PT Scores Research Articles

A Novel Home-Based Telerehabilitation Program Targeting Fall Prevention in Parkinson Disease: A Preliminary Trial.

Falls in a person with Parkinson disease (PwP) are frequent, consequential, and only partially prevented by current therapeutic options. Notably, most falls in PwPs occur in the home or its immediate surroundings; however, our current strategies for fall prevention are clinic-centered. The primary objective of this nonrandomized pilot trial was to investigate the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of the novel implementation of home-based PD telerehabilitation (tele-physical/occupational therapy) focusing on fall risk reduction and home-safety modification. Persons with mild-to-moderate PD who were identified as being at risk of falls by their movement disorders neurologist were recruited from a tertiary movement disorders clinic. After an initial in-person evaluation by the study physical and occupational therapists, 15 patients with PD (Hoehn and Yahr Stage 2 (n = 8) and Stage 3 (n = 7)) participated in 4 biweekly PT/OT televisits with care partner supervision over the course of 10 weeks. The Goal Attainment Scale (GAS) was implemented to assess progress toward individualized PT/OT goals established at baseline. Outcomes were assessed at the end of the intervention at 10 weeks and at a six-month follow-up. Participants completed all 120 protocol-defined televisits without dropouts and adverse events. At 10 weeks, mean composite PT and OT-GAS scores showed significant improvement from baseline (PT: p < 0.001, OT: p < 0.008), which continued at 6 months (PT: p < 0.0005, OT: p < 0.0005). Home-modification recommendations made through novel virtual home-safety tours were cumulatively met by participants at 87% at 10 weeks and 91% at 6 months. Home-based telerehabilitation is a promising new strategy toward fall prevention in PD. The GAS has the potential to serve as an effective and patient-driven primary outcome variable for rehabilitation interventions for heterogeneous PwPs to assess progress toward personalized goals. ClinicalTrial.gov identifier: NCT04600011.

Analysis of the diagnostic value of coagulation markers and coagulation function indices on the occurrence of DIC in sepsis and its prognosis.

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that has the potential to multiple organ dysfunction and mortality. One of its frequent complications is disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), characterized by hyperactive clotting mechanisms that cause widespread clot formation and tissue damage. This study aimed to investigate early diagnostic markers of sepsis-associated DIC by comparing inflammatory factor levels, 28-day survival rates, coagulation function, and markers between patients with sepsis (non-DIC group) and those with sepsis-induced DIC (DIC group). The study analyzed the diagnostic efficacy of coagulation function and markers in predicting the occurrence and prognosis of sepsis-associated DIC, presenting survival curves. Results indicated significantly increased levels of APTT, TAT, tPAIC, PIC, and sTM in the DIC group compared to the non-DIC group. Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores on days 1, 3, and 7 were notably lower in the non-DIC group. Correlation analysis revealed positive associations between PT, APTT, TAT, tPAIC, PIC, sTM levels, and SOFA scores, as well as negative associations with Fib and SOFA scores. Survival curves showed substantially lower mortality rates in the non-DIC group, highlighting significant survival disparities between groups. Combining all four coagulation indicators (TAT+ tPAIC + PIC + sTM) showed promising diagnostic value in evaluating disease severity, early DIC diagnosis, and sepsis prognosis.

Beyond impairment of language: empathy deficit in logopenic variant of Primary Progressive Aphasia (P5-6.002)

