Effects of a 12-month home-based exercise program on functioning after hip fracture - Secondary analyses of an RCT

Background Long-term functional limitations are common after hip fractures. Exercise may alleviate these negative consequences but there is no consensus on an optimal training program. The objective was to study the effects of a 12-month home-based supervised, progressive exercise program on functioning, physical performance, and physical activity. Methods Secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial targeting patients with surgical repair of a hip fracture, aged >= 60 years, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of >= 12. The participants were randomized into Exercise (n = 61) or Usual care (n = 60). Assessments at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months included Lawton's Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL), Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), handgrip strength, and self-reported frequency of sessions of leisure-time physical activity. Analyzed using mixed-effects models. Results Participants' (n = 121) mean age was 81 years (SD 7), and 75% were women. The mean IADL score at baseline was 17.1 (SD 4.5) in the exercise group, and 17.4 (5.1) in the usual care group. The mean SPPB scores were 3.9 (1.6) and 4.2 (1.8), and handgrip strength was 17.7 (8.9) kg and 20.8 (8.0) kg, respectively. The age- and sex-adjusted mean changes in IADL over 12 months were 3.7 (95% CI 2.8-4.7) in the exercise and 2.0 (1.0-3.0) in the usual care group (between-group difference, p = 0.016); changes in SPPB 4.3 (3.6-4.9) and 2.1 (1.5-2.7) (p < 0.001); and changes in handgrip strength 1.2 kg (0.3-2.0) and 1.0 kg (-1.9 to -0.2) (p < 0.001), respectively. We found no between-group differences in changes in the frequency of leisure-time activity sessions. Conclusion A 12-month home-based supervised, progressive exercise program improved functioning and physical performance more than usual care among patients with hip fractures. However, the training did not increase leisure-time physical activity.Peer reviewe

Global data on earthworm abundance, biomass, diversity and corresponding environmental properties

Publisher Copyright: © 2021, The Author(s).Earthworms are an important soil taxon as ecosystem engineers, providing a variety of crucial ecosystem functions and services. Little is known about their diversity and distribution at large spatial scales, despite the availability of considerable amounts of local-scale data. Earthworm diversity data, obtained from the primary literature or provided directly by authors, were collated with information on site locations, including coordinates, habitat cover, and soil properties. Datasets were required, at a minimum, to include abundance or biomass of earthworms at a site. Where possible, site-level species lists were included, as well as the abundance and biomass of individual species and ecological groups. This global dataset contains 10,840 sites, with 184 species, from 60 countries and all continents except Antarctica. The data were obtained from 182 published articles, published between 1973 and 2017, and 17 unpublished datasets. Amalgamating data into a single global database will assist researchers in investigating and answering a wide variety of pressing questions, for example, jointly assessing aboveground and belowground biodiversity distributions and drivers of biodiversity change.Peer reviewe

Global data on earthworm abundance, biomass, diversity and corresponding environmental properties

Earthworms are an important soil taxon as ecosystem engineers, providing a variety of crucial ecosystem functions and services. Little is known about their diversity and distribution at large spatial scales, despite the availability of considerable amounts of local-scale data. Earthworm diversity data, obtained from the primary literature or provided directly by authors, were collated with information on site locations, including coordinates, habitat cover, and soil properties. Datasets were required, at a minimum, to include abundance or biomass of earthworms at a site. Where possible, site-level species lists were included, as well as the abundance and biomass of individual species and ecological groups. This global dataset contains 10,840 sites, with 184 species, from 60 countries and all continents except Antarctica. The data were obtained from 182 published articles, published between 1973 and 2017, and 17 unpublished datasets. Amalgamating data into a single global database will assist researchers in investigating and answering a wide variety of pressing questions, for example, jointly assessing aboveground and belowground biodiversity distributions and drivers of biodiversity change

Improving the EX VITRO rooting and establishment of the micropropagated own-rooted apple cultivars Improving the EX VITRO rooting and establishment of the micropropagated own-rooted apple cultivars

