Acoustic changes in the speech of children with cerebral palsy following an intensive program of dysarthria therapy.

BACKGROUND: The speech intelligibility of children with dysarthria and cerebral palsy has been observed to increase following therapy focusing on respiration and phonation. AIMS: To determine if speech intelligibility change following intervention is associated with change in acoustic measures of voice. METHODS & PROCEDURES: We recorded 16 young people with cerebral palsy and dysarthria (nine girls; mean age 14 years, SD = 2; nine spastic type, two dyskinetic, four mixed; one Worster-Drought) producing speech in two conditions (single words, connected speech) twice before and twice after therapy focusing on respiration, phonation and rate. In both single-word and connected speech we measured vocal intensity (root mean square-RMS), period-to-period variability (Shimmer APQ, Jitter RAP and PPQ) and harmonics-to-noise ratio (HNR). In connected speech we also measured mean fundamental frequency, utterance duration in seconds and speech and articulation rate (syllables/s with and without pauses respectively). All acoustic measures were made using Praat. Intelligibility was calculated in previous research. OUTCOMES & RESULTS: In single words statistically significant but very small reductions were observed in period-to-period variability following therapy: Shimmer APQ -0.15 (95% CI = -0.21 to -0.09); Jitter RAP -0.08 (95% CI = -0.14 to -0.01); Jitter PPQ -0.08 (95% CI = -0.15 to -0.01). No changes in period-to-period perturbation across phrases in connected speech were detected. However, changes in connected speech were observed in phrase length, rate and intensity. Following therapy, mean utterance duration increased by 1.11 s (95% CI = 0.37-1.86) when measured with pauses and by 1.13 s (95% CI = 0.40-1.85) when measured without pauses. Articulation rate increased by 0.07 syllables/s (95% CI = 0.02-0.13); speech rate increased by 0.06 syllables/s (95% CI = < 0.01-0.12); and intensity increased by 0.03 Pascals (95% CI = 0.02-0.04). There was a gradual reduction in mean fundamental frequency across all time points (-11.85 Hz, 95% CI = -19.84 to -3.86). Only increases in the intensity of single words (0.37 Pascals, 95% CI = 0.10-0.65) and reductions in fundamental frequency (-0.11 Hz, 95% CI = -0.21 to -0.02) in connected speech were associated with gains in intelligibility. CONCLUSIONS & IMPLICATIONS: Mean reductions in impairment in vocal function following therapy observed were small and most are unlikely to be clinically significant. Changes in vocal control did not explain improved intelligibility.

Reflective and automatic processes in health care professional behaviour: a dual process model tested across multiple behaviours.

BACKGROUND: Clinicians' behaviours require deliberate decision-making in complex contexts and may involve both impulsive (automatic) and reflective (motivational and volitional) processes. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to test a dual process model applied to clinician behaviours in their management of type 2 diabetes. METHODS: The design used six nested prospective correlational studies. Questionnaires were sent to general practitioners and nurses in 99 UK primary care practices, measuring reflective (intention, action planning and coping planning) and impulsive (automaticity) predictors for six guideline-recommended behaviours: blood pressure prescribing (N = 335), prescribing for glycemic control (N = 288), providing diabetes-related education (N = 346), providing weight advice (N = 417), providing self-management advice (N = 332) and examining the feet (N = 218). RESULTS: Respondent retention was high. A dual process model was supported for prescribing behaviours, weight advice, and examining the feet. A sequential reflective process was supported for blood pressure prescribing, self-management and weight advice, and diabetes-related education. CONCLUSIONS: Reflective and impulsive processes predict behaviour. Quality improvement interventions should consider both reflective and impulsive approaches to behaviour change.

Theory-based predictors of multiple clinician behaviors in the management of diabetes.