<h3>Objective:</h3> The aim of this study is to assess possible empathy deficits and their neural basis in lv-PPA compared to amnesic AD. <h3>Background:</h3> Empathy is the ability to understand (cognitive empathy) and to feel (affective empathy) what others feel. Evidence about empathy in logopenic variant of Primary Progressive Aphasia (lv-PPA) are rare and not conclusive. <h3>Design/Methods:</h3> We included 18 lv-PPA and 38 amnesic AD patients. Informer-rated Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) was used to explore cognitive (Perspective Taking-PT and Fantasy-F subscales) and affective (Empathic Concern-EC and Personal Distress-PD subscales) empathy, before (T0) and after (T1) cognitive symptoms’ onset. Emotion recognition was tested through Ekman-60 Faces Test. Eighteen lv-PPA and 30 amnesic AD patients underwent Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography (FDG-PET) and amyloid biomarker analysis. SPM analysis on FDG-PET was performed in 16 lv-PPA and 26 amnesic AD patients. <h3>Results:</h3> From T0 to T1, PT scores decreased, and PD scores increased in both lv-PPA (PT z=−3.43, <i>p</i>=0.001; PD z=−3.62, <i>p</i>&lt;0.001) and in amnesic AD (PT z=−4.57, <i>p</i>&lt;0.001; PD z=−5.20, <i>p</i>&lt;0.001). Lv-PPA performed poorer than amnesic AD in happiness recognition (7.54±2.18 vs 8.94±1.04, <i>p</i>=0.001). Delta-PT(T0–T1) negatively correlated with metabolic disfunction of left superior and middle frontal gyri, inferior parietal lobule and insula in lv-PPA, and of right superior temporal gyrus and middle frontal gyrus in amnesic AD (<i>p</i>&lt;0.005). Delta-PD(T0–T1) positively correlated with metabolic disfunction of left insula, inferior parietal lobule and superior frontal gyrus in lv-PPA (<i>p</i>&lt;0.005) and of right inferior frontal gyrus in amnesic AD (<i>p</i>&lt;0.001). <h3>Conclusions:</h3> Beyond language impairment, lv-PPA patients seems to present empathy changes and difficulties in emotion recognition. Lv-PPA and amnesic AD share the same empathic changes, with a damage of cognitive empathy and a heightening of person distress along time. Differences of neural correlates of empathy impairment might be due to the different vulnerability of specific brain regions in the two AD phenotypes. <b>Disclosure:</b> Ms. Giacomucci has nothing to disclose. Cristina Polito has nothing to disclose. Valentina Berti has nothing to disclose. Sonia Padiglioni has nothing to disclose. Dr. Galdo has nothing to disclose. Mr. Mazzeo has nothing to disclose. Dr. Bergamin has nothing to disclose. Miss Moschini has nothing to disclose. Miss Morinelli has nothing to disclose. Miss Nuti has nothing to disclose. Dr. De Cristofaro has nothing to disclose. Dr. Bagnoli has nothing to disclose. Benedetta Nacmias has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as an Editor, Associate Editor, or Editorial Advisory Board Member for Elsevier. Sandro Sorbi has nothing to disclose. Valentina Bessi has nothing to disclose.

Differences and Similarities in Empathy Deficit and Its Neural Basis between Logopenic and Amnesic Alzheimer's Disease.

The aims of the study were to assess empathy deficit and neuronal correlates in logopenic primary progressive aphasia (lv-PPA) and compare these data with those deriving from amnesic Alzheimer's disease (AD). Eighteen lv-PPA and thirty-eight amnesic AD patients were included. Empathy in both cognitive and affective domains was assessed by Informer-rated Interpersonal Reactivity Index (perspective taking, PT, and fantasy, FT, for cognitive empathy; empathic concern, EC, and personal distress, PD, for affective empathy) before (T0) and after (T1) cognitive symptoms' onset. Emotion recognition was explored through the Ekman 60 Faces Test. Cerebral FDG-PET was used to explore neural correlates underlying empathy deficits. From T0 to T1, PT scores decreased, and PD scores increased in both lv-PPA (PT z = -3.43, p = 0.001; PD z = -3.62, p < 0.001) and in amnesic AD (PT z = -4.57, p < 0.001; PD z = -5.20, p < 0.001). Delta PT (T0-T1) negatively correlated with metabolic disfunction of the right superior temporal gyrus, fusiform gyrus, and middle frontal gyrus (MFG) in amnesic AD and of the left inferior parietal lobule (IPL), insula, MFG, and bilateral superior frontal gyrus (SFG) in lv-PPA (p < 0.005). Delta PD (T0-T1) positively correlated with metabolic disfunction of the right inferior frontal gyrus in amnesic AD (p < 0.001) and of the left IPL, insula, and bilateral SFG in lv-PPA (p < 0.005). Lv-PPA and amnesic AD share the same empathic changes, with a damage of cognitive empathy and a heightening of personal distress over time. The differences in metabolic disfunctions correlated with empathy deficits might be due to a different vulnerability of specific brain regions in the two AD clinical presentations.