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Effect of 12-month supervised, home-based physical exercise on functioning among persons with signs of frailty : Randomized Controlled Trial

Objectives To investigate the effects of a 12-month home-based exercise program on functioning and falls among persons with signs of frailty. Design A randomized controlled trial with a 1:1 allocation Setting Home-based Participants Home-dwelling persons aged ≥65 years meeting at least one frailty phenotype criteria (n=300). Intervention 12-month, individually tailored, progressive and physiotherapist-supervised, physical exercise twice a week (n=150) vs. usual care (n=149). Main outcome Measures Functional Independence Measure (FIM), Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), handgrip strength, instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), and self-reported falls and physical activity (other than intervention). Assessed four times at home over 12 months. Results The mean age of the participants was 82.2 (SD 6.3), 75% were women, 61% met 1–2 frailty criteria and 39% ≥3 criteria. FIM deteriorated in both groups over 12 months, -4.1 points (95% CI: -5.6 to -2.5) in the exercise group and -6.9 (-8.4 to -2.3) in the usual care group (group p=0.014, time p<0.001, interaction p=0.56). The mean improvement in SPPB was significantly greater in the exercise group [1.6 (1.3 to 2.0)] than in the usual care group [0.01 (-0.3 to 0.3)] (group p<0.001, time p=0.11, interaction p=0.027). The exercise group reported significantly fewer falls per person-year compared to the usual care group (incidence rate ratio, IRR 0.47 [95% CI 0.40 to 0.55]; p<0.001). There was no significant difference between the groups over 12 months in terms of handgrip strength, IADL function or self-reported physical activity. Conclusions One year of physical exercise improved physical performance and decreased the number of falls among people with signs of frailty. FIM differed between the groups at 12 months, but exercise did not prevent deterioration of FIM, IADL or handgrip strength.peerReviewe

Changes in the Severity of Frailty Among Older Adults After 12 Months of Supervised Home-Based Physical Exercise : A Randomized Clinical Trial

Objective To investigate the effects of 12 months of physiotherapist-supervised, home-based physical exercise on the severity of frailty and on the prevalence of the 5 frailty phenotype criteria, using secondary analyses. Design Randomized clinical trial, with 1:1 allocation into 12-month home-based physical exercise, or usual care. The multicomponent exercise sessions (60 minutes) were supervised by the physiotherapist and included strength, balance, functional, and flexibility exercises twice a week at participants' homes. Setting and Participants Home-dwelling older adults aged ≥65 years who were frail (meeting 3-5 criteria) or prefrail (1-2 criteria) according to frailty phenotype criteria. Methods The severity of frailty (nonfrail, prefrail, or frail) was assessed using frailty phenotype criteria, and the prevalence of each frailty criterion (weight loss, low physical activity, exhaustion, weakness, and slowness) were assessed at baseline and at 12 months. Results Two hundred ninety-nine persons were included in the analyses, of whom 184 were prefrail and 115 were frail at baseline. Their mean age was 82.5 (SD 6.3) years, and 75% were women. There was a significant difference between the exercise and usual care groups' transitions to different frailty states from baseline to 12 months among those who at baseline were prefrail (P = .032) and frail (P = .009). At 12 months, the mean number of frailty criteria had decreased in the exercise group (−0.27, 95% CI –0.47, −0.08) and remained unchanged in the usual care group (0.01, 95% CI –0.16, 0.18; P = .042). The prevalence of the exhaustion (P = .009) and the low physical activity (P < .001) criteria were lower at 12 months in the exercise group than in the usual care group. Conclusions and Implications The severity of frailty can be reduced through 12-month supervised home-based exercise training. Exercise should be included in the care of older adults with signs of frailty.peerReviewe

Effects of home-based physical exercise on days at home, healthcare utilization and functional independence among patients with hip fractures : a randomized controlled trial

