A pilot study to determine if a dietary mineral supplement can affect reactivity to stimuli by horses in training

2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 159-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
B.D. Nielsen ◽  
C.I. O'Connor-Robison
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Treated Group ◽  
Moving Object ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Mineral Supplement ◽  
Behavioural Responses ◽  
Reactivity Test ◽  
Calcium And Magnesium ◽  
Affect Reactivity

Trainers have reported horses to be calmer and easier to train after receiving a calcium- and magnesium-rich mineral supplement derived from a calcified algae source. The purpose of this study was to test whether horses receiving this supplement were calmer than horses receiving a placebo. Fourteen 2-year-old Arabians in training were subjected to a ‘moving object reactivity test’ (MORT) and ‘handling reactivity test’ (HRT). The MORT involves quickly raising a bag suspended from the ceiling and scoring horses' reactions. The HRT involves placing horses into breeding stocks and scoring the horses’ nervousness. Horses were equipped with heart rate (HR) monitors and were scored by four observers blinded to treatment. Reactivity scores and HR were used to randomly striate the horses into two groups: a treated group (MIN) receiving 100 g of Aquacid/horse/day and a control group (CO) receiving a placebo. After supplementation for 60 days, horses were retested. Using PROC Mixed, changes from day 0 were examined. In the MORT, CO had an increase of 29 bpm (P=0.001), while MIN only showed a trend to increase (12 bpm; P=0.1). There was no difference between treatments (P=0.12). Reactivity scores during the MORT were not different between treatments (P=0.14) with CO horses increasing by 0.58 (1 to 5 scale) and MIN horses by 0.31. In the HRT, the peak HR of CO increased from day 0 by 17 bpm (P=0.009), but only by 11 bpm in the MIN (P=0.08). Reactivity scores for MIN horses improved by 0.45 (scale from 1 to 4) while the CO worsened by 0.04. Neither HRT measurement was significant (P=0.41 and P=0.33, respectively). Limited treatment differences suggest greater subject numbers were needed due to variability in behavioural responses despite some outcomes favouring MIN. Though inconclusive, results suggest anecdotal claims of calming effects may warrant further investigation.

scholarly journals The Selah pilot study of spiritual, mindfulness, and stress inoculation practices on stress-related outcomes: A non-randomized participant preference control pilot study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rae Jean Proeschold-Bell ◽  
David E. Eagle ◽  
Logan C. Tice ◽  
Jia Yao ◽  
Joshua A. Rash ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Trial Registration ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Stress Inoculation ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Centering Prayer ◽  
Heart Rate Monitoring ◽  
Stress Inoculation Training

Abstract Background The job-demand-control-support model indicates that clergy are at high risk for chronic stress and adverse health outcomes. Methods A non-randomized participant preference design with a control group was used to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and range of outcome effect sizes for four potentially stress-reducing interventions: stress inoculation training, mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), the Daily Examen, and Centering Prayer. All United Methodist clergy in North Carolina were eligible and recruited via email to attend their preferred intervention: in-person workshops of one (Daily Examen, Centering Prayer) or two days (stress inoculation training) at retreat centers, or eight weekly online 90-minute sessions (MBSR). Surveys at 0, 3, and 12 weeks assessed symptoms of stress, anxiety, and perceived stress reactivity. Heart rate variability was assessed at baseline and 12 weeks using data from 24h ambulatory heart rate monitoring. A patched-up control group was recruited after recruitment commenced. A subset of participants completed in-depth interviews and reported skill practice using daily text messages. Standardized mean differences with 95% and 75% confidence intervals were calculated for each intervention relative to control to determine the range of effect sizes likely to be observed in a definitive trial. Results 78 clergy participated in an intervention and 7 provided data as a control group. The daily percentage of participants engaging in stress management practices ranged from 47% (MBSR) to 69% (Examen). Every participant interviewed (n=23) reported that learning content was acceptable and they would recommend their intervention to others. Small-to-large effect sizes on measures of stress and anxiety were observed for Daily Examen, stress inoculation, and MBSR relative to control. Little evidence for change in HRV was observed between intervention and control, with the most favorable effects observed for MBSR. Results were mixed for Centering Prayer. Conclusions All four interventions were feasible and acceptable, with the best trends in outcomes for MBSR, although other interventions were promising. Participants welcomed daily text messages reminding them to engage in practice and wore ambulatory heart rate monitoring devices without incident. Three-week survey data did not contribute to study findings. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov trial registration number: NCT04625777, November 12, 2020 (retrospectively registered).

