Effect of Pre-measurement Relaxation Time on Manual Blood Pressure Measurement

Abstract In clinical practice, blood pressures (BPs) In conclusion, this study quantified the effect of relaxation period on manual BP measurement

Does Foot Massage Relieve Acute Postoperative Pain? a Literature Review

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the current state of knowledge regarding foot massageto determine if foot massage has an effect on relieving acute postoperative pain.Method: The following questions were used to guide this review: How does pain occur?What is the pain management modalities used in relieving acute postoperative pain? Does footmassage relieve acute postoperative pain? A comprehensive systematic search of publishedliterature and journal articles from Science Direct, CINAHL, PubMed, ProQuest and fromrelevant textbooks was conducted. The universal case entry website, Google-scholar was usedas well. The following keywords were used: foot massage, pain management, andpostoperative pain. Eight studies on foot massage and more than thirty related articles werereviewed.Result: Postoperative pain is caused by tissue damage that induces release of chemicalmediators from the surgical wound. The four processes of pain are transduction, transmission,perception and modulation. Pain medication is the goal standard for acute postoperative painrelief. In addition, foot massage is a modality that can be used in relieving acute postoperativepain. Massage stimulates large nerve fibers and dermatome layers which contain tactile andpressure receptors. The receptors subsequently transmit the nerve impulse to the centralnervous system. The gate control system in the dorsal horn is activated through the inhibitoryinterneuron, thus closing the gate. Subsequently, the brain does not receive the pain message.Eight reviewed studies demonstrated that foot massage relieves acute postoperative pain.However, there were some methodological limitations of these studies.Conclusion: It is recommended to examine the effect of foot massage on acute postoperativepain with high homogenous samples using various duration of massage and range of time forpain measurement at different settings

The Pairing of Trigger Point Dry Needling with Rehabilitation Techniques

Trigger point dry needling is a manual treatment modality used for individuals experiencing tightness, pain, and inhibited range of motion in any region of the body. Dry needling can be described as the insertion of a blunt, microfilament non-medicated needle into the skin for the purpose of targeting specific muscles, which contain tight bands known as trigger points. When the needle is inserted into the trigger point the muscle contracts, holds tight to the needle, and elicits a neural twitch response. This ultimately causes the muscle to relax, allowing for reduction in pain and improvements in range of motion. Although the use of dry needling is rising in popularity in the United States, knowledge of its use and effects is limited. Fortunately, more research is being conducted on this form of treatment. In this thesis, the purpose and physiological effects of dry needling will be discussed in detail, along with a comparison between other alternate medical modalities of treatment which target trigger points. In addition, current research on the effectiveness of incorporating dry needling with other manual therapeutic modalities will be discussed. Dry needling has been shown to be very effective in treating trigger points by improving range of motion, decreasing pain, reducing muscle tightness, and increasing muscle oxygenation. Positive effects of dry needling are even more likely to occur when paired with other modes of therapeutic treatment, often in a physical therapy setting but may also be performed by other health professionals including chiropractors, athletic trainers, occupational therapists, and physicians

Patient anxiety and modern elective surgery: a literature review

Medical advances have led to a considerable rise in the level of elective surgery undertaken as day-case surgery and with minimal hospital stay. However, amid such advances, preoperative psychological care has remained relatively static. A considerable number of patients are very anxious prior to elective surgery and little formal care is undertaken to address this major issue. A review of the literature from 1990 to 2002 was therefore undertaken in order to assess the present level of knowledge and interventions concerning patient anxiety when undergoing modern, intermediate surgical intervention. Thirty-four studies embracing data from 3754 patients undergoing both inpatient and day-case procedures were reviewed. Three main themes emerged -causes of anxiety, clinical concerns and measurement, and anxiety management. Each theme is discussed alongside details extracted from the relevant studies. Finally, the main issues arising are summarized and future research challenges identified

Adult age differences in prospective memory in the laboratory : Are they related to higher stress levels in the elderly?

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

A validation of mobile sensing actigraphy devices for generating a biomechanical model of posture

Mobile sensing actigraphy was tested and validated as a modality for computing dynamic posturography. Twelve healthy volunteer subjects (6 male) were administered risperidone and assessed for postural stability using a NeuroCom® Balance Master system and BioSensics® mobile sensors at baseline, 2 hours, 6 hours, and 24 hours post-dose. A strong positive correlation was shown between BioSensics and Balance Master systems in a modified Sensory Organization Task, with Pearson’s r = 0.76, p < 0.001 on composite equilibrium scores. Strong to moderate correlations during the same task showed r = 0.48, p < 0.001 to r = 0.74, p < 0.001. Mobile sensing actigraphy may be a viable alternative to force plate posturography in assessing drug-induced postural instability

Aerospace medicine and biology: A continuing bibliography with indexes, supplement 218, April 1981

This bibliography lists 161 reports, articles, and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system in March 1981

An International Urogynecological Association (IUGA)/International Continence Society (ICS) joint report on the terminology for the conservative and nonpharmacological management of female pelvic floor dysfunction

