Significant Reduction In Perception Research Articles

The minimal clinically important difference for gait speed in significant unilateral vestibular hypofunction after vestibular rehabilitation

Gait speed is a valid measure of both physical function and vestibular health. Vestibular rehabilitation is useful to improve gait speed for patients with vestibular hypofunction, yet there is little data to indicate how changes in gait speed reflect changes in patient-reported health outcomes. We determined the minimal clinically important difference in the gait speed of patients with unilateral vestibular hypofunction, mostly due to deafferentation surgery, as anchored to the Dizziness Handicap Index and the Activities Balance Confidence scale, validated using regression analysis, change difference, receiver-operator characteristic curve, and average change methods. After six weeks of vestibular rehabilitation, a change in gait speed from 0.20 to 0.34 m/s with 95% confidence was required for the patients to perceive a significant reduction in perception of dizziness and improved balance confidence.

Older Women's Loneliness and Depression Decreased by a Reminiscence Program in Times of COVID-19.

The confinement caused by the current COVID-19 pandemic protects physical health, but in turn, has a long-lasting and far-reaching negative psychosocial impact; anxiety, stress, fear and depressive symptoms. All of these have a particular impact on vulnerable older people, putting them at serious risk of loneliness. Women report feeling lonelier than men, affecting women to a greater extent. The present study aims to analyze the efficacy of an integrative reminiscence intervention in older women living in nursing homes to reduce the effects of loneliness and depression after COVID-19. 34 older women living in nursing homes are included into study and were divided into intervention group (N = 14) and control group (N = 20). Results showed a significant reduction in perception of loneliness, depression and better positive affects, after the intervention. The pandemic has not yet finished and the most affected group has been the people living in nursing homes. These results show the need for evidence of interventions that can help the recovery of these people who have been so affected. The effects of loneliness during confinement and its psychological effects can be mitigated through such programs.

Development, feasibility, acceptability and preliminary evaluation of the internet and mobile phone-based BSHAPE intervention for Immigrant survivors of cumulative trauma

BackgroundCumulative trauma exposures can have a profound effect on women's health and well-being. Black immigrant women are disproportionately affected by cumulative trauma experiences that place them at risk for multiple health issues such as reproductive sexual health problems and HIV, or mental health problems such as PTSD. The trauma-informed internet and mobile phone-based Being Safe, Healthy, and Positively Empowered (BSHAPE) intervention was designed to comprehensively assess for cumulative traumatic experiences, for current safety, and to address women's co-occurring healthcare needs through educational, psychoeducational, and mindfulness-based stress-reduction components. PurposeThis paper describes the development, feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary evaluation of the computer and phone delivered BSHAPE intervention among adult Black immigrant women survivors of cumulative trauma. MethodSeventy women participated in the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary evaluation of BSHAPE, with outcomes assessed at post-intervention. The feasibility and acceptability outcomes assessed were enrollment, adherence, and perceptions of the intervention. Preliminary evaluation outcomes included perceived stress, stress management, trauma coping self-efficacy, mindfulness, mental health (MH), HIV/STI risk, general empowerment, and empowerment related to safety. ConclusionsFindings suggest that a BSHAPE intervention is feasible and acceptable. Overall, women reported satisfaction with BSHAPE and provided suggestions for improvement. Women showed significant reduction in perceptions of stress, improved stress-management, enhanced self-efficacy, reduced HIV/STI risk, and improved MH, overall empowerment, as well as empowerment related to safety. The findings of this study will be useful in further refining BSHAPE and testing it in a full-scale randomized controlled trial.Trial Registration:NCT03664362

Assessment of Donor Site Morbidity Following Fibula Flap Transfer.