UNLABELLED: Behavioral theory is often tested on one behavior in isolation from other behaviors and theories. We aimed to test the predictive validity of constructs from motivation and action theories of behavior across six diabetes-related clinician behaviors, within the same sample of primary care clinicians. Physicians and nurses (n = 427 from 99 practices in the United Kingdom) completed questionnaires at baseline and 12 months. PRIMARY OUTCOMES: six self-reported clinician behaviors related to advising, prescribing and examining measured at 12 months; secondary outcomes: baseline intention and patient-scenario-based simulated behavior. Across six behaviors, each theory accounted for a medium amount of variance for 12-month behavior (median R adj (2)  = 0.15), large and medium amount of variance for two intention measures (median R adj (2)  = 0.66; 0.34), and small amount of variance for simulated behavior (median R adj (2)  = 0.05). Intention/proximal goals, self-efficacy, and habit predicted all behaviors. Constructs from social cognitive theory (self-efficacy), learning theory (habit) and action and coping planning consistently predicted multiple clinician behaviors and should be targeted by quality improvement interventions.

Intensive dysarthria therapy for younger children with cerebral palsy.

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate if intervention targeting breath support, phonation, and speech rate increases speech intelligibility and participation in the conversational interactions of younger children with dysarthria and cerebral palsy (CP). METHOD: Fifteen children with dysarthria and CP (nine males, six females; age range 5-11 y, mean age 8 y, SD 2 y; CP type: eight spastic, four dyskinetic, one ataxia, two Worster Drought syndrome; Gross Motor Function Classification System levels II-IV, median level II) participated in this study. Children received three sessions of individual therapy per week for 6 weeks. Intelligibility of single words and connected speech was compared across five points: 1 and 6 weeks before therapy and 1, 6, and 12 weeks after therapy. Three familiar listeners and three unfamiliar listeners scored each recording. Participation in communicative interactions was measured using the Focus on the Outcomes of Communication Under Six (FOCUS) tool. Analyses of variance and paired t-tests were used to investigate change. RESULTS: Mean speech intelligibility increased after therapy to familiar listeners (single words 10.8%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 7.2-14.4; connected speech 9.4%, 95% CI 4.8-14.1) and unfamiliar listeners (single words 9.3%, 95% CI 6.8-11.8; connected speech 10.5%, 95% CI 7.3-13.8). FOCUS scores increased following therapy for parents (mean increase 30.3, 95% CI 10.2-50.4) and for teachers (28.25, 95% CI 14.4-42.1), but changes did not correlate with intelligibility. A wide variation was seen in individual responses to therapy. INTERPRETATION: Brief intensive therapy is associated with gains in intelligibility and communicative interactions for some younger children with dysarthria.

Is organizational justice associated with clinical performance in the care for patients with diabetes in primary care? Evidence from the improving Quality of care in Diabetes study.

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes is an increasingly prevalent illness, and there is considerable variation in the quality of care provided to patients with diabetes in primary care. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to explore whether organizational justice and organizational citizenship behaviour are associated with the behaviours of clinical staff when providing care for patients with diabetes. METHODS: The data were from an ongoing prospective multicenter study, the 'improving Quality of care in Diabetes' (iQuaD) study. Participants (N = 467) were clinical staff in 99 primary care practices in the UK. The outcome measures were six self-reported clinical behaviours: prescribing for glycaemic control, prescribing for blood pressure control, foot examination, giving advice about weight management, providing general education about diabetes and giving advice about self-management. Organizational justice perceptions were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. The associations between organizational justice and behavioural outcomes were tested using linear multilevel regression modelling. RESULTS: Higher scores on the procedural component of organizational justice were associated with more frequent weight management advice, self-management advice and provision of general education for patients with diabetes. The associations between justice and clinical behaviours were not explained by individual or practice characteristics, but evidence was found for the partial mediating role of organizational citizenship behaviour. CONCLUSIONS: Quality improvement efforts aimed at increasing advice and education provision in diabetes management in primary care could target also perceptions of procedural justice.

Changes in voice quality after speech-language therapy intervention in older children with cerebral palsy.

