scholarly journals A Combined Dietary and Cognitive Intervention in 3–5-Year-Old Children in Indonesia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Nutrients ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 1394 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nora Schneider ◽  
Eveline Geiser ◽  
Laura Gosoniu ◽  
Yulianti Wibowo ◽  
Gertrude Gentile-Rapinett ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Cognitive Development ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Cognitive Intervention ◽  
Cognitive Stimulation ◽  
Nutritional Supplementation ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Psychosocial Stimulation ◽  
Experimental Group

Early childhood nutritional interventions typically combine nutritional and psychosocial stimulation. Such combined interventions result in long-lasting improvements of cognitive abilities in children who are malnourished. Here, we investigated potential cognitive abilities in normally developing children in Indonesia who were, however, at risk for suboptimal cognitive development due to little psychosocial stimulation in their home environment. In a randomized controlled intervention, children of the experimental group received nutritional supplementation combined with cognitive stimulation. Pre- and post-intervention measurements included cognitive development and functioning, behavior, and mother–child interaction. The experimental and control group received nutritional supplementation in the form of a fortified or unfortified milk powder, respectively. Additionally, the children and parents of the experimental group jointly engaged in daily learning activities at home and performed iPad-based tasks designed to foster cognitive abilities. The experimental group compared to the control group displayed a significantly higher increase in intelligence quotient as well as a significantly larger reduction in attentional problems after the intervention. These results indicate that low-level cognitive stimulation in combination with nutritional supplementation during early childhood can be an effective intervention that improves global cognitive functioning in healthy developing children. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02359669.

scholarly journals Metode de stimulare cognitivă a copiilor preșcolari

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 11-20
Author(s):  
Gabriel Stan ◽  
Lucia Savca
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Development ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Cognitive Stimulation ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Therapeutic Environment ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Experimental Group ◽  
Working Method ◽  
Stimulation Of

The study was conducted in 2019 over a period of 8 months in Ilfov County. The study included 148 participants (N = 148). The control group (GC) consists of 74 children, 34 boys and 40 girls. Of the 74 children, 17 are 4 years old, 22 are 5 years old and 35 are 6 years old. The experimental group (GE) consists of 74 children, 32 boys and 42 girls. Of the 74 children, 21 are 4 years old, 21 are 5 years old and 32 are 6 years old. The study aimed to examine the impact of cognitive stimulation of preschoolers in workshops with group and individual sessions on cognitive development. The results show the positive impact of the methods used on the cognitive development of preschoolers. The cognitive stimulation program proposes an innovative therapeutic environment, motivating and compatible with the reality of each child. The activities of stimulating the cognitive abilities of the participants in the experimental group included the Feuerstein working method, which proved promising preliminary results, which determines us to expand our studies in the future. The preschoolers in the control group received only the stimulation related to the educational activities and programs.

The Effects of Three Years of Piano Instruction on Children's Cognitive Development

1999 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 198-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eugenia Costa-Giomi
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Development ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Sixth Grade ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Piano Instruction ◽  
Cognitive Abilities Test ◽  
Piano Lessons ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Experimental Group

The relationship between music and cognitive abilities was studied by observing the cognitive development of children provided ( n = 63) and not provided ( n = 54) with individual piano lessons from fourth to sixth grade. There were no differences in cognitive abilities, musical abilities, motor proficiency, self-esteem, academic achievement, or interest in studying piano between the two groups of children at the beginning of the study. It was found that the treatment affected children's general and spatial cognitive development. The magnitude of such effects (omega squared) was small. Additional analyses showed that although the experimental group obtained higher spatial abilities scores in the Developing Cognitive Abilities Test after 1 and 2 years of instruction than did the control group, the groups did not differ in general or specific cognitive abilities after 3 years of instruction. The treatment did not affect the development of quantitative and verbal cognitive abilities.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of Abdominal and Gluteus Medius Training in Lumbo-Pelvic Stability and Adductor Strength in Female Soccer Players. A Randomized Controlled Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 1528
Author(s):  
Héctor Guerrero-Tapia ◽  
Rodrigo Martín-Baeza ◽  
Rubén Cuesta-Barriuso
Keyword(s):  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Gluteus Medius ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Extrinsic Factors ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Limb Injuries ◽  
Experimental Group

