Difference In Favour Of Group Research Articles

Contributing to SDG 3 through Support for Trainer Autonomy: Relationship with Motivation, Basic Psychological Needs and the Intention to Be Physically Active.

The objective of the study was to identify the profiles of support for autonomy perceived by athletes and compare them with motivation, basic psychological needs, and the intention to be physically active. A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out with 280 athletes (M = 15.28; SD = 1.71). The results reveal the existence of two profiles using the perception of support for autonomy as a grouping variable. A profile of “High perception of support for autonomy” (group 1, n = 190, M = 4.38, SD = 0.32) and a profile of “Low support for autonomy” (group 2, n = 90, M = 3.40, SD = 0.86). The data show statistically significant differences in favour of group 1 with higher values in the Self-Determination Index (p = 0.009) and three basic psychological needs measured with the Index of Psychological Mediators (p = 0.000), but no significant differences in intention to be physically active were found. In conclusion, the importance of the support of autonomy granted by coaches is demonstrated, thus favouring more adaptive motivational climates and the greater satisfaction of basic psychological needs. The intention to be physically active was not found in federated athletes. New studies are required to clarify this fact and improve the contribution of sustainable development to the social dimension.

Motor-based priming: isokinetic outcomes of aerobic exercise in children with spastic diplegia

IntroductionPriming is a behavioural change generated by preceding stimuli. Priming physical activities with aerobic exercise could improve performance and function. The study aimed to investigate the effect of aerobic exercise before a rehabilitation program on quadriceps peak torque in children with cerebral palsy of spastic diplegia.MethodsOverall, 32 patients participated in this study; they were randomly assigned to 2 groups. Patients in the control group (A) engaged in a selected physical therapy program, while those in the experimental group (B) performed aerobic exercise by using a bicycle ergometer followed by application of the same selected physical therapy program as received by group A. The treatment programs were conducted 3 times per week for 12 successive weeks. Measurements obtained included concentric peak torque of quadriceps muscle at 30° as well as 90°. These measures were recorded 2 times: before and after the application of the treatment program.ResultsThere were statistically significant differences when comparing pre- and post-treatment mean values in each group. Also, there was a significant difference in favour of group B with regard to post-treatment mean values.ConclusionsIn accordance with the applied procedures, aerobic exercise is effective in improving quadriceps peak torque in children with cerebral palsy of spastic diplegia when applied before a physical therapy rehabilitation program.

Isometric Handgrip Exercise Training Improves Spirometric Parameters and Pulmonary Capacity.

Decline in normal physiological pulmonary function has been attributed to premorbid conditions such as prehypertension. Research evidence suggests that physical activity reduces age-related decline in pulmonary function and improves the efficiency of the lungs in prehypertensive patients. However, there is a scarcity of data evidence relating to isometric exercise and pulmonary function. Furthermore, the interrelationship between the intensity and duration of isometric exercise and pulmonary function in these patients is still uncertain. Therefore, this study was undertaken to investigate the effect of isometric handgrip exercise on pulmonary function capacity in adults with prehypertension. To determine the effectiveness of isometric handgrip exercise on pulmonary function capacity in adults with prehypertension. A quasi experiment using a pre- and post-exercise method was carried out in two out-patients hospital settings. The sample comprised 192 sedentary pre-hypertensive subjects, aged between 30–50 years, that were randomly distributed into three groups of 64 participants each. The subjects performed, for 24 consecutive days, an isometric handgrip exercise at 30% Maximum Voluntary Contraction (M.V.C.). At the end of the 24 days, group one (GP1) discontinued, while group two (GP2) continued the exercise protocol for another 24 consecutive days and group three (GP3) continued with the exercise protocol for another 24 consecutive days but at 50% M.V.C. Determinants of lung function (outcomes) were Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 s (FEV1), Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC Ratio and Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR). The study shows that there was no statistically significant difference in the pre- and post-exercise outcomes for FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC Ratio and PEFR after 24 days for group 1. In group 2, there was a statistically significant difference in the FVC [(mean = 0.12 ± 0.12), (p = 0.002)], FEV1 [(mean = 0.15 ± 0.17), (p = 0.003)] and PEF [(mean = 0.85 ± 0.35), (p = 0.001)] after 48 days. In group 3, there was a statistically significant difference (p = 0.001) in all the outcomes assessed after 48 days. There was a between groups difference in favour of group 2 compared with group 1 for outcomes of FEV1 [(mean = 0.142 ± 0.68), (p = 0.005)] and PEF [(mean = 0.83 ± 0.19), (p = 0.0031)]. There was statistically significant difference in favour of group 3 compared to group 2, by increasing the exercise intensity from 30% to 50% M.V.C., for outcomes of FVC [mean change = 0.10 ± 0.052), (p = 0.005)], FEV1/FVC [mean change = 3.18 ± 0.75), (p = 0.017)] and PEF [(mean change = 0.86 ± 0.35), (p = 0.001)] after 48 days. Isometric handgrip exercise (after 48 days at 30% to 50% M.V.C.) improves outcomes of pulmonary function capacity in adults with prehypertension. Meanwhile, duration and/or increase in intensity of the isometric effort significantly contributed to the affects attained.

