39 research outputs found

    Impact related breast injuries among female athletes – a systematic review

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    This project is a systematic review to investigate the occurrence of impact related breast injuries among female athlete

    Can a Normed Fit Index Assist with Model Selection in Latent Class Analysis with Large Samples? A Preliminary Investigation

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    Latent class analysis (LCA) is a popular method in the social and behavioral sciences for identifying subgroups of individuals characterized by unique patterns of behaviors. A pragmatic challenge is selection of the optimal number of latent classes, and it is often necessary to take a data-driven approach. With large sample sizes, penalized fit criteria and likelihood ratio-based significance testing can suggest impractically large numbers of classes. Analogues of the normed fit index (NFI), non-normed fit index (NNFI), and root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) from the structural equation modeling literature were considered for use with LCA. Potential advantages and limitations of these fit indices were examined through two real-world data examples and a small simulation study. Results suggested that traditional cutoffs for the NFI/NNFI may not be equally useful for LCA and that the RMSEA may have quite limited usefulness for LCA

    The effect of a dynamic chair on seated energy expenditure

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    advocated to increase seated energy expenditure with the view of lessening the sedentary nature of the task. This study compared energy expenditure and overall body discomfort on a novel dynamic chair with a standard office chair. Fifteen pain- free participants completed a DVD viewing task on both chairs in a randomised order. Energy expenditure and discomfort were collected simultaneously. Linear mixed models were used to analyse steady state EE recorded on each of the chairs. Differences in discomfort were analysed using Wilkoxon Signed Rank Tests. Sitting on the novel dynamic chair significantly (p = 0.005) increased energy expenditure compared to a standard office chair. The discomfort experienced was mild overall, but was significantly greater on the dynamic chair (p=0.004). Whilst the EE was seen to be significantly higher on the dynamic chair, the MET values are still below 1.5 METS. Thus the use of a dynamic chair does not seem to be the most effective measure to prevent sedentary behaviour.status: publishe

    Developing a talent management framework for domestically and internationally trained nurses and midwives in healthcare organizations: A mixed‐methods research protocol

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    Abstract Aim The aim of this study is to gather evidence on talent management practices for nurses and midwives in an Irish hospital group, to identify any shortcomings in the current practices and to develop an evidence‐based talent management framework for the hospital group. Design This paper details a protocol for a mixed methods research study that will be used to (1) identify, critically evaluate and summarize academic scholarship on talent management strategies for both domestically and internationally trained nurses and midwives, leading to the development of a model of talent management for this study, (2) gather evidence from both domestic and internationally trained nurses and midwives, via questionnaires and focus groups within the hospital group on current talent management practices and (3) use the model previously developed to organize our findings and develop a talent management framework for the hospital group. Methods The study will adapt a mixed methods approach. Quantitative data will be analysed using SPSS, and qualitative data will be analysed using NVivo. Results Our findings will support a stakeholder approach to the development of talent management practices for both domestic and internationally trained nurses and midwives in healthcare organizations. Doing so should improve the pipeline of suitably qualified nurses and midwives for future roles, by assisting nurses and midwives to identify career paths and future educational opportunities. From an organizational perspective, this research will allow healthcare organizations to adapt their current workforce planning strategies, tailoring them to the needs of the current workforce, which should reduce turnover, ensuring a highly skilled workforce, with the appropriate numbers to provide the care required within that healthcare setting. No Patient of Public Contribution Contributions will be sought from nursing and midwifery staff and management within the hospital group

    Profiling the health-related physical fitness of Irish adolescents: A school-level sociodemographic divide

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    Background and aims Examining factors that may explain disparities in fitness levels mong youth is a critical step in youth fitness promotion. The purpose of this study was twofold; 1) to examine the influence of school-level characteristics on fitness test performance;2) to compare Irish adolescents’ physical fitness to European norms. Methods Adolescent s (n = 1215, girls = 609) aged 13.4 years (SD .41) from a randomised sample of 20 secondary schools, stratified for gender, location and educational (dis)advantage, completed a series of field-based tests to measure the components of health-related physical fitness. Tests included: body mass index; 20 metre shuttle run test (20 m SRT); handgrip strength; standing broad jump (SBJ); 4 x 10 metre shuttle run; and back-saver sit-and-reach (BSR). Results Overall, boys outperformed girls in all tests, aside from the BSR (p < 0.005, t-test, Bonferroni correction). Participants in designated disadvantaged schools had significantly higher body mass index levels (p < 0.001), and significantly lower cardiorespiratory endurance (20 m SRT) (p < 0.001) and muscular strength (handgrip strength) (p = 0.018) levels compared to participants in non-disadvantaged schools. When compared to European norms, girls in this study scored significantly higher in the 20 m SRT, 4 x 10 metre shuttle run and SBJ tests, while boys scored significantly higher in the BSR test (Cohen’s d 0.2 to 0.6, p < 0.001). However, European adolescents had significantly higher handgrip strength scores (Cohen’s d 0.6 to 0.8, p < 0.001)

    Increased supraspinatus tendon thickness following fatigue loading in rotator cuff tendinopathy: potential implications for exercise therapy

