Safety and Effectiveness of a Standardized Intravenous Insulin Infusion Order Set for Managing Uncontrolled Hyperglycemia Outside the Intensive Care Unit.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have evaluated the administration of intravenous (IV) insulin infusions for uncontrolled hyperglycemia in non-intensive care unit (ICU) patients, and there is inadequate data to guide how to appropriately administer IV insulin infusions to this patient population. OBJECTIVE: Determine the effectiveness and safety of our institution's non-critical care IV insulin infusion order set. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted at 2 institutions within a health care system. The primary outcome was the number of individuals who achieved a glucose level ≤180 mg/dL. For those meeting this endpoint, the time to achieving this outcome and the percentage of glucose checks within the goal range were determined. The primary safety endpoint was the number of individuals who experienced hypoglycemia (glucose level <70 mg/dL). Patients were included if they were ≥18 years of age and received the non-critical care IV insulin infusion order set outside of the ICU. RESULTS: Twenty-one (84%) patients achieved a glucose level ≤180 mg/dL. The median (inter-quartile range [IQR]) time to achieving the primary outcome was 5.7 h (3.9-8.3). In patients who achieved the primary outcome, 41.8% of the glucose readings obtained after achieving this outcome were within goal range. Two (8%) patients experienced hypoglycemia. Both of these events occurred within 8 hours of therapy initiation and neither patient received prior doses of subcutaneous insulin. Of the 4 patients who did not achieve a glucose level ≤180 mg/dL, 2 received high-dose corticosteroids, and 3 achieved a glucose level between 181 and 200 mg/dL. CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE: Our findings support the safe administration of IV insulin infusions to non-ICU patients when targeting a glucose range of 140 to 180 mg/dL and limiting the infusion duration.

Emergency Medicine Physician Residents' Perceptions of Emergency Medicine Clinical Pharmacists' Involvement in Their Training.

BACKGROUND: Although the clinical impact of emergency medicine clinical pharmacists (EMCPs) on patient care outcomes is well documented, their educational impact on resident physicians' training is not. OBJECTIVE: To further highlight the utility of EMCPs, this study evaluated emergency medicine (EM) resident physicians' perceptions of EMCPs' involvement in their training. METHODS: A voluntary, anonymous web-based survey was sent by email to all 44 EM resident physicians in July 2022. The survey included multiple choice, 5-point Likert scale, and free response questions derived from Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education pharmacotherapy competency-based milestones. RESULTS: Thirty-six of the 44 (82%) residents completed the survey and all 10 PGY-4 class residents completed the survey. Nearly half of the respondents (44.4%) reported they consulted/interacted with the EMCPs 3 to 5 times per week and this number increased with the level of training. Respondents most often consulted the EMCPs to obtain medication indications, antibiotic dosing, pediatric dosing, and contraindications. Overall, respondents primarily reported strongly agree to all survey questions. Nearly all respondents strongly agreed the EMCPs are an important part of the patient care team and provide education that is different from what a supervising physician provides. All respondents who completed the pharmacy elective strongly agreed the elective was valuable and strongly recommended other residents to complete it. CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE: Respondents reported EMCPs are an important part of the patient care team, play a significant role in their training, and provide education that is different from what a supervising physician provides. Our findings encourage other institutions to leverage physicians' views of EMCPs to expand their service line.

Review of Subcutaneous Insulin Regimens in the Management of Diabetic Ketoacidosis in Adults and Pediatrics.

OBJECTIVE: Summarize the studies evaluating the use of subcutaneous (SQ) insulin in the management of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in adults and pediatrics. DATA SOURCES: A PubMed literature search was conducted for articles published between 2000 and the end of May 2024 which contained the following terms in their title: (1) subcutaneous, glargine, or basal and (2) ketoa*. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: Review articles, guidelines, meta-analysis, commentaries, studies not related to the acute management of DKA, studies evaluating continuous SQ insulin, animal studies, if the time to DKA resolution was not clearly defined, and studies where basal insulin was administered greater than 6 hours after the insulin infusion was started were excluded. DATA SYNTHESIS: The electronic search identified 58 articles. Following the initial screening 38 articles were excluded and 3 were added after bibliography review. Of the 23 articles assessed for eligibility, 7 were excluded. Sixteen articles were included. Five studies compared SQ rapid/short-acting insulin and intravenous (IV) insulin infusions in adults, 4 compared SQ rapid/short-acting insulin and IV insulin infusions in pediatrics, 4 evaluated IV insulin infusions with or without SQ basal insulin in adults, and 3 evaluated IV insulin infusions with or without SQ basal insulin in pediatrics. RELEVANCE TO PATIENT CARE AND CLINICAL PRACTICE: In comparison with IV insulin infusions, rapid/short-acting SQ insulin regimens were associated with reduced ICU admission rates, hospital length of stay, and hospitalization costs. IV insulin infusion regimens that included a single SQ basal insulin dose upon therapy initiation were associated with reduced concurrent IV insulin infusion durations. CONCLUSION: Studies reviewed suggest that SQ insulin regimens may be as effective and safe as IV insulin infusions in the management of DKA and are associated with the conservation of resources. Providers may refer to this review when establishing or modifying their DKA management protocols.