Muscle energy technique versus active release technique on motor functions in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome

Introduction Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common median nerve neuropathy, accounting for 90% of all neuropathies, with prevalence in the general UK adult population ranging from 7–16% and bilateral symptoms reported in more than 50% of all cases. The pathophysiological mechanisms involved in the median nerve compression and traction are thought to be complex. This study compared the effectiveness of muscle energy technique and active release technique in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. Methods This study involved a total of 30 male and female patients with carpal tunnel syndrome, aged between 30 and 50 years. The patients were randomly assigned to two equal groups, group A and group B. Group A received muscle energy technique, and group B received active release technique. Results Independent one-tailed t-tests revealed that the intragroup comparisons showed statistically significant increases in pinch grip strength and motor nerve conduction velocity of the median nerve post-treatment in group A (P=0.001 and 0.0001 respectively), while in group B, there were statistically significant increases in pinch grip strength and motor nerve conduction velocity post-treatment (P=0.037 and 0.043 respectively). The intergroup comparisons showed statistically significant differences in favour of group A. Conclusions Because there was little significant difference between the two groups, this study concluded that both treatment techniques were effective in increasing median motor nerve conduction and hand grip strength. However, muscle energy technique increased motor nerve conduction velocity and pinch grip muscle strength more than active release technique.

Effects of adjuvant low-dye Kinesio taping, adjuvant sham taping, or extracorporeal shockwave therapy alone in plantar fasciitis: A randomised double-blind controlled trial.

Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) is known as one of the most effective treatment methods in plantar fasciitis (PF). Low-dye taping, which is the most preferred method of banding treatments, provides an analgesic effect by correcting biomechanics. It was aimed to compare the efficacy of adjuvant low-dye kinesio-taping (KT), sham-taping, or ESWT alone in PF. In this double-blind, sham-controlled study, 45 patients with PF were randomised into Group 3 (Group 1: ESWT plus low-dye KT, n=15; Group 2: ESWT plus Sham-taping, n=15; and Group 3: ESWT only, n=15) five-session ESWT were administrated. KT was performed and changed every 1-week for the ESWT sessions in Groups 1 and 2. The main outcome measures were the visual analogue scale (VAS) change, the heel tenderness index (HTI), foot function index (FFI). The patients were evaluated at the beginning and end of the treatment and at the 4-week follow-up. The demographic characteristics and baseline outcomes between groups were similar (P>.05). No significant difference was found between Groups 1 and 2, Groups 1 and 3 and Groups 2 and 3 with respect to VAS, HTI changes during the 4-week follow-up. VAS and HTI changes were observed in all three groups, there were no differences between groups. Repeated-measures ANOVA showed a significant interaction between the time and the groups in FFI-total (F3.919 =2.607; P=.043). For the FFI total, there was only a significant difference in favour of Group 1 when compared with Group 2 (P=.027). Although low-dye KT in addition to ESWT was more effective on foot function improvement than additive sham-taping and ESWT alone, it did not provide a significant benefit on pain and heel tenderness because of PF. The study was registered at the U.S. National Institutes of Health (ClinicalTrials.gov) (NCT03904966).

