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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 -
Journal of Bodywork and Movement... Jan 2014Connective tissue manipulation or connective tissue massage (bindegewebsmassage) is a manual reflex therapy in that it is applied with the therapist's hands which are in... (Review)
Review
Connective tissue manipulation or connective tissue massage (bindegewebsmassage) is a manual reflex therapy in that it is applied with the therapist's hands which are in contact with the patient's skin. The assessment of the patient and the clinical decision-making that directs treatment is based on a theoretical model that assumes a reflex effect on the autonomic nervous system which is induced by manipulating the fascial layers within and beneath the skin to stimulate cutaneo-visceral reflexes. This paper reviews the literature and current research findings to establish the theoretical framework for CTM and the evidence for its clinical effects. The rationale for the principles of treatment are discussed and the evidence for the clinical effectiveness assessed through an analytical review of the clinical research.
Topics: Connective Tissue; Humans; Massage; Musculoskeletal Manipulations; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 24411158
DOI: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2013.08.003 -
Journal of Athletic Training 2013To critically analyze published literature to determine the effectiveness of myofascial release therapy as a treatment for orthopaedic conditions. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
To critically analyze published literature to determine the effectiveness of myofascial release therapy as a treatment for orthopaedic conditions.
DATA SOURCES
We searched the following electronic databases: MEDLINE, CINAHL, Academic Search Premier, Cochrane Library, and Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), with key words myofascial release, myofascial release therapy, myofascial release treatment, musculoskeletal, and orthopedic. No date limitations were applied to the searches.
STUDY SELECTION
Articles were selected based upon the use of the term myofascial release in the abstract or key words. Final selection was made by applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria to the full text. Studies were included if they were English-language, peer-reviewed studies on myofascial release for an orthopaedic condition in adult patients. Ten studies were eligible.
DATA EXTRACTION
Data collected were number of participants, condition being treated, treatment used, control group, outcome measures and results. Studies were analyzed using the PEDro scale and the Center for Evidence-Based Medicine's Levels of Evidence Scale.
DATA SYNTHESIS
Study scores on the PEDro scale ranged from 6 of 10 to 8 of 10. Based on the Levels of Evidence Scale, the case studies (n = 6) were of lower quality, with a rank of 4. Three of the 4 remaining studies were rated at 2b, and the final study was rated at 1b.
CONCLUSIONS
The quality of studies was mixed, ranging from higher-quality experimental to lower-quality case studies. Overall, the studies had positive outcomes with myofascial release, but because of the low quality, few conclusions could be drawn. The studies in this review may serve as a good foundation for future randomized controlled trials.
Topics: Evidence-Based Medicine; Humans; Manipulation, Orthopedic; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Research Design
PubMed: 23725488
DOI: 10.4085/1062-6050-48.3.17 -
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 -
Manual Therapy Oct 2009Prior studies suggest manual therapy (MT) as effective in the treatment of musculoskeletal pain; however, the mechanisms through which MT exerts its effects are not...
Prior studies suggest manual therapy (MT) as effective in the treatment of musculoskeletal pain; however, the mechanisms through which MT exerts its effects are not established. In this paper we present a comprehensive model to direct future studies in MT. This model provides visualization of potential individual mechanisms of MT that the current literature suggests as pertinent and provides a framework for the consideration of the potential interaction between these individual mechanisms. Specifically, this model suggests that a mechanical force from MT initiates a cascade of neurophysiological responses from the peripheral and central nervous system which are then responsible for the clinical outcomes. This model provides clear direction so that future studies may provide appropriate methodology to account for multiple potential pertinent mechanisms.
Topics: Biomechanical Phenomena; Humans; Models, Neurological; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Musculoskeletal Manipulations; Pain; Pain Management; Pain Measurement; Research Design
PubMed: 19027342
DOI: 10.1016/j.math.2008.09.001 -
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 -
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