Objective To evaluate the effects of a physical exercise program on days lived at home, the use and costs of healthcare and social services mortality and functional independence among patients with hip fractures. Design Randomized controlled trial with parallel two-group design, consisting of a 12-month intervention and 12-month registry follow-up. Setting Home-based intervention. Participants Patients with operated hip fracture, living at home, aged ≥60 years, randomized into physical-exercise (n=61) or usual-care (n=60) groups. Intervention Supervised physical exercise twice a week. Main Outcome Measures The primary outcome was the number of days lived at home over 24 months. Secondary outcomes were the use and costs of healthcare and social services and mortality over 24 months, and Functional Independence Measure (FIM) over 12 months. Results Over 24 months there was no significant difference between the groups in terms of days lived at home (Incidence Rate Ratio [IRR] 1.01 [95% CI 0.90–1.14]) or mortality (Hazard Ratio [HR] 1.01 [95% CI 0.42–2.43]). The mean total costs of healthcare and social services did not differ between the groups: over 12 months the costs per person-year were 1.26-fold (95% CI 0.87–1.86) and over 24 months 1.08-fold (95% CI 0.77–1.70) greater in the physical-exercise than in the usual-care group. The mean difference between the change in FIM of the groups over 12 months was 4.5 points (95% CI 0.5–8.5, p=0.029) in favor of the physical-exercise group. Conclusions Long-term home-based physical exercise had no effect on the number of days lived at home over 24 months among patients with hip fractures. The intervention was cost neutral over these 24 months. The FIM scores improved in both groups over 12 months, but significantly more in the physical-exercise group than in the usual-care group.peerReviewe

Learning impact of a virtual brain electrical activity simulator among neurophysiology students:mixed-methods intervention study

Abstract Background: Virtual simulation is the re-creation of reality depicted on a computer screen. It offers the possibility to exercise motor and psychomotor skills. In biomedical and medical education, there is an attempt to find new ways to support students’ learning in neurophysiology. Traditionally, recording electroencephalography (EEG) has been learned through practical hands-on exercises. To date, virtual simulations of EEG measurements have not been used. Objective: This study aimed to examine the development of students’ theoretical knowledge and practical skills in the EEG measurement when using a virtual EEG simulator in biomedical laboratory science in the context of a neurophysiology course. Methods: A computer-based EEG simulator was created. The simulator allowed virtual electrode placement and EEG graph interpretation. The usefulness of the simulator for learning EEG measurement was tested with 35 participants randomly divided into three equal groups. Group 1 (experimental group 1) used the simulator with fuzzy feedback, group 2 (experimental group 2) used the simulator with exact feedback, and group 3 (control group) did not use a simulator. The study comprised pre- and posttests on theoretical knowledge and practical hands-on evaluation of EEG electrode placement. Results: The Wilcoxon signed-rank test indicated that the two groups that utilized a computer-based electrode placement simulator showed significant improvement in both theoretical knowledge (Z=1.79, P=.074) and observed practical skills compared with the group that studied without a simulator. Conclusions: Learning electrode placement using a simulator enhances students’ ability to place electrodes and, in combination with practical hands-on training, increases their understanding of EEG measurement

How pre-service teachers perceive their 21st-century skills and dispositions:a longitudinal perspective

Abstract Research-based discussions about 21st-century skills are currently needed; 21st-century skills refer to skills that today‘s students are expected to possess for successful future careers. The ways students perceive these skills or what kind of dispositions they have in this regard are significant. This paper provides an overview of the development of pre-service teachers‘ perceived 21st-century skills and dispositions. The quantitative data was collected in three phases during 2014, 2015, and 2016 at three Finnish universities. The number of respondents at each measurement point varied from 209 to 267. Data were analysed using latent growth curve modeling. The study focuses on students‘ perceptions of three areas related to 21st-century skills: learning skills, collaboration dispositions, and skills to use ICT. The results show that the three areas evolved in different ways. Learning skills and collaboration dispositions show up as yearly assessments that remain at the same level, with small differences among respondents, unlike skills to use ICT with bigger yearly changes. The measured areas also appear as separate entities throughout the bachelor‘s studies, with small or non-significant correlations. These results reveal important new perspectives on how pre-service teachers perceive 21st-century skills and how perceptions evolve during teacher education