scholarly journals The Use of Computer-Assisted Home Exercises to Preserve Physical Function after a Vestibular Rehabilitation Program: A Randomized Controlled Study

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Michael Smaerup ◽  
Uffe Laessoe ◽  
Eric Grönvall ◽  
Jens-Jacob Henriksen ◽  
Else Marie Damsgaard
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Elderly Patients ◽  
Outpatient Clinic ◽  
Vestibular Dysfunction ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Functional Level ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Significant Difference

Objective.The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether elderly patients with vestibular dysfunction are able to preserve physical functional level, reduction in dizziness, and the patient’s quality of life when assistive computer technology is used in comparison with printed instructions.Materials and Methods. Single-blind, randomized, controlled follow-up study. Fifty-seven elderly patients with chronic dizziness were randomly assigned to a computer-assisted home exercise program or to home exercises as described in printed instructions and followed for tree month after discharge from an outpatient clinic.Results. Both groups had maintained their high functional levels three months after finishing the outpatient rehabilitation. No statistically significant difference was found in outcome scores between the two groups. In spite of moderate compliance levels, the patients maintained their high functional level indicating that the elderly should not necessarily exercise for the first three months after termination of the training in the outpatient clinic.Conclusion. Elderly vestibular dysfunction patients exercising at home seem to maintain their functional level, level of dizziness, and quality of life three months following discharge from hospital. In this specific setup, no greater effect was found by introducing a computer-assisted training program, when compared to standard home training guided by printed instructions. This trial is registered withNCT01344408.

Daflon 500 mg: Symptoms and Edema

Angiology ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 56 (6_suppl) ◽  
pp. S25-S32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Albert-Adrien Ramelet
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Venous Disease ◽  
Double Blind Study ◽  
Life Questionnaire ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Randomized Controlled Studies ◽  
Significant Difference

Patients suffering from any class of the Clinical, Etiological, Anatomical, Pathophysiological (CEAP) classification of chronic venous disease (CVD) may be symptomatic (C0s-C6s). Leg heaviness, discomfort, itching, cramps, pain, paresthesia, and edema (C3) are the most frequent manifestations of CVD and a major reason for medical consultation. Daflon 500 mg (micronized purified flavonoid fraction [MPFF]) is an effective treatment for symptoms and edema in CVD as demonstrated in several randomized controlled studies. A 2-month, double-blind study in 40 patients established the superiority of Daflon 500 mg over placebo with regard to symptoms and objective signs. This was confirmed in another double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (2 months’ treatment, 160 patients), and in the Reflux assEssment and quaLity of lIfe improvEment with micronized Flavonoids (RELIEF) study. The latter included 5,052 patients in 23 countries, using a visual analog scale for evaluating pain, leg heaviness, cramps, and a sensation of swelling. All symptoms showed significant and progressive improvement. The quality-of-life results (scores on the ChronIc Venous Insufficiency quality of life Questionnaire [CIVIQ]) paralleled those of symptoms. The decrease in the ankle and calf circumferences was significantly greater (p<0.001) in the group of patients treated with Daflon 500 mg in two studies, and correlated well with the improvement in the sensation of swelling (p<0.001). This was confirmed with more sophisticated measurement techniques as in the RELIEF study or in a trial assessing edema with an optoelectronic volumeter in 20 patients. A further double-blind, randomized, controlled study established a statistically significant difference in favor of Daflon 500 mg in comparison with diosmin, both on symptoms and edema. The therapeutic efficacy of Daflon 500 mg on CVD symptoms and edema has been demonstrated in double-blind, randomized, controlled studies. Further studies using a new approach may define the most precise and validated methodology for application in future research in phlebology.

scholarly journals Modulation of the human immune status by spinal thermal massage: a non-randomized controlled study

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Nk Cells ◽  
Nk Cell ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Experimental Group

