Quasi-experimental Research Articles

The role of biomechanics in enhancing cognitive function and learning outcomes in English language teaching

Language learning, traditionally taught through memory and repetition, often overlooks the role of physical movement in enhancing cognitive and linguistic abilities. Theories like embodied cognition and motor learning suggest that cognitive functions are closely linked to physical actions. Research suggests that posture, gestures, and movement can improve language processing and comprehension. However, the practical integration of biomechanical principles into structured language teaching remains underexplored. Previous studies on gesture-based learning and movement-enhanced vocabulary acquisition indicate potential benefits but lack a comprehensive approach. This study introduces a series of biomechanical interventions in English language teaching, including posture training, movement-based vocabulary learning, sensory-motor integration, and kinesthetic learning techniques. A quasi-experimental design with 115 12–16-year-olds was used for 8 weeks. The experimental group received biomechanical interventions, and the control group received traditional teaching. Cognitive function and language outcomes were assessed pre-and post-assessment. The experimental group showed significant cognitive function improvements, with scores rising from 78.5 ± 5.6 to 89.3 ± 4.8, while the control group showed only a minor change (77.9 ± 5.8 to 80.7 ± 5.5, t = 4.56, p = 0.002, d = 1.78 In the experimental group, vocabulary scores increased from 85.6 ± 7.4 to 92.3 ± 6.2 (t = 3.22, p = 0.008, d = 1.03). Memory improvement correlated strongly with vocabulary acquisition (r = 0.68, p = 0.003). Also, engagement frequency increased (p = 0.004).

Gun Free Zones in Alcohol-Serving Establishments and Risk for Firearm Violence: A Cross-Sectional, Geospatial Study in Texas.

To date, there have been no peer-reviewed studies in the United Statesestimating the impact of gun-free zonepolicies in alcohol-serving establishments on rates of firearm violencein and aroundsuch establishments. In this study, we utilized a cross-sectional design to estimate the impact of Texas's 51% alcohol law, which prohibits the carrying of firearms in establishments that generate over half of their revenue from alcohol sales. The analysis focused on the difference in shooting incidents in and around establishments with and without firearm carrying prohibitions in 2021 and 2022. After adjusting for establishment type (bar/restaurant), alcohol sales volume, census tract level demographic factors, and the number of nearby restaurants and bars, results indicated that gun-prohibiting bars experienced significantly fewer shootings compared to those that allowed guns. Specifically, establishments that were gun-prohibited had 37% fewer shootings within 50m than those that were gun-allowing, with a 95% confidence interval ranging from 60% fewer to 0.2% fewer. This association was more prominent in bars than in restaurants. The protective association with gun-prohibited status diminished with increased distance from the establishments; results were not significant at 100m. Our study findings align with research suggesting that gun-free zones can reduce firearm violence. However, future studies using quasi-experimental designs that can better support causal inference are needed to support such a conclusion, as are studies exploring the efficacy of such policies in various settings and over longer periods.

The effects of physical activity interventions on self-esteem during and after cancer treatment: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

To investigate the effect of physical activity (PA) (both general and its type) on self-esteem during and after cancer treatment. A systematic search was conducted across PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, SPORTDiscuss, and PsycINFO from their inception to February 2024. The systematic review included 32 studies, with 15 studies (13 RCT and 2 quasi-experimental) and 3604 participants (66.7% female) included in the meta-analysis involving controlled trials using a control group and at least one PA intervention group. The study was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022309771). Risk of bias for RCTs was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessing risk of bias (RoB2), and quasi-experimental studies with the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tool. PA significantly improved self-esteem during and after cancer treatment (pooled SMD = 0.32, p < 0.01). Specifically, aerobic PA (pooled SMD = 0.33, p = 0.04) and mind-body exercise (pooled SMD = 0.70, p = 0.03) had positive effects on self-esteem. Overall, PA interventions improved self-esteem during cancer treatment (pooled SMD = 0.50, p = 0.01) and in PA interventions lasting more than 12 weeks (pooled SMD = 0.44, p = 0.02). In conclusion, PA (specifically, aerobic and mind-body exercises) may have a positive effect on self-esteem during and after cancer treatment, with cancer status and the duration of the intervention being key factors.

