Mean Score Of Group Research Articles

Evaluation of the impact of an integrated simulation model in basic life support training on knowledge and practice: A randomized control trial in Jordanian hospitals

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of simulation training (ST) in improving nurses' knowledge and practice, which is essential in the nursing field, particularly among nurses in Jordanian hospitals. ST has the potential to significantly enhance patient care outcomes. A Randomized Control Trial was conducted in five hospitals in Jordan, using three repeated measurement tests: a pre-test, an immediate post-test after the intervention, and a post-test three months later. The nonparametric Mann-Whitney statistical test showed that the control and experimental groups were similar, with no significant differences in the participants' demographic characteristics. The Independent T-test confirmed the similarity of the pre-test results in the control group's knowledge and practice and the intervention group's mean scores. The simulation intervention proved to be highly effective in enhancing Basic Life Support (BLS) knowledge and practice among nurses. It nearly doubled the knowledge pre-test percentage from 40% to 75.35% in the immediate post-test, improving the scores from poor in the pre-test to excellent in the post-test. This significant improvement highlights the importance of simulation training in enhancing nurses' knowledge and practice. Similarly, ST significantly increased the average practice score percentage from 47.5% to 70% after the intervention, demonstrating its substantial impact. In conclusion, BLS simulation is a highly efficient educational method that helps participants acquire knowledge and skills. Simulation training prepares learners to activate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) quickly and correctly in case of cardiopulmonary arrest. Therefore, simulation in training should be expanded in the nursing curriculum.

Hydrotherapy on the Intensity of Neuropathic Pain in Sufferers with Diabetes Mellitus

Background: Neuropathic pain is a type of pain caused by or resulting from a primary injury or dysfunction of the nervous system. Cooperation in nursing care is necessary to reduce the incidence of ambulatory neuropathy. The aim of this study was therefore to evaluate the effectiveness of contrast baths on pain caused by leg neuropathy in diabetic patients. Design: Quasi- experimental design where Pretest Posttest Non- equivalent group design, meeting the inclusion criteria, was selected by non-probability convenience sampling technique. Materials and methods: The study was conducted with 30 patients in the experimental and 30 patients in the control group. Galer Neuropathy A pain assessment tool was used. Results: A comparison of the mean, SD and mean percentage of the control group's pre- and post-test scores shows that in the pre-test the mean score of the control group was (89.4 ± 2.81), which is 89%, while in the post-test the mean score was (68, 1 ± 2.55), which is 68%. It reveals a difference of 21%. Similarly, for the interventional group, the mean score in the pretest was (88.3±2.97), which is 88%, while in the posttest, the mean score was (32.5±2.28), which is 33%. It reveals a distinction of 55%. A contrast bath appeared to be effective in reducing neuropathic pain in patients with diabetes mellitus. Conclusion: The results showed that the interventional group of diabetics experienced a reduction in neuropathic pain after the contrast bath. Therefore, a contrast bath is an effective intervention to reduce neuropathy pain in diabetic patients.

The Impact of Debating Strategy on Preparatory School Pupils' Performance in Writing Skill

This research tries to investigate the impact of debating strategy on the classroom pupils and how it allows pupils to exchange information between them through group work, ask questions, use role playing, group problem-solving activities, and have more interaction with each other. The problem of this study by applying a strategy in order to increase the pupils' competence in writing skill. Many of pupils do not place enough emphasis on developing their writing skills, which results in numerous errors being made in the writing projects they are given to do. The pupils do not have sufficient time to work on their writing skills. Therefore, the current study aims at finding the impact of debating strategy on Iraqi preparatory pupils in writing skill. For carrying out the aim of this study, and validating its hypothesis which is there is no statistically significant difference between the mean scores of the experimental group which is taught by debate strategy and the mean scores of the control group which is taught by the conventional method in the post-test, a sample of (60) pupils have been randomly chosen from the fourth class in AI-Salam secondary School for Boys at Salah Al-Den during the academic year 2023-2024. The two groups are equally divided into; group (A) represents the experimental group that consists of (30) pupils who have been taught the debating strategy and group (B) the control group who also includes (30) pupils who have been taught the prescribed method. The researcher herself has taught both groups. According to the results, debating strategy guides pupils in the experimental group to better achievement at the posttests. Finally, appropriate conclusions are presented.

