Effects of Band Therapy Using Music on Grasping Power, Depression, and Personal Relationships in Nursing-Home-Dwelling Elderly Individuals

The current study examined the effects of band therapy using music on grasping power, depression, and personal relationships among residents of a nursing home. Thirty subjects participated in the study. The band therapy included greetings, warm-up exercises with music, singing with dance, playing instruments, closing speech, and stretching with background music. Band therapy was held for 40 minutes once per week, for a total of four sessions, in the activity room of the nursing home. Findings showed that grasping power, depression, and personal relationships were improved at posttest, but the differences were not statistically significant. A better study design to compare the effects of band therapy with the other group, and a more simple and repeated intervention for the elderly to follow without stress might be necessary.

Comparative efficacy of social media delivered health education on glycemic control: A meta-analysis

Objective:To compare outcomes associated with patient education about glycemic control via group chat versus patient education as usual among individuals with diabetes in China.Methods:We searched the following databases both in English and in Chinese languages:PubMed,CNKI,Wanfang database,VIP database,and CBM for articles published up to Jan 1,2018.The studies were screened by two independent reviewers.Using criteria from the risk of bias assessment tool developed by Cochrane Collaboration to assess the risk of bias of eligible studies.A meta-analysis of studies was performed using comprehensive meta-analysis version 3.0.Results:Twenty-five unique randomized clinical trials,including 2,838 patients,were identified.The education delivered via group chat had large overall pooled effect sizes in improving glucose control measured by hemoglobin A1c[Hedges'g=-0.81,95%CI:(-0.98,-0.64)],fasting blood glucose[Hedges'g=-1.11,95%CI:(-1.37,-0.85)],and 2 h postprandial blood glucose[Hedges'g=-0.98,95%CI:(-1.20,-0.76)].Additionally,patient education delivered via group chat has shown consistently superior outcomes in glucose control in short-term(0-3 months),mid-term(3-6 months)and longer-term(6-12 months).Conclusions:Educational interventions via group chat had a superior outcome in blood glucose control compared to education as usual in China.Educational interventions via group chat had superior shortterm,mid-term,and longer-term outcomes in blood glucose control compared to education as usual in China.

Oxygen permeability of soft contact lenses in different pH, osmolality and buffering solution

AIMTo determine the effect of pH, osmolality, and buffering system on the oxygen permeability (Dk) of soft contact lenses.METHODSTwo hydrogel lenses (nelfilcon A and etafilcon A) and 2 silicone hydrogel lenses (lotrafilcon A and balafilcon A) were used in the study. These lenses were incubated in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and borate-buffered saline (BBS) solutions adjusted by 0.8 pH increments to a pH in the range of 5.8-9.0 or in hypotonic (280 mOsmol/kg), isotonic (310 mOsmol/kg) and hypertonic (380 mOsmol/kg) PBS solutions. Polarographic method was used for measuring the Dk and lenses were stacked as 4 layers to correct the boundary effect.RESULTSDk values of all contact lenses measured in BBS solutions were more stable than those in PBS solutions. Especially the etafilcon A lens showed a relative big change compared with other types of contact lenses at the same conditions. When the osmolality of PBS solution increased from hypotonic to hypertonic, Dk of all contact lenses decreased. Variations in Dk existed depending on lens materials, etafilcon A lens was the most affected and nelfilcon A was the least affected by osmolality.CONCLUSIONFrom the result obtained, it is revealed that Dk of contact lenses is changed by the pH, osmolality, and buffering condition of tear. Thus, Dk of contact lens can be varied by the lens wearers' physiological and/or pathological conditions.