bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Changes in spastic muscle tone increase in patients with spinal cord injury using functional electrical stimulation and passive leg movements
Authors: Krause Phillip , Szecsi Johann , Straube Andreas 
Published: June 2008

Objective: Comparison of cycling interventions to reduce spastic muscle tone increase in patients with spinal cord injury. Setting: Neuroprosthetic outpatient clinic in a university hospital. Methods: Five patients with spinal cord injury took part in a crossover study in which the lower limbs (1) were stimulated by functional neuromuscular electrical stimulation (FES) to induce leg cycling movements and (2) were passively moved by an ergometer machine. Patients sat in a comfortable chair fastened to the ergometer while FES was done to induce leg cycling (active session). During the passive leg movement session the ergometer moved their legs for the same period of time at the same velocity and frequency. Main outcome measures: The change in spastic muscle tone increase before and after each training session was tested with the modified Ashworth Scale and the pendulum test of spasticity (relaxation index and peak velocity). Results: The averaged data of the relaxation index increased after FES by about 68%. Compared with the slight increase after the passive movement training of 12%, this is statistically significant ( P = 0.01). Peak velocity increased after FES by around 50%, while it was nearly unchanged after the passive intervention (1%); this is also significant ( P = 0.01). This was similar with the peak velocity and the modified Ashworth Scale. Conclusion: The study presents further interesting aspects of the usefulness of FES in patients with spinal cord injury to reduce spastic muscle tone.
Sense of coherence as well as social support and network as perceived by patients with a suspected or manifest myocardial infarction: a short-term follow-up study
Authors: Baigi Amir , Hildingh Cathrine , Virdhall Helen , Fridlund Bengt 
Published: June 2008

Objective: To compare sense of coherence as well as social support and network as perceived by ischaemic heart disease patients at baseline and two weeks post-discharge in terms of age, sex, educational and marital status. Design: Multicentre study with a prospective short-term follow-up design. Setting: A university hospital, a central hospital and a district hospital in southern Sweden. Subjects: Consecutive sample of 246 patients with a suspect or manifest myocardial infarction. Main measures: The Lubben Social Network Scale (LSNS-R), the Medical Outcome Study (MOS) Social Support Survey and the Sense of Coherence Scale were included in a self-administered questionnaire and answered twice, together with sociodemographic variables. Results: Bivariate analyses indicated changes in social support (practical support increased in men and decreased in women; both P= 0.003) and social network (family network increased among >65 year olds; P= 0.001, men; P= 0.013, and women; P= 0.033, those with a low; P=0.017, and intermediate; P= 0.033, educational level, as well as those cohabiting; P= 0.0001), but did not reveal any difference in sense of coherence. Conclusions: Sociodemographic variables have no influence on sense of coherence but do affect social support (i.e. practical support and social network, family). Ischaemic heart disease patients' short stay in hospital implies that the network outside the hospital has to assume responsibility, but at the same time it is important for health care professionals to have sufficient knowledge to be able to support the specific needs of patients and their family members.
A controlled clinical trial on the effects of motor intervention on balance and cognition in institutionalized elderly patients with dementia
Authors: Christofoletti Gustavo , Oliani Merlyn Mércia , Gobbi Sebastião , Stella Florindo , Bucken Gobbi Lilian Teresa , Renato Canineu Paulo 
Published: June 2008

Purpose: To analyse the effects of two interventions on the cognition and balance of institutionalized elderly people with mixed dementia.Methods: Fifty-four participants were allocated into three groups. Group 1 was assisted by an interdisciplinary programme comprising physiotherapy, occupational therapy and physical education. A physiotherapist alone carried out the intervention in group 2. Group 3 was considered as control. Assessors were blinded to guarantee the absence of bias. Cognitive functions were analysed with the Mini-Mental State Examination and the Brief Cognitive Screening Battery. Balance was assessed with the Berg Balance Scale and the Timed Get-Up-and-Go Test. Multiple analysis of variance (MANOVA) was used to test possible main effects of the interventions.Results: The results showed benefits on the balance of subjects in both groups 1 ( F=3.9, P<0.05) and 2 ( F=3.1, P<0.05), compared with group 3. MANOVA did not indicate benefits on the cognitive functions between groups 1 and 3 ( F=1.1, P>0.05) and groups 2 and 3 ( F=1.6, P>0.05). However, univariate analysis indicated some benefits of the interdisciplinary intervention on two specific domains measured by the Brief Cognitive Screening Battery ( F=26.5, P<0.05; F=4.4, P<0.05).Conclusion: Six months of multidisciplinary or physiotherapeutic intervention were able to improve a person's balance. Although global cognition did not improve through treatment, when the intervention was carried out on a multidisciplinary basis we observed an attenuation in the decline of global cognition on two specific cognitive domains. Exercises applied in different contexts may have positive outcomes for people with dementia.
An alternative approach to treating lateral epicondylitis. A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded study
Authors: Reza Nourbakhsh Mohammad , Fearon Frank J 
Published: June 2008

