Benefits of Dog-Assisted Therapy in Patients with Dementia Residing in Aged Care Centers in Spain

(1) Background: Currently, the scientific evidence on the benefits of assisted therapy with dogs in dementia is not clear. In this study, we want to evaluate such benefits through a randomized controlled clinical trial in multiple centers across the country. (2) Methods: The participants were people over 65 years old with dementia, residing in senior centers in Spain (n = 334). The experimental group underwent assisted therapy with dogs based on the Comprehensive Cognitive Activation Program in Dementia, for 8 months, with weekly sessions of 45 min. Data were collected at the commencement, middle, and end of the program, to evaluate the aspects using the Mini-Examination Cognitive, the modified Bartell Index, the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia and the Neuropsychiatric Inventory. (3) Results: The results show significant improvements in the experimental group versus the control group in the affective (T1 = p 0.000; T2 = p 0.000) and behavioral (T1 = p 0.005; T2 = p 0.000) aspects, with the affective aspect displaying greater progress in participants with additional depressive (p = 0.022) or anxiety (p = 0.000) disorders, shorter institutionalization periods (r = −0.222, p = 0.004), and those undergoing complementary psychotherapy (p = 0.033) or alternative therapy (p = 0.011). (4) Conclusions: Dog therapy is effective in improving the affective and behavioral aspects of institutionalized patients with dementia.

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Technology-supported sitting balance therapy versus usual care in the chronic stage after stroke: A pilot randomized controlled trial

10.21203/rs.3.rs-326548/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Liselot Thijs ◽

Eline Voets ◽

Evelien Wiskerke ◽

Thomas Nauwelaerts ◽

Yves Arys ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Usual Care ◽

Balance Training ◽

Group Versus ◽

Chronic Stroke ◽

Control Group ◽

Post Intervention ◽

Functional Balance ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Sitting Balance ◽

Experimental Group

Abstract Insights in evidence on sitting balance and trunk rehabilitation have not resulted in specific device development. Hence, intensive one-by-one therapist-patient guidance is still required. We developed a novel rehabilitation prototype, specifically aimed at providing sitting balance therapy. In this study, we investigated if technology-supported sitting balance training was feasible and safe in chronic stroke patients and we evaluated whether clinical outcomes improved after a four-week programme when compared with usual care. Methods. In this parallel-group, assessor-blinded, randomized controlled pilot trial, we divided first event chronic stroke participants randomly into two groups. The experimental group received usual care plus additional therapy supported by rehabilitation technology consisting of 12 sessions of 50 minutes of therapy in four weeks. The control group received usual care only. We assessed all participants twice pre-intervention and once post-intervention. Feasibility and safety were descriptively analysed. Between-group analysis evaluated the differences in changes in motor and functional outcomes. Results. In total, 30 participants were recruited and 29 completed the trial (experimental group, n=14; control group, n=15). There were no between-group differences at baseline. Therapy was evaluated feasible by participants and therapist. There were no serious adverse events during sitting balance therapy. Changes in clinical outcomes from pre- to post-intervention demonstrated an increase in the experimental compared to the control group for trunk function; mean (standard deviation [SD]): 7.07 (1.69) versus 0.33 (2.35) points on trunk impairment scale (p<.000), maximum walking speed on 10-meter walk test (0.16 (0.16) m/s in the experimental group versus 0.06 (0.06) m/s in the control group; p=.003), and functional balance measured using Berg balance scale (median [interquartile range] 4.5 (5) points in the experimental group versus 0 (4) points in the control group (p=.014). Conclusions. Technology-supported sitting balance training in persons with chronic stroke is feasible and safe. A four-week, 12-hour programme on top of usual care suggests beneficial effects for trunk function, maximum gait speed and functional balance.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04467554, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04467554, date of Registration: 13 July 2020.