The Effect of TGT (Teams Games Tournament) Learning Model on Statistics Material of Grade VII on Mathematical Problem Solving Ability

The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of the TGT (Teams Games Tournament) learning model on statistics material for class VII junior high school on mathematical problem solving abilities. This research was a quantitative research using Quasi Experimental Design. The sampling technique in this study used purposive sampling. Class VII D, consisted of 24 students as the experimental class and class VII C consisted 24 students as the control class. The instruments used in this research were Pretest-Posttest with 3 questions. The data analysis techniques used in processing the data were analysis prerequisite tests (normality test and homogeneity test), hypothesis testing, and the N-Gain test. Based on the results of calculations that have been carried out, the posttest average value for the experimental class was 92, while the posttest average value for the control class was 85. In addition, based on the data obtained from the results of the hypothesis testing, it results that the value is 0.000 then Ho is rejected and Ha is accepted. This is in line with the average N-Gain value in the experimental class resulting in 0.82 high criteria, while the average N-Gain value in the control class produces 0.66 medium criteria. So it can be concluded that there is an influence of the TGT (Teams Games Tournament) learning model on students' mathematical problem solving abilities.

The Effect of Adjuvant Therapy on Metabolic Syndrome in Schizophrenia Patients at Madani Hospital

Background: Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that impacts behavior, emotions, and communication. In recent years, atypical antipsychotics have been increasingly prescribed because they significantly reduce both positive and negative symptoms. However, the long-term effects of atypical can cause metabolic syndrome. Additional therapy is provided to maximize the primary therapy and reduce the side effects. Method: This study used a quasi-experimental design with a single-blind, pretest-posttest approach. Patients who had been using atypical antipsychotics, either monotherapy or combination therapy, for more than 3 were examined pretest to determine metabolic syndrome levels. Group A received adjuvant therapy, while Group B did not receive adjuvant therapy. Based on this data, an analysis of the reduction in metabolic syndrome categories was conducted. Result: The percentage of schizophrenia patients by gender was dominated by males (60%). By age, the majority were adults (87%). In Group A, the incidence of metabolic syndrome decreased from 53% in the pretest to 40% in the posttest after being given vitamin A, B, and folic acid therapy. The most commonly used other medication was THP (38%). Conclusion: The administration of adjuvant therapy with vitamins A, B, E, and folic acid can reduce the value of one or two of the five metabolic syndrome criteria for schizophrenia patients (p = 0.052) compared to the group of patients who did not receive vitamins A, B, E, and folic acid adjuvant therapy. Future research should use a longer duration to observe the effects of vitamins A, B, E, and folic acid and evaluate their therapeutic doses. Additionally, it should narrow down the criteria for medication use, focusing solely on the atypical antipsychotic’s clozapine or olanzapine.

Raising Children, Rising Debt: Mortgage Debt Among American Families

American households owe more than $12 trillion in mortgages, which represents the main source of a family’s debt. Scholars connect mortgages to the desire of families, especially better-off households, to seek housing in neighborhoods with good schools for their children, which tend to be more expensive. Although this perspective assumes a children–mortgage link, we do not know whether having children actually increases mortgage, nor whether and how this relationship varies by household income. To examine these issues, we use eleven waves of the Panel Study of Income Dynamics data between 1997 and 2017 and individual fixed effects, as well as propensity score matching and a quasi-experimental design. Our analyses show that generally, (1) families with children are more likely to have mortgage debt and in greater amounts; (2) it is families in the 60th to 100th income percentile who have the most mortgage debt; and (3) critically, families in the roughly 10th to 60th income percentile have more mortgage debt due to having children. These findings defy assumptions that it is well-to-do families that take on more mortgage debt as part of intensive or concerted cultivation parenting practices. Rather, our findings suggest that families who take on mortgage debt related to their children tend to be those in more economically precarious positions for whom debt for the sake of kids may be a financial burden. As such, our findings provide suggestive evidence that financially intensive parenting may contribute to growing wealth inequality among American families with children.

