1.
Munoz-Novoa, Maria, et al.
(author)
Upper Limb Stroke Rehabilitation Using Surface Electromyography: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
2022
In: Frontiers in Human Neuroscience. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 1662-5161. ; 16
Research review (peer-reviewed) abstract
Background: Upper limb impairment is common after stroke, and many will not regain full upper limb function. Different technologies based on surface electromyography (sEMG) have been used in stroke rehabilitation, but there is no collated evidence on the different sEMG-driven interventions and their effect on upper limb function in people with stroke. Aim: Synthesize existing evidence and perform a meta-analysis on the effect of different types of sEMG-driven interventions on upper limb function in people with stroke. Methods: PubMed, SCOPUS, and PEDro databases were systematically searched for eligible randomized clinical trials that utilize sEMG-driven interventions to improve upper limb function assessed by Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA-UE) in stroke. The PEDro scale was used to evaluate the methodological quality and the risk of bias of the included studies. In addition, a meta-analysis utilizing a random effect model was performed for studies comparing sEMG interventions to non-sEMG interventions and for studies comparing different sEMG interventions protocols. Results: Twenty-four studies comprising 808 participants were included in this review. The methodological quality was good to fair. The meta-analysis showed no differences in the total effect, assessed by total FMA-UE score, comparing sEMG interventions to non-sEMG interventions (14 studies, 509 participants, SMD 0.14, P 0.37, 95% CI –0.18 to 0.46, I2 55%). Similarly, no difference in the overall effect was found for the meta-analysis comparing different types of sEMG interventions (7 studies, 213 participants, SMD 0.42, P 0.23, 95% CI –0.34 to 1.18, I2 73%). Twenty out of the twenty-four studies, including participants with varying impairment levels at all stages of stroke recovery, reported statistically significant improvements in upper limb function at post-sEMG intervention compared to baseline. Conclusion: This review and meta-analysis could not discern the effect of sEMG in comparison to a non-sEMG intervention or the most effective type of sEMG intervention for improving upper limb function in stroke populations. Current evidence suggests that sEMG is a promising tool to further improve functional recovery, but randomized clinical trials with larger sample sizes are needed to verify whether the effect on upper extremity function of a specific sEMG intervention is superior compared to other non-sEMG or other type of sEMG interventions.
2.
3.
Pettersson, Cecilia, 1963, et al.
(author)
Enablers and Barriers in the Physical Environment of Care for Older People in Ordinary Housing: A Scoping Review
2020
In: Journal of Housing for the Elderly. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0276-3893 .- 1540-353X. ; 34:3, s. 332-350
Research review (peer-reviewed) abstract
Our aim was to explore enablers and barriers in ordinary housing for older people in care. We systematically searched Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar for relevant published research and gray material. The search resulted in a final sample of eight publications, four of which focused on accessibility for older people with dementia. Thematic analysis resulted in two themes: safety and accessibility. Future studies should focus on modifications to ordinary housing to achieve safe and comfortable environments for people who want to age in place and those who provide them with care.
4.
5.
Andersson, Sten-Ove, et al.
(author)
Doctors' and nurses' perceptions of military pre-hospital emergency care - When training becomes reality
2017
In: International Emergency Nursing. - : Elsevier. - 1755-599X .- 1878-013X. ; 32, s. 70-77
Research review (peer-reviewed) abstract
The aim of this study was to identify physicians' and nurses' perceptions of military pre-hospital emergency care before and after an international mission. A qualitative empirical study with a phenomeno-graphic approach was used. The results after pre-deployment training can be categorised as (1) learning about military medicine and (2) taking care of the casualty. The results after an international mission can be categorised as (1) collaborating with others, (2) providing general health care and (3) improving competence in military medicine. These results indicate that the training should be developed in order to optimise pre-deployment training for physicians and nurses. This may result in increased safety for the provider of care, while at the same time minimising suffering and enhancing the possibility of survival of the injured. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
6.
Öhlen, Joakim, 1958-, et al.
(author)
Conceptual development of "at-homeness'' despite illness and disease : A review
2014
In: International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1748-2623 .- 1748-2631. ; 9
Research review (peer-reviewed) abstract
Only one empirical study, the one by Zingmark, Norberg and Sandman published in 1995, explicitly focuses on at-homeness, the feeling of being metaphorically at-home, as a particular aspect of wellness. However, other studies reveal aspects of at-homeness, but if or how such aspects of at-homeness are related to each other is unclear. For this reason, the aim was to review Scandinavian nursing research related to at-homeness in the context of wellness-illness in severe and long-term conditions in order to take a step towards conceptual clarification of "at-homeness.'' The review included interpretive studies related to severe and long-term illness conducted in Sweden: 10 original articles and 5 doctoral theses. "At-homeness'' was found to be a contextually related meaning of wellness despite illness and disease embedded in the continuum of being metaphorically at-home and metaphorically homeless. This was characterized by three interrelated aspects and four processes: being safe through expanding-limiting experiences of illness and time, being connected through reunifying-detaching ways of relating, and being centred through recognition-non-recognition of oneself in the experience and others giving-withdrawing a place for oneself. This conceptualization is to be regarded as a step in conceptual clarification. Further empirical investigation and theoretical development of "at-homeness'' are needed. The conceptualization will be a step of plausible significance for the evaluation of interventions aimed at enhancing wellness for people with severe long-term illness, such as the frail elderly, and people with chronic illness or palliative care needs.
