Search results for "Pilot Projects"
showing 10 items of 488 documents
Virtual reality exposure and imaginal exposure in the treatment of fear of flying: a pilot study
2013
Fear of flying (FF) is an impairing psychological disorder that is extremely common in developed countries. The most effective treatment for this particular type of phobia is exposure therapy. However, there are few studies comparing imaginal exposure (IE) and virtual reality (VR) exposure for the treatment of FF. The present study compared the effectiveness of these two approaches using two manualized interventions based on the exposure technique. Patients with FF ( N = 15) were randomly assigned to either VR ( n = 7) or IE therapy ( n = 8), consisting of a total of eight sessions: two assessment sessions (pre-treatment and after the real flight) and six exposure therapy sessions, which w…
Effect of Soft Tissue Techniques on Headache Impact, Disability, and Quality of Life in Migraine Sufferers: A Pilot Study
2018
To determine the efficacy of suboccipital inhibitory techniques in people with migraine compared with a control treatment based on myofascial trigger point (MTrP) therapy and stretching.A randomized, double-blind controlled pilot trial was conducted.University research laboratory.Forty-six adults diagnosed with migraine with over 6 months duration.Participants were randomized to receive either combined MTrP therapy and stretching (control group) or the control treatment plus suboccipital soft tissue inhibition (experimental group). Treatment was applied on four occasions over 8 weeks (one every 15 days), with a duration of 30 minutes per session in the experimental group and 20 min in the c…
Handling forces for the use of different inhaler devices.
2019
Abstract Age and comorbidities can impact on the success of handling an inhaler. In this pilot study, we assessed finger strength in 62 participants (aged 5–17 years [n = 20], 18–65 years [n = 22] and > 65 years [n = 20]) by using different types of inhalers with integrated sensors (Respimat®, Breezhaler®, Aerolizer®, Genuair®, Diskus®, Ellipta®, HandiHaler®, Turbohaler® and a pressurized metered-dose inhaler [Atrovent®]). Parameters under investigation included the spontaneous and maximum achievable force and torque required to operate devices. Satisfaction with individual inhalers, and the relationship between satisfaction and strength, were also assessed. There was a marked difference in…
Inefficient arterial hypertension control in patients with metabolic syndrome and its link to renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system polymorphisms.
2011
There is evidence that uncontrolled arterial hypertension (AHT) in patients with metabolic syndrome (MS) increases cardiovascular risks. The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) and its polymorphisms apparently confer a genetic risk for uncontrolled AHT. This study aims to investigate the influence of RAAS polymorphisms on AHT control in patients diagnosed with MS. This is a two-stage population-based nested case-control pilot study (n=1514). We differentiated between MS-diagnosed patients and non-MS patients (ATP-III criteria) and selected those individuals diagnosed with AHT from each group (n=161 and n=156, respectively). Those who successfully controlled their AHT (controls) and …
Fissurectomy combined with anoplasty and injection of botulinum toxin in treatment of anterior chronic anal fissure with hypertonia of internal anal …
2010
Abstract BACKGROUND: In patients affected by anterior chronic anal fissure (CAAF) with hypertonia of the internal anal sphincter (IAS), the role of IAS hypertonia remains unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of fissurectomy combined with advancement flap and IAS injection of botulinum toxin in healing the CAAF with hypertonia of IAS resistant to medical therapy. METHODS: Ten consecutive patients were enrolled. Anorectal manometry was performed preoperatively and at 6 months. CAAF with hypertonia was defined as those associated with maximum resting pressure (MRP) values higher than 85 mmHg. All patients underwent fissurectomy and anoplasty with advancement skin flap co…
Efficacy of a fasting-mimicking diet in functional therapy for depression: A randomised controlled pilot trial.
2020
Objective: This randomized controlled trial examined the efficacy of adding a fasting‐mimicking diet to a structured psychotherapy protocol for treating depression.Design: Of 20 patients with depression, 10 were randomly assigned to psychotherapy and dieting (i.e., experimental group) and the other 10 to psychotherapy only (i.e., control group). Patients in both groups received20 individual sessions of functional therapy along with nutrition consultation. Patients in the control group were instructed to maintain their usual daily diets. Results: Both treatments were effective in reducing depression as well as increasing self‐esteem and quality of life. The experimental group showed improved…
Chemotherapy-induced mobilization of karyotypically normal PBSC for autografting in CML
1998
High-dose chemotherapy with autologous transplantation of in vivo purged PBSC is a new and interesting therapeutic option for CML patients not eligible for allogeneic transplantation. We investigated the feasibility and toxicity of this approach in 57 patients with Ph-positive CML. For mobilization of Ph-negative PBSC, patients were treated either with '5 + 2/7 + 3'- type chemotherapy or with 'mini-ICE/ICE' chemotherapy followed by administration of G-CSF. Fourteen patients were in early chronic phase, 30 patients in late chronic phase and 13 patients in accelerated phase (AP) or blast crisis (BC). Cytogenetic responses in the PBSC harvests were dependent on both disease stage and type of c…
Neuropsychological Impairments in Anorexia Nervosa: A Spanish Sample Pilot Study
2014
This work was aimed at obtaining a profile of neuropsychological impairments in young Spanish participants with anorexia nervosa (AN) to demonstrate that right-hemisphere and frontal capacity impairments are present not only in the acute phase but also after weight recovery in a Spanish sample compared with a healthy control group. Twelve patients with AN in the acute phase (body mass index [BMI]= 17) matched by age, IQ, and educational level by utilizing a wide neuropsychological battery. Differences were found between AN groups only for long-term verbal memory, which worsens as BMI increases. Among participants with AN as a group, results showed differences in speed of information process…
Post-prandial alterations in LDL size and subclasses in patients with growth hormone deficiency
2008
Abstract Objective Several studies have suggested that lipoproteins generated during the post-prandial phase are highly atherogenic, with modifications in low-density lipoproteins (LDL) size and density. In the present study we assessed post-prandial variations in LDL size and subclasses in patients with growth hormone deficiency (GHD). Design We studied in 12 hypopituitary patients with GHD and 10 healthy control subjects matched for gender, age and body mass index (BMI) post-prandial variations after a standardized meal consisting of 35% fat, 45% carbohydrate and 20% of protein (Clinutren Mix ® , Nestle) and containing calories corresponding to 1/3 of estimated basal metabolic rate. Blood…
The switch from conventional to atypical antipsychotic treatment should not be based exclusively on the presence of cognitive deficits. A pilot study…
2010
Abstract Background Atypical antipsychotics provide better control of the negative and affective symptoms of schizophrenia when compared with conventional neuroleptics; nevertheless, their heightened ability to improve cognitive dysfunction remains a matter of debate. This study aimed to examine the changes in cognition associated with long-term antipsychotic treatment and to evaluate the effect of the type of antipsychotic (conventional versus novel antipsychotic drugs) on cognitive performance over time. Methods In this naturalistic study, we used a comprehensive neuropsychological battery of tests to assess a sample of schizophrenia patients taking either conventional (n = 13) or novel a…