Optimal Number Of Sessions Research Articles

Visuomotor misalignment induced through immersive virtual reality to improve spatial neglect: a case-series study

ABSTRACT One evidence-based treatment for spatial neglect is prism adaptation (PA) treatment. PA after-effects, i.e., the implicit shifts in the arm reaching position toward the neglected side of space after prism removal, are considered fundamental to PA treatment effects. In the present study, the arm reaching position was shifted through a visuomotor misalignment procedure using immersive virtual reality (VR). To examine whether this procedure might have a beneficial impact on spatial neglect, we conducted a multi-baseline experiment in three individuals with chronic left-sided neglect post stroke. Improved spatial neglect was observed in all participants immediately after 5 sessions with two rounds in each. Two participants demonstrated lasting or continuous improvement two weeks later. Participants’ pattern of brain lesions did not appear to clearly explain performance differences. The findings suggest that VR-induced visuomotor misalignment may improve spatial neglect immediately after a multi-session treatment course. The optimal number of sessions will be determined by future studies with a larger sample size, which may also elucidate the number of sessions sufficient for sustained improvement in most patients. Further investigations will identify the neural mechanisms underlying VR-induced visuomotor misalignment, which may or may not be identical to PA after-effects.

Autologous platelet concentrates for facial rejuvenation.

Autologous platelet concentrates (APCs) are promising therapeutic agents in facial rejuvenation since they are a great source of cytokines, growth factors and other biologically active substances. Obtained from the patient’s blood, they have the advantages of reducing immunological reactions, making the procedure safer, well tolerated, with minimal adverse effects and lower cost. Currently, they are used for facial rejuvenation both in combination with microneedling and in mesotherapy techniques, as well as to treat facial acne scars, melasma and wounds after laser ablative treatments. This review summarizes current knowledge on the use of APCs, ranging from basic concepts related to their composition and mechanisms of action to up-to-date information on their clinical efficacy. Methodology MEDLINE (PubMed) was searched from inception through 2021 for English language publications on APCs for facial rejuvenation.Results A total of 100 files were found. Based on the available literature, APCs for skin rejuvenation are safe and well tolerated. The most studied product is the first-generation material, platelet-rich plasma (PRP).Conclusions The results are in general favorable, but the quality of the studies is low. The second and third generation products, platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) and injectable platelet-rich fibrin (i-PRF), respectively, are easier to be obtained and, at least in vitro , seem to induce greater collagen production than PRP, especially under lower relative centrifugation forces, but to date only a few clinical trials evaluating these products exist. More high-quality trials with appropriate follow-up are necessary to provide adequate evidence that may help to improve the treatment regimens with APCs. Many aspects should be considered when designing clinical trials to evaluate APCs, such as the patients’ characteristics that best predict a favorable response, the optimal number of sessions and the interval between them, the characteristics of the studies and the development of better instruments to evaluate skin aging.

Repetitive Painting (REPEAT) Irradiation in Stereotactic Radiotherapy Using Helical Tomotherapy.

Stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) for spine metastases with helical tomotherapy requires a long irradiation time due to the high dose per fraction. Since helical tomotherapy can neither confirm nor correct the position during irradiation, a plan with a long irradiation time cannot be used in actual clinical practice, given the intra-fractional motion error. To address this problem, we devised a method called REPEAT irradiation. REPEtitive pAinTing (REPEAT) irradiation is a method of dividing the irradiation for a given fraction per day into several sessions and performing the irradiation after position correction using mega-voltage computed tomography images for each session. In order to evaluate how REPEAT irradiation changes irradiation time and the dose-volume histogram (DVH), a planning study with helical tomotherapy was conducted using CT images of a patient with lumbar spine metastasis. In this case, we found that dividing 3 irradiation fractions into 3 sessions per day (i.e., 9 fractions=9 sessions in 3 days) using REPEAT irradiation shortened the irradiation time per session and simultaneously improved dose-volume histogram parameters. Although the optimal number of sessions may differ depending on the patient's condition, the fixing method, the irradiation site, and the calculation parameters, REPEAT irradiation does not require any special equipment and is a simple practical treatment method.

The Bilateral Deficit Phenomenon in Elbow Flexion: Explanations for Its Inconsistent Occurrence and Detection.