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    Background/aim Exercise imparts a load on tendon tissue that leads to changes in tendon properties. Studies suggest that loading immediately reduces tendon thickness, with a loss of this response in symptomatic tendinopathy. No studies investigating the response of tendon dimensions to load for the rotator cuff tendons exist. This study aimed to examine the short-term effect of loading on the thickness of the supraspinatus tendon and acromiohumeral distance those with and without rotator cuff tendinopathy. Methods Participants were 20 painfree controls, and 23 people with painful rotator cuff tendinopathy. Supraspinatus tendon thickness and acromiohumeral distance were measured using ultrasound scans before, and at three time points after loading (1, 6 and 24 hours). Loading involved isokinetic eccentric and concentric external rotation and abduction. Results There was a significant increase in supraspinatus tendon thickness in the pain group at 1 (7%, Δ=0.38, 95% CI 0.19 to 0.57) and 6 hours (11%, Δ=0.53, 95% CI 0.34 to 0.71), although only the 6 hours difference exceeded minimal detectable difference. In contrast, there was a small non-significant reduction in thickness in controls. The acromiohumeral distance reduced significantly in both groups at 1 hour (controls: Δ=0.64, 95% CI 0.38 to 0.90; pain: Δ=1.1, 95% CI 0.85 to 1.33), with a larger change from baseline in the pain group. Conclusion Those diagnosed with painful supraspinatus tendinopathy demonstrated increased thickening with delayed return to baseline following loading. Rehabilitation professionals may need to take into account the impact of loading to fatigue when planning rehabilitation programmes

    Impact of breastfeeding on the incidence and severity of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-associated acute lower respiratory infections in infants: a systematic review highlighting the global relevance of primary prevention

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    Background Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the principal cause of acute lower respiratory infections (ALRI) among infants worldwide, and an important cause of morbidity, hospitalisation and mortality. While infants are universally exposed to RSV, most mortality occurs among normal term infants from low-income and middle-income countries. Breastfeeding has been suggested to have a protective effect against RSV infection. This study aims to determine the association of breastfeeding on the frequency and severity of RSV-associated ALRI among infants.Methods A systematic review was conducted using keywords and Medical Subject Headings on MEDLINE, PubMed, Google Scholar, EMBASE, MedRxiv and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Full-text articles published in English from 2000 to 2021 that studied exclusively or partially breastfed infants who developed RSV-associated ALRI Results Among 1368 studies screened, 217 qualified full-text review and 198 were excluded based on pre-agreed criteria. Nineteen articles published from 12 countries that included 16 787 infants from 31 countries (of which 8 middle-income) were retained for analysis. Results indicate that non-breastfeeding practices pose a significant risk for severe RSV-associated ALRI and hospitalisation. Exclusive breastfeeding for >4–6 months significantly lowered hospitalisation, length of stay, supplemental oxygen demand and admission to intensive care units.Conclusion In the context of no effective or standardised treatment for established RSV-associated ALRI, available evidence suggest that breastfeeding is associated with lower frequency and severity of RSV-associated ALRI, based on observational studies of variable grades of evidence and risk-of-bias. With both exclusive and partial breastfeeding benefiting infants who develop RSV-associated ALRI, breastfeeding should be promoted globally as an adjunct primary prevention; in addition to emerging immunoprophylaxis and maternal immunisation strategies.</p

    An evidenced-based approach to understanding and informing talent management practices for internationally trained nurses in healthcare: A systematic review protocol

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    This paper details a protocol for a systematic review that will be used to identify, critically appraise, and synthesize current academic evidence relating talent management practices for internationally trained nurses in healthcare organizations. Databases used in the search will include CINAHL with full text (EBSCOhost), PubMED, PsycINFO, Embase, Business Source Complete, Academic Source Complete, Web of Science, and Medline. Searches are limited to studies in English. Based on receiving funding approval in May this review will systematically search all materials in databases up until 2022, with predetermined search terms. All studies will be screened based on specific criteria and predetermined search terms using the Boolean terminology. Risk of any bias will be considered and assessed using the check?list provided by the National Institute of Health and Clinical excellence. Two assessors will review the findings using convergence and any disagreement will be settled by a third-party reviewer. The systematic review will produce a synthesis of the data related to talent management practices for internationally trained nurses in healthcare settings, as well as outlining areas for further research. The study will be the first of its type to systematically review and synthesize talent management practices for internationally trained nurses. In particular, the findings will provide the latest, validated evidence to narrate the development talent management practices specifically in relation to the strategically important cohort of internationally trained nurses in healthcare organizations. It will also help create a pipeline of suitably qualified candidates for future roles, as well as helping internationally trained nurses identify career trajectories. By systematically gathering and analyzing the relevant research, a stake-holder informed evidence-based approach to talent management for this cohort can be informed as a way of improving the quality and safety of care to the patient.</p

    Developing a talent management framework for domestically and internationally trained nurses and midwives in healthcare organizations: A mixed-methods research protocol

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    Aim: The aim of this study is to gather evidence on talent management practices for nurses and midwives in an Irish hospital group, to identify any shortcomings in the current practices and to develop an evidence-based talent management framework for the hospital group.Design: This paper details a protocol for a mixed methods research study that will be used to (1) identify, critically evaluate and summarize academic scholarship on talent management strategies for both domestically and internationally trained nurses and midwives, leading to the development of a model of talent management for this study, (2) gather evidence from both domestic and internationally trained nurses and mid-wives, via questionnaires and focus groups within the hospital group on current talent management practices and (3) use the model previously developed to organize our findings and develop a talent management framework for the hospital group.Methods: The study will adapt a mixed methods approach. Quantitative data will be analysed using SPSS, and qualitative data will be analysed using NVivo.Results: Our findings will support a stakeholder approach to the development of talent management practices for both domestic and internationally trained nurses and midwives in healthcare organizations. Doing so should improve the pipeline of suitably qualified nurses and midwives for future roles, by assisting nurses and midwives to identify career paths and future educational opportunities. From an organizational perspective, this research will allow healthcare organizations to adapt their current workforce planning strategies, tailoring them to the needs of the current workforce, which should reduce turnover, ensuring a highly skilled workforce, with the appropriate numbers to provide the care required within that healthcare setting.No Patient of Public Contribution: Contributions will be sought from nursing and mid-wifery staff and management within the hos</p
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