scholarly journals The Effectiveness of Virtual Reality Interventions for Adolescent Patients in Hospital Settings: A Systematic Review (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brad Ridout ◽  
Joshua Kelson ◽  
Andrew Campbell ◽  
Kate Steinbeck

BACKGROUND Given the high level of interest and increasing familiarity with Virtual Reality (VR) among adolescents, there is great potential to use VR to address their unique health care delivery needs while in hospital. While there have been reviews into the use of VR for specific health conditions and procedures, none to date have reviewed the full scope of VR hospital interventions for adolescents, who despite experiencing virtual environments differently to younger children, are often combined with them as a homogenous group. OBJECTIVE The aim of this review was to systematically identify available evidence regarding the use of VR interventions for adolescent patients in hospital settings, to evaluate their effectiveness, suitability and safety, and to identify gaps and opportunities for future research. METHODS PubMed, PsycINFO, Medline and Scopus databases were searched using keywords and phrases. Retrieved abstracts (n=1,525) were double screened, yielding 276 articles for screening at the full-text level. Of these, eight articles met the review inclusion criteria. Data were extracted into a standardized coding sheet, and a narrative synthesis was performed due to the heterogeneity of the identified studies. RESULTS Four randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and four single case report interventions were identified for inclusion, all of which aimed to reduce pain and/or anxiety. The scenarios targeted were burn pain, venepuncture, chemotherapy, pre-operative anxiety, and palliative care. Three out of four RCTs found significant reductions in pain and/or anxiety outcomes measures when using VR compared to standard care or other distraction techniques. However, only one study combined self-reported experiences of pain or anxiety with any physiological measures. Single case reports relied primarily on qualitative feedback, with patients reporting reduced pain and/or anxiety and a preference for VR over no VR. CONCLUSIONS VR can provide a safe and engaging way to reduce pain and anxiety in adolescents while in hospital, particularly when VR software is highly immersive and specifically designed for therapeutic purposes. As VR becomes more accessible and affordable for use in hospitals, larger and more diverse studies that capitalise on adolescents’ interest and aptitude towards VR, and the full range of capabilities of this emerging technology, are needed to build on these promising results.

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 572-577 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard M. Wardell ◽  
Andrew E. Hanselman ◽  
Scott D. Daffner ◽  
Robert D. Santrock

Ankle fractures with an associated posterior tibialis tendon (PTT) rupture are rare injuries and have only been described in a number of case reports. These prior reports include patients that had an open fracture and/or an associated medial malleolar fracture component. In this unique case report, we present a patient that sustained a closed bimalleolar-equivalent ankle fracture/dislocation without medial malleolar involvement which was irreducible due to a PTT rupture and subsequent distal segment interposition in the tibiotalar joint. Identification of acute PTT rupture with associated ankle fracture is important because early repair is associated with significantly better functional outcomes compared with late repair. These injury patterns may easily be missed due to the limitations with physical examination and standard imaging often encountered during initial evaluation of routine ankle fractures. Therefore, physicians should maintain a high level of suspicion in the appropriate clinical setting in order to provide appropriate diagnosis and timely surgical intervention. Levels of Evidence: Descriptive, Level V: Single case report


Crisis ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manina Mestas ◽  
Florian Arendt

Abstract. Background: Reporting on suicide can elicit an increase in suicides, a phenomenon termed the “Werther effect.” The name can be traced back to an alleged spike in suicides after the publication of Goethe's novel The Sorrows of Young Werther in 1774, in which the protagonist Werther dies by suicide. Aims: Acknowledging the importance and primacy of systematic ecological and individual-level studies, we provide a historical single-case report of the suicide of a “late arrival of the Werther epidemic,” as the death was headlined in a news report in 1927. Method: Archival research on tenor Paul Vidal's suicide was conducted. Results: Vidal reconstructed the scene of the final act of the opera Werther in his apartment and died by a gunshot, as did Werther. Limitations: Causal interpretations must be made with caution. Conclusion: Striking similarities between Werther's and Vidal's deaths support the idea of strong identification with the fictional narrative and suggest causal effects. Considering the repeated high level of immersiveness and the intense emotions of opera performances, it is likely that performing the role of Werther increases identification processes, contributing to detrimental effects. The lack of knowledge regarding the role of fictional suicide stories on artists' suicides is discussed.


