scholarly journals Development of a New Application-Based Chewing Efficiency Test (Mini Dental Assessment) and Its Evaluation by Nursing Staff in Geriatric Care: A Pilot Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (22) ◽  
pp. 11889
Author(s):  
Alexander Schmidt ◽  
Maximiliane Amelie Schlenz ◽  
Clara Sophie Gäbler ◽  
Steffen Schlee ◽  
Bernd Wöstmann
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Oral Health Status ◽  
Daily Routine ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Average Life Expectancy ◽  
Chewing Efficiency ◽  
System Usability Scale ◽  
Paper Form ◽  
Efficiency Test

The increasing average life expectancy worldwide results in an elderly population with significant health care needs. However, dental care is often not a focus of care. It is well known that oral and overall health are directly related. Therefore, the Mini Dental Assessment (MDA) was developed to provide a simple analysis of oral health status, although it is currently only available in paper form, with all associated drawbacks, from illegible writing to the inability to quickly search the collected forms. This study aimed to develop a digital application (app) for mobile devices that can overcome the problems associated with paper forms. After the digital MDA was developed, its usability was evaluated by nurses, a questionnaire was answered, and it was compared to the analog MDA with patients in a pilot study. The usability of the app (System Usability Scale) was 95.18 ± 4.26, representing a very high usability. Furthermore, this app showed good clinical applicability. The results also showed that the digital MDA was accepted by nurses in their daily routine and was preferred to the analog MDA. A follow-up study with a higher number of subjects is highly recommended.

scholarly journals General practice attendances among patients attending a post-COVID-19 clinic: A pilot study

BJGP Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. BJGPO.2021.0016
Author(s):  
John Michael Broughan ◽  
Geoff McCombe ◽  
Gordana Avramovic ◽  
Des Crowley ◽  
Cheyenne Downey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
General Practice ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Hospital Discharge ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Clinic Visit ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Medical Histories

BackgroundAbout 10-35% of people with COVID-19 merit medical care within three weeks of infection. However, the prevalence of ongoing care needs among those experiencing severe COVID-19 illness is unclear.AimThis pilot study aimed to address this knowledge gap by examining GP attendance trends among patients attending a post-COVID-19 hospital follow-up clinic, 3-6 months after an initial clinic visit.Design, and SettingData was collected from adult patients attending a post-COVID-19 follow-up clinic at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.MethodParticipants completed questionnaires outlining their demographics, medical histories, emergency hospital admissions/re-admissions where applicable, and where relevant, GP attendances following hospital discharge. Analyses were conducted using descriptive/inferential statistics.ResultsParticipants’ (n=153) median age =43.5 (IQR =30.9–52.1 years). There were 105 females (68.6%, 95% CI=61.3%–75.9%). Various medical histories were reported among participants. 67 (43.2%, 95% CI=35.9%–51.6%) received emergency COVID-19 hospital care. Older adults, males, ICU admissions, and re-admissions were common among hospital attendees. Of the hospital attendees, 16 (24%, 95% CI=13.7%–34.2%) and 26 (39%, 95% CI=27.3%–50.7%) attended GPs within seven and 30 days of hospital discharge. Older adults, people with pre-existing medical conditions, and individuals admitted to ICU/readmitted to hospital were common among general practice attendees.ConclusionPersistent health issues appear to be common among severe COVID-19 patients, particularly those who are older adults, have pre-existing health problems, and had been in ICU and/or re-admission care. Larger scale studies of ongoing COVID-19 care needs in general practice/primary care are required.

A cooperative management app for parents with myopic children wearing orthokeratology lens: Mixed methods pilot study (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chi-Chin Sun ◽  
Gen-Yih Liao ◽  
Li-Ling Liao ◽  
Li Chun Chang
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Axial Length ◽  
Interdisciplinary Collaboration ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Design Development ◽  
Parents And Children ◽  
System Usability Scale ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Time Required