scholarly journals The Effect of Animal-Assisted Therapy on the State of Patients’ Health After a Stroke: A Pilot Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (18) ◽  
pp. 3272 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristýna Machová ◽  
Radka Procházková ◽  
Michal Říha ◽  
Ivona Svobodová
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Barthel Index ◽  
Animal Assisted Therapy ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Physical Constraints ◽  
Significant Aspect ◽  
Experimental Group

A stroke is a condition that can give rise to consequences such as cognitive and physical constraints, which sometimes manifest in the psychological condition of the patient. Such patients commence rehabilitation as soon as is possible, which involves a multi-disciplinary approach to treatment. One aspect of complementary rehabilitation could be animal-assisted therapy (AAT). A total of 15 individuals were split into an experimental group comprising 6 patients (2 males, 4 females), and a control group of 9 patients (3 males, 6 females). The participants in the control group were aged from 43 to 87 years and the experimental group featured participants aged from 45 to 76 years. Both groups received standard physiotherapy and occupational therapy. In addition, the experimental group was supplemented with AAT, with the animal in question being a dog. The tools primarily applied to measure the outcomes were the Barthel index, blood pressure, and heart rate measurements, whereas the Likert scale was employed to discern the mood of the patients. The results showed that changes in the values for heart rate and blood pressure were insignificant. However, a statistically significant aspect of the research pertained to the patients confirming that they felt better after the AAT sessions. Hence, AAT could potentially bolster the effectiveness of other therapies.

Benefits of EEG-Neurofeedback on the Modulation of Impulsivity in a Sample of Cocaine and Heroin Long-Term Abstinent Inmates: A Pilot Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (12) ◽  
pp. 1275-1298
Author(s):  
M. Corominas-Roso ◽  
I. Ibern ◽  
M. Capdevila ◽  
R. Ramon ◽  
C. Roncero ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Clinical Improvement ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Treated Group ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Potential Range ◽  
Significant Clinical Improvement

The aim of this pilot study was to assess whether neurofeedback (NFB) can be useful in the treatment of impulsive behavior in long-term abstinent cocaine and heroin addicts. A single-blind sham-controlled NFB protocol was carried out to assess the effects of NFB on impulsivity in 20 (10 + 10) cocaine and heroin long-term abstinent addicts ( Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders [4th ed., text rev.; DSM-IV-TR]). Psychotic and neurologic diseases were excluded. Participants underwent 40 NFB sessions based on the very slow cortical potential range. Inhibitory deficits were specifically addressed through right and left prefrontal training. Clinical improvement was measured with Likert-type scales, the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, and the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory, and impulsivity was assessed using the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale and the Continuous Performance Test. Although the results are preliminary due to the small sample size, the NFB-treated group showed a significant clinical improvement, including symptoms of anxiety and depression, with two differentiated time periods. No significant clinical improvement was found in the control group. A significant decrease in the post- versus pre-treatment measures of global impulsivity, nonplanning impulsivity, and error commission measures was found in the NFB-treated group; effect size ( dKorr) in the pre–post control design was moderate. No significant change was found in the control group. Despite the limitations of this study, the results suggest that NFB is better than placebo in improving impulsivity and clinical symptoms of anxiety and depression in long-term abstinent cocaine- and heroin-dependent individuals.

scholarly journals Effect of Dog Presence on Stress Levels in Students under Psychological Strain: A Pilot Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (7) ◽  
pp. 2286
Author(s):  
Kristýna Machová ◽  
Radka Procházková ◽  
Mariana Vadroňová ◽  
Michaela Součková ◽  
Eliška Prouzová
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Standard Deviation ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Pressure Gauge ◽  
Female Students ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Psychological Strain ◽  
Final Exam ◽  
Physiological Values

As university students face many stressful situations, especially during the examination period, this study focused on the use of animal-assisted activities (AAAs) with a dog as a means of relieving students’ stress before a final exam. The aim was to determine whether a 10-min interaction with a dog affected subjectively evaluated stress and mood, objective blood pressure, and heart rate. Ninety-three female students (mean age = 22.5 years; standard deviation = 3.8 years) were divided into three groups according to their preference. The first group underwent AAAs (n = 26), the second group chose a relaxation technique (n = 28), and the last one was a control group (n = 39). Physiological values were measured using a pressure gauge and the subjective feelings of stress and mood were evaluated by the Likert scale 1–5. The AAA group showed significant improvement after 10 min of interaction in both mood and stress, with no change in heart rate and blood pressure. The remaining groups showed a significant decrease in blood pressure, but not in heart rate, with different evaluations of mood and stress. AAAs with a dog appear to be effective in improving students’ mood and stress without affecting their physiological parameters.