Background. Abdominal and lumbo-pelvic stability alterations may be the origin of lower limb injuries, such as adductor pathology in soccer players. Imbalance can be caused by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial over 8 weeks, 25 female footballers were randomly allocated to an experimental group (isometric abdominal training and gluteus medius-specific training) or a control group (isometric abdominal training). Evaluations were performed at baseline, at the end of the intervention and after a 4-week follow-up period. The exercise protocol in common for both groups included three exercises: Plank, Lateral plank and Bird dog. Specific exercises for the gluteus medius were: Pelvic drop and Stabilization of the gluteus medius in knee valgus. Outcome measures were lumbar-pelvic stability and adductor strength. Results: After the intervention, there was an increase in lumbo-pelvic stability in both groups, being greater in the control group than in the experimental group (mean differences [MD]: 4.84 vs. MD: 9.58; p < 0.01) with differences in the analysis of repeated measures (p < 0.001), but not in group interaction (p = 0.26). Changes were found in adductor strength in the experimental group (MD: −2.48; p < 0.001 in the left adductor; MD: −1.48; p < 0.01 in right adductor) and control group (MD: −1.68; p < 0.001 in the left adductor; MD: −2.05; p < 0.001 in the right adductor) after the intervention, with differences in the analysis of repeated measures in left (p < 0.001) and right (p < 0.001) adductor strength. Conclusions: An abdominal and gluteal training protocol shows no advantage over a protocol of abdominal training alone for lumbo-pelvic stability and adductor strength, while improvements in both variables are maintained at four weeks follow-up.

scholarly journals Efficacy of axial TheraTogs on gait pattern in children with dyskinetic cerebral palsy: a randomized controlled trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shamekh Mohamed El-Shamy ◽  
Ehab Mohamed Abd El Kafy
Keyword(s):  
Cerebral Palsy ◽  
Physical Therapy ◽  
Muscle Tone ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Gait Pattern ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Gait Parameters ◽  
Experimental Group

Abstract Background TheraTogs promotes proprioceptive sense of a child with cerebral palsy and improves abnormal muscle tone, posture alignment, balance, and gait. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of TheraTogs orthotic undergarment on gait pattern in children with dyskinetic cerebral palsy. Thirty children with dyskinetic cerebral palsy were selected for this randomized controlled study. They were randomly assigned to (1) an experimental group that received TheraTogs orthotic undergarment (12 h/day, 3 days/week) plus traditional physical therapy for 3 successive months and (2) a control group that received only traditional physical therapy program for the same time period. Gait parameters were measured at baseline and after 3 months of intervention using Pro-Reflex motion analysis. Results Children in both groups showed significant improvements in the gait parameters (P < 0.05), with significantly greater improvements in the experimental group than in the control group. Conclusions The use of TheraTogs may have a positive effect to improve gait pattern in children with dyskinetic cerebral palsy. Trial registration This trial was registered in the ClinicalTrial.gov PRS (NCT03037697).

scholarly journals Benefits of Dog-Assisted Therapy in Patients with Dementia Residing in Aged Care Centers in Spain

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 1471
Author(s):  
Eva Vegue Parra ◽  
Jose Manuel Hernández Garre ◽  
Paloma Echevarría Pérez
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Alternative Therapy ◽  
Group Versus ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Controlled Clinical Trial ◽  
Neuropsychiatric Inventory ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Institutionalized Patients ◽  
Experimental Group

(1) Background: Currently, the scientific evidence on the benefits of assisted therapy with dogs in dementia is not clear. In this study, we want to evaluate such benefits through a randomized controlled clinical trial in multiple centers across the country. (2) Methods: The participants were people over 65 years old with dementia, residing in senior centers in Spain (n = 334). The experimental group underwent assisted therapy with dogs based on the Comprehensive Cognitive Activation Program in Dementia, for 8 months, with weekly sessions of 45 min. Data were collected at the commencement, middle, and end of the program, to evaluate the aspects using the Mini-Examination Cognitive, the modified Bartell Index, the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia and the Neuropsychiatric Inventory. (3) Results: The results show significant improvements in the experimental group versus the control group in the affective (T1 = p 0.000; T2 = p 0.000) and behavioral (T1 = p 0.005; T2 = p 0.000) aspects, with the affective aspect displaying greater progress in participants with additional depressive (p = 0.022) or anxiety (p = 0.000) disorders, shorter institutionalization periods (r = −0.222, p = 0.004), and those undergoing complementary psychotherapy (p = 0.033) or alternative therapy (p = 0.011). (4) Conclusions: Dog therapy is effective in improving the affective and behavioral aspects of institutionalized patients with dementia.

