Subjective Evaluation Questionnaire Research Articles

Influence of Number of Operated Levels and Postoperative Time on Active Range of Motion Following Anterior Cervical Decompression and Fusion Procedur]es

A cohort study analyzing the cervical range of motion of subjects with anterior cervical decompression and fusion operation (ACDF). The purpose of this study was to compare the cervical range of motion of subjects who underwent an ACDF operation to age-matched healthy nonoperative subjects. Subjects were divided according to the number of operated levels, postoperative time point, and level of disability. ACDF is an operative treatment aimed at expansion of the spinal canal and relief of cord compression. In addition to alleviating pain, 2 common tools are used to measure postoperative success; cervical range of motion kinematic analysis and subjective evaluation questionnaires (Neck Disability Index [NDI]). This study involved 25 preoperative and 110 postoperative ACDF subjects as well as 18 control volunteers with no prior history of neck complaints. ACDF subjects were divided according to the number of operated levels; 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-levels as well as time of their clinical visit; preoperative, early, and late postoperative. Before kinematic testing, the subjects were asked to complete the NDI survey. A virtual reality assisted electromagnetic tracking was used to measure an active voluntary motion of the head relative to the torso. The subjects' maximum range of motion was calculated and compared as they executed 3 to 5 consecutive cycles of the primary motions, flexion/extension, axial rotation, and lateral bending. An analysis of variance statistical test (P < 0.01) was used to determine significant differences between study groups. RESULTS.: Subject's range of motion decreased relative to control as the number of operated levels increased. Moreover, 1- and 2-level subjects increased their range motion relative to preoperative. Finally, there was a decrease in range of motion as the subject's level of disability increased as measured by an NDI score but all subjects reported a lower score relative to preoperative time point. The active range of motion of subjects who underwent an ACDF surgery increased postoperative and was dependent on the number of operated levels. In addition, there was an improvement in the disability level after the surgery as measured by the NDI score.

Subjective outcome evaluation of the training program of the project P.A.T.H.S. based on qualitative findings

A total of 358 participants from 52 schools joined the 3-day training program of the P.A.T.H.S. Project in Hong Kong. At the end of training, participants were invited to respond to a subjective outcome evaluation questionnaire (31 structured items and two open-ended questions). The results based on the qualitative analysis of the participants' responses to the two open-ended questions showed that participants appreciated the instructors' performance, program design and implementation, administrative arrangement, and the ability of the training to promote their self-reflection. While suggestions for improvement in the training program were noted, the qualitative findings were consistent with the quantitative evaluation findings based on the 31 items that the training program promoted the participants' knowledge about positive youth development and participants' self-reflection, thus supporting the effectiveness of the training program for the potential program implementers.

Quantitative evaluation of the training program of the project P.A.T.H.S. in Hong Kong

A total of 358 participants from 52 schools participated in a 3-day training program of the Project P.A.T.H.S. in Hong Kong. At the end of the training program, the participants were invited to respond to a structured subjective outcome evaluation questionnaire with 31 items. The results showed that scale and sub-scales in the questionnaire were internally consistent. The descriptive findings revealed that most of the respondents had positive perception about the training program and the instructors. The respondents also felt that the training promoted their understanding of the project and encouraged them for self-reflection. The quantitative evaluation findings echo the qualitative evaluation findings suggesting that the training program is effective in promoting the participants' knowledge and attitudes about the program and their reflections about their teaching efficacy and skills.

Long-term results of endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy

The aim of this study is to review the long-term results of endonasal endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) according to our experience as well as to evaluate potential prognostic factors for long-term outcomes. The files of 165 patients who underwent endonasal DCR at a tertiary referral centre between 1991 and 2001 were retrospectively assessed. Furthermore, these cases were clinically evaluated at least 5 years after surgery and completed a subjective result evaluation questionnaire. A cure was reported by a total of 112 (67.9%) subjects and significant improvement without need for further treatment was noted in 23 cases (13.9%). Thirty (18.2%) cases were considered as failures. The overall successful outcome according to the subjective symptom evaluation was 81.8%. Poor correlation between clinical findings and subjective report of symptoms was found. None of the prognostic factors that were assessed affected outcomes significantly. In conclusion, long-term success rates for endonasal DCR seem to be comparable to previously published short-term results.