Utility of nicardipine in the management of hypertensive crises in adults with reduced ejection fractions.

BACKGROUND: Nicardipine is commonly used in the management of hypertensive crises, except those involving cardiac contractility defects despite its ability to reduce afterload and pulmonary congestion. Consequently, there is limited literature evaluating nicardipine's role for this indication. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of nicardipine in adults with reduced ejection fractions presenting with acute heart failure with hypertension (AHF-H). METHODS: This was a retrospective study conducted at an academic Level 1 trauma center with an annual Emergency Department (ED) volume surpassing 100,000. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of nicardipine in adults with reduced ejection fractions presenting to the ED with AHF-H. Efficacy was determined by achievement of the physician prescribed blood pressure target range. The primary safety endpoints included the number of individuals who experienced bradycardia (< 60 beats per minute, bpm) or hypotension (systolic blood pressure, SBP, < 90 mmHg) while receiving nicardipine and for up to 15 min after its discontinuation. Patients were included if they were ≥ 18 years of age, received a continuous intravenous nicardipine infusion within six hours of presenting to the ED, and had an ejection fraction ≤ 40% per an echocardiogram obtained within three months of the study visit. Pregnant and incarcerated patients were excluded. RESULTS: Of the 500 patient charts reviewed, 38 met inclusion criteria. The median (interquartile, IQR) ejection fraction and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) were 35% (25-40) and 731 pg/nL (418-3277), respectively. The median baseline heart rate and SBP were 90 bpm and 193 mmHg, respectively. The median physician specified SBP goal was 160 mmHg and all patients met this endpoint in a median time of 18 min. One (2.6%) patient in the total population developed both hypotension and bradycardia. This patient had an ejection fraction of 20%, was intubated, and received nicardipine in addition to esmolol for an aortic dissection without experiencing an adverse event until 30 min after dexmedetomidine was initiated. CONCLUSION: In this non-interventional study evaluating the use of nicardipine in patients with reduced ejection fractions presenting to the ED with AHF-H, nicardipine was found to be safe and effective. To our knowledge this is the largest study to date evaluating nicardipine in this patient population and positively contributes to the existing literature.

Acute Management of Hypertriglyceridemia With a Disease-Specific Intravenous Insulin Infusion Order Set.

BACKGROUND: Hypertriglyceridemia-associated acute pancreatitis is a disease lacking a standardized management approach. OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a continuous intravenous insulin infusion order set specifically designed for managing hypertriglyceridemia. METHODS: This study compared the safety and efficacy of a standardized (postintervention) approach to managing hypertriglyceridemia to a nonstandardized (preintervention) approach. The primary efficacy outcome was the percentage of patients who achieved a triglyceride level less than 500 mg/dL. Additional outcomes included the time to achieving a triglyceride level less than 500 mg/dL and the percent reduction in triglyceride levels. The primary safety outcome was the number of patients who experienced hypoglycemia (glucose less than 70 mg/dL). RESULTS: Twenty patients were included in both the preintervention and postintervention groups. There was a significantly greater reduction in triglyceride levels observed in the postintervention group. The number of patients who achieved a triglyceride level less than 500 mg/dL in the preintervention and postintervention groups were 10 (50%) and 17 (85%), respectively, P = 0.018. Within the postintervention group, the time to achieving a triglyceride level less than 500 mg/dL in those with and without diabetes was 56.8 hours (38.2-64.0) versus 27.6 hours (19.7-45.0), respectively, P = 0.028. CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE: Our findings demonstrate that insulin infusions are safe and effective when therapy is standardized and accounts for nursing to patient ratios. Our results provide the medical community with a standardized approach to acutely managing hypertriglyceridemia.