The underlying mechanism(s) of the Bilateral Deficit (BLD) phenomenon is without consensus. Methodological inconsistencies across prior works may be an important source of equivocal results and interpretations. Based on repeatability problems with the BLD measure and maximal force definition, the presence or absence of the BLD phenomenon is altered, shifting conclusions of its mechanistic cause. Our purpose in this study was to examine methodological inconsistencies in applying the BLD measure to establish optimal methods for evaluating the underlying mechanism. Eleven healthy participants engaged in one familiarity and five test sessions, completing bilateral and unilateral elbow maximal voluntary isometric contractions. We defined maximal force by averaged and absolute peak and plateau values. BLD was evident if the bilateral index (BI), the ratio of the bilateral over summed unilateral forces, was statistically different from zero. We addressed interclass correlations (ICC), Chronbach's α, standard error of the mean, and minimal detectable change between and within sessions for all force measures and BI. We evaluated all combinations of sessions (i.e., 1-2, 3-5, 5-6) and maximal forces to establish the optimal number of sessions to achieve reliability. BLD was present for test sessions, but not for familiarization. All measures of maximal force were highly reliable between and within sessions (ICC(2,1) ≥ .895). BI was only considered significantly reliable in sessions 3-5 (p < .027), defined by absolute and average plateau forces, but reliability was still quantifiably poor (absolute: ICC(2,1) = .392; average: ICC(2,1) = .375). These results demonstrate that high force reliability within and between sessions does not translate to stable and reliable BI, potentially exposing the lack of any defined BLD mechanism.

Short Practical Regimen of Acupuncture for Melasma: A Prospective Cohort Study in a Tertiary Hospital in Thailand.

Background: Acupuncture shows benefits for patients with melasma, although no optimal number of sessions have been determined.Methods: The prospective observational study was conducted in melasma patients who were treated with acupuncture procedures two times a week and were evaluated after the 5th and the 10th sessions of acupuncture, with a 1-week follow-up after the last session. Participants Groups A and B received five and 10 acupuncture sessions, respectively. Melasma was assessed by using the melanin index (MI), melasma area and severity index (MASI), patient-reported improvement scores, and acupuncture-related adverse events.Results: Out of 113 participants, 67 received five sessions of acupuncture treatment while 39 received 10 sessions. At 1 week after five sessions of acupuncture in Group A, the mean MI decreased by 28.7 (95% CI −38.5 to −18.8, p < 0.001), whereas the median MASI decreased by 3.4 (95% CI −6.9 to −1.2, p < 0.001) points. At 1 week after ten sessions of acupuncture in Group B, the mean MI decreased by 31.3 (95% CI −45 to −17.6, p < 0.001), whereas the median MASI decreased by 5.4 (95%CI −9.9 to −3, p < 0.001) points. The first five sessions of acupuncture had a higher incremental effect than the last five sessions, although there was no statistically significant difference. Twenty-nine participants reported minor side effects. Group B had a risk ratio (RR) of having adverse events 1.8 times (95% CI 1.0–3.4, p = 0.05) compared with Group A.Conclusion: Short acupuncture regimens of 5–10 sessions in melasma seem to be effective and practical with minor side effects.

Adjunctive Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Refractory Crohn's Disease: An Observational Study.

Background and Aims Patients may experience complications of Crohn's disease (CD) even when treated with optimal medical therapy strategies. Previous data have shown the efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in the management of complicated CD. However, there is no consensus regarding the optimal number of sessions or duration of treatment regimens. The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of HBOT in CD patients who were refractory to conventional medical management. Methods This study included patients who underwent HBOT for the treatment of the following complications: perianal fistulizing Crohn's disease (pCD), enterocutaneous fistulas (ECF), or pyoderma gangrenosum (PG). Complete healing was defined as the closure of external orifice and the absence of active draining (in pCD), complete wound healing (in PG), and granulation or complete wound epithelialization with no enteric draining (in ECF). The persistence of draining and the absence of wound granulation were defined as incomplete healing. Results Forty patients were included. The mean CD duration was 10.6 ± 5.8 years. pCD comprised most of the included patients (25/62.5%), followed by ECF (n = 13/32.5%) and PG (n = 6/15%). In two patients (5%), a combination of ECF and PG was diagnosed, and in one patient (2.5%), all three complications were observed. A total of 32 patients (82.5%) had complete healing. Patients with PG had the highest healing rates (100%), followed by those with ECF (84.6%) and pCD (80%). Conclusions Adjunctive HBO was associated with significant healing rates for CD-associated complications such as pCD, ECF, and PG.