Objective: To investigate the effect of noxious level electrical stimulation on pain, grip strength and functional abilities in subjects with chronic lateral epicondylitis. Design: Randomized, placebo-control, double-blinded study. Setting: Physical Therapy Department, North Georgia College and State University. Subjects: Eighteen subjects with chronic lateral epicondylitis between the ages of 24 and 72 years participated in this study. Subjects were randomly assigned into treatment or placebo groups. Interventions: Subjects received six sessions of low-frequency electrical stimulation over the palpated tender points. The intensity of electrical stimulation was set at 0 in the placebo group. Main measurements: Grip strength, functional status, pain intensity and limited activity due to pain were assessed before and after treatment. Six-month follow-up data were collected in treatment group only. Results: Both clinically and statistically significant improvements in average grip strength were found (treatment group: 28% increase; placebo group: 2.5% decrease; P=0.04), functional activity (treatment group: 110% increase; placebo group: 22% increase; P= 0.003), pain intensity (treatment group: 3.1 point decrease; placebo group: 0.2 point increase; P=0.01) and activity limitation due to pain (treatment group: 4.1 points increase; placebo group: 1.9 point decrease; P= 0.003) between the treatment and placebo groups. Follow-up data showed that 100% of subjects maintained the improved function, and 83% remained pain-free for at least six months post treatment. Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that symptoms of chronic lateral epicondylitis could be effectively treated by noxious level low-frequency electrical stimulation.
Resistance-based, reciprocal upper and lower limb locomotor training in chronic stroke: a randomized, controlled crossover study
Authors: Page Stephen J , Levine Peter , Teepen Jennah , Hartman Eric C 
Published: June 2008

Objective: To determine efficacy of a bilateral reciprocal training regimen on affected leg impairment and dynamic balance. Design: Randomized, controlled, single-blinded crossover study. Setting: Outpatient rehabilitation hospital. Participants: Seven patients who experienced stroke >1 year prior to study entry exhibiting affected leg weakness. Intervention: Subjects were randomly assigned to receive both of the following in a randomized, sequential order: (a) a resistance-based, reciprocal, affected leg locomotor training protocol using the NuStep apparatus ( n = 4) and (b) a home exercise programme (HEP) consisting of self-supervised practice with fractionated joint movements of the lower limb. Each phase of the intervention was performed for 30 minutes each session, three days a week, and conducted over an eight-week period. Main outcome measures: Outcomes were evaluated by a blinded rater using the lower extremity scale of the Fugl-Meyer and the Berg Balance Scale. Results: After HEP participation, subjects showed nominal or no changes on any of the outcome measures. After NuStep participation, patients in both treatment groups showed impairment reductions as shown by the Fugl-Meyer (+4.3; +2.2), and increased balance as shown by the Berg Balance Scale (+4.0; +4.0). These trends were exhibited regardless of group assignment. Conclusion: Impairment reductions and balance gains may be achieved using a resistance-based, reciprocal upper and lower limb locomotor training protocol.
Effects of the atypical stimulant modafinil on a brief gambling episode in pathological gamblers with high vs. low impulsivity
Authors: Zack M , Poulos CX 
Published: June 2008

