Effects of Pilates-Based Core Stability Training in Ambulant People With Multiple Sclerosis: Multicenter, Assessor-Blinded, Randomized Controlled Trial

Background Pilates exercise is often undertaken by people with multiple sclerosis (MS) who have balance and mobility difficulties. Objectives The primary aim of the study was to compare the effects of 12 weeks of Pilates exercises with relaxation on balance and mobility. Secondary aims were: (1) to compare standardized exercises with relaxation and (2) to compare Pilates exercises with standardized exercises. Methods A multicenter, assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial was conducted. Participants with Expanded Disability Status Scale scores of 4.0 to 6.5 were randomly allocated to groups receiving 12 weeks of Pilates exercises, standardized exercises, or relaxation. Assessments were undertaken at baseline and weeks 12 and 16 (primary outcome measure: 10-Meter Timed Walk Test [10MTW]). Results One hundred participants (mean age=54 years, 74% female) were randomized to study groups. Six participants relapsed (withdrew from the study), leaving 94 participants for intention-to-treat analysis. There was no significant difference in mean 10MTW measurements between the Pilates and relaxation groups. At 12 weeks, there was a mean reduction of 4.2 seconds for the standardized exercise group compared with the relaxation group (95% confidence interval [relaxation group minus standardized exercise group measurements]=0.0, 8.4) and a mean reduction of 3.7 seconds for the Pilates group compared with the standardized exercise group (95% confidence interval [Pilates group minus standardized exercise group measurements]=−0.4 to 7.8). At 16 weeks, mean 10MTW times for the standardized exercise group remained quicker than those for the Pilates and relaxation groups, although the differences were nonsignificant. There were no significant differences between the Pilates and relaxation groups for any secondary outcome measure. Limitations In this study, therapists were limited to a standardized basket of exercises that may have affected the study outcomes. Furthermore, choosing measures such as posturography to assess balance, accelerometry to assess walking, or a specific trunk assessment scale might have been more responsive in detecting changes in outcome. Conclusion Participants did not improve significantly, either in the short term or at the 4-week follow-up, on the 10MTW after 12 weeks of Pilates exercises compared with 12 weeks of relaxation

The effects of prolonged wear of textured shoe insoles on gait, foot sensation and proprioception in people with Multiple Sclerosis: protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Background: Many people with multiple sclerosis experience problems with walking, which can make daily activities difficult and often leads to falls. Foot sensation plays an important role in keeping the body balanced whilst walking; however, people with multiple sclerosis often have poor sensation on the soles of their feet. Wearing a specially designed shoe insole, which enhances plantar sensory information, could help people with multiple sclerosis to walk better. This study will explore whether long-term wear of a textured insole can improve walking in people with multiple sclerosis

Kjøpsprosessen i sosiale medier

Hensikten med denne oppgaven er å belyse hvilke av de utvalgte sosiale mediene som blir anvendt i hvert av leddene i Kotlers kjøpsprosess. De utvalgte sosiale mediene er Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, blogg og Pinterest. Utviklingen av sosiale medier har ført til at dette kan være en portal for markedsføring og kommunikasjon med forbrukeren. Ved å få kjennskap til de ulike sosiale medienes rolle i kjøpsprosessen, vil det bidra til å få et innblikk i forbrukerens kjøpsatferd. Vi har benyttet oss av kvantitativ metode i form av en spørreundersøkelse, hvor påstandene er utformet fra tidligere relevant forskning. Etter endt undersøkelse oppnådde vi et antall på 703 respondenter. Rådata fra undersøkelsen er hovedsakelig analysert gjennom det statistiske analyseverktøyet SPSS. Ut ifra resultatets gjennomsnitt i de ulike leddene i kjøpsprosessen, kan det tyde på at sosiale medier har en innvirkning på problemerkjennelse, mens de resterende leddene ikke blir påvirket i like stor grad. Med forbehold om at deler av oppgaven mangler empirisk støtte, kan vi oppsummere med et svar på problemstillingen. Pinterest foretrekkes i problemerkjennelse, og blogg utpeker seg i både informasjonssøking og i vurdering av alternativer. I de to siste leddene, kjøpsbeslutning og atferd etter kjøp, er det Facebook som blir foretrukket

Buyingprocess in social media

Hensikten med denne oppgaven er å belyse hvilke av de utvalgte sosiale mediene som blir anvendt i hvert av leddene i Kotlers kjøpsprosess. De utvalgte sosiale mediene er Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, blogg og Pinterest. Utviklingen av sosiale medier har ført til at dette kan være en portal for markedsføring og kommunikasjon med forbrukeren. Ved å få kjennskap til de ulike sosiale medienes rolle i kjøpsprosessen, vil det bidra til å få et innblikk i forbrukerens kjøpsatferd. Vi har benyttet oss av kvantitativ metode i form av en spørreundersøkelse, hvor påstandene er utformet fra tidligere relevant forskning. Etter endt undersøkelse oppnådde vi et antall på 703 respondenter. Rådata fra undersøkelsen er hovedsakelig analysert gjennom det statistiske analyseverktøyet SPSS. Ut ifra resultatets gjennomsnitt i de ulike leddene i kjøpsprosessen, kan det tyde på at sosiale medier har en innvirkning på problemerkjennelse, mens de resterende leddene ikke blir påvirket i like stor grad. Med forbehold om at deler av oppgaven mangler empirisk støtte, kan vi oppsummere med et svar på problemstillingen. Pinterest foretrekkes i problemerkjennelse, og blogg utpeker seg i både informasjonssøking og i vurdering av alternativer. I de to siste leddene, kjøpsbeslutning og atferd etter kjøp, er det Facebook som blir foretrukket.The purpose of this study was to examine which of the selected social media is being used in each part in Kotler’s buyingprocess. The selected social media is Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, blog and Pinterest. The development of social media could lead to a portal for marketing and communication with the consumer. By gaining knowledge of the various social media’s role in the purchase process, it will help businesses gain an insight into the consumer’s buying behavior. We have used quantitative methods in the form of a survey, where the allegations are formed from former research. After completing the survey, we achieved a number of 703 respondents. Rawdata from the survey is mainly analyzed through the statistical analysis tool SPSS. Based on the result’s average in the various stages of the buyingprocess, it may indicate that social media has an impact on problem recognition, while the remaining parts are not affected to the same extent. Parts of the task lacks empirical support, despite this we have concluded an answer to the research question. Pinterest is preferred in problem recognition, and blog stand out in both information search and evaluation of alternatives. In the last two parts, purchasing decisions and post-purchase behavior, Facebook is preferred