Heart rate and behavioural responses of dogs in the Ainsworth's Strange Situation: A pilot study

2005 ◽  
Vol 94 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 75-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clara Palestrini ◽  
Emanuela Prato Previde ◽  
Caterina Spiezio ◽  
Marina Verga
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Strange Situation ◽  
Behavioural Responses ◽  
Ainsworth's Strange Situation

Pilot Study of Light Therapy and Neurocognitive Performance of Attention and Memory in Healthy Subjects

2008 ◽  
Vol 102 (1) ◽  
pp. 299-304 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Bersani ◽  
Daniela Marconi ◽  
Lucilla Limpido ◽  
Emanuele Tarolla ◽  
Eleonora Caroti
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Recall Test ◽  
Bright Light ◽  
Light Therapy ◽  
Treated Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Attention And Memory ◽  
Neurocognitive Performance ◽  
Beneficial Effects

The aim of this pilot study was to investigate whether light therapy improves healthy subjects' neurocognitive performance of attention, memory, and language. Ten subjects were treated with white bright light for 5 days and a control group of 10 with no treatment were assessed with a battery of neurocognitive tests which included the Stroop Colour Word Interference Test, the Verbal Fluency Test, the Story Recall Test, and the Word Pairs Recall Test. Analysis showed improvements in cognitive scores in both groups, although on all the cognitive tests the mean difference scores between baseline and endpoint were significantly larger in the light-treated group. These preliminary results suggest that short-term bright light may exert beneficial effects on cognitive functions.

scholarly journals Thermal stress alters the basal value of serum proteins in laying hens

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Larissa GRUNITZKY ◽  
João Rogério CENTENARO ◽  
Natasha Rocha da SILVA ◽  
Julia de Moraes PAULO ◽  
Alisson Minozzo da SILVEIRA ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Thermal Stress ◽  
Surface Temperature ◽  
Respiratory Rate ◽  
Body Surface ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Treated Group ◽  
Metabolic Parameters ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Body Surface Temperature

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the effect of thermal stress on the physiological and metabolic parameters in laying hens and the microbiological quality of eggs. The experiment was performed with 50 Rhode Island Red hens in the initial laying phase, under standard diet, lodged in 20 m² stalls under controlled temperature, for 30 days. The laying hens were randomly divided into two groups: G1 - the control group, which contained 10 hens exposed to the temperature of 17 ºC; G2 - the treatment group, which contained 40 hens exposed to the temperature of 30 ºC. The physiological parameters evaluated were: cloacal temperature, body surface temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, and weight. Biochemical tests included total protein, albumin, globulin, and glucose. The group subjected to thermal stress showed lower body weight, increased heart rate, a slight increase in the respiratory rate, and increase in body surface temperature when compared with the control group (P < 0.05), although no significant differences were observed regarding cloacal temperature. As for the metabolic parameters, the treated group showed an increase in total proteins and globulins compared with the control group (P < 0.05), while albumin remained at basal levels. Additionally, hypoglycemia was observed in the treated group. Samples from egg shells and yolk were subjected to the analyses for the detection of Salmonella spp. These microorganisms were not detected amongst the egg samples.

scholarly journals Carvedilol Protects against Cyclosporine Nephropathy in Rats

2006 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Kotolová ◽  
P. Kollár ◽  
M. Jarošová
Keyword(s):  
Animal Model ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Wistar Rats ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Treated Group ◽  
Renal Tissue ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Serum Transferrin ◽  
Protein Levels

