scholarly journals Audit and action in relation to drug prescribing for psychiatric patients

1991 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 85-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vivienne Schnieden ◽  
Pat Mealham ◽  
Maurice Greenberg
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Psychiatric Patients ◽  
Drug Prescribing ◽  
Medication Group ◽  
Patients Satisfaction ◽  
Written Information ◽  
Set Up ◽  
To Receive

A pilot study in Bloomsbury established that the majority of patients were dissatisfied with the information given about medication. Consequently a medication group was set up to which all patients were invited to discuss issues about medication. It emerged that many patients believed they had not been adequately informed about the medication they were receiving, or possible side effects, and would have liked to receive written information. It was therefore decided to review professionals' and patients' satisfaction with the information provided and to test whether leaflets improved patients' satisfaction.

scholarly journals Evaluation of a symptom-triggered front-loading detoxification technique for alcohol dependence: A pilot study

2004 ◽  
Vol 28 (11) ◽  
pp. 407-410 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ed Day ◽  
Jaimin Patel ◽  
George Georgiou
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Alcohol Dependence ◽  
Randomised Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Acute Psychiatric Wards ◽  
Alcohol Detoxification ◽  
A New Technique ◽  
Set Up ◽  
To Receive

Aims and MethodsA pilot study was set up to compare a symptom-triggered ‘front-loading’ detoxification technique with the usual fixed dosage method. A group of 23 in-patients with alcohol dependence were randomised to receive either the intervention technique using diazepam or the standard chlordiazepoxide taper over 10 days.ResultsThe intervention group received a mean dosage of 74 mg diazepam (equivalent to 222 mg chlordiazepoxide) compared with 700 mg chlordiazepoxide in those receiving usual treatment. There was no statistical difference in the severity of alcohol withdrawal symptoms in the two groups, and the intervention group were slightly more satisfied with their treatment than the group undergoing the usual detoxification treatment. Feedback from the nursing staff was positive towards the new approach but highlighted some potential problems for its wider implementation.Clinical ImplicationsIt was possible to use a simple randomised trial design to introduce a new technique for alcohol detoxification to a specialist unit. Symptom-triggered front-loading detoxification using diazepam was as effective as a standard taper technique in terms of withdrawal severity reduction, and was acceptable to both patients and staff. This is potentially a useful technique for busy acute psychiatric wards.

A Pilot Study of Mobile Telephone Message Interventions with Suicide Attempters in China

Crisis ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui Chen ◽  
Brian L. Mishara ◽  
Xiao Xian Liu
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Mobile Telephone ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Quick Method ◽  
Suicide Attempters ◽  
To Receive

Background: In China, where follow-up with hospitalized attempters is generally lacking, there is a great need for inexpensive and effective means of maintaining contact and decreasing recidivism. Aims: Our objective was to test whether mobile telephone message contacts after discharge would be feasible and acceptable to suicide attempters in China. Methods: Fifteen participants were recruited from suicide attempters seen in the Emergency Department in Wuhan, China, to participate in a pilot study to receive mobile telephone messages after discharge. All participants have access to a mobile telephone, and there is no charge for the user to receive text messages. Results: Most participants (12) considered the text message contacts an acceptable and useful form of help and would like to continue to receive them for a longer period of time. Conclusions: This suggests that, as a low-cost and quick method of intervention in areas where more intensive follow-up is not practical or available, telephone messages contacts are accessible, feasible, and acceptable to suicide attempters. We hope that this will inspire future research on regular and long-term message interventions to prevent recidivism in suicide attempters.

