scholarly journals ERP and Behavioral Effects of Physical and Cognitive Training on Working Memory in Aging: A Randomized Controlled Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick D. Gajewski ◽  
Michael Falkenstein
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Social Control ◽  
Cognitive Training ◽  
Digit Span ◽  
Randomized Controlled Study ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Contact Control ◽  
Back Task

Working memory (WM) performance decreases with age. A promising method to improve WM is physical or cognitive training. The present randomized controlled study is aimed at evaluating the effects of different training methods on WM. A sample of 141 healthy older adults (mean age 70 years) was assigned to one of four groups: physical training, cognitive training, a social control group, and a no-contact control group. The participants trained for four months. Before and after the training, n-back task during an EEG recording was applied. The results show that cognitive training enhanced the target detection rate in the 2-back task. This was corroborated by an increased number of repeated digits in the backward digit-span test but not in other memory tests. The improvement of WM was supported by an increased P3a prior to a correct target and an increased P3b both in nontarget and target trials. No ERP effects in the physical and no-contact control groups were found, while a reduction of P3a and P3b was found in the social control group. Thus, cognitive training enhances frontal and parietal processing related to the maintenance of a stored stimulus for subsequent matching with an upcoming stimulus and increases allocation of cognitive resources. These results indicate that multidomain cognitive training may increase WM capacity and neuronal activity in older age.

scholarly journals Effect of Tourniquet Use in Ankle Arthroscopic Surgery on Postoperative Recovery: A Prospective Non- Randomized Controlled Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tingting Huang ◽  
Haixiao Liu ◽  
Yuezheng Hu ◽  
Xinxian Xu
Keyword(s):  
Functional Outcome ◽  
Ischemia Reperfusion Injury ◽  
Ischemia Reperfusion ◽  
Arthroscopic Surgery ◽  
Randomized Controlled Study ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Complication Rates ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
The Mean

Abstract The aim of this prospective non- randomized controlled study was to explore the effect of tourniquet use on joint swelling, pain, functional outcome, and tourniquet- related ischemia- reperfusion injury (IRI) during ankle arthroscopic surgery.52 patients who received ankle arthroscopy were allocated to had the procedure done with the tourniquet inflated (the Control group, n= 27) or without the tourniquet inflated (the NT group, n= 25). The main outcome measures were: (1) The amount of swelling of the ankle; (2) Pain as measured by a visual analog scale (VAS); (3) The levels of MDA, IMA,TOS, TAS and OSI at 10 min before incision (T1)，after the completion of surgery (T2), and 30 min after tourniquet deflation (T3); (4) The functional outcome as measured by American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle hindfoot score; (5) The rate of complication. All patients were reviewed at a mean follow- up of 14.2 months (range, 12- 19 months). The mean circumferences of the ankle in the NT group were significantly lower than those in the Control group on postoperative day 2 and 5 (p<0.05). The mean level of VAS in the Control group was significantly higher on postoperative day 2 (p<0.05). The outcomes of AOFAS ankle hindfoot score were comparable between groups postoperatively (p>0.05). The levels of MDA, IMA, TOS and OSI were all significantly lower in the NT group compared at T2 and T3 (p<0.05), and the level of TAS was significantly lower in the NT group at T3 (p<0.05). The complication rates of two groups were comparable (p>0.05).With the use of tourniquet during ankle arthroscopic surgery, there was increased joint swelling and pain postoperatively, and a trend toward increased levels of MDA, IMA, TOS, TAS and OSI intraoperatively. Thus, we do not recommend using a tourniquet in this type of procedure.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of ultrasound guided ethanol motor points block in reduction of spasticity and improvement of upper limb function in hemiplegic patients: a randomized controlled study