The role of nurses in smoking cessation interventions for patients: a scoping review

BackgroundSmoking is a significant global public health concern, presenting substantial risks to individuals' health. Smoking cessation is essential for improving patients' well-being, and nurses play a critical role in assisting patients to quit smoking. However, there is a lack of research on nurses' specialized roles in smoking cessation interventions for patients.ObjectiveTo define the specific responsibilities of nurses in facilitating smoking cessation among patients, and provide guidance for future nursing interventions in smoking cessation.MethodsThe scoping review process was conducted for Arksey and O’Malley’s framework. Based on the three-step search strategy of Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI), a comprehensive search was performed across ten databases including PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, OVID, PsycINFO, CNKI, Wan Fang Data Knowledge Service Platform, and VIP Database for Chinese Technical Periodicals, covering studies from the inception of the databases to February 2024. The inclusion and exclusion criteria were developed using the JBI (participants, content, and context) principle. Randomized controlled trials or quasi-experimental studies with nurse-led or involved smoking cessation interventions for patients were included. Data extraction was conducted independently by two reviewers. The findings were reported following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR).ResultsIn total, 53 studies were eligible for the final charting and synthesis. The analysis identified six key roles that nurses played in smoking cessation interventions: assessors, educators, practice facilitators, coordinating collaborators, organizers, and supervisors. Among these, the roles of assessors, educators, and practice facilitators were the most commonly reported. The motivation interview and 5A method were the predominant techniques employed for smoking cessation. Nurses primarily promoted smoking cessation through the distribution of pamphlets, face-to-face education, and the provision of smoking cessation guidance. The primary participants in these studies were patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).ConclusionsNurses play an indispensable role in smoking cessation interventions, occupying multiple critical roles. However, this review identified a gap in the pre-intervention training of nurses, indicating a need for enhanced training programs to better prepare nurses for effective smoking cessation interventions.

Adoption of quick response codes as a digital microlearning tool among clinical nurses: a quasi-experimental study.

The rapid growth of technology forced enormous changes in the provision of healthcare services. Different strategies are used to keep nurses up to date with rapid changes in health systems. Microlearning is one of the new methods of teaching professional skills to health workers. This method is effective in care settings that have many limitations in terms of time and place. However, it is very important to test the acceptability of this method among nurses before practical measures are taken for its widespread use. This study aimed to determine nurses' acceptance rate of quick response code as a microlearning tool in workplace. This is a cross-sectional study was conducted in medical and surgical wards in hospitals affiliated to Guilan University of Medical Sciences. 185 nurses participated in the study. A number of selected medical devices were labeled with quick response codes containing educational content. The eligible nurses were instructed how to use the QR codes. After two months, they were asked to complete a questionnaire adapted from the technology acceptance model 3. SPSS 21 software was used to analyze the data. 166 nurses and 19 head nurses with mean age of 34.26 ± 8.17 years and mean work experience of 10.46 ± 7.64 years completed the questionnaires. Most participants were female, married, with a bachelor's degree, worked on rotating shifts, in medical wards. The findings showed that the acceptance of the quick response code as a learning tool was at a moderate level (M = 66.1, SD = 16.6). Statistically, there was no significant relationship between nurses' demographic characteristics and the total acceptance rate (P > 0.05). However, the analyses at the multivariate level, using multiple linear regression, showed a significant superiority of the total acceptance score in head nurses compared to nurses (b = 7.97, P = 0.047) and in nurses who had previous experience of using quick response codes, compared to colleagues without such experience (b = 5.18, P = 0.036). Based on the coefficient of determination, only 6.1% of the changes in the total acceptance score of quick response codes of nurses are explained by their personal-occupational characteristics (R2 = 0.061). The provision of QR code requirements such as necessary infrastructure and training by the health authorities could increase the acceptance of this tool as a microlearning measure.