Safety Climate Evaluation in Primary Health Care: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The perception of the existence of deficits in patient safety, the associated costs and the limitation of resources have made it essential to define improvement strategies. Important concepts have emerged, such as safety climate, which evaluates the perceptions of safety status held by professionals in relation to their organization. The aim of this study is to characterize the safety climate in primary health care (PHC) using the Safety Attitudes Questionnaire (SAQ)-Short Form 2006 PT and to assess associations between SAQ-Short Form 2006 PT scores and demographic and professional characteristics. A cross-sectional study was conducted in all public PHC units in the northern region of Portugal. Data were collected through an online questionnaire shared via institutional emails and by means of a snowball approach. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis were performed. Statistical significance set at p ≤ 0.05. A total of 649/7427 (8.7%) responses were included in the analyses. The mean and median total SAQ-Short Form 2006 PT scores were 69.23 (SD = 15.73, range 22.22-100.00) and 71.53 [59.03; 79.86], respectively. This is the first study to assess the safety climate in PHC in Portugal. The median obtained total SAQ-Short Form 2006 PT score was 71.53 [59.03; 79.86], which is below the threshold of ≥75, indicating safety deficits.

Effects of Presbyphagia on Oropharyngeal Swallowing Observed during Modified Barium Swallow Studies.

Understanding how aging impacts swallowing can help differentiate typical from atypical behaviors. This study aimed to quantify age-related swallowing alterations observed during a modified barium swallow study. Cross-sectional study. Adult fluoroscopy suite in a metropolitan hospital at an academic center. 195 healthy adults distributed across 3 age categories: 21-39; 40-59; 60+ years. 17 physiologic components of swallowing across three functional domains (oral, pharyngeal, esophageal), including summed composite scores (Oral Total [OT] and Pharyngeal Total [PT]), from the validated and standardized Modified Barium Swallow Impairment Profile. Most components (65%) demonstrated no impairment (scores of "0"). The odds of a worse (higher) score increased significantly with age for: Tongue Control during Bolus Hold, Hyolaryngeal Movement, Laryngeal Closure, Pharyngeal Contraction, and Pharyngoesophageal Segment Opening. OT and PT scores for 40-59-year-olds were worse than the youngest group (p=.01 and p <.001, respectively). Adults 60+ years had significantly worse PT scores among all groups (p-values <.01). Oropharyngeal swallowing physiology evolves as healthy adults age and should be considered during clinical decision-making.

Recovery from Coronavirus Disease 2019 among Older Adults in Post-Acute Skilled Nursing Facilities

ObjectivesTo examine functional outcomes of post-acute care for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). DesignRetrospective cohort. Setting and ParticipantsSeventy-three community-dwelling adults ≥65 years of age admitted for post-acute care from 2 SNFs from March 15, 2020, to May 30, 2020. Measure(s)COVID-19 status was determined from chart review. Frailty was measured with a deficit accumulation frailty index (FI), categorized into nonfrail, mild frailty, and moderate-to-severe frailty. The primary outcome was community discharge. Secondary outcomes included change in functional status from SNF admission to discharge, based on modified Barthel index (mBI) and continuous functional scale scored by physical (PT) and occupational therapists (OT). ResultsAmong 73 admissions (31 COVID-19 negative, 42 COVID-19 positive), mean [standard deviation (SD)] age was 83.5 (8.8) and 42 (57.5%) were female, with mean FI of 0.31 (0.01) with no differences by COVID-19 status. The mean length of SNF stay for rehabilitation was 21.2 days (SD 11.1) for COVID-19 negative with 20 (64.5%) patients discharged to community, compared to 23.0 (SD 12.2) and 31 (73.8%) among patients who tested positive for COVID-19. Among those discharged to the community, all groups improved in mBI, PT, and OT score. Those with moderate-to-severe frailty (FI >0.35) had lower mBI scores on discharge [92.0 (6.7) not frail, 81.0 (15.4) mild frailty, 48.6 (20.4) moderate-to-severe frailty; P = .002], lower PT scores on discharge [54.2 (3.9) nonfrail, 51.5 (8.0) mild frailty, 37.1 (9.7) moderate-to-severe frailty; P = .002], and lower OT score on discharge [52.9 (3.2) nonfrail, 45.8 (9.4) mild frailty, 32.4 (7.4) moderate or worse frailty; P = .001]. Conclusions and ImplicationsOlder adults admitted to a SNF for post-acute care with COVID-19 had community discharge rates and functional improvement comparable to a COVID-19 negative group. However, those who are frailer at admission tended to have lower function at discharge.