The Effectiveness of Fluorescent Light Energy as Adjunct Therapy in Canine Deep Pyoderma: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

A single centre, single-blinded, prospective, randomized, controlled clinical study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of twice weekly fluorescent light energy therapy (Phovia™) as adjunct to systemic antibiotics in the management of deep pyoderma in dogs. Dogs with clinical lesions consistent with deep pyoderma, positive bacterial culture, and showing neutrophil engulfing bacteria at cytology were included in the study. Assessments were undertaken weekly for 8 weeks and every 2 weeks thereafter until 12 weeks after enrolment. At each visit, lesions were scored and cytology was conducted to determine a neutrophil engulfing bacteria score. All dogs (Groups A and B) were treated with systemic antibiotic twice daily, and Group B received additionally Phovia twice weekly. Median treatment duration was 11.7 weeks for Group A and 5.7 weeks for Group B. After 8 weeks of treatment, the percentage of dogs that achieved clinical resolution was 35.0% and 88.0% for Groups A and B, respectively. Lesion scores showed highly statistically significant difference in favour of Group B from week 3 to 8, and neutrophil engulfing bacteria scores showed statistical difference from week 2 onwards in favour of Group B. These results indicate that Phovia, when used as an adjunct to systemic antibiotics, can accelerate time to clinical resolution in cases of canine deep pyoderma.

Effect of 4 weeks of whole-body vibration training in treating stress urinary incontinence after prostate cancer surgery: a randomised controlled trial

BackgroundStress urinary incontinence is common in men after prostate cancer surgery. Rehabilitative interventions incorporate pelvic floor muscle training, biofeedback, electrical stimulation, lifestyle changes, or a combination of these strategies. However, little is known about the physiological impact of whole-body vibration for stress urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy. ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of whole-body vibration training on stress urinary incontinence after prostate cancer surgery. DesignRandomised controlled trial. SettingTertiary university hospitals. ParticipantsSixty-one patients with mild stress urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy. InterventionGroup 1 included 30 patients who performed pelvic floor muscle training and whole-body vibration training with a frequency and amplitude of 20Hz/2mm for the first two sessions and 40Hz/4mm for the rest of the intervention. Group 2 included 31 patients who performed pelvic floor muscle training alone. The intervention in both groups was conducted three times per week for 4 weeks. Main outcomesIncontinence Visual Analogue Scale (I-VAS) score, International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence-Short Form (ICIQ-UI-SF) score and 24-hour pad test result. ResultsI-VAS score, ICIQ-UI-SF score and 24-hour pad test result showed significant within-group differences at each assessment with the exception of the baseline and post-intervention I-VAS score in Group 2. For example, Group 1 I-VAS score had a median difference of 3.9cm [95% confidence interval (CI) −4.0 to −3.8] from baseline to first follow-up, and a median difference of −2.0cm (95% CI −2.2 to −1.8) at 4-week follow-up. Comparisons between the groups demonstrated significant differences in favour of Group 1 after 4 weeks of intervention and at follow-up for all measured parameters. ConclusionWhole-body vibration training is an effective modality for treating patients with stress urinary incontinence after prostatectomy. Trial registrationClinicaltrial.gov (NCT03325660).