Abstract Pathological gambling (PG) is a serious psychiatric disorder afflicting 1-3% of the general population. Experimental evidence indicates shared neurochemical substrates for PG and psychostimulant addiction. Impulsivity characterizes one key subtype of PG. Therefore, medications that ameliorate psychostimulant addiction and impulsive syndromes might also benefit impulsive PG subjects. The atypical stimulant, modafinil reduces cocaine abuse and impulsivity in patients with ADHD. The present study sought to determine if modafinil (200 mg) would reduce the reinforcing effects of slot machine gambling in PG subjects, and if this effect was stronger in high (H-I) vs. low (L-I) impulsivity subjects ( N = 20). A placebo-controlled, double-blind, counterbalanced, repeated measures design was employed. Apart from bet size, which declined uniformly in both groups under drug, modafinil had bi-directional effects in the two groups. In H-I subjects, the drug decreased desire to gamble, salience of Gambling words, disinhibition and risky decision-making. In L-I subjects, modafinil increased scores on these indices. Modafinil also differentially affected blood pressure response to the game in the two groups. These findings for modafinil appear to fit well with a growing literature demonstrating bi-directional effects of D2 agonists as a function of trait impulsivity. Impulsivity could critically moderate medication response in PG.
Antidepressant-like effects of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonists, but not agonists, in the mouse forced swim and mouse tail suspension tests
Authors: Andreasen JT , Olsen GM , Wiborg O , Redrobe JP 
Published: June 2008

AbstractCurrent literature suggests involvement of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in major depression. However, it is controversial whether the antidepressant-like effect of nAChR modulation is induced by activation, desensitization or inhibition of central nAChRs. In addition, the specific nAChR subtype/s involved remains unknown. In this study, we systematically compared the effects of non-selective and selective nicotinic agonists and antagonists in two different tests for antidepressant effects in mice: the tail suspension test and the forced swim test. Compounds: nicotine, RJR-2403 (α4β2-selective agonist), PNU-282987 (α7-selective agonist), mecamylamine (non-selective antagonist), dihydro-β-erythroidine (DHβE; α4β2-selective antagonist), methyllycaconitine (MLA; α7-selective antagonist) and hexamethonium (non-brain-penetrant non-selective antagonist). All compounds were tested in a locomotor activity paradigm to rule out non-specific stimulant effects. The data show that blockade of nAChRs with mecamylamine, or selective antagonism of α4β2 or α7 nAChRs with DHβE or MLA, respectively, has antidepressant-like effects. These effects were not confounded by motor stimulation. Hexamethonium did not show antidepressant-like activity, supporting the involvement of central nAChRs. At the dose levels tested, none of the nAChR agonists displayed antidepressant-like profiles. In conclusion, antagonism of central α4β2 and/or α7 nAChRs induced antidepressant-like effects in mice. A strategy involving antagonism of central nAChRs could potentially lead to the development of novel antidepressant therapeutics.
Depot and oral antipsychotics: patient preferences and attitudes are not the same thing
Authors: Patel MX , De Zoysa N , Bernadt M , David A 
Published: June 2008

Abstract Some clinicians believe that antipsychotic depot injections are unacceptable to patients. This cross-sectional study investigated patients’ attitudes regarding antipsychotics, and included within-participant comparisons. Two hundred and twenty-two out-patients with schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder completed the Drug Attitude Inventory (DAI-10), scales on insight, side effects and treatment preferences. Formulation preference was associated with current medication formulation: depots were preferred by 43% (33/76) on depot vs 6% (8/146) on orals ( P < 0.001). Attitudes (DAI scores) regarding current formulation were influenced by illness duration, extrapyramidal symptoms and insight but not by formulation (depot vs oral). For those with experience of both formulations, participants currently on tablets scored depots less favourably than oral (4.27 vs 6.89, P < 0.001); those on depot did not differentiate. When voluntary patients on maintenance antipsychotics are asked about their attitudes to their current medication, those on depot respond similarly to those on oral. However, when asked to state a preference for formulation (depot vs oral), patients tend to favour their current formulation. Whatever leads some to switch from depot to oral, leaves a lasting negative impression of the depot and this may limit uptake of newer depots.
Une « relecture » de la charte d'Ottawa
Authors: Deschamps Jean-Pierre 
Published: June 2008

La charte d'Ottawa sur la promotion de la santé date de 1986. Elle constitue un des textes fondamentaux de la santé publique moderne et suggère un capsus de méthodes particulièrement adaptée à la lutte contre les excès de la mondialisation économique et ses effets sur la santé. Cet article propose de relire ce texte fondateur, d'en débattre, de le critiquer, de le commenter, d'en triturer le contenu pour en faciliter l'adaptation aux mouvances sociales, culturelles, institutionnelles, d'en rechercher la modernité, de le confronter à l'expérience qu'il a permis d'acquérir et de mesurer les changements qu'il a pu engendrer. (Promot Educ 2008; Supp (1): 8-13)
Des programmes de promotion de la sante et d'éducation pour la santé en Algerie : situation actuelle et perspectives
Authors: Soulimane Addelkrim 
Published: June 2008

