scholarly journals Pet-Assisted Therapy for Delirium and Agitation in Hospitalized Patients with Neurocognitive Impairment: A Review of Literature

Geriatrics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 96
Author(s):  
Abu Baker Sheikh ◽  
Nismat Javed ◽  
Katarina Leyba ◽  
Ali Hamza Khair ◽  
Zainab Ijaz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Elderly Patients ◽  
Mood Disorders ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Patient Population ◽  
Neurocognitive Impairment ◽  
Pet Therapy ◽  
Review Of Literature ◽  
Major Focus ◽  
The Impact

Delirium leading to agitation is a common issue in elderly people and patients with underlying neurocognitive impairment. Despite use of medications to treat agitation, polypharmacy is a major concern and might lead to multiple side effects in this patient population. Therefore, it is imperative to investigate non-pharmacological methods that can provide solutions to the problem. The objective of this review was to evaluate the impact of pet-assisted therapy on elderly patients, with a major focus on agitation and delirium. For the purposes of this study, a scoping review was performed using PubMed, Google Scholar, and ClinicalTrials. We reviewed literature from 1980 to 2021. Out of the 31 studies reviewed, 14 commented on agitation with respect to pet-assisted interventions. Of these, eight studies (57%) reported a statistically significant reduction in agitation and/or delirium in patients who were exposed to pet therapy. Pet-assisted therapy can improve the standardized care in hospital-based settings for patients with neurocognitive impairment because of better companionship, reduced agitation and mood disorders, and better stability of hemodynamic status. These interventions can pave the way for better patient and hospital satisfaction.

Primary Treatment with Pulsed Melphalan, Dexamethasone, Thalidomide (MDT) for Symptomatic Patients with Multiple Myeloma ≥ 75 Years of Age.

Blood ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 104 (11) ◽  
pp. 1482-1482 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meletios A. Dimopoulos ◽  
Panagiotis Repoussis ◽  
Evangelos Terpos ◽  
Maria Christina Kyrtsonis ◽  
Athanasios Zomas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Myeloma ◽  
Peripheral Neuropathy ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Elderly Patients ◽  
Objective Response ◽  
Elevated Serum ◽  
Primary Treatment ◽  
Moderate Degree ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Introduction: Thalidomide is usually administered orally continuously once daily and has shown remarkable activity in about 30% of patients with heavily pretreated multiple myeloma (MM). Moreover, there is considerable interest in the administration of thalidomide-containing combinations as primary treatment of MM. With such regimens at least 60% of patient achieve an objective response. Thalidomide can cause a variety of side effects whose incidence and severity may be related to the maximum dose and duration of thalidomide treatment. Furthermore, this drug may be poorly tolerated by older patients. We designed a phase II study for the primary treatment of elderly patients (≥ 75 years of age) with MM which was based on intermittent oral administration of melphalan, thalidomide and dexamethasone. Patients and Methods: This ongoing multicenter study was initiated in February 2003 and includes patients with symptomatic myeloma ≥75 years of age regardless of performance status, renal function, and comorbidities. Treatment consists of melphalan (M) 8mg/m2 days 1–4, dexamethasone (D) 12mg/m2 p.o. after breakfast on days 1–4 and 14–18 and thalidomide (T) 300 mg p.o. at bedtime on days 1–4 and 14–18. This regimen is repeated every 5 weeks for 3 courses. Patients without evidence of progressive disease are scheduled to receive 9 additional courses of MDT (but without DT on days 14–18) every 5 weeks. Results: As of July 2004, 43 patients have been enrolled. Their median age is 78 years (range: 75 to 85 years). Features of advanced myeloma are frequent and include International Staging System (ISS) 3 in 58%, hemoglobin <8.5g/dl in 13%, calcium >11.5 in 15%, creatinine > 2 mg/dl in 28% and elevated serum LDH in 11%. On an intent-to-treat basis, 72% of patients achieved at least a partial response (EBMT criteria) including 10% of patients who achieved a complete response with negative immunofixation. Median time to 50% reduction of monoclonal protein was 2 months (range 0.5 to 5.5). Grade 3 or 4 granylocytopenia and thrombocytopenia occurred in 15% and 10% of patients respectively. Twelve episodes of infections were noted one of which was fatal. Several patients developed thalidomide-related side effects, usually of mild or moderate degree, such as constipation (30%), somnolence (35%), tremor (25%), xerostomia (15%), headache (10%). Deep venous thromosis (DVT) and peripheral neuropathy occurred in 10% of patients each. With a mean follow-up of 15 months, 88% of patients remain alive. Conclusions: This is one of few prospective studies designed for myeloma patients with advanced age (≥75 years) ie patients who are frequently excluded from trials. The pulsed MDT regimen appears to be a well tolerated and active primary treatment for elderly patients with multiple myeloma. The incidence of DVT and of peripheral neuropathy appears lower than that seen when thalidomide is administered continuously. Patient accrual and follow-up is ongoing in order to assess the impact of this regimen on response duration and survival.