Safety and Efficacy of Various Intravenous Insulin Infusion Rates in Patients With and Without Diabetes Presenting With Hypertriglyceridemia.

BACKGROUND: The use of IV insulin infusions in the acute management of hypertriglyceridemia has only been evaluated in small observational studies and case reports. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of IV insulin infusions in the acute management of hypertriglyceridemia. METHODS: This was a retrospective chart review of adult patients who received an IV insulin infusion for the acute management of hypertriglyceridemia. The primary efficacy and safety outcomes were the number of patients who achieved a triglyceride level <500 mg/dL and experienced hypoglycemia (<70 mg/dL), respectively. A subgroup analysis was performed to compare outcomes between patients with and without diabetes, in addition to the IV insulin infusion rate received. RESULTS: In the total population (n = 51), there were no statistically significant differences between the insulin intensity groups in the number of patients who achieved TG levels <500 mg/dL. Compared to patients with a past medical history of diabetes, more patients without a past medical history of diabetes achieved triglyceride levels <500 mg/dL (14% vs 53%, respectively, P < 0.001). The number of hypoglycemic events observed in patients with and without a past medical history of diabetes were 5 (14%) and 4 (27%), respectively (P = 0.023). CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE: Our findings suggest that patients who present with lower initial TG levels are more likely to achieve TG levels <500 mg/dL. To minimize the risk of hypoglycemia providers should consider prescribing a concomitant dextrose infusion and limiting IV insulin infusion rates ≤ 0.075 units/kg/h.

Intravenous Metoprolol Versus Diltiazem for Rate Control in Atrial Fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Currently, it remains unclear whether ß-blockers or nondihydropyridine calcium channel blockers are preferred for the acute management of atrial fibrillation (AF). OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of intravenous (IV) metoprolol and diltiazem for rate control. METHODS: This was a single-center, retrospective cohort study of patients who presented to the emergency department between 2015 and 2019 with AF with rapid ventricular rate (RVR) and received IV metoprolol or diltiazem. The primary outcome was the percentage of patients who achieved rate control (defined as heart rate < 100 beats per minute). Secondary outcomes included time to rate control, percentage of patients requiring additional agents for rate control, and incidence of cardioversion, bradycardia, and hypotension. RESULTS: A total of 200 patients were included in this study. Rate control was achieved in 35% and 41% of the metoprolol and diltiazem groups, respectively (P = 0.38). Mean time to rate control was not significantly different between the metoprolol and diltiazem groups (35 vs 21 minutes, P = 0.23). One patient developed hypotension, no patient developed bradycardia, and 4 patients required electric cardioversion. No adverse events were observed in patients with ejection fraction ≤40%. CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE: There was no difference in the achievement of rate control between IV metoprolol and diltiazem. This is the largest study to date comparing the two classes of agents for acute rate control in AF. No patient-specific factors were identified that would influence the preferential use of one medication over the other.

Evidence based Latin American Guidelines of clinical practice on prevention, diagnosis, management and treatment of glucocorticoid induced osteoporosis. A 2022 update : This manuscript has been produced under the auspices of the Committee of National Societies (CNS) and the Committee of Scientific Advisors (CSA) of the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF).

Guidelines and recommendations developed and endorsed by the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) are intended to provide guidance for particular pattern of practice for physicians who usually prescribe glucocorticoid (GC) therapy, and not to dictate the care of a particular patient. Adherence to the recommendations within this guideline is voluntary and the ultimate determination regarding their application should be made by the physician in light of each patient's circumstances. Guidelines and recommendations are intended to promote a desirable outcome but cannot guarantee any specific outcome. This guideline and its recommendations are not intended to dictate payment, reimbursement or insurance decisions. Guidelines and recommendations are subjected to periodic revisions as a consequence of the evolution of medicine, technology and clinical practice. A panel of Latin American (LATAM) experts specialized in osteoporosis with recognized clinical experience in managing patients with glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIO) met to produce evidence-based LATAM recommendations for the diagnosis and management of GIO. These guidelines are particularly intended to general practitioners and primary care physicians who prescribe GC treatments in LATAM to guide their daily clinical practice in terms of evaluation, prevention and treatment of GIO. These recommendations were based on systematic literature review using MEDLINE, EMBASE, SCOPUS and COCHRANE Library database during the period from 2012 to 2021. Randomized clinical trials (RCT), systematic reviews of RCT, controlled observational studies, guidelines and consensus were considered. Based on the review and expert opinion the panel members voted recommendations during two successive rounds of voting by panel members. Agreements for each statement were considered if a concordance of at least 70% was achieved following Delphi methodology. Grading of recommendations was made according to the Oxford Centre for the Evidence-based Medicine (EBM) criteria. Among five GIO guidelines and consensus initially identified, two of them (American College of Rheumatology 2017 and the Brazilian Guidelines 2021) were selected for comparison considering the latter as the most current guides in the LATAM region. Based on this methodology fifty statements were issued. All of them but four (1.20, 1.21, 1.23 and 4.2) attained agreement.

