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Biomedical subjects

P Gibbons

Publications and source records attributed to P Gibbons.

30 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1976

A comparison of the effects of flurazepam 30 mg and triazolam 0.5 mg on the sleep of insomniacs.

The effects of oral, bedtime triazolam 0.5 mg and flurazepam 30 mg, on the laboratory sleep of 12 insomniacs were compared in a double blind, crossover study. A 22 consecutive night schedule was used: Nts. 1--2 placebo; 3--6 first drug; 7--8 placebo; 9--14 no drugs; 15--16 placebo; 17--20 second drug; 21--22 placebo. In 6 Ss first drug was triazolam and second drug was flurazepam. In the other 6 Ss the drug order was reversed. Effects on sleep were assessed objectively by conventional EEG/EOG/EMG sleep recordings and subjectively by questionnaires administered each morning. Side or toxic effects were assessed by physical exams, clinical lab tests, and twice daily questionnaires. During their administration the two drugs were practically indistinguishable in their effects. Both significantly reduced objective and subjective measures of insomnia, such as total wake time and sleep latency. On discontinuation the drugs differentially affected sleep, e.g., on the first post flurazepam night total sleep time was significantly more than baseline whereas on first post triazolam night, total sleep time was significantly less than baseline. There were no remarkable side or toxic effects with either drug.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

REM sleep reduction effects on depression syndromes.

Thirty-four endogenous and 18 reactive, depressed patients (hospitalized and nonschizophrenic) were treated in a double-blind, crossover study of the hypothesis that rapid eye movement (REM) sleep reduction (by awakenings) relieves depression. In the endogenous group-but not in the reactive group-subjects deprived of REM sleep for three weeks improved significantly more than control subjects awakened from non-REM sleep. Therapeutic efficacy of REM sleep reduction appeared similar to reported efficacy of imipramine hydrochloride treatment of depression. Eight of nine endogenous patients, unimproved by REM sleep deprivation, did not improve with imipramine. Results suggested (1) that substantial REM sleep reduction has antidepressant activity, and (2) since imipramine and other drug antidepressants reduce REM sleep much more so than nonantidepressant drugs, that an antidepressant "mechanism" of drugs resides in their capacity to substantially reduce REM sleep.

Adjustment Disorders↗
PubMed1975

The effect of triazolam on the sleep of insomniacs.

The effects of three oral doses of bedtime triazolam (0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, and 1.0 mg) a new benzodiazepine, on the laboratory sleep of insomniacs were studied in a double blind design which used the following 14 consecutive night schedule: 1-4 placebo; 5-11 drug; 12-14 placebo. Effects on sleep were measured objectively by conventional EEG/EOG/EMG sleep recordings and subjectively by questionnaires administered each morning. Side or toxic effects were assessed by screening physicals and questionnaires administered each morning and each evening and by a comparison of the prestudy vs. end-study physical exams and clinical lab tests. At the 0.5 mg dose triazolam significantly reduced several objective and subjective measures of insomnia. It had lesser effects at the 0.25 mg dose and equal or greater effects at 1.0 mg dose. There were no remarkable side or toxic effects at any dose.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of maneuvers on swallowing function in a dysphagic oral cancer patient.

This study examined the effects of three swallow maneuvers: (1) the supraglottic swallow (voluntary closure of the vocal folds prior to the swallow); (2) the super-supraglottic swallow (airway closure at the level of the arytenoid to base of epiglottis); and (3) the Mendelsohn maneuver (voluntary prolongation of laryngeal elevation and cricopharyngeal opening during swallow) on swallow functioning in a 47-year-old patient who underwent right composite resection for a squamous cell carcinoma of the right retromolar trigone. All maneuvers were employed during the same videofluorographic (VFG) swallow study conducted 6 months after the patient's surgery. Biomechanical analysis of 3-mL swallows defined the extent and timing of tongue base retraction to the posterior pharyngeal wall, laryngeal elevation, laryngeal closure and cricopharyngeal opening during swallows with and without maneuvers. Airway closure duration was prolonged during supraglottic and super-supraglottic swallows, but aspiration was not eliminated. Use of the Mendelsohn maneuver improved coordination and timing of pharyngeal swallow events, including timing of posterior movement of the tongue base to the pharyngeal wall in relation to airway closure and cricopharyngeal opening, with elimination of aspiration. The Mendelsohn maneuver compensated for anatomic and physiologic changes in the oropharyngeal swallow and enabled reinstatement of safe oral intake in this surgically treated head and neck cancer patient who was previously unable to take nutrition orally.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Intraexaminer and interexaminer reliability for palpation of the cranial rhythmic impulse at the head and sacrum.

BACKGROUND: A range of health care practitioners use cranial techniques. Palpation of a cranial rhythmic impulse (CRI) is a fundamental clinical skill used in diagnosis and treatment with these techniques. There has been little research establishing the reliability of CRI rate palpation. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to establish the intraexaminer and interexaminer reliability of CRI rate palpation and to investigate the "core-link" hypothesis of craniosacral interaction that is used to explain simultaneous motion at the cranium and sacrum. DESIGN: Within-subjects, repeated-measures design. SUBJECTS: Two registered osteopaths, both with postgraduate training in diagnosis and treatment, using cranial techniques, palpated 11 normal healthy subjects. METHODS: Examiners simultaneously palpated for the CRI at the head and the sacrum of each subject. Examiners indicated the "full flexion" phase of the CRI by activating silent foot switches that were interfaced with a computer. Subject arousal was monitored using heart rate. Examiners were blind to each other's results and could not communicate during data collection. RESULTS: Reliability was estimated from calculation of intraclass correlation coefficients (2,1). Intrarater reliability for examiners at either the head or the sacrum was fair to good, significant intraclass correlation coefficients ranging from +0.52 to +0.73. Interexaminer reliability for simultaneous palpation at the head and the sacrum was poor to nonexistent, ICCs ranging from -0.09 to +0.31. There were significant differences between rates of CRI palpated simultaneously at the head and the sacrum. CONCLUSIONS: The results fail to support the construct validity of the "core-link" hypothesis as it is traditionally held by proponents of craniosacral therapy and osteopathy in the cranial field.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Access to health services in Ireland for people with Multiple Sclerosis and Motor Neurone Disease.

We conducted a telephone questionnaire to determine the utilisation of hospital and community based services by patients with Motor Neurone Disease and Multiple Sclerosis in Ireland. 94 MND and 188 MS patients participated in the study. MND patients were more likely to have free medical care than MS patients, despite legislation favouring the converse. Severely disabled MND patients were more successful at accessing free community-based services than were severely disabled MS patients. Private medical insurance conferred no advantage when obtaining services or purchasing equipment. Many patients were unaware of the specific roles of the various clinical professionals. There are significant deficiencies in patients' ability to access multidisciplinary services. Voluntary organisations often bridge the gap in service provision. An investment in services for people with chronic neurological disability is urgently required.

Community Health Services↗