The effect of pregnancy pilates-assisted childbirth preparation training on urinary incontinence and birth outcomes: a randomized-controlled study

PurposeTo examine the effect of pregnancy pilates-assisted birth preparation training on urinary incontinence (UI) including stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and urge urinary incontinence (UUI) during pregnancy, and the postpartum period and birth outcomes.MethodIn this single-center, single-blind, randomized, controlled study, 126 participants who have 28–30 weeks of gestation and nulliparous were randomly assigned to receive either the (n = 63) or control group (n = 63). The study was carried out between March and August 2022. Pregnancy pilates intervention was applied twice in a week, a total of 8 weeks to pilates group. The control group was given routine obstetric and pregnancy care. A personal data form and the Michigan Incontinence Severity Index Form (M-ISI) were used as data collection tools.ResultsThe mean weight gains of the experimental group during pregnancy were significantly lower than the control group. The experimental group had almost twice the rate of vaginal birth than those of the control group. The duration of labor mean score of experimental group was 5 h and 43 min less than the duration of labor of the control group (p < 0.001). After intervention, and postpartum period, the SUI and UUI severity of the experimental group was significantly lower than those of the control group (p < 0.001).ConclusionPilates-assisted childbirth preparation training reduced the severity of UI including SUI and UUI symptoms during pregnancy and the early postpartum. In addition, pilates-assisted childbirth preparation training contributes to decrease in weight gain during pregnancy, the increase in the vaginal birth rate, and the shortening of the duration of labor.Trial registrationNCT06185439

Unlocking Oral Proficiency Through the Shadowing Technique Combined with VOA

Speaking is a multifaceted skill that presents notable difficulties for students. To effectively tackle these challenges, educators need to employ successful teaching strategies. This study examines the impact of the Shadowing technique using VOA (Voice of America) on improving students' speaking skills. The experimental research involved a comparison between two groups of fourth-semester undergraduate students: an experimental group that received instruction through the Shadowing technique and a control group that received no instruction. The study sample consisted of 20 English major students. Pre- and post-test scores were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test, which revealed significant improvements in the speaking abilities of the experimental group. Although both groups started with similar baseline scores, the post-test results indicated a significant increase in the experimental group, with a mean score of 71.70, compared to the control group's mean score of 65.20. A p-value of 0.044 led to the rejection of the null hypothesis, confirming the effectiveness of the Shadowing technique through VOA in enhancing speaking skills. In conclusion, this study offers empirical evidence that the Shadowing technique via VOA significantly boosts the speaking abilities of undergraduate students, supporting its potential as a valuable approach for teaching speaking skills.

The effects of mindfulness-based psycoeducation program on the perceived stress levels and emotion regulation strategies of patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder

ObjectivesIn recent years, mindfulness-based practices in psychiatric patients have become a new trend. It is applied to many mental disorders and is stated to have various benefits. There is not enough research yet on how mindfulness-based practices effect patients with diagnosed bipolar disorder. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of mindfulness-based psychoeducation program on emotion regulation strategies and perceived stress levels of patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder. MethodsThe study, which was carried out as a pre-test and post-test quasi-experimental research design with a control group, was carried out with a total of 71 patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder, 35 of whom were assigned to the experimental group, and 36 of them were assigned to the control group. Data of the study was collected with the Personal Information Form, Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ), and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). The mindfulness-based psychoeducation program was implemented in the form of group training, 2 sessions per week, for a total of 6 sessions. ResultsCompared to the control group, it was determined that the MAAS and ERQ-Reappraisal total mean scores of the experimental group increased significantly, and the PSS and ERQ-Suppression total mean scores decreased significantly (p < 0.01). ConclusionsMindfulness-Based psycoeducation program improved mindfulness, emotion regulation and level of perceived stress of patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

