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.

scholarly journals Effect of early cryoprecipitate transfusion versus standard care in women who develop severe postpartum haemorrhage (ACROBAT) in the UK: a protocol for a pilot cluster randomised trial

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. e036416
Author(s):  
Laura Green ◽  
Jahnavi Daru ◽  
Julie Dodds ◽  
Francisco Jose Gonzalez Carreras ◽  
Doris Lanz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Postpartum Haemorrhage ◽  
Randomised Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Qualitative Evaluation ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Cluster Randomised Trial ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Advisory Group ◽  
Cluster Randomised

IntroductionThe incidence of severe postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) that requires blood transfusion is on the increase. Fibrinogen levels have been shown to drop early and significantly during PPH, which is associated with worse outcomes. Early fibrinogen replacement could potentially improve outcomes. No studies have investigated the clinical impact of early cryoprecipitate transfusion in PPH. Prior to performing a full-scale trial, a pilot study is needed to determine feasibility of the intervention and recruitment.MethodsACROBAT is a cluster-randomised pilot study with a qualitative evaluation. Four large London maternity units are randomised to either the intervention or control group. The intervention group will adapt their major obstetric haemorrhage procedures to administer cryoprecipitate early for primary PPH. The control group will retain their standard of care.We include women at >24 weeks gestation who are actively bleeding within 24 hours of delivery and for whom transfusion of red blood cells (RBCs) has been started. We exclude women who decline blood transfusions in advance or have inherited Factor XIII or fibrinogen deficiency. Due to the emergency nature of the intervention, informed consent for administering the intervention is waived.The primary objective is to assess the feasibility of administering cryoprecipitate within 90 min of RBC request, as compared with standard treatment where cryoprecipitate is given later or not at all. Secondary objectives include the feasibility of recruitment and data collection, reasons for and barriers to consent, preliminary maternal clinical outcomes, identification of the optimal infrastructure pathways for study delivery, and acceptability of the intervention and outcomes.Ethics and disseminationThe trial has approvals from the London—Brighton & Sussex Research Ethics Committee (ref. 18/LO/2062), the Confidentiality Advisory Group (ref. 18/CAG/0199) and Health Research Authority (IRAS number 237959). Data analysis and publication of manuscripts will start in Q3 2020.Trial registration numberISRCTN12146519.

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.

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.

A Pilot Study of a New Approach to Manage Dysregulated Inflammation Using Continuous Venous Hyperfiltration

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafael García-Hernández ◽  
Reyes Gámiz-Sánchez ◽  
María V García-Palacios ◽  
María I Espigares-López ◽  
Francisco Miralles Aguiar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
New Approach

Onchocerciasis in Osse, Ondo State, Nigeria: Effectiveness of Motivational Strategies in Sustaining Compliance with Community Ivermectin Therapy

2002 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 177-189
Author(s):  
O. U. Manafa ◽  
T. S. Awolola ◽  
A. N. Isamah
Keyword(s):  
Community Intervention ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Participant Satisfaction ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
Ondo State ◽  
Set Up ◽  
High Level ◽  
Knowledge Attitudes And Practices

A study in human Onchocerciasis was undertaken in four endemic communities in Ondo State, Nigeria. In-depth interviews were conducted on peoples' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding Onchocerciasis aetiology, treatment, prevention, and symptoms. These were complemented by key informant interviews and focus group discussions. Based on this information, an educational program was set up which included the training of selected villagers (motivators) and community intervention organized by these motivators. Evaluation used a control group where intervention was focused on other health problems in the area. Onchocerciasis education took place only with the intervention group. At the start of the project, peoples' knowledge about Onchocerciasis, its cause, treatment, prevention, and symptoms were varied and only a small proportion could link the bite of the blackfly to Onchocerciasis. The educational intervention achieved a high level of participant satisfaction which was expressed in continuous attendance at workshops and keeping appointments with motivators. The intervention helped to bring a significant improvement in the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of the respondents. The knowledge of Onchocerciasis aetiology increased to 79.8 percent, 71.5 percent, and 74 percent from 48.5 percent, 48.7 percent, 34 percent, and 45 percent pre-intervention in the four study areas used. The project demonstrated that a community-based health education can be effective in Onchocerciasis control.

scholarly journals Parental Self-Efficacy to Promote Children’s Healthy Lifestyles: A Pilot and Feasibility Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 4794
Author(s):  
Cayetana Ruiz-Zaldibar ◽  
Inmaculada Serrano-Monzó ◽  
Olga Lopez-Dicastillo ◽  
María Jesús Pumar-Méndez ◽  
Andrea Iriarte ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Parenting Styles ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Parenting Practices ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Positive Parenting ◽  
Parenting Programs ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Healthy Lifestyles