OBJECTIVE: We examined whether perceived voice quality is altered in a group of children with cerebral palsy (CP) following an intervention focusing on respiration and phonation, and whether possible improvements might be associated with increased intelligibility levels. METHODS: Sixteen individuals with CP and dysarthria (9 girls, mean age 14 years, SD = 2; 9 with spastic type CP, 2 dyskinetic, 4 mixed, 1 Worster-Drought syndrome) completed intelligibility assessments on separate days twice before intervention, at termination of treatment and at 6-week follow-up using 50 words from the Children's Speech Intelligibility Measure lists, and describing cartoon strips. Experienced speech-language pathologists rated voice quality employing GRBAS scales. RESULTS: There was no clear evidence that change in voice quality pre-post intervention was large compared with change in the pre-intervention or post-intervention periods. Asthenia demonstrated largest improvement (effect size of 0.4). Intelligibility correlated weakly with Grade, Breathiness and Asthenia, but not with Roughness or Strain. A deterioration of 1 unit on the Grade and Asthenia scales was associated with an approximately 11% decrease in intelligibility. CONCLUSION: Perceived changes in voice quality were small compared to changes in intelligibility. Further investigations must examine other variables potentially associated with intelligibility gain to better understand the links between the respiratory-phonatory intervention and improved intelligibility.

Do incentives, reminders or reduced burden improve healthcare professional response rates in postal questionnaires? two randomised controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare professional response rates to postal questionnaires are declining and this may threaten the validity and generalisability of their findings. Methods to improve response rates do incur costs (resources) and increase the cost of research projects. The aim of these randomised controlled trials (RCTs) was to assess whether 1) incentives, 2) type of reminder and/or 3) reduced response burden improve response rates; and to assess the cost implications of such additional effective interventions. METHODS: Two RCTs were conducted. In RCT A general dental practitioners (dentists) in Scotland were randomised to receive either an incentive; an abridged questionnaire or a full length questionnaire. In RCT B non-responders to a postal questionnaire sent to general medical practitioners (GPs) in the UK were firstly randomised to receive a second full length questionnaire as a reminder or a postcard reminder. Continued non-responders from RCT B were then randomised within their first randomisation to receive a third full length or an abridged questionnaire reminder. The cost-effectiveness of interventions that effectively increased response rates was assessed as a secondary outcome. RESULTS: There was no evidence that an incentive (52% versus 43%, Risk Difference (RD) -8.8 (95%CI -22.5, 4.8); or abridged questionnaire (46% versus 43%, RD -2.9 (95%CI -16.5, 10.7); statistically significantly improved dentist response rates compared to a full length questionnaire in RCT A. In RCT B there was no evidence that a full questionnaire reminder statistically significantly improved response rates compared to a postcard reminder (10.4% versus 7.3%, RD 3 (95%CI -0.1, 6.8). At a second reminder stage, GPs sent the abridged questionnaire responded more often (14.8% versus 7.2%, RD -7.7 (95%CI -12.8, -2.6). GPs who received a postcard reminder followed by an abridged questionnaire were most likely to respond (19.8% versus 6.3%, RD 8.1%, and 9.1% for full/postcard/full, three full or full/full/abridged questionnaire respectively). An abridged questionnaire containing fewer questions following a postcard reminder was the only cost-effective strategy for increasing the response rate (£15.99 per response). CONCLUSIONS: When expecting or facing a low response rate to postal questionnaires, researchers should carefully identify the most efficient way to boost their response rate. In these studies, an abridged questionnaire containing fewer questions following a postcard reminder was the only cost-effective strategy. An increase in response rates may be explained by a combination of the number and type of contacts. Increasing the sampling frame may be more cost-effective than interventions to prompt non-responders. However, this may not strengthen the validity and generalisability of the survey findings and affect the representativeness of the sample.