Self-esteem and social support in the occupational stress-subjective health relationship among medical professionals

Self-esteem and social support in the occupational stress-subjective health relationship among medical professionals The starting point for the presented study was the concept by House who construed social support as buffering the impact of work-related stress on health. Self-esteem was taken under consideration as the other potential stress buffer. It was hypothesized that both social support and self-esteem would have a salutogenic effect, since they attenuate the experience of occupational stress and reduce health problems associated with the experienced job stress. Participants in the study were 361 medical professionals representing various specialties. They were examined using the Subjective Job Evaluation Questionnaire by Dudek et al., the Mood and Health State Questionnaire by Rząsa, the Self-Esteem Scale by M. Rosenberg and Significant Other Scale by Power et al. The higher was the respondents' occupational stress, the poorer was their subjective physical health. Such components of occupational stress as responsibility, psychological strain due to job complexity, lack of rewards at work, and a sense of threat were found to be most important in this respect. These four components of occupational stress were interrelated and constituted a feedback loop. The study confirmed a salutogenic role of self-esteem, contributing to subjective health improvement. Satisfaction with social support had also a positive role, since it reduced the amount of experienced job stress, thus exerting a health-promoting effect. There was a direct negative feedback loop between self-esteem and somatic health problems. Irrespective of that, satisfaction with social support was found to interact with perceived occupational stress in a negative feedback loop. However, neither of these two factors, i.e. self-esteem and social support, had an effect of buffering the impact of occupational stress on health. This suggests that the initial model proposed by House as well as the present author's earlier research findings obtained from a smaller sample should be revised.

Evaluation of environmental and physiological factors of a whole ceiling-type air conditioner using a salivary biomarker

In order to improve environmental condition such as humidity and airflow in living spaces, a whole ceiling-type air conditioner is proposed. This novel air conditioner exhaust dispersed airflow from the whole ceiling by using a 3-dimensional knit fabric. The purpose of this paper is to reveal the effects when controlling humidity and airflow using the whole ceiling-type air conditioner compared to a commercialized concentrated exhaust air conditioner (normal-type air conditioner) under the same temperature. Salivary α-amylase activity (SAA) was used as an index of sympathetic nervous activity. An acute experiment for a 15 min period was conducted using 12 healthy young female adults. No significant differences in room and skin temperatures were observed between the whole ceiling-type air conditioner and the normal-type air conditioner. The whole ceiling-type air conditioner showed 11.1% lower humidity than the normal-type air conditioner. The whole ceiling-type air conditioner showed one-thirteenth the airflow of the normal-type air conditioner. As a result, the PMV of the whole ceiling-type air conditioner was more comfortable level than the normal one. Moreover, subjective evaluation questionnaire revealed a significant difference was observed in wind perception (windy). The SAA of subjects under the whole ceiling-type air conditioner showed significantly low values compared with the normal-type air conditioner. It was found that the subject's sympathetic nervous activity has been inactivated under the conditions of the whole ceiling-type air conditioner. Thus, it was revealed that the whole ceiling-type air conditioner provides a more comfortable air environment by reducing physical stimulations to humans.

A pilot study on pupillary and cardiovascular changes induced by stereoscopic video movies

BackgroundTaking advantage of developed image technology, it is expected that image presentation would be utilized to promote health in the field of medical care and public health. To accumulate knowledge on biomedical effects induced by image presentation, an essential prerequisite for these purposes, studies on autonomic responses in more than one physiological system would be necessary. In this study, changes in parameters of the pupillary light reflex and cardiovascular reflex evoked by motion pictures were examined, which would be utilized to evaluate the effects of images, and to avoid side effects.MethodsThree stereoscopic video movies with different properties were field-sequentially rear-projected through two LCD projectors on an 80-inch screen. Seven healthy young subjects watched movies in a dark room. Pupillary parameters were measured before and after presentation of movies by an infrared pupillometer. ECG and radial blood pressure were continuously monitored. The maximum cross-correlation coefficient between heart rate and blood pressure, ρmax, was used as an index to evaluate changes in the cardiovascular reflex.ResultsParameters of pupillary and cardiovascular reflexes changed differently after subjects watched three different video movies. Amplitudes of the pupillary light reflex, CR, increased when subjects watched two CG movies (movies A and D), while they did not change after watching a movie with the real scenery (movie R). The ρmax was significantly larger after presentation of the movie D. Scores of the questionnaire for subjective evaluation of physical condition increased after presentation of all movies, but their relationship with changes in CR and ρmax was different in three movies. Possible causes of these biomedical differences are discussed.ConclusionThe autonomic responses were effective to monitor biomedical effects induced by image presentation. Further accumulation of data on multiple autonomic functions would contribute to develop the tools which evaluate the effects of image presentation to select applicable procedures and to avoid side effects in the medical care and rehabilitation.