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (9) ◽  
pp. 1409
Author(s):  
Sreejith C. ◽  
Akoijam Joy Singh ◽  
Longjam Nilachandra Singh ◽  
Kanti Rajkumari ◽  
Margaret Chabungbam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Upper Limb ◽  
Randomized Controlled Study ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Ultrasound Guided ◽  
Limb Function ◽  
Ethanol Injection ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Upper Limb Function ◽  
Group A

Background: Stroke is the third leading cause of disability in general population commonly causing upper motor neuron syndrome complications like spasticity, which is more common in upper limb. Ethanol injection into spastic muscle is an emerging effective treatment in the spasticity management. Ethanol causes selective destruction of nerve fibers through denaturation of protein.Methods: A randomized controlled study was conducted for a period of 2 years from March 2018 on sixty-eight hemiplegic patients to assess the effectiveness of ethanol muscle block in reduction of spasticity and improvement in functional ability. The patients were allocated into two groups (Group A and B). Group A received ultrasound guided intramuscular ethanol injection along with range of motion (ROM) exercises and wrist hand orthosis (WHO) and Group B received ROM exercises and WHO. The outcomes were measured by modified ashworth scale (MAS) for spasticity and modified version of motor assessment scale for functional improvement.Results: Intervention group showed significant improvement in spasticity shown by reduction of MAS of elbow flexors from 3 at baseline to 1.15±0.3 at 12 weeks as compared to control group with 3 at baseline to 1.76±0.5 at 12 weeks (p<0.05). Upper limb function scale of study group improved from 1.5±0.8 to 3.0±0.6 at 12 weeks compared to control group 1.3±0.8 to 2.8±0.6 (p<0.05).Conclusions: It can thus be concluded that intramuscular injection of ethanol accompanied by wrist hand orthosis have beneficial effect on improvement of spasticity and upper limb function.

scholarly journals Evaluating a combined bowel preparation for small-bowel capsule endoscopy: a prospective randomized–controlled study

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie L Hansel ◽  
Joseph A Murray ◽  
Jeffrey A Alexander ◽  
David H Bruining ◽  
Mark V Larson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Small Bowel ◽  
Capsule Endoscopy ◽  
Bowel Preparation ◽  
Diagnostic Yield ◽  
Completion Rate ◽  
Randomized Controlled Study ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract Background Capsule endoscopy (CE) is frequently hindered by intra-luminal debris. Our aim was to determine whether a combination bowel preparation would improve small-bowel visualization, diagnostic yield, and the completion rate of CE. Methods Single-blind, prospective randomized–controlled study of outpatients scheduled for CE. Bowel-preparation subjects ingested 2 L of polyethylene glycol solution the night prior to CE, 5 mL simethicone and 5 mg metoclopramide 20 minutes prior to CE and laid in the right lateral position 30 minutes after swallowing CE. Controls had no solid food after 7 p.m. the night prior to CE and no liquids 4 hours prior to CE. Participants completed a satisfaction survey. Capsule readers completed a small-bowel-visualization assessment. Results Fifty patients were prospectively enrolled (56% female) with a median age of 54.4 years and 44 completed the study (23 patients in the control group and 21 in the preparation group). There was no significant difference between groups on quartile-based small-bowel visualization (all P &gt; 0.05). There was no significant difference between groups in diagnostic yield (P = 0.69), mean gastric (P = 0.10) or small-bowel transit time (P = 0.89). The small-bowel completion rate was significantly higher in the preparation group (100% vs 78%; P = 0.02). Bowel-preparation subjects reported significantly more discomfort than controls (62% vs 17%; P = 0.01). Conclusions Combined bowel preparation did not improve small-bowel visualization but did significantly increase patient discomfort. The CE completion rate improved in the preparation group but the diagnostic yield was unaffected. Based on our findings, a bowel preparation prior to CE does not appear to improve CE performance and results in decreased patient satisfaction (ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT01243736).

