Hastings College

The objective of this study was to assess whether different lead placement patterns and frequencies (measured in hertz, Hz) in electro-acupuncture (EAP) significantly influence tissue vascular perfusion. Thirty-six clinically healthy dogs from a local dog sport community were enrolled in the study. Each subject received 6 EAP treatments, and a 7th treatment which was control (no needle placement). A total of 10 needles were placed at Back-shu points (BL-20 through BL-24) bilaterally for 20 minutes. The 6 EAP techniques included lead placement that was contralateral (BL-20 left side to BL-20 right side) or ipsilateral (BL-20 left side to BL-24 left side) and frequency settings at 20, 120, and 80-120 Hz. For each subject, the treatment order was randomized with a 2-week washout period between treatments to avoid carry-over effect. Pre- and post-acupuncture skin temperature changes, measured by infrared thermography, were compared among the 7 treatments. All EAP treatments resulted in significant skin temperature increase (p<0.05). No significant temperature change resulted from the no-treatment control (p=0.983). The “EAP 20 Hz contralateral” stimulation had significantly greater temperature increase than the other acupuncture treatment methods, with greatest to lowest temperature increase as follows: 20 Hz contralateral, 80-120 Hz ipsilateral, 20 Hz ipsilateral, 80-120 Hz contralateral, 120 Hz contralateral, 120 Hz ipsilateral. Study results indicate that both pattern of lead placement and the frequency used in EAP affect tissue perfusion. These findings are unique and could help shape best practices for selecting EAP frequency and lead placement in future applications.

Children with Special Needs (CWSN) definitely draw immense attention and claim for care and support from the family members for their upbringing.It is a common observation that CWSN disturb the family balance and create sadness, frustration, anxiety and relevant feelings among the family members.On the other hand, it is also found that if the family members are well aware about the issues of CWSN and provide necessary care and support towards them, the CWSN instead of being burden to the family becomes treasure for the family.In the present research effort an attempt is made to study the co-existence of CWSN and their siblings with regular features for maintaining the peace and harmony in the family.An area of North 24 Parganas has been selected and 10 families consisting of both CWSN and their siblings with regular features are interviewed with structured tool.The positive attitude of the siblings with regular features have been found out which are closely associated with traditional Indian values.

BackgroundPatients receiving chemotherapy require ongoing symptom monitoring and management to optimize their outcomes. In recent years, digital remote monitoring interventions have emerged to provide enhanced cancer care delivery experiences to patients and clinicians. However, patient and clinician experiential evaluations of these technologies are rare. Therefore, we explored user experiences and perceptions of one such intervention—Advanced Symptom Management System (ASyMS)—after its scaled deployment in the context of the Electronic Symptom Management System Remote Technology (eSMART) trial. The eSMART trial was a large, multicenter randomized controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of ASyMS in 12 clinical sites in 5 European countries.ObjectiveIn this qualitative study, both patients’ and clinicians’ experiences of using ASyMS for up to 6 cycles of chemotherapy were explored to understand the impact of ASyMS on patients’ experiences, clinical practice, and supportive care delivery.MethodsFor this analysis, individual, semistructured, one-to-one interviews with 29 patients with breast, colorectal, and hematological cancers and 18 clinicians from Austria, Greece, Ireland, Norway, and the United Kingdom were conducted. Interviews focused on patients’ and clinicians’ experiences of using ASyMS, care organization and changes in practice following the introduction of ASyMS, perceived changes in care associated with the use of ASyMS, and its potential for future integration into routine chemotherapy care pathways.ResultsThematic analysis identified several themes that describe patients’ and clinicians’ experiences using ASyMS. One central orienting theme—ASyMS as a facilitator of change—was supported by 5 key themes associated with human and technology monitoring: reassurance, enhanced communications and relationships, knowing what is “normal” and what is to be expected, enhancing cancer care experiences, and informing future cancer care.ConclusionsThis study is the first to evaluate both patients’ and clinicians’ experiences of using a digital health intervention to remotely monitor chemotherapy symptoms across 5 countries. Experiences with ASyMS were positive from both patients’ and clinicians’ perspectives, although some improvements to support the wider-scale rollout and sustained implementation were identified. Overall, this study demonstrates that real-time remote monitoring systems can help patients feel more reassured during their chemotherapy treatments and can help clinicians provide the right care, at the right time, and in the right place.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT02356081; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT02356081International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)RR2-10.1136/bmjopen-2016-015016

Abstract The influence of context on the conceptualization, measurement, and application of the quality of life concept was acknowledged in the principles contained within the originalQuality of Life Consensus Documentpublished in 2002 and validated in 2004. Since that time, there has been a substantial increase in our understanding of both the QOL construct and the multidimensional properties of context. The purpose of this article is to report on a multi‐step process conducted in 2019 by a group of international quality of life experts to review, critique, and update where necessary the QOL principles that were originally developed in 2002. Updated principles for conceptualization, measurement, and application are provided. An understanding of the role of context on the QOL concept allows for measurement guidelines to accompany the measurement principles, an understanding of the application conditions associated with a person‐ or family‐centered approach to QOL, and implementing guidelines regarding both the development of QOL‐related policies and practices and their monitoring and evaluation.

Gun violence is the leading cause of death for youth. This study examined an academic-community partnership to address gun violence through a strength-based approach called Asset-Based Community Development. We used a case study design. Participants were Black youth who encounter frequent gun violence (average age = 16.7 years; 72% male). Our partnership involved survey development/completion and semistructured discussions. We also interviewed community stakeholders to collect data on local assets. We interpreted data through a communitywide forum to guide social action to address gun violence. The majority of youth (76%) witnessed neighborhood violence in the last year. The top youth concerns related to gun violence included poverty, guns, and gangs. Community stakeholders saw local people and local organizations as primary community assets. A community forum to interpret these data led to social action in the form of an environmental strategy-cleaning up an unused commercial building for the development of a youth tech center. The majority of youth participants (89.5%) agreed or strongly agreed that they had a voice in the research process. Participatory research that takes an asset-based approach can enable relevant inquiry that engages youth and guides social action to address gun violence.

The disability field continues to face challenges in transforming and implementing meaningful and effective changes in person-centered services and supports aligned with the principles of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. To guide this transformative process effectively, a paradigm must be operationalized through a systematic approach. This article outlines such a systematic approach, consisting of two components: (a) aligning the paradigm’s foundational pillars to the elements of an explanatory/implementation model (the Quality of Life and Supports Model) to facilitate the paradigm’s operationalization, acceptance, and application and (b) aligning implementation, evaluation, and sustainability strategies with ecological systems, implementation targets, and the paradigm’s foundational pillars to drive change across systems. The synergy and alignment between these components underscore the importance of linking public policies with professional and organizational practices to promote social inclusion and enhance the quality of life for people with disabilities. We provide practical examples highlighting the collaborative potential of this synergy and emphasize the significance of evidence-based and person-centered practices in promoting equal rights and social inclusion for people with disabilities.