Articles: human.
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Ont Health Technol Assess Ser · Jan 2011
Constraint-induced movement therapy for rehabilitation of arm dysfunction after stroke in adults: an evidence-based analysis.
The purpose of this evidence-based analysis is to determine the effectiveness and cost of CIMT for persons with arm dysfunction after a stroke. ⋯ Stroke Impact Scale (SIS) SUMMARY OF FINDINGS: A significant difference was found in our primary outcome of arm motor function measured with the Action Research Arm Test in favour of CIMT compared with usual care delivered with the same intensity and duration. Significant differences were also found in three of the five secondary outcome measures including Arm Motor Impairment and Perceived Motor Function Amount of Use and Quality of Use. There was a nonsignificant effect found with the FIM score and the quality of life Stroke Impact Scale outcome measure. The nonsignificant effect found with the scale score and the quality of life score may be a factor of a nonresponsive outcome measure (FIM scale) and/or a type II statistical error from an inadequate sample size. The quality of evidence was moderate for arm motor function and low for all other outcome measures except quality of life, which was very low. Table 1:Summary of Results(*)OutcomeOutcome MeasureNumber of Studies (n)Mean Difference in Change scores CIMT vs. Usual Care [95% C.I.]ResultsGRADE Quality of EvidenceArm motor functionAction Research Arm Test4(43)13.6[8.7, 18.6]SignificantModerateArm motor impairmentFugl-Meyer Motor Assessment8(169)6.5[2.3, 10.7]SignificantLowActivities of daily livingFunctional Independence Measure4(128)3.6[-0.22, 7.4]NonsignificantLowSelf-reported amount of arm usePerceived Arm Motor Function (Amount of Use) Scale8(241)1.1[0.60, 1.7]SignificantLowSelf-reported quality of arm usePerceived Arm Motor Function (Quality of Use) Scale8(241)0.97[0.7, 1.3]SignificantLowQuality of lifeStroke Impact Scale2(66)3.9[-5.6, 13.5]NonsignificantVery Low*CI, Confidence Intervals; n, Sample Size.
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Journal of pain research · Jan 2011
Increased levels of SV2A botulinum neurotoxin receptor in clinical sensory disorders and functional effects of botulinum toxins A and E in cultured human sensory neurons.
There is increasing evidence that botulinum neurotoxin A may affect sensory nociceptor fibers, but the expression of its receptors in clinical pain states, and its effects in human sensory neurons, are largely unknown. ⋯ Differential levels of SV2A protein expression in clinical disorders may identify potential new targets for botulinum neurotoxin therapy. In vitro studies indicate that treatment with botulinum neurotoxins A and E may affect receptor expression and nociceptor function in sensory neurons.
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GMS Health Technol Assess · Jan 2011
Informative value of Patient Reported Outcomes (PRO) in Health Technology Assessment (HTA).
"Patient-Reported Outcome" (PRO) is used as an umbrella term for different concepts for measuring subjectively perceived health status e. g. as treatment effects. Their common characteristic is, that the appraisal of the health status is reported by the patient himself. In order to describe the informative value of PRO in Health Technology Assessment (HTA) first an overview of concepts, classifications and methods of measurement is given. The overview is complemented by an empirical analysis of clinical trials and HTA-reports on rheumatoid arthritis and breast cancer in order to report on type, frequency and consequences of PRO used in these documents. ⋯ As definition and classification of PRO are concerned, coherent concepts are found in the literature. Their operationalisation and implementation must be guided by scientific principles. The type and frequency of PRO used in clinical trials largely depend on the disease analysed. The HTA-community seems to pursue the utilization of PRO proactively - in case of missing data the need for further research is stated.
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GMS Health Technol Assess · Jan 2011
The effectiveness of interventions in workplace health promotion as to maintain the working capacity of health care personal.
The increasing proportion of elderly people with respective care requirements and within the total population stands against aging personnel and staff reduction in the field of health care where employees are exposed to high load factors. Health promotion interventions may be a possibility to improve work situations and behavior. ⋯ Further research is necessary with larger sample sizes, with a sufficient study duration and follow-up, with a lower risk of bias, by considering of relevant quality criteria and with better reporting in publications.
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GMS Health Technol Assess · Jan 2011
Prevention of alcohol misuse among children, youths and young adults.
Despite many activities to prevent risky alcohol consumption among adolescents and young adults there is an increase of alcohol intoxications in the group of ten to twenty year old juveniles. ⋯ The HTA-report shows the need to develop specific and target group focused prevention activities for the German situation. Essential for that is the definition of target goals (reduction of consumption, change of behaviour) as well as the definition and empirical validation of risky alcohol consumption. The efficacy of prevention activities should be proven before they are launched. At present activities for the reduction or prevention of risky alcohol consumption are not sufficiently evaluated in Germany concerning their sustainable efficacy.