PBM Group Research Articles

Problem-Based Self-care Groups Versus Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Persons on Sick Leave Due to Common Mental Disorders: A Randomised Controlled Study

To evaluate the interventional capacity of problem based method groups (PBM) regarding mental health and work ability compared to cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for persons on sick leave due to common mental disorders. In a randomised controlled design the experimental group received PBM and the control group received CBT. Outcomes were measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Stress and Crisis Inventory 93 (SCI-93) and the Dialogue about Working Ability instrument (DOA). Twenty-two participants in the PBM group and 28 in the CBT group completed intervention. Both groups showed significant lower scores on the two HADS subscales. Regarding stress the PBM group showed significant decrease in one (out of three) subscales of SCI-93. The CBT group showed significant decrease on all subscales of SCI-93. Regarding work ability the PBM group showed significant higher scores on one of five subscales of DOA. The CBT group showed significant higher scores on four of five subscales of DOA. Between groups there were significant differences to the favour of CBT on one of two subscales of HADS, all three subscales of SCI-93 and on two of the five subscales of DOA. PBM seem to be able to reduce anxiety- and depression symptoms. CBT showed to be superior to PBM in reducing symptoms in all aspects of mental health, except for anxiety, in which they seem equally effective. Regarding work ability CBT showed to be superior, with significant effect on more aspects compared to PBM.

Development of An Osteoporosis Screening Clinic at Jefferson County Department of Health: A Pilot Study

For the detection of osteoporosis, a portable, inexpensive, nonirradiating technique of quantitative ultrasound (QUS) was developed. This study aimed at determining reference QUS values for a population of white Swiss women ages 18–90 yr and checking the adequacy of the World Health Organization classification of osteoporosis for QUS. Three hundred thirty-three women were measured at the nondominant calcaneus with the QUS Sahara and a subgroup of 215 on both sides. Women aged 20–35 (n = 78) were selected to form the QUS peak bone mass group (PBM). Twenty-nine women underwent an additional dual X-ray absorptiometry measurement, to validate the choice of the PBM group. Indeed, their spine and hip bone mineral density (BMD) T-scores did not differ from the DXA reference values used in the clinical routine. PBM values of the quantitative ultrasound index (QUI), broadband ultrasound attenuation, and speed of sound were 99.3 ± 16.0% YA, 69.9 ± 11.7 dB/MHz, and 1565.0 ± 29.5 m/s, respectively. No significant differences were found between nondominant and dominant sides for QUI measurements. Since QUS parameters of the normal population, expressed as T-scores, start to decrease at a younger age than the femoral neck BMD assessed by DXA and its ability to discriminate osteoporotic fracture is equivalent to DXA, QUS Sahara could potentially be used to screen women at risk of osteoporosis.

Adapted physical activity in old age: effects of a low-intensity training program on isokinetic power and fatigability.

This pilot study measured the effects of an original low-intensity training program, called "posture-balancing-mobility" (PBM), on muscular function. Nine non-disabled, elderly (74.3 +/- 6 years) subjects were trained with the PBM technique for 11 weeks (2 sessions per week). Mean power and fatigue index parameters were measured using an isokinetic dynamometer before and after training and compared with those recorded in another group of 9 elderly (71.1 +/- 4.3 years) subjects, who had performed aquatic exercises during the same period and with the same frequency. The mean power of the knee extension muscles increased slightly but significantly on the dominant (15.6%, p<0.05) and non-dominant sides (13.4%, p<0.05) in the PBM group, with no significant fatigue index variation. None of the parameters changed significantly for the aquatic group, and comparison of variations obtained in the two groups showed no significant difference between their respective effects. Although the results showed slightly enhanced strength production in the PBM group, the low statistical power does not allow conclusions about the impact of this type of training intervention in its current form. Nevertheless, this pilot study provides some indication of the benefits that can be obtained from such an individualized approach. Its efficiency would most likely be improved by further exploration of the minimal threshold of intensity required for strength exercises and by measurement of its effect on functions involving neuromuscular parameters, such as balance or gait.

Reference data in a Swiss population. Discordance in patient classification using T-scores among calcaneum, spine, and femur.

Abstract For the detection of osteoporosis, a portable, inexpensive, nonirradiating technique of quantitative ultrasound (QUS) was developed. This study aimed at determining reference QUS values for a population of white Swiss women ages 18–90 yr and checking the adequacy of the World Health Organization classification of osteoporosis for QUS. Three hundred thirty-three women were measured at the nondominant calcaneus with the QUS Sahara and a subgroup of 215 on both sides. Women aged 20–35 ( n = 78) were selected to form the QUS peak bone mass group (PBM). Twenty-nine women underwent an additional dual X-ray absorptiometry measurement, to validate the choice of the PBM group. Indeed, their spine and hip bone mineral density (BMD) T-scores did not differ from the DXA reference values used in the clinical routine. PBM values of the quantitative ultrasound index (QUI), broadband ultrasound attenuation, and speed of sound were 99.3 ± 16.0% YA, 69.9 ± 11.7 dB/MHz, and 1565.0 ± 29.5 m/s, respectively. No significant differences were found between nondominant and dominant sides for QUI measurements. Since QUS parameters of the normal population, expressed as T-scores, start to decrease at a younger age than the femoral neck BMD assessed by DXA and its ability to discriminate osteoporotic fracture is equivalent to DXA, QUS Sahara could potentially be used to screen women at risk of osteoporosis.

Influence of Bacillus spp culture supplementation through feed or drinking water on the performance of layer chiken

Three thousands 65 weeks old layers were used and divided into 3 groups of 1000 birds, and further divided into 4 sum group (250 birds/group) as treatment replicates, and distributed randomly.Layer in group 1 were fed a basal diet + antibiotic (AB), group 2 were fed a basal diet + 10^9 CFU Bacillus spp culture (PB-M) and group 3 were fed a basal diet and Bacillus spp culture was supplemented in their drinking water (10^9 CFU/litre) (PB-A). The trial was conducted for 14 weeks (2 weeks adaptation period, 10 weeks the feeding treatments, and 2 weeks post treatment, where the AB group continues supplemented with antibiotic, while the PB-M and PB-A group, the Bacillus spp culture supplementation was withdrawned. During the treatment period,% HD production and its FCR of the bird supplemented with Bacillus spp culture were highly significant (P<0.001) better than the one receiving antibiotic. There was no significant different between the PB-M and the PB-A groups. Prosentage HD production and its FCR during post treatment, the birds previously supplemented with Bacillus spp culture were remained significantly better than the one recieving antibiotic. The birds which were previously supplemented with Bacillus spp culture in the feed had significantly (P<0.01) better % HD production and FCR.It is concluded that Bacillus spp culture, could be used to replace antibiotics as a growth promotor, it even gave better results. Key words: Antibiotic, Bacillus spp , layer