Thermal and massage therapies have long been used to control pain. Although spinal thermal massage (STM) has been used worldwide, its effectiveness has not been proven in a controlled clinical study. We here conducted a non-randomized controlled trial to assess the pain-relieving and immunomodulatory effects of STM in old-aged patients experiencing pain or disability. The experimental group was treated with STM five times a week for 8 weeks and rehabilitative regular care (RRC). The control group was treated with only RRC. Pain and immunological parameters were tested before treatment and after 4 and 8 weeks of treatment. The scores of three pain parameters were lowered by STM, and the differences between the groups were statistically significant at the two time points (p < 0.01). Quality of life determined using the 3-level EuroQol five-dimensional questionnaire scores was significantly higher in patients in the experimental group than those in the control group. Effect sizes (ES) were in the range of medium to large in the pain-related measures (0.54–1.22). The total leukocyte counts and the proportions of lymphocytes and subsets were not significantly different between the groups, whereas the proportions of monocytes and natural killer (NK) cells were higher in the experimental group than in the control group after 8 weeks (p < 0.05). The production of interleukin (IL)-4 and interferon γ in T cells was not significantly different between the groups, whereas the production of IL-2 was high in the control group. However, there was a significant increase in IFN-γ production by NK cells in the experimental group (at 4 weeks, p < 0.05). ES were medium in the immunological measures (0.53–0.68). No significant difference was observed in the production of proinflammatory cytokines, IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor α, or IL-6 between the groups. In conclusion, STM treatment has a positive effect on subjective pain and quality of life. It also enhanced NK cell proportion and activity, suggesting that STM may be beneficial in the prevention of viral diseases and cancer in old-aged people.

scholarly journals Effects of daily mindfulness practice on fatigue, kinesiophobia, and quality of life in patients with acute myocardial infarction: a randomized controlled trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
C Karadas ◽  
M Oksul ◽  
N Ozer ◽  
L Ozdemir
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Mindfulness Practice ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Quality Of Life Scale ◽  
Tampa Scale For Kinesiophobia

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background and Aim Mindfulness meditation (MM) leads to controlled blood pressure and positive improvements in other symptoms which may trigger acute coronary diseases. The present randomized controlled study was aimed to investigate the effect of the MM on fatigue, kinesiophobia, and the quality of life (QoL) in patients with acute MI. Method The study was carried out with 56 MI patients. Participants were randomly assigned to meditation group (MG; n = 28) or control group (CG; n = 28).  The MG patients received a 15 min MM session comprising sitting and breathing for a total of eight weeks, while the CG patients received only a single-time attention-matched education. Piper Fatigue Intervention, Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia-Heart and MacNew Quality of Life scales were utilized for data collection. Results After completion of the 8-week MM, any significant difference was not found in the fatigue scores of the patients (p &gt; 0.05). On the other hand, kinesiophobia scores in the MG were significantly lower in the 4th, 8th and 12th weeks (p &lt; 0.05). Similarly, the QoL scores were significantly higher in the MG in 8th week (p &lt; 0.05). Significant change in the emotional function sub-dimension of QoL continued in the follow-up assessment at 12th week (p &lt; 0.05). Conclusion The MM can significantly improve the QoL and decrease kinesiophobia in patients with MI. Beneficial effect of MM is maintained particularly in the emotional aspect. Based on the results of the study, MM may be recommended as a mind-body based complementary approaches within the scope of secondary protection after MI. Comparison of the study groupsGroupBaseline(Mean ± SD)4th week(Mean ± SD)8th week(Mean ± SD)12th week(Mean ± SD)PFSMM2.08 ± 1.870.90 ± 0.990.47 ± 0.780.44 ± 0.76CG1.56 ± 2.011.12 ± 1.590.98 ± 1.520.76 ± 1.33tp1.004 0.32-0.6210.54-1.5840.12-1.0850.28TSK-HMM40.25 ± 5.0436.18 ± 4.4934.39 ± 4.6134.96 ± 4.71CG41.71 ± 7.2841.89 ± 6.7441.82 ± 5.8441.00 ± 5.54tp-0.8750.39-3.7340.001-5.279 0.000-4.3900.00MacNewMM5.04 ± 0.715.53 ± 0.455.76 ± 0.475.77 ± 0.47CG5.17 ± 0.855.32 ± 0.605.37 ± 0.525.53 ± 0.46t; p-0.640; 0.531.436; 0.162.933; 0.0051.964; 0.06(Mean ± SD): Mean ± Standard Deviation; PFS: Piper Fatigue Scores; TSK-H: Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia-Heart; MacNew: MacNew Quality of life Scale; EFS: emotional functioning sub-dimension; PFS: physical functioning sub-dimension; SFS: social functioning sub-dimension; t= Student T Test value; p&lt; 0.05