UNLOCKING SUCCESS: FOUR PHASE TECHNIQUES FOR PILING LARANG STUDENTS

Writing is a crucial life skill for success in classes, jobs, and community settings. Students write to learn in order to organize, investigate, and digest new information, as well as display their understanding (Klein et al., 2016). In general, the writing problems identified in this study through pre-test, interview, questionnaire, and observation were that students had difficulty producing a gramatically correct sentence, expressing their ideas logically, using appropriate words, producing cohesive and coherent text, and producing accurate spelling and punctuation. To solve those problems encountered by teachers in Binan City Senior High School, the researchers conducted a study on utilizing the four-phase technique to improve the writing skills of the students in Piling Larang Grade 12. This research employs a quasi-experimental research design utilizing the pretest and posttest to determine the effectiveness of the four-way phase technique to enhance the writing skills of the students in Grade 12 Piling Larang, and two sections were used for the comparison group and the experimental group with 30 students each. The noteworthy result of the inferential statistic of the research is that there is a significant difference between the posttest mean score of the experimental and comparison groups, which shows that there is a noteworthy increase in the mean score of the experimental group, proving that all theories in the literary reviews supported the result of this study. This research recommends that teachers may utilize the four-phase technique in improving their writing skills, and school administrators are encouraged to assist teachers in implementing the four-phase technique in writing. It encourages to hold seminars and workshops on this four-phase technique in writing, not only for senior high school teachers, and future researchers may identify and test other possible factors that can further define the effectiveness of the four-phase technique in improving the writing skills of students. KEYWORDS: Four phase technique, Writing Skills, Piling Larang, Quantitative Study

The effectiveness of the differentiated education strategy of Basic Grade Female students for acquiring the concepts

The aim of this research was to identify the effectiveness of the differentiated education strategy in providing eighth grade students with the foundation of concepts and developing their cognitive curiosity. To achieve the goal of the research, the researcher formulated four main hypotheses, and the researcher used the experimental method for the two equal groups, with the pre and posttest, which requires the presence of two groups, one experimental and the other a control group. The researcher randomly chose two divisions of four divisions to represent the research sample, which is Division (D) to represent the experimental group, and Division (A) to represent the control group, which included (66) female students distributed over the experimental group of (33) students, and the control group with ( 33) female students, and the researcher studied the experimental group according to the strategy (differentiated education), while the researcher studied the control group according to the traditional (ordinary) method. Its final form consisted of (50) paragraphs, of the type of objective tests (multiple choice) and its number was (47) paragraphs, while the essay tests were (3) paragraphs, and The researcher distributed the paragraphs according to Bloom's cognitive levels (remembering, understanding, application, analysis) and according to their percentage in the specification table. The coefficient of ease, difficulty, discriminatory strength of the paragraphs and the effectiveness of the wrong alternatives were extracted. The researcher also made sure of the validity and reliability of the test by using the Facrotbach coefficient and Crinbach’s alpha formula -20. . The value of the stability coefficient calculated by this equation was (0.89) for the test items. Among the most important findings of the researcher are the following: - There are statistically significant differences at the level of significance (a = 0.05) between the mean scores of the experimental group and the control group in the acquisition of historical concepts test, in favor of the experimental group. In light of the results that the researcher has reached, she recommends the necessity of activating the differentiated education strategy in the educational process.

Comparison of Treatment Outcome of Ganciclovir Ophthalmic Gel and Moxifloxacin Eye Drop in Acute Adenoviral Keratoconjunctivitis

Adenoviral ophthalmic infection is a self-limiting, highly contagious, very frequent infectious process. It can present in three acute clinical forms: nonspecific acute follicular conjunctivitis, pharyngo-conjunctival fever and epidemic keratoconjunctivitis. This study aims to assess and compare the efficacy of 0.15% ganciclovir gel with Moxifloxacin eye drop in the treatment of acute adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis.This longitudinal prospective study was conducted among 40 patients of acute adenoviral keratoconjuctivitis attending in the cornea clinic of National Institute of Ophthalmology &amp; Hospital (NIOH), Dhaka, Bangladesh. They were randomly divided into two groups: group-I (study group) with 20 patients who used 0.15% ganciclovir gel and group-ii (control group) with 20 patients who used artificial tear and 0.5% moxifloxacin eye drop. Diagnosis was confirmed by expert cornea specialist by methodical ophthalmic examination. They were followed-up on 1,2,4 and 6 weekly. Mean score of symptoms and signs were calculated in every follow-up and compared between two groups. Unpaired t test and chi square test were done in applicable cases with statistical significance p&lt;0.05. This study showed that in study group mean age of the respondents were 36.4±9.59 years and in control group 37±11.02 years. Most of them were male (82.5%). In study group, mean score of symptoms at the beginning of the study was 1.4. It was 1.14, 0.64, 0.20 and 0.04 after1,2,4,6 weeks respectively after starting treatment and in control group mean score of symptoms at the beginning of the study was 1.48. It was 1.46, 1.125,0.59 and 0.23 after1,2,4,6weeks respectively after starting treatment. A trend towards better response was observed in the treatment group and the difference was statically significant. The mean score of signs after starting treatment in group-iwas 1.8.It was 1.35, 0.775, 0.30 and 0.175 after ,2,4,6weeks respectively and in group-ii, mean score of signs at the beginning of the study was 1.675. It was 1.725,1.35,0.725 and 0.300 after 1,2,4,6 weeks respectively after starting treatment. A trend towards improved sings were observed in the study group and the difference was statistically significant at 1 week (p=0.0283), 2 week (p= 0.0003), 4 week (p=0.0016) except 6 week (p=0.1524). At 6th week of treatment improvement of signs occur but not statistically significant because of persistence of some corneal lesion. The significant symptomatic relief and clinical improvement was found in the study group treated with Ganciclovir ophthalmic gel suggesting an effective method for treatment of acute adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis. Mugda Med Coll J. 2024; 7(1): 9-13