Development and Validation of a Scoring System, Based on Genetic and Clinical Factors, to Determine Risk of Steatohepatitis in Asian Patients with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

There are no biomarkers of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) that are ready for routine clinical use. We investigated whether an analysis of PNPLA3 and TM6SF2 genotypes (rs738409 and rs58542926) can be used to identify patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), with and without diabetes, who also have NASH. We collected data from the Boramae registry in Korea on 453 patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD with sufficient clinical data for calculating scores. Patients enrolled from February 2014 through March 2016 were assigned to cohort 1 (n= 302; discovery cohort) and patients enrolled thereafter were assigned to cohort 2 (n= 151; validation cohort). DNA samples were obtained from all participants and analyzed for the PNPLA3 rs738409 C>G, TM6SF2 rs58542926 C>T, SREBF2 rs133291 C>T, MBOAT7-TMC4 rs641738 C>T, and HSD17B13 rs72613567 adenine insertion (A-INS) polymorphisms. We used multivariable logistic regression analyses with stepwise backward selection to build a model to determine patients' risk for NASH (NASH PT) using the genotype and clinical data from cohort 1 and tested its accuracy in cohort 2. We used the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve to compare the diagnostic performances of the NASH PT and the NASH scoring systems. We developed a NASH PT scoring system based on PNPLA3 and TM6SF2 genotypes, diabetes status, insulin resistance, and levels of aspartate aminotransferase and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. NASH PT scores identified patients with NASH with an area under the ROC (AUROC) of 0.859 (95%CI, 0.817-0.901) in cohort 1. In cohort 2, NASH PT scores identified patients with NASH with an AUROC of 0.787 (95% CI, 0.715-0.860), which was significantly higher than the AUROC of the NASH score (AUROC, 0.729; 95% CI, 0.647-0.812; P= .007). The AUROC of the NASH PT score for detecting NASH in patients with NAFLD with diabetes was 0.835 (95% CI, 0.776-0.895) and in patients without diabetes was 0.809 (95% CI, 0.757-0.861). The negative predictive value of the NASH PT score <-0.785 for NASH in patients with NAFLD with diabetes reached 0.905. We developed a scoring system, based on polymorphisms in PNPLA3 and TM6SF2 and clinical factors that identifies patients with NAFLD, with or without diabetes, who have NASH, with an AUROC value of 0.787. This system might help clinicians better identify NAFLD patients at risk for NASH.

Six-Year Experience (2013-2018) With College of American Pathologists Programs at King Hussein Cancer Center in Jordan

Abstract Objectives Proficiency testing (PT) includes interlaboratory comparisons that are organized regularly to assess the performance of individual laboratories for specific tests or measurements and it is used to monitor laboratories’ continuing performance. Background The College of American Pathologists (CAP) requires laboratories to participate in PT programs and to perform the investigation and root cause analysis for unsatisfactory PT results, which is valuable to improve the laboratory performance. Methods The data were extracted from the CAP PT results of the laboratory from 2013 to 2018 in the areas of Biochemistry, Immunology, Hematology, Microbiology, Anatomic Pathology and Cytology, and Blood Bank. The data were PT scores and consisted of values between 0 and 100, representing the percentage of correct response for each analyte. Results There were 211 analytes (502 event) in 2018, 215 analytes (547 event) in 2017, 204 analytes (531 event) in 2016, 210 analytes (519 event) in 2015, 228 analytes (443 event) in 2014, and 158 analytes (528 event) in 2013 that were covered by CAP PT surveys in different laboratory areas. Over the 6 years of experience, there were 57 (1.86%) unsatisfactory results for all PT events. It was seen that the rates of unsatisfactory results in that period were gradually decreased with each year of experience, which was 1.1% (2018), 1.6% (2017), 1.9% (2016), 1.5% (2015), 2.4% (2014), and 2.6% (2013). The top 3 reasons for unacceptable results were random error, analytical error, and procedural error, which accounted for 21.0% random error (2013 (9%), 2014 (4%), 2015, 2016, 2017, &amp; 2018 (2%)), 19.3% analytical error (2013 (2%), 2014 (5%), 2015 (5%), 2016 (3.5%), 2017 (2%), &amp; 2018 (1.8%)), and 17.5% procedural error (2013 (4%), 2014 (4%), 2015 (0%), 2016 (2%), 2017 (5%), &amp; 2018 (3.5%)). Conclusion The proficiency testing performance showed a trend of improvement from 2013 to 2018, which contributed to the improvement of laboratory performance and declining the unacceptable results that affected positively on patient test performance.

