Review of Articles

Name
Professor
Subject
01 February 1, 2018
The following questions pertain to:
Velayutham, S. G., Chandra, S. R., Bharath, S., & Shankar, R. G. (2017). Quantitative balance and gait measurement in patients with frontotemporal dementia and Alzheimer diseases: A pilot study. Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine, 39(2), 176-182. doi:10.4103/0253-7176.203132
http://proxy.chamberlain.edu:8080/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=122248443&site=eds-live&scope=siteWhat is the purpose of this research?
The study is meant to look into gait and balance-related problems as a result of Alzheimer’s and Frontotemporal Dementia.
What is the research question (or questions)? This may be implicit or explicit.
Can the analysis of subcortical signs and the observation of any differential patterns be successfully integrated into early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease and Front temporal Dementia? Is there any significant difference in gait and balance between the AD/FTD group and the control group?
Give a complete description of the research design of this study.
The balance and gait of the sample population were measured after the determination of the individuals’ factors such as age, gender, weight, and height. A dynamic posturography was used in the measurement of balance (dynamic balance and limit of stability). On the other hand, gait was determined using the Biodex Gait Trainer. A balance was measured by the use of an unstable platform which forces the subject to shift his body weight.

Limit of stability combines a cognitive task and dynamic balance. Data collected in the Gait assessment include gait speed, stride length and coefficient of variation. The result of the study was then compared among the three groups. The higher the coefficient variation of steps depicts poor gait stability.
What is the population (sample) for this study?
The total sample for the research is 24 male adults between 50 and 70 years. The first and the second groups were the AD and FTD patients. The last eight individuals are healthy adults who will act as control subjects for the study. Persons with cardiovascular ailments, neurological conditions, orthopedic and visual deficits were not included in the study.
Was the sample approach adequate for the research design that was selected and explain why?
Yes. First, the researchers omitted special subjects, those with medical conditions and ailments, who would have given us unreliable results from the study. Secondly, all groups have been adequately represented. The AD and FTD together with healthy persons are all included in the study. Alzheimer’s patients are prevalently aged between 50 and 70 years hence the age bracket was a perfect choice. However, the inclusion of women in the study would a have given data that runs across all gender.
Describe the data collection procedure.
The monitor of the treadmill recorded the reading of OBI, MLI, and API for dynamic balance. On the other hand, the directional values of LOS were also recorded in the monitor. The score can then be determined from the values. The Gait Trainer also recorded the values of gait parameters for future reference.
How were the data analyzed after collection?
After the scores were determined, the mean and the standard deviation was calculated for each. The parameter’s normality was the put to the test using the Shapiro-Wilkins test. The t-test was then used to compare single and dual tasks. Finally, ANOVA was employed to reveal the variations in the group before the use of post hoc with Bonferroni correction.
Discuss the limitations found in the study.
The study did not include the female gender. The impact of AD neurodegenerative dementias might vary with sex
Discuss the authors’ conclusions. Do you feel these conclusions are based on the data that they collected?
The AD and FTD patients have a significantly lower balance and gait compared to the control subjects. This shows that their condition affects their performance in the single and dual task.
How does this advance knowledge in the field?
Having known that AD and FTD interfere with balance and gait, these subcortical factors may be used as a mean to diagnose these conditions.
The following questions pertain to:
Pals, R. S., Hansen, U. M., Johansen, C. B., Hansen, C. S., Jørgensen, M. E., Fleischer, J., & Willaing, I. (2015). Making sense of a new technology in clinical practice: a qualitative study of patient and physician perspectives. BMC Health Services Research, 15(1), 1-10. doi:10.1186/s12913-015-1071-1
http://proxy.chamberlain.edu:8080/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=her&AN=109884152&site=eds-liveWhat is the purpose of this research?
To look into the perspective of patients and physicians alike on the usefulness of a new technology to diagnose Cardiovascular Autonomic Neuropathy in a diabetes clinic.
What is the research question (or questions)? This may be implicit or explicit.
What is your perception of the Vagus™ device in clinical practice? What does the technology mean to you?
Give a complete description of the research design of this study.
The probe was based on three sources of data: interviews with patients who received the services of the device, observation from medical consultants who used the technology and one on one with physicians who reported on the diagnosis of the CAN test.
What is the population (sample) for this study?
A total of 36 subjects undertook the research. Eight medical consultants, 19 patients, and nine physicians were interviewed.
Was the sample approach adequate for the research design that was selected and explain why?
Yes. All stakeholders were considered in this study. Additionally, the research included both the experienced and less experienced physicians hence being able to acquire contributions on the study from different points of view.
Describe the data collection procedure.
With the aid of a patient coordinator, the researchers were able to organize interviews on days that patients would visit the clinic to collect results. The physicians, on the other hand, shared their observations with the research team on scheduled consultation days. Data from medical consultants were collected through visiting their clinics.
How were the data analyzed?
The perspective of the population was analyzed qualitatively. Additionally, through the application of content analysis, statements such as perception and knowledge of the CAN test which indicated the patients’ and physicians’ technological frames were sorted out. Comparison of comments from the three group was made.
Discuss the limitations found in the study?
The research did not include many individuals who tested positive for CAN hence, quite a number of the subject did not remember the day of the test. Also, the selection of the physicians was not random enough since they were hand-picked after the ones invited failed to attend. Additionally, there is no comparison with other relevant technologies in this study.
Discuss the authors’ conclusions. Do you feel these conclusions are based on the data that they collected?
Yes. Both the physicians and the patients have not fully embraced the technology. While the physicians find it hard to convey the test results to the patients, most of the patients had no clue about the test.
How does this advance knowledge in the field.
Although the technology is useful in the early diagnosis of the CAN, effort should be put in place to ensure that all the stakeholders in the medical sectors are well educated about the device.
Bibliography
Pals, R. S., Hansen, U. M., Johansen, C. B., Hansen, C. S., Jørgensen, M. E., Fleischer, J., & Willaing, I. (2015). Making sense of a new technology in clinical practice: a qualitative study of patient and physician perspectives. BMC Health Services Research, 15(1), 1-10. doi:10.1186/s12913-015-1071-1
Velayutham, S. G., Chandra, S. R., Bharath, S., & Shankar, R. G. (2017). Quantitative balance and gait measurement in patients with frontotemporal dementia and Alzheimer diseases: A pilot study. Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine, 39(2), 176-182. doi:10.4103/0253-7176.203132