DSpace Collection:
http://hdl.handle.net/10174/1147
2024-03-28T14:32:46ZThe effects of a multimodal exercise program plus brain games apps in cognitive parameters of nursing home residents
http://hdl.handle.net/10174/27025
Title: The effects of a multimodal exercise program plus brain games apps in cognitive parameters of nursing home residents
Authors: Raimundo, A; Ferreira, S; Leite, N; Soares, G; Marmeleira, J
Editors: Bunc, V; Tsolakidis, T
Abstract: INTRODUCTION
The aging process leads to inevitable life changes and is characterized by a progressive loss of psychological and physiological functions (1). Often, these changes lead to institutionalization, where cognition and physical fitness tends to decline (2). Some studies have shown that multimodal exercise programs can have a broad impact in older adults, improving a number of cognitive and physical functions, including executive functioning, speed of behavior and balance (3). Also, in recent years there has been a growing interest in the use of digital technological devices for promoting specific competencies in the elderly. For instance, video games improve perceptual speed measures (4), memory, executive function, visuospatial abilities, vigilance, and reasoning abilities (5). Several studies used video games, but studies with tablet computers are not common. Moreover, to the best of our knowledge, few studies on the effects of multimodal exercise interventions have focused on nursing home residents. Therefore, the main objective of this pilot study is to examine the effects of an intervention designed for nursing home residents that include both a multimodal exercise component and a videogame component (brain games apps).
METHODS
Twelve older women and men were selected by convenience among a nursing home residence. Participants served as their own controls. During the first 4 weeks (control period), the participants continued with their normal daily life activities. After the control period, the group engaged in an intervention program for 6 weeks. The intervention program consisted of a multimodal exercise program (2 times per week) plus selected brain games played on a tablet computer (2 times per week). The 4 exercise sessions per week were alternated between multimodal exercise program and brain games performed on the tablet computer.
Assessment of cognition was collected at three different times: prior to the control period (T0), after the control period (T1), and at the end of the intervention (T2). The 8 ft up-and-go test of the senior fitness test (6) was performed with and without a cognitive dual task (counting backward from 30). This type of assessment has been shown to be reliable and valid to establish the fall risk of healthy elderly people (7). A clinical psychologist administered the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMS) as well as the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) questionnaire to analyze the effects of the program on immediate and short-term memory.
RESULTS
The intervention (multimodal exercise plus brain games apps) did not affect the ability to perform the 8 ft up-and-go test under single- and dual-task conditions (p=0.250 and p=0.375 respectively). Regarding immediate and short-term memory ability (measured by questions from the MMS and MOCA questionnaires), we found an improvement in one of the items related to short-term memory on MOCA. In this case, an increase in memory capacity was observed between T0 and T2 (p=0.033)
CONCLUSIONS
In this pilot study, we found a few positive changes in related cognitive variables as the result of the planned intervention. Nevertheless, the gains observed in short-term memory are encouraging. It is important that future studies test the effectiveness of engaging older adults in similar interventions using a large sample and a longer duration. This could confirm the tendencies found in the current research and prompt practitioners to use new digital technological devices for promoting specific competencies in the elderly.2019-01-01T00:00:00ZDomestic violence victims’ perception on health personnel’s attendance
http://hdl.handle.net/10174/25767
Title: Domestic violence victims’ perception on health personnel’s attendance
Authors: Cristina, Irene; Sim-Sim, Margarida
Editors: Magalhães, Maria; Guerreiro, Ana; Pontedeira, Catia
Abstract: Introduction: women victim of Domestic Violence search, in healthcare services a resource which can provide
support in the critical situation. Objective: To describe the victim’s perception on the attendance, in the hospital
environment, at the time of the violence episode. Methods: quantitative approach, descriptive, transversal.
Convenience sample of 81 women housed in shelter-houses, with ages between 19-64 years old (SD=11.64).