BACKGROUND Myopia is an underappreciated but profound public health problem. Orthokeratology (OK) lens wear is an effective modality to inhibit axial elongation in children with myopia. Willingness for a commitment from both parents and children contributes significantly to the success of the OK treatment and decreases the chance of complications due to non-compliance behaviors. OBJECTIVE The aim of this pilot study was to develop and assess the usability of a mobile application of OK lens by quantitatively and qualitatively evaluating parents with myopic children and eye care professionals (ECPs). We subsequently identified and resolved individual-specific usability issues to improve future implementation of the app protocol for parents and ECPs to collaboratively manage myopic children wearing OK lens. METHODS The app was developed and tested in 2020 using a co-design approach involving target users (parents with 7-13 myopic children), ECPs, designers, and app developers. A total of 36 parents with children who were given OK lens in an ophthalmology clinic were admitted to the study. Subsequently, prototype tests, two System Usability Scale (SUS) questionnaire surveys, and app engagement and app experience interviews were conducted during the three-month feasibility and utility assessment. RESULTS The app features include self-reported compliance documentation, analytics, personalized and generalized messages for compliance behaviors of orthokeratology lens. After the three-month trial period, the app demonstrated a usage rate of approximately 40 – 60 % among the 30 enrolled parents and was most often used prior to the follow-up visit. Although after the implementation of the app, there was no significant difference in compliance of wear and care, the incidence of comorbidities as well as the compliance with follow-up visits substantially improved. The average SUS scores at the first week and the third month were 54.6 and 82.0, respectively. Qualitative data suggested that parents were most satisfied with the app’s reminder and axial length recording functions, although it was recommended that the number of compliance behavior questions should be reduced to minimize the time required to complete the survey. In addition, whether the recording of the axial length data as well as the management and reminder for the follow-up visit should be completed by parents or ECPs remained controversial. CONCLUSIONS This is the first app developed to improve the parents’ compliance of myopic children with OK lens and assist ECPs and parents to collaboratively monitor and manage the wearing and caring of OK lens among myopic children as well as their follow-up visits. The study also highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in the design, development, and validation of such an app. CLINICALTRIAL Nil

A Pilot Study of Mobile Telephone Message Interventions with Suicide Attempters in China

Crisis ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui Chen ◽  
Brian L. Mishara ◽  
Xiao Xian Liu
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Mobile Telephone ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Quick Method ◽  
Suicide Attempters ◽  
To Receive

Background: In China, where follow-up with hospitalized attempters is generally lacking, there is a great need for inexpensive and effective means of maintaining contact and decreasing recidivism. Aims: Our objective was to test whether mobile telephone message contacts after discharge would be feasible and acceptable to suicide attempters in China. Methods: Fifteen participants were recruited from suicide attempters seen in the Emergency Department in Wuhan, China, to participate in a pilot study to receive mobile telephone messages after discharge. All participants have access to a mobile telephone, and there is no charge for the user to receive text messages. Results: Most participants (12) considered the text message contacts an acceptable and useful form of help and would like to continue to receive them for a longer period of time. Conclusions: This suggests that, as a low-cost and quick method of intervention in areas where more intensive follow-up is not practical or available, telephone messages contacts are accessible, feasible, and acceptable to suicide attempters. We hope that this will inspire future research on regular and long-term message interventions to prevent recidivism in suicide attempters.

Impact of a Noninvasive Blood Glucose Device on Glycemic Control and Daily Routine Measurement Aspects—Results of a Pilot Study

Diabetes ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 67 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 957-P
Author(s):  
ANDREAS PFÜTZNER ◽  
ALEXANDER LIER ◽  
SANJA RAMLJAK ◽  
FILIZ DEMIRCIK
Keyword(s):  
Blood Glucose ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Glycemic Control ◽  
Daily Routine ◽  
Routine Measurement

Prognostic significance of C1–C2 facet malalignment after surgical decompression in adult Chiari malformation type I: a pilot study based on the Chicago Chiari Outcome Scale

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Michael Lumintang Loe ◽  
Tito Vivas-Buitrago ◽  
Ricardo A. Domingo ◽  
Johan Heemskerk ◽  
Shashwat Tripathi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Chiari Malformation ◽  
Prognostic Significance ◽  
Foramen Magnum ◽  
Bivariate Analysis ◽  
Type I ◽  
Foramen Magnum Decompression ◽  
Swallowing Function ◽  
Chiari Malformation Type I

OBJECTIVEThe authors assessed the prognostic significance of various clinical and radiographic characteristics, including C1–C2 facet malalignment, in terms of surgical outcomes after foramen magnum decompression of adult Chiari malformation type I.METHODSThe electronic medical records of 273 symptomatic patients with Chiari malformation type I who were treated with foramen magnum decompression, C1 laminectomy, and duraplasty at Mayo Clinic were retrospectively reviewed. Preoperative and postoperative Neurological Scoring System scores were compared using the Friedman test. Bivariate analysis was conducted to identify the preoperative variables that correlated with the patient Chicago Chiari Outcome Scale (CCOS) scores. Multiple linear regression analysis was subsequently performed using the variables with p < 0.05 on the bivariate analysis to check for independent associations with the outcome measures. Statistical software SPSS version 25.0 was used for the data analysis. Significance was defined as p < 0.05 for all analyses.RESULTSFifty-two adult patients with preoperative clinical and radiological data and a minimum follow-up of 12 months were included. Motor deficits, syrinx, and C1–C2 facet malalignment were found to have significant negative associations with the CCOS score at the 1- to 3-month follow-up (p < 0.05), while at the 9- to 12-month follow-up only swallowing function and C1–C2 facet malalignment were significantly associated with the CCOS score (p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that syrinx presence and C1–C2 facet malalignment were independently associated with the CCOS score at the 1- to 3-month follow-up. Swallowing function and C1–C2 facet malalignment were found to be independently associated with the CCOS score at the 9- to 12-month follow-up.CONCLUSIONSThe observed results in this pilot study suggest a significant negative correlation between C1–C2 facet malalignment and clinical outcomes evaluated by the CCOS score at 1–3 months and 9–12 months postoperatively. Prospective studies are needed to further validate the prognostic value of C1–C2 facet malalignment and the potential role of atlantoaxial fixation as part of the treatment.