The aim of our experimental work was to study whether carvedilol is able to protect renal tissue from cyclosporine toxic effect in animal model of cyclosporine nephropathy. The study was performed on twenty Wistar rats divided in two experimental groups: control (treated with placebo) and carvedilol (treated with p.o. dose 10mg/kg/day in 1 ml solution). Cyclosporine in oral dose of 15 mg/kg/day was administered to all animals during 15 days of experiment. Urine was collected daily for the assessment of diuresis, proteinuria, and determination of urea and creatinine levels. Serum collected at the end of the experiment (day 15) was used for the determination of urea and transferrin levels. The level of renal tissue damage was evaluated by the Jones method for basal membranes, glomeruli and tubuli impregnation, and by the Kossa method for calcium impregnation. For the determination of paranuclear inclusions presence we used chromanilinblue (CAB) method. Statistically significant differences between total protein levels in urine on day 7 of the experiment and urea levels in serum at the end of the experiment in the control group and the carvedilol-treated group indicate a protective effect of carvedilol on renal tissue, which is supported also by the results of a histological examination of renal tissue. Significant increase in the serum transferrin level was registered in the carvedilol-treated group and no significant changes were noted in ceruloplasmin serum levels. In conclusion, our pilot study showed that carvedilol has the ability to protect renal tissue from cyclosporine induced nephropathy in rats.

Effects of Trypanosoma brucei brucei infection and diminazene aceturate administration on the blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature of Wistar albino rats

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 265-269
Author(s):  
Olushola Emmanuel Adeleye ◽  
Jude Makinde Ale ◽  
Emmanuella Olubanke Amope Sogebi ◽  
Ladoke A. Durotoye ◽  
Adenike Iyabo Adeleye ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Trypanosoma Brucei ◽  
Treated Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Albino Rats ◽  
Trypanosoma Brucei Brucei ◽  
Blood Pressure Monitor ◽  
Diminazene Aceturate ◽  
Wistar Albino Rats

Abstract Background: This study was carried out to determine the blood pressure changes in experimentally Trypanosoma brucei brucei-infected Wistar albino rats and diminazene aceturate-treated rats. Methods: Twenty-four rats were purchased and divided into four groups consisting of six rats each. Control group (CON) received 0.5 mL of distilled water, i.m., infected but not treated group (INF) received 2×106 trypanosome/mL i.m., infected but diminazene aceturate-treated group (INFDIM) received 2×106 trypanosome/mL, 3.5 mg/kg, i.m.) and non-infected but diminazene aceturate-treated group (DIM) received 3.5 mg/kg, i.m. and served as negative control. The blood pressures were measured using a CODA 2® non-invasive blood pressure monitor (Kent Scientific, USA). The results were compiled and statistical analysis was done with significance set at p≥0.05. Results: The values of the blood pressure readings of the Trypanosoma-infected INF (137.0±2.0 mmHg) and diminazene-treated rats INFDIM (125.0±7.5 mmHg) when compared to the control group (168.0±3.0 mmHg) were significantly lower (p≤0.05) at the end of day 7. The heart rate was also significantly reduced in the INF (403.5±1.5 beats/min) and DIM (445.0±24 beats/min) groups of rats when compared with the control group (613.0±2.0 beats/min) at the end of day 8. Conclusion: The findings indicate the significant reduction in blood pressure and heart rates during Trypanosoma brucei brucei infection and with diminazene aceturate administration. Hence, caution should be exercised when treating trypanosome-infected patients with diminazene aceturate.

scholarly journals The effect of acute bleeding response on vital signs and some haematological values in local breed goats in An najaf province-Iraq

2012 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 142
Author(s):  
H. M. Al-Ramahi And A. G. hassan
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Respiratory Rate ◽  
Rectal Temperature ◽  
Vital Signs ◽  
Hemoglobin Concentration ◽  
Treated Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Acute Bleeding ◽  
Local Breed ◽  
Haematological Values

The study was carried out in An najaf province to determined the effect of two level haemorrhage(20%) on vital signs and some haematological values in local breed goats in An najaf province. The results showed that the animals of both treated groups had higher rectal temperature ,respiratory rate and heart rate in compared to animals of control group, the responses were more marked in 20% level of haemorrhage. Also the treated groups had lower red blood corpuscles , packed cells volume ,hemoglobin concentration and total leukocytes count in compared with animals in control ; they were significatly lower with 20% level of haemorrhage compared to control. The ratio of neutrophils and lymphocytes was changed in treated group, percentage of neutrophils was high whereas the lymphocytes was lower in compared with control

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