Botulinum Toxin for the Upper Limb after Stroke (BoTULS) Trial: effect on impairment, activity limitation, and pain.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Botulinum toxin is increasingly used to treat upper limb spasticity due to stroke, but its impact on arm function is unclear. We evaluated botulinum toxin for upper limb spasticity and function poststroke. METHODS: Three hundred thirty-three patients with stroke with upper limb spasticity and reduced arm function participated in a multicenter randomized controlled trial. The intervention group received botulinum toxin type A injection(s) plus a 4-week therapy program. The control group received the therapy program alone. Repeat injection(s) and therapy were available at 3, 6, and 9 months. The primary outcome was upper limb function at 1 month (Action Research Arm Test). Secondary outcomes included measures of impairment, activity limitation, and pain at 1, 3, and 12 months. Outcome assessments were blinded and analysis was by intention to treat. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in achievement of improved arm function (Action Research Arm Test) at 1 month (intervention group: 42 of 167 [25.1%], control group 30 of 154 [19.5%]; P=0.232). Significant differences in favor of the intervention group were seen in muscle tone at 1 month; upper limb strength at 3 months; basic arm functional tasks (hand hygiene, facilitation of dressing) at 1, 3, and 12 months; and pain at 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: Botulinum toxin type A is unlikely to be useful for improving active upper limb function (eg, reaching and grasping) in the majority of patients with spasticity after stroke, but it may improve basic upper limb tasks (hand hygiene, facilitation of dressing) and pain.

Waking Up in Pain: a prospective unselected cohort study of pain in 3702 patients immediately after surgery in the Danish Realm.

BACKGROUND: Acute and persistent pain after surgery is well described. However, no large-scale studies on immediate postoperative pain in the operating room (OR) exist, hindering potential areas of research to improve clinical outcomes. Thus, we aimed to describe the occurrence and severity of immediate postoperative pain in a large, unselected cohort. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study, encompassing all procedures in 31 public hospitals in the Danish Realm, during a 5-day period including the weekend. Data on procedures and anesthesia were collected and the main outcome was occurrence of moderate or severe pain in the OR. Secondary outcomes included pain, sedation and nausea in the OR or during the first 15 min in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) including relevant risk factors. Descriptive and logistic regression statistics were used. RESULTS: A total of 3675 procedures were included for analysis (87% inclusion rate). Moderate or severe pain occurred in 7.4% (95% CI 6.5% to 8.3%) of cases in the OR immediately after awakening, rising to 20.2% in the OR and/or PACU. Large intraprocedure and interprocedure variations occurred (0.0%-37.5%), and in 20% of cases with epidural-general anesthesia patients experienced moderate or severe pain. Independent risk factors were female sex, younger age, preoperative pain, daily opioid use and major surgical procedures. CONCLUSION: Moderate or severe pain in the immediate postoperative phase occurred in 20% of all cases with procedure and anesthesiological technique variations, suggesting a need for identification of relevant procedure-specific risk factors and development of preventive treatments. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: RoPR ID 43191.

Intensive speech and language therapy for older children with cerebral palsy: a systems approach.

AIM: To investigate whether speech therapy using a speech systems approach to controlling breath support, phonation, and speech rate can increase the speech intelligibility of children with dysarthria and cerebral palsy (CP). METHOD: Sixteen children with dysarthria and CP participated in a modified time series design. Group characteristics were as follows: seven males, nine females; age range 12 to 18 years (mean 14y, SD 2); CP type: nine spastic, two dyskinetic, four mixed, one Worster-Drought; Gross Motor Function Classification System levels range I to V (median IV). Children received three 30- to 45-minute sessions of individual therapy per week for 6 weeks. Intelligibility in single words and connected speech was compared across four points: 1 week and 6 weeks before therapy, and 1 week and 6 weeks after its completion. Three familiar listeners and three unfamiliar listeners scored each recording. Mean percentage intelligibility was compared using general linear modelling techniques. RESULTS: After treatment, familiar listeners understood 14.7% more single words and 12.1% more words in connected speech. Unfamiliar listeners understood 15% more single words and 15.9% more words in connected speech after therapy. INTERPRETATION: Therapy was associated with increases in speech intelligibility. Effects of the therapy should be investigated further, in an exploratory trial with younger children and in a randomized controlled trial.