Cultivating creative thinking in Pakistani public schools: a quasi-experimental study

Cultivating creative thinking in Pakistani public schools: a quasi-experimental study

Service-Delivery Models to Increase the Uptake of Non-Communicable Disease Screening in South-Central Ethiopia: A Difference-In-Differences Analysis

Background: Screening for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is a critical step for early detection and the prevention of consequent morbidity and mortality. To facilitate NCD screening, the Ethiopian Ministry of Health has developed screening guidelines. However, like other low- and middle-income countries, interventions to increase the uptake of NCD-screening services in Ethiopia remain ineffective. Thus, this study aimed to determine the effectiveness of service delivery models to increase NCD-screening service uptake in south-central Ethiopia. Method: A health-facility-based quasi-experimental study design was employed to determine the effectiveness of providing a multiple-NCD-screening service in addition to social- and behavioral-change communication (SBCC) intervention to increase the uptake of NCD-screening services. The interviewer-administered structured questionnaire was adapted from previously published research and used to collect data during the baseline and end-line survey periods. A difference-in-differences analysis was used to determine the effectiveness of the intervention. Results: Compared with routine care, the availability of a multiple-NCD-screening service, together with SBCC intervention, was found to significantly increase the uptake of cervical cancer screening, clinical breast examination, blood pressure measurement, and blood glucose-measurement services, by 18, 9, 44 and 23 percent points, respectively. However, the availability of a multiple-NCD-screening service without SBCC intervention increased clinical breast-examination service uptake by 9% point and blood glucose-measurement service uptake by 18% point without increasing the uptake of cervical cancer-screening or blood pressure-measurement services. Conclusion: The integration of multiple-NCD-screening services accompanied by SBCC intervention that promotes them is an important approach for improving the uptake of NCD-screening services.

The Effect of Fordyce Happiness Training on Life Expectancy and Quality of Life in Hemodialysis Patients: An Intervention Study in Yazd, Iran

Background: Dialysis patients frequently experience issues such as fear, reduced social activity, and hopelessness due to lifestyle changes and treatment requirements. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the effect of Fordyce happiness training on quality of life and life expectancy in hemodialysis patients. Methods: This quasi-experimental intervention study involved 48 hemodialysis patients who were referred to Shahid Rahnemoun Hospital in Yazd, Iran, and selected through simple random sampling. Data collection tools included the Quality-of-Life Questionnaire for Kidney Patients (KDQOL-36) and the Miller Life Examination Questionnaire. Patients participated in ten 60-minute training sessions, held twice weekly. Data were collected at baseline and one month after the intervention and analyzed using SPSS 21 software. Results: Following Fordyce's happiness training, levels of potassium (K), creatinine (Cr), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) in patients significantly decreased. Before the intervention, the mean scores for quality of life and life expectancy in dialysis patients were 51.9 ±28.27 and 169.75 ±11.95, respectively, which increased to 64.66 ±27.17 and 179.95 ±9.37 after the intervention. Paired t-test results indicated that Fordyce happiness training had a statistically significant positive effect on patients' quality of life (P &lt; 0.05) and life expectancy (P &lt; 0.05). Conclusions: The Fordyce happiness training program can improve quality of life and life expectancy in dialysis patients. In other words, happiness training may serve as a preventive strategy against mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, and life dissatisfaction in dialysis patients.

Effectiveness, efficacy, acceptability, and feasibility of trauma-informed depression, anxiety, and substance use prevention programs for young people aged 12-25 years: A mixed-methods systematic review.