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Effect of Yoga on the Quality of Life of Nurses Working in Intensive Care Units. Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Investigación y Educación en Enfermería ◽

10.17533/udea.iee.v37n3e06 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 37 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Khatereh Rostami ◽

Fariba Ghodsbin

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Clinical Trial ◽

Intensive Care ◽

Intensive Care Units ◽

Control Group ◽

Controlled Clinical Trial ◽

Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Experimental Group

Objective. The work, herein, sought to determine the effect of yoga on the quality of life of nurses working in intensive care units (ICU). Methods. This was a randomized controlled clinical trial of a preventive intervention of three weekly sessions of yoga exercises, which included aspects of meditation, breathing control, and slow body movements. The study selected 70 nurses working in ICU and assigned them to two groups: experimental (n = 35) and control (n = 35). The World Health Organization Quality of Life brief questionnaire (WHOQoL-Bref) was used to evaluate on four moments (baseline, one, two, six months after the start of the study); this scale has 26 items with Likert-type response options ranging from 1 to 5; higher total score indicates better quality of life. Results. The baseline score of quality of life in the experimental group was 62.3, which increased to 70.7 on the first month and continued improving in the evaluations on the second month (72.8) and sixth month (74.1), with this change being statistically significant. Instead, the control group showed no differences in scores of the different moments of evaluation (baseline = 62, first month = 61.9, second month = 62.4, and sixth month = 60.4). In the four domains of the WHOQoL-Bref (physical, psychological, social relationships, and environment), it was also noted that the experimental group obtained better scores over time compared with the control group. Conclusion. The intervention of yoga exercises was effective in improving the quality of life of nurses working in ICU.Descriptors: yoga; exercise; meditation; nurses; quality of life; intensive care units; randomized controlled trial; surveys and questionnaires; encuestas y cuestionarios.How to cite this article: Rostami K, Ghodsbin F. Effect of Yoga on the Quality of Life of Nurses Working in Intensive Care Units. Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial. Invest. Educ. Enferm. 2019; 37(3):e06.

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Reduction in Bacterial Loading Using MTAD as an Irrigant in Pulpectomized Primary Teeth

Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry ◽

10.17796/jcpd.39.2.r1235327331r26hn ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 39 (2) ◽

pp. 100-104 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

K Farhin ◽

PM Viral ◽

P Thejokrishna ◽

M Sajjad

Keyword(s):

Primary Teeth ◽

Bacterial Load ◽

Agar Plate ◽

Control Group ◽

Controlled Clinical Trial ◽

Plate Method ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Before And After ◽

Experimental Group

Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the reduction in bacterial loading uing MTAD as an irrigating solution in pulpectomized primary teeth. Study design: A randomized, controlled clinical trial was performed that included primary teeth with pulp necrosis. Sixty necrotic canals were included, 30 irrigated with MTAD (experimental group) and 30 with 1% Na0Cl solution (control group); in all cases, 2 microbiological samples from within the canals were taken with sterile paper points, the first after the canal opening and before the first irrigation, and the second after instrumentation and final irrigation, before obturation. All samples were evaluated by Agar plate method. Results: The results were statistically analyzed by student ‘t’ test. After analyzing samples before and after irrigation in the control group (NaOCl), we found a significant decrease of bacterial load ( p = < 0.001). The same occurred in the MTAD group samples ( p = < 0.001). When both groups were compared post irrigation, a statistically significant difference was observed in favor of MTAD. Conclusion: MTAD can be suggested as an alternative irrigant for pulpectomy of necrotic teeth.

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A Prospective, Double-Blind, Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial in the Gingivitis Prevention with an Oligomeric Proanthocyanidin Nutritional Supplement

Mediators of Inflammation ◽

10.1155/2017/7460780 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2017 ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

R. M. Díaz Sánchez ◽

G. Castillo-Dalí ◽

A. Fernández-Olavarría ◽

R. Mosquera-Pérez ◽

J. M. Delgado-Muñoz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nutritional Supplement ◽

Tooth Surface ◽

Control Group ◽

Controlled Clinical Trial ◽

Double Blind ◽

Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Gingival Bleeding ◽

Crevicular Fluid ◽

Experimental Group

Aim. To evaluate the effectiveness on tissue response of the new nutritional supplement made of oligomeric proanthocyanidins in induced gingivitis after 21 days of use. Material and Methods. A prospective, double-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial was carried out on 20 patients; it is divided into an experimental group and a control group after fulfilling the selection criteria. Patients had to come 4 times during the study to register the Silness and Löe index, the gingival bleeding index, the plaque index, the inflammatory crevicular fluid study (IL6), and the changes in the brightness of the gingiva. No complementary hygiene methods were allowed during the 21 days. Results. The Silness and Löe index was higher in the control group than in the experimental group, reaching a twofold difference between the groups (p<0.0001). The gingival bleeding index also supports this fact, since the bleeding was lower in the experimental group (p<0.005). However, the dental plaque on the tooth surface according to the plaque index was 33% higher in the experimental group (p<0.006). Some differences in the IL-6 were found in the crevicular fluid (p<0.0001). Conclusion. Oligomeric proanthocyanidins have an effect on the periodontal tissue’s health. No effects on the accumulation of plaque on the tooth surface were found, so further studies are needed to determine the nature of the plaque.