Quality Improvement Pilot Study of the Living Your Best Weight Program: A Health at Every Size Approach

2020 ◽  
Vol 81 (2) ◽  
pp. 91-93
Author(s):  
Anna Angelinas ◽  
Roseann Nasser ◽  
Amanda Geradts ◽  
Justine Herle ◽  
Kristen Schott ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Participant Satisfaction ◽  
Health At Every Size ◽  
Outpatient Program ◽  
To Receive

Purpose: Living Your Best Weight (LYBW) is an outpatient program based on Health at Every Size (HAES) principles for adults interested in managing their weight. The purpose of this pilot study was to determine perceptions of participants and their satisfaction with the LYBW program. Methods: A survey was developed to determine participant satisfaction of the LYBW program. Fifty-six participants who completed the LYBW program from June 2017 to February 2018 were contacted via telephone and invited to participate in the study. Forty-five participants agreed to receive the survey by mail or email. Results: Thirty-four participants completed the survey for a response rate of 61%. The average age of respondents was 52 years. Seventy-nine percent of respondents agreed that the program helped them to focus on health instead of weight. Eighty-two percent agreed that the program helped them respond to internal cues of hunger and fullness, and 94% were satisfied with the program. Conclusion: Participants reported that they were satisfied with the LYBW program and perceived improvements in their health. Future programming may benefit from using a HAES-based approach with adults.

Sedative effects of alfaxalone and hydromorphone with or without midazolam in cats: a pilot study

2021 ◽  
pp. 1098612X2199615
Author(s):  
Emily P Wheeler ◽  
Amanda L Abelson ◽  
Jane C Lindsey ◽  
Lois A Wetmore
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Significant Positive Correlation ◽  
Time Correlation ◽  
Catheter Placement ◽  
Blinded Study ◽  
Sedative Effects ◽  
Sedation Scores ◽  
Adult Cats ◽  
To Receive

Objectives The aim of this pilot study was to compare the quality of sedation and ease of intravenous (IV) catheter placement following sedation using two intramuscular (IM) sedation protocols in cats: hydromorphone, alfaxalone and midazolam vs hydromorphone and alfaxalone. Methods This was a prospective, randomized and blinded study. Cats were randomly assigned to receive an IM injection of hydromorphone (0.1 mg/kg), alfaxalone (1.5 mg/kg) and midazolam (0.2 mg/kg; HAM group), or hydromorphone (0.1 mg/kg) and alfaxalone (1.5 mg/kg; HA group). Sedation scoring (0–9, where 9 indicated maximum sedation) was performed at 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 mins from the time of injection. At 20 mins, an IV catheter placement score (0–10, where 10 indicated least resistance) was performed. Results Twenty-one client-owned adult cats were included in this study. Sedation and IV catheter placement scores were compared between groups using Wilcoxon rank sum tests. Peak sedation was significantly higher ( P = 0.002) in the HAM group (median 9; range 7–9) than in the HA group (median 7; range 3–9), and IV catheter placement scores were significantly higher ( P = 0.001) in the HAM group (median 9.5; range 7–10) compared with the HA group (median 7; range 4–9). Spearman correlations were calculated between IV catheter placement score and sedation scores. There was a significant positive correlation of average sedation over time (correlation 0.83; P <0.001) and sedation at 20 mins (correlation 0.76; P <0.001) with a higher, more favorable IV catheter placement score. Conclusions and relevance These preliminary results suggest that the addition of midazolam to IM alfaxalone and hydromorphone produced more profound sedation and greater ease of IV catheter placement than IM alfaxalone and hydromorphone alone.

scholarly journals Side effects of the metacognitive training for depression compared to a cognitive remediation training in patients with depression

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mona Dietrichkeit ◽  
Marion Hagemann-Goebel ◽  
Yvonne Nestoriuc ◽  
Steffen Moritz ◽  
Lena Jelinek
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Side Effect ◽  
Statistical Power ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Cognitive Remediation ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Metacognitive Training ◽  
To Receive