Blind randomized controlled study of the efficacy of cognitive training in Parkinson's disease

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (7) ◽  
pp. 1251-1258 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Prats París ◽  
Heidi Guerra Saleta ◽  
Maria de la Cruz Crespo Maraver ◽  
Emmanuel Silvestre ◽  
Maite Garolera Freixa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Cognitive Training ◽  
Randomized Controlled Study ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Randomized Controlled

scholarly journals Effects of a randomized controlled study on the behaviors of overweight schoolchildren

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anastácio Neco de Souza Filho ◽  
Thaynã Alves Bezerra ◽  
Paulo Felipe Ribeiro Bandeira ◽  
Luciana Gatto Azevedo Cabral ◽  
José Fernando Vila Nova de Moraes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Behavioral Therapy ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Randomized Controlled Study ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Daily Routine ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
School Based ◽  
Significant Difference

This study aimed to determine the effects of a school-based multi-component intervention on accelerometer- measured physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) in schoolchildren overweight. This is a randomized controlled study with overweight schoolchildren, allocated to experimental group (EG; n = 13; 7.6 ± 0.8 years; 42.9% boys) and control group (CG; n = 17; 8.2 ± 0.9 years; 26.7% boys). The EG was submitted to a 10-week school-based intervention, comprised of PA and psychological sessions (behavioral therapy), and nutritional guidance. The CG followed the daily routine of life. The time of PA and SB were measured using accelerometers used for seven days. To compare mean SB, moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and total physical activity (TPA), generalized estimation equations (GEE) were used. It was observed that the average time in MVPA and TPA increased significantly in EG at the weekend (+ 40.9 min / day, p < 0.001; and + 51.6 min/day, p = 0.035, respectively) and at full week (+ 62.9 min/day, p < 0.001; and + 225.0 9 min/day, p = 0.038, respectively). There was no significant difference in time spent in SB after the intervention in both groups. Thus, it was concluded that the proposed school-based multicomponent intervention was effective in increasing levels of MVPA and TPA in overweight schoolchildren. This finding can optimize future interventions to promote a healthy lifestyle for schoolchildren in the school environment.

scholarly journals Immersion Experiences in a Tablet-Based Markerless Augmented Reality Working Memory Game: Randomized Controlled Trial and User Experience Study (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bo Zhang ◽  
Nigel Robb
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Augmented Reality ◽  
Cognitive Training ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Training Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Continuous Performance Task ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Immersion Experience ◽  
Randomized Controlled Experiment

BACKGROUND In recent years, augmented reality (AR), especially markerless augmented reality (MAR), has been used more prevalently to create training games in an attempt to improve humans' cognitive functions. This has been driven by studies claiming that MAR provides users with more immersive experiences that are situated in the real world. Currently, no studies have scientifically investigated the immersion experience of users in a MAR cognitive training game. Moreover, there is an observed lack of instruments on measuring immersion in MAR cognitive training games. OBJECTIVE This study, using two existing immersion questionnaires, investigates students’ immersion experiences in a novel MAR n-back game. METHODS The n-back task is a continuous performance task that taps working memory (WM) capacity. We compared two versions of n-back training. One was presented in a traditional 2D format, while the second version used MAR. There were 2 experiments conducted in this study that coordinated with 2 types of immersion questionnaires: the modified Immersive Experiences Questionnaire (IEQ) and the Augmented Reality Immersion (ARI) questionnaire. Two groups of students from two universities in China joined the study, with 60 participants for the first experiment (a randomized controlled experiment) and 51 participants for the second. RESULTS Both groups of students experienced immersion in the MAR n-back game. However, the MAR n-back training group did not experience stronger immersion than the traditional (2D) n-back control group in the first experiment. The results of the second experiment showed that males felt deeply involved with the AR environment, which resulted in obtaining higher levels of immersion than females in the MAR n-back game. CONCLUSIONS Both groups of students experienced immersion in the MAR n-back game. Moreover, both the modified IEQ and ARI have the potential to be used as instruments to measure immersion in MAR game settings. CLINICALTRIAL UMIN Clinical Trials Registry UMIN000045314; https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000051725

