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Journal of Diabetes Research 2016Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a worldwide epidemic, which by all predictions will only increase. To help in combating the devastating array of phenotypes associated... (Review)
Review
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a worldwide epidemic, which by all predictions will only increase. To help in combating the devastating array of phenotypes associated with T2DM a highly reproducible and human disease-similar mouse model is required for researchers. The current options are genetic manipulations to cause T2DM symptoms or diet induced obesity and T2DM symptoms. These methods to model human T2DM have their benefits and their detractions. As far as modeling the majority of T2DM cases, HFD establishes the proper etiological, pathological, and treatment options. A limitation of HFD is that it requires months of feeding to achieve the full spectrum of T2DM symptoms and no standard protocol has been established. This paper will attempt to rectify the last limitation and argue for a standard group of HFD protocols and standard analysis procedures.
Topics: Animals; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Diabetic Cardiomyopathies; Diet, High-Fat; Disease Models, Animal; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; Mice; Mice, Inbred Strains; Research Design
PubMed: 27547764
DOI: 10.1155/2016/2902351 -
Chiropractic & Manual Therapies Jun 2020According to the American Physical Therapy Association, there is strong evidence to show that vertebral mobilization and manipulation procedures can be used to improve... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
According to the American Physical Therapy Association, there is strong evidence to show that vertebral mobilization and manipulation procedures can be used to improve spinal and hip mobility and reduce pain and incapacity in low back pain patients that fit the clinical prediction rule.
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the immediate effects of high-velocity low-amplitude (HVLA) manipulation on pain and postural control parameters in individuals with nonspecific low back pain.
METHODS
This study used a participant-blinded and assessor-blinded randomized controlled clinical trial involving a single session, in which 24 participants were randomly distributed into control (simulated manipulation) and intervention (HVLA lumbar manipulation) groups. The primary (pain: subjective pain intensity and pressure pain threshold) and secondary outcomes (postural control: ellipse area, center of pressure [COP] excursion, COP RMS velocity, and differences between the COP and center of projected gravity) were evaluated before and after the session using a numerical pain scale, algometer, and a force platform. For all outcomes, multiple mixed 2 (group) × 2 (time) ANOVAs were performed.
RESULTS
For the subjective pain intensity, only time was significant as a main effect, where pre-intervention presented a greater value then post-intervention (F [1.44] = 4.377; p = 0.042; r = 0.30). For the pressure pain threshold no significant effect was found. For the postural control parameters, as a main effect, only the ellipse area was significantly greater in the control group (F [1.44] = 6.760; p = 0.013; effect size = 0.36).
CONCLUSIONS
There was a reduction in subjective pain intensity, evaluated using a numerical scale, in both the intervention and control groups immediately after the intervention, suggesting that the spinal manipulation had a similar effect to the placebo procedure. No effect of HVLA lumbar manipulation was identified for postural control variables in either the intervention or control groups.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
The study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under the number NCT02312778, registered at 14 September 2014.
Topics: Adult; Double-Blind Method; Female; Humans; Low Back Pain; Male; Manipulation, Spinal; Middle Aged; Pain Measurement; Pain Threshold; Postural Balance; Young Adult
PubMed: 32487243
DOI: 10.1186/s12998-020-00316-7 -
Psicothema Nov 2017The robustness of F-test to non-normality has been studied from the 1930s through to the present day. However, this extensive body of research has yielded contradictory...
BACKGROUND
The robustness of F-test to non-normality has been studied from the 1930s through to the present day. However, this extensive body of research has yielded contradictory results, there being evidence both for and against its robustness. This study provides a systematic examination of F-test robustness to violations of normality in terms of Type I error, considering a wide variety of distributions commonly found in the health and social sciences.
METHOD
We conducted a Monte Carlo simulation study involving a design with three groups and several known and unknown distributions. The manipulated variables were: Equal and unequal group sample sizes; group sample size and total sample size; coefficient of sample size variation; shape of the distribution and equal or unequal shapes of the group distributions; and pairing of group size with the degree of contamination in the distribution.
RESULTS
The results showed that in terms of Type I error the F-test was robust in 100% of the cases studied, independently of the manipulated conditions.