The Effect of a Happiness Education Program on the Expressed Emotion and Quality of Life of Mothers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

The mental health of the parents of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), particularly the mothers, is poor due to the severity and complex nature of this condition, and they encounter numerous issues. This investigation aimed to determine whether happiness education affected mothers of children with ASD's Expressed Emotions (EE) and Quality of Life (QoL). A total of 70 mothers of children with ASD aged 3 to 13 years participated in this clinical trial study research. The experimental group received the Fordyce happiness training program once every 6 weeks via WhatsApp. In three stages, data were collected using a demographic form, the Family Questionnaire (FQ), and the World Health Organization Quality Of Life Instrument, Short Form (WHOQOL-BREF) (before the intervention, immediately afterward, and 1 month later). In the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software, the acquired data were analyzed using independent-sample t-tests, Chi-square tests, and repeated-measures Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). There was no significant difference in EE and QoL mean scores between the two groups before the intervention, but after, the intervention group's mean score of EE (20.91 (4.355)) was substantially lower than the control group's (44.74 (4.77)) (p < 0.001). In comparison, the intervention group's mean score of QoL and its dimensions was more significant than the control group's (p < 0.001). Given the efficacy of the happiness education program in reducing EE and enhancing QoL in mothers of children with ASD, such treatment strategies should be developed and used.

Just Care: usability testing of e-learning modules for peer caregivers living in prison

Training men and women who live in prison to assist corrections staff with the care of growing numbers of older, sicker, cognitively impaired, and dying people in prison is an innovative and viable option to help meet pressing care demands. The purpose of this paper is to report findings from the usability testing of the fully developed Just Care electronic learning program for training carefully vetted people living in prison to assist staff with geriatric and end-of-life care. Research ethics approvals and informed consent were obtained. There were two rounds of usability testing conducted via videoconference. Interdisciplinary staff (i.e., corrections specialists, supervisors, nurses, and chaplains) and people living in prison were recruited from one men’s and one women’s prison. Fifteen participants completed the testing in each round. Results include participant demographics, concerns and areas for improvement by severity level of programming, and mean scores for both participant groups on the System Usability Scale. Overall, both the incarcerated and staff participants found the program easy to navigate and the interactive content was useful, engaging, and relevant to caring for aging and dying people who are incarcerated. Findings will be used to refine Just Care before usability testing with a larger sample.

Assessing the Impact of Different Levels of Parental Involvement in the NICU on Neonatal Outcomes and Parental Mental Health

ABSTRACT Background: Parental involvement in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) has been recognized as crucial for neonatal outcomes and parental mental health. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted, involving 300 neonates admitted to the NICU over 1 year. Parental involvement was categorized into three levels: high, moderate, and low, based on the frequency and intensity of parental participation in neonatal care. Neonatal outcomes including the length of hospital stay, incidence of complications, and parental mental health outcomes measured through standardized scales were compared among the three groups. Results: Neonates with high parental involvement had a significantly shorter length of hospital stay (mean difference = 5 days, P &lt; 0.001) compared to those with moderate or low involvement. Complication rates were also lower in the high involvement group (20%) compared to moderate (35%) and low (45%) involvement groups. Parental mental health scores were the highest in the high involvement group (mean score = 75), followed by moderate (mean score = 60) and low (mean score = 45) involvement groups. Conclusion: Higher levels of parental involvement in the NICU are associated with improved neonatal outcomes and better parental mental health.