Abstract 6017: Long-Term TAXUS Paclitaxel-Eluting Stent Outcomes in the Elderly Patients

Circulation ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 118 (suppl_18) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel E Forman ◽  
Jeanne Y Wei ◽  
Mark I Friedman ◽  
Keith D Dawkins ◽  
Donald S Baim
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Elderly Patients ◽  
Real World ◽  
Patient Population ◽  
Death Rate ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
High Risk Patient ◽  
Safety And Efficacy ◽  
The Impact

Although percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug-eluting stents (DES) is widely used for treating elderly patients (pts), there are limited data regarding PCI outcomes in this high-risk patient population. To determine the impact of age on long-term safety and efficacy following implantation of the TAXUS Express 2 paclitaxel-eluting stent, we analyzed the TAXUS and ARRIVE studies. The 2,797 pts in TAXUS I, II SR, IV and V randomized trials and 7,492 pts in ARRIVE 1 and 2 “real world” registries were divided into three groups based on age: <60, 60 –70 and >70 years. Safety and efficacy outcomes were compared among these age groups. Results: While the 5-year death rate increased with age in the TAXUS trials, the rates of target lesion revascularization (TLR) and myocardial infarction (MI) were comparable, and the rate of stent thrombosis (ST) decreased with age. Moreover, the bare metal stent pts >70 (not shown) had similar rates of death and MI and a higher rate of TLR and ST than the corresponding TAXUS cohort. In “real world” higher risk ARRIVE pts, the 2-year death rate and cardiac death rate also increased with age while the rates of TLR, MI, and ST actually decreased with age. Elderly pts (age >70) treated with the TAXUS Express 2 stent had higher long-term death rates, but comparable TLR and MI rates and reduced ST rates compared to their younger counterparts. Collectively, these results indicate that despite the high-risk clinical and angiographic characteristics commonly observed in elderly pts, this patient population derives similar safety and efficacy from TAXUS stent treatment and such treatment should not be withheld on the basis of age alone when clinically and anatomically appropriate.

Age Influences Initial Dose and Compliance to Imatinib In Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Elederly Patients but Concomitant Comorbidities Appear to Influence Overall and Event-Free Survival