Topics: Analysis of Variance; Monte Carlo Method; Sample Size
PubMed: 29048317
DOI: 10.7334/psicothema2016.383 -
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders Oct 2019Few studies have investigated the effects of mobilization with movement (MWM) in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) compared to other procedures. Sham procedures are... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
Few studies have investigated the effects of mobilization with movement (MWM) in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) compared to other procedures. Sham procedures are generally more appropriate control than using no or usual treatments. Moreover, studies investigating the widespread hypoalgesic effects of MWM in patients with knee OA are lacking. The aim was to investigate the effect of MWM on function and pain in patients with knee OA compared to sham MWM.
METHODS
This is a randomized double-blind (patients and assessor) controlled trial. Forty adult patients with knee OA of grade II and above were recruited to receive either MWM treatment or sham MWM for the knee. The outcome measures included the following: a visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, the pressure pain threshold (PPT) test, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) Index, the timed up and go (TUG) test, knee strength and knee range of motion (ROM). The measurements were taken at baseline, immediately after intervention and 2 days later.
RESULTS
Compared with sham MWM, MWM resulted in greater immediate improvement in pain [mean difference (95% CI): - 2.2 (- 2.8, - 1.6)], PPT at both the knee [176 (97, 254)] and shoulder [212 (136, 288)], TUG time [- 1.6 (- 2.1, - 1.1)], knee flexor strength [2.0 (1.3, 2.7)] and extensor strength [5.7 (4.1, 7.2)] and knee flexion ROM [12.8 (9.6, 15.9)] (all, p < 0.001) but not knee extension ROM [- 0.8 (- 1.6, 0.1)] (p = 0.067). After 2 days of intervention, patients who received MWM also demonstrated a greater improvement in pain [- 1.0 (- 1.8, - 0.1)], PPT at the shoulder [107 (40, 175)], TUG time [- 0.9 (- 1.4, - 0.4)], knee flexor strength [0.9 (0.2, 1.7)] and extensor strength [2.9 (2.1, 3.9)] and knee flexion ROM [8.3 (4.7, 11.9)] (all, p ≤ 0.026). However, WOMAC scores and knee extension ROM showed no evidence of change at any stage after intervention (p ≥ 0.067).
CONCLUSIONS
MWM provided superior benefits over sham MWM in terms of local and widespread pain, physical function (walking), knee flexion and extension muscle strength and knee flexion ROM for at least 2 days in patients with knee OA.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
ClinicalTrials.gov ( NCT02865252 ), registered on August 12, 2016.
Topics: Arthralgia; Double-Blind Method; Female; Humans; Knee Joint; Male; Manipulation, Orthopedic; Middle Aged; Osteoarthritis, Knee; Pain Measurement; Range of Motion, Articular; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 31627723
DOI: 10.1186/s12891-019-2841-4 -
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders Sep 2017Mechanical neck pain is a highly prevalent problem in primary healthcare settings. Many of these patients have restricted mobility of the cervical spine. Several manual... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Effectiveness of a specific manual approach to the suboccipital region in patients with chronic mechanical neck pain and rotation deficit in the upper cervical spine: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.
BACKGROUND
Mechanical neck pain is a highly prevalent problem in primary healthcare settings. Many of these patients have restricted mobility of the cervical spine. Several manual techniques have been recommended for restoring cervical mobility, but their effectiveness in these patients is unknown. The aim of the present study is to compare the effectiveness of two types of specific techniques of the upper neck region: the pressure maintained suboccipital inhibition technique (PMSIT) and the translatory dorsal glide mobilization (TDGM) C0-C1 technique, as adjuncts to a protocolized physiotherapy treatment of the neck region in subjects with chronic mechanical neck pain and rotation deficit in the upper cervical spine.
METHODS
A randomized, prospective, double-blind (patient and evaluator) clinical trial. The participants (n = 78) will be randomly distributed into three groups. The Control Group will receive a protocolized treatment for 3 weeks, the Mobilization Group will receive the same protocolized treatment and 6 sessions (2 per week) of the TDGM C0-C1 technique, and the Pressure Group will receive the same protocolized treatment and 6 sessions (2 per week) of the PMSIT technique. The intensity of pain (VAS), neck disability (NDI), the cervical range of motion (CROM), headache intensity (HIT-6) and the rating of clinical change (GROC scale) will be measured. The measurements will be performed at baseline, post-treatment and 3 months after the end of treatment, by the same physiotherapist blinded to the group assigned to the subject.