scholarly journals Effect of the Use of WeChat to Disseminate Preoperative Health Education to Parents of Children with Restrictive Ventricular Septal Defects: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. E897-E901
Author(s):  
Qiliang Zhang ◽  
Ning Xu ◽  
Shuting Huang ◽  
Qiang Chen ◽  
Hua Cao
Keyword(s):  
Health Education ◽  
Ventricular Septal Defect ◽  
Septal Defect ◽  
Preoperative Care ◽  
Randomized Controlled Study ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Loss To Follow Up ◽  
Randomized Controlled

Background: This study explored the clinical effect of implementing WeChat-based preoperative health education for parents of children with restrictive ventricular septal defect. Methods: A prospective randomized controlled study was conducted in a provincial hospital on the southeast coast of China. Participants were randomly divided into an intervention (WeChat) group (n = 35) and a control group (leaflet) group (n = 35). The study explored the parents’ knowledge of preoperative care, the follow-up rate, and complications of children with restrictive ventricular septal defect. Results: The score of preoperative care knowledge of the WeChat group (66.9 ± 3.5) was significantly higher than that of the leaflet group (47.3 ± 6.3) (P = .006). Compared with the score of care knowledge at the first visit, the score of the WeChat group at the preoperation was significantly higher (P < .05), whereas the increase in the score of the leaflet group was not significant. The rate of lost follow-up in the WeChat group (0%) was significantly lower than in the leaflet group (16.7%) (P = .02). The complications in the leaflet group were significantly higher than in the WeChat group. Conclusions: Using WeChat to provide preoperative health education to parents of children with restrictive ventricular septal defect can effectively enhance the parents’ knowledge of preoperative care and reduce the occurrence of complications and loss to follow-up.

Comparison of Autogenous Block Bone Graft and Screw Tent-Pole Techniques for Vertical Bone Augmentation in the Posterior Mandible: A Split-Mouth Randomized Controlled Study

2020 ◽  
pp. 232020682097601
Author(s):  
Gözde Işık ◽  
Tayfun Günbay ◽  
Yig˘it Uyanıkgil ◽  
Hüseyin Kısaog˘lu ◽  
Meltem Özden Yüce
Keyword(s):  
Bone Graft ◽  
Test Group ◽  
Randomized Controlled Study ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Bone Augmentation ◽  
Implant Survival ◽  
Platelet Rich Fibrin ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Block Bone Graft

Aim: To evaluate the effect on vertical bone augmentation of the screw tent-pole technique using particulate allograft in combination with injectable platelet-rich fibrin, and to compare this with autogenous block bone graft. Materials and Methods: This split-mouth randomized controlled study involved patients with bilateral partial edentulism and vertical bone loss in the posterior mandible. In each patient, the control side was treated with autogenous block bone graft harvested from the mandibular ramus and, on the test side, the screw tent-pole technique was employed, using particulate allograft in combination with injectable platelet-rich fibrin. All augmented sites were covered by leukocyte and platelet-rich fibrin membrane. The primary outcome variable of this study was the radiographic changes to bone height 6 months after augmentation. The secondary outcome variables were the percentage of newly formed bone and the implant survival rate. The data were analyzed with a significance level of α = 0.05. Results: Of the 13 patients included, a total of 11 patients (7 females, 4 males; mean age 50.92) completed the study. The mean values of vertical bone gain were 1.72 ± 0.78 mm for the test group and 2.83 ± 0.89 mm for the control group, which constitutes a significant difference ( P = .008). The percentage of newly formed bone was 18.08% ± 2.17% for the test group and 14.26% ± 1.76% for the control group. The difference between the groups was statistically significant ( P < .001). The implant survival rates were 100% for both study groups. Conclusions: Based on the study results, screw tent-pole can be considered a feasible technique for bone augmentation. Further randomized studies will be necessary to fully evaluate vertical bone augmentation using the screw tent-pole technique, with different graft materials and with larger samples.