Intervention time and course of the treatment of isokinetic strength training have a different impact on walking function in elder stroke patients with hemiplegia

Intervention time and course of the treatment of isokinetic strength training have a different impact on walking function in elder stroke patients with hemiplegia. Picking up 63 elder stroke patients from department of rehabilitation in the first hospital of Jilin university with hemiplegia and randomly divided into A group, B group and C intervention group. On the basis of routine rehabilitation therapy, the patients in A group were given isokinetic strength training in the first 4 weeks. After 4 weeks, the patients were given general anti-muscular strength training. In B group, the patients were given normal resistance training at first 4 weeks, after 4 weeks to give isokinetic strength training. The C group of patients were given 8 weeks isokinetic strength training. Using PT, BBS, FMA, FAC, and MBI to evaluate the function before treatment, at 4 and 8 weeks. After 4 weeks of treatment, the PT, BBS, FMA, FAC and MBI scores of A group were (31.47 ± 9.65/45.68 ± 11.86), (38.42 ± 8.03), (15.23 ± 3.65), (2.31 ± 0.51), (52.19 ± 11.43), and the scores of C group were (32.82 ± 8.52/46.37 ± 12.02),(37.86 ± 7.73), (14.91 ± 3.58), (2.26 ± 0.53), (51.88 ± 10.93), which were significantly better than those of B group ( P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference between the A and C group ( P > 0.05). After 8 weeks, the scores of the three groups were significantly improved compared with after four weeks treatment ( P < 0.05). The PT, BBS, FMA, FAC and MBI scores of A group were (35.61 ± 9.72/53.48 ± 14.63), (42.29 ± 8.61), (19.37 ± 4.05), (3.57 ± 0.63), (63.76 ± 12.15), and the scores of C group were (44.71 ± 12.34/58.86 ± 15.20), (46.37 ± 9.02), (22.19 ± 4.24), (4.02 ± 0.68), (70.23 ± 13.19), which were significantly better than those of B group ( P < 0.05), and the C group were significantly better than A group, the difference was statistically significant ( P < 0.05). Early, whole course intervention of isokinetic strength training can be more effective in improving muscle strength, walking function and ADL of the elder stroke patients with hemiplegia.

Association between glutamate transporter gene polymorphisms and obsessive-compulsive disorder/trait empathy in a Korean population.

Accumulating evidence suggests that the glutamatergic system plays a major role in the pathophysiology of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and empathic processing. Particularly, genetic influence of glutamate transporter gene (SLC1A1) on OCD has been frequently replicated in previous studies, but several studies did not replicate the result. Therefore, we aimed to replicate the associations between the SLC1A1 and OCD in a Korean population. In addition, we investigated the influence of SLC1A1 on trait empathy, impairments in which are characteristic of OCD. Six single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of SLC1A1 were genotyped in 615 patients with OCD and 508 healthy controls. The interpersonal reactivity index (IRI)—which consists of four subscales (perspective taking, PT; fantasy seeking, FS; empathic concern, EC; personal distress, PD)—was assessed from 277 patients with OCD and 395 controls. There were no significant associations between OCD and SNPs or haplotypes of SLC1A1. Patients with OCD exhibited significantly lower PT and higher PD scores than controls. The C-T-G haplotype at rs301430-rs301434-rs3087879 of SLC1A1 was significantly associated with higher PD scores after adjusted for age, sex, and OCD status. Our results suggest that six common SNPs of SLC1A1 may not contribute to the development of OCD, but may contribute to certain aspect of trait empathy such as personal distress. However, insufficient sample size and limited number of SLC1A1 SNPs may have reduced the likelihood of detecting significant associations. Therefore, further studies with larger sample size and more tag SNPs of the SLC1A1 gene were warranted.