scholarly journals The efficacy of acupressure in managing opioid-induced constipation: Single-blind a randomized controlled study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
DİLEK YILDIRIM ◽  
Vildan KOCATEPE ◽  
Gül KÖKNEL TALU
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Routine Care ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Life Questionnaire ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract Purpose Opioid-induced constipation is one of the heath problems with a negative impact on the quality of life. This randomized-controlled trial aimed to investigate the effects of acupressure therapy on the management of opioid-induced constipation. Methods The trial was conducted on 140 patients, who were assigned to the acupressure (n = 70) and the control groups (n = 70). In addition to routine care, patients in the acupressure group received 8-min acupressure from the Zhongwan (CV12), Guanyuan (CV4) and Tianshu (ST25) acupoints once a day for 4 weeks. The outcomes included Defacationa Diary (DD), Visual Analog Scale Questionnaire (VASQ) and Patient assessment of constipation quality of life questionnaire (PAC-QOL). Results DD scores obtained by the acupressure and the control groups. There was a statistically significant difference between the acupressure and control groups in terms of stool consistency (2.22 ± .49 vs 1.80 ± .55) (p = 0.001), straining (1.98 ± .71 vs 2.91 ± .37) (p = 0.001), incomplete evacuation (0.37 ± .29 vs 0.61 ± .43) (p = 0.001), stool amount (0.93 ± .14 vs .95 ± .20) (p = 0.001) and the number of defecations (0.70 ± .22 vs 0.46 ± .29), (p = 0.001) measured at the fifth week. Besides, with the exception of stool amount, there was a statistically significant increase in the DD scores obtained by the acupressure group between the first and the fifth weeks. Inter-group comparison of the pre-test and post-test scores showed that acupressure group obtained statistically significantly higher scores from the PAC-QOL (p = .0001). Conclusions Findings of this trial suggested that 4-week acupressure was an effective way to improve the quality of life and reduce both subjective and objective constipation symptoms in patients with opioid-induced constipations.

scholarly journals Effect of mobile guided cardiac rehabilitation on quality of life – the EU-CaRE randomised clinical trial

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
V Houben ◽  
J.A Snoek ◽  
E Prescott ◽  
N Mikkelsen ◽  
A.E Van Der Velde ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Elderly Patients ◽  
Cardiac Rehabilitation ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Funding Source ◽  
Multi Centre Study ◽  
Old Patients ◽  
Home Based ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract Background and purpose Although participation in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) improves quality of life (QoL), participation in CR, especially among elderly, is limited. We conducted this study to assess whether mobile home-based CR (mCR) increases QoL in elderly (≥65 years old) patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) or a valvular intervention who decline participation in conventional CR. Methods It is designed as a randomised multi-centre study with two parallel arms. Randomisation assigned patients either to mCR or a control group. mCR Consisted of six months of home-based CR with telemonitoring and coaching. Control-group patients did not receive any form of CR throughout the study period. Quality of life was measured with the SF-36v2 questionnaire at 0, 6 and 12 months. Results A total of 179 patients were included in this study (90 control, 89 mCR). A flowchart of the trial is presented in Figure 1. Patients were predominantly male (81.1%). Baseline characteristics can be found in Table 1. Patients using mCR improved on physical QoL after 6 (p=0.026) and 12 (p=0.008) months. There was no difference on mental QoL for both groups (mCR 6 months p=0.563, 12 months p=0.945; control 6 months p=0.589, 12 months p=0.542). No difference existed in QoL between the mCR and control group (physical: 6 months p=0.070, 12 months p=0.150; mental: 6 months p=0.355, 12 months p=0.625). Conclusion Although there is no significant difference in QoL between the control and mCR group, mCR increases physical QoL after 6 and 12 months in elderly patients who decline participation in conventional CR. Therefore E-Health tools should be considered as an alternative for conventional CR when (elderly) patients decline to participate in conventional CR. Figure 1. Flow chart of all eligible patients Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – EU funding. Main funding source(s): European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document