Mental ill-health and substance use bear significant public health burden on young people. Prevention is key. Trauma-informed approaches to prevention of mental ill-health and substance use demonstrate significant promise, yet it is unclear how well existing approaches work for young people targeting mental ill-health and substance use. This review aimed to assess the effectiveness, feasibility, and acceptability of trauma-informed mental ill-health and/or substance use prevention programs for young people. We searched the PsycINFO, CINAHL, Embase, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Library reference databases for peer-reviewed studies of trauma-informed mental ill-health and/or substance use prevention programs for young people published between 2013 and 2022. Studies in any language were included and reference lists of included articles were scanned for additional studies of relevance. In total, 30 studies were included in this review, comprising five randomized controlled trials (RCTs), seven non-RCTs, 10 quasi-experimental designs, and eight qualitative studies. Among the 30 studies, 27 unique trauma-informed prevention interventions were detailed. Eighteen studies reported statistically significant decreases in mental ill-health, and two studies reported significant decreases in substance use outcomes among participants, up to 6 months following the interventions. Most preventative interventions with statistically significant effects were selective (rather than universal or indicated) in their approach (n = 10, 55%). Broad acceptability and feasibility of trauma-informed prevention programs was observed among studies reporting this information though most quantitative studies were at high risk of bias and/or did not include a control group, whilst qualitative studies tended to report research conducted without a priori research aims. This review synthesizes for the first-time evidence on the effectiveness (or efficacy), feasibility, and acceptability of trauma-informed mental ill-health and/or substance use programs for young people, especially for those exposed to traumatic or adverse experiences. While there are promising efficacy outcomes, further research conducting rigorous, well-powered RCTs is required for large-scale evaluation and scaling of the potential preventative benefits of such programs.

Effectiveness of environmental nutrition program on student dietary intake in boarding schools

Background The Environmental Nutrition Program (ENP) as an environmental intervention offers voluntary involvement with students, but persists in exposure. This study aimed to investigate the effect of ENP on students’ dietary intake and nutritional knowledge. Methods A quasi-experimental study was conducted with a control school. ENP comprises four activities: the use of uniform food serving tools, nutrition fact displays, food and nutrition information displays, and body weighing awareness. The ENP emphasized voluntary involvement with students but persisted in exposure for over 8-weeks. Multiple passes of 24-hour food recall and validated questionnaires were used in the assessments by a nutritionist. Multiple linear regressions were performed to analyze the effectiveness of ENP. Results A total of 113 female high school students, with a median age of 16 years, were recruited. At baseline, all students had a lower dietary intake than the national recommendation. Except for the stipend, no differences in the characteristics were found among the students. The students’ carbohydrate intake and nutritional knowledge significantly increased after the ENP in the intervention school (p &lt; 0.001). Total energy, protein, and fat intake also improved after ENP. Conclusion ENP activities effectively increased students’ daily carbohydrate intake and nutritional knowledge. Thus, ENP may be appropriate for enhancing nutrition literacy among female students. Future studies with a longer time frame are encouraged to yield sustained, favorable dietary practices.

A quasi-experimental study assessing the effectiveness of a community-based egg intervention in the nutritional and health status of young children from rural Honduras.