Author(s):  
Stephanie L. Smith ◽  
Jeremy Shiffman

This chapter examines the politics of global health agenda setting, the process by which global health issues come to receive attention from actors that control or influence the allocation of financial, technical, human, and other kinds of resources. It suggests that the global health agenda is shaped by the capabilities of actors, including policy entrepreneurs, high-level champions, and networks; ideas, especially those surrounding problem definition, solutions, and causal stories; powerful interests, such as the economic and security concerns of wealthy countries and industries; and institutions, such as international law and trade regimes. Most studies of global health agenda setting are of a single case, and many are descriptive. To build the field, future research should supplement these studies with comparative, theoretically grounded inquiry.


Author(s):  
Kyle S Conway ◽  
Fozia Ghafoor ◽  
Amy C Gottschalk ◽  
Joseph Laakman ◽  
Renee L Eigsti ◽  
...  

Abstract 1p36 deletion syndrome is the most common terminal deletion syndrome, manifesting clinically as abnormal facies and developmental delay with frequent cardiac, skeletal, urogenital, and renal abnormalities. Limited autopsy case reports describe the neuropathology of 1p36 deletion syndrome. The most extensive single case report described a spectrum of abnormalities, mostly related to abnormal neuronal migration. We report the largest published series of 1p36 autopsy cases, with an emphasis on neuropathologic findings. Our series consists of 3 patients: 2 infants (5-hours old and 23-days old) and 1 older child (11 years). Our patients showed abnormal cortical gyration together with a spectrum of neuronal migration abnormalities, including heterotopias and hippocampal abnormalities, as well as cerebellar hypoplasia. Our findings thus support the role of neuronal migration defects in the pathogenesis of cognitive defects in 1p36 deletion syndrome and broaden the reported neuropathologic spectrum of this common syndrome.


Hand ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. NP166-NP169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael T. Edgerton ◽  
Robert C. Kollmorgen

Background: Triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) injuries are a known cause of ulnar-sided wrist pain. Wrist arthroscopy is the gold standard for diagnosis of these lesions and is becoming a more frequent method of treatment. Isolated radial-sided tears are uncommon and treatment of these lesions is controversial. There are few reports on repair techniques. Here we report on a novel arthroscopic, all-inside technique for traumatic radial-sided TFCC tears that resulted in full range of motion, significant improvement in pain, and ultimately return to sport. Methods: This is a single case report describing an all-inside, arthroscopic repair of a radial-sided TFCC tear. The techniques and postoperative protocol are discussed. Clinical outcomes were reported at final follow-up of 3.5 months. Results: At final follow-up, our patient had full wrist range of motion, 95% strength, occasional 1/10 pain, and returned to sport at her previous level of play. There were no complications. Conclusion: Although just a single case report, our patient had an excellent result based on modified Mayo wrist score. When comparing our result and the previous literature, this technique seems to be a valid method for addressing radial-sided TFCC tears.


2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (04) ◽  
pp. 508-512
Author(s):  
Jason D. Wink ◽  
Olatomide Familusi ◽  
Ines C. Lin

We present a case of a 26-year-old right hand dominant male landscaper with a slow growing right ring finger subungual mass. MRI confirmed a 0.9 × 1.5 × 0.9 cm well circumscribed subungual mass believed to be consistent with a glomus tumor, although size and symptoms were not consistent with that diagnosis. The mass was completely excised and diagnosis of schwannoma was confirmed by H&E histology. A literature search was performed utilizing the term “subungual schwannoma.” Four case reports were found describing this diagnosis in the hand as well as a single case report describing it in the foot. In summary, this is a 26-year-old male who presents with a schwannoma in the unusual subungual location. Although rare, based on our case and the existing literature, subungual schwannomas should be included in the differential diagnosis of a slow growing subungual mass, particularly if symptoms and exam are inconsistent with more common etiologies.


10.2196/16066 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. e16066
Author(s):  
Rineke Bossenbroek ◽  
Aniek Wols ◽  
Joanneke Weerdmeester ◽  
Anna Lichtwarck-Aschoff ◽  
Isabela Granic ◽  
...  