Single dose phenobarbital in addition to symptom-triggered lorazepam in alcohol withdrawal.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a single parenteral dose of phenobarbital in addition to symptom-triggered lorazepam for the acute management of alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS). METHODS: This was a retrospective chart review of adult patients who presented to the Emergency Department with moderate or severe symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. Patients were included if they received at least 4 mg of lorazepam through the hospital's Alcohol Withdrawal Order Set on hospital day one. Patients who received a single parenteral dose of phenobarbital on hospital day one were compared to those who did not. RESULTS: Forty patients received phenobarbital and 38 patients received lorazepam only. Median daily lorazepam requirements, disposition, hospital length of stay, and median maximum daily CIWA-Ar scores were not statistically significant different between the groups. Significantly more patients in the phenobarbital group were discharged within three days in comparison to the lorazepam only group (9 patients vs. 2 patients, respectively, p < 0.05). In the lorazepam only group, two patients were intubated, one patient had delirium tremens, and no patients seized. In the phenobarbital group no adverse events were observed. CONCLUSIONS: More patients were discharged within three days if they received a single parenteral dose of phenobarbital on hospital day one, in addition to symptom-triggered lorazepam for the acute management of AWS. Emergency Medicine physicians should consider ordering one parenteral phenobarbital dose on hospital day one to patients presenting with AWS.

Emergency medicine clinical pharmacist's impact on ordering of vancomycin loading doses.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of an emergency medicine clinical pharmacist's (EMCP) intervention on physicians' prescribing of vancomycin loading doses at an institution with limited EMCP services. METHODS: This was a retrospective, pre-post intervention study conducted at an academic Level 1 trauma center. Adult patients who were ordered vancomycin and a broad spectrum antimicrobial at the same time, within 12 h of arrival to the emergency department were included. During the three week intervention phase the EMCP lectured physicians and pharmacists on appropriate vancomycin loading doses, posted flyers in the ED physicians' work rooms, and uploaded a handout to the department of pharmacy's website. Primary analysis compared the number of appropriate vancomycin loading doses ordered before and after the EMCP intervention. RESULTS: Thirty and 31 orders from the pre- and post-intervention study periods were included in data analysis, respectively. The number of appropriate vancomycin orders prescribed significantly increased from 2 (6.7%) to 11 (35%) following the intervention (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Following an EMCP intervention there was a statistically significant increase in the number of appropriate vancomycin loading dose orders prescribed by emergency medicine physicians. The EMCP's unique skill set and role within the emergency department permitted the EMCP to recognize and resolve a discrepancy in vancomycin prescribing practices. This study further highlights the importance of having dedicated clinical pharmacists in the emergency department and encourages institutions to develop, expand, and maintain EMCP positions.

C1 esterase inhibitor use in the management of lisinopril-induced angioedema: A case series.

OBJECTIVE: Review 4 patients who presented with presumed lisinopril-induced angioedema and received C1 esterase inhibitor (C1-INH). CASE SUMMARY: Four patients received C1-INH for presumed lisinopril-induced angioedema. In all cases, angioedema was attributed to lisinopril use after the patients' symptoms did not resolve after receiving other interventions. The patients received either 1500 units or 2000 units of C1-INH. All patients' symptoms resolved after receiving a single C1-INH dose, and all were discharged home within 48 hours of receiving C1-INH. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: On the basis of the available literature and our study, C1-INH may effectively treat angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor-induced angioedema (ACEi-AE). Owing to the low incidence of ACEi-AE and the high cost of C1-INH, physicians should consider limiting the use of C1-INH to patients who remain symptomatic after the initial interventions and are at risk of a compromised airway.