There has been an increasing need for the terminology on the conservative management of female pelvic floor dysfunction to be collated in a clinically based consensus report.This Report combines the input of members and elected nominees of the Standardization and Terminology Committees of two International Organizations, the International Urogynecological Association (IUGA) and the International Continence Society (ICS), assisted at intervals by many external referees. An extensive process of nine rounds of internal and external review was developed to exhaustively examine each definition, with decision-making by collective opinion (consensus). Before opening up for comments on the webpages of ICS and IUGA, five experts from physiotherapy, neurology, urology, urogynecology, and nursing were invited to comment on the paper.A Terminology Report on the conservative management of female pelvic floor dysfunction, encompassing over 200 separate definitions, has been developed. It is clinically based, with the most common symptoms, signs, assessments, diagnoses, and treatments defined. Clarity and ease of use have been key aims to make it interpretable by practitioners and trainees in all the different specialty groups involved in female pelvic floor dysfunction. Ongoing review is not only anticipated, but will be required to keep the document updated and as widely acceptable as possible.A consensus-based terminology report for the conservative management of female pelvic floor dysfunction has been produced, aimed at being a significant aid to clinical practice and a stimulus for research

Effect of left atrial and ventricular abnormalities on renal transplant recipient outcome—a single-center study

Background: Premature cardiovascular (CV) death is the commonest cause of death in renal transplant recipients. Abnormalities of left ventricular (LV) structure (collectively termed uremic cardiomyopathy) and left atrial (LA) dilation, a marker of fluid status and diastolic function, are risk factors for reduced survival in patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD). In the present analysis, we studied the impact of pre-transplant LA and LV abnormalities on survival after successful renal transplantation (RT).&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt; Methods: One hundred nineteen renal transplant recipients (first transplant, deceased donors) underwent cardiovascular MRI (CMR) as part of CV screening prior to inclusion on the waiting list. Data regarding transplant function and patient survival after transplantation were collected.&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt; Results: Median post-transplant follow-up was 4.3 years (interquartile range (IQR) 1.9, 6.2). During the post-transplant period, 13 patients returned to dialysis after graft failure and 23 patients died with a functioning graft. Survival analyses, censoring for patients returning to dialysis, showed that pre-transplant LV hypertrophy and elevated LA volume were significantly associated with reduced survival after transplantation. Multivariate Cox regression analyses demonstrated that longer waiting time, poorer transplant function, presence of LV hypertrophy and higher LA volume on screening CMR and female sex were independent predictors of death in patients with a functioning transplant.&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt; Conclusions: Presence of LVH and higher LA volume are significant, independent predictors of death in patients who are wait-listed and proceed with renal transplantation.&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt; METHODS: One hundred nineteen renal transplant recipients (first transplant, deceased donors) underwent cardiovascular MRI (CMR) as part of CV screening prior to inclusion on the waiting list. Data regarding transplant function and patient survival after transplantation were collected.&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt; RESULTS: Median post-transplant follow-up was 4.3 years (interquartile range (IQR) 1.9, 6.2). During the post-transplant period, 13 patients returned to dialysis after graft failure and 23 patients died with a functioning graft. Survival analyses, censoring for patients returning to dialysis, showed that pre-transplant LV hypertrophy and elevated LA volume were significantly associated with reduced survival after transplantation. Multivariate Cox regression analyses demonstrated that longer waiting time, poorer transplant function, presence of LV hypertrophy and higher LA volume on screening CMR and female sex were independent predictors of death in patients with a functioning transplant.&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt; CONCLUSIONS: Presence of LVH and higher LA volume are significant, independent predictors of death in patients who are wait-listed and proceed with renal transplantation

Evaluation of Vascular Control Mechanisms Utilizing Video Microscopy of Isolated Resistance Arteries of Rats

This protocol describes the use of in vitro television microscopy to evaluate vascular function in isolated cerebral resistance arteries (and other vessels), and describes techniques for evaluating tissue perfusion using Laser Doppler Flowmetry (LDF) and microvessel density utilizing fluorescently labeled Griffonia simplicifolia (GS1) lectin. Current methods for studying isolated resistance arteries at transmural pressures encountered in vivo and in the absence of parenchymal cell influences provide a critical link between in vivo studies and information gained from molecular reductionist approaches that provide limited insight into integrative responses at the whole animal level. LDF and techniques to selectively identify arterioles and capillaries with fluorescently-labeled GS1 lectin provide practical solutions to enable investigators to extend the knowledge gained from studies of isolated resistance arteries. This paper describes the application of these techniques to gain fundamental knowledge of vascular physiology and pathology in the rat as a general experimental model, and in a variety of specialized genetically engineered designer rat strains that can provide important insight into the influence of specific genes on important vascular phenotypes. Utilizing these valuable experimental approaches in rat strains developed by selective breeding strategies and new technologies for producing gene knockout models in the rat, will expand the rigor of scientific premises developed in knockout mouse models and extend that knowledge to a more relevant animal model, with a well understood physiological background and suitability for physiological studies because of its larger size