Wearable Movement Sensors for Rehabilitation: From Technology to Clinical Practice

Abstract Background: It has been suggested that the age-related decline of androgens in men plays a distinct role in the development of several aspects of frailty. Therefore, hormone replacement might improve the course of frailty by increasing lean body mass and muscle strength, decreasing fat mass, and improving the subjective quality of life. Objective: The objective of the study was to assess whether hormone replacement with dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and/or atamestane might improve the course of frailty. Design: This was a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial. Setting: The study was conducted in the general community. Participants: Participants included 100 nonhospitalized, nondiseased, independently living men, aged 70 yr and over with low scores on strength tests. Seventeen participants did not complete the trial. Intervention: Subjects were randomly assigned to one of four intervention arms: atamestane (100 mg/d) and placebo, DHEA (50 mg/d) and placebo, a combination of atamestane (100 mg/d) and DHEA (50 mg/d), or two placebo tablets for 36 wk. Main Outcome Measures: Physical frailty was measured by means of a specific test battery, including isometric grip strength, leg extensor power, and physical performance. Results: The randomization was successful, and 83 (83%) men completed the intervention. There were no differences between the treatment arms and placebo group in any of the outcome measurements after intervention. Conclusions: The results of this double-blind, randomized trial do not support the hypothesis that hormone replacement with DHEA and/or atamestane might improve the course of frailty.

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THE IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION TO REDUCE SELF-DESTRUCTIVE NAIL HABITS

SOCIETY INTEGRATION EDUCATION Proceedings of the International Scientific Conference ◽

10.17770/sie2021vol4.6418 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 4 ◽

pp. 491-499

Author(s):

Ilze Upeniece ◽

Monta Beltiņa

Keyword(s):

Clinical Practice ◽

General Education ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Target Population ◽

Control Group ◽

Age Related ◽

Nail Changes ◽

Group 2 ◽

And Control ◽

Traumatic Damage

Onychophagia and onychotillomania are rarely seen in clinical practice and are considered undervalued. The study aims were to determine the prevalence of onychophagia and onychotillomania habit in the patient group with hand nail damage and control group, to determine which would be the target population to educate. Patients were interviewed about self-destructive habits. Excel and SPSS were used for data analysis. In the nail damage group, 28.6% of the respondents showed self-destructive habits and past habits – 31.4%. In the control group, the result was 22.9% and 31.4%. For 74.3% of patients the cause of nail damage was skin disease (including 61.54% of respondents with nail damage who have psoriasis), for 5.7% it was age-related nail changes, for 20% traumatic damage and for 57.14% of them it was a result of self-destructive habit. In the nail damage group both – present and past self-destructive habits are higher than in the control group, but it has no statistical significance (p=0.785). 1)The prevalence of onychophagia and onychotillomania does not differ between patients and control group. 2)General education of the population is necessary to actualize this problem, which can worsen nail changes.

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