AbstractAlthough awareness of side effects over the course of psychotherapy is growing, side effects are still not always reported. The purpose of the present study was to examine side effects in a randomized controlled trial comparing Metacognitive Training for Depression (D-MCT) and a cognitive remediation training in patients with depression. 84 patients were randomized to receive either D-MCT or cognitive remediation training (MyBrainTraining) for 8 weeks. Side effects were assessed after the completion of each intervention (post) using the Short Inventory of the Assessment of Negative Effects (SIAN) and again 6 months later (follow-up) using the Negative Effects Questionnaire (NEQ). D-MCT and MyBrainTraining did not differ significantly in the number of side effects. At post assessment, 50% of the D-MCT group and 59% of the MyBrainTraining group reported at least one side effect in the SIAN. The most frequently reported side effect was disappointment in subjective benefit of study treatment. At follow-up, 52% reported at least one side effect related to MyBrainTraining, while 34% reported at least one side effect related to the D-MCT in the NEQ. The most frequently reported side effects fell into the categories of “symptoms” and “quality”. Our NEQ version was missing one item due to a technical error. Also, allegiance effects should be considered. The sample size resulted in low statistical power. The relatively tolerable number of side effects suggests D-MCT and MyBrainTraining are safe and well-received treatment options for people with depression. Future studies should also measure negative effects to corroborate our results.

scholarly journals Pilot Study: Quantitative Photoacoustic Evaluation of Peripheral Vascular Dynamics Induced by Carfilzomib In Vivo

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 836
Author(s):  
Thi Thao Mai ◽  
Manh-Cuong Vo ◽  
Tan-Huy Chu ◽  
Jin Young Kim ◽  
Chulhong Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Cardiovascular Events ◽  
Evaluation Method ◽  
Vascular System ◽  
Maximum Amplitude ◽  
Peripheral Vascular ◽  
Peripheral Vasculature ◽  
Mouse Ear

Carfilzomib is mainly used to treat multiple myeloma. Several side effects have been reported in patients treated with carfilzomib, especially those associated with cardiovascular events, such as hypertension, congestive heart failure, and coronary artery disease. However, the side effects, especially the manifestation of cardiovascular events through capillaries, have not been fully investigated. Here, we performed a pilot experiment to monitor peripheral vascular dynamics in a mouse ear under the effects of carfilzomib using a quantitative photoacoustic vascular evaluation method. Before and after injecting the carfilzomib, bortezomib, and PBS solutions, we acquired high-resolution three-dimensional PAM data of the peripheral vasculature of the mouse ear during each experiment for 10 h. Then, the PAM maximum amplitude projection (MAP) images and five quantitative vascular parameters, i.e., photoacoustic (PA) signal, diameter, density, length fraction, and fractal dimension, were estimated. Quantitative results showed that carfilzomib induces a strong effect on the peripheral vascular system through a significant increase in all vascular parameters up to 50%, especially during the first 30 min after injection. Meanwhile, bortezomib and PBS do not have much impact on the peripheral vascular system. This pilot study verified PAM as a comprehensive method to investigate peripheral vasculature, along with the effects of carfilzomib. Therefore, we expect that PAM may be useful to predict cardiovascular events caused by carfilzomib.

scholarly journals How Do Patients with Life-Limiting Illness and Caregivers Want End-Of-Life Prognostic Information Delivered? A Pilot Study

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 784
Author(s):  
Ebony T. Lewis ◽  
Kathrine A. Hammill ◽  
Maree Ticehurst ◽  
Robin M. Turner ◽  
Sally Greenaway ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Health Services ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
Older Patients ◽  
Prognostic Information ◽  
Clinical Scenarios ◽  
Delivery Format ◽  
Patient Groups ◽  
To Receive

We aimed to identify the level of prognostic disclosure, type of prognostic information and delivery format of prognostic communication that older adults diagnosed with a life-limiting illness or caregivers prefer to receive. We developed and pilot tested an open-ended survey to 15 older patients and caregivers who had experience in health services for life-limiting illness either for a relative, friend or themselves. Five hypothetical clinical scenarios of prognostic options were presented to ascertain preferences. The preferred format to receive prognostic information was verbal delivery by the clinician with a written summary. Photos and videos were less favoured, and a table with numbers/percentages was least preferred. Distress levels to the prognostic scenarios were low, with the exception of a photo. We conclude that older patients/caregivers want end-of-life prognostic information delivered the traditional way, verbally by clinicians. Options to deliver prognostic information may vary across patient groups but empower clinicians in introducing end-of-life discussions with patients/caregivers. Our study illustrates the feasibility of involving terminal patients and caregivers in research that contributes to eliciting prognostic preferences. Further research is needed to understand whether the prognostic preferences of hospitalized patients with life-limiting illness differ.