7.
Ahlborg, Gunnar, 1948, et al.
(author)
Reproductive effects of chemical exposures in health professions
1995
In: Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. - 1076-2752. ; 37:8, s. 957-61
Research review (peer-reviewed) abstract
Numerous chemical substances are handled by persons working in the health care sector. At exposure levels that may occur in the occupational setting, some of these substances are potentially harmful to the reproductive processes. Among the potentially harmful substances are anesthetic gases, antineoplastic agents, and sterilants. The epidemiological evidence of increased risks for adverse reproductive effects (eg, subfertility, spontaneous abortions, congenital defects) from such exposure is not unequivocal. However, due to the toxic potential, exposures should be kept at a minimum, and this may be especially important for workers who are pregnant or are planning to achieve pregnancy.
8.
Schmidt, Manuela, et al.
(author)
Doctoral students' well-being : a literature review
2018
In: International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being. - : Taylor & Francis. - 1748-2623 .- 1748-2631. ; 13:1, s. 1-14
Research review (peer-reviewed) abstract
Purpose: Doctoral student well-being is an important matter that shapes the well-being of academics throughout their careers. Given that well-being has been found to be closely related to employee productivity and efficiency, strategies associated with maintaining well-being during PhD studies might be crucial for higher education, its outcomes and—just as importantly—for a balanced life of PhD students.Method: Based on 17 studies, this literature review critically assesses the literature on doctoral student well-being.Results: Theoretical models, concepts of well-being, and methods applied are discussed, as are the results of the articles. The reviewed studies are then discussed based on a SWOT analysis addressing the strengths and weaknesses of the reviewed research as well as the identified opportunities and threats, which can be used as a basis for future research. Based on the review findings and the SWOT analysis, a multidimensional view of the well-being of doctoral students is proposed.Conclusions: The study proposes a more student-centred approach to meeting doctoral students’ needs, and the enhancement of doctoral student well-being in order, as a long-term goal, to improve academics’ well-being and productivity.
9.
Adolfsson, Margareta, 1950-, et al.
(author)
Pain management for children with cerebral palsy in school settings in two cultures: action and reaction approaches
2018
In: Disability and Rehabilitation. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0963-8288 .- 1464-5165. ; 40:18, s. 2152-2162
Research review (peer-reviewed) abstract
© 2017 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group Background: Children with cerebral palsy (CP) face particular challenges, e.g. daily pain that threaten their participation in school activities. This study focuses on how teachers, personal assistants, and clinicians in two countries with different cultural prerequisites, Sweden and South Africa, manage the pain of children in school settings. Method: Participants’ statements collected in focus groups were analysed using a directed qualitative content analysis framed by a Frequency of attendance-Intensity of involvement model, which was modified into a Knowing-Doing model. Results: Findings indicated that pain management focused more on children’s attendance in the classroom than on their involvement, and a difference between countries in terms of action-versus-reaction approaches. Swedish participants reported action strategies to prevent pain whereas South African participants primarily discussed interventions when observing a child in pain. Conclusion: Differences might be due to school- and healthcare systems. To provide effective support when children with CP are in pain in school settings, an action-and-reaction approach would be optimal and the use of alternative and augmentative communication strategies would help to communicate children’s pain. As prevention of pain is desired, structured surveillance and treatment programs are recommended along with trustful collaboration with parents and access to “hands-on” pain management when needed.Implications for rehabilitation•When providing support, hands-on interventions should be supplemented by structured preventive programs and routines for parent collaboration (action-and-reaction approach).•When regulating support, Sweden and South Africa can learn from each other;○In Sweden, the implementation of a prevention program has been successful.○In South Africa, the possibilities giving support directly when pain in children is observed have been beneficial.
10.
Schmidt, Manuela
(author)
Frequent visitors at the psychiatric emergency room : a literature review
2018
In: Psychiatric quarterly. - : Springer. - 0033-2720 .- 1573-6709. ; 89:1, s. 11-32
Research review (peer-reviewed) abstract
Frequent visitors at the psychiatric emergency room (PER) constitute a small subgroup of patients, yet they are responsible for a disproportionate number of visits and thus claim considerable resources. Their needs are often left unmet and their repetitive visits reflect their dissatisfaction as well as that of PERs' staff. Motivated by these dilemmas, this study systematically reviews the literature about frequent visitors at PER and seeks to answer two questions: What characterizes frequent visitors at PER in the literature? and What characterizes PER in the literature? Based on 29 studies, this paper offers answers to the two questions based on a strength weakness opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis. The results of the review and subsequent analysis of the literature revealed the multiplicity and complexity of frequent visitors' characteristics and how they appear to converge. Commonalities were more difficult to identify in PER characteristics. In some cases, this happened because the characteristics were poorly described or were context specific. As a result, it was not easy to compare the studies on PER. Based on SWOT and the findings of the analysis, the paper proposes new venues of research and suggests how the field of mental health might develop by taking into account its opportunities and threats.