A Comparative Study of Post Operative Pain Following Tonsillectomy with Local Infilteration of Dexamethasone vs Triamcinolone.

Tonsillectomy till date continues to be the most frequently performed surgery by ENT surgeons, and with that comes the most challenging complication of post-tonsillectomy pain and its management that affects the patient morbidity and alters the hospital course. Various methods and techniques have been implicated in the post-operative pain management in patients undergoing tonsillectomy. To compare the post operative pain following local infiltration of Dexamethasone and Triamcinolone in patients undergoing Tonsillectomy. Total of 50 patients were selected and randomized into two groups- Group 1 and Group 2, who underwent local infiltration of Dexamethasone and Triamcinolone respectively to maintain uniformity. Baseline scoring (0h post operatively) and follow up scoring after 6h and 24h was done using the Visual Analogue Scale and were evaluated and documented as per their response to treatment. A significant reduction was observed in the severity of pain in both groups with an average reduction of mean score from 9.50 to 5.92 in Group 1 and from 9.04 to 3.90 in Group 2 at the end of 24h post-operatively. The mean score of Group 2 was greater and showed better improvements in VAS pain score and was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Usage of steroidal preparations locally during tonsillectomy helps combat the post-operative pain. Usage of Triamcinolone locally has proved beneficial in reducing the post-operative tonsillectomy pain.

The Effect of Sex Education and Counseling Based on the Ex-PLISSIT Model on Sexual Life in Primigravidas

Objective: This study was conducted to determine the effect of sexual education and counseling based on the Ex-PLISSIT model on sexual function, attitudes towards sexuality during pregnancy, sexual distress, and quality of sexual life in primigravidas. Methods: This study was carried out on 62 primigravidas in a pretest posttest, a quasi-experimental control group. Primigravidas meeting the inclusion criteria were assigned to the groups by simple random sampling method. The intervention group received training and counseling sessions twice. The control group received routine care during the follow-up period. The results were compared with the evaluation forms 10 weeks after each training and counseling session. The forms were administered to the control group at the same time as the intervention group. Results: The mean scores of the intervention and control groups’ attitude towards sexuality during pregnancy in the second test (95%CI=2.33-19.01; d=0.65, p=.013) and in the posttest (95%CI=2.28-19.34; d=0.64, p=.015) were statistically significantly different. Sexual life quality scale mean scores of the intervention and control groups were statistically significant in the second test (95%CI=8.27-18.54; d=1.33, p=.000) and the posttest (95%CI=12.14-22.01; d=1.76, p=.000) level was different. In addition, the mean scores of the intervention group were higher after sexual education and counseling based on the Ex-PLISSIT model. Conclusion: In this study, sexual education and counseling based on the Ex-PLISSIT model positively affected primigravida’s attitudes towards sexuality and their quality of sexual life. Therefore, this model can be used as a cost-effective and simple counseling method to improve the sexual life.

Use of Drilling Method to Improve Students’ Vocabulary Mastery

This research focused on applying the drilling method to improve students’ vocabulary mastery at HKBP Kompas Indah. The drilling method is a method carried out by the teachers so that students can remember the new language items they have learned. With a quantitative approach and experimental research design, the researchers used pre-tests and post-tests. The participants involved were divided into control group and experimental group. The results showed that there was a significant increase in the pre-test and post-test scores in the experimental group. In contrast, the scores in control group had a decline from pre-test to post test. The mean score of post-test experimental group (89) was higher than pre- test experimental group (74). Therefore, the drilling method was effective to improve students’ vocabulary mastery at Sunday school HKBP Kompas Indah.