Background Many adolescents in special education are affected by anxiety in addition to their behavioral problems. Anxiety leads to substantial long-term problems and may underlie disruptive behaviors in the classroom as a result of the individual’s inability to tolerate anxiety-provoking situations. Thus, interventions in special needs schools that help adolescents cope with anxiety and, in turn, diminish disruptive classroom behaviors are needed. Objective This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a virtual reality biofeedback game, DEEP, on daily levels of state-anxiety and disruptive classroom behavior in a clinical sample. In addition, the study also aimed to examine the duration of the calm or relaxed state after playing DEEP. Methods A total of 8 adolescents attending a special secondary school for students with behavioral and psychiatric problems participated in a single-case experimental ABAB study. Over a 4-week period, participants completed 6 DEEP sessions. In addition, momentary assessments (ie, 3 times a day) of self-reported state-anxiety and teacher-reported classroom behavior were collected throughout all A and B phases. Results From analyzing the individual profiles, it was found that 6 participants showed reductions in anxiety, and 5 participants showed reductions in disruptive classroom behaviors after the introduction of DEEP. On a group level, results showed a small but significant reduction of anxiety (d=–0.29) and a small, nonsignificant reduction of disruptive classroom behavior (d=−0.16) on days when participants played DEEP. Moreover, it was found that the calm or relaxed state of participants after playing DEEP lasted for about 2 hours on average. Conclusions This study demonstrates the potential of the game, DEEP, as an intervention for anxiety and disruptive classroom behavior in a special school setting. Future research is needed to fully optimize and personalize DEEP as an intervention for the heterogeneous special school population.


2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis Arrevola ◽  
María Almudena Acero ◽  
María Jesús Peral

Punctate inner choroidopathy (PIC) is a rare inflammatory chorioretinopathy that predominantly affects young myopic women. Visual prognosis is generally good, but occurrence of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) is common and may be vision threatening. Case reports and short case series support the effectiveness of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents (ranibizumab and bevacizumab) for CNV associated with PIC given their anti-angiogenic and anti-inflammatory effects. Evidence concerning aflibercept, a more recent intravitreal anti-VEGF, is limited to a single case report. In this case report, we illustrate the case of a 43-year-old myopic woman presenting with visual acuity loss and distortion in the right eye over the last 5 days in whom CNV associated with PIC was diagnosed. Treatment with 1 injection per month of intravitreal aflibercept for 2 months and full-dose oral prednisone for 1 week, being tapered afterwards, improved visual acuity and resolved CNV, with benefits lasting up to 24 months.


2011 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 240-245 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentina Cardi ◽  
Isabel Krug ◽  
Conxa Perpiñá ◽  
David Mataix-Cols ◽  
Maria Roncero ◽  
...  

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (11) ◽  
pp. 232596711880713 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tobias N. von Bergen ◽  
Gary M. Lourie

Background: Dynamic compressive neuropathies around the elbow are a rare entity described by a relatively small body of literature, mostly consisting of single-case reports. No standardized diagnostic protocols have been described to date. To the authors’ knowledge, this study represents the largest case series of dynamic compressive neuropathies in the upper extremity. Purpose: To identify various etiologies of dynamic compressive neuropathies around the elbow, devise a systematic diagnostic protocol, and review treatment options. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of patients who presented to a single practice between 2013 and 2017 and were diagnosed with a dynamic compressive neuropathy around the elbow. Results: A total of 7 patients were identified, with a mean follow-up of 2 years. All patients were high-level pitchers. One patient was a minor league pitcher; 4 patients were National Collegiate Athletic Association athletes; and 2 patients were high school athletes. All patients underwent a systematic diagnostic workup. The diagnosis was established with dynamic nerve conduction testing. Three etiologies for dynamic nerve compression around the elbow were identified: 1 case of lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve compression by the biceps tendon, 3 cases of ulnar nerve compression by an anconeus epitrochlearis muscle, and 3 cases of posterior interosseous nerve compression at the arcade of Frohse with hypertrophic extensor carpi radialis brevis and extensor digitorum communis muscles. Two patients were treated conservatively, while 5 patients required surgery. All patients were able to return to pitching. Conclusion: Dynamic compressive neuropathies around the elbow are rare entities that present unique diagnostic challenges to the treating clinician. In this cohort, all patients were young throwing athletes. Physical examination of the patient frequently lacks typical findings of chronic nerve entrapment syndromes. Dynamic nerve conduction studies establish the diagnosis, and treatment often requires surgical decompression to achieve complete resolution of symptoms.


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