Articles tagged with Control Groups
A new study found that reminders and feedback significantly improve medication adherence among asthma patients, leading to better asthma control. The study used an electronic inhaler monitor to track patient behavior and compared the effects of two interventions: daily reminders and personalized discussions with doctors.
A new study found that an internet-mediated exercise program supported by online resources improved health-related quality of life and daily step count in COPD patients. The pedometer-based walking program led to a significant improvement in symptoms and impacts, with participants taking 779 more steps per day at 4 months.
A new study published in Pediatrics found that healthy-weight children who exercise have better body-fat distribution compared to those who don't. The study also showed that even healthy-weight children who don't exercise tend to gain excess weight and store fat in their abdomens.
A low-fat diet may help alleviate fatigue in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). The study found that participants who followed a plant-based diet very low in saturated fat had significantly less fatigue at the end of the year compared to those who didn't follow the diet.
A study by Rice University found that state-owned companies in China were less likely to engage in strategic entrepreneurship to gain market share as the state owned more equity. This hampered innovation and hindered the companies' ability to react to changing institutional demands.
A community-based structured weight loss program significantly improved blood sugar control and reduced medication use in overweight adults with type 2 diabetes. Participants who received personalized counseling and portion-controlled foods lost more weight and showed better diabetes management compared to a control group.
A randomized controlled trial found that pharmacists significantly improved blood pressure and cholesterol levels in stroke patients, with a 43% absolute improvement compared to the control group. Pharmacists' active medication adjustment contributed to this effect, despite already taking antihypertensive or lipid-lowering medications.
Disadvantaged children attending high-quality early childhood programs exhibit improved health outcomes as adults, including lower cardiovascular and metabolic disease risks. These findings support the importance of early intervention in preventing costly adult chronic diseases.
A recent Harvard University study using prosopagnosia patients found that face recognition is a distinct cognitive process. Patients with face blindness showed poor performance in recognizing faces, contrasting with their ability to recognize other objects of expertise.
A study of 80 post-menopausal women found that those with distal radius fractures had decreased strength, particularly in chair stand and grip tests, compared to similar patients without fractures. This may indicate an early decrease in physical performance level.
A study found that moving out of high-poverty neighborhoods affects the mental health of boys and girls differently, with boys experiencing an increase in depression and conduct disorder and girls experiencing a decrease in these rates. The study suggests that sex differences play a role in this finding.
A phase 2 clinical trial found that patients with ALS receiving a high-calorie, high-carbohydrate tube-feeding formula lived longer and had fewer adverse events than those on a standard formula. This preliminary evidence suggests improved nutrition could extend survival in ALS patients.
The SuperMum campaign successfully increased handwashing with soap rates by 31% in rural India villages, sustaining improvements for 12 months. This approach leverages emotional motivators like disgust and nurture to drive behavior change.
A home-based exercise program improved functional mobility and balance in patients who completed standard rehabilitation after a hip fracture. The study suggests that such programs could be an effective way to continue exercising at home after traditional physical therapy.
The IMPaCT model, which employs trained lay Community Health Workers (CHWs), has been shown to improve patient experiences and health outcomes. The intervention group had a 52% greater chance of seeing a primary care physician within two weeks after discharge and reported better communication with healthcare providers.
Core stabilization exercises can improve postural stability and independent walking in chronic hemiparetic stroke patients. Real-time video feedback significantly improves gait velocity and stride length, as well as TUG test performance.
A novel study found that a single stem cell injection following meniscus knee surgery can provide significant pain relief and aid in meniscus regrowth. The treatment showed no 'clinically important' safety issues, with some patients experiencing strong improvement in pain and meniscal regrowth.
Research at Albert Einstein College of Medicine found that lactation consultants improved breastfeeding rates among women who resisted it. The studies showed that support from a lactation consultant significantly increased the chances of exclusive breastfeeding for three months, crucial for mother and child health benefits.
A study found that nonsurgical periodontal treatment did not result in improved glycemic control in people with type 2 diabetes and chronic periodontitis. Despite improvements in clinical measures of chronic periodontitis, the treatment had no impact on HbAlc levels.
Women who have undergone bariatric surgery are at increased risk of premature birth and low birth weight, according to a large registry study. The study suggests that prenatal care should be monitored extra carefully for these women.