To assess donor site morbidity for patients who underwent mandibular reconstruction by fibula free flap. The data were recorded from medical records and clinical questioner of patients from 2013 to 2016. Predictor variables were drawn from demographics of patients who had mandible defect reconstructed with free fibula flap. The outcome variables were drawn from point evaluation system for pain, walking ability, activities of daily living, gait alteration, cosmetic appearance using validated 10-point self-assessment scale. The assessment was done postoperatively at intervals of 15days, 1month, 3months and 6months. ANOVA test was used to measure the statistical significance. There was significant reduction in perception of pain, significant improvement in walking ability, activities of daily living, gait and cosmetic appearance postoperatively after 6months (P < 0.005). Point evaluation system is a simple and effective tool to understand the postoperative morbidity. Donor site morbidity following fibula harvest was low without any major complications.

Assessing the Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Stress Management (CBSM) on Pain Perception of Cancer Patients

Background: Disease-related cancer pain is a multidimensional phenomenon. Psychological factors that may alter pain perception in cancer patients have not been well studied. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral stress therapy on distress in patients with cancer.Patients and Methods: In a cross-sectional study of consecutive patients (32-70 years), progression of their disease was at levels 1 to 3, high cycle education, and 3 months of chemotherapy, of which 40 were randomly available to the study and allocated to two groups (20 in experimental and 20 in control groups). The instrument was a McGill pain questionnaire (1997). Data were analyzed using two methods of Kolmogorov-Smirnov inferential statistics and multivariate analysis of covariance using SPSS Ver.17.Results: Correlation analysis showed that the experimental group had a significant reduction in perception of pain, in the posttest after the experiment compared with the control group.Conclusion: The short-term cognitive-behavioral stress management program could reduce the perception of pain in cancer patients.

A mechanism of action classification method unifying toxicology and ecotoxicology

Although the effectiveness of pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with chronic obstructive lung disease, cystic fibrosis, and interstitial lung disease is well documented, little is known about pulmonary rehabilitation in patients who are referred for lung transplantation. Nordic walking is a low-cost and accessible form of physical exercise with proven benefits. The purpose of this prospective study was to examine the effects of Nordic walking on lung function, perception of dyspnea, and health-related quality of life in patients referred for lung transplantation.Twenty-two of 40 patients who was qualified for lung transplantation at the Department of Lung Diseases in Zabrze, Poland, completed a rehabilitation program consisting of 12 weeks of Nordic walking. Lung function tests, exercise tolerance, and perception of dyspnea and quality of life were assessed before and after completion of the program.No adverse events were observed during the rehabilitation program. After 12 weeks, there was a significant increase in mean 6-minute walk distance (374 meters vs 288 meters, P < .034) and a significant reduction in perception of dyspnea after completion of the rehabilitation program. Assessment of general health and quality of life showed significant improvement (P < .05). No significant changes in lung function tests were noted.Nordic walking is a safe and feasible physical activity for pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with end-stage lung disease who are referred for lung transplantation. This rehabilitation technique results in significant improvements in patient mobility and quality of life.

Nordic Walking in Pulmonary Rehabilitation of Patients Referred for Lung Transplantation

BackgroundAlthough the effectiveness of pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with chronic obstructive lung disease, cystic fibrosis, and interstitial lung disease is well documented, little is known about pulmonary rehabilitation in patients who are referred for lung transplantation. Nordic walking is a low-cost and accessible form of physical exercise with proven benefits. The purpose of this prospective study was to examine the effects of Nordic walking on lung function, perception of dyspnea, and health-related quality of life in patients referred for lung transplantation. MethodsTwenty-two of 40 patients who was qualified for lung transplantation at the Department of Lung Diseases in Zabrze, Poland, completed a rehabilitation program consisting of 12 weeks of Nordic walking. Lung function tests, exercise tolerance, and perception of dyspnea and quality of life were assessed before and after completion of the program. ResultsNo adverse events were observed during the rehabilitation program. After 12 weeks, there was a significant increase in mean 6-minute walk distance (374 meters vs 288 meters, P < .034) and a significant reduction in perception of dyspnea after completion of the rehabilitation program. Assessment of general health and quality of life showed significant improvement (P < .05). No significant changes in lung function tests were noted. ConclusionNordic walking is a safe and feasible physical activity for pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with end-stage lung disease who are referred for lung transplantation. This rehabilitation technique results in significant improvements in patient mobility and quality of life.

