Will Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex and Balance Rehabilitation Reduce Visual Deficits & Improve Stability of a Patient with Multiple Sclerosis?

Context: Identification of rehabilitation exercises to decrease symptomology in a patient with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is necessary for enhancing quality of life. Various vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) rehabilitation exercises can help patients adapt to balance problems. Currently, no researcher has utilized the VSR™ Sport and inVision™ systems by NeuroCom® for rehabilitation among patients with MS. Objective: The purpose of the study was to create a rehabilitation protocol incorporating VOR and balance exercises to decrease visual deficits and improve stability in a patient with MS. This study will examine the effects of rehabilitation and determine if scores improve from baseline testing. Design: Original Quantitative Research Setting: Sacred Heart University Doctor’s office Patient: 40-year-old male with relapsing remitting Multiple Sclerosis (Height: 175.25 cm, Weight: 72.5 kg) Interventions: One-hour VOR and balance rehabilitation sessions three days per week, for six weeks. The subject was baseline and post-tested using the VSR™ Sport and inVision™ systems by NeuroCom®. Main Outcome Measures: Data were collected using VSR™ Sport and inVision™ systems by NeuroCom®. Baseline and post-test scores were compared and percent changes were calculated via Microsoft Excel. Results: There was an overall improvement in scores for VOR and balance from pre- to post-tests. GST L increased by 60 percent from 98 to 157 deg/s, DVA L improved by 80 percent from 0.3 to 0.06 logMAR. LOS Mvmt Velocity L increased by 96% from 2.4 to 4.7 deg/s. SET sway velocity improved by 55 percent from 6.9 to 3.1 deg/s. Conclusions: The six-week rehabilitation protocol using the NeuroCom® systems was effective in improving the subject’s balance and VOR scores. A decrease in symptoms can improve the quality of life for a patient with MS

Will Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex and balance rehabilitation reduce visual deficits & improve stability of a patient with Multiple Sclerosis?

Context: Identification of rehabilitation exercises to decrease symptomology in a patient with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is necessary for enhancing quality of life. Various vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) rehabilitation exercises can help patients adapt to balance problems. Currently, no researcher has utilized the VSR Sport and inVision systems by NeuroCom® for rehabilitation among patients with MS. Objective: The purpose of the study was to create a rehabilitation protocol incorporating VOR and balance exercises to decrease visual deficits and improve stability in a patient with MS. Design: Case Study Patient: 39-year-old male with relapsing remitting Multiple Sclerosis (Height: 175.25cm Weight: 72.5kg) Interventions: One-hour VOR and balance rehabilitation sessions three days per week, for six weeks. The subject was baseline and post-tested using VSRSport and inVisionäsystems by NeuroCom®. Main Outcome Measures: Data were collected using VSRSport and inVisionäsystems by NeuroCom®. Baseline and post-test scores were compared and percent changes were calculated via Microsoft Excel. Results: There was an overall improvement in scores for VOR and balance from pre to post-tests. GST L increased by 60% (59 deg/s), DVA L improved by 80% (.24 logMAR), LOS Mvmt Velocity L increased by 96% (2.3 deg/s), and SET sway velocity improved by 55% (3.8 deg/s). Conclusions: A majority of scores improved from pre to post-test. The six week rehabilitation protocol using the NeuroCom® systems was effective in generally improving the subject’s balance and VOR scores. A decrease in symptoms can improve the quality of life for a patient with MS. Key Words: Multiple Sclerosis, VOR, balance rehabilitation, NeuroCo

Participant recruitment in sensitive surveys: a comparative trial of ‘opt in’ versus ‘opt out’ approaches

BACKGROUND: Although in health services survey research we strive for a high response rate, this must be balanced against the need to recruit participants ethically and considerately, particularly in surveys with a sensitive nature. In survey research there are no established recommendations to guide recruitment approach and an ‘opt-in’ system that requires potential participants to request a copy of the questionnaire by returning a reply slip is frequently adopted. However, in observational research the risk to participants is lower than in clinical research and so some surveys have used an ‘opt-out’ system. The effect of this approach on response and distress is unknown. We sought to investigate this in a survey of end of life care completed by bereaved relatives. METHODS: Out of a sample of 1422 bereaved relatives we assigned potential participants to one of two study groups: an ‘opt in’ group (n=711) where a letter of invitation was issued with a reply slip to request a copy of the questionnaire; or an ‘opt out’ group (n=711) where the survey questionnaire was provided alongside the invitation letter. We assessed response and distress between groups. RESULTS: From a sample of 1422, 473 participants returned questionnaires. Response was higher in the ‘opt out’ group than in the ‘opt in’ group (40% compared to 26.4%: χ(2) =29.79, p-value<.01), there were no differences in distress or complaints about the survey between groups, and assignment to the ‘opt out’ group was an independent predictor of response (OR=1.84, 95% CI: 1.45-2.34). Moreover, the ‘opt in’ group were more likely to decline to participate (χ(2)=28.60, p-value<.01) and there was a difference in the pattern of questionnaire responses between study groups. CONCLUSION: Given that the ‘opt out’ method of recruitment is associated with a higher response than the ‘opt in’ method, seems to have no impact on complaints or distress about the survey, and there are differences in the patterns of responses between groups, the ‘opt out’ method could be recommended as the most efficient way to recruit into surveys, even in those with a sensitive nature

Learning Communities in the Basic Communication Course: Exploring Students’ Perception of Power and Use of Compliance-Gaining Strategies

This study compared students’ use of behavior alteration techniques (BATs) and power based upon whether they were enrolled in learning community or traditional sections of the basic communication course being taught by graduate teaching assistants (GTAs). The results of the present study reveal no differences between learning community and regularly enrolled students’ perceptions of power. However, learning community students reported using more prosocial, antisocial, and neutral compliance-gaining strategies compared to traditionally enrolled students. Overall, this study addresses the utility of incorporating learning communities into the pedagogy of the basic communication course and devotes special attention to the training needs of GTAs

Evaluating the usefulness of a wordless picture book for adults with intellectual disabilities about the COVID ‐19 vaccination programme using co‐production: The CAREVIS study

© 2024 The Authors. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY), https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Aim: To explore the usefulness of a co‐designed wordless book showing processes of receiving COVID‐19 vaccines designed by, and for, adults with intellectual disabilities. Methods: A qualitative evaluation of the resource using mixed methods. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with people with intellectual disabilities, carers and health professionals about resource content, and use. This was analysed thematically. A survey was circulated to intellectual disabilities networks to understand resource need, use, sharing and content. Results: Understanding the COVID‐19 vaccine was a process, not a single event using one resource. A visual resource had a place in facilitating conversations about vaccines between people with intellectual disabilities and carers. Differing perspectives were expressed regarding personal needs, existing awareness of vaccine programmes and communication preferences. Changes were suggested to improve the suggested storyline and relevance around COVID‐19 restrictions changing. Conclusion: A visual resource may help conversations about the COVID‐19 vaccine for people with intellectual disabilities.Peer reviewe