Assessment of Spasticity by a Pendulum Test in SCI Patients Who Exercise FES Cycling or Receive Only Conventional Therapy.

Increased muscle tone and exaggerated tendon reflexes characterize most of the individuals after a spinal cord injury (SCI). We estimated seven parameters from the pendulum test and used them to compare with the Ashworth modified scale of spasticity grades in three populations (retrospective study) to assess their spasticity. Three ASIA B SCI patients who exercised on a stationary FES bicycle formed group F, six ASIA B SCI patients who received only conventional therapy were in the group C, and six healthy individuals constituted the group H. The parameters from the pendulum test were used to form a single measure, termed the PT score, for each subject. The pendulum test parameters show differences between the F and C groups, but not between the F and H groups, however, statistical significance was limited due to the small study size. Results show a small deviation from the mean for all parameters in the F group and substantial deviations from the mean for the parameters in the C group. PT scores show significant differences between the F and C groups and the C and H groups and no differences between the F and C groups. The correlation between the PT score and Ashworth score was 0.88.

Effects of psycho-scene-drama on empathic ability of patients with chronic schizophrenia

Objective The purpose of the current study was to determine the effects of psycho-scene drama on the empathic ability of patients with chronic schizophrenia. Methods One hundred sixteen in-patients with chronic schizophrenia were randomly divided into study and control groups (n=58 cases each). The original anti-psychotic drugs were not changed in either group. In the study group, the therapy was combined with psychological scene drama with a treatment course of 3 months. Before and after treatment, the interpersonal reaction index scale (Chinese version [IRI-C]), negative syndrome scale (SANS), social function assessment scale for patients with mental diseases (SSPI), Rosenberg self-esteem scale (SES), the emotional-social loneliness inventory (ESLI), and the Texas social behavior inventory (TSBI) were utilized for measurements. Results A comparison of the IRI-C total, PT, FS, and EC factor scores before and after treatment in the study group was significantly different (P 0.05). A comparison of the IRI-C total score and each factor score before and after treatment in the control group was not significantly different (P>0.05). A comparison of the IRI-C total, PT, and EC factor scores between the study and control groups after treatment was significantly different (P 0.05). A comparison of the SANS total, SSPI total, SES total, and ESLI total scores between the two groups after treatment was significantly different (P Conclusion The psycho-scene drama can improve the empathic ability of patients with chronic schizophrenia, improve the negative symptoms and social function, increase the selfesteem and self-confidence, and reduce the loneliness in social interactions.

Proficiency testing for HIV, tuberculosis and malaria diagnosis in clinical laboratories in Nigeria.

BackgroundProficiency testing (PT) is a means of verifying the reliability of laboratory results, but such programmes are not readily available to laboratories in developing countries. This project provided PT to laboratories in Nigeria.ObjectivesTo assess the proficiency of laboratories in the diagnosis of HIV, tuberculosis and malaria.MethodsThis was a prospective study carried out between 2009 and 2011. A structured questionnaire was administered to 106 randomly-selected laboratories. Forty-four indicated their interest in participation and were enrolled. Four rounds of pre-characterised plasma panels for HIV, sputum films for tuberculosis and blood films for malaria were distributed quarterly by courier over the course of one year. The results were returned within two weeks and scores of ≥ 80% were reported as satisfactory. Mentoring was offered after the first and second PT rounds.ResultsAverage HIV PT scores increased from 74% to 95% from the first round to the third round, but decreased in the fourth round. For diagnosis of tuberculosis, average scores increased from 42% in the first round to 78% in the second round; but a decrease to 34% was observed in the fourth round. Malaria PT performance was 2% at first, but average scores increased between the second and fourth rounds, culminating in a fourth-round score of 39%. Many participants requested training and mentoring.ConclusionsThere were gross deficiencies in the quality of laboratory services rendered across Nigeria. In-country PT programmes, implemented in conjunction with mentoring, will improve coverage and diagnosis of HIV, tuberculosis and malaria.

