Effectiveness of a Problem-Solving Program in Improving Problem-Solving Ability and Glycemic Control for Diabetics with Hypoglycemia

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a hypoglycemia problem-solving program (HPSP) on problem-solving ability and glycemic control in diabetics with hypoglycemia. This was a prospective, quasi-experimental study with two groups, using a pre- and post-repeated measures design. A total of 71 diabetic patients with hypoglycemia were purposively assigned to an experimental group (n = 34) and a control group (n = 37). The experimental group participated in an 8-week HPSP, and each weekly session lasted approximately 90 min, while the control group received usual care. Participants were assessed at baseline, 1, 3, and 6 months after intervention care. In the experimental group, 6 months after the HPSP intervention, HbA1c was superior to that before the intervention. In both groups, the score obtained using the hypoglycemia problem-solving scale (HPSS) was low before the intervention. In the experimental group, HPSS tracking improved at all stages after the intervention compared to before the intervention. In the control group, the HPSS score improved slightly in the first month and sixth months after usual care. There were significant differences between and within groups in HbA1c levels and HPSS score over time. The intervention based on the HPSP effectively improves HbA1c level and hypoglycemia problem-solving ability in patients with hypoglycemia.

The Effect of Different Exercise Intensities on Plasma Endostatin in Healthy Volunteers

Background: Physical activity decreases the risk and development of many angiogenesis related health problems including atherosclerosis. Physiological influence of different physical activities on plasma endostatin concentration is contradictory. This study aimed to determine the effects of mild, moderate and vigorous exercise on the concentration of endostatin. Methodology: 22 participants, 16 males (age = 30.6 ± 7.8 years) and 6 females (age = 26.5 ± 5 years) were recruited. Weekly session of different intensities exercise based on predicted maximum heart (60% (low), 70% (moderate) and 80% (vigorous)] were carried out. One pre and two post exercise samples were taken at 10 and 60 minutes. Results: Low intensity exercise insignificantly decreased the endostatin concentration at 10 and 60 minutes (P = 0.5 and 0.8). However, moderate (P values = 0.022. 0.004) and vigorous intensities (P= < 0.001, 0.02) increased the endostatin concentrations significantly at both intervals respectively. The effects were not significantly influenced by gender, exercise mode (walking vs running), components of exercise (HR, Speed, Gradients, distance, duration) or metabolism during exercise (VO2 max, VCO2, RER, Energy expenditure). Conclusion: Low intensity exercises did not influence endostatin concentration. However, moderate to high intensity exercises significantly increase endostatin concentration and may have potential benefits.

Associative Remote Viewing for Profit: Evaluating the Importance of the Judge and the Investment Instrument

This study examined the importance of the judge and the particular investment selection in the associative remote viewing (ARV) process. In Protocol 1, ARV was used to predict investments and to generate funds. Three viewers made weekly predictions on Sunday about an image they would be shown on Friday. Two images were selected to represent different states of a stock (value increase or value decrease), and a judge reviewed the images and the viewers’ information. Based on the judge’s evaluation, a coordinator informed an investor whether to invest for the stock to rise or fall during the weekly session. Though the sessions lost funds due to a complication in the investment process, this was not the focus of the study. A second judge (Protocol 2) and a mock investment instrument (Protocol 3) were included, blinded to all study participants. The second judge (J2) performed at a significantly less accurate level than the first judge (p < 0.05), and J2 also performed significantly lower than could be expected by chance (p = 0.02; effect size = –1.498; power > .80). Both judges performed significantly differently on the target investment than on a control investment. Although this is a pilot study with a small sample size and a limited number of sessions, conclusions are that the selection of a judge, even a very experienced judge, can have a significant effect on the success of an ARV project and that judges’ decisions are more affected by the target investments than by a comparable control investment. Future ARV projects are advised to qualify judges for accuracy just as they qualify viewers for accuracy. Keywords: associative remote viewing; ARV

Mechanisms of change and heterogeneous treatment effects in psychodynamic and cognitive behavioural therapy for patients with depressive disorder: a randomized controlled trial

