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Biomedical subjects

S Ryan

Publications and source records attributed to S Ryan.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Electrophysiological discrimination between retinal and optic nerve disorders.

In this study we show how the Pattern ERG (PERG) can be used to distinguish between optic nerve and retinal disease. Records from eyes with RBN and delayed visual evoked responses are compared with those recorded from the normal fellow eyes. In optic nerve disease there is a selective reduction of the later negative component of the PERG. PERGs were also recorded from patients with mild diabetic retinopathy. These were divided into three groups on the basis of the delay in their Visual Evoked Potential (VEP). The amplitude of both positive and negative components of the PERG fall with increasing severity of the disease thus showing that the abnormally long delay in VEP found in some cases is due to retinal disease rather than optic nerve disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Age differences in on-line syntactic processing.

Reading time and comprehension for subject-relative (e.g., The pilot that admired the nurse dominated the conversation) and object-relative (e.g., The pilot that the nurse admired dominated the conversation) constructions were compared among younger and older readers. Younger adults, but not older adults, differentially allocated time to the more taxing object-relative constructions. Although there were no age differences in comprehension of subject-relative constructions, older adults demonstrated lower levels of comprehension for object-relative sentences. Inconsistent with a modularity view positing preservation in "interpretive" processes with age, these results suggest that age-related differences in working-memory capacity limit responsiveness to text demands, thus compromising sentence comprehension.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Toward a comprehensive evaluation of the impact of electronic aids to daily living: evaluation of consumer satisfaction.

PURPOSE: It is generally accepted that electronic aids to daily living (EADLs) play an important role in the lives of many people with severe disabilities by providing the means to access and control devices for daily living activities. Despite this, little proof exists to support the contention that consumers are satisfied with relevant aspects of these assistive devices. The purpose of this study was to explore consumer satisfaction with EADLs and investigate the value that people with degenerative neuromuscular conditions place on these technologies. METHOD: Interviews were conducted with 40 EADL users and non-users to compare their views about these devices and their daily life experiences. Users were interviewed twice, six months apart, to establish the stability of their views and experiences with EADLs. The Functional Independence Measure (FIM instrument), the personal profile and Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with assistive Technology (QUEST) were administered to determine functional levels of participants, gather personal data pertinent to the study of device utility and explore user satisfaction with EADLs. RESULTS: Results suggest that overall consumers were quite satisfied with their EADLs and that this was relatively stable over time. However, some consumers expressed concerns regarding the cost of these technologies and their associated services. Both users and non-users rated EADLs similarly in relation to relative degree of importance ascribed to them. CONCLUSIONS: Combining the QUEST with outcome measurement tools that explore other important dimensions such as the effect on quality of life and psychosocial impact will help service providers to justify the costs associated with the prescription of sophisticated, costly assistive devices such as EADLs.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Functional impact of a rigid pelvic stabilizer on children with cerebral palsy who use wheelchairs: users' and caregivers' perceptions.

A within-subject ABA design was used to assess the functional impact of a novel wheelchair mounted rigid pelvic stabilizer (RPS) compared with a traditional wheelchair lap belt in a group of six children with cerebral palsy (mean age 10.4 years). The lap belt was worn during the two baseline phases which were each 3 weeks in duration. During a 5 week treatment phase the lap belt was replaced with the RPS device. Using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) each subject's self-evaluated performance ability and satisfaction with performance for five key tasks was measured at the end of each study phase. In addition, a structured weekly interview was conducted with the primary caregivers to assess perceived changes in their child's functional performance with each task. Results of repeated measures ANOVAs were statistically significant, indicating that the RPS as compared to the lap belt is a more effective device. The RPS allowed significantly better occupational performance and satisfaction with performance as measured by the COPM. Single-subject data analyses showed clinically significant changes in task performance and satisfaction with performance when the RPS was worn as compared to the lap belt for all subjects. Caregivers' perception of functional change ratings closely corresponded to subjects' self-rated performance on specific tasks. Visual inspection of subject data also showed that, overall, the increased performance ratings for different tasks during the treatment phase decreased in the second baseline phase, when the RPS was removed, however, performance did not return to initial baseline levels. This suggests that the RPS has a facilitating effect for increasing physical functioning. These results are further discussed in terms of implications for practice, and future research.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Nurse administrator employment in group practices.

The decline in managerial positions in hospitals has resulted in nurses' increased interest in management opportunities in other healthcare system sectors. This study reports the responses of 963 medical group practices to a survey of educational preferences and support mechanisms for the preparation of administrators for this type of setting. The findings raise issues for nurse managers seeking nonhospital employment and for nursing schools that have defined their educational mission as encompassing the preparation of nurse managers.

Commerce↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Nutrition and the rheumatoid patient.

This review examines the dietary requirements of patients with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, evaluates why their requirements are not being met and assesses ways in which the ward environment can affect eating habits.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Contralateral suppression of transiently evoked otoacoustic emissions and neuro-otology.

Transiently evoked otoacoustic emissions can be suppressed with simultaneous contralateral sound stimulation. This is considered to be effected via the efferent pathway from the superior olivary complex (SOC) to the contralateral cochlea. This study examined this effect in patients with extrinsic and intrinsic lesions of the brainstem which may affect the efferent pathway either within the vestibular nerve which carries the efferent bundle to the cochlea or within the brainstem at the level of the SOC. Suppression is reduced or absent in these patients and the site and size of the lesion determines whether the suppression is affected unilaterally or bilaterally. Lesions affecting the auditory afferent pathway without significant alteration in hearing appear to affect the efferent pathway too.

Acoustic Stimulation↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Defining the role of specialist nurse.

Much confusion exists over the role of the clinical nurse specialist. In this article, the author uses the example of rheumatology to highlight what the role of the nurse specialist should be and the importance of proper education and qualification to prepare nurses for this function.

Humans↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Rheumatology. Sharing care in an outpatient clinic.

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis require a multidisciplinary approach to their care that allows them as much control over their condition as possible. This article describes how a clinic led by a clinical nurse specialist and an occupational therapist has set out to achieve these aims.

Ambulatory Care Facilities↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The essence of rheumatology nursing.

Arthritis and rheumatism are the most frequently self-reported conditions in the UK, costing the NHS 1,200 Pounds million a year (OPCS 1980). Nurses caring for patients with these chronic illnesses need to consider the emotional consequences as well as the physical manifestations. This article identifies the important factors in the therapeutic relationship in rheumatology care.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Fibromyalgia: what help can nurses give?

Fibromyalgia is a common cause of pain, discomfort and disability. In this article, the author describes the symptoms and possible aetiology. The article also highlights how nurses can enhance patients' quality of life by helping them to cope with pain, establish sleep patterns, take exercise, manage stress, improve concentration and memory, and fight isolation.

Adaptation, Psychological↗