Search results for " Control"
showing 10 items of 7691 documents
Daily changes of individual gait patterns identified by means of support vector machines.
2016
Despite the common knowledge about the individual character of human gait patterns and about their non-repeatability, little is known about their stability, their interactions and their changes over time. Variations of gait patterns are typically described as random deviations around a stable mean curve derived from groups, which appear due to noise or experimental insufficiencies. The purpose of this study is to examine the nature of intrinsic inter-session variability in more detail by proving separable characteristics of gait patterns between individuals as well as within individuals in repeated measurement sessions. Eight healthy subjects performed 15 gait trials at a self-selected spee…
The Effect of Color on the Use of Electronic Body Protectors in Taekwondo Matches
2016
This study investigated the relationship between the color protector and success in taekwondo combats in the qualification championships, when electronic body protectors were used. Moreover, it analyzed the confounding effect of a participant being a top-ranked athlete in the 2012 London Olympic Games, in a sample of 462 matches. Results from the entire sample showed a non-significant relationship between the combat outcome and the winner’s color electronic protector. At the level of the tournament, the results showed a significant relationship between wearing a red electronic protector and winning the combat in the Asian and the European qualification tournaments. For gender and weight ca…
To switch or not to switch: Brain potential indices of attentional control after task-relevant and task-irrelevant changes of stimulus features
2009
Attention is controlled by the interplay of sensory input and top-down processes. We compared attentional control processes during task switching and reorientation after distraction. The primary task was to discriminate laterally and centrally presented tones; these stimuli were composed of a frequent standard or an infrequent deviant pitch. In the distraction condition, pitch was irrelevant and could be ignored. In the switch condition, pitch changes were relevant: whenever a deviant tone was presented, participants had to discriminate its pitch and not its direction. The task in standard trials remained unchanged. In both conditions, deviants elicited mismatch negativity (MMN), P3a, P3b, …
A telemedicine platform to improve clinical parameters in paranoid schizophrenia patients: Results of a one-year randomized study
2018
Objective The study objective was to test a smartphone-based MONEO platform designed to improve the clinical condition of paranoid schizophrenia patients. Telemedicine treatment is considered to be as effective as traditional treatment in outpatient clinics. Method A total of 290 patients with paranoid schizophrenia in the symptomatic remission state were recruited to this 12-month multicenter, open-label randomized trial. A study group (n = 191) received a smartphone with the MONEO platform installed. Patients conducted cognitive training twice a week. Patients' mental state was assessed every month via teleconference. A placebo group (n = 99) received a platform with functionality limited…
Effects of a workplace physical exercise intervention on the intensity of headache and neck and shoulder symptoms and upper extremity muscular streng…
2004
The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of a workplace physical exercise intervention on the perceived intensity of headache and the intensity of symptoms in the neck and shoulders, as well as on the extension and flexion strength of the upper extremities. The study was a cluster randomized controlled trial. The cross-over design consisted of physical exercise intervention (15 weeks) and no-intervention (15 weeks). The subjects (n=53) were office workers (mean age 46.6 (SD 8.4)) who reported headache (n=41) symptoms in the neck (n=37) or shoulders (n=41), which had restricted their daily activities during the last 12 months. Pain symptoms were measured using the Borg CR10 scale …
The benefit from whole body acupuncture in major depression.
2000
Background: In a single-blind placebo-controlled study design we investigated the efficacy of acupuncture additionally applied to drug treatment in major depression. Methods: We randomly included 70 inpatients with a major depressive episode in three different treatment groups: verum acupuncture, placebo acupuncture and a control group. All three groups were pharmacologically treated with the antidepressant mianserin. The verum group received acupuncture at specific points considered effective in the treatment of depression. The placebo group was treated with acupuncture at non-specific locations and the control group received pharmacological treatment plus clinical management. Acupuncture …
A randomized trial of steroid avoidance in renal transplant patients treated with everolimus and cyclosporine
2005
In this randomized trial renal transplant recipients were treated with basiliximab, everolimus 3 mg/day, low-dose CsA. At transplantation, patients were randomized to stop steroids at the seventh day (group A) or to continue oral steroids in low doses (group B). Of the 113 patients enrolled, 65 were randomized to group A and 68 to group B. All patients were followed for 2 years. During the study 28 (43%) group A patients required reintroduced corticosteroids. One patient died, in group B. The Graft survival rate was 97% in group A and 90% in group B. There were more biopsy-proven rejections in group A (32% vs 16%; P = .044). The mean creatinine clearance was 54 +/- 21 mL/min in group A vs 5…
Influence of perioperative dexamethasone on delayed union in mandibular fractures: a clinical and radiological study
2014
Background: The aim was to clarify the occurrence of delayed union after surgical treatment of mandibular fracture and investigate whether an association exists between perioperative use of dexamethasone and delayed union. Material and Methods: Thirty-seven patients were included in a prospective randomized study. Of these patients, 19 (51.4%) were randomized to receive a total dose of 30 mg of dexamethasone and 18 (48.6%) served as controls. Patients underwent clinical and radiological investigation immediately, one month, three months and six months postoperatively. Radiographs were evaluated by an experienced, blinded senior oral radiologist. Results: Delayed fracture union was found in …
Randomized response estimates for the 12-month prevalence of cognitive-enhancing drug use in university students.
2013
STUDY OBJECTIVE: To estimate the 12-month prevalence of cognitive-enhancing drug use. DESIGN: Paper-and-pencil questionnaire that used the randomized response technique. SETTING: University in Mainz, Germany. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 2569 university students who completed the questionnaire. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: An anonymous, specialized questionnaire that used the randomized response technique was distributed to students at the beginning of classes and was collected afterward. From the responses, we calculated the prevalence of students taking drugs only to improve their cognitive performance and not to treat underlying mental disorders such as attention-deficit-hyperactivity diso…
Effect of long-term treatment with GH on bone metabolism, bone mineral density and bone elasticity in GH-deficient adults
1998
OBJECTIVE Adults with GH deficiency (GHD) commonly have subnormal bone mineral density (BMD), and have been reported to have an increased risk of fractures. It has been suggested that GH replacement therapy may have beneficial effects on bone in such patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of long-term GH replacement therapy on bone metabolism, BMD and bone elasticity in adults with GHD. DESIGN At the start of the study, 20 adults with GHD were randomized to receive either GH, 0.25 IU/kg/week (the ‘GH group’) or placebo (the ‘placebo group’). After 6 months, patients in the placebo group were switched to GH therapy, and all patients received GH for a further 42 months…