Perhexiline maleate in the management of patients with angina pectoris

In a single-blind study lasting 6 months an entirely new anti-anginal preparation, perhexiline maleate (Pexid), was prescribed in a dose of 200 mg b.d. to 21 patients suffering from angina pectoris. There was a statistically significant reduction in the average number of anginal attacks over the 6-month period in each subgroup studied. Half the cases studied were asymptomatic at the end of the period. Side-effects were reported in 16 patients; dizziness, headache, weakness, loss of weight and decreased libido being the commonest symptoms. No patient withdrew from the trial because of these symptoms, which disappeared within 4 weeks of continued therapy.S. Afr. Med. J., 48, 904 (1974)

Progressive systemic sclerosis (Diffuse scleroderma)

No Abstract

Evaluation of a telephone-based support group intervention for female caregivers of community-dwelling individuals with dementia

Family caregivers, the second victims or hidden patients in dementia care, are at risk for social isolation, stress, depression, and mortality. Telephone-based support (telesupport groups) represents a practical, low-burden, low-cost source of emotional support. The present study evaluated the feasibility and effectiveness of professionally led telephone-based support groups for female family caregivers of community-dwelling dementia patients. Recruited through various community sources, 103 female caregivers were randomized to the telesupport group treatment or a control condition. Effects on caregiver burden, depression, and personal gains were evaluated at 6 months, the main end point. Older caregivers (≥65) in telesupport reported lower depression than control group caregivers did

A model to promote activity competence in elders.

This paper describes an occupational therapy home-based intervention in which purposeful activities were used to promote adaptation and competence in older adults with chronic disabilities. Seven home care therapists visited 17 randomly selected, community-living elders who were chronically disabled and who volunteered to participate in the program. The number of visits ranged from 3 to 10 and occurred over a 3-month period according to clients\u27 needs and wishes. Therapists enhanced their ability to enter the client\u27s social and cultural system by using participant-observation techniques and collaboratively identified activities. Therapists documented each home visit with a structured fieldnote form. An analysis of 112 field-notes indicated that therapists were able to understand a client\u27s needs; this understanding resulted in small qualitative gains in areas identified as important by the client. Reilly\u27s concept of an activity continuum was a useful framework from which to work with this population. The implications for program development, treatment outcomes, and accountability with this approach promote improved future treatment planning with the elderly with chronic disability

Harvest Health: Chronic Disease Self-Management Program for Older African-Americans

No abstract available

Dementia management: an occupational therapy home-based intervention for caregivers.

This paper describes an occupational therapy intervention designed for family caregivers of persons with dementia. The intervention, based on the framework of a competence-environmental press model and the principle of collaboration, was implemented during 5 home visits. Each visit was designed to build caregiving skills through collaboration in identifying problem areas, developing and implementing environmental strategies, and modifying management approaches. A case vignette illustrates the therapeutic process and outcomes. The theoretical rationale and structure of the intervention and innovative documentation for evaluation of the theoretic process are also presented

How do we change practice when we have the evidence?

Translating research findings into practice includes myriad pragmatic realities, including understanding the suitability of the data to a particular patient group, writing new guidelines for occupational therapy practitioners, facilitating adoption of the guidelines, and instituting new patterns of care for patients. The process is more than a matter of disseminating the information to practitioners and expecting immediate change in patient treatment. Indeed, the field of implementation science is devoted to the identification of the numerous barriers and supports that constrain or expedite practice change in response to research. Moving forward and adopting evidence-based findings will require a focused understanding of the particular setting where change is warranted. Among the issues to address are the health system levels involved in change (professional, legislative, administrative, practitioner, and patient and family members), the values and beliefs of the participants, and knowledge of the communication channels that exist in the setting and how information and new ideas make their way through the setting

REACH Reaches Philadelphia Through Jefferson\u27s College of Health Professions

No abstract available