Compromised periodontal status in an urban Sri Lankan population with type 2 diabetes.

AIM: To determine the prevalence of periodontitis in an urban population of Sri Lankans with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and to compare the data with those from a population of adults without diabetes. METHODS: Demographic data and a diabetes profile were recorded for a population of urban Sri Lankan adults with T2DM including duration of diabetes, blood pressure; percentage glycosylated haemoglobin, fasting blood glucose level, total cholesterol; triglycerides, low- and high-density lipoproteins. The clinical examination comprised an oral soft tissue examination, full-mouth probing depths (PD), gingival recession (GR), clinical attachment levels and bleeding on probing (BoP). RESULTS: Two hundred and eighty-five individuals with T2DM and 72 controls were examined. 33.3% of T2DM patients were diagnosed with chronic periodontitis compared with 21.7% of controls (p=0.077). Subjects with T2DM had significantly more sites with PD>or=4 and >or=5 mm (p<0.01), and higher mean GR and BoP scores (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: This urban Sri Lankan population of subjects with T2DM demonstrated a compromised periodontal status compared with non-diabetic controls.

A randomized controlled clinical trial of palliative therapies for patients with inoperable esophageal cancer.

OBJECTIVES: A dramatic rise in incidence, an aging population, and expensive palliative treatments have led to an escalating burden on clinicians managing inoperable esophageal cancer with only limited evidence of effectiveness. This study compares the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of self-expanding metal stents (SEMSs) with other palliative therapies to aid clinicians in making an evidence-based treatment choice. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, multicenter, randomized, controlled, clinical trial with 215 patients followed until death or study closure. The primary outcome measures were dysphagia, quality of life (QL) 6 weeks following treatment, and total cost of treatment. Secondary outcome measures included treatment-associated morbidity, mortality, survival, and cost-effectiveness. An intention-to-treat analysis was carried out. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in mean dysphagia grade between treatment arms 6 weeks following treatment (P=0.046), with worse swallowing reported by rigid stent-treated patients (mean dysphagia score difference=-0.49; 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.10 to -0.89, P=0.014). Global QL scores were lower at both 1 and 6 weeks following treatment for patients treated by SEMSs (mean difference QL index week 1=-0.66; 95% CI: -0.02 to -1.30, P=0.04; mean difference QL index week 6=-1.01; 95% CI -0.30 to -1.72, P=0.006). These findings were associated with higher post-procedure pain scores in the SEMS patient group (mean difference of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ C-30 pain symptom score at week 1=11.13; 95% CI: 2.89-19.4; P=0.01). Although mean EQ-5D QL values differed between the treatments (P<0.001), this difference dissipated following generation of quality-adjusted life year values. Total costs varied between treatment arms but these findings canceled out when SEMSs were compared with non-SEMS therapies (95% CI -845.15-1,332.62). These results were robust to sensitivity analysis. There were no differences in the in-hospital mortality or early complication rates, but late complications were more frequent after rigid stenting (risk ratio=2.47; 95% CI 1.88-3.04). There was a survival advantage for non-stent-treated patients (log-rank statistic=4.21, P=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: The treatment choice for patients with inoperable esophageal cancer should be between a SEMS or a non-stent treatment after consideration has been given to both patient and tumor characteristics and clinician and patient preferences.

The impact of powered and manual toothbrushing on incipient gingival recession.

AIM: To compare clinical effects of manual and powered toothbrushes on sites of localized gingival recession over 12 months. To evaluate patterns and the extent of toothbrush bristle wear. METHODS: A longitudinal, single-blind, randomized, parallel group clinical trial compared the effects of one manual and one powered toothbrush on incipient lesions of localized gingival recession. Toothbrush wear was evaluated concurrently by wear index and wear rating. RESULTS: Sixty patients were recruited and randomized to two groups with 52 (26 per group) attending the final visit at month 12. There were no differences between groups for full-mouth plaque index, pocket depth or bleeding on probing at baseline and month 12. There were no differences at target sites for clinical attachment level, pocket depth, bleeding on probing, plaque index, width of keratinized gingiva or maximal height of recession. There were no differences between the wear of the brushes as measured by wear index or wear rating. CONCLUSION: There was no progression of gingival recession in subjects using either toothbrush over 12 months. There was no difference in the overall wear of the powered and manual toothbrushes over successive 3-month periods.