Effects of Treatment of Uterine Cervical Carcinoma Monitored by Magnetic Resonance Imaging - Sarajevo Experience

Goal:The goal of this study was the determination of the effects in treatment of early stage (<IIB) and locally advanced stages (≥IIB) of uterine cervical carcinoma by using MRI.Material and Methods:The study was a prospective, comparative, analytical, and observational and included 74 patients with cervical cancer (PH confirmed). All 74 patients have initially gone through the pre-therapeutic MRI to determine the tumour FIGO stage. At a renewal of the initial MRI findings, patients were divided into two study groups: group A and group B. Group A consisted from 39 patients with early-stage cervical carcinoma (<IIB) and group B comprised from 35 patients with locally advanced stage (≥IIB). Postterapeutic MRI control, were perfomed in both group (A and B). Further MRI examinations were set for the patients from both groups.Results:An analysis of treatment outcomes in group A showed that most patients had no local recurrence or residuum disease in 89.7%, while local recurrence was observed in only 10.3% cases. An analysis of treatment outcomes in group B showed that most patients had complete regression after local chemoradiotherapy in 68.8%, while 25.7% of patients had local progression of the disease, while the 5.7% cases recorded partial local tumour regression(p<0.05). It has been shown that a complete local regression was more frequent in the case of squamous cell carcinoma in 74.2% vs 25% in adenocarcinoma cases. Also local and partial regression was observed more frequently in the case of squamous cell carcinoma in 6.5% compared to 0% in adenocarcinoma, while progression was more common in adenocarcinoma at 75% compared to 19.4% for squamous cell (p<0.05). MRI results showed positive outcome of treatment group A and B in our study, showed a statistically significant difference in favour of group A (89.7%) compared to group B 68.8% (p<0.05).Conclusion:The results obtained from our studies show that early stage cervical cancer (<IIB) shows a better outcome in treatment of advanced stages (≥IIB). In the treatment of advanced stages (≥IIB), concomitant radio chemotherapy shows significant results in terms of complete tumour regression, especially in squamous cell type of cervical cancer.

Arm position during extracorporeal shock wave therapy for calcifying tendinitis of the shoulder: a randomized study

Objective: To generate data on optimal shoulder position comparing two ultrasound-guided extracorporeal shock wave therapy techniques for the treatment of calcifying tendinitis of the shoulder. Design: Random assignment to two groups of treatment with three months follow-up. Setting: The data were collected in outpatients. Subjects: Thirty-five subjects affected by calcifying tendinitis of the shoulder were examined. Interventions: Each subject received three sessions of ultrasound-guided extracorporeal shock wave therapy (performed weekly). Neutral position technique was used in group A (n = 17, mean age 53 ± 9.2 years) and the hyperextended internal rotation technique was used in group B (n = 18, mean age 52.2 ± 10.8 years). Main outcome measures: The Constant and Murley method and radiographs were used to evaluate each subject before the treatment and at three months follow-up. Results: There were no significant differences between changes in Constant total score and pain, activity of daily living and range of motion subscales of the two groups. Only the pain subscale showed a significant difference in favour of group B. Significant differences in the radiographic outcome were observed between the two groups: the percentage of total or subtotal resorption of the calcified deposits was 35.3% in group A (neutral position technique) versus 66.6% in group B (hyperextended internal rotation technique). The resorption of the calcific deposit positively influenced the clinical outcome. Conclusions: Positioning the shoulder in hyperextension and internal rotation during extracorporeal shock wave therapy seems to be a useful technique to achieve resorption of calcific deposits.

Efectividad de una estrategia de intervención preventiva, basada en entrevistas telefónicas estructuradas, en una población laboral con riesgo cardiovascular moderado/alto