Blood ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 118 (21) ◽  
pp. 2751-2751
Author(s):  
Massimo Breccia ◽  
Luigiana Luciano ◽  
Roberto Latagliata ◽  
Fausto Castagnetti ◽  
Dario Ferrero ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Chronic Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Elderly Patients ◽  
Initial Dose ◽  
Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Response To Therapy ◽  
Very Elderly ◽  
Reduced Dose ◽  
Grade 3 ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Abstract 2751 Comorbidities have been identified as significant determinants of response to therapy in elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia, breast cancer, head and neck, and lung cancer. Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) is a list of comorbidities with a weight assigned from 1 to 6 derived from relative risk estimates of a proportional hazard regression model using clinical data. We applied CCI stratification on a large cohort of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) very elderly patients (> 75 years) treated with imatinib, in order to observe the impact of concomitant diseases on both compliance and outcome. One hundred and eighty-one patients were recruited by 21 Italian centers. There were 95 males and 86 females, median age 78.6 years (range 75–93.6). According to Sokal score, 106 patients were classified as intermediate risk and 55 as high risk (not determined in 20 patients). According to CCI stratification, 71 patients were score 0, 50 patients had a score 1, 37 patients had score 2 and 23 patients had score ≥ 3. Imatinib standard dose was reduced in 68 patients independently from the evaluation of baseline comorbidities but based only on physician judgement: 43.6% of patients with score 0 started with a reduced dose (200–300 mg/day) compared to more than 50% of patients with score ≥ 3. No significant differences were found in terms of further reduction of the dose (39% in patients with score 0 compared to 21% in patients with score ≥ 3) or in terms of discontinuation due to toxicity (58% in patients with score 0 vs 48% in patients with score ≥ 3). We did not find significant differences as regards the occurrence of hematologic side effects, probably due to the initial reduction of the dose: 39% of patients with score 0 experienced grade 3/4 hematologic toxicity (most commonly anemia) compared to 35% of patients with score ≥ 3. Independently from the initial dose, comorbidities again did not have an impact on development of grade 3/4 non-hematologic side effects (most common skin rash, muscle cramps and fluid retention): 62% of patients with score 0 compared to 35% of patients with score ≥ 3. Notwithstanding the reduced dose and the weight of comorbidities we did not find differences in terms of efficacy: 66% of patients with score 0 achieved a CCyR compared to 56.5% of patients with score ≥ 3. Comorbidities appeared to have an impact on EFS (34 months for patients with score 0 vs 23.5 months for patients with score ≥ 3) and influenced the median OS (40.8 months for patients with score 0 vs 10.6 months for patients with score ≥ 3). Our results suggested that treatment of very elderly CML patients might be influenced by personal physician perception: evaluation at baseline of comorbidities according to CCI should improve initial decision-making in this subset of patients. Disclosures: Russo Rossi: Novartis: Honoraria; Bristol Myers Squibb: Honoraria. Rosti:Novartis: Consultancy; Bristol Myers Squibb: Consultancy; Novartis: Research Funding; Novartis: Honoraria; Bristol Myers Squibb: Honoraria. Alimena:Novartis: Honoraria; Bristol Myers Squibb: Honoraria.

scholarly journals A scoping review of literature assessing the impact of the learning assistant model

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony P. Barrasso ◽  
Kathryn E. Spilios
Keyword(s):  
Education Reform ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Review Of Literature ◽  
Mathematics Classrooms ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
Evidenced Based ◽  
Relative Deficiency ◽  
Study Designs ◽  
The Impact

AbstractMuch of modern education reform is focused on implementation of evidenced-based teaching, but these techniques are sometimes met with trepidation from faculty, due to inexperience or lack of necessary resources. One near-peer teaching model designed to facilitate evidenced-based teaching in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics classrooms is the Learning Assistant (LA) model. Here, we describe the details of the LA model, present a scoping review of literature using the four original goals of the LA model as a framework, and suggest future areas of research that would deepen our understanding of the impact that the LA model may have on education. We summarize how the LA model improves student outcomes and teacher preparation and identify a relative deficiency of literature that addresses how the LA model impacts faculty and departmental/institutional change. Additionally, of the 39 papers reviewed, 11 are strictly pre-experimental study designs, 28 use quasi-experimental designs or a combination of quasi and pre-experimental, and none of them included a true experimental design. Thus, we conclude that current studies suggest that LA model positively impacts education, but more refined assessment would improve our understanding of the model. Furthermore, despite the encouraging research on the impact of the LA model and the proliferation of LA programs at institutions across the world, the study of the LA model has been, for the most part, limited to a small group of education researchers. Therefore, a major objective of this review is to introduce the LA model to a new group of instructors and researchers who can further our understanding of this promising model.

