Long-term follow up of factual knowledge after a single, randomised problem-based learning course

BACKGROUND: The long-term effect of problem-based learning (PBL) on factual knowledge is poorly investigated. We took advantage of a previous randomised comparison between PBL and traditional teaching in a 3(rd )year course to follow up factual knowledge of the students during their 4(th )and 5(th )year of medical school training. METHODS: 3(rd )year medical students were initially randomized to participate in a problem-based (PBL, n = 55), or a lecture-based (LBL, n = 57) course in basic pharmacology. Summative exam results were monitored 18 months later (after finishing a lecture-based course in clinical pharmacology). Additional results of an unscheduled, formative exam were obtained 27 months after completion of the first course. RESULTS: Of the initial sample of 112 students, 90 participated in the second course and exam (n = 45, 45). 32 (n = 17 PBL, n = 15 LBL) could be exposed to the third, formative exam. Mean scores (± SD) were 22.4 ± 6.0, 27.4 ± 4.9 and 20.1 ± 5.0 (PBL), or 22.2 ± 6.0, 28.4 ± 5.1 and 19.0 ± 4.7 (LBL) in the first, second and third test, respectively (maximum score: 40). No significant differences were found between the two groups. CONCLUSION: A small-scale exposure to PBL, applied under randomized conditions but in the context of a traditional curriculum, does not sizeably change long-term presence of factual knowledge within the same discipline

BLADDER IRRIGATION WITH CHLORHEXIDINE REDUCES BACTERIURIA IN PERSONS WITH SPINAL CORD INJURY

Objective: To explore whether bladder irrigation with chlorhexidine: (i) can reduce bacteriuria, and (ii) is a practically feasible option in subjects with spinal cord injury practicing intermittent self-catheterization. Design: A prospective, non-controlled, open, multicentre study. Methods: Fifty patients with spinal cord injury, practicing intermittent self-catheterization, with a history of recurrent urinary tract infections were screened for bacteriuria at follow-up visits to 4 spinal cord injury centres in Sweden. Twenty-three patients had a positive urine culture (amp;gt; 105 CFU/ml of amp;gt; 1 bacterial species), of which 19 completed the study. Subjects proceeded with bladder irrigation, using 120 ml of 0.2% chlorhexidine solution twice daily for up to 7 days. Urine samples were taken twice daily. Response to treatment was defined as reduction in bacterial counts to amp;lt; 103 CFU/ml. Results: Fourteen of 19 subjects reduced their bacterial counts to or below the set limit. Subsequent return of above-endpoint bacteriuria was seen in most of the subjects. However, there were significantly fewer subjects with bacteriuria after treatment (p amp;lt; 0.005). Conclusion: Bladder irrigation with chlorhexidine, using intermittent self-catheterization, reduced bacteriuria in the majority of subjects with spinal cord injury and bacteriuria. The addition of bladder irrigation was practically feasible in the short time-frame of this study.Funding Agencies|company Wellspect Health-Care</p

Active Conservative Management of Primary Spinal Syringomyelia : A Scoping Review and Perspectives for an Activity-based Clinical Approach

Objective: This scoping review aimed to identify and synthesize existing research on active conservative management of primary spinal syringomyelia and associated symptoms and to discuss perspectives for clinical application using an activity-based approach. Methods: PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science were systematically searched for empirical studies of conservative management or therapies of adults with primary spinal syringomyelia from inception to April 2021. In addition, abstracts from relevant conferences were searched. Study characteristics and key findings were extracted, and findings descriptively synthesized. Results: Of 1,186 studies screened, 7 studies met the eligibility criteria (4 single case studies and 3 cohort studies, a total of 90 individuals). The interventions were primarily physiotherapeutic, mostly by posture correction and exercises, and effects were alleviation of pain, improved physical function, improved activities of daily living and quality of life. Analysis of factors triggering symptoms and rationale for choice of intervention based upon these was limited. Conclusion: Evidence of active conservative management of primary spinal syringomyelia and associated symptoms is limited. Many variations and limitations in the existing research limit the conclusions. High-quality research is needed to enable healthcare professionals to apply evidence-based active conservative interventions.Funding Agencies|Forskningsradet i Sydostra Sverige (The Research Council of Southeastern Sweden, FORSS)</p

Clinical fMRI of language function in aphasic patients: Reading paradigm successful, while word generation paradigm fails