Improving professional practice in the disclosure of a diagnosis of dementia: a modeling experiment to evaluate a theory-based intervention.

BACKGROUND: Among health professionals, there is wide variation in the practice of disclosing a diagnosis of dementia to patients. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of one theory-based and two pragmatic interventions on intention to perform three behaviors, namely (1) finding out what the patient already knows or suspects about their diagnosis; (2) using the actual words "dementia" or "Alzheimer's disease" when talking to the patient (i.e., the use of explicit terminology); (3) exploring what the diagnosis means to the patient. METHOD: Within an intervention-modeling process, members of old-age mental health teams in England were sent postal questionnaires measuring psychological variables. Respondents were randomized by team to one of four groups to receive: theory-based intervention; evidence-based communication; patient-based intervention; or no intervention (control). Interventions were delivered as pen-and-paper exercises at the start of a second postal questionnaire that remeasured the same psychological variables. The outcome measures were intention and scenario-based behavioral simulation. RESULTS: Responses were received from 644 of 1,103 (58%) individuals from 179 of 205 (87%) mental health teams. There were no significant differences in terms of intention or simulated behavior between the trial groups. The theory-based intervention significantly increased scores for attitudes to (p = 0.03) and perceived behavioral control (p = 0.001) for the behavior of "finding out what the patient already knows or suspects about their diagnosis." CONCLUSIONS: The intervention had a limited effect. This may be partly explained by clinical or methodological factors. The use of a systematic intervention modeling process allows clearer understanding of the next appropriate steps which should involve further evaluation of the interventions using an interactive delivery method in a less selected group of study participants.

Factors predicting team climate, and its relationship with quality of care in general practice.

BACKGROUND: Quality of care in general practice may be affected by the team climate perceived by its health and non-health professionals. Better team working is thought to lead to higher effectiveness and quality of care. However, there is limited evidence available on what affects team functioning and its relationship with quality of care in general practice. This study aimed to explore individual and practice factors that were associated with team climate, and to explore the relationship between team climate and quality of care. METHODS: Cross sectional survey of a convenience sample of 14 general practices and their staff in South Tyneside in the northeast of England. Team climate was measured using the short version of Team Climate Inventory (TCI) questionnaire. Practice characteristics were collected during a structured interview with practice managers. Quality was measured using the practice Quality and Outcome Framework (QOF) scores. RESULTS: General Practitioners (GP) had a higher team climate scores compared to other professionals. Individual's gender and tenure, and number of GPs in the practice were significantly predictors of a higher team climate. There was no significant correlation between mean practice team climate scores (or subscales) with QOF scores. CONCLUSION: The absence of a relationship between a measure of team climate and quality of care in this exploratory study may be due to a number of methodological problems. Further research is required to explore how to best measure team functioning and its relationship with quality of care.

The cost-effectiveness of supportive periodontal care for patients with chronic periodontitis.