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Comparison Between Rotary and Manual Techniques on Duration of Instrumentation and Obturation Times in Primary Teeth

Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry ◽

10.17796/jcpd.35.4.8k013k21t39245n8 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 35 (4) ◽

pp. 359-364 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Tania Ochoa-Romero ◽

Veronica Mendez-Gonzalez ◽

Hector Flores-Reyes ◽

Amaury Pozos-Guillen

Keyword(s):

Root Canal ◽

Primary Teeth ◽

Deciduous Teeth ◽

Control Group ◽

Controlled Clinical Trial ◽

Root Canal Filling ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Rotary Instruments ◽

Experimental Group

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the duration of instrumentation and obturation times and quality of root canal filling between rotary and manual instrumentation techniques in primary teeth. Study design: A randomized, controlled clinical trial was performed that included deciduous teeth with pulp necrotic. Forty necrotic teeth were included; 20 were instrumented with a rotary technique (experimental group) and 20 with a manual technique (control group). The time taken for instrumentation and for obturation were recorded in minutes, and the quality of the root canal filling was recorded as optimal, underfilled,or overfilled. Results: The use of the rotary technique diminished the time of instrumentation to 63%and time of obturation to 68%, and it improved the quality of the root canal filling. Conclusion: The use of rotary instruments in the pulpectomy of primary molars represents a promising technique; the time is significantly reduced.

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Effectiveness of an Interdisciplinary Program Performed on Obese People Regarding Nutritional Habits and Metabolic Comorbidity: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17010336 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

pp. 336

Author(s):

Virginia Esperanza Fernández-Ruiz ◽

Antonio Jesús Ramos-Morcillo ◽

María Solé-Agustí ◽

José Antonio Paniagua-Urbano ◽

David Armero-Barranco

Keyword(s):

Behavioral Therapy ◽

Control Group ◽

Controlled Clinical Trial ◽

Obese People ◽

Interdisciplinary Program ◽

Nutritional Habits ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Experimental Group

Obesity is an important public health problem. The combined use of different therapies performed by an interdisciplinary group can improve the management of this health issue. The main goal of this research is to determine the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary program based on healthy eating, exercise, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and health education in improving metabolic comorbidity, Body Mass Index (BMI), and nutritional habits among obese adults, at short (12 months) and long term (24 months). A randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted at a community care center between February 2014 and February 2016. A random sampling was done (299), total population (3262). A sample of 74 subjects diagnosed with obesity (experimental group, n = 37 and control group, n = 37) was conducted. Inclusion criteria: obese people (BMI: >30 kg/m2) with metabolic comorbidity and bad nutritional habits. Exclusion criteria: other comorbidities. A 12-month interdisciplinary program (with pre-test, 12 months and 24 months of follow-up) was applied. Intervention is based on healthy eating, exercise, and cognitive behavioral therapy. The intervention had a positive effect on nutritional habits (F2;144 = 115.305; p < 0.001). The experimental group increased fruit and vegetable intake (F2;144 = 39.604, p < 0.001), as well as fortified foods (F2;144 = 10,076, p < 0.001) and reduced fats, oils, and sweets F2;144 = 24,086, p < 0.001). In the experimental group, a BMI reduction of 2.6 to 24 months was observed. At follow-up, no participant had inadequate nutritional habits, compared to 35.1% of the control group (χ22 = 33,398; p < 0.001). There was also a positive response of metabolic comorbidities in the intervention group. The interdisciplinary program improved all participants’ metabolic parameters, BMI, and nutritional habits while maintaining the long-term effects (24 months).