Background Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a prevalent psychiatric condition associated with significant disability, mortality and economic burden. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and psychodynamic psychotherapy (PDT) are found to be equally effective for patients with depression. However, many patients do not respond sufficiently to either treatment. To offer individualized treatment, we need to know if some patients benefit more from one of the two therapies. At present little is known about what patient characteristics (moderators) may be associated with differential outcomes of CBT and PDT, and through what therapeutic processes and mechanisms (mediators) improvements occur in each therapy mode. Presently only theoretical assumptions, sparsely supported by research findings, describe what potentially moderates and mediates the treatment effects of CBT and PDT. The overall aim of this study is to examine theoretically derived putative moderators and mediators in CBT and PDT and strengthen the evidence base about for whom and how these treatments works in a representative sample of patients with MDD. Methods One hundred patients with a diagnosis of MDD will be randomized to either CBT or PDT. Patients will be treated over 28 weeks with either CBT (one weekly session over 16 weeks and three monthly booster sessions) or PDT (one weekly session over 28 weeks). The patients will be evaluated at baseline, during the course of therapy, at the end of therapy, and at follow-up investigations 1 and 3 years post treatment. A large range of patient and observer rated questionnaires (specific preselected putative moderators and mediators) are included. Discussion The clinical outcome of this study may better guide clinicians when deciding what kind of treatment any individual patient should be offered. Moreover, the study aims to further our knowledge of what mechanisms lead to symptom improvement and increased psychosocial functioning. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03022071.

Experiences of People Living With HIV in Community Based Exercise: A Qualitative Longitudinal Study

This qualitative longitudinal study examined the experiences of people living with HIV who engaged in a structured community-based exercise (CBE) program under the supervision of a fitness coach. Twenty people living with HIV were invited to participate in 3 semi-structured interviews over time. Participants engaged in exercise 3 times per week for 6 months with one weekly session supervised by a coach. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and underwent longitudinal thematic analyses. Eleven participants were included representing a total of 30 interviews. Participants valued their experiences with the CBE program, particularly the motivation provided by the coach. Concerns about the environment, stigma and episodic health challenges affected their overall experience. To foster independence and promote self-management, health providers should consider these findings when encouraging CBE with people living with HIV. It is important to understand their goals and offer a variety of exercise options to meet their needs.

Orofacial motricity and use of mixed techniques in a cranio-facial trauma: a case report

ABSTRACT No reports about treatments applied by orofacial motricity experts, in craniofacial trauma, were found in the specialized literature. However, their knowledge, added to that of the aesthetic area, would be useful in the rehabilitation of scars. The aim of this work is to describe the mixed use of orofacial motor skills, muscle balance massage and scar management in a patient with soft tissues facial trauma. During the initial evaluation, a decrease in the vertical and horizontal oral opening and in the mimic movements, facial asymmetry and marked scars that affected the oral phase of swallowing, chewing (bolus formation), lip mobility, compromising speech intelligibility and, significantly, aesthetics, were observed. Myofunctional therapy lasted 12 months, during which the patient underwent three surgeries. The process was divided into an intensive phase (six months, two weekly sessions) and a follow-up phase (six months, one weekly session), which ended when the indicators evaluated at the beginning were stable, showing improvements in scars condition and appearance, as well as in orofacial functions, including pre-post therapy self-perception and greater muscular mobility, reflecting a management with an integrative approach.

Low intensity Extra Corporeal Shock Wave Therapy in Patients with Erectile Dysfunction: Our experience in ACKU

Introduction: Oral 5-phosphodiesterase inhibitors (PDE5-I) is the main therapeutical options in erectile dysfunction (ED). It shows good results, but non-responders lack other effective options and its effect is also not long lasting. Since last few years, low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy (Li-ESWT) in the corpora cavernosa showing promising results. This article presents our early experiences in Advanced Center of Kidney disease and Urology (ACKU) with the aim to evaluate clinical efficacy of Li-ESWT. Materials and methods: Thirty four patients with ED were prospectively included in the study during the period of January 2018 to Jun 2019.Treatment was performed using the PiezoWave2 (Richard Wolf, Germany) device with a linear probe. Treatment protocol included a weekly session for four weeks. Each session delivered 2000 shocks on the perineum plus 4000 shocks on dorsum penis with an energy flux density (EFD) of 0.160 mJ/mm2. Every patient has been re-evaluated 1.5 and 3 months after the last session. Pre- and post-procedure International Index Erectile Function – Erectile function domain (IIEF-EF) score, Erection Hardness Score (EHS) and Global Assessment Questionnaire-Question 1 (GAQ-Q1) answers were obtained. Results: Mean age of the study population was 39.4 (±12.9) years, 35.29% diabetic, 20.59% with hypertension and 55.85% smokers. Mean baseline IIEF-EF was 14.6, at 6 week post LiSWT was 16.4 (p >0.05) and at 3 months post LiSWT was 19.2 (p < 0.05). EHS was significantly improved at 3 month in comparison to baseline (p<0.05). 20.59% patients answered positively to GAQ-Q1 at 6 week and 61.76% at 3 months. IIEF-EF score change of >5 and increase of EHS >2 were observed in 62.88% and 70.59% study subjects respectively. Conclusions: Li-ESWT is a safe, harmless and repeatable treatment tool for ED with good outcomes reported. Bangladesh Journal of Urology, Vol. 23, No. 2, July 2020 p.176-180