Word-in-noise perception test in children

Background The word-in-noise discrimination test evaluates the phonological aspect of speech based on the detection of the vowels. While word-in-noise perception (WINP) test is one of the speech perception exams and evaluates the ability to understand the meaning of words by discovering the consonants.Until now, all word-in-noise tests have assessed speech discrimination performance, and for the first time, the normal values of the WINP test for adults have been determined. Since the normal values of WINP scores in children have not been reported, our research aimed to determine the normal values of the WINP test in children aged 5 to 13 years.In this cross-sectional study, 120 Persian speaking Iranain children with normal hearing thresholds were evaluated from the beginning to the end of spring 2023. We divided them into 4 age groups (A = 5–7 < years, B = 7–9 < years, C = 9–11 < years, D = 11–13 < years). The evaluations included general audiology tests and WINP tests using homtonic-monosyllabic words (HMWs) at a signal-to-noise ratio of 5 dB.ResultsSignificant difference was observed between the mean scores of the WINP test in age group A (54%) compared to age group B (66%), (Pv = 0.04). Also, the differences between the mean scores of age group A compared to age groups C (70%) and D (69%) were significant (Pv = 0.01, Pv = 0.03).ConclusionsThis article presented the norm values of WINP test scores for Persian speaking Iranian children aged 5 to 13 years. The norm values of WINP test scores in the age group of 5–7 years were lower than in the age groups of 7–13 years. The biggest change in the performance of speech perception in noise was observed in the age range of 7–9 years.

An investigation of the effects of the education given to teachers on food allergy and anaphylaxis management self-efficacy and level of knowledge

Background: The most effective approach to food allergy management is to avoid consuming the specific allergens that trigger an allergic reaction. It is crucial to make school environments prepared for the potential of food allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, which is a rare but documented outcome. The high prevalence of anaphylactic reactions in children makes food allergy and anaphylaxis management important topics in schools. Aim: This study aimed to determine the effects of food allergy and anaphylaxis management education on teachers’ food allergy and anaphylaxis management self-efficacy and level of knowledge in Türkiye. Methods: This study used a random experimental design with a pre-test and post-test group. The study was conducted with 84 teachers who worked in kindergartens (school year prior to starting Grade 1) and primary schools in a city centre in eastern Turkey between September 2022 and January 2023. Data were collected through a socio-demographic form and the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Management Self-Efficacy Scale for School Personnel. Data analysis was performed using t-tests for independent groups, Chi-square tests and McNamara analyses. Results: The average age of the teachers was 31.08 ± 6.70 years, and the average years of experience in the profession was 6.68 ± 6.99 years. All the teachers wanted to learn about food allergy and anaphylaxis management, 59.5% did not know whether their schools had an emergency action plan for food allergy and anaphylaxis, 63.1% reported not having the necessary emergency treatment medicine for anaphylaxis in their school and 57.1% reported having no educated school personnel to administer the first intervention in case of a serious allergic reaction at school. While the mean scale score of the experimental group was 25.88 ± 7.26 before the training, it was 30.78 ± 6.98 after the training. While no differences were detected between the experimental and control groups’ pre-test scale mean scores, the experimental group’s post-test scale mean score was found to be statistically significantly higher ( d = 0.79, p &lt; .05). The results also indicate that the rates of providing correct responses to questions regarding what the most common symptom in a student with a food allergy is, and what the first intervention should be when a serious reaction develops in a student, increased significantly level. Conclusions: This study found that the health education given to teachers led to an increase in teachers’ food allergy and anaphylaxis management self-efficacy.

The Effect of Chamomile on Moderate Postpartum Depression: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Dezful, Iran

Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a disorder that can negatively affect both maternal and neonatal health. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of chamomile on PPD. Methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted on 144 women with PPD. The women were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 72) that received chamomile capsules (500 mg twice a day) and a placebo group that received a placebo for eight weeks. A demographic questionnaire and Beck's Depression Inventory were used to collect the data. The chi-square test, independent t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Wilcoxon test were used to analyze the data. Results: A total of 128 women completed the study. The mean depression score in the intervention group decreased from 21.66 ± 4.01 at baseline to 18 ± 3.66 after the intervention. In the control group, the depression scores reduced from 22.36 ± 3.83 to 20.09 ± 3.77. The reduction in depression scores was statistically significant in the intervention group compared to the control group (P = 0.002). Before the intervention, 41 (65.1%) women in the intervention group and 50 (76.9%) in the control group had moderate depression. After the intervention, however, 7 (11.1%) women in the intervention group were without depression, and 60.3% had mild depression, while the reduction in the control group was negligible (P = 0.002). Conclusions: Chamomile capsules (500 mg) taken twice a day for eight weeks significantly reduced the score and frequency of mild and moderate PPD. However, due to the lack of laboratory evaluation, the results of this study should be interpreted with caution. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Effectiveness of spaced repetition for clinical problem solving amongst undergraduate medical students studying paediatrics in Pakistan

