Important Aim Of Treatment Research Articles

Subjective experience of a computer-assisted cognitive training by patients with schizophrenia

Cognitive training is an important aim of treatment for patients with schizophrenia. However, computer-based cognitive training is still not widely used, and there are reservations concerning the use of computers in psychiatric treatment. In a multicentre study, 64 patients with schizophrenia were investigated before and after completing a 5-week course of computer-based cognitive training using the program Cogpack. In addition to self-rating of computer anxiety (CARS) and subjective well-being (SWN), patients underwent semistructured interviews evaluating attitudes towards the training. The training was rated as highly acceptable by patients and experienced as very effective. Patients' expectations of possible training effects were largely met. The training ranked high in patients' judgement compared with other treatments received. Besides improvement in cognitive function (primary effect), patients enjoyed the training and reported increased self-esteem and progress in using computers (secondary effects). Computer anxiety scores at onset of treatment did not exceed normal values. After completion of the training, these scores were significantly reduced and subjective well-being significantly increased.

Elbow Fractures.

In brief Elbow fractures are common injuries in active patients. When the fracture is nondisplaced, nonoperative treatment is frequently successful. Because stiffness is a common complication, early mobilization is an important aim of treatment; this may necessitate surgical fixation. This article reviews the diagnosis and treatment of fractures of the distal humerus, lateral epicondyle, medial condyle, lateral condyle, olecranon, coronoid process, radial head, and radial neck, as well as supracondylar fractures and Monteggia's fracture.

Pulmonary rehabilitation in chronic respiratory insufficiency. 7. Health-related quality of life among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in industrialised nations. It is essentially incurable and, for many, inexorably progressive; health care providers spend much effort trying to minimise patients' symptoms and to improve their ability to function in dayto-day life. While improved survival time is an important aim of treatment, there is growing recognition that improving the quantity of an individual's life may not be the only goal; for some, improving the quality of life may be far more important. Since reducing symptoms, increasing function, and improving the quality of life are central therapeutic goals for patients with COPD, as for many chronic diseases, it is important for researchers and clinicians to develop a common understanding of what is meant by these phrases and how these concepts can be measured. In the past 10 years there has been an increasing body of literature on measurement of quality of life in patients with COPD and, more recently, on the efficacy of therapeutic agents based on quality of life measures. Studies measuring the quality of life in these patients appeared in the mid 1980s'4 when quality of life measures were used to assess continuous oxygen therapy,' intermittent positive pressure breathing,6 and, more recently, in the assessment of theophylline,7 inhaled bronchodilators,8 home respiratory nursing care,9 and pulmonary rehabilitation programmes.'0 As this trend continues it is important for clinicians to understand and assess these measures to help decide whether a new treatment is valuable. We will review quality of life measures in patients with COPD with the emphasis on issues important to the clinician who seeks an understanding of quality of life measures as they are used in therapeutic trials.

The choice between surgical resection and radiation therapy for patients with cancer of the esophagus and cardia: A retrospective comparison between two treatments

The choice of treatment for patients with cancer of the esophagus and cardia is controversial. Since overall survival is poor, the most important aim of treatment should be improvement of the main complaint: the inability to eat. In a retrospective analysis of 265 patients, referred to the University Hospital in Leiden, The Netherlands, comparisons were made between palliative effects of surgical resection (N = 92) and irradiation (N = 128). Several methods of comparing surgery with irradiation are possible: (1) all surgical patients vs. all irradiated patients; (2) only those surgical patients who survived the operation (N = 70) vs. all irradiated patients (N = 128); and (3) survivors after resection (N = 70) vs. only those irradiated patients treated with "curative" radiation (N = 62). Analysis of prognostic factors showed that in both surgical and irradiated patients, the only statistically significant factor was the (dis)ability to eat. Criteria to be considered to make individual recommendations for either treatment are presented.

Collapse therapy and the bronchus

Summary Bronchial stenosis in an adverse mechanical factor in the evolution of tuberculous lesions, from the primary complex to the advanced lesions of fibro-cavernous phthisis. An important aim in treatment is the reestablishment of free bronchial drainage. This may be achieved by bed rest, chemotherapy, antibiotics and/or collapse therapy. While taking advantage of the empirical effect of lung immobilization and relaxation, atelectasis must be avoided. Atelectasis as a compliction of pneumothorax is a constant precursor of tuberculous empyema and is frequently associated with ultimate relapse. Adequate bed rest is an essential preliminary to pneumothorax in acute exudative lesions. Distension cavities are best closed by the reopening of partially stenosed bronchi. Collapse therapy is essentially a method of trial and error in this connexion and streptomycin may assist in securing an open bronchus. The irreversible procedure of thoracoplasty tends to re-establish bronchial drainage and cavities close more readily if this object is achieved. After the cavity has closed the drainage bronchi may become sealed off.

ETHYLENE GLYCOL AND MAGNESIUM SULFATE PASTE IN TREATMENT OF INFLAMMATORY PROCESSES

A pyogenic infection, whether fulminating or of low grade, represents one of the most common, and occasionally one of the most serious, conditions a physician is called on to treat. As is well known, the symptoms of an infection are local pain and swelling accompanied by heat and redness. The important aim of treatment is twofold: first, to prevent a spreading of the infection, and second, to relieve the symptoms. It seems worth while to describe a preparation of ethylene glycol and magnesium sulfate paste which has effected excellent results in serious as well as in trivial infections throughout a period of two years. As the aim in treatment is to localize the infection by means of ointments or wet dressings, it would seem that a preparation of ethylene glycol and magnesium sulfate, both of which have hypertonic properties and can be kept on continuously, would assist greatly in overcoming

The treatment of peptic ulcer based on 1435 cases (an abstract)

A careful study of the end results of treatment suggest: 1. That the disease remains active after both surgical and medical treatment, and that our present methods of treatment do not overcome the cause of the disease. 2. That the somewhat higher incidence of complete relief which surgery gives, is offset by the higher incidence of failure. 3. That the important aim in treatment should be the prevention of relapses, which can only be accomplished by keeping the patient on a carefully regulated schedule. 4. That surgery is indicated for patients with an X-ray retention of 30 per cent or more, and for patients that continue to bleed when on a good medical schedule, and for patients whose ulcer has perforated. 5. That patients with a hypersecretion respond poorly to all therapy, but should be treated medically owing to the danger of the development of a jejunal ulcer.