View clinical trials related to Quality of Life.
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Manual therapy are among the therapeutic approaches frequently used in chronic low back pain (CLBP). Although most clinicians conduct patient education according biomedical model of pain, a relatively new approach which is referred to as neuroscience pain education (NPE) is promising in patients with CLBP. Therefore the aim of this study was to investigate whether NPE in patients with CLBP who treated via manual therapy technique will produce different outcomes in terms of pain severity and QoL compared to traditional patient education.
The investigators design a large sample size study in the real-world to explore whether targeted therapy and immunotherapy can improve the survival, quality of life and drug safety of patients with advanced hepatobiliary tumors, and analyze the correlation between genetic variation and the effectiveness of therapy.
This pilot study evaluates whether a telemonitoring platform of activities of daily living amongst the elderly can improve their quality of life. Participants will be randomised to two different follow-up strategies, one comprising a monitoring platform and the other standard visits at a healthcare facility. Quality of life will be assessed using standardised questionnaires.
Approximately 10-20% of patients experience ongoing symptoms despite having received standard antibiotic therapy for Lyme disease. Possible explanations for persistent symptoms include persistent infection and/or post-infectious causes. Recent in vitro studies indicate that disulfiram is effective at killing both the actively replicating and the more quiescent persister forms of Borrelia burgdorferi, the microbe that causes Lyme Disease. In this study, the investigators are examining the safety of disulfiram among patients with post-treatment Lyme disease symptoms. The investigators are also conducting a preliminary investigation regarding the relative benefit of 4 vs 8 weeks of treatment with disulfiram.
Children with esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula (EA-TEF) may experience feeding and swallowing difficulties, which result in stressful interactions between children and caregivers, and potentially impact the concerns of caregivers. The aim of this study was to assess concerns of caregivers of children with EA-TEF related to feeding-swallowing difficulties.
Introduction The promotion of physical activity among older adults is considered to be one of the main actions that can result in more successful aging. Currently, there are few studies focusing on the effects of long-duration physical activity interventions in older adults. Thus, the purpose of the following study was to analyze the effects of an 8-month multicomponent intervention program on cardiorespiratory capacity, body composition, and strength in a group of nonagenarians. A secondary objective was to determine if the impact of the program differed according to the participants' way of life (institutionalized vs. community dwelling). Methods Participants Participants in this research represent a subset from an ongoing study aimed at collecting baseline and follow-up data over three years, to evaluate the health-related changes observed in a cohort of older adults f The present research was carried out on the basis of data obtained from the individuals in this sample who participated in a multicomponent intervention program offered to the inhabitants of the said region and who met the following inclusion criteria: a) being ninety years of age or older; and b) holding a medical certificate confirming their suitability for sport. The exclusion criteria were a) lack of independent ambulation (walking with an assistive device); b) recent upper or lower limb injuries; c) neurological or orthopedic diagnosis in upper or lower-extremities. Intervention A multicomponent intervention program was developed consisting of two 60-minute sessions per week, held on non-consecutive days, for a period of 8 months. The sessions consisted of a warm-up phase (10') in which individuals performed joint mobility exercises and walked at a rate of 3 km/h. Afterwards, muscular strength work was carried out on the upper and lower limbs, including calisthenic exercises, and the use of dumbbells or medicine balls (1-3kg). Generally, the exercises were organized in two sets of 10-15 repetitions, resting for two minutes between sets. Communal ball games and relay games were then practiced (over a distance of 30 meters). Finally, 10 minutes were devoted to relaxation and stretching exercises. multicomponent intervention program was designed and monitored by a specialist in gerontogymnastics. Evaluations Two weeks before the start and after the end of the exercise program, a series of assessments were carried out, which were monitored by specialists in physical exercise and sport, who did not know whether those evaluated were institutionalized or not. Body composition Weight was measured to the nearest 0.1 kg using a Tefal digital scale (type PP1200VO) with the participants wearing light clothing and no shoes. Height was measured to the nearest millimeter with a field stadiometer (Seca 220). The body mass index (BMI) was calculated