BackgroundStudies using spaced repetition for teaching and learning in undergraduate clinical rotations such as paediatrics are limited, even more so in the South Asian region. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the effectiveness of utilizing spaced repetition compared to traditional learning methods among undergraduate medical students during their paediatric rotation at a medical university in Pakistan.MethodsBahria University Medical and Dental College (BUMDC) conducted quasii-experimental research in Karachi. Four topics were identified from the Year 5 Pediatrics curriculum to be used in the study, using which the study content was developed along with 50 multiple choice questions (MCQs) for assessment. All BUMDC Year 5 medical students rotating in Pediatrics were included and randomly allocated to the control or intervention group. In the control group, they provided the students with traditional study methods consisting of books and lectures to learn topics. In the intervention group, we created an Anki flashcard deck of the same topics to enable learning via spaced repetition. The researchers conducted a pretest and post test assessment of the 50 MCQs in both groups at the beginning and after the four-week study interval. The data were analysed using SPSS 19.ResultsA total of 115 BUMDC medical students agreed to participate in the study; 70 (59.1%) were in the intervention group, and 45 (41.7%) were in the control group. The pretest mean score of the control group was 27.96 ± 3.70, and the posttest mean score was 27.22 ± 5.02, with no statistically significant difference at the 95% confidence level. The mean score of the pretest for the intervention group was 27.93 ± 4.53, and that of the posttest was 30.8 ± 4.56, with a statistically significant difference at the 95% confidence level. The intervention showed a significant effect size of 0.8.ConclusionThe use of spaced repetitions resulted in significantly greater scores for medical students studying paediatrics than for those using more traditional methods of learning, compromising medical books and lectures. Considering that medical students need to retain a vast amount of information, using spaced repetition through flashcards can be a more effective learning tool that is more cost-efficient and time-efficient than traditional learning methods.

Pre-school children single inhalation anesthetic exposure and neuro-psychological development: a prospective study and Mendelian randomization analysis.

For children who are unable to cooperate due to severe dental anxiety (DA), dental treatment of childhood caries under Dental General Anesthesia (DGA) is a safe and high-quality treatment method. This study aims to evaluate the impact on neurocognitive functions and the growth and development of children 2 years after dental procedure based on previous research, and further establish a causal relationship between general anesthesia (GA) and changes in children's neurocognitive functions by incorporating Mendelian Randomization (MR) analysis. Data were collected and analyzed from 340 cases of S-ECC procedures of preschool children conducted in 2019. This involved comparing the neurocognitive outcomes 2 years post-operation of preschool children receiving dental procedures under general anesthesia or local anesthesia. Physical development indicators such as height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) of children were also compared at baseline, half a year post-operation, and 2 years post-operation. We performed a Mendelian randomization analysis on the causal relationship between children's cognitive development and general anesthesia, drawing on a large-scale meta-analysis of GWAS for anesthesia, including multiple general anesthesia datasets. Outcome data were obtained for 111 children in the general anesthesia group and 121 children in the local anesthesia group. The mean FSIQ score for the general anesthesia group was 106.77 (SD 6.96), while the mean score for the local anesthesia group was 106.36 (SD 5.88). FSIQ scores were equivalent between the two groups. The incidence of malnutrition in children in the general anesthesia group was 27.93% (p < 0.001) before surgery and decreased to 15.32% (p > 0.05) after 2 years, which was not different from the general population. The IVW method suggested that the causal estimate (p = 0.99 > 0.05, OR = 1.04, 95% CI = 5.98 × 10-4-1.82 × 103) was not statistically significant for disease prevalence. This indicates no genetic cause-and-effect relationship between anesthesia and childhood intelligence. There were no adverse outcomes in neurocognitive development in 2 years after severe early childhood caries (S-ECC) procedure under total sevoflurane-inhalation in preschool children. The malnutrition condition in children can be improved after S-ECC procedure under general anesthesia. Limited MR evidence does not support a correlation between genetic susceptibility to anesthesia and an increased risk for intelligence in children.