Objective This study assesses the effectiveness of a structured telephone survey on cardiovascular prevention, in modifying lifestyle, on cardiovascular risk parameters, percentage of smoking cessation and overall cardiovascular risk (CVR). Design Quasi-experimental study of preventive intervention. Setting Ibermutuamur (Spanish Accident and Health Insurance Company). Centres established throughout Spain. Participants A total of 4,792 workers with moderate/high cardiovascular risk who had agreed to be contacted by phone. Subjects with a previous diagnosis of cardiovascular disease and those receiving treatment for hypertension, hypercholesterolemia or diabetes were excluded. Intervention A final total of 3,085 workers were contacted and were followed up by telephone surveys on the first, fourth and eighth month after the initial check up (CU) in order to emphasise cardiovascular health advice (Group A); we failed to contact 1,707 workers, who only attended the baseline and one year CUs (Group B). Principal outcomes CUs included medical records and physical examination, with two blood pressure measurements, Body Mass Index (BMI), and biochemical parameters. Cardiovascular risk was stratified following the European cardiovascular SCORE. Individuals with a relative risk higher than 4 were also considered as high-risk. All workers were informed about their cardiovascular risk profile (CVRF) and healthy cardiovascular lifestyle measures. They were also given a letter for their General Practitioner (GP) to inform them on the worker's cardiovascular risk level. Results A total of 71.5% of the workers were over 45 years, 95.0% males, 76.6% manual workers (“Blue Collar”) and 69.7% smokers. Both groups showed improvement in lipid parameters, blood pressure, smoking cessation and overall cardiovascular risk in the second CU. There were significant differences in favour of Group A as regards blood pressure, lipids (except HDL cholesterol), BMI, glycaemia, smoking cessation (A: 23.5%/B: 19.44%, P=0.001) and CVR stratum improvement (A: 46.6%/B: 37.7%, P=0.0001). The large majority (85%) of workers read preventive recommendations; 33% knew their risk level and 73% knew their CVRF. 52.9% gave the letter to the GP, which led them to start therapies on diet (47%), hypertension (19.5%), dyslipidaemia (16.7%), diabetes (4.4%) and smoking (2.9%) and no changes were made in 36.5% of cases. Conclusions The results of this study suggests that cardiovascular prevention strategy based on structured telephone surveys on high/moderate CVR subjects to promote lifestyle changes could be effective at reducing CVR. A clinical trial is required for confirmation. Sending information on CVRF following routine medial CUs and Primary Care involvement, could contribute to the positive changes observed.

Naltrexone and buprenorphine combination in the treatment of opioid dependence

Naltrexone treatment has demonstrated some advantages for special populations of heroin addicted individuals, but patients' compliance seems to be very poor, with a low adherence and low retention rate. Kappa-opioid system overdrive seems to contribute to opioid protracted abstinence syndrome, with dysphoria and psychosomatic symptoms during naltrexone treatment. The objective of this observational study was to determine the effectiveness of a functional k antagonist in improving naltrexone treatment outcome. A partial mu agonist/kappa antagonist (buprenorphine) and a mu antagonist (naltrexone) were combined during a 12 weeks protocol, theoretically leaving k antagonism as the major medication effect. Sixty patients were submitted to outpatient rapid detoxification utilizing buprenorphine and opioid antagonists. Starting on the fifth day, 30 patients (group A) received naltrexone alone. Alternatively, 30 patients (group B) received naltrexone (50mg oral dose) plus buprenorphine (4 mg sublingual) for the 12 weeks of the observational study. The endpoints of the study were: retention in treatment, negative urinalyses, changes in psychological symptoms (Symptom Checklist-90 Revised: SCL-90) and craving scores (visual analysis scale (VAS)). Thirty-four subjects (56.67%) completed the 12 weeks study. Twenty-one patients (35.0%) had all urine samples negative for opiates and cocaine. nine subjects (15.0%) had urine samples negative for cocaine and opiates for the last 4 weeks of the study. five subjects (8.3%) continued to use cocaine during the 12 weeks of the study. No significant change in pupillary diameter after buprenorphine administration was evidenced during clinical observations from baseline across the weekly measurements. Retention rates in group A (naltrexone) and group B (naltrexone + buprenorphine) at week 12 were respectively 40% (12 patients) and 73.33% (22 patients), with a significant difference in favour of group B (p= 0.018). Patients treated with naltrexone in combination with buprenorphine (B patients) showed a significantly lower rate of positive urines for morphine (4.45%) and cocaine metabolites (9.09%) than those treated with naltrexone alone (A) (25%, morphine; 33.33% cocaine) (p< 0.05; p< 0.05). Irritability, depression, tiredness, psychosomatic symptoms and craving scores decreased significantly less in Group A patients than in group B patients. The dysfunction of opioid system with kappa receptors hyper-activation provoked by heroin exposure, probably underlying dysphoric and psychosomatic symptoms during naltrexone treatment, seems to be counteracted, at least in part, by buprenorphine. The combination of buprenorphine and naltrexone may significantly improve the outcome of opioid antagonists treatment in terms of retention, negative urinalyses, and reduced dysphoria, mood symptoms and craving.