DISCUSSION
We believe that an approach including manual treatment to upper cervical dysfunction will be more effective in these patients. Furthermore, the PMSIT technique acts mostly on the musculature, while the TDGM technique acts on the joint. We expect to clarify which component is more effective in improving the upper cervical mobility.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02832232 . Registered on July 13th, 2016.
Topics: Cervical Vertebrae; Chronic Pain; Double-Blind Method; Female; Humans; Male; Manipulation, Spinal; Neck Pain; Occipital Bone; Pain Measurement; Prospective Studies; Range of Motion, Articular; Rotation; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 28870191
DOI: 10.1186/s12891-017-1744-5 -
Neuro-Chirurgie May 2018Primary hemifacial spasm with few exceptions is due to the vascular compression of the facial nerve that can be evidenced with high resolution MRI. Microvascular... (Review)
Review
Primary hemifacial spasm with few exceptions is due to the vascular compression of the facial nerve that can be evidenced with high resolution MRI. Microvascular decompression is the only curative treatment for this pathology. According to literature review detailed in chapter "conflicting vessels", the compression is located at the facial Root Exit Zone (REZ) in 95% of the cases, and in 5% distally at the cisternal or the intrameatal portion of the root as the sole conflict or in addition to one at brainstem/REZ. Therefore, exploration has to be performed on the entire root, from the ponto-medullary fissure to the internal auditory meatus. Because microvascular decompression is functional surgery, the procedure should be as harmless as possible and with a high probability of permanent efficacy. Besides facial palsy, main complications are hearing loss, tinnitus and gait disturbances. Causes are cochlea/labyrinth ischemia due to manipulations of their nutrient arteries and/or stretching of the eight nerve complex. To minimize the latter, the approach should not be with lateral-to-medial retraction of the cerebellar hemisphere, but along an infra-floccular trajectory, from below. In fact, most of the neurovascular conflicts are situated ventro-caudally to facial REZ at the brainstem, particularly those from a megadolicho-vertebrobasilar artery and its posterior inferior-cerebellar branch. Also, care should be taken not to cause any injury of the manipulated vessels or stretching of their perforators to brainstem. Heating from bipolar coagulation must be avoided. The inserted material used to maintain the offending vessel(s) away must not be neo-compressive. Intraoperative neuromonitoring is considered to be useful for achieving safe surgery at least until the learning curve has reached an optimal level, particularly BrainstemAuditory Evoked Potentials recordings. Increase in latency and/or decrease in amplitude of wave V warn excessive stretching or damage to the cochlear nerve, and decrease in amplitude of wave I signals possible ischemia of the cochlea. Free-running EMG of the facial muscles may warn against excessive manipulation of the facial nerve. Recording of the lateral spread responses - which are a sign of hyperexcitabilty of the facial motor system - may provide information on completeness of the decompression.
Topics: Facial Muscles; Facial Nerve; Hemifacial Spasm; Humans; Microvascular Decompression Surgery; Monitoring, Intraoperative; Neurosurgical Procedures
PubMed: 29784430
DOI: 10.1016/j.neuchi.2018.04.003 -
Journal of Korean Medical Science Mar 2021In the era of digitization and Open Access, article-level metrics are increasingly employed to distinguish influential research works and adjust research management... (Review)
Review
In the era of digitization and Open Access, article-level metrics are increasingly employed to distinguish influential research works and adjust research management strategies. Tagging individual articles with digital object identifiers allows exposing them to numerous channels of scholarly communication and quantifying related activities. The aim of this article was to overview currently available article-level metrics and highlight their advantages and limitations. Article views and downloads, citations, and social media metrics are increasingly employed by publishers to move away from the dominance and inappropriate use of journal metrics. Quantitative article metrics are complementary to one another and often require qualitative expert evaluations. Expert evaluations may help to avoid manipulations with indiscriminate social media activities that artificially boost altmetrics. Values of article metrics should be interpreted in view of confounders such as patterns of citation and social media activities across countries and academic disciplines.
Topics: Bibliometrics; Journal Impact Factor; Publishing; Research Design; Scholarly Communication; Social Media
PubMed: 33754507
DOI: 10.3346/jkms.2021.36.e74 -
Chiropractic & Manual Therapies 2019Chronic migraine is a largely refractory condition affecting between 1 and 2.2% of the overall population worldwide, with females more affected than males. There are... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
INTRODUCTION
Chronic migraine is a largely refractory condition affecting between 1 and 2.2% of the overall population worldwide, with females more affected than males. There are also high health and socioeconomic costs associated both for the individual and society. The mainstay of chronic migraine management is pharmacological, but the options available have limited efficacy and there are often unwanted side effects. There is some evidence for manual therapy as a treatment option for migraine, but its effectiveness for chronic migraine is unknown. Therefore, we have designed a pragmatic randomised control trial to investigate whether adding manual therapy to the tertiary specialist treatment of chronic migraine improves patient-reported outcomes.
