽  
C Reactive Protein ◽  
Inflammatory Biomarker ◽  
Reactive Protein ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Oral Hygiene Instructions ◽  
And Control

Introduction: C-reactive Protein (CRP) as an inflammatory biomarker can be easily determined in saliva, but the values of salivary CRP in periodontitis are not well-studied. The aim of this study was to analyze and determine the values of salivary CRP in non-smokers with periodontitis stage 3 or 4 before and after supragingival and subgingival full-mouth periodontal therapy.Methods: Standard periodontal parameters and saliva samples were collected in 12 non-smoking patients. Patients in the test group (n = 6) underwent supragingival and subgingival full-mouth periodontal therapy, and the control group (n = 6) received only supragingival full-mouth therapy. Both groups received the same oral hygiene instructions in addition to therapy. After 3 months, re-registration of periodontal parameters and re-sampling of saliva for analysis of salivary CRP were done for both groups.Results: Statistical analysis revealed large differences in the values of clinical periodontal parameters and CRP levels in the test group after therapy. Values of salivary CRP in the test and control groups were lower 3 months the therapy; however, the results were not statistically significant. The correlation of clinical periodontal parameters and salivary CRP varied in both groups.Conclusion: Our pilot study reveals decreased concentrations of salivary C-reactive protein in non-smoking patients following non-surgical periodontal therapy. Further studies are needed to prove the reliability of salivary CRP as a biomarker for periodontitis.

scholarly journals Functional training vs traditional training benefits for martial arts practitioners

2018 ◽  
Vol XIX (1) ◽  
pp. 366-374
Author(s):  
Olaru Florina
Keyword(s):  
Martial Arts ◽  
Test Group ◽  
Training Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Muscular Fitness ◽  
Anthropometric Measures ◽  
Functional Training ◽  
Traditional Training ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Traditional Resistance Training

Both functional and traditional resistance training increase muscular fitness. This study aims at highlighting the benefits of functional training compared to traditional training. Thus, we analyze the effects of functional training on muscular fitness in terms of endurance, agility, strength, flexibility and balance. A group of 40 martial arts practitioners, aged 18-30 years, was divided in a functional training experimental group (n = 20) and a traditional resistance control group (n = 20). Anthropometric measures were done to the test group of martial arts practitioners which were tested before and after the training study period of 7 weeks. The results showed an important improvement (p < 0.05) in endurance, push-ups, 1-RM bench press and squat, one-leg balance and back extension. Functional training group had a significant increase in flexibility and shoulder girth (p < 0.05). The main difference comparing the two test groups was in flexion time and forearm girth. In conclusion, functional training increases endurance, shoulder girth and flexibility

Exercise Capacity and Acute Effect of Exercise on Affect in a Substance Use Disorder Population

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 142-149
Author(s):  
Rhiannon Dowla ◽  
Bridin Murnion ◽  
Cherly Hung ◽  
Kia Currell ◽  
Michael Kendig ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Exercise Capacity ◽  
Substance Use Disorder ◽  
Effect Size ◽  
Normative Data ◽  
Subjective Experience ◽  
Acute Effect ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Subject Factor ◽  
Withdrawal Management

ABSTRACT Background It is known that exercise is beneficial to people with substance use disorder, however little evidence exists regarding their exercise capacity. This pilot study investigates the exercise capacity of patients with substance use disorder and effects of an acute bout of exercise on affect. Methods Twenty-nine participants admitted to a withdrawal management facility were recruited to complete a health and exercise assessment (18 females, 11 males; 41 ± 11 years old). Mood was measured before and after exercise assessments using the subjective experience to exercise scale. Data was grouped by sex, and descriptive analyses were performed against age-matched normative data. Within group, before and after subjective experience to exercise scale measures were analyzed using 2-way ANOVA with sex as a between subject factor. Results Participants ranged from having 2 to 6 modifiable cardiovascular risk factors. Participants performed below average compared to age-matched and sex-matched normative data for the 6-minute walk test (females: 539 ± 54 m, males: 606 ± 89 m); and push-up test (females: 22% good, males: 36% good). Of the 29 participants, 29% failed to achieve the average range for sex-matched norms in the sit-to-stand test. However, all participants achieved above average for curl-ups, and 72% achieved an average or above score in the step-up test. Exercise significantly increased wellbeing (P &lt; 0.001, effect size = 1.12) and decreased psychological distress (P = 0.045, effect size = 1.03) and fatigue (P &lt; 0.001, effect size = 1.32). Conclusion Exercise is both feasible and beneficial in a withdrawal management setting. Capacity to perform exercise was generally poor with high individual variance. Design of future interventions will need tailored prescription for patients in this population.

scholarly journals Heat acclimation improves exercise performance

2010 ◽  
Vol 109 (4) ◽  
pp. 1140-1147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Santiago Lorenzo ◽  
John R. Halliwill ◽  
Michael N. Sawka ◽  
Christopher T. Minson
Keyword(s):  
Exercise Performance ◽  
Lactate Threshold ◽  
Time Trial ◽  
Heat Acclimation ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Time Trial Performance ◽  
Before And After ◽  
C 30 ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Trial Performance

