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Biomedical subjects

S Beech

Publications and source records attributed to S Beech.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Influence of beliefs about the consequences of dizziness on handicap in people with dizziness, and the effect of therapy on beliefs.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the longitudinal relationship between beliefs about the consequences of dizziness and handicap levels in dizzy patients, and the effect of therapy on beliefs. METHODS: Symptoms, beliefs, and handicap were assessed at baseline and 6 months follow up in 76 primary care patients complaining of dizziness or vertigo, of whom 33 were assigned to treatment (i.e., vestibular rehabilitation). RESULTS: At baseline most patients believed that dizziness would have negative consequences such as falling, fainting, or losing control. Handicap levels at follow-up were predicted by baseline beliefs that dizziness would have negative consequences. Significant reduction in negative beliefs at follow-up was observed in the patients who received treatment, whereas there was no reduction in negative beliefs in the untreated patients. CONCLUSIONS: Negative beliefs about the consequences of dizziness sustain long-term restriction of activity, and can be modified by therapy.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

A randomized controlled trial of exercise therapy for dizziness and vertigo in primary care.

BACKGROUND: 'Vestibular rehabilitation' (VR) is an increasingly popular treatment option for patients with persistent dizziness. Previous clinical trials have only evaluated the effects of specialist therapy programmes in small, selective, or uncontrolled patient samples. AIM: To determine the benefits of VR compared with standard medical care, using a brief intervention for dizzy patients in primary care. METHOD: Adults consulting their general practitioner (GP) with dizziness or vertigo were randomly assigned to treatment or control groups. Patients in both groups received the same evaluation at baseline, six-week follow-up, and six-month follow-up, comprising examination of nystagmus, postural control, and movement-provoked dizziness, and a questionnaire assessment of subjective status, symptoms, handicap, anxiety, and depression. At baseline and six weeks later, the treatment group also received an individualized 30-minute therapy session, in which they were taught head, eye, and body exercises designed to promote vestibular compensation and enhance skill and confidence in balance. RESULTS: The treatment group (n = 67) improved on all measures, whereas the control group (n = 76) showed no improvement, resulting in a significant difference between the two groups on physical indices of balance and subjective indices of symptoms and distress. Odds ratios for improvement in treated patients relative to untreated patients were 3.1:1 at six weeks (95% CI = 1.4-6.8) and 3.8:1 at six months (95% CI = 1.6-8.7). CONCLUSION: VR is a simple, inexpensive, and beneficial treatment, and may be an appropriate first stage of management for many dizzy patients in primary care.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Evaluating the clinical nurse specialist. A review.

This paper reviews evaluative studies on the role of clinical nurse specialists and aims to describe and categorise research according to the methods used. By using the structure, process and outcome framework a clear pattern of research development and evidence emerges. It appears that significant benefits accrue for patients from the contribution of nurse specialists, but more experimental studies with combined methods should now be applied to this area.

Cost-Benefit Analysis↗
PubMed1993

Effects of combined iodine and selenium deficiency on thyroid hormone metabolism in rats.

This paper compares the effects of combined iodine and selenium deficiency, of single deficiencies of these trace elements, and of no deficiency on thyroid hormone metabolism in rats. In rats deficient in both trace elements, thyroidal triiodothyronine (T3), thyroidal thyroxin (T4), thyroidal total iodine, hepatic T4, and plasma T4 were significantly lower, and plasma thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroid weight were significantly higher than in rats deficient in iodine alone. Plasma and hepatic T3 concentrations were similar in the dietary groups. Hepatic type I iodothyronine deiodinase (ID-I) activity was inhibited by selenium deficiency irrespective of the iodine status. Type II deiodinase (ID-II) activity in the brain was significantly higher and in pituitary, significantly lower in combined deficiency than in iodine deficiency alone. These data show that selenium can play an important role in determining the severity of the hypothyroidism associated with iodine deficiency.

Animals↗
PubMed1977

Automatic processing quality assurance program: impact on a radiology department.

A method for evaluating processing variability as well as quantitative data on a quality assurance program tested at a radiology department are presented. Thirty per cent of all retakes due to improper overall density could be attributed to processing variation; these could be prevented through a QA program which is highly cost-effective in both monetary and patient-care terms.

Cost-Benefit Analysis↗