METHODS
A pragmatic, randomised controlled trial in a hospital tertiary headache clinic Participants will be randomised into one of two groups: treatment as usual or treatment as usual plus manual therapy. The primary outcome measure will be a change in the Headache Impact Test score. Secondary outcomes will also be measured over the 12-week study period including changes in headache frequency, migraine specific quality of life and reductions in relevant medicine consumption. The manual therapy group will have five treatment sessions each lasting 30 min. The recruitment target of 64 participants will allow power at 80% with = 0.05 using minimal clinical difference for Headache Impact Test of 3.7 and includes provision for a 10% dropout rate. Recruitment will take place between August 2018 and February 2019. The results will form part of a doctoral study and be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at national/international conferences.
DISCUSSION
Current pharmacological approaches have limited effects in the management of chronic migraine and there is a requirement to improve treatment options and reduce the health and economic burden of the condition. Manual therapy has been shown to be effective in other chronic pain conditions as well as other primary headaches. This study will explore the effectiveness of manual therapy as an adjunctive approach to the management of chronic migraine.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
The trial has received a favourable opinion from the UK Health Research Authority (IRAS 228901) and is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov.number NCT03395457. Registered 1st March 2018.
Topics: Adult; Chronic Disease; Clinical Protocols; Female; Headache; Humans; Migraine Disorders; Musculoskeletal Manipulations; Quality of Life; Research Design; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 30962877
DOI: 10.1186/s12998-019-0232-4 -
Frontiers in Psychology 2018Researchers are concerned about whether manipulations have the intended effects. Many journals and reviewers view manipulation checks favorably, and they are widely... (Review)
Review
Researchers are concerned about whether manipulations have the intended effects. Many journals and reviewers view manipulation checks favorably, and they are widely reported in prestigious journals. However, the prototypical manipulation check is a verbal (rather than behavioral) measure that always appears at the same point in the procedure (rather than its order being varied to assess order effects). Embedding such manipulation checks within an experiment comes with problems. While we conceptualize manipulation checks as measures, they can also act as interventions which initiate new processes that would otherwise not occur. The default assumption that manipulation checks do not affect experimental conclusions is unwarranted. They may amplify, undo, or interact with the effects of a manipulation. Further, the use of manipulation checks in mediational analyses does not rule out confounding variables, as any unmeasured variables that correlate with the manipulation check may still drive the relationship. Alternatives such as non-verbal and behavioral measures as manipulation checks and pilot testing are less problematic. Reviewers should view manipulation checks more critically, and authors should explore alternative methods to ensure the effectiveness of manipulations.
PubMed: 29977213
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00998 -
Journal of Personality and Social... Sep 2019Using a novel technique known as network meta-analysis, we synthesized evidence from 492 studies (87,418 participants) to investigate the effectiveness of procedures in... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Using a novel technique known as network meta-analysis, we synthesized evidence from 492 studies (87,418 participants) to investigate the effectiveness of procedures in changing implicit measures, which we define as response biases on implicit tasks. We also evaluated these procedures' effects on explicit and behavioral measures. We found that implicit measures can be changed, but effects are often relatively weak (|s| < .30). Most studies focused on producing short-term changes with brief, single-session manipulations. Procedures that associate sets of concepts, invoke goals or motivations, or tax mental resources changed implicit measures the most, whereas procedures that induced threat, affirmation, or specific moods/emotions changed implicit measures the least. Bias tests suggested that implicit effects could be inflated relative to their true population values. Procedures changed explicit measures less consistently and to a smaller degree than implicit measures and generally produced trivial changes in behavior. Finally, changes in implicit measures did not mediate changes in explicit measures or behavior. Our findings suggest that changes in implicit measures are possible, but those changes do not necessarily translate into changes in explicit measures or behavior. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).
Topics: Humans; Network Meta-Analysis; Psychological Tests; Psychology, Social; Social Perception
PubMed: 31192631
DOI: 10.1037/pspa0000160