This community-public-private-academic coalition project implemented and evaluated the effectiveness of a rural, community-based egg intervention that aimed to support the nutrition and health of children living in rural, poor communities from Intibucá, Honduras, during the COVID-19 pandemic. This investigator-blind, non-randomized, controlled study was informed by a community health improvement process and participatory research. Women from 13 communities were given a microloan to start an egg farm that supplied 1 egg daily to 201 children ages 6-24 months for 1 year (intervention group). Control communities (n = 14) were selected from neighboring municipalities with similar sociodemographic backgrounds based on size. Sociodemographic-, anthropometric-, and morbidity data were collected biannually between January 2021 to January 2022. Outcome changes were compared with linear-, generalized- or Poisson- mixed models adjusted by sex, age, maternal education, breastfeeding status, assets, adults living at home, baseline outcomes, and community-cluster. Baseline to 6- and 12-month weekly frequency of egg intake significantly increased in the intervention vs. the control group: 6-month change = 1.86; 95%CI (1.61, 2.14); 12-month change = 1.63; 95%CI (1.42, 1.87 p<0.001), respectively. Baseline to 12-month changes in the intervention group were not significant for length/height-for-age-z-scores = 0.12, p = 0.187; weight-for-length/height-z-scores = -0.02, p = 0.78; and diarrhea prevalence, AOR = 1.69; 95%CI (0.53, 5.42), p = 0.378. Lower odds of respiratory infections were observed for the intervention vs. the control group at 6- and 12-month post: AOR = 0.28; 95%CI (0.12, 0.63), p = 0.002; AOR = 0.30; 95%CI (0.12, 0.75), p = 0.010, respectively. Children in the intervention group reported consuming eggs more days per week relative to the control group. Lower odds of respiratory infections were observed in the intervention group throughout the study. Ongoing follow-up will offer more insights on the intervention's effectiveness in linear growth, dietary diversity, food security, and other nutritional outcomes.

The Influence of Artificial Intelligence Tools on Student Performance in e-Learning Environments: Case Study

This study investigated the impact of AI-powered personalized learning tools on the academic performance and perceptions of pre-service student teachers enrolled in the Educational Technology course, a compulsory component of the Professional Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching program at Ajman University. A quasi-experimental design was employed with 55 students in the experimental group and 55 in the control group. The experimental group utilized AI-powered tools within the Moodle platform, while the control group received traditional instruction. Pre- and post-tests, along with a rubric-based assessment and a questionnaire, were administered to assess performance, knowledge retention, critical thinking, motivation, and engagement. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences between the groups, favoring the experimental group in terms of academic performance and knowledge retention. Additionally, students in the experimental group demonstrated higher levels of critical thinking, motivation, and engagement. These findings underscore the transformative potential of AI-powered personalized learning tools in teacher education. By integrating AI into educational practices, institutions can revolutionize e-learning by providing personalized instruction, intelligent tutoring, automated grading, and adaptive learning experiences. This can enhance student engagement, improve learning outcomes, and reduce the workload of educators. Ultimately, AI empowers institutions to create more effective and inclusive learning environments that cater to the diverse needs of students and prepare them for the future.

Electromyographic parameters for treatment of pelvic floor disorders in pregnant and postpartum women: A review protocol.

Electromyography is a widely used instrument in clinical practice to evaluate and treat pelvic floor disorders in pregnant and postpartum women. The objective of this study is to analyze the scientific evidence on the electromyography parameters used for treatment of pelvic floor disorders in pregnant women in any gestational week and postpartum women up to 12 months after delivery. A systematic review of randomized controlled experimental studies (clinical trials) and quasi-experimental studies in English, Portuguese or Spanish, which used electromyography as an intervention for treatment of pelvic floor disorders in pregnant or postpartum women up to 12 months after delivery will be performed in online databases (Scopus, Medline, Pedro, Scielo and Pubmed),. Risk of bias assessment will be performed using Cochrane group tools. The Rob 2.0 tool will be used for experimental studies and the Robins-I tool for non-experimental studies. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (no.433510). The quality of the evidence will be analyzed using the GRADE System Methodological Guide and the systematic review structure will be performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.