A comparison of physiotherapy students' and recently graduated physiotherapists' attitudes and beliefs to patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) in Ireland – A pilot study

INTRODUCTION: Education has been found to influence the development of physiotherapists’ attitudes and beliefs regarding people with chronic low back pain (CLBP). The aims of this study were: to determine the difference in biomedical and biopsychosocial orientations between recently graduated and third year physiotherapy students, and to assess the relationship between these orientations and their adherence to evidence-based guidelines, particularly the advice they would provide to patients regarding work and activity levels. METHODS: A total of 47 students (46%) from the UCD BSc Physiotherapy programme participated in the study, completing the pain attitudes and beliefs scale for physiotherapists (PABS PT), and a clinical vignette via SurveyMonkey. RESULTS: The findings showed that recently graduated students were significantly less biomedically-orientated than the stage three students (z = −2.981; p = 0.003), but there was no difference between student groups in their biopsychosocial orientation (z= −1.037; p = 0.300). There was no association between PABS PT scores and the vignettes in either group (p > 0.05). Also, no significant differences between the groups’ vignette responses were found, with the majority recommending advice that was not strictly consistent with evidence-based guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicated that while education may influence students’ biomedical orientations, a relationship between these attitudes and beliefs and adherence to guidelines was not established, suggesting that more emphasis should be placed within undergraduate physiotherapy education on enhancing students’ biopsychosocial orientations. Further research incorporating all taught BSc Physiotherapy programmes in the Republic of Ireland would provide definitive evidence of the impact of education on determining students’ orientations.

Norms for the Developmental Eye Movement Test for Portuguese Children

This work aims to define contemporary scores for the Developmental Eye Movement Test (DEM) for native Portuguese-speaking children (PT) and to compare these scores with three other published scores: the original norms, published in 1987 for American English-speaking children (U.S.) and two other scores published in 1995 (SP1) and 2003 (SP2) for Spanish-speaking children. A standard DEM test was administered to 695 young students ranging in age from 6 to 13 years from the region of Braga, Portugal. The mean PT scores for vertical time and adjusted horizontal time as well as the corresponding errors and ratio were calculated according to age and grade, and these results were compared with those from other studies. In addition, the clinical response types (age and grade) were obtained based on mean PT scores. For several ages/grades, the scores obtained in this study were significantly different from the scores reported in other studies. A global qualitative analysis showed that PT made fewer errors and had similar ratios when compared with U.S. and SP2. However, PT were generally slower in vertical time and adjusted horizontal time in the younger age groups. When comparing PT and SP1, a higher ratio for SP1 was determined in all ages. The clinical response types signified below-normal performance scores for ages 6 to 9 and grades 1 to 5. The unusually large number of oculomotor and/or automaticity problems found in this normal PT population using a test based on U.S. norms highlights the need for PT-specific guidelines. It appears that DEM scores may be affected by differences in language, educational systems, and/or cultural systems. Therefore, clinicians should be aware of these findings when using the DEM test on children in countries with differing languages and cultures.

Distractibility as a function of MMPI HY and PT scores.

Journal of Clinical PsychologyVolume 27, Issue 4 p. 491-492 Psychodiagnostics: Personality Inventory and Check List Method Distractibility as a function of MMPI HY and PT scores Sanford Golin, Sanford Golin University of PittsburghSearch for more papers by this authorNorman Solkoff, Norman Solkoff State University of New York, BuffaloSearch for more papers by this authorAnne K. Golin, Anne K. Golin University of PittsburghSearch for more papers by this author Sanford Golin, Sanford Golin University of PittsburghSearch for more papers by this authorNorman Solkoff, Norman Solkoff State University of New York, BuffaloSearch for more papers by this authorAnne K. Golin, Anne K. Golin University of PittsburghSearch for more papers by this author First published: October 1971 https://doi.org/10.1002/1097-4679(197110)27:4<491::AID-JCLP2270270427>3.0.CO;2-JAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL No abstract is available for this article. Volume27, Issue4October 1971Pages 491-492 RelatedInformation