Clinical and instrumental study of the efficacy of a new sebum control cream

Some botanical compounds are considered useful to reduce sebum production. Aim To evaluate the efficacy of a sebum control cream containing polyphenol-rich extract from saw palmetto, sesame seeds, and argan oil in subjects with oily facial skin. The study was carried out during the winter months (January and February). A total of 20 healthy volunteers (9 male and 11 female, aged 17-50 years, 16 with oily skin and 4 with combined skin) were studied. The test product was applied twice daily to the face for a period of 4 weeks. A clinical assessment and instrumental measurements were done before and after the treatment period. Casual sebum level on the forehead and both cheeks was determined with a photometric device (Sebumeter). The quantity of sebum on the midforehead was determined using sebum collector foils (Sebufix), which were then evaluated with skin camera Visioscope and software SELS (Surface Evaluation of the Living Skin). A subjective evaluation questionnaire regarding the cosmetic characteristics, tolerance, and efficacy of the product was filled out by the volunteers at the end of study. The product was very well accepted by all the volunteers. A visible sebum-regulating efficacy was reported in 95% of them. After 4 weeks of treatment, the clinical assessment scores decreased by 33%. There was a significant reduction in the casual sebum level by 20% and area covered with oily spots by 42%. The number of active sebaceous glands remained unaltered. These results objectively and quantitatively show the efficacy of the sebum control cream tested to reduce the greasiness and improve the appearance of oily facial skin.

Occupational Stress and Its Consequences in Healthcare Professionals: The Role of Type D Personality

The purpose of the study was to investigate the role of Type D personality in perceiving stress at work and the development of adverse effects of experienced stress, i.e. mental health disorders and burnout syndrome. A sample of 79 healthcare professionals (51 psychiatrists and 28 nurses) of a mental hospital in Lódź was eligible for the study. The mean age of the subjects was 39.71 (SD = 8.02) and their work experience was 11.20 (SD = 5.45). The DS-14 self-report to measure Type D personality, the Subjective Work Evaluation Questionnaire, the Maslach Burnout Inventory, and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) were used in the study. The results of the study confirm a significant role of Type D personality in perceiving job stress and the development of its adverse effects reflected especially in the worsening health condition. Type D subjects perceive their workplace as more stressful than non-Type Ds and manifest more symptoms of mental health disorders and a higher level of burnout, expressed mainly in the form of emotional exhaustion and lower personal accomplishment. Modification of Type D personality aimed at reducing tendency to experience negative emotions and enhancing skills to express them combined with improving social relations is desired to prevent healthcare professionals from adverse health outcomes.

Self-evaluation of biomechanical task demands, work environment and perceived risk of injury by nurses: A field study

A field study was conducted to determine how nurses regard their working environment in terms of perceived physical (biomechanical) tasks demands, work ability requirements, perceived effort, risk of injury/illness, and assessment of working conditions (physical environment). Twenty-one participants (7 registered nurses and 14 nurse assistants), currently working at a southern United States hospital in a mid-size metropolitan city, participated in this study. The study classified two hundred nursing activities into 18 task categories. A comprehensive questionnaire for subjective evaluation of work environment was applied. A multiple stepwise regression modeling technique was then used to investigate plausible relationships between several dependent variables based on the questionnaire outcomes and the perceived nursing task demands (independent variables). The dependent variables included the following: 1) reported low back discomfort (RLBD), 2) perceived muscular effort (PME), 3) perceived risk of musculoskeletal injury/illness (PRMII), 4) dissatisfaction with the perceived comfort of working conditions (DWC), and 5) dissatisfaction with the perceived safety and health of working conditions (PSHWC). The results revealed that working with fixed lower back postures was the significant predictor for PME (R2 = 0.55), PRMII (R2 = 0.475), and PSHWC (R2 = 0.519). In addition, the study found that walking and working with fixed lower back positions were significant predictors for DWC (R2 = 0.525). Furthermore, the perceived demand for lifting, lowering, and carrying heavy objects during a working day was the significant predictor for RLBD (R2 = 0.611).

Do Alternate Orientations of Navigation and Content Impact the Usability of Handheld Applications?