Perioperative enteral nutrition and quality of life of severely malnourished head and neck cancer patients: a randomized clinical trial

Background and aims: This study evaluated the use of perioperative nutritional support on Quality of Life (QOL) in malnourished head and neck cancer patients undergoing surgery.Methods: 49 Malnourished (weight loss >10%) head and neck cancer patients who were included in a nutrition intervention trial were randomized to receive either no preoperative and standard postoperative tube-feeding (group I), standard preoperative and postoperative tube-feeding (group II) or arginine-supplemented preoperative and postoperative tube-feeding (group III). Of these patients, 31 completed a full QOL assessment on the first day of preoperative nutritional support, one day before surgery, and 6 months after surgery. Both a disease-specific (EORTC QLQ-C30) and a generic questionnaire (COOP–WONCA) were used. One way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the Kruskal-Wallis test were applied for testing differences in scores between groups.Results: Between baseline and the day before surgery, both preoperatively fed groups revealed a positive change for the dimensions physical and emotional functioning and dyspnea (with significance in group II, P=0.050,0.031,0.045 respectively). Group III showed a negative change in appetite (P=0.049). Between baseline and 6 months after surgery, there were no differences between group I and both pre-fed groups. There were no differences in favour of group III compared to group II.Conclusion: Enteral nutrition improves QOL of severely malnourished head and neck cancer patients in the period preceding surgery. No benefit of preoperative enteral feeding on QOL could be demonstrated 6 months after surgery.

Rapid method for differentiating strains of Branhamella catarrhalis.

The ability of Branhamella catarrhalis to cause nosocomial infections is a matter of some controversy. The API ZYM research kit for detecting 89 enzymes was used on 49 isolates of B catarrhalis to select enzymes of potential use in differentiating clinical isolates. Twenty nine enzymes were produced by all isolates (13 strongly positive) and many of these were esterases; 16 enzymes were not detected in any isolate (40 if a more stringent criterion was used). Twenty enzymes were selected to form a prototype biotyping panel which allowed 17 different patterns of reactivity to be recognised. Of the 49, 34 isolates were confined to the three commonest patterns. Only one isolate was untypable using this panel due to lack of reactivity. A kit with these 20 substrates may be sufficiently discriminatory to be useful in the rapid study of outbreaks of infection caused by B catarrhalis.

COGNITIVE STYLES, PERSONALITY FACTORS PROBLEM‐SOLVING SKILLS AND TEACHING APPROACH IN ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

ABSTRACT In this investigation a comprehensive test of problem‐solving skills and attitudes in electrical engineering was administered pre‐course and post‐course to two groups of undergraduates at the University of Salford (Group 1 total N = 40, Group 2 total N = 38) who followed laboratory courses which involved contrasting teaching approaches. Group 1 followed a course which adhered quite rigorously to a structured sequence of experimentation, while Group 2 followed a course which was not so oriented. This course placed greater emphasis on self‐initiated learning. As a means of control of basic extraneous variables, tests of intelligence, personality and cognitive styles were also administered to the subjects. Analysis of the results showed that while there were significant increases between pre and post‐course scores in the case of both groups, the difference in favour of Group 2 was statistically significant. This suggests that the teaching approach followed by Group 2 was the most effective in this s...