RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Previous studies have demonstrated the efficacy of a paging system, NeuroPage (Cambridgeshire Primary Care Trust Corporation, Fulbourn, Cambridgeshire, UK), in compensating for memory and planning dysfunctions in people with acquired brain injury (ABI; mainly stroke or traumatic brain injury). In this study, the degree to which this efficacy is accompanied by a reduced experience of strain among carers of patients with ABI was investigated. METHODS: Carers of 99 people with ABI completed a questionnaire concerning strain resulting from caring for the injured individual. The questionnaire was completed at the following three time points: before the use of NeuroPage, at the end of a 7-week period of use, and, for one subgroup, a further 7 weeks after withdrawal of NeuroPage. RESULTS: There were significant reductions in strain reported by carers following the 7-week period of NeuroPage use (Cohen's d = 0.3-0.4). This finding persisted when the carer was a spouse or a parent. The reduced strain among carers continued even after withdrawal of NeuroPage. CONCLUSION: The efficacy of the NeuroPage paging system for people with ABI appears to result in reduced strain for their carers.
Asunto(s)
Lesiones Encefálicas/rehabilitación , Cuidadores/psicología , Atención a la Salud/métodos , Trastornos de la Memoria/rehabilitación , Sistemas Recordatorios/instrumentación , Estrés Psicológico/terapia , Actividades Cotidianas , Adulto , Lesiones Encefálicas/complicaciones , Lesiones Encefálicas/psicología , Estudios Cruzados , Femenino , Estudios de Seguimiento , Humanos , Masculino , Trastornos de la Memoria/etiología , Trastornos de la Memoria/psicología , Persona de Mediana Edad , Estrés Psicológico/etiología , Estrés Psicológico/prevención & control , Encuestas y CuestionariosRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: Several studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of a paging system, NeuroPage, in helping survivors of brain injury compensate for everyday memory and planning problems. This study examines the effectiveness of the paging system in the sub-group of 12 children and adolescents with neurological deficits who took part in a larger study. METHODS: Twelve participants aged 8-17 years took part in a randomized controlled crossover trial in which their completion of everyday goals was monitored prior to and during use of the NeuroPage system, where participants were sent reminder messages regarding tasks they should complete. RESULTS: All 12 young people showed significant improvements in carrying out everyday tasks between the baseline and treatment phases. CONCLUSIONS: The NeuroPage system can be successfully used by children and adolescents with neurological deficits and can alleviate some of the everyday difficulties caused by their memory and planning difficulties.
Asunto(s)
Lesiones Encefálicas/fisiopatología , Trastornos de la Memoria/fisiopatología , Sistemas Recordatorios , Adolescente , Distribución de Chi-Cuadrado , Niño , Estudios Cruzados , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , LecturaRESUMEN
Neonatal screening for cystic fibrosis (CF) has been established in Leeds since 1975. The current method is measuring IRT and genotyping. Newborn screening for CF results in a small but significant number of false positives. This study explored the psychosocial reactions to such results in a group of parents (N=21) using semi-structured interviews. Responses were analysed using descriptive statistics and well-validated content analysis. Mothers described a range of emotions during the screening process including anxiety, distress and upset. Waiting for the repeat IRT test results was identified as the most emotionally difficult stage. Discussion focuses on good practice and implications for CF services.
Asunto(s)
Fibrosis Quística/diagnóstico , Tamizaje Neonatal/psicología , Relaciones Padres-Hijo , Estrés Psicológico/etiología , Adulto , Ansiedad , Emociones , Reacciones Falso Positivas , Femenino , Humanos , Recién Nacido , Entrevistas como Asunto , Masculino , Tamizaje Neonatal/efectos adversosRESUMEN
Although memory problems following acquired brain damage are common, some people are able to compensate for these problems through external aids. It was recently demonstrated that a paging system could reduce the everyday memory and planning problems for people with non-progressive brain injury. The 143 patients who participated in the study comprised several diagnostic groups. This paper reports on the sub-group of people with TBI (n=63). This sub-group was part of the larger sample of 143 already published in the 2001 study. A randomized control cross-over design randomly allocated people to group A (pager first) or group B (waiting list first). Each participant chose their own tasks for which they needed reminders. During a 2 week baseline, successful task achievement was documented. Group A achieved 47.14% of tasks and group B 47.88%. People in group A then received a pager for 7 weeks. During the last 2 weeks of this 7 week period, task achievement was documented again. Group A now achieved 71.80% of tasks and group B (on the waiting list) achieved 49.05% (no different from baseline). Group A then returned their pagers and group B received pagers. During the last 2 weeks of this stage participants were monitored once more. At this point, people in group A had dropped back slightly but were still statistically significantly better than during the baseline (67.23%). Group B, meanwhile, were now achieving 73.62% of tasks. This was statistically significantly better than baseline and significantly better than group A, now in the post-pager phase. It is concluded that this paging system significantly reduces the everyday memory and planning problems of people with TBI.