scholarly journals Patient & staff perceptions of animal-assisted therapy in psychiatric rehabilitation

BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (S1) ◽  
pp. S216-S217
Author(s):  
Laura Sallette ◽  
David King ◽  
Sian Cowton-Williams ◽  
Rajesh Mohan
Keyword(s):  
Elderly Patients ◽  
Psychiatric Rehabilitation ◽  
The United States ◽  
Animal Assisted Therapy ◽  
Patient Questionnaire ◽  
Pet Therapy ◽  
Subjective Experiences ◽  
Staff Perceptions ◽  
Therapy Dog ◽  
The Impact

AimsTo study patients' subjective experiences of having access to a therapy dog and to assess the staff perception of the impact of pet therapy. Hypothesis: pet therapy services are acceptable for rehabilitation patients.BackgroundAnimal-assisted therapy (AAT) is the supervised use of an animal in a therapeutic setting to help in the treatment of physical or psychological disorders in humans. The use of dogs in the context of AAT - ‘dog therapy’ (DT) - has been piloted in the context of stroke rehabilitation; schizophrenia in elderly patients; depression, loneliness and anxiety in elderly patients; Alzheimer's disease; symptom reduction in PTSD; cognitive impairment; and dementia. The impact of pet therapy in long term psychosis care has not been adequately assessed.MethodThis feasibility pilot study used questionnaires to assess patient (n = 12) and staff (n = 10) perceptions of dog therapy in an in-patient psychiatric rehabilitation setting. 24 patients on a rehabilitation ward with complex psychosis were offered the opportunity to interact with ‘Nugget,’ a corgi trained in the United States as a ‘therapy dog.’ A ‘patient questionnaire’ (PQ) and a ‘staff questionnaire’ (SQ) assessed the acceptability and self-rated benefits of the intervention.ResultAll patients (100%) rated highly on the enjoyment, anxiety, calmness, and comfort domains during the dog therapy, and expressed willingness to receive further sessions in the future. The SQ measured staff perceptions of patients’ engagement, enjoyment, comfort and emotional response to the therapy. 100% of staff rated highly on all questions and thought the interventions had recovery value. Engagement was one key factor noted in the feedback. There were no reported adverse reactions to the intervention.ConclusionOur preliminary results showed high acceptability and perceived value for Animal assisted therapy in a psychiatric rehabilitation setting. Given the impact of social isolation and need for connectedness, we recommend access to pet therapy where possible to be integrated into individual recovery programmes.

scholarly journals The Relationship Between the COVID-19 Pandemic and Vaccine Hesitancy: A Scoping Review of Literature Until August 2021

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matilde de Albuquerque Veloso Machado ◽  
Bjelle Roberts ◽  
Brian Li Han Wong ◽  
Robin van Kessel ◽  
Elias Mossialos
Keyword(s):  
Scoping Review ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Review Of Literature ◽  
Vaccine Acceptance ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
The Public ◽  
Optimal Population ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Tremendous Impact

Background: Vaccines have been contributing to eradicate or drastically reduce the incidence of common diseases. Simultaneously, vaccine hesitancy is considered among the top ten global health threats. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a tremendous impact on health, economics, and society worldwide, while also reinforcing faulty beliefs about the necessity of vaccine programs as a whole. This study aims to synthesise evidence on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on vaccine hesitancy.Methods: A scoping review of literature between 1 January 2020 and 1 August 2021 was performed.Results: COVID-19 vaccine acceptance decreased from more than 70 to &lt;50% in 8 months starting from January 2020. Healthcare professionals demonstrate higher rates of vaccine receptivity than the public, which was more influenced by (social) media. The circulation of misinformation was associated with increased fear of side effects related to COVID-19 vaccines. Regarding other vaccines coverage, parents' intentions to vaccinate their children against influenza increased 15.8% during the COVID-19 pandemic so far. Nonetheless, the number of vaccines administered decreased, influenced by factors like fear of being exposed to the virus at healthcare facilities and restrictions.Conclusions: Several efforts should be undertaken to improve vaccine acceptance and coverage now and beyond the pandemic to optimal population protection.