CEREBROVASCULAR FUNCTION, COGNITION AND OVERALL WELL-BEING IN POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN ARE IMPROVED FOLLOWING REGULAR RESVERATROL SUPPLEMENTATION

Impairment of cerebrovascular function is evident after menopause, which may explain the heightened risk of dementia in postmenopausal women. We tested whether supplementation with resveratrol (a phytoestrogen) could improve their cerebrovascular function and cognitive performance and overall well-being. Eighty community dwelling postmenopausal women aged 45–85 years were randomised to take resveratrol (resVida™, 2 x 75 mg/day) or placebo for 14 weeks and changes in the following were assessed: cognitive tests for executive function, semantic, verbal and visuospatial working memory; transcranial Doppler ultrasound recording of percent increase of blood flow velocity in the middle cerebral artery to both cognitive testing and hypercapnia (breathing carbogen gas for 3 min), which assessed neurovascular coupling capacity and global vasodilatation respectively. Rating scales from self-reports of pain, sleep, menopausal symptoms, mood states and quality of life using Short-Form 36 were averaged to provide a composite score representing overall well-being. Compared to placebo, supplementation with resveratrol elicited 17% increases in cerebrovascular responsiveness (CVR) to both the hypercapnic (P=0.010) and cognitive stimuli (P=0.002). The latter was an overall response to the cognitive test battery. There were also increases in CVR to verbal memory (P=0.041) and in overall cognitive performance (p=0.020) that correlated with the enhancement of neurovascular coupling capacity (r=0.327, P=0.048). We also found a significant reduction in perception of pain (P<0.001), attributable to age-related osteoarthritis, and an improvement in overall well-being (P=0.008) following supplementation; both outcomes correlated with the treatment change in CVR to hypercapnia. Neither pain reduction nor boosting of overall well-being significantly correlated with the improvement of cognitive performance. This is the first demonstration that regular consumption of a modest dose of resveratrol can enhance cognition and overall well-being and reduce pain perception in postmenopausal women; all of which were partially attributed to enhancement of cerebrovascular function. Further investigation elucidating the underlying mechanisms involving circulatory function and age-related chronic pain is warranted. Our findings offer a promising new approach for reducing the heightened risk of accelerated cognitive decline in this population.

Plain packaging implementation: perceptions of risk and prestige of cigarette brands among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

ObjectivesTo assess the impact of plain packaging with larger graphic health warnings on perceptions of risk and prestige related to different cigarette brands among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Australian Capital Territory. We hypothesised that the changes would decrease perceptions that ‘some cigarette brands are more harmful than others’, and that ‘some brands are more prestigious than others’, and this would be stronger among participants aged ≤35 years, and among smokers compared with non‐smokers. MethodsParticipants completed the survey prior to packaging changes, and were followed up 12 months later (n=98). Repeated measures ANCOVAs assessed perception changes. ResultsFollowing plain packaging implementation, there was a significant reduction in perceptions that ‘some cigarette brands are more harmful than others’. There was no overall change in perceptions of prestige. However, there was a significant interaction for age. Analyses indicated a reduction in perceptions that ‘some cigarette brands are more prestigious than others’ among younger participants (p=0.05), but no change among older participants (p>0.20). There was no interaction for smoking status for perceptions of prestige, indicating smokers' and non‐smokers' perceptions did not differ on this measure. ConclusionsThese findings provide support for the packaging changes.

Knowledge of campaign finance regulation reduces perceptions of corruption

AbstractWe use an experimental survey design to measure how campaign finance regulation influences perceptions of political corruption and trust in politicians when citizens are exposed to information about regulation. Unlike most observational studies, results of this experimental study suggest that knowledge of campaign finance regulation substantially reduces citizens’ perceptions of corruption but has only limited effect on trust in politicians. Findings have crucial implications for public policy. At a time when public cynicism about politics is high, a significant reduction in perceptions of political corruption through successful dissemination of campaign finance regulation would be a boost to the legitimacy of democracies.