OBJECTIVE: To systematically evaluate the evidence for effectiveness of supportive periodontal care (SPC) provided in specialist care and general practice for patients with chronic periodontitis; to construct a model for the cost effectiveness of SPC. SEARCH STRATEGY: Electronic database searches of MEDLINE, EMBASE and SCOPUS were performed with hand searching of relevant journals and Workshops of Periodontology. SELECTION CRITERIA: SPC for patients with chronic periodontitis, at least 12 months follow-up and clinical attachment level as a primary outcome. RESULTS: Three articles addressed the question (Nyman et al. 1975, Axelsson & Lindhe 1981, Cortellini et al. 1994): Deltas CAL for patients undergoing "specialist" SPC were 0.1 mm (2 years), 0.2 mm (6 years) and -0.01 mm (3 years) respectively. In generalist care the Deltas CAL during SPC were -2.2, -1.8 and -2.8 mm. Differences between specialist and generalist SPC were an extra 20.59 tooth years and 3.95 mm attachment loss for generalist SPC. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios were an extra 288 euros for one tooth year or an extra 1503 euros/1 mm reduction in loss of attachment for SPC delivered in specialist care. CONCLUSION: SPC delivered in specialist as compared with general practice will result in greater stability of clinical attachment but this will be achieved at relatively greater cost.

An intervention modelling experiment to change GPs' intentions to implement evidence-based practice: using theory-based interventions to promote GP management of upper respiratory tract infection without prescribing antibiotics #2.

BACKGROUND: Psychological theories of behaviour may provide a framework to guide the design of interventions to change professional behaviour. Behaviour change interventions, designed using psychological theory and targeting important motivational beliefs, were experimentally evaluated for effects on the behavioural intention and simulated behaviour of GPs in the management of uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infection (URTI). METHODS: The design was a 2 x 2 factorial randomised controlled trial. A postal questionnaire was developed based on three theories of human behaviour: Theory of Planned Behaviour; Social Cognitive Theory and Operant Learning Theory. The beliefs and attitudes of GPs regarding the management of URTI without antibiotics and rates of prescribing on eight patient scenarios were measured at baseline and post-intervention. Two theory-based interventions, a "graded task" with "action planning" and a "persuasive communication", were incorporated into the post-intervention questionnaire. Trial groups were compared using co-variate analyses. RESULTS: Post-intervention questionnaires were returned for 340/397 (86%) GPs who responded to the baseline survey. Each intervention had a significant effect on its targeted behavioural belief: compared to those not receiving the intervention GPs completing Intervention 1 reported stronger self-efficacy scores (Beta = 1.41, 95% CI: 0.64 to 2.25) and GPs completing Intervention 2 had more positive anticipated consequences scores (Beta = 0.98, 95% CI = 0.46 to 1.98). Intervention 2 had a significant effect on intention (Beta = 0.90, 95% CI = 0.41 to 1.38) and simulated behaviour (Beta = 0.47, 95% CI = 0.19 to 0.74). CONCLUSION: GPs' intended management of URTI was significantly influenced by their confidence in their ability to manage URTI without antibiotics and the consequences they anticipated as a result of doing so. Two targeted behaviour change interventions differentially affected these beliefs. One intervention also significantly enhanced GPs' intentions not to prescribe antibiotics for URTI and resulted in lower rates of prescribing on patient scenarios compared to a control group. The theoretical frameworks utilised provide a scientific rationale for understanding how and why the interventions had these effects, improving the reproducibility and generalisability of these findings and offering a sound basis for an intervention in a "real world" trial. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT00376142.

Developing the content of two behavioural interventions: using theory-based interventions to promote GP management of upper respiratory tract infection without prescribing antibiotics #1.