Background: In fMRI examinations, it is very important to select appropriate paradigms assessing the brain function of interest. In addition, the patients ability to perform the required cognitive tasks during fMRI must be taken into account. Purpose: To evaluate two language paradigms, word generation and sentence reading for their usefulness in examinations of aphasic patients and to make suggestions for improvements of clinical fMRI. Material and Methods: Five patients with aphasia after stroke or trauma sequelae were examined by fMRI. The patients language ability was screened by neurolinguistic tests and elementary pre-fMRI language tests. Results: The sentence-reading paradigm succeeded to elicit adequate language-related activation in perilesional areas whereas the word generation paradigm failed. These findings were consistent with results on the behavioral tests in that all patients showed very poor performance in phonemic fluency, but scored well above mean at a reading comprehension task. Conclusion: The sentence-reading paradigm is appropriate to assess language function in this patient group, while the word-generation paradigm seems to be inadequate. In addition, it is crucial to use elementary pre-fMRI language tests to guide the fMRI paradigm decision.Original Publication: Maria Engström, Marie Karlsson, Marie Crone, Mattias Ragnehed, Wolfram Antepohl, Anne-Marie Landtblom and Peter Lundberg, Clinical fMRI of language function in aphasic patients: Reading paradigm successful, while word generation paradigm fails, 2010, Acta Radiologica, (51), 6, 679-686. http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/02841851003753456 Copyright: Informa Healthcare http://informahealthcare.com

N.B.: When citing this work, cite the original article. Original Publication:

Clinical fMRI of language function in aphasic patients: Reading paradigm successful, while word generation paradigm fail

Gait training after spinal cord injury:safety, feasibility and gait function following 8 weeks of training with the exoskeletons from Ekso Bionics

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective quasi-experimental study, pre- and post-design.OBJECTIVES: Assess safety, feasibility, training characteristics and changes in gait function for persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) using the robotic exoskeletons from Ekso Bionics.SETTING: Nine European rehabilitation centres.METHODS: Robotic exoskeleton gait training, three times weekly over 8 weeks. Time upright, time walking and steps in the device (training characteristics) were recorded longitudinally. Gait and neurological function were measured by 10 Metre Walk Test (10 MWT), Timed Up and Go (TUG), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury (WISCI) II and Lower Extremity Motor Score (LEMS).RESULTS: Fifty-two participants completed the training protocol. Median age: 35.8 years (IQR 27.5-52.5), men/women: N = 36/16, neurological level of injury: C1-L2 and severity: AIS A-D (American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale). Time since injury (TSI) 1 year, N = 27. No serious adverse events occurred. Three participants dropped out following ankle swelling (overuse injury). Four participants sustained a Category II pressure ulcer at contact points with the device but completed the study and skin normalized. Training characteristics increased significantly for all subgroups. The number of participants with TSI 1 year and gait function, increased from 41 to 44% and TUG and BBS results improved (P < 0.05).CONCLUSIONS: Exoskeleton training was generally safe and feasible in a heterogeneous sample of persons with SCI. Results indicate potential benefits on gait function and balance

Exoskeleton Gait Training After Spinal Cord Injury : An Exploratory Study on Secondary Health Conditions

Objective: To explore changes in pain, spasticity, range of motion, activities of daily living, bowel and lower urinary tract function and quality of life of individuals with spinal cord injury following robotic exoskeleton gait training. Design: Prospective, observational, open-label multicentre study. Methods: Three training sessions per week for 8 weeks using an Ekso GT robotic exoskeleton (Ekso Bionics). Included were individuals with recent (&lt;1 year) or chronic (&gt;1 year) injury, paraplegia and tetraplegia, complete and incomplete injury, men and women. Results: Fifty-two participants completed the training protocol. Pain was reported by 52% of participants during the week prior to training and 17% during training, but no change occurred longitudinally. Spasticity decreased after a training session compared with before the training session (p&lt; 0.001), but not longitudinally. Chronically injured participants increased Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM III) from 73 to 74 (p= 0.008) and improved life satisfaction (p= 0.036) over 8 weeks of training. Recently injured participants increased SCIM III from 62 to 70 (p&lt;0.001), but no significant change occurred in life satisfaction. Range of motion, bowel and lower urinary function did not change over time. Conclusion: Training seemed not to provoke new pain. Spasticity decreased after a single training session. SCIM III and quality of life increased longitudinally for subsets of participants