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AIM AND OBJECTIVE: The success of topical treatment in patients with psoriasis is still below par in Malaysia. The contributing factors include patients' understanding and knowledge about prescribed topical medications. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of color and picture labeling (C and P labeling) in improving the knowledge about topical medications among patients with psoriasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An unblinded randomized controlled trial was undertaken at the dermatology clinic of a tertiary care hospital. Consent from the patients fulfilling inclusion criteria were obtained, and they were included in this study. They were randomized into two groups, namely Gp-1 (C and P labeling) and Gp-2 (conventional labeling). Both groups were assessed at week 0, 6, and 12 (visit 1, 2, and 3) using knowledge assessment list and psoriasis severity assessment score. For visit 2 (week 6), reinforcement of their understanding of topical treatment was performed. RESULTS: A total of 101 patients were recruited. Only 91 of them completed the study. The mean ages were 44.52 (±16.61) and 45.49 (±15.84) years, with 70.3% males and approximately half Malay ethnics. The changes of knowledge and comparison of Topical Application Assessment Score between the groups showed an incremental raise of significance with every visit (P = 0.006 [week 1], 0.004 [week 6], and 0.002 [week 12]). Psoriasis Area and Severity Index 75 could not draw any conclusion as patients who achieved >75% improvement were inadequate. CONCLUSION: C and P labeling was effective in improving the understanding and knowledge of patients with psoriasis. Both groups showed improvement in body surface area and Dermatology Life Quality Index for every visit; however, it was statistically insignificant.
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INTRODUCTION: This study determines Chinese body segment parameters based on a magnetic resonance imaging method. METHODS: Fifty young Chinese men (21.5 ± 1.52 yr) participated in this study. Magnetic resonance images were obtained using a GE magnetic resonance imaging 1.5-T scanner with 10-mm thickness. The magnetic resonance digital images were analyzed using medical imaging software. This study separated the human body into 14 segments, including the head and neck, trunk, upper arm, forearm, hand, thigh, shank, and foot to calculate the percentage of mass of total body mass (%M), center of mass location (%CM), and moments of inertia (I) for each segment. RESULTS: The study results showed %M and %CM of the head and neck (8.21 and 52.69), trunk (42.28 and 41.96), upper arm (3.25 and 47.16), forearm (1.36 and 40.98), hand (0.54 and 32.60), thigh (13.50 and 48.56), shanks (4.63 and 41.68), and foot (1.47 and 47.51). Compared with other cadaver-based and in vivo studies, our findings indicate a lower %M and %CM at the hand, forearm, and trunk but higher %M and %CM at the head. The differences may be due to the race, lifestyle, age, and level of participants. The discrepancies in segment boundaries and coordinate system may also contribute to these differences. Most previous studies have either used cadavers from older Caucasian men or drawn conclusions from a limited sample size. CONCLUSIONS: This study establishes a new model to provide thorough information of Chinese body segment parameters for enhanced ergonomic design and more accurate human movement studies.