UNLABELLED: Evidence shows that antibiotics have limited effectiveness in the management of upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) yet GPs continue to prescribe antibiotics. Implementation research does not currently provide a strong evidence base to guide the choice of interventions to promote the uptake of such evidence-based practice by health professionals. While systematic reviews demonstrate that interventions to change clinical practice can be effective, heterogeneity between studies hinders generalisation to routine practice. Psychological models of behaviour change that have been used successfully to predict variation in behaviour in the general population can also predict the clinical behaviour of healthcare professionals. The purpose of this study was to design two theoretically-based interventions to promote the management of upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) without prescribing antibiotics. METHOD: Interventions were developed using a systematic, empirically informed approach in which we: selected theoretical frameworks; identified modifiable behavioural antecedents that predicted GPs intended and actual management of URTI; mapped these target antecedents on to evidence-based behaviour change techniques; and operationalised intervention components in a format suitable for delivery by postal questionnaire. RESULTS: We identified two psychological constructs that predicted GP management of URTI: "Self-efficacy," representing belief in one's capabilities, and "Anticipated consequences," representing beliefs about the consequences of one's actions. Behavioural techniques known to be effective in changing these beliefs were used in the design of two paper-based, interactive interventions. Intervention 1 targeted self-efficacy and required GPs to consider progressively more difficult situations in a "graded task" and to develop an "action plan" of what to do when next presented with one of these situations. Intervention 2 targeted anticipated consequences and required GPs to respond to a "persuasive communication" containing a series of pictures representing the consequences of managing URTI with and without antibiotics. CONCLUSION: It is feasible to systematically develop theoretically-based interventions to change professional practice. Two interventions were designed that differentially target generalisable constructs predictive of GP management of URTI. Our detailed and scientific rationale for the choice and design of our interventions will provide a basis for understanding any effects identified in their evaluation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT00376142.

Evidence-based algorithms and the management of falls and syncope presenting to acute medical services.

Falls and syncope are symptoms that commonly present to medical services. Detailed international guidelines for their management are available but tend to be aimed at specialists rather than generalists. Novel, evidence-based algorithms for the management of these symptoms when they present to acute medical services were formulated and their impact on patient care audited. The percentage of people admitted with falls and syncope was unexpectedly high (10.6% at baseline); this had decreased to 8.2% at repeat audit. Readmission rates decreased from 12% at baseline audit to 0% in repeat audit, while length of inpatient stay was unchanged. Mortality was strikingly high (12%) in both audits. Although inappropriate use of investigations decreased, the use of appropriate management strategies increased. Easy-to-use algorithms can help reduce the number of patients admitted to acute medical services with falls and syncope while optimising the care of those managed as inpatients. The algorithms are provided for use by interested parties.

Intraoperative clonidine for prevention of postoperative agitation in children anaesthetised with sevoflurane (PREVENT AGITATION): a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative agitation is a frequent and stressful condition for a child, their family, and their health-care providers, and prevention would be of benefit. We aimed to assess the effects of intravenous clonidine administered intraoperatively on the incidence of postoperative agitation, pain, and adverse events. METHODS: We did this randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial (PREVENT AGITATION) at one tertiary-level hospital and two urban-district hospitals in Denmark. Children aged 1-5 years, with an American Society of Anesthesiologists physical classification score of 1-2, who were scheduled for anaesthesia with sevoflurane and fentanyl were randomly assigned (1:1) in blocks of ten by computer-generated centralised randomisation, stratified by age (<2 years or ≥2 years) and site, to receive either intravenous clonidine 3 µg/kg or an equal quantity of isotonic saline in identical vials, administered around 20 min before the completion of surgery. Data were collected from the postoperative care unit (24 h) and at follow-up (30 days). Our primary outcome was the proportion of patients with one or more episodes of postoperative agitation, measured every 15 min in the postoperative care unit (POCU) with the four-point Watcha scale (ie, Watcha >2). We analysed by intention to treat. The trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (number NCT02361476). FINDINGS: Between January and December, 2015, of the 379 eligible children, we randomly assigned 191 to receive clonidine treatment and 188 to receive placebo; 75 were girls (20%). Nine were excluded from the primary outcome analysis because of missing data points. 46 (25%) of 187 clonidine participants compared with 86 (47%) of 183 placebo participants had one or more episodes of postoperative agitation (Watcha score >2; relative risk 0·56, 95% CI 0·43-0·73; p<0·0001). 30 (20%) of 150 boys in the clonidine group were agitated compared with 69 (47%) of 147 boys in the placebo group (0·43, 0·30-0·61; p<0·0001). The observed effect was not significant in girls. Incidence of adverse events was similar in the clonidine and placebo groups. INTERPRETATION: On the basis of our results, clonidine might be used to safely prevent postoperative agitation in boys anaesthetised with sevoflurane. FUNDING: Danish Society of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care.