Knowledge of Campaign Finance Regulation and Attitudes towards Politics

We use an experimental design to measure how campaign (political) finance regulation influences perceptions of political corruption and trust in politicians when citizens are actually exposed to information about regulation. Unlike most of the observational studies in the literature, results of this experimental study suggest that knowledge of campaign finance regulation substantially reduces citizens’ perceptions of corruption but has only limited effect on trust in politicians. Our findings regarding the positive effect of knowledge of campaign finance regulation on perception of political corruption have crucial and urgent implications for public policy, as well as for informing the public about campaign finance regulation. At a time when public cynicism about politics is high, a significant reduction in perceptions of political corruption through successful dissemination of campaign finance regulation would be a boost to the legitimacy of democracies. The findings, however, suggest that the effect of information on regulation could be dependent on the context.

Bullying and harassment: a case of success?

PurposeThis paper aims to examine an attempt by an organisation to address the significant problem of bullying and harassment. In doing so the paper particularly centres on the question of how the relative success of bullying and harassment policies might be measured.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on a quantitative longitudinal study of a single organisation.FindingsThe findings revealed that there was a significant reduction in perceptions of bullying in the organisation. The level of trust in senior management, however, was not enhanced as a result of the success.Research limitations/implicationsThe study emphasises the need for further research on measuring the outcomes of bullying and harassment policies and also work is required to further the understanding of trust between senior management and their workforce.Practical implicationsThe paper highlights the importance, and difficulties, in assessing the success of policies such as bullying and harassment. In many respects this paper contains a mixed message for senior managers. Employees may acknowledge the impact of management actions on reducing the level of bullying and harassment but was not associated with a noticeable improvement of trust in senior management.Originality/valueThere is a plethora of literature on understanding the complexities and effects of workplace bullying. The literature, however, is relatively silent on the issue of measuring success of a policy and this paper seeks to contribute discussion on the subject.

Community‐oriented policing in a retail shopping center

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to report findings from the assessment of the Police/Business Empowerment Partnership (P/BEP), a community‐oriented policing program, implemented at a retail shopping center in the city of Westminster, California.Design/methodology/approachA quasi‐experimental design of pre‐ and post‐test was employed to evaluate the effectiveness of P/BEP. Participants' perceptions regarding various safety measures were gathered before and after the implementation of the program.FindingsPre‐post comparison revealed significant reduction in perceptions of gang activity, auto theft activity and fear of crime at the shopping center after program implementation. Though non‐significant, changes observed in other targeted constructs were also found to be in the desired direction. Overall, analysis indicated that the program helps promote a conducive business environment for the merchants and their customers.Practical implicationsFindings from this evaluation provided evidence that collaborative efforts between businesses and the police do have a positive effect in fighting and preventing crime.Originality/valueP/BEP is one demonstration of a community's effort in utilizing police resources to target specific problems.

Handheld computers and the 21st century surgical team: a pilot study

BackgroundThe commercial development and expansion of mobile phone networks has led to the creation of devices combining mobile phones and personal digital assistants, which could prove invaluable in a clinical setting. This pilot study aimed to look at how one such device compared with the current pager system in facilitating inter-professional communication in a hospital clinical team.MethodsThe study looked at a heterogeneous team of doctors (n = 9) working in a busy surgical setting at St. Mary's Hospital in London and compared the use of a personal digital assistant with mobile phone and web-browsing facilities to the existing pager system. The primary feature of this device being compared to the conventional pager was its use as a mobile phone, but other features evaluated included the ability to access the internet, and reference data on the device. A crossover study was carried out for 6 weeks in 2004, with the team having access to the personal digital assistant every alternate week. The primary outcome measure for assessing efficiency of communication was the length of time it took for clinicians to respond to a call. We also sought to assess the ease of adoption of new technology by evaluating the perceptions of the team (n = 9) to personal digital assistants, by administering a questionnaire.ResultsDoctors equipped with a personal digital assistant rather than a pager, responded more quickly to a call and had a lower of failure to respond rate (RR: 0.44; 95%CI 0.20–0.93). Clinicians also found this technology easy to adopt as seen by a significant reduction in perceptions of nervousness to the technology over the six-week study period (mean (SD) week 1: 4.10 (SD 1.69) vs. mean (SD) week 6: 2.20 (1.99); p = 0.04).ConclusionThe results of this pilot study show the possible effects of replacing the current hospital pager with a newer, more technologically advanced device, and suggest that a combined personal digital assistant and mobile phone device may improve communication between doctors. In the light of these encouraging preliminary findings, we propose a large-scale clinical trial of the use of these devices in facilitating inter-professional communication in a hospital setting.