scholarly journals Bilateral Spinal Decompression of Lumbar Central Stenosis with the Full-Endoscopic Interlaminar Versus Microsurgical Laminotomy Technique: A Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Study

2015 ◽  
Vol 18;1 (1;1) ◽  
pp. 61-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Komp
Keyword(s):  
Minimally Invasive ◽  
Spinal Stenosis ◽  
Randomized Controlled Study ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Placebo Control ◽  
Measuring Instruments ◽  
Spinal Decompression ◽  
Endoscopic Techniques ◽  
Randomized Controlled

Background: Extensive decompression with laminectomy, where appropriate, is often still described as the method of choice when operating on degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis. Nonetheless, tissue-sparing procedures are becoming more common. Endoscopic techniques have become the standard in many areas because of the surgical advantages they offer and the benefits for rehabilitation. One key issue when operating on the spine was the development of instruments to provide sufficient bone resection under continuous visual control. This was achieved by using endoscopes for operations carried out in cases of spinal canal stenosis. Objective: This study of patients with degenerative lumbar central spinal stenosis compares the results of spinal decompression using the full-endoscopic interlaminar technique (FI) with a conventional microsurgical laminotomy technique (MI). Study Design: Prospective, randomized, controlled study. Settings: 135 patients with microsurgical or full-endoscopic decompression were followed up for 2 years. Alongside general and specific parameters, the following measuring instruments were also used for the investigation: Visual Analog Scale (VAS), German version of the North American Spine Society Instrument (NASS), Oswestry Low-Back-Pain-Disability Questionnaire (ODI). Results: Postoperatively 72 % of the patients no longer had leg pain or the pain was almost completely reduced and 21.2 % experienced occasional pain. The clinical results were the same in both groups. The rate of complications and revisions was significantly reduced in the FI Group. The full-endoscopic techniques brought advantages in the following areas: operation, complications, traumatization, rehabilitation. Limitations: Lack of placebo control group. Conclusions: The recorded results demonstrate that the full-endoscopic interlaminar bilateral decompression adopting a unilateral approach provides an adequate and safe supplement and alternative to the conventional microsurgical bilateral laminotomy technique when the indication criteria are fulfilled. At the same time, it offers the advantages of a minimally invasive intervention. Key words: Spinal stenosis, central stenosis, spinal decompression, endoscopic spinal decompression, minimally invasive spine surgery

scholarly journals The Use of a Game-Based Decision Aid to Educate Pregnant Women about Prenatal Screening: A Randomized Controlled Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (03) ◽  
pp. 322-328 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erin Johnson ◽  
Bob Wong ◽  
Nancy Rose ◽  
Gwen Latendresse ◽  
Roger Altizer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Decision Aid ◽  
Prenatal Screening ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Randomized Controlled Study ◽  
Constructive Method ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Randomized Controlled

Purpose This project developed and evaluated the efficacy of a game decision aid among pregnant women about prenatal screening in a randomized controlled study. Study Design Participants were recruited from an obstetric clinic of an academic urban medical center and randomized (n = 73) to one of two study groups: the control group (n = 39) that used a brochure or the intervention group (n = 34) that also used a game decision aid. Result Participants who played the game had higher knowledge scores (m = 21.41, standard deviation [SD] = 1.74) than participants in the control group (m = 19.59; SD = 3.31), p = 0.004. The median time of game playing was 6:43 minutes (range: 2:17–16:44). The groups were similar in frequency of completing screening after the study, control = 6 (15%) versus intervention = 11 (32%), p = 0.087. However, the more interaction with the game resulted in more positive attitudes toward screening. Conclusion The addition of a game decision aid was effective in educating pregnant women about prenatal screening. As other genetic testing decisions continue to increase within clinical care, game-based decision tools may be a constructive method of informed decision-making.

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