The questionnaire collected sociodemographic data and the history of victimization. Items regarding the
evaluation of the attendance were applied, adapted from the Chicago programme. Ethical aspects were
considered. Results: Violence occurs between 5 and 10 years to majority (n=19; 23,5%). Regarding the health
professionals’ actions in relational aspects, it is observed that the majority of women has a positive perception
related to the given attention (n=51; 63%). Regarding the knowledge of the professionals, the victims’
perception values the knowledge of legislation (n=75; 92.6%). Regarding the efficacy of attendance, the item
utility of referral by the professionals is highlighted (n=72; 88.9%). Conclusion: Results regarding attendance
are positive. However, in the victims’ perception, the professionals don’t possess a total easiness when speaking
face-to-face about violence with the victim. Regarding the safety plan, it is desirable a better co-construction
between victim and professional2017-09-05T23:00:00ZDesenvolvimento de modelo animal in vivo para vertebroplastia percutânea
http://hdl.handle.net/10174/22928
Title: Desenvolvimento de modelo animal in vivo para vertebroplastia percutânea
Authors: Oliveira, Maria Teresa; Reis, Joana; Ramos, António
Editors: Flores, Paulo
Abstract: RESUMO: A vertebroplastia percutânea (VP) é um procedimento minimamente invasivo
realizado frequentemente em medicina humana para tratamento de fracturas vertebrais, através
da injecção de um cimento ósseo. O teste de novos biomateriais depende de modelos animais
adequados. O objectivo deste estudo foi desenvolver um modelo de vertebroplastia em ovinos que
fosse reprodutível e seguro. No estudo ex vivo a vertebroplastia foi realizada através de um
acesso parapedicular bilateral modificado em 24 vértebras lombares de ovino, divididas em 4
grupos. O cimento utilizado num grupo de controlo foi o Cerament™ (Bone Support, Lund,
Sweden). No grupo experimental foi testado um novo compósito – Spine-Ghost – que consiste
numa matriz de sulfato de cálcio enriquecida com partículas micrométricas de um vidro bioactivo
mesoporoso. Todas as vértebras foram analisadas por micro-TAC e submetidas a testes
mecânicos de compressão. Para o estudo in vivo, 16 ovelhas foram aleatoriamente divididas em
dois grupos – controlo e experimental – e submetidas a VP, utilizando os mesmos cimentos do ex
vivo. Todas as vértebras foram analisadas post-mortem por micro-TAC e histologia.2017-02-11T00:00:00ZEffects of Pilates-based exercises on immediate pain in older people with persistent non-specific low back pain.
http://hdl.handle.net/10174/21845
Title: Effects of Pilates-based exercises on immediate pain in older people with persistent non-specific low back pain.
Authors: Tomas-Carus, P.; Silva, V.; Marques, I.; Parraca, J.A.; Raimundo, A.; Biehl-Printes, C.
Abstract: Introduction:
The low back pain is the most documented sort of vertebral column`s pain, it may affect almost 84% of the people at some point of their life (Airaksinen et al., 2006). This study aimed to determine the immediate changes of Pilates-based exercises program on pain (before vs. after session) in older people with persistent non-specific low back pain.
Methods:
Fifteen older people (age 65.5±3.5 years; body mass index 28.1±5.4 kg/m2; specific pain drugs 1.1±1.0 number) with persistent non-specific low back pain were selected to participate in a 12 weeks (2sessions/week – 60minutes/session) Pilates-based exercises program. The Portuguese version of The Keele Start Back Screening Tool (Raimundo et al., 2016) was used as inclusion criteria (medium and high risk were included). Pain was assessed with Visual Analogue Scale before and after each single session (i.e., 24 sessions).
Results:
Immediate benefits (pre-post session) were observed on pain with decrease ≈20% at 4th, 6th, 7th, and 10th sessions. No significant differences pre-post were showed before 4th and after 11th session. There were significant accumulative differences (pre session) on pain between 1st session and all sessions after 8th session.
Conclusions:
Pilates-based exercises program (2 times/week) led to a positive immediate decrease in the level of pain in older people with persistent non-specific low back pain after the second week. From the second month of the intervention the pre session pain decreases compared with the pain on the first session. So, only from the second month the patients begin the practice without pain and the intervention goes to a maintenance stage.2017-01-01T00:00:00Z