28 research outputs found

    Dietary responses to a multiple sclerosis diagnosis: a qualitative study

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    Background/objectives: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated disease with no known cure and insufficient evidence to support a special therapeutic diet to alter symptom management or disease progression. Several studies have reported dietary changes made by people with MS, but there has been limited investigation into experiences surrounding diet in those recently diagnosed. This study explored responses to diet after a recent diagnosis of MS in people living in Western Australia. Subjects/methods: Eleven adults with MS (mean time since diagnosis 8 months) participated in semi-structured interviews focusing on responses to diet since MS diagnosis. Interviews were transcribed, coded and analysed using grounded theory principles. Results: Three theme responses emerged; (1) the perceived incompatibility of lack of/or generalised dietary advice with disease seriousness at the time of diagnosis; (2) extensive personal research and information seeking with difficulty judging credibility, and (3) self-experimentation with diet to either control MS symptoms or to cure MS. Conclusions: Given the seriousness of the disease, there is a perceived gap in dietary information provided at the time of diagnosis. Healthcare professionals should address concerns with alternative therapeutic diets advertised to treat or cure MS, and clearly convey the reasoning for the general healthy dietary recommendations. This would better align advice with the perceptions about the role of diet in MS, assist people with MS in need of information and minimise dietary self-experimentation. Future research should explore the importance of diet for those who have had MS for a longer period of time

    Randomized Trial of the Effect of Pharmacist Prescribing on Improving Blood Pressure in the Community

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    Assessing knee hyperextension in patients following stroke: A comparison of Siliconcoach movement analysis software and experienced clinical observation

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    Background: Observational gait analysis used by clinicians has been shown to have moderate reliability in relation to joint angles. Siliconcoach movement analysis software uses a digital image to determine joint angles. The aim of this study was to compare Siliconcoach software against experienced clinicians in assessing knee hyperextension in patients following stroke. Method: This was an observational comparison study with a convenient sample of 20 ambulant participants with a unilateral stroke videoed during three walks. To determine knee hyperextension and the reliability of Siliconcoach the recordings were assessed by three raters using Siliconcoach and by three experienced clinicians. Findings: The Kappa statistic for intra-observer agreement for knee hyperextension ranged from 0.8 to 1.0 (substantial to almost perfect) and from 0.6 to 0.9 for inter-observer agreement (moderate to almost perfect). Intra-rater and inter-rater ICC scores for Siliconcoach were all >0.75 suggesting very high reliability. Clinicians compared with Siliconcoach ranged from 0.4 to 0.7(fair to substantial). Conclusion: Observational gait analysis appears to be an adequate measurement tool in clinical practice particularly when undertaken by the same experienced therapist. However, Siliconcoach may be a more reliable measure and provides an objective measure of quantifying knee joint angles for both research and clinical practice

    Level of disability and associated factors with musculoskeletal disorders among supermarket cashiers

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    ObjectivesThis study aimed to determine the severity of symptoms and the level of disability or difficulty associated with MSDs in the neck, shoulders, upper limbs, lower back, and lower limbs as well as the factors associated with MSDs.Material and MethodsThis investigation collected demographic, health (36-Item Short Form Survey [SF-36]), and occupational related-factors for supermarket cashiers through the administration of several questionnaires, including the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH), Neck Disability Index (NDI), Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS), and Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) for pain.ResultsOne hundred ninety-three supermarket cashiers participated in this study. The mean scores for disability levels included NDI (M±SD 18.62±14.57), ODI (M±SD 20.74±13.89), DASH (M±SD 15.08±13.90), and LEFS (M±SD 63.06±14.24). Regression analyses demonstrated the existence of significant relationships between the experience of MSDs and several other factors, including the number of working days per week, the preferred working position, marital status and the need for awkward positions.ConclusionsThe results indicate MSDs that signified a mild disability level among young participants. The number of working days per week, the preferred working position, the need to assume awkward positions, and marital status were significantly associated with MSDs. The findings indicated the need for preventive to avoid or minimize the prevalence of MSDs among supermarket cashiers
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