Anticipation: Sailing into Conference

rrnerly Pasadena College (Est. 1902), the spiritual, academic and cultural community that would become Point Loma Nazarene University moved to San Diego from Pasadena, California in 1973. Spanish for Hill, the word Loma is both an apt description of the site on which the University rests and an indication of the cultural influence of the Spanish on the region. Located on cliffs above the Pacific Ocean, PLNU is graced by ocean views at nearly every turn

Thanks

Please join me in thanking Diane for her service to ACL and for the product she has so ably assisted in bringing to the Association 3 times a year for almost a decade

Exciting Changes are Coming to The Christian Librarian

Back in 1996 I came on board the TCL team with a dream. My hope was to make TCL a peer reviewed publication. Now, many years later, I am excited to say this dream will soon become a reality! Beginning in 2009, TCL will carry peer reviewed content

Editorial

August 30 of this year was Heritage Day for my institution. This marks one of three days each year (the others being Baccalaureate and Commencement) on which the entire University faculty come together before the staff, student, and parents dressed in full academic regalia

Editorial

For those of us serving in the academic community a new year has just begun - the fall semester or quarter is upon us. Students have returned to campus and summer-quiet library halls are now ringing with stage whispers, book drops filling with materials rediscovered on unpacking day

Safety and Improvement of Movement Function After Stroke with Atomoxetine: A Pilot Randomized Trial

Background: Intensive, task-oriented motor training has been associated with neuroplastic reorganization and improved upper extremity movement function after stroke. However, to optimize such training for people with moderate-to-severe movement impairment, pharmacological modulation of neuroplasticity may be needed as an adjuvant intervention. Objective: Evaluate safety, as well as improvement in movement function, associated with motor training paired with a drug to upregulate neuroplasticity after stroke. Methods: In this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study, 12 subjects with chronic stroke received either atomoxetine or placebo paired with motor training. Safety was assessed using vital signs. Upper extremity movement function was assessed using Fugl-Meyer Assessment, Wolf Motor Function Test, and Action Research Arm Test at baseline, post-intervention, and 1-month follow-up. Results: No significant between-groups differences were found in mean heart rate (95% CI, –12.4–22.6; p = 0.23), mean systolic blood pressure (95% CI, –1.7–29.6; p = 0.21), or mean diastolic blood pressure (95% CI, –10.4–13.3; p = 0.08). A statistically significant between-groups difference on Fugl-Meyer at post-intervention favored the atomoxetine group (95% CI, 1.6–12.7; p = 0.016). Conclusion: Atomoxetine combined with motor training appears safe and may optimize motor training outcomes after stroke

Safety and Improvement of Movement Function After Stroke with Atomoxetine: A Pilot Randomized Trial

BACKGROUND: Intensive, task-oriented motor training has been associated with neuroplastic reorganization and improved upper extremity movement function after stroke. However, to optimize such training for people with moderate-to-severe movement impairment, pharmacological modulation of neuroplasticity may be needed as an adjuvant intervention. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate safety, as well as improvement in movement function, associated with motor training paired with a drug to upregulate neuroplasticity after stroke. METHODS: In this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study, 12 subjects with chronic stroke received either atomoxetine or placebo paired with motor training. Safety was assessed using vital signs. Upper extremity movement function was assessed using Fugl-Meyer Assessment, Wolf Motor Function Test, and Action Research Arm Test at baseline, post-intervention, and 1-month follow-up. RESULTS: No significant between-groups differences were found in mean heart rate (95% CI, -12.4-22.6; p = 0.23), mean systolic blood pressure (95% CI, -1.7-29.6; p = 0.21), or mean diastolic blood pressure (95% CI, -10.4-13.3; p = 0.08). A statistically significant between-groups difference on Fugl-Meyer at post-intervention favored the atomoxetine group (95% CI, 1.6-12.7; p = 0.016). CONCLUSION: Atomoxetine combined with motor training appears safe and may optimize motor training outcomes after stroke