Application of fine nursing mode in nursing management of blood oncology department

Objective: To explore the effect of fine nursing on cancer-related fatigue (CRF), anxiety, and depression in patients with hematological tumors undergoing chemotherapy, and to provide a feasible intervention plan for clinical management of these symptoms. Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted on patients with hematological tumors undergoing chemotherapy, admitted to our hospital from June 2018 to November 2021. A total of 84 eligible patients were randomly divided into two groups: 44 in the experimental group and 40 in the control group. The control group received routine nursing care, including psychological support, diet guidance, catheter care, bleeding prevention, and chemotherapy guidance. The experimental group received an additional 4 weeks of intensive nursing care on top of the routine care. Results: Three patients withdrew from the study, leaving 42 in the experimental group and 40 in the control group. No significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of demographic and clinical baseline characteristics. Before the intervention, there were no significant differences in CRF, anxiety, and depression scores between the groups. After the intervention, the experimental group showed significantly lower scores in CRF, anxiety, and depression compared to the control group and their own baseline scores. Conclusion: Fine nursing can effectively reduce cancer-related fatigue, anxiety, and depression in patients with hematological tumors undergoing chemotherapy.

Clinical effectiveness of guided breathing exercises in reducing anxiety, stress, and depression in COVID-19 patients

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increase in the prevalence of anxiety, stress and depression among affected people. This study was conducted with the aim of investigating the clinical effectiveness of guided breathing exercises in reducing anxiety, stress and depression in patients with COVID-19. A quasi-experimental study design was used, involving a sample of COVID-19 patients who underwent guided breathing exercises as a complementary therapy. After simple sampling, eligible subjects were randomly divided into two groups: intervention (30 patients) and control (30 patients) using random block method. The Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) questionnaire was administered before and after the intervention to evaluate changes in anxiety, stress, and depression levels. The results of this study demonstrated that clinically guided breathing exercises had a significant effect on reducing anxiety and stress in COVID-19 patients. The intervention significantly reduced anxiety and stress scores (p < 0.001). However, there was no significant reduction in depression scores among patients who participated in guided breathing exercises (p = 0.946). Guided breathing exercises are an effective complementary technique in reducing the level of anxiety and stress in COVID-19 patients. Moreover, the exercises may provide a worthy non-pharmacological approach to managing psychological distress in COVID-19 patients.

Utilising H5P Simulations to Enhance Social Work Education

Higher education is tasked with the challenge of producing graduate-ready professionals. Thus, alternative learning and assessment activities are needed to provide students with real-life complex experiences, particularly in fields like social work. This quasi-experimental design study explored the effectiveness of H5P virtual simulation to teach assessment and direct practice skills to social work students (n = 80). Mixed-methods data based on the pre/post outcomes of skill development were analysed using descriptive and bi-variate analysis as well as thematic analysis for qualitative data. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test reveals significant outcomes in assessment and practice skills between pre- and post-measures. The qualitative findings include three key themes: (1) realism, (2) engagement, and (3) practice skills. This study provides evidence and highlights the importance of using virtual simulation to help students develop skills to manage complex real-world problems.

Microbiological surveillance result of endoscopes after INTERCEPT Foam Spray: a quasi-experimental pilot study in Singapore.

This study aimed to assess the impact of INTERCEPT Foam Spray (IFS) application on delayed endoscope reprocessing through microbiological surveillance culture (MSC). A quasi-experimental, matched-comparison pilot study was conducted using gastrointestinal endoscopy. IFS was applied to the endoscopes after precleaning and before reprocessing the next day. An equal number of endoscopes, matched by endoscope type, were subjected to routine reprocessing. The MSC were subjected to high-level disinfection to detect any contamination. Data were analyzed using the chi-square test or Fisher exact test (categorical data) and Student t-test (continuous data). In total, 150 MSCs were collected from 42 endoscopes. Positive MSCs were observed in 4.0% (4/75) of the sprayed group and 1.3% (1/75) of the control group (95% confidence interval [CI], 30.34-0.31; p>0.05), all of which were contributed by colonoscopes. Colonoscope were more prone to positive MSC (mean difference in percentage, p<0.05). Mean spraying hours were not associated with detected growth (11.7% vs. 13.6; 95% CI, 1.43 to -5.27; p>0.05), with environmental and skin flora being the primary contaminants. IFS may be applied when delayed endoscope processing is necessary, but with caution when applied to colonoscopes. However, further research is warranted to verify the result.