Vasospasm as a Complication after Aneurysmal Rupture and Its Relation with Surgical Clipping and Endovascular Coiling among a Georgian Sample

Background: Potentially lethal, aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage has a bad prognosis for many individuals. Over the past few decades, endovascular and surgical interventions have been developed, including surgical clipping, and endovascular coiling. Patients who have aSAH are also susceptible to delayed cerebral ischemia and cerebral vasospasm. The aim of this study is to compare the outcome of endovascular coiling with surgical clipping in patients with SAH, specifically in relation to prevalence of vasospasm, in the country of Georgia. Method: In this study, we present a retrospective review of the outcomes of 217 patients with acute subarachnoid hemorrhage who underwent endovascular coiling or surgical clipping. The data were gathered from patients who are admitted to New Vision University Hospital and Caucasus Medical Center in Tbilisi, Georgia, between 2017 and 2022. Results: Vasospasm was prevalent in 217 of the patients who had aneurysmal rupture when they first appeared. Endovascular coiling or surgical clipping was used to treat aneurysmal rupture. In our sample, 24.81 percent of patients who underwent coiling experienced vasospasm after 14 days, compared to 31.25 percent of patients who underwent clipping. After endovascular coiling and surgical clipping, the severity of vasospasm was only slightly different, according to Lindegaard ratios. Finally, 32 patients (23.35 percent) died after coiling whereas 55 patients (68.75 percent) died within three decades of clipping. Conclusion: After 5 years of data collection, this study has demonstrated the most favorable option for treatment is endovascular coiling. However, the treatment choice takes multiple factors into account, and clipping is not ideal for some ruptured aneurysms. Despite the fact that endovascular coiling is usually successful and minimally invasive, complications can occur and additional monitoring and potential surgical intervention are indicated.

An Integrated Strategy for the Cultural Adaptation of Evidence-Based Interventions

Background: The importance of adapting evidence-based health interventions to enhance their congruence with the beliefs of ethno-cultural communities is well recognized. Although a systematic cultural adaptation process is available, it lacks specific instructions on how to adapt interventions so that they are aligned with cultural beliefs. In this paper, we present an integrated strategy that operationalizes the adaptation process by describing specific practical instructions on how to align interventions with cultural beliefs. Methods: The strategy integrates concept and intervention mapping, and uses mixed methods for gathering data from community representatives. The data pertain to a community’s cultural beliefs and values related to a health problem, acceptability of evidence-based interventions targeting the problem, and aspects of the interventions that should be modified to enhance their fit with cultural beliefs. A step-by-step protocol is described to guide application of the integrated strategy for cultural adaptation. Conclusions: The strength of the integrated strategy relies on the use of concept and intervention mapping approaches for specifying a step-by-step protocol to actively engage community representatives in the cultural adaptation of interventions. Future research should evaluate the utility of this strategy.

Preferences for behavioral therapies for chronic insomnia

Purpose: The purpose of this study was twofold: to examine the acceptability and preference for the two behavioral therapies, and to identify factors persons with chronic insomnia take into account when choosing treatment. Methods: The data were obtained in a large trial evaluating the effects of Stimulus Control and Sleep Restriction therapies. Prior to treatment, participants completed the treatment acceptability and preference (TAP) questionnaire, which described the Stimulus Control Therapy and the Sleep Restriction Therapy and requested participants to rate the acceptability of each treatment option before choosing one for the management of chronic insomnia. Open-ended questions were used to explore the factors that participants considered when making a choice. Results: Participants rated the Sleep Restriction Therapy as acceptable and 70.2% of participants preferred it over Stimulus Control Therapy. The factors that influenced participants’ choice related to the familiarity, previous personal experience, novelty, and suitability of the treatment. Conclusion: Persons have expressed a preference for treatments to manage chronic insomnia. Healthcare providers are in a position to provide relevant information about treatment options in order to help persons make informed treatment related decisions.

Fidelity of Intervention Implementation: A Review of Instruments

Background: Interventions, whether simple or complex, are increasing in health care in response to the growing complexity and acuity of patient’s conditions. Monitoring the fidelity of implementing interventions is challenging. A common method to assess and monitor fidelity of intervention implementation is through a structured, reliable and valid instrument. Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine existing instruments measuring fidelity of intervention implementation in order to determine aspects of fidelity that have been assessed and reported on the reliability and validity of these instruments. Design: A descriptive review was conducted. Studies were included if they described and reported on the fidelity of intervention implementation instruments, their psychometric properties were published between 1980 and 2015. Methods: Data were extracted on the study characteristics, levels and aspects of fidelity and the psychometric properties, specifically the reliability and validity of the fidelity of intervention implementation instruments. Results: In total, 21 studies were included in the review. Overall results showed that some aspects and levels of fidelity of intervention implementation are included in the instruments. At the theoretical level, fidelity of intervention implementation is not accounted for majority of the studies and few explicitly reports on the use of instruments to evaluate intervention differentiation. At the operational level, interventionists’ adherence and competence are included in the instruments;however, participants’ engagement, exposure and enactment are not. The instruments demonstrate acceptable level of validity and reliability. Conclusion: Sustained focus on developing psychometrically sound instruments that account for all levels (i.e. theoretical and operational) and aspects of fidelity of intervention implementation is imperative to strengthen the methodological literature for interventions research;and for researchers to correctly interpret research findings and to arrive at valid conclusions on the effectiveness of interventions, whether simple or complex.