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Effectiveness and Safety of Niclosamaide as Add-on Therapy to the Standard of Care Measures in COVID-19 Management: Randomized controlled clinical trial

10.1101/2021.06.10.21258709 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ahmed S. Abdulamir ◽

Faiq I. Gorial ◽

Sattar J Saaedi ◽

Mohammed Fauzi Maulood ◽

Hashim Ali Hashim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trial ◽

Survival Rate ◽

Viral Infections ◽

Standard Of Care ◽

Antiviral Effect ◽

Control Group ◽

Controlled Clinical Trial ◽

Open Label ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Experimental Group

Background: COVID-19 pandemic has ignited the urge for repurposing old drugs as candidate antiviral medicines to treat novel challenges of viral infections. Niclosamide (NCS) is an anti-parasitic drug of known antiviral potential. Therefore, this study attempts to investigate the antiviral effect and safety of NCS on SARS-CoV-2 caused COVID-19 patients. Methods: Randomized controlled open label clinical trial encompassed 75 COVID-19 patients treated with standard of care plus NCS were included as experimental group and 75 COVID-19 patients treated with only standard of care therapy as control group. Each group was composed of 25 mild, 25 moderate and 25 severe patients. Survival rate, time to recovery, and side effects were the main endpoints for the assessment of the therapeutic effect and safety of NCS. Results: NCS did not enhance survival rate as three of severe COVID-19 patients in NCS and in control groups died (P>0.05). However, NCS, compared to control group, reduced the time to recovery in moderate and severe COVID-19 patients about 5 and 3 days, respectively but not in mild patients (P≤0.05). Most interestingly, NCS lowered time to recovery up to five days in patients with co-morbidities (P≤0.05) whereas only one day lowered in patients without co-morbidities (P>0.05). Conclusion: It is concluded that NCS accelerates time to recovery about 3 to 5 days in moderate to severe COVID-19 patients especially those with co-morbidities; hence, NCS is of clinical benefit for freeing hospital beds for more patients in pandemic crisis.

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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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FMS Effects of a Motor Program for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders

Perceptual and Motor Skills ◽

10.1177/00315125211010053 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 003151252110100

Author(s):

Liangshan Dong ◽

Bo Shen ◽

YanLi Pang ◽

Mingting Zhang ◽

Yuan Xiang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Motor Development ◽

Group Versus ◽

Motor Program ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Control Group ◽

Gross Motor Development ◽

Children With Asd ◽

Individualized Approach ◽

Experimental Group ◽

Ball Skills

The current study evaluated the effectiveness of a motor program that specifically targeted fundamental motor skills (FMS) in children with ASD. The experimental group (n=21) participated in a 9-week program with motor instructions for 80 minutes/day, three days/week, while the control group (n=29) did not participate in the program. We measured FMS (using the Test of Gross Motor Development-3) one-week before, one-week after, and two-months after the program. Children in the experimental group had significantly larger FMS improvements than the controls on both locomotor and ball skills immediately following the program, and these participants showed continuous improvement on locomotor, but not ball skills, at 2-months follow-up. In individual analyses, 80% of children in the experimental group versus 29% of children in the control group showed continuous locomotor skills improvement beyond their pre-test levels. These findings highlight the importance of both a long-term motor development intervention and an individualized approach for evaluating improved FMS among children with ASD.

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Efficacy of axial TheraTogs on gait pattern in children with dyskinetic cerebral palsy: a randomized controlled trial

Bulletin of Faculty of Physical Therapy ◽

10.1186/s43161-021-00030-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 26 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Shamekh Mohamed El-Shamy ◽

Ehab Mohamed Abd El Kafy

Keyword(s):

Cerebral Palsy ◽

Physical Therapy ◽

Muscle Tone ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Gait Pattern ◽

Controlled Study ◽

Control Group ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Gait Parameters ◽

Experimental Group

Abstract Background TheraTogs promotes proprioceptive sense of a child with cerebral palsy and improves abnormal muscle tone, posture alignment, balance, and gait. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of TheraTogs orthotic undergarment on gait pattern in children with dyskinetic cerebral palsy. Thirty children with dyskinetic cerebral palsy were selected for this randomized controlled study. They were randomly assigned to (1) an experimental group that received TheraTogs orthotic undergarment (12 h/day, 3 days/week) plus traditional physical therapy for 3 successive months and (2) a control group that received only traditional physical therapy program for the same time period. Gait parameters were measured at baseline and after 3 months of intervention using Pro-Reflex motion analysis. Results Children in both groups showed significant improvements in the gait parameters (P < 0.05), with significantly greater improvements in the experimental group than in the control group. Conclusions The use of TheraTogs may have a positive effect to improve gait pattern in children with dyskinetic cerebral palsy. Trial registration This trial was registered in the ClinicalTrial.gov PRS (NCT03037697).

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