De nombreux efforts sont déployés depuis ces dernières années dans les pays dits en développement pour améliorer la santé des populations. Un élargissement et une plus grande rationalité des politiques et organisations sanitaires rendent les soins beaucoup plus accessibles. De nouvelles perspectives en matière de politique publiques de santé s'ouvrent ainsi à ces pays mais dans un contexte de plus en plus difficile face aux défis de la mondialisation. L'Algérie n'échappe pas à cette évolution mais se heurte à des contraintes, exogènes et endogènes, qui altèrent l'efficacité et les performances de son système de santé. La réalité socio- sanitaire est définie par une double transition, démographique et épidémiologique, qui bouleverse le champ de la santé.Les perturbations que connaît le pays sur les plans politique et socio-économique exercent une influence de plus en plus grandissante sur l'état de santé des populations et notamment les plus défavorisées. Les réponses actuelles du système de santé obéissent à une logique médicale et épidémiologique mais des interventions basées sur des approches populationnelles et des initiatives innovantes montrent que de nouvelles stratégies d'intervention peuvent être élaborées pour mieux répondre aux besoins de santé des populations sans pour autant remettre en cause les principes de justice sociale et d'équité. La refondation du système national de santé est possible. La situation actuelle est favorable à la mise en place d'actions dans le sens de la promotion de la santé mais celles-ci devraient être précédées d'un effort d'amélioration des connaissances dans ce domaine et de plaidoyer intense. (Promot Educ 2008; Supp(1): 35-38)
Etat des connaissances et besoins de recherche en promotion de la santé au Sénégal
Authors: Anta Tal Dia  
Published: June 2008

Au Sénégal, la prévention et la promotion de la santé constituent des stratégies majeures pour la résolution des problèmes de santé. L'avènement du Document de Stratégie de Réduction de la Pauvreté, dans le cadre de la réalisation des Objectifs du Millénaire pour le développement, a permis au ministère de la Santé et de la Prévention Médicale d'orienter les programmes de santé vers les cibles les plus vulnérables, telles que la mère, l'enfant et la personne âgée. A l'instar de ce qui se passe dans la plupart des pays d'Afrique de l'ouest, les actions de promotion de la santé n'y sont pas encore menées de façon systématique. Cependant, on note quelques interventions ponctuelles et dispersées dans le cadre de la collaboration entre le secteur de la santé et ses partenaires dans certains domaines: la lutte contre des maladies transmissibles telles que le ver de Guinée, le paludisme, l'infection à VIH et le SIDA, la tuberculose, l'onchocercose, mais aussi des maladies non transmissibles comme le diabète, l'hypertension artérielle, les maladies cardiovasculaires, les cancers, les troubles nutritionnels. L'augmentation de la prévalence de ce dernier type d'affections est attribuée au changement de mode de vie, sur le plan des habitudes alimentaires, le manque d'exercice physique, le tabagisme, la consommation d'alcool. La recherche, notamment la recherche appliquée, permettra d'étudier, entre autres aspects: - les connaissances des populations sur les déterminants des pathologies transmissibles et non transmissibles et les pratiques; - les modes de vie émergents en situation de transition épidémiologique; - les facteurs de risque et les atouts pour la santé; - les modèles d'intégration de la promotion de la santé dans les programmes de développement; - les processus et les mécanismes de participation communautaire; - l'Impact des stratégies, messages et supports sur la promotion de la santé. (Promot Educ 2008; Supp(1): 43-44)
Prévention et promotion dans les systèmes de santé: analyses croisées et besoins de recherche
Authors: Jabot Françoise , Chambaud Laurent , Gerhart Catherine , Bourdages Josée , Brunelle Yvon , Morisset Josée , Joubert Pierre 
Published: June 2008