Effect of eccentric overload through isoinertial technology in basketball players

The present study investigated the effect of eccentric overload on professional basketball players. Participants were 8 players aged 18-25 years who play in a Leb Oro League team. There was an 8 week training cycle with 1 weekly session of half squats. The control group performed training following a traditional methodology –using free weights– whereas the experimental group used inertial technology, that is, the ProSquat machine from Proinertial®. Both vertical jump and 30-meter sprint were assessed before and after intervention. The following conclusions were reached: a) strength training with vertical vector improves the 30-meter sprint test and also the vertical jump; b) training program that affects the eccentric overload of the movement results in more improvements than traditional training with the same duration; c) training in the vertical vector also has an impact on the way force is manifested in the horizontal vector, showing improvements in the 30-meter sprint.

GRANDPARENTS’ PERSPECTIVES ON A MULTIGENERATIONAL DIGITAL HEALTH PHYSICAL ACTIVITY INTERVENTION

Studies examining associations among grandparents’ involvement and grandchildren’s lifestyle behaviors have been largely mixed or negative highlighting the need for interventions that help grandparents promote grandchildren’s healthy behaviors. The current study explored older adults’ interest in participating in a digital intervention with their grandchildren. As part of the intervention, grandparents and grandchildren would engage in weekly walks and use a mobile application to track their steps, photos and conversations. Twelve grandparents (63±6.5yrs; 75% female; 50% Hispanic) participated in qualitative interviews. Researchers asked open-ended questions to assess grandparents’ relationships with their grandchildren, motivation to participate, and feedback on prototypes. A 10-item systems usability questionnaire was also administered. Three researchers independently analyzed interview transcripts using a rapid assessment approach and reached consensus on key themes. Grandparents described having positive relationships with their grandchildren and used texts to schedule time with them; family dynamics (conflicts, divorce) influenced the amount of time they spent together. Grandparents’ motivation for participating in the intervention included the opportunity to enhance their relationship with their grandchild and improve their own health. Grandparents noted weekly walks would feasibly occur on the weekends given their grandchildren’s competing activities. They were receptive to proposed weekly session topics (e.g., sports/hobbies, ancestry, humor) and suggested other topics to discuss during weekly walks, such as faith/religion, morality, safety, and nutrition. They strongly agreed or agreed that they would use the prototypes frequently and found them easy to use (83% and 92%, respectively). Results from this study will inform the next iteration of intervention prototypes.

LIME Madrid. Laboratorio de investigación y experimentación museográfica 2016-2017

Dado que sobre la marcha del laboratorio hay documentación detallada en la red, como protocolo teórico, metodología aplicada, configuración de los equipos, bitácoras de cada sesión semanal donde se recogen en detalle todos los pormenores ocurridos en su desarrollo, tanto en la convocatoria del 2016 como en la del 2017, y teniendo en cuenta que habrá un libro con todos los proyectos, logros y fracasos, evaluaciones, etc., me parece más eficaz centrarme en el análisis de este tipo de investigación con vistas a todas aquellas universidades e instituciones que nos han seguido y me han expresado su interés en desarrollar este formato en sus respectivos centros. Palabras clave: investigación, experimentación, museografía, teorías, hipótesis, experimentos, inducción, deducción AbstractTaking in account that regarding the progress of the laboratory there is detailed documentation in the network: Theoretical protocol, applied methodology, configuration of the teams, “logs” of each weekly session where all the details of the development are collected in detail, both in the summon for 2016, as for 2017. Since there will be a book with all the projects, achievements and failures, evaluations, etc., it seems more effective to focus on the analysis of this type of research considering all those universities and institutions that have followed us and have expressed their interest in developing this format in their respective centers. Keywords: Research, Experimentation, Museography, Theories, Hypothesis, Experiments,Induction, Deduction