A prospective multicenter assessor-blinded randomized controlled study to compare the efficacy of short versus long protocols of electroconvulsive therapy as an augmentation strategy to clozapine in patients with ultra-resistant schizophrenia (SURECT study)

BackgroundAlthough clozapine is the most effective antipsychotic drug for treatment-resistant schizophrenia, it leads to a poor or partial response in 40 to 70% of patients. Augmentation of clozapine with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a highly effective and relatively safe treatment for these clozapine-resistant patients. However, parameters are not yet well specified, such as the optimal number of sessions, their frequency, and the relevance of maintenance ECT. Our objective is to compare the efficacy and tolerance between two protocols of combined ECT and clozapine treatment in patients with ultra-resistant schizophrenia (URS): a 6-month protocol (short protocol with 20 ECT sessions) and a 12-month protocol (long protocol with 40 ECT sessions).MethodsSixty-four patients with schizophrenia with persistent psychotic symptoms despite clozapine treatment will be enrolled in a prospective multicentric assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial. Patients will be randomly assigned to the short or the long protocol. The main outcome is the response rate assessed by the Positive and Negative Symptoms Scale (PANSS) 3 months after the end of the treatment in patients following the long protocol compared to those following the short protocol. The response was defined as a 30% reduction on the PANSS baseline. Clinical assessments (PANSS, BPRS, HAMD-21, YMRS, CGI, GAF, Modified Overt Aggression Scale (MOAS), and Subjective Scale to Investigate Cognition in Schizophrenia (SSTICS)) and plasma clozapine concentration will be performed at baseline and at 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, and 15 months. Neuropsychological measures (MMSE, RL/RI-16, Doors test, D2 Test of Attention, Copy of the Rey-Osterrieth complex figure) will be performed at baseline and at 6 and 15 months.DiscussionThe aims of this research are to optimize protocols of combined ECT with clozapine in patients with URS and to offer specific recommendations for these patients’ care.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT03542903. Registered on May 31, 2018. Id RCB: 2017-A02657-46

Lack of Response to Transarterial Chemoembolization for Intermediate-Stage Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Abandon or Repeat?

Background Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is the standard treatment for intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It is unknown whether conventional TACE (cTACE) should be continued or abandoned after initial nonresponse for intermediate-stage HCC. The optimal number of sessions before abandoning cTACE remains debated. Purpose To define the number of sessions that patients who do not respond to treatment (hereafter, nonresponders, with stable disease [SD] or progressive disease [PD]) should undergo before abandoning cTACE. Materials and Methods Patients with intermediate-stage HCC and Child-Pugh A liver function who underwent consecutive cTACE sessions between January 2005 and December 2012 were retrospectively included from three centers. Radiologic response rate to each session and its correlation with overall survival were evaluated. Response was assessed by modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors. A nomogram constructed by using tumor size, tumor capsule, and α-fetoprotein to predict patients who responded to treatment (hereafter, responders) was validated with sensitivity and specificity. Results This study evaluated 4154 patients (mean age, 58 years ± 6 [standard deviation]; 3777 men; primary cohort, 3442 patients [mean age, 58 years ± 6; 3129 men]; validation cohort, 712 patients [mean age, 58 years ± 7; 648 men]). Response rate to first cTACE was 35.6% (1227 of 3442, primary cohort) and 36.7% (261 of 712, validation cohort). For patients with SD who were nonresponders to first cTACE, the response rates after second cTACE were 46.1% (719 of 1560) and 48.4% (147 of 304); for patients with SD who were nonresponders to the second cTACE session, the response rates after the third cTACE session were 58.3% (591 of 1014) and 48.5% (98 of 202). For patients with SD who were nonresponders to third, fourth, and fifth cTACE sessions, response rates after fourth, fifth, and sixth cTACE sessions were less than 10%. All response rates in patients with PD who were nonresponders to the next cTACE were less than 5%. Responders to first, second, and third cTACE had higher 5-year overall survival than nonresponders (all P < .001) but responders to the fourth cTACE did not (P = .21). The sensitivity and specificity of a nomogram predicted responders to third cTACE: 75.0% and 79.4% (internal validation) and 78.6% and 87.0% (external validation), respectively. Conclusion Three sessions were recommended before abandoning conventional transarterial embolization (cTACE) for intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma. The nomogram developed in this study identified responders to third cTACE. © RSNA, 2021 Online supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorial by Georgiades in this issue.