scholarly journals Understanding the impact of diet and nutrition on symptoms of Tourette syndrome: A scoping review

2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 68-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda K Ludlow ◽  
Samantha L Rogers
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Tourette Syndrome ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Nutritional Supplements ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Dietary Interventions ◽  
Parents And Children ◽  
The Impact

Anecdotal reports frequently suggest some dietary involvement in the maintenance of tics in children with Tourette syndrome (TS). This scoping review aimed to (1) understand the possible influence of diet as a trigger of tics and (2) map out the existing studies documenting dietary interventions in children with TS. Current evidence suggests no single diet to benefit individuals with TS. However, reports from parents of children with TS suggest that certain allergens in food may exacerbate tic-related symptoms. For example, an increase in tics has been related to the consumption of caffeine and refined sugar. Moreover, oligoantigenic diets and sugar-free diets have been identified as significantly reducing tics. More research is urgently needed to develop more accurate guidance for parents and children with TS, as many have reported using dietary and nutritional supplements, despite the lack of evidence detailing any benefits, side effects and recommended doses.

Fluorescent potentiometric dyes for membrane-potential imaging

1994 ◽  
Vol 52 ◽  
pp. 166-167
Author(s):  
Leslie M. Loew
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Potential ◽  
Single Cells ◽  
Quantitative Imaging ◽  
Optical Recording ◽  
Biological Processes ◽  
Major Focus ◽  
The Past ◽  
Excitable Systems ◽  
Major Application ◽  
The Impact

A major application of potentiometric dyes has been the multisite optical recording of electrical activity in excitable systems. After being championed by L.B. Cohen and his colleagues for the past 20 years, the impact of this technology is rapidly being felt and is spreading to an increasing number of neuroscience laboratories. A second class of experiments involves using dyes to image membrane potential distributions in single cells by digital imaging microscopy - a major focus of this lab. These studies usually do not require the temporal resolution of multisite optical recording, being primarily focussed on slow cell biological processes, and therefore can achieve much higher spatial resolution. We have developed 2 methods for quantitative imaging of membrane potential. One method uses dual wavelength imaging of membrane-staining dyes and the other uses quantitative 3D imaging of a fluorescent lipophilic cation; the dyes used in each case were synthesized for this purpose in this laboratory.

The Impact of Anglicizing Former German-Language Psychology Journals on Authorship and Citation Frequencies

2012 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 190-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Günter Krampen ◽  
Thomas Huckert ◽  
Gabriel Schui
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
English Language ◽  
General Trend ◽  
Native Language ◽  
Impact Factors ◽  
German Language ◽  
Journal Articles ◽  
Number Of Citations ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Number Of Authors

Exemplary for other than English-language psychology journals, the impact of recent Anglicization of five former German-language psychology journals on (1) authorship (nationality, i.e., native language, and number of authors, i.e., single or multiple authorships), (2) formal characteristics of the journal (number of articles per volume and length of articles), and (3) number of citations of the articles in other journal articles, the language of the citing publications, and the impact factors (IF) is analyzed. Scientometric data on these variables are gathered for all articles published in the four years before anglicizing and in the four years after anglicizing the same journal. Results reveal rather quick changes: Citations per year since original articles’ publication increase significantly, and the IF of the journals go up markedly. Frequencies of citing in German-language journals decrease, citing in English-language journals increase significantly after the Anglicization of former German-language psychology journals, and there is a general trend of increasing citations in other languages as well. Side effects of anglicizing former German-language psychology journals include the publication of shorter papers, their availability to a more international authorship, and a slight, but significant increase in multiple authorships.

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