This study examined the impact of heat acclimation on improving exercise performance in cool and hot environments. Twelve trained cyclists performed tests of maximal aerobic power (V̇o2max), time-trial performance, and lactate threshold, in both cool [13°C, 30% relative humidity (RH)] and hot (38°C, 30% RH) environments before and after a 10-day heat acclimation (∼50% V̇o2max in 40°C) program. The hot and cool condition V̇o2max and lactate threshold tests were both preceded by either warm (41°C) water or thermoneutral (34°C) water immersion to induce hyperthermia (0.8–1.0°C) or sustain normothermia, respectively. Eight matched control subjects completed the same exercise tests in the same environments before and after 10 days of identical exercise in a cool (13°C) environment. Heat acclimation increased V̇o2max by 5% in cool (66.8 ± 2.1 vs. 70.2 ± 2.3 ml·kg−1·min−1, P = 0.004) and by 8% in hot (55.1 ± 2.5 vs. 59.6 ± 2.0 ml·kg−1·min−1, P = 0.007) conditions. Heat acclimation improved time-trial performance by 6% in cool (879.8 ± 48.5 vs. 934.7 ± 50.9 kJ, P = 0.005) and by 8% in hot (718.7 ± 42.3 vs. 776.2 ± 50.9 kJ, P = 0.014) conditions. Heat acclimation increased power output at lactate threshold by 5% in cool (3.88 ± 0.82 vs. 4.09 ± 0.76 W/kg, P = 0.002) and by 5% in hot (3.45 ± 0.80 vs. 3.60 ± 0.79 W/kg, P < 0.001) conditions. Heat acclimation increased plasma volume (6.5 ± 1.5%) and maximal cardiac output in cool and hot conditions (9.1 ± 3.4% and 4.5 ± 4.6%, respectively). The control group had no changes in V̇o2max, time-trial performance, lactate threshold, or any physiological parameters. These data demonstrate that heat acclimation improves aerobic exercise performance in temperate-cool conditions and provide the scientific basis for employing heat acclimation to augment physical training programs.

scholarly journals ENHANCING ACADEMIC WRITING PERFORMANCE THROUGH DIRECT INSTRUCTION OF THE ACADEMIC FORMULAS

2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 850-861
Author(s):  
Nor Ashikin Ab Manan ◽  
Paramaswari Jaganathan ◽  
Ambigapathy Pandian
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Direct Instruction ◽  
Academic Writing ◽  
Effect Size ◽  
Test Scores ◽  
Writing Performance ◽  
Essay Writing ◽  
Small Effect Size ◽  
Before And After ◽  
And Control

This paper discusses the results of a study on formula instruction conducted among mixed-ability diploma level university students. The main objective of the study was to investigate whether incorporating direct instruction of academic formulas (DIAF) into an academic writing class would encourage the use of the target academic formulas (TAF) in the post academic essay writing (AEW) test, and improve the subjects’ academic writing performance. Two intact groups of diploma level university students enrolled in an academic writing course employing a process-oriented writing approach participated in the study. Both groups consisted of forty students and were assigned as the experimental and control groups. DIAF was incorporated into the existing academic writing course’s syllabus and was conducted two hours per week over six out of the fourteen-week semester. Pre and post AEW tests were used to assess the subjects’ academic writing performance before and after the treatment. The results of the study are discussed by addressing three research questions: 1) What are the effects of DIAF on the TAF use in the post AEW test? 2) What is the effect of TAF use on the post AEW test scores? 3) What are the effects of DIAF on the subjects’ academic writing performance? It was concluded that DIAF encourages the use of more TAF and a more varied selection of TAF in the post AEW test. There is a significant but weak positive linear relationship between the number of TAF used in the post AEW test and the post AEW test scores (r=0.473), and the number of TAF used is a significant predictor in estimating the scores for all the three AEW test components. DIAF is also beneficial at enhancing the subjects’ academic writing performance with a large effect size of 0.98 for ‘language’ component, 0.86 for ‘organization’ component and a small effect size of 0.45 for ‘content’ component.

scholarly journals Enhancing Most Essential Learning Competency (Melc) in English 9 Using The Skills-Based Learning Material

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 51-60
Author(s):  
Ailene Lumanog ◽  
Myrna O. Medrano
Keyword(s):  
Effect Size ◽  
Learning Performance ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Learning Material ◽  
Control Group Design ◽  
Cohen’S D ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Small Effect Size ◽  
Cohen's D ◽  
D Value

The skills-based learning material was made and studied by the researcher due to sudden changes in education in a time of the pandemic. The main focus of this study is to determine the effectiveness of the skills-based learning material for English 9. This study used the pretest-posttest non-equivalent control group design, which falls under the quasi-experimental design. On the test of significant difference between the formative mean scores of the experimental and comparison groups, it was found out that the formative tests had a significant effect on the respondents' learning performance at p 0.01 level. Additionally, the posttest mean scores of each group; got the 0.01 level of significance, as well as the pretest and posttest mean scores of each group. Moreover, based on the computed Cohen's d value of 1.16, the effect size of the learning material to the students' performance is large compared to the comparison group that shows a small effect size at 0.31 Cohen's d value. Generally, there is a significant difference between the formative test of the two groups with the average and high mean scores, respectively. There is also a significant difference between the posttest mean scores of the two groups and as well between the pre-test and post-test mean scores. Moreover, Cohen's effect size value of 1.16 suggested a large effect of the material on the respondents' learning performance. As for recommendations, there is a need for the teacher to incorporate the 21st Century Skills into learning competencies.  

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document