The use of NDYAG laser combined with pulsed light in the treatment of rosacea

Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with a complex pathogenesis that mainly affects the central part of the face, with a global incidence of 5.46%. The present study was performed on a group of 68 patients with rosacea 1 and 2 subtypes, patients between 34-63 years old. The treatments were performed using a Cutera Xeo laser, using 2 types of probes: NdYag 1064nm for telangiectasias and LimeLight 520-1100nm for diffuse facial erythema, papules, and pustules, having an 10x30mm window. For patients with diffuse facial erythema, etc., the optimal number of sessions was between 3 and 6 with or without anesthetic cream, using energies between 14-19J / cm. The average recovery time was 5 days. Registered effects included bruises, pustules, burning sensation, transient stinging, and hypopigmentation. For patients with telangiectasia, the optimal number of sessions was two, performed at an average interval of once per month/ monthly.

Does the dose of Traditional Chinese Medicine acupuncture in addition to usual care affect outcomes for adults with chronic low back pain? Protocol for a randomized controlled feasibility study

Background: Acupuncture is considered a clinically effective and cost-effective treatment option for chronic low back pain. However, few clinical trials have evaluated the dose dependence of acupuncture for chronic low back pain based on the number of sessions. Conclusions are conflicting and there is little high-quality evidence to support the cumulative effects of repeated interventions. A randomized controlled trial to investigate the optimal number of sessions of acupuncture in addition to usual care for adults with chronic low back pain is required; a feasibility study to test the rationale and method for the full-scale trial is the first step in that process.Design: A pragmatic parallel three-armed randomized, controlled feasibility study.Methods: Forty-five participants with chronic low back pain will be recruited locally and randomized on a 1:1:1 basis to receive usual care plus 4 (n = 15), 7 (n = 15) or 10 sessions (n = 15) of semi-standardized acupuncture. Primary outcomes are acceptability of and adherence to different numbers of sessions of acupuncture, as well as the feasibility of the recruitment approach and completion of the specific outcome measures. Secondary outcomes include pain intensity and patient satisfaction. Follow-up questionnaires will be collected at discharge, 6, and 12 weeks after randomization.Discussion: Outcomes will inform the decision to conduct a full-scale trial to definitively test the dose dependence of acupuncture. Findings will add to the limited evidence available regarding the optimal number of sessions of acupuncture in the management of chronic low back pain, as well as being clinically relevant to clinicians, researchers and policy makers.

Evaluation of a training programme to facilitate conversation between people with aphasia and their partners

Background: The investigation into conversational interaction in aphasia and its therapeutic implications has received much interest. It is increasingly accepted that people with aphasia cannot be treated in isolation but as part of a social unit. Training conversation partners has been shown to impact on the disabling effect of aphasia. Aims: The principal aim of this study was to evaluate a programme designed to train a relative/friend to communicate more effectively with an aphasic partner. The intervention was assessed in terms of effects on communication and on wellbeing. Methods & Procedures: Four single-case studies were completed. The aphasic participants had severe impairment affecting both comprehension and expression. The baseline was a series of three assessments. The dyads were videotaped having a conversation, and completed a Visual Assessment for Self-Esteem Scale (VASES). The non-aphasic partner also completed a Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). The training programme ran for 5 weeks (1.5 hours/week) at the couples' homes. It included education, video feedback, and role-play. The initial assessments were repeated post-intervention. Outcomes & Results: Conversation data were subject to a conversation analysis as well as frequency counts of nonverbal behaviours. We found positive individual changes and positive trends: three of the four dyads increased their use of gesture and the proportion of successful repair sequences increased post-intervention, although these changes were not statistically significant. There were no significant differences for the HADS but there were differences between the aphasics and the non-aphasics on the VASES. Conclusions: The positive trends suggest that working with couples can produce beneficial effects. Future research may help establish who will benefit from this approach and the optimal number of sessions.

The Number of Therapeutic Sessions in Logopedic Care: A Description and Analysis

The aim of this study was (i) to describe the number of therapeutic sessions in logopedic care in the Netherlands and (ii) to analyse which factors determine the number of sessions. An analysis was performed on a data set of 517 patients who received logopedic treatment. Data concerning patient characteristics, medical diagnosis, logopedic diagnosis (in terms of impairments, disabilities and handicaps) and the number of sessions were available. The mean number of sessions was 17.2 (SD 10.7). In a multivariate analysis 19.4% of the total amount of variance in the number of sessions was explained; impairments were the only significant determinant. Language development impairments, aural impairments and impairments of auditory functions were associated with a relatively large number of sessions; impairments in reading and writing were associated with relatively few sessions. Recommendations for the design of future studies on the optimal number of sessions are derived from these findings.