Veränderung des NPC bei Personen mit Konvergenzinsuffizienz nach I.F.S.-Visualtraining

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (5) ◽  
pp. 156-162

Purpose. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the I.F.S. visual therapy (convergence training) developed by Bruce Evans in a randomized-controlled setting. The analysis of the changes of the near point of convergence (NPC) was the main target of the study. Material and Methods. 20 subjects (39.0 ± 15.32 years) with convergence insufficiency and an NPC > 10 cm underwent 4 weeks of visual therapy in a randomised-controlled singleblind setting. The verum group followed the I.F.S. exercises, while the control group performed a placebo therapy. Before and after the training phase, the NPC and the positive fusional vergence (PFV) were measured in all subjects and the Sheard and Mallett criteria were also assessed. The CISS questionnaire was used to record and quantify subjective symptoms. Results. The statistical analysis (α = 0.05) shows that the NPC of the verum group improved significantly compared to the control group (p = 0.0008) and within the verum group only (p = 0.0002). The positive effect of the I.F.S. exercises is confirmed by the also significant improvement of the PFV. Conclusion. The results as well as the practical experience with the exercises indicate that the I.F.S. visual therapy proves to be effective for individuals with a convergence insufficiency and an NPC > 10 cm in improving the near point of convergence. Keywords. convergence insufficiency, near point of convergence, NPC, visual therapy, convergence training, I.F.S. exercises

Medicina ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (7) ◽  
pp. 713
Author(s):  
Cristiano Sconza ◽  
Francesco Negrini ◽  
Berardo Di Matteo ◽  
Alberto Borboni ◽  
Gennaro Boccia ◽  
...  

Background and Objectives: Gait disorders represent one of the most disabling aspects in multiple sclerosis (MS) that strongly influence patient quality of life. The improvement of walking ability is a primary goal for rehabilitation treatment. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) in association with physiotherapy treatment in patients affected by MS in comparison with ground conventional gait training. Study design: Randomized controlled crossover trial. Materials and Methods: Twenty-seven participants affected by MS with EDSS scores between 3.5 and 7 were enrolled, of whom seventeen completed the study. They received five training sessions per week over five weeks of conventional gait training with (experimental group) or without (control group) the inclusion of RAGT. The patients were prospectively evaluated before and after the first treatment session and, after the crossover phase, before and after the second treatment session. The evaluation was based on the 25-foot walk test (25FW, main outcome), 6 min walk test (6MWT), Tinetti Test, Modified Ashworth Scale, and modified Motricity Index for lower limbs. We also measured disability parameters using Functional Independence Measure and Quality of Life Index, and instrumental kinematic and gait parameters: knee extensor strength, double-time support, step length ratio; 17 patients reached the final evaluation. Results: Both groups significantly improved on gait parameters, motor abilities, and autonomy recovery in daily living activities with generally better results of RAGT over control treatment. In particular, the RAGT group improved more than control group in the 25FW (p = 0.004) and the 6MWT (p = 0.022). Conclusions: RAGT is a valid treatment option that in association with physiotherapy could induce positive effects in MS-correlated gait disorders. Our results showed greater effectiveness in recovering gait speed and resistance than conventional gait training.


Author(s):  
Juan Pablo Pizarro-Ruiz ◽  
Nuria Ordóñez-Camblor ◽  
Mario Del-Líbano ◽  
María-Camino Escolar-LLamazares

Mindfulness-based interventions (MBI) are a recognized effective psychological practice characterized by attention control, awareness, acceptance, non-reactivity, and non-judgmental thinking obtained through the practice of meditation. They have been shown to be useful in reducing stress and enhancing well-being in different contexts. In this research, the effectiveness of an MBI was evaluated on variables that can promote successful job performance such as mindfulness trait, positive and negative affect, forgiveness, personality strengths and satisfaction with life. The intervention was carried out through a smartphone application called “Aire Fresco” (Fresh Air) during 14 days in the middle of the quarantine produced by the Covid-19 pandemic. The study sample was composed of 164 Spanish people who were distributed in two groups: control group and experimental group, which were evaluated before and after the intervention. The MANCOVA performed showed an overall positive effect of the intervention on the variables evaluated. The different ANCOVAs carried out showed that the intervention was beneficial in increasing mindfulness trait, reducing negative affect or increasing life satisfaction, among others. Our study is, as far as we know, the first to demonstrate the effectiveness of a brief intervention in mindfulness conducted using a smartphone application in Spanish.


Author(s):  
Pablo Javier Olabe Sánchez ◽  
Andrés Martínez-Almagro Andreo

To practice strength and balance activities are shown as useful tools to fall prevention by diverse metanalysis. On the other side, aquatic environment offers interesting properties for a therapeutic reeducation, being the Ai Chi one of its applications. Aim: To evaluate the repercussion of an Ai Chi programme on aged people’s balance. Method: A randomized controlled trial was developed comparing two groups formed by aged people with risk of fall according to the Timed Up & Go test. Intervention Group (IG) followed twelve Ai Chi sessions combined with their thermal programme; and Control Group (CG) just followed the thermal programme. Both groups spent two weeks in the Balneario of Archena (Murcia, Spain). Results: Both groups improve their balance; however, only the IG reached the non-risk of fall from the Timed Up & Go test. Conclusions: The combination of Ai Chi sessions and a thermal programme had a positive effect on aged people’s balance, showing a therapeutic and clinical relevance.