Short-Term Ultramicronized Palmitoylethanolamide Therapy in Patients with Myasthenia Gravis: a Pilot Study to Possible Future Implications of Treatment

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 232-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emanuela Onesti ◽  
Vittorio Frasca ◽  
Marco Ceccanti ◽  
Giorgio Tartaglia ◽  
Maria Cristina Gori ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Myasthenia Gravis ◽  
Repetitive Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Antibody Titers ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Ultramicronized Palmitoylethanolamide ◽  
Open Pilot

Background: The cannabinoid system may be involved in the humoral mechanisms at the neuromuscular junction. Ultramicronized-palmitoylethanolamide (μm-PEA) has recently been shown to reduce the desensitization of Acetylcholine (ACh)-evoked currents in denervated patients modifying the stability of ACh receptor (AChR) function. <p> Objective: To analyze the possible beneficial effects of μm-PEA in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) on muscular fatigue and neurophysiological changes. <p> Method: The duration of this open pilot study, which included an intra-individual control, was three weeks. Each patient was assigned to a 1-week treatment period with μm-PEA 600 mg twice a day. A neurophysiological examination based on repetitive nerve stimulation (RNS) of the masseteric and the axillary nerves was performed, and the quantitative MG (QMG) score was calculated in 22 MG patients every week in a three-week follow-up period. AChR antibody titer was investigated to analyze a possible immunomodulatory effect of PEA in MG patients. <p> Results: PEA had a significant effect on the QMG score (p=0.03418) and on RNS of the masseteric nerve (p=0.01763), thus indicating that PEA reduces the level of disability and decremental muscle response. Antibody titers did not change significantly after treatment. <p> Conclusion: According to our observations, μm-PEA as an add-on therapy could improve muscular response to fatigue in MG. The possible modulation of AChR currents as a means of eliciting a direct effect from PEA on the conformation of ACh receptors should be investigated. The co-role of cytokines also warrants an analysis. Given the rapidity and reversibility of the response, we suppose that PEA acts directly on AChR, though further studies are needed to confirm this hypothesis.

PO-0814 Developmental Follow Up Of Former Premature Infants: A Pilot Study In Lebanon: Abstract PO-0814 Table 1

2014 ◽  
Vol 99 (Suppl 2) ◽  
pp. A520.2-A520
Author(s):  
L Charafeddine ◽  
R El Hage ◽  
H Tamim ◽  
L Akouri-Dirani ◽  
D Sinno
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Premature Infants

scholarly journals Utility of routinely collected electronic health records data to support effectiveness evaluations in inflammatory bowel disease: a pilot study of tofacitinib

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. e100337
Author(s):  
Vivek Ashok Rudrapatna ◽  
Benjamin Scott Glicksberg ◽  
Atul Janardhan Butte
Keyword(s):  
Inflammatory Bowel Disease ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
Real World ◽  
Bowel Disease ◽  
P Value ◽  
Health Records ◽  
Real World Evidence ◽  
Inflammatory Bowel

ObjectivesElectronic health records (EHR) are receiving growing attention from regulators, biopharmaceuticals and payors as a potential source of real-world evidence. However, their suitability for the study of diseases with complex activity measures is unclear. We sought to evaluate the use of EHR data for estimating treatment effectiveness in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), using tofacitinib as a use case.MethodsRecords from the University of California, San Francisco (6/2012 to 4/2019) were queried to identify tofacitinib-treated IBD patients. Disease activity variables at baseline and follow-up were manually abstracted according to a preregistered protocol. The proportion of patients meeting the endpoints of recent randomised trials in ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD) was assessed.Results86 patients initiated tofacitinib. Baseline characteristics of the real-world and trial cohorts were similar, except for universal failure of tumour necrosis factor inhibitors in the former. 54% (UC) and 62% (CD) of patients had complete capture of disease activity at baseline (month −6 to 0), while only 32% (UC) and 69% (CD) of patients had complete follow-up data (month 2 to 8). Using data imputation, we estimated the proportion achieving the trial primary endpoints as being similar to the published estimates for both UC (16%, p value=0.5) and CD (38%, p-value=0.8).Discussion/ConclusionThis pilot study reproduced trial-based estimates of tofacitinib efficacy despite its use in a different cohort but revealed substantial missingness in routinely collected data. Future work is needed to strengthen EHR data and enable real-world evidence in complex diseases like IBD.

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