This study explored the effect of displaying sideways navigation and content in graphical applications for handheld devices. Because these devices can be easily rotated during use, alternate orientations for screen elements may be acceptable. Participants performed tasks on prototypes emulating a wireless brokerage application presented on a Pocket PC handheld device. The prototypes differed in the orientation of the main navigation bar (top, sideways-left, sideways-right). Within each navigation condition, two prototypes displayed charts and tables in either a standard or sideways orientation. Results indicated that, as a function of navigation or chart and table orientation, there were no significant differences in task completion, time on task, number of screens navigated during tasks, or mean responses to a subjective evaluation questionnaire. These findings suggest that alternate presentations of navigation and content elements do not have a detrimental effect on the usability of handheld applications.

Using the case-discussion method to teach epidemiology and biostatistics.

Medical students must learn the principles of epidemiology and biostatistics to critically evaluate the medical literature. However, this subject has traditionally been difficult to teach. In 1997 at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, the required first-year course in epidemiology and biostatistics was revised to use the case-discussion teaching method. In preparation for the course, experienced faculty participated in an intensive, two-day training workshop. The course, taught to 163 first-year medical students, was structured in two parts: (1) three lectures complemented by a detailed syllabus, followed by a multiple-choice midterm exam; and (2) six case-discussion seminars, followed by a short answer/essay final exam. There were seven case-discussion groups with 23-24 students each. The program was evaluated using subjective faculty feedback, examination scores, and student evaluation questionnaires. Faculty noted excellent student preparation and participation. Multiple-choice exam scores were comparable to those from earlier years, and a short answer/essay exam demonstrated good student mastery of the required material. Student evaluation was overwhelmingly positive, and significantly improved from prior years of the course. Positive student evaluations of the course using this teaching method continued over the next four years; National Board of Medical Examiners examination scores indicated success in mastery of the material; and student assessment of the course improved on the AAMC Graduation Questionnaire. This favorable experience suggests that case-discussion teaching can be employed successfully in teaching principles of epidemiology and biostatistics to medical students.

Assessing noise annoyance: an improvement-oriented approach

A concept for practice-oriented assessment of noise annoyance at the workplace is presented. Employees evaluated the noise situation at their workplace by characterizing the loudest noise event with respect to relevant noise characteristics. The results from a first use of the questionnaire for Subjective Evaluation of Noise Characteristics in Office Workplaces (SENO) show (1) a general need for an additional constructive measure of subjective noise annoyance, (2) that evaluation of the loudest noise event is representative for the overall workplace situation, and (3) that coping plays a crucial role and should be explicitly controlled. Finally, examples of how to use SENO for improving the workplace situation are given.

Pharmacodynamics of temazepam in primary insomnia: assessment of the value of quantitative electroencephalography and saccadic eye movements in predicting improvement of sleep.

Quantitative electroencephalographic parameters and saccadic eye movements are frequently used as pharmacodynamic measures of benzodiazepine effect. We investigated the relationship between these measures and the hypnotic effect. The correlation between the pharmacodynamic measures and sleep quality was determined in 21 patients with primary insomnia. The pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic relationships were characterized after administration of 20 mg oral temazepam. The hypnotic effect was determined on the basis of polysomnographic sleep recordings and a subjective sleep evaluation questionnaire. Correlations between pharmacodynamic measures and the improvement of sleep were investigated. The pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic relationships for the parameters derived from electroencephalography and saccadic eye movements showed considerable interindividual variability. Administration of temazepam led to a significant improvement in the objective parameters sleep period efficiency, wake time after sleep onset, and sleep efficiency and in the subjective assessment of sleep quality. No significant correlations were observed between the pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic-derived parameters and the improvement in objective or subjective sleep parameters. In subjects with primary insomnia the administration of 20 mg oral temazepam results in changes in both the pharmacodynamic measures and in quality of sleep. No individual correlations between the pharmacodynamic measures and quality of sleep were observed. We concluded that the investigated pharmacodynamic measures are of value in the first assessment of clinical efficacy and for the selection of the dose(s) to be investigated in subsequent trials that aim at showing clinical efficacy. However, the conclusive quantification of clinical efficacy should be performed only on the basis of the clinical end point itself.

Dental health behavior in fathers of young families in Finland.

The purpose of this study was to examine dental health behavior in young fathers by means of a questionnaire for subjective evaluation of dental status, frequency of caries and visits to the dentist. Cariogenic diet was estimated by the consumption of sweets, confectionary and soft drinks. The participation rate 18 months after the birth of the family's first child was 73.1%. The mean age of the respondents was 28.1 yr (range 17-49; SD 4.6). When background factors were considered, it was observed that cariogenic diet was more often mentioned by participants from the lower social groups. The standard of the wife's knowledge level was an important indicator of dental care behavior in the fathers. If the wife's knowledge level was high, the father assessed the future condition of his child's teeth as good.