taking the body weight in kilograms and dividing it by the height in meters squared (BMI: kg/m2). Densitometry Bone mineral density content (BMD) of the femoral neck was measured using a dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) machine (Hologic QDR 1000®), which reported BMD in grams per square centimeter (g/cm2). This method was used to ensure better reproducibility, a lower radiation dose and better image resolution (Watts 2004). The minimum significant alteration, with a 95% confidence interval, was 4.7%. Muscular strength Upper limb muscle strength was assessed with the Handgrip Test (HG) on the right hand using a dynamometer (SH5001, SAEHAN Corporation, South Korea). For each measurement, patients were asked to perform their maximum voluntary contraction for 5s. Each measurement was repeated three times with patients resting for 30s between trials. The best performance was recorded for further analysis. Lower limb muscle strength was assessed with the Isometric Knee Extension Test (KNEE), performed three times on the right leg with participants seated on a custom-built chair with a load cell (Vetek VZ101BS, Vaddo, Sweden). For each measurement, participants were asked to perform their maximum voluntary contraction for 5 s. The test was repeated 3 times and participants rested for 2 min between trials. The best performance from the three trials was considered for further analysis. Cardiorespiratory fitness In order to assess the effect of the program on the participants' cardiorespiratory fitness, the six-minute walk test (6MWT), was performed, following standard procedure. The subjects were instructed to walk at their own pace from one end to the other of a 100-foot-long measured distance in an enclosed, level, corridor, and to cover as much ground as possible in 6 min. They were allowed to stop and rest during the test, but were instructed to resume walking as soon as they felt able to do so.
Cervical cancer radiotherapy patients have a decline in quality of life and sexual quality of life
Demographic changes in the industrialized world are expected to prompt a need for better organized and more efficient health care services. In order to curb costs, health care providers in many countries are searching for viable alternatives to hospitalizations. Norwegian white papers and reform documents presume that the municipalities will play a central role in meeting the growth in demand for health services. Central public policy documents and national research strategies highlight that we need pathways characterized by good quality and safe care, and which are responsive to needs, based on user involvement, continuity of care and successful collaboration within and between service levels. The 2012 Coordination Reform placed new responsibilities on municipalities in the delivery of primary health care services and on hospitals as deliverers of specialist services, as well as on the integration and collaboration between the two organizational levels. This reform mandates that all 428 Norwegian municipalities are obliged to establish or co-operate on establishing Municipal Acute Wards (MAW) (In Norwegian: Kommunale akutte døgnplasser), so as to alleviate pressure on hospitals. However, the research basis for these units is relatively weak. Hence, there is little information on the outcomes regarding the quality, cost-effectiveness, patient-reported as well as personnel-reported outcomes of this new level of care. This study aims at assessing the outcome of admissions to MAWs compared to a general hospital for patients in need of acute care, that can be treated at a lower and decentralized level of health care, with potentially less resources than traditional hospitalizations. The study will use a Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) design. It builds on previous research and systematic reviews, and aims to assess several outcomes, including health-related quality of life (HRQoL), patient experiences, cost-effectiveness, short-term mortality and morbidity, and draws on linkages to national registers.
In previous studies, people with inflammatory bowel disease reported that the disease had a large impact on the psychosocial aspects of eating and drinking, and a high proportion of people felt excluded from social interactions that involved eating and drinking (for example religious, family) and there was considerable uncertainty around how eating will affect bowel function together with feelings of reduced autonomy and high levels of stress and anxiety. These patient experiences may lead to reduced food related quality of life. This randomised control trial will examine the feasibility of using a web based intervention to improve the food related quality of life of people with inflammatory bowel disease. Fifty eligible participants will be randomised to receive either a 3-month website based intervention or usual care. The feasibility of study design, an estimate of the efficacy of the website intervention and patient experience of the intervention will be assessed after three months. Patients will be recruited from inflammatory bowel disease outpatient clinics at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and Bart's Health NHS Trust in the United Kingdom.