Biomedical subjects

Catherine Dean

Publications and source records attributed to Catherine Dean.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Contraceptive vaginal rings releasing Nestorone and ethinylestradiol: a 1-year dose-finding trial.

In a multicenter 1-year trial of contraceptive vaginal rings (rings) involving 150 women, three dose combinations of the progestin Nestorone (NES) and ethinylestradiol (EE) were compared with respect to effectiveness, safety and acceptability. Mean in vitro drug release rates for the three doses were 150 and 15, 150 and 20 and 200 and 15 microg/day of NES and EE, respectively. Each ring remained in situ for 21 days, removed for 7 days and then reinserted for a total of 13 cycles of use. We studied ring performance with respect to pregnancy and other termination events, adverse events, the extent of ovulation inhibition, serum drug levels and bleeding control. We also assessed the rings' effects on the vagina using a standardized colposcopy procedure. Seventy-two percent of the women completed the 1-year (> or = 350 days) study. In studied cycles, luteal activity (progesterone > or = 10 nmol/L) was noted in 17%, 7% and 12% of subjects with monitored cycles at the 150/15, 150/20 and 200/15 doses, respectively (p = .34). Two pregnancies occurred, both in subjects using the 200/15 microg/day ring. Breakthrough bleeding during ring use averaged about 2 days/year and breakthrough bleeding and spotting averaged about 7 days/year. In the entire trial, only two women discontinued because of bleeding problems. Medical conditions, chiefly vaginal problems, personal reasons and device loss or repeated expulsion were the principal reasons given for study discontinuation. Vaginal and cervical colposcopy, conducted with standardized techniques and standardized interpretations, revealed no elevated event incidence attributable to ring use. Clinical performance and adverse event profiles indicate that each of these 1-year NES/EE rings, used on a 21-day-in and 7-day-out regimen, provided women effective, acceptable and safe long-acting contraception under their own control.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Training physiotherapy students' abilities in scoring the motor assessment scale for stroke.

The purpose of this study was to test the ability of students in scoring an observational tool for measuring physical disability, the Motor Assessment Scale (MAS) for stroke, before and after training in order to establish whether current training and testing procedures for students are adequate. Sixteen students were tested using items 1-8 of the MAS before and after training. The students were required to observe the videotaped performance of four patients with stroke being assessed using the MAS and to score the performance of each patient. After training, the students were retested. The percent exact agreement between students' scores and criterion scores was calculated for each student and for each item. They were then compared before and after training using Student t test. When compared with criterion, the students achieved a mean of 79.6% (standard deviation, 10.8%) exact agreement before training and 83.9% (standard deviation, 6.7%) after training. While this increase in percent exact agreement was not statistically significant (p = 0.10), all students reached at least 75% exact agreement after training. Percent exact agreement on the items increased significantly (p = 0.03) so that seven of the eight items reached at least 75% exact agreement after training. The results of this study suggest that training is important to ensure that all students reach an acceptable standard.

Female↗

PubMed2003

Obstacle training programme for individuals post stroke: feasibility study.

OBJECTIVE: The purposes were threefold: to develop an obstacle ambulation training programme, to recruit and retain individuals post chronic stroke and to assess the effectiveness of the obstacle ambulation training programme. DESIGN: Intervention study; case series; baseline to post-intervention measures and one month follow-up after intervention. SETTING: An outpatient department. SUBJECTS: Five individuals with chronic stroke with mild to moderate functional limitations; convenience sample. INTERVENTIONS: Therapy consisted of twice weekly sessions for four weeks during which subjects walked along a walkway and over obstacles. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Motor Assessment Scale--walking section (MAS--time), Six-minute Walk Test distance, walking velocity, and Medical Outcomes Study-36 Health Status Measurement (SF-36). RESULTS: Significant improvements were seen baseline to post intervention for walking velocity, Six-minute Walk Test, MAS and SF-36 physical function score (p < or = 0.025 for all measures). Most improvements noted at the end of training were retained one month later. The effect sizes ranged from 0.33 to 1.20. CONCLUSIONS: Substantial improvement in ambulation function and disability level were seen as a result of the obstacle training programme for individuals with chronic stroke. Further investigation is warranted.

Adult↗

PubMed1980

The psychological dimensions of infertility.

Psychological reactions of childless couples applying to an adoption agency are examined. Infertility can be a developmental life crisis and may be experienced as a narcissistic trauma, resolution of which depends upon individual character structure. Intrapsychic tasks include acceptance and working though of grief for the loss of the self-ideal, restitution of body-image deficiency, and assessment of the importance of parenthood as a developmental phase. An adaptive resolution is seen as a necessary condition for successful adoptive parenting.

Adaptation, Psychological↗