scholarly journals The effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation during the first stage of labor: a randomized controlled trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Njogu ◽  
Si Qin ◽  
Yujie Chen ◽  
Lizhen Hu ◽  
Yang Luo
Keyword(s):  
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Labor Pain ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Electrical Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Active Labor ◽  
Vas Scores ◽  
Experimental Group ◽  
First Stage Of Labor

Abstract Background Labor pain during childbirth can have devastating effects on the progress of labor, mother, and fetus. Consequently, the management of labor pain is crucial for the well-being of the mother and fetus. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a non -pharmacological analgesic technique. It uses a low-voltage electrical current to activate descending inhibitory systems in the central nervous system to relieve pain. This study aimed to determine the effects of TENS therapy in the first stage of labor. Methods In this single-blind randomized controlled trial, we screened low-risk pregnant women who anticipated spontaneous vaginal delivery. Women were assigned (1:1) to either the experimental group (received TENS therapy in the first stage of labor) or the control group (received routine obstetric care). The women, midwives, and researchers working in the gynecology and obstetric department were aware of the treatment group, but statisticians analysis the data were blinded. The primary outcome was labor pain intensity, assessed by visual analog scale (VAS) immediately after the randomization, at 30, 60, and 120 min after TENS therapy, and 2–24 h post-delivery. We used SPSS 21.0 software in data analysis. An independent sample t-test compared the mean VAS scores and labor duration between groups. A Chi-square test was employed to compare categorical variables between the groups. A significant level of ≤0.05 was statistically significant. Results A total of 326 pregnant women were eligible: experimental group (n = 161) and control group (n = 165). The experimental group had statistically significantly lower mean VAS scores at a different time (30, 60, and 120 min post-intervention and 2–24 h post-delivery) than the control group (p < 0.001). The experimental group demonstrated a statistically significant shorter duration of the active labor phase than the control group (p < 0.001). Conclusion This study indicates that TENS can be used as a non-pharmacological therapy to reduce pain and shorten the active labor phase. Trial registration ISRCTN registry, ISRCTN23857995. Registered on 11/12/2020, ‘retrospectively registered.

scholarly journals Learning Alphabets Through Infographics

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
MICHAEL OLUBUNMI ODEWUMI ◽  
Grace O. OPUTA, Grace O ◽  
Isyaka BELLO
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Staff Development ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Control Group ◽  
School Teachers ◽  
Childhood Education ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Elementary Classes ◽  
Effective Staff Development ◽  
Experimental Group

Early stages of reading and writing rest solely on the alphabet.  Learning of letters with infographics in the elementary classes makes learning more easy and meaningful.  The study examined the potentials of infographics in enhancing learning at an early childhood level especially on letters.  The researcher utilized experimental design which including pre and post-test. The package was validated by experts with a reliability coefficient of 0. 77. The findings of this study showed that the experimental group means a score of 30.60 is higher than the control group means a score of 30.50 co-efficient. Moreover, the means score of 30.742 for females and 30.345 for male pupils was obtained. The study concluded that children at the early childhood level could learn better using infographics based approach. It was recommended that incentives should be provided for pre-school teachers to participate in highly effective staff development to help them integrate infographics into their teaching and learning. Also, infographics based approach be used for all subjects in early childhood education in Nigeria

scholarly journals Effectiveness of Abdominal and Gluteus Medius Training in Lumbo-pelvic Stability and Adductor Strength in Women Soccer Players. A Randomized Controlled Study.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Héctor Guerrero-Tapia ◽  
Rodrigo Martín-Baeza ◽  
Rubén Cuesta-Barriuso
Keyword(s):  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Gluteus Medius ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Extrinsic Factors ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Limb Injuries ◽  
Experimental Group