Author(s):  
Asieh Mehdipour ◽  
Parvin Abedi ◽  
Somayeh Ansari ◽  
Maryam Dastoorpoor

Abstract Objectives Postmenopausal women are at greater risk of depression. Depression may negatively affect the quality of life of women. An emotional freedom technique (EFT) is an evidence-based therapy combining cognitive and exposure components with acupressure. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of EFT on depression in postmenopausal women. Methods This was a randomized controlled trial in which 88 women with mild to moderate depression recruited from a menopausal clinic in Ahvaz, Iran, and randomly assigned into two groups of EFT (n=44) and control for sham therapy (n=44). Women in the EFT group received two sessions of training and asked to continue EFT for 8 weeks, one time per day. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI2) completed by women before and after the intervention. The control group received training on sham acupressure points similar to the intervention group. Data collected using a demographic and BDI2. Women requested to complete the BDI2 before and after the intervention. The independent t-test, chi-square, and ANCOVA were used to analyze data. Results The mean depression score in the intervention group reduced from 20.93 ± 4.6 to 10.96 ± 4.38 in comparison to the control group that reduced from 19.18 ± 2.79 to 17.01 ± 6.05 after intervention (p=0.001). After the 8 week intervention, the frequency of moderate depression decreased from 56.8 to 9.35% in the intervention and from 50 to 29.5% in the control group. In total, 63.4 and 34.15% in the intervention and control groups were free of depression respectively after the intervention (p<0.001). Conclusions The results of this study showed that using EFT for 8 weeks could significantly reduce the mean score of depression in postmenopausal women. Using this method in public health centers for postmenopausal women is recommended.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jae-Young Kim ◽  
Hyo-Won Jang ◽  
Jung-In Kim ◽  
In-Ho Cha

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of administering intermittent parathyroid hormone (iPTH) before tooth extraction versus after tooth extraction on the risk of developing MRONJ in experimental animal model. Twenty-five ovariectomized rats received 6 weeks of bisphosphonate therapy. They were classified into 3 groups, based on the timing of the medication, as Control, Pre-PTH and Post-PTH groups. For Control group, normal saline was administered before and after tooth extraction. iPTH was administered during 4 weeks before tooth extraction for Pre-PTH group and after tooth extraction for Post-PTH group. The animals were euthanized 8 weeks after tooth extraction. Macroscopic, histological, micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), and histomorphometric examinations were conducted. The incidences of impaired healing were 11.11% both in Pre-PTH and Post-PTH groups, which was lower than the Control group (42.86%). Bone healing in the extraction socket, based on micro-CT and histomorphometry evaluations, was best in Post-PTH and worst in Control group. The Pre-PTH group showed moderate healing pattern. Despite of limitations in this study, the authors identified Pre-PTH group seems to have positive effect on extraction socket healing. With regard to timing, administering iPTH after tooth extraction was superior to applying it before tooth extraction.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arab World English Journal ◽  
Ghadah Fahad Alzaidi

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of memory strategies (MSs)in improving students' ability to recall and spell newly learned vocabulary items. The researcheronly considered three types of MSs: grouping, placing new words in to a context and structuredreviewing. In addition, the study used a questionnaire that explored students' attitudes towardsMSs in general, and towards the specific MSs that they have been trained to use, as well as therelationship between MSs and motivation and between MSs and anxiety. intact groups (63 students in total) were selected from level three of the College of Languages and Translation (COLT) at King Saud University (KSU), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The two groups were assigned to the experimental group (36 students) and the control group(27students). The control group received traditional instruction that depended on the textbook without any MS training, whereas the experimental group received a combination of traditional instruction and MS training. A pre- and post-test were administered to both groups before and after the experiment to examine students' ability to recall the meaning of vocabulary items and their ability to spell them correctly. The experiment lasted for fourteen weeks through which the participants received seven MS training sessions. The study found out that MS training was effective in improving students' ability to recall the meaning of vocabulary items when needed and their ability to spell them correctly. Moreover, the results showed that the subjects of the experimental group showed positive attitude towards MSs and most of them agreed on the positive effect that MSs had on raising their motivation and reducing their anxiety while learning vocabulary.