Positive parenting programs are a key strategy to promote the development of parental competence. We designed a pilot study based on parental self-efficacy to promote healthy lifestyles in their children aged between 2 to 5 years old. In this pilot study, we aimed to assess the effects of a parenting program on parental self-efficacy and parenting styles. Twenty-five parents were allocated into intervention (N = 15) and control group (N = 10). Parents from the intervention group received four group sessions (120 mi per session) to develop a positive parenting, parenting styles and parenting skills regarding to children’s diet, exercise, and screen time, and two additional sessions about child development and family games. Parents from the control group received these two latter sessions. Parental self-efficacy, parenting styles, and meal-related parenting practices were measured before and after the intervention and at 3-month follow-up. Acceptability and feasibility of the program was also measured. Quantitative data were analyzed using the repeat measures ANOVA and ANCOVA tests and the effect size calculation. Content analysis was used to analyse open questions. Positive trends were found regarding parental self-efficacy and the use of authoritative parenting style. Parents also reported a great acceptability of the program getting high satisfaction. According to the feasibility barriers and facilitators aspects were identified. The positive trends founded in this study support the development of parenting programs to promote healthy lifestyle in children.

The Effect of Reflexology on Lactation in Women Who Had Cesarean Section: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Sevde Aksu ◽  
Pelin Palas Karaca
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Cesarean Section ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Breast Pain ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Right ◽  
Documentation Tool ◽  
And Control

<b><i>Aim:</i></b> The research was conducted as a randomized controlled pilot study to evaluate the effects of reflexology on lactation in mothers who delivered by cesarean section (CS). <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A single-blind randomized controlled experimental study was conducted with a total of 60 postpartum women in the reflexology application (<i>n</i> = 30) and control groups (<i>n</i> = 30). After the CS, the mothers in the control group were given approximately 3-h routine nursing care after recovering from the effects of anesthesia; the introductory information form was applied, and the Breastfeeding Charting System and Documentation Tool (LATCH) and visual analog scale (VAS) for the signs of the onset of lactation were implemented on the first and second days. Reflexology was applied to the women in the intervention group after an average of 3 h following the mother’s condition had become stable and she had recovered from the effects of anesthesia. Reflexology was applied a total of 20 min – 10 min for the right foot, 10 min for the left foot – twice a day with 8-h intervals on the first and second days after CS. After the last reflexology application, the LATCH and VAS for the signs of the onset of lactation were applied. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Of the women, 70% breastfed their babies within 60 min after delivery; 46.7% of the mothers received breastfeeding training and 81.7% needed support for breastfeeding after the CS. The LATCH breastfeeding scores of the women in the intervention group on both days were significantly higher compared to those of the women in the control group (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001). On the first day after the CS, apart from breast pain, there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of breast heat and breast tension (<i>p</i> &#x3e; 0.05). On the second day after the CS, apart from breast tension, there was no significant difference between the groups in terms of breast heat and breast pain (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.05). In the study, women in the intervention group were found to have higher scores in terms of all three symptoms compared to the control group (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.05). <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> In the study, it was determined that LATCH scores and signs of the onset of breastfeeding increased in the mothers who received reflexology after CS.

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.

Telephone-based consultation in an acute eye clinic service: A patient satisfaction survey

2021 ◽  
pp. 112067212110307
Author(s):  
Julia Sieberer ◽  
Patrick Hughes ◽  
Indy Sian
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Medical Specialties ◽  
New Approach ◽  
High Satisfaction ◽  
Negative Comments ◽  
Patient Responses ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Strongly Agree ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Park Hospital

Objectives: The coronavirus pandemic has forced healthcare staff across all medical specialties to adapt new and different ways of working. A new approach has been set up in the Acute Referral Clinic (ARC) at Musgrove Park Hospital and a survey has been conducted to measure the impact of the new method on patient and healthcare professionals’ satisfaction with the new service. Methods: A telephone-based consultation was introduced in ARC at Musgrove Park Hospital in March 2020 and patients were instructed to fill out a questionnaire containing eight items using a Likert Scale 1 (‘very poor/disagree’) to 4 (‘very good/strongly agree’) plus two boxes for open positive and negative comments respectively. Likewise a questionnaire was designed in order to assess the healthcare professionals’ satisfaction using the new approach. Data collection took place over a two month period between the end of March 2020 and end of May 2020. The data underwent quality control and was analysed using descriptive statistics. Results: Patient responses illustrated high satisfaction scores with an overall rating of very good (89.4%). The healthcare professionals’ rating of the service was good (28.6% – ‘very good/strongly agree’, 57.1% – ‘good/agree’). The safety rating of the new approach was overall rated ‘very good’ with 90.4% and 71.4% of patients and healthcare professionals respectively. Conclusions: The telephone consultations introduced in the wake of COVID-19 are well accepted by both patients and doctors. There are some limitations of the approach, foremost being consultation time and clinic space but these do not outweigh the general benefit of this format amidst a pandemic setting.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document