A new study suggests that stress eaters show dynamic patterns of eating behavior, with 'munchers' eating more after being stressed but less when pleased, while 'skippers' do the reverse. This challenges the idea that stress eaters need to regulate their eating habits to prevent weight gain.
A research campaign aimed at increasing organ donor registrations showed a statistically significant increase in the number of people registering to donate. The campaign, which used multiple messages and volunteers, was implemented at 20 Department of Motor Vehicles facilities in Illinois.
A randomized study found that patients treated with esmolol achieved a target heart rate of 80-94 beats per minute, compared to 95/min in the control group. The study also showed improved mortality rates and overall survival among those receiving esmolol.
A Finnish study found that women with eating disorders have lower pregnancy rates and increased risk of miscarriage compared to their peers. The likelihood of abortion was more than double for bulimics and nearly half of pregnancies ended in miscarriage among women with binge-eating disorder.
A new study found that consuming 1.5 ounces of dry-roasted almonds daily reduced participants' hunger and improved their dietary intake of vitamin E and monounsaturated fat without gaining weight. The study, led by Purdue University researchers, suggests almonds may be a smart snack choice to support a healthy weight.
Research published at EASD annual meeting shows having children lowers mortality in people with type 1 diabetes, particularly for women. Mortality rates are significantly higher among women with diabetes compared to controls, but having offspring reduces this disparity.
A new study published in JAMA found that a 'pay for performance' program rewarding doctors on quality of care yields better health outcomes than traditional fee-for-service models. The program improved blood pressure control rates among patients with diabetes, with significant benefits observed in high-risk populations.
A new study from Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center shows that community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs can increase fresh fruit and vegetable access in under-resourced communities. The program provided participants with a weekly box of produce and educational sessions, resulting in increased consumption and satisfaction.
Researchers found that losartan significantly reduced aortic enlargement after three years compared to those who did not receive treatment. The study confirms previous findings in mouse models and suggests the drug may postpone or prevent aortic rupture in Marfan patients.
A study found that Massachusetts' commercial ACO contract was linked to reduced spending for Medicare beneficiaries served by participating providers. The initiative resulted in significant savings, particularly in outpatient care and testing, without compromising quality of care.
A study by UNH researchers found no significant benefit of post-exercise ice baths in reducing muscle soreness or improving strength after intense exercise. Despite initial skepticism, lead researcher Naomi Crystal notes that moderate use of cryotherapy may still be beneficial for elite athletes.
A new study found that remote ischaemic preconditioning can reduce heart muscle damage after coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Patients who underwent the procedure had lower troponin I concentrations, indicating less damage, and were less likely to die from any cause or heart attack/stroke one year after surgery.
Researchers at Georgia Tech found two security weaknesses that allow malware to be installed on iOS devices via Trojan Horse-style applications and peripherals. A proof-of-concept attack called Jekyll can hide malicious code in approved apps, while a malicious charger called Mactans can install arbitrary apps without user interaction.
Researchers at the Montreal Heart Institute have discovered a new compound that prevents valve deterioration and can even reverse aortic valve stenosis. The treatment could help avoid major complications of heart surgery and prevent heart failure and sudden death.
A randomized clinical trial found that combination therapy using vasopressin-epinephrine during cardiopulmonary resuscitation and corticosteroid supplementation improved survival to hospital discharge with a favorable neurological score. This study suggests increased efficacy of the combination therapy compared to epinephrine alone dur...
Psychological interventions often don't account for the placebo effect, which can lead to false claims of treatment effectiveness. Researchers found that even with active control groups, expectations for improvement can still be influenced by prior experiences with the training tasks.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have identified two genetically-defined groups of nerve cells in the spinal cord that control limb alternation at different speeds of locomotion. The study found that these cell populations are essential for normal gait, and their removal disrupts the animals' ability to walk.
A study found that autologous bone marrow-derived stem cell transplantation in patients with type 2 diabetes resulted in a significant reduction in insulin requirement. The treatment was associated with improved glycemic control, and the researchers suggest it may be a promising therapeutic option for managing the disease.
Researchers found participants in Florida's Family Transition Program had a 16% higher mortality rate compared to traditional welfare recipients, losing 9 months of life expectancy. The study highlights the nonmedical determinants of health affecting welfare time limits.
A randomized clinical trial of flaxseed supplementation in children with hypercholesterolemia found no significant effects on total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. The study concluded that flaxseed remains an unverified strategy for managing cardiovascular risk factors in youth.