La place de la prévention et de la promotion de la santé dans les systèmes de santé est interrogée à partir de deux approches distinctes, basées sur le partage d'expériences et la comparaison des modèles qui sous-tendent des interventions dans ce domaine. La première partie de l'article relate un travail d'analyse des conditions de l'intégration de la prévention et promotion de la santé dans les systèmes de soins de quatre pays (Brésil, Canada, France, Suisse). La seconde rapporte une réflexion engagée depuis plus d'un an entre la France et le Québec, sur les attentes spécifiques vis-à-vis du système de soins au sein d'une démarche plus globale de promotion de la santé et de prévention. Bien que relevant d'initiatives différentes et indépendantes, ces deux démarches procèdent d'une logique commune: clarifier, au sein d'un système de santé, ce que peut prendre en charge le système de soins et, par construction, réaffirmer la responsabilité politique et sociétale de la promotion de la santé. Il est nécessaire de développer des axes de recherche permettant de mieux préciser les concepts mis en œuvre lorsqu'on avance le terme de prévention au sein du système de soins, de fournir un cadre d'analyse ou de mise en cohérence des expériences de rapprochement entre prévention et soins et de favoriser la prise en compte de cette analyse dans le cadre spécifique des deux systèmes de santé, en tenant compte des évolutions, du contexte historique ou de la dynamique professionnelle propres à chaque pays. Au delà d'une réflexion purement théorique, une telle analyse est nécessaire pour ne plus entretenir d'ambiguïté sur le rôle des professionnels du soin et construire des programmes de santé qui précisent le rôle de chacun. (Promot Educ 2008; Supp(1): 45-48)
Un réseau de structures associatives de promotion de la santé : la Fédération Française des Comités d'Education pour la Santé (FNES)
Authors: Deschamps Jean-Pierre , Lorenzo Philippe , Logez Marie-Josèphe 
Published: June 2008

La Fédération nationale des comités d'éducation pour la santé (FNES) rassemble en France 110 comités départementaux et régionaux d'éducation pour la santé, structures associatives (“associations sans but lucratif” en droit français) travaillant en réseau et ayant notamment en commun: 1. l'approche « généraliste » de la santé, celle-ci étant considérée comme un tout, ce qui n'exclut pas des approches thématiques (par exemple maladies cardio-vasculaires, addictions, santé des personnes âgées, sécurité routière, etc.); 2. l'approche « globale » de la santé, ne dissociant pas santé physique et santé mentale, considérant l'ensemble des déterminants de la santé, intégrant la prévention des maladies et la promotion du développement harmonieux et du bien-être des personnes et des groupes; 3. l'approche de santé publique qui concerne tous les secteurs de l'activité sociale, dont le système de soins dans ses dimensions à la fois curative et préventive; 4. La référence au concept de la promotion de la santé tel que défini par la charte d'Ottawa. La recherche constitue un objectif de développement pour la FNES, qui vient de recruter dans son équipe permanente un “délégué aux affaires scientifiques et à la prospective”. Le développement technique de la FNES s'articule autour d'axes de travail (démarche d'asssurance de qualité, exploration de champs nouveaux de la promotion de la santé…) qui nécessitent de s'appuyer sur une dynamique de recherche propre et sur la prise en compte des acquis des recherches menées ailleurs. Les coopérations europénnes paraissent fondamentales à ce titre, et la FNES est heureuse d'être associée à la réflexion et aux efforts déployés dans ce sens au Grand Duché du Luxembourg. (Promot Educ 2008; Supp(1): 71-72)
Life after the thymus: CD31+ and CD31− human naive CD4+ T-cell subsets
Authors: Kohler Siegfried , Thiel Andreas 
Published: June 2008

AbstractEarly in life, thymic export establishes the size and the diversity of the human naive T-cell pool. Yet, on puberty thymic activity drastically decreases. Because the overall size of the naive T-cell pool decreases only marginally during ageing, peripheral postthymic expansion of naive T cells has been postulated to account partly for the maintenance of T-cell immunity in adults. So far, the analysis of these processes had been hampered by the inability to distinguish recent thymic emigrants from proliferated, peripheral, naive T cells. However, recently, CD31 has been introduced as a marker to distinguish 2 subsets of naive CD4+ T cells with distinct T-cell receptor excision circle (TREC) content in the peripheral blood of healthy humans. Here, we review studies that have characterized TREChi CD31+ thymicnaive CD4+ T cells and have accordingly used the assessment of this distinct subset of naive CD4+ T cells as a correlate of thymic activity. We will discuss further potential clinical applications and how more research on CD31+ thymicnaive and CD31− centralnaive CD4+ T cells may foster our knowledge of the impact of thymic involution on immune competence.