scholarly journals Treatment satisfaction in 5q-spinal muscular atrophy under nusinersen therapy

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 175628642199890 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alma Osmanovic ◽  
Gresa Ranxha ◽  
Mareike Kumpe ◽  
Claudia D. Wurster ◽  
Benjamin Stolte ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Spinal Muscular Atrophy ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Treatment Satisfaction ◽  
Treatment Duration ◽  
Treatment Effectiveness ◽  
Muscular Atrophy ◽  
Patients Satisfaction ◽  
Motor Outcome ◽  
Ambulatory Patients

Background: Nusinersen was the first approved disease-modifying therapy for all 5q-spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) patients regardless of age or disease severity. Its efficacy in adults has recently been demonstrated in a large cohort by motor outcome measures, which were only partially suitable to detect changes in very mildly or severely affected patients. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROs) have been suggested as a valuable addition. Here, we aimed to assess treatment satisfaction and investigate whether it may be a useful PRO to monitor SMA patients. Methods: We enrolled 91 mainly adult 5q-SMA patients treated with nusinersen in a national, multicenter, cross-sectional observational study. 21 patients underwent longitudinal follow up. Patients’ satisfaction with treatment in four dimensions (global, effectiveness, convenience, side effects) was assessed by the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication German version 1.4 (TSQM-1.4©) and related to clinical parameters, motor scores, and treatment duration. Results: More than 90% of SMA patients were consistently satisfied over a median treatment duration of 10 months. Highest mean scores were observed in the dimensions ‘side effects,’ ‘global satisfaction,’ and ‘effectiveness’ (93.5 ± 14.8 versus 73.1 ± 21.0 and 64.8 ± 20.6, respectively). Patients’ satisfaction with the convenience of treatment was considerably lower (43.6 ± 20.2). Interestingly, satisfaction with the effectiveness was higher in ambulatory ( p = 0.014) compared with non-ambulatory patients and directly correlated to motor outcome measures. Five non-ambulatory patients withdrew from therapy. All of them presented with a deterioration of motor outcome measures and reported dissatisfaction with treatment effectiveness and convenience. Conclusion: Most patients were satisfied with nusinersen treatment effectiveness. Less severely affected patients indicated higher satisfaction. The TSQM-1.4© helped to identify therapy non-responders, who mainly addressed dissatisfaction with effectiveness and convenience. We suggest introducing the TSQM-1.4© as an additional PRO in SMA into clinical practice.

Treatment of Aggressive Behavior in Dementia With the Anticonvulsant Topiramate: A Retrospective Pilot Study

2003 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 307-309 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benny Fhager ◽  
Inga-Maj Meiri ◽  
Magnus Sjögren ◽  
Åke Edman
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Aggressive Behavior ◽  
Extrapyramidal Side Effects ◽  
Treatment Resistant ◽  
Careful Treatment ◽  
And Training ◽  
Low Dosage

Aggressive behavior in dementia often has a severe impact on the quality of life of the patient and the caregivers, and is therefore important to handle. The strategy of treatment should be broad. Nonpharmacological interventions, including environmental adjustments and supporting and training the caregivers, should always be considered. Pharmacological treatment of aggressive behavior in patients with dementia often includes the use of neuroleptics. The atypical compounds clozapine, risperidone, and olanzapine have been shown to have an effect on aggressive behavior at low dosage with limited extrapyramidal side effects. The anticonvulsants carbamazepine and sodium valproate are further alternatives. In treatment-resistant cases, buspirone or lithium may be tried, although the effect of these substances on aggressive behavior in dementia has not been well established. In the end, however, a considerable degree of aggressive behavior sometimes remains after careful treatment trials, particularly in patients with severe aggressive behavior. In addition, treatment is sometimes limited by side effects.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document