Factors influencing maternal perception of uterine contractions

Objectives The purpose of this study was to assess factors associated with perception of uterine contractions. Study design A database of ambulatory uterine activity monitoring was examined. All patients having singleton pregnancies evaluated between March 1997 and March 2002 were eligible for analysis. Data were divided into 4 groups by maternal prepregnancy body mass index (BMI): lean (<20 kg/m2), normal (≥20 to <25 kg/m2), overweight (≥25 to <30 kg/m2), and obese (≥30 kg/m2). The percentage of contractions perceived during observation was compared between groups. Variables interrogated included maternal weight and parity. Statistical analysis included t test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and linear regression. Results Data from 7808 patients (556,382 hr) were analyzed. A significant reduction in perception of contractions occurred with increasing BMI between each classification, P<.001. A significant reduction in perception of contractions was also noted between nulliparous and multiparous patients at each weight classification, P<.001. Conclusion Obese, nulliparous patients have the greatest difficulty perceiving contractions. Such data may help explain unattended birth or late presentation for care in this group.

Factors influencing maternal perception of uterine contractions

Objectives The purpose of this study was to assess factors associated with perception of uterine contractions. Study design A database of ambulatory uterine activity monitoring was examined. All patients having singleton pregnancies evaluated between March 1997 and March 2002 were eligible for analysis. Data were divided into 4 groups by maternal prepregnancy body mass index (BMI): lean (<20 kg/m 2), normal (≥20 to <25 kg/m 2), overweight (≥25 to <30 kg/m 2), and obese (≥30 kg/m 2). The percentage of contractions perceived during observation was compared between groups. Variables interrogated included maternal weight and parity. Statistical analysis included t test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and linear regression. Results Data from 7808 patients (556,382 hr) were analyzed. A significant reduction in perception of contractions occurred with increasing BMI between each classification, P<.001. A significant reduction in perception of contractions was also noted between nulliparous and multiparous patients at each weight classification, P<.001. Conclusion Obese, nulliparous patients have the greatest difficulty perceiving contractions. Such data may help explain unattended birth or late presentation for care in this group.

Influence of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation on Pain, Range of Motion, and Serum Cortisol Concentration in Females Experiencing Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness

beta-Endorphin (BEP) has been implicated in the analgesic response to transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). The anterior pituitary gland is a source of beta-endorphin which shares the prohormone proopiomelanocortin (POMC) with adrenocorticotropin (ACTH). Current theory proposes that the stimulation-induced breakdown of POMC results in ACTH release with a subsequent elevation in blood cortisol levels. The purpose of this study was to determine the potential application and mechanism of TENS as an anti-inflammatory agent. Eight female subjects received low frequency, 300 musec pulse width TENS at four sites associated with relief of upper arm pain once when pain free and again while experiencing delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) of the elbow flexor muscle group. Blood samples were withdrawn 15 and 1 minute before and 1, 20, and 40 minutes after treatment. Serum was analyzed for cortisol by radioimmunoassay. TENS treatment failed to elevate serum cortisol concentration, but there was a significant reduction in perception of pain (p < 0.05) and an improvement in range of elbow extension (p < 0.05) when subjects were treated for DOMS. These results suggest that the anterior pituitary is not a source of BEP in TENS-induced analgesia. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1989;11(3):100-103.