Abstract Background: Abdominal and lumbo-pelvic stability alterations may origin lower limb injuries, such as for example adductor pathology in soccer players. Imbalance can be caused by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Methods: This randomized controlled trial conducted over an 8-week period included 25 female footballers randomly allocated to an experimental group (isometric abdominal training and gluteus medius-specific training) or a control group (isometric abdominal training). The exercise protocol in common for both groups included three exercises: Plank, Lateral plank and Bird dog. Specific exercises for the gluteus medius were: Pelvic drop and Stabilization of the gluteus medius in knee valgus. Outcome measures were lumbo-pelvic stability and adductor strength.Results. Lumbo-pelvic stability after surgery was higher in the control group (MD: 4.84 vs MD: 9.58; p < .01) with differences in the analysis of repeated measures (p<.001), but not in group interaction (p =.26). Changes were found in adductor strength in the experimental group (MD: -2.48; p<.001 in the left adductor; MD: -1.48; p<.01 in right adductor) and control group (MD: -1.68; p<.001 in the left adductor; MD: -2.05; p<.001 in the right adductor) after the intervention, with differences in the analysis of repeated measures in left (p<.001) and right (p<.001) adductor strength.Conclusions. An abdominal and gluteal training protocol shows no advantage over a protocol of abdominal training alone for lumbo-pelvic stability and adductor strength and flexibility, while improvements are maintained at four weeks follow-up. Trial Registration Number: NCT03617887.

Cluster Symptoms Reduction via Telephone-Based Intervention in Thai Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing 4-Cycle Adjuvant Chemotherapy: A Randomized-Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 104 (6) ◽  
pp. 887-894
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Adjuvant Chemotherapy ◽  
Energy Conservation ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Experimental Group

Background: Cluster symptoms are a common occurrence in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. The telephone is a well-recognized, convenient device for reaching out to patients for monitoring and managing their symptoms in an efficient, prompt, and appropriate manner. Objective: To investigate the efficacy of telephone-based intervention to achieve energy conservation among breast cancer patients with the aim of alleviating fatigue, pain, sleep disturbance, and depression. Materials and Methods: The present study was a two-armed, randomized control trial conducted in the university hospital between March and September 2019. Seventy-four breast cancer patients, receiving four courses of adjuvant chemotherapy, were randomly recruited and assigned into the experimental group and the control group. One face-to-face intervention interview for energy conservation was conducted, followed by 20-minutes telephone brief counselling and assessment sessions, scheduled on day 1, 2, 7, and 14. Results: The scores for symptoms of median fatigue and pain in the experimental group were shown to be significantly reduced at the end of the study as compared to those scores within the control group (p<0.05). Similarly, scores for median sleep time and depression were greater at the end of cycle 1 and highest in cycle 2 (p<0.05, 0.001, respectively). Physical activity levels were also higher in the experimental group than in the control group in every cycle, with a statistical significance (p<0.001). Conclusion: The present study intervention demonstrated an effectiveness for the reduction of cluster symptoms. Further studies would be needed in a larger population scale in the customary, randomized controlled trial manner. Keywords: Cancer; Energy conservation; Fatigue; Pain; Sleep; Telephone

Testing the Effectiveness of a Strengths-Based Intervention Targeting All 24 Strengths: Results From a Randomized Controlled Trial

2020 ◽  
pp. 003329412093744
Author(s):  
Lobna Chérif ◽  
Valerie M. Wood ◽  
Christian Watier
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Character Strengths ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Strength Development ◽  
Character Strength ◽  
Significant Group ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Time Interaction ◽  
Experimental Group

This study assessed the effectiveness of a strengths-based randomized controlled trial focused on fostering all 24 character strengths in a group of 75 participants from a University in Tunisia. Participants randomly assigned to the challenge condition (n = 40) received an email each day for 24 days, that highlighted a particular strength of the day including why the strength is valuable, how to implement the strength behaviourally, and a motto related to that strength. Those in the control condition (n = 35) simply received emails containing the motto for each strength daily for 24 days. We assessed all participants’ levels of happiness before the experiment (T0), the day following the experiment (T1), and one-month following the experiment (T2). Results from a 2 (group) X 3 (time) split plot ANOVA revealed a significant group-by-time interaction, such that at T2 the experimental group had greater happiness scores than the control group. These findings provide some evidence that even “minimalist” interventions (involving the receipt of emails encouraging character-strength development), might be effective for promoting gains in happiness even one month after the intervention.

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