Researchers have found that combining a new-generation mechanical heart valve with low-dose anticoagulation therapy significantly lowers the risk of bleeding events while maintaining stroke and neurological event rates. This study uses a new bileaflet design, and its findings may lead to reduced anticoagulation therapy for patients
A new mobile phone app has been shown to increase positive affect in overweight women undergoing a partial meal replacement program, improving their motivation during the weight loss process. The study suggests that this type of support app could be a valuable addition to existing health programs.
The study found that delivering physical activity and dietary interventions simultaneously may result in the most positive sustained outcomes across two important health behaviors. Participants who received simultaneous advice successfully increased both their dietary and physical activity levels to national recommendations by 12 months.
As malaria incidence declines, it becomes increasingly concentrated in specific locations and groups, making targeted approaches crucial. Effective identification and treatment of infected individuals, particularly migrant workers and mobile populations, are essential for successful malaria elimination.
A randomized trial found that tonsillectomy significantly reduced episodes of severe pharyngitis in adult patients. The procedure improved quality of life and reduced lost work or school days compared to non-surgical treatment.
Researchers examined 230 patients with chronic tennis elbow, finding that PRP therapy improved pain scores by 55% at 12 weeks and 71% at 24 weeks compared to the control group.
A multi-center study found that PRP treatment improved pain scores and reduced elbow tenderness in 55.1% and 37.4% of patients at 12 weeks, respectively. At six months, 83.9% of patients reported significantly less pain and tenderness following PRP treatment.
A new study finds that mindfulness training significantly reduces depression symptoms in adolescents, with a decrease of 12% compared to control group. After six months, the reduction persists, suggesting that mindfulness protects against the later development of depression-like symptoms.
A joint Swedish-UK study found that men who participated in biennial PSA-based screening had lower risks of being diagnosed with and dying from prostate cancer for up to 9 years. After 9 years, the rates in both groups converged, but mortality was significantly lower in the screening group initially.
A home-based DVD exercise program called FlexToBa has been shown to improve flexibility, toning, and balance in older adults. Participants who used the program for six months saw clinically important improvements in physical function tests compared to a control group.
A study by the University of Utah reveals that female partners of vets with PTSD suffer from significant increases in blood pressure, anger, and emotional distress. The study suggests these partners may be at similar or greater risk for cardiovascular disease due to relationship conflict and PTSD.
A new study suggests that long-term functional electrical stimulation (FES) cycling is associated with substantial improvements in individuals with chronic spinal cord injury. The therapy provides cardiovascular exercise, stimulates movement in paralyzed muscles, and enhances neurological and functional gains.
Researchers found that tetrahydroxystilbene glucoside (TSG) reverses α-synuclein overexpression and accumulation in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests TSG may have therapeutic potential for preventing and treating AD.
Researchers found that people with ADHD are impulsive risk-takers, while those with OCD are anxious about consequences, causing hesitancy in decision-making. Accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment and well-being, as mistaking the two disorders can lead to wrong medication prescriptions.
A new study published in Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science found that glaucoma patients read slower when reading silently for long periods, with a 16% decrease in reading speed. The research suggests technological solutions like e-readers could help alleviate reading difficulties, paving the way for potential app development.
A study of children with psoriasis found a strong association between the condition and excess adiposity, including waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio. Children with psoriasis are more likely to be overweight or obese, increasing their risk for metabolic complications.
A new study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine finds that pictorial health warnings on cigarette packaging are effective in warning against cigarette smoking. The research, led by James F. Thrasher, PhD, found that graphic imagery is more credible and effective than text-only labels among smokers with low health l...
A dance intervention program improved the self-rated health of Swedish girls with internalizing problems, such as stress and psychosomatic symptoms. The study found that 91% of girls rated the dance intervention as a positive experience.
A study found that women who mastered weight-maintenance skills before embarking on a diet shed the same number of pounds as those who started immediately. These 'maintenance-first' women had regained only 3 pounds on average a year later, compared to the average 7-pound gain for immediate dieters.
A new study by NC State University and Duke University finds that flame retardant Firemaster 550 causes endocrine disruption, leading to rapid weight gain, early onset of puberty, and cardiovascular health problems in lab rats. The researchers also detected high levels of thyroid hormone and glucose regulation issues in exposed offspring.