Author(s):  
Tevhid Aydin ◽  
Ruhusen Kutlu ◽  
Hayriye Alp ◽  
Ibrahim Kilinc

Obesity has become a global epidemic and public health crisis in our country as well as all over the world.We aimed to investigate the changes in serum leptin and nesfatin-1 levels measured before and after acupuncture in overweight/obese patients. This randomized controlled study was carried out on 90 overweight/obese patients. Participants were divided into three groups: Group 1 (Acupuncture), Group 2 (Diet), and Group 3 (Control). Serum leptin and nesfatin-1 levels were measured before and after the intervention. The 30 days leptin values were significantly decreased in the acupuncture group (p=0.040) while they were significantly increased in the control group (p=0.039). It was detected that the nesfatin-1 values were significantly increased in both acupuncture (p=0.032) and diet groups (p=0.017). Also, body weights significantly decreased both in acupuncture (p=0.032) and diet groups (p<0.001). In the present study, auricular acupuncture was found to be more effective than body acupuncture in reducing body weight. Our results support the effects of acupuncture treatment on appetite hormones. Further research on the mechanisms of endogenous and exogenous actions of the recently discovered hormones leptin and nesfatin-1 isneeded.


2001 ◽  
Vol 81 (4) ◽  
pp. 984-994 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toni Green ◽  
Kathryn Refshauge ◽  
Jack Crosbie ◽  
Roger Adams

Abstract Background and Purpose. Passive joint mobilization is commonly used by physical therapists as an intervention for acute ankle inversion sprains. A randomized controlled trial with blinded assessors was conducted to investigate the effect of a specific joint mobilization, the anteroposterior glide on the talus, on increasing pain-free dorsiflexion and 3 gait variables: stride speed (gait speed), step length, and single support time. Subjects. Forty-one subjects with acute ankle inversion sprains (&lt;72 hours) and no other injury to the lower limb entered the trial. Methods. Subjects were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatment groups. The control group received a protocol of rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE). The experimental group received the anteroposterior mobilization, using a force that avoided incurring any increase in pain, in addition to the RICE protocol. Subjects in both groups were treated every second day for a maximum of 2 weeks or until the discharge criteria were met, and all subjects were given a home program of continued RICE application. Outcomes were measured before and after each treatment. Results. The results showed that the experimental group required fewer treatment sessions than the control group to achieve full pain-free dorsiflexion. The experimental group had greater improvement in range of movement before and after each of the first 3 treatment sessions. The experimental group also had greater increases in stride speed during the first and third treatment sessions. Discussion and Conclusion. Addition of a talocrural mobilization to the RICE protocol in the management of ankle inversion injuries necessitated fewer treatments to achieve pain-free dorsiflexion and to improve stride speed more than RICE alone. Improvement in step length symmetry and single support time was similar in both groups.


2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-36
Author(s):  
Shuang Wu ◽  
Hidenori Yamaguchi ◽  
Koh Shibutani

Objective To determine the current perception thresholds (CPTs) for arm and mental foramen areas to enable a quantitative evaluation of the effectiveness of acupuncture treatment. Methods Ninety-eight volunteers enrolled as participants and were randomly assigned to one of three groups: an acupuncture group (34 subjects); a sham acupuncture group (32 subjects) and a waiting group (32 subjects). CPTs for the arm and mental foramen areas were determined before and after acupuncture at LI4 Hegu of the left hand. A Neurometer CPT was used to evaluate the perception threshold at the homolateral mental foramen and arm. For further exploration, thresholds of homolateral and contralateral mental foramina were determined before and after acupuncture in a subgroup of 13 participants in the acupuncture group. Results Acupuncture at LI4 increased the perception thresholds of the left mental foramen in the acupuncture group significantly (p<0.01). The increases were significantly greater than in the control group for all frequencies, and significantly greater than sham acupuncture for 250 Hz and 5 Hz. In the subgroup, only the CPTs at 5 Hz increased significantly for the contralateral mental foramen. Conclusions Acupuncture at LI4 increases the perception threshold in the mandibular area, but not in the arm. This finding is probably related to the analgesic effect of acupuncture.


Author(s):  
O. F. Anufriev ◽  
V. O. Belash ◽  
V. M. Utochkin

Goal of research - the study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and scientifi c basis for the use of osteopathic correction in the treatment of cognitive impairment.Materials and methods. Two groups of patients participated in the study: Group 1 (focus group) included 22 patients with a syndrome of mild cognitive impairment who received medication and osteopathic correction; Group 2 (control group) consisted of 22 patients who received medication only. The groups were comparable in age, sex, and severity of cognitive impairment. All patients observed before and after treatment underwent complex osteopathic and neuropsychological examinations.Results. The study found that the inclusion of osteopathic correction in the treatment of patients with mild cognitive impairment has a positive effect on the dynamics of a number of neuropsychological tests. In particular, there is a statistically signifi cant increase in the indicators based on the results of the Montreal Cognitive Evaluation Scale; there is a decrease in the overall anxiety level based on the results of the Hospital Alarm and Depression Scale. Moreover, the focus group shows a statistically signifi cant decrease in the severity of somatic dysfunction in the head and neck area, both structural and visceral components, which was not observed in the control group.Conclusion. The results from the study suggest recommending the inclusion of osteopathic correction in the complex therapy for patients with mild cognitive impairment.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document