Search results for "SINGLE-BLIND"

Neurofunctional correlates of attention rehabilitation in Parkinson's disease: an explorative study

2014

The effectiveness of cognitive rehabilitation (CR) in Parkinson’s disease (PD) is in its relative infancy, and nowadays there is insufficient information to support evidence-based clinical protocols. This study is aimed at testing a validated therapeutic strategy characterized by intensive computer-based attention-training program tailored to attention deficits. We further investigated the presence of synaptic plasticity by means of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Using a randomized controlled study, we enrolled eight PD patients who underwent a CR program (Experimental group) and seven clinically/demographically-matched PD patients who underwent a placebo intervention (Contro…

Assessment of primary liver carcinomas other than hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with LI-RADS v2018: comparison of the LI-RADS target population to p…

2019

To determine whether the LI-RADS imaging features of primary liver carcinomas (PLCs) other than hepatocellular carcinoma (non-HCC PLCs) differ between patients considered high risk (RF+) versus not high risk (RF−) for HCC and to compare rates of miscategorization as probable or definite HCC between the RF+ and RF− populations. This retrospective study included all pathology-proven non-HCC PLCs imaged with liver-protocol CT or MRI from 2007 to 2017 at two liver transplant centers. Patients were defined per LI-RADS v2018 criteria as RF+ or RF−. Two independent, blinded readers (R1, R2) categorized 265 lesions using LI-RADS v2018. Logistic regression was utilized to assess for differences in i…

Effects of high-dose furosemide and small-volume hypertonic saline solution infusion in comparison with a high dose of furosemide as a bolus, in refr…

2000

Background: Diuretics, have been accepted as first-line treatment in refractory heart failure, but a lack of response is a frequent event. A randomised single blind study was performed to evaluate the effects of the combination of high-dose furosemide and small-volume hypertonic saline solution (HSS) infusion in the treatment of refractory NYHA class IV congestive heart failure (CHF). Materials and methods: Sixty patients (21 F/39 M) with refractory CHF (NYHA class IV) of different etiologies, unresponsive to high oral doses of furosemide, ACE-inhibitors, digitalis, and nitrates, aged 65–90 years, were enrolled. They had to have an ejection fraction (EF) < 35%, serum creatinine < 2 mg/dl, B…

The treatment of venous leg ulcers: a new therapeutic use of iloprost

2007

Background: We conducted a study using an intravenous (i.v.) infusion of iloprost in the treatment of venous ulcers to verify whether the association of i.v. iloprost + local therapy + elastic compression has a favorable effect when compared with traditional treatment with local therapy and elastic compression. Study Design: We evaluated the effects of iloprost in 98 consecutive patients with noncomplicated venous ulcers of lower limbs subdivided into 2 groups: the first group (48 patients) received iloprost in saline solution for 3 weeks and the second group (50 patients) received a venous infusion of a saline solution. The patients were examined at baseline time 0 (first visit) and then a…

The effect of postsurgical administration of a selective cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitor on the healing of intrabony defects following treatment with ena…

2003

Regenerative treatment with enamel matrix proteins (EMD) has been shown to promote regeneration in intrabony periodontal defects. However, up to now various postoperative regimens such as the routine administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were often used in combination with enamel matrix proteins. Therefore, it cannot be excluded that the results might have been influenced by the effect of the postoperative medication. The aim of this randomized, controlled, blinded, clinical investigation was to determine the effect of postsurgical administration of a selective cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitor on the healing of intrabony periodontal defects following regenerative period…

Independent and interactive effects of thermal stress and mental fatigue on manual dexterity

2020

Many occupations and sports require high levels of manual dexterity under thermal stress and mental fatigue. Yet, multistressor studies remain scarce. We quantified the interactive effects of thermal stress and mental fatigue on manual dexterity. Seven males (21.1 ± 1.3 yr) underwent six separate 60-min trials characterized by a combination of three air temperatures (hot, 37°C; neutral, 21°C; cold, 7°C) and two mental fatigue states (MF, mental fatigue induced by a 35-min cognitive battery; no-MF, no mental fatigue). Participants performed complex (O’Connor test) and simple (hand-tool test) manual tasks pre- and posttrial to determine stressor-induced performance changes. We monitored part…

Right ventricular lead placement and ventricular dyssynchrony in a pacemaker population: An acute analysis from the evaluation of apical and non-apic…

2016

The carotid pulse check revisited: What if there is no pulse?

2000

This study was undertaken to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and time required by first responders to assess the carotid pulse in potentially pulseless patients. We conducted a prospective, randomized study of first responders (n = 206; four different training levels) and were blinded as to the patients' conditions in the cardiac operating rooms of a university hospital. Sixteen patients underwent coronary artery bypass surgery on nonpulsatile cardiopulmonary bypasses. Carotid pulse check was performed either during pulsatile (spontaneous) or during nonpulsatile (extracorporeal) circulation. Patients' hemodynamic status at the time of assessment, diagnostic accuracy of the first responders…

Metabolic and Cardiovascular Effects of Switching Thiazides to Amlodipine in Hypertensive Patients With and Without Type 2 Diabetes (the Diuretics an…

2020

Background: Different studies have indicated that thiazide diuretics can increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D). Therefore, in this study, we investigated whether switching from hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) to amlodipine resulted in ameliorating different cardiovascular and metabolic measures in hypertensive patients with or without T2D. Methods: This study [Diuretics and Diabetes Control (DiaDiC)] was a 6-week, single-blind, single-center randomized controlled trial. The first 20 normal glucose-tolerant, 20 prediabetic, and 20 T2D consecutive patients were randomized to continue the previous antihypertensive treatment with HCTZ (12.5-25 mg/day) or to switch from HCTZ to amlodi…

EVALUATION OF LOW-ENERGY EXTRACORPOREAL SHOCK-WAVE APPLICATION FOR TREATMENT OF CHRONIC PLANTAR FASCIITIS

2002

Background: Although the application of low-energy extracorporeal shock waves to treat musculoskeletal disor- ders is controversial, there has been some limited, short-term evidence of its effectiveness for the treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis. Methods: From 1993 to 1995, a prospective, two-tailed, randomized, controlled, observer-blinded pilot trial was performed to assess whether three applications of 1000 impulses of low-energy shock waves (Group I) led to a su- perior clinical outcome when compared with three applications of ten impulses of low-energy shock waves (Group II) in patients with intractable plantar heel pain. The sample size was 112. The main outcome measure was patien…