Review of Prothrombin Complex Concentrates Use in Apixaban and Rivaroxaban Associated Intracranial Hemorrhages.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Summarize the studies evaluating the use of 4-factor prothrombin complex concentrates in the management of apixaban and rivaroxaban associated intracranial hemorrhages. METHODS: A PubMed literature search was conducted for articles published between 2013 and 2020 which contained the following terms in their title: (1) apixaban, rivaroxaban, or factor Xa inhibitor*, and (2) prothrombin complex concentrate*. RESULTS: Eighteen observational studies were included. When a ∼25 units/kg (range: 25-26.9 units/kg) non-activated 4 factor prothrombin complex concentrate dose was administered, the hemostatic effectiveness rates were ≥ 79% in 2/4 studies that utilized the Sarode et al criteria, in comparison to 4/5 studies that administered a 50 units/kg dose. The mortality rates were < 20% in 7/9 studies with hemostatic effectiveness rates ≥ 79%. Mortality rates were lower in the studies demonstrating higher hemostatic effectiveness rates and including patients with higher Glasgow coma scale scores and lower intracerebral hemorrhage volumes. Overall, the thromboembolic event rates were 0-18%, with 16/18 studies demonstrating rates ≤ 10%. The thromboembolic event rates were not dose or agent dependent. CONCLUSION: Rates of hemostatic effectiveness were influenced by the definition of hemostatic effectiveness, dose administered, and patient severity. Studies suggest that higher doses may result in higher hemostatic effectiveness rates without increasing the risk of experiencing a thromboembolic event. This review may be used by providers to modify or validate their reversal strategy approach until well designed studies are available.

Fixed-Dose Factor Eight Inhibitor Bypassing Activity (FEIBA) in the Management of Warfarin-Associated Coagulopathies.

This retrospective review evaluated our institutions' practice of administering low fixed-dose FEIBA (high (1000 units) or low dose (500 units) for an INR ≥ 5 or <5, respectively) for the management of warfarin-associated coagulopathies. The primary outcome was the percentage of patients who had a post-FEIBA INR ≤ 1.5. In the total population, 55.6% (10/18) of patients achieved a post-FEIBA INR ≤ 1.5. In the subgroup analysis, significantly more patients in the low dose FEIBA group achieved a post-FEIBA INR ≤ 1.5 compared to the high dose FEIBA group (71.4% vs. 45.5%, respectively, p < 0.001). In the post hoc analysis, there was a significant difference in the number of patients who achieved a post-FEIBA INR ≤ 1.5 when comparing those who received high dose FEIBA with a baseline INR 5−9.9 to those who received high dose FEIBA with a baseline INR ≥ 10 (60% vs. 33.3%, respectively, p < 0.001). The existing literature and our findings suggest that patients who present with lower baseline INR values and receive additional reversal agents are more likely to meet post-reversal INR goals. Current low fixed-dose protocols may be oversimplified and may need to be revised to provide larger fixed-doses.

Effectiveness of an individually tailored home-based exercise rogramme for pre-frail older adults, driven by a tablet application and mobility monitoring: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: To gain first insight into the effectiveness of a home-based exercise programme for pre-frail older adults with independent use of novel ICT technology. METHODS: A pilot study. Forty pre-frail older adults joined a six-month home-based exercise programme using a tablet PC for exercise administration and feedback, and a necklace-worn motion sensor for daily physical activity registration. Participants received weekly telephone supervision during the first 3 months and exercised independently without supervision from a coach during the last 3 months. Functional performance and daily physical activity were assessed at baseline, after three and 6 months. RESULTS: Twenty-one participants completed the programme. Overall, functional performance showed positive results varying from (very) small to large effects (Cohen's d 0.04-0.81), mainly during the supervised part of the intervention. Regarding daily physical activity, a slight improvement with (very) small effects (Cohen's d 0.07-0.38), was observed for both self-reported and objectively measured physical activity during the supervised period. However, during the unsupervised period this pattern only continued for self-reported physical activity. CONCLUSION: This pilot study showed positive results varying from (very) small to large effects in levels and maintenance of functional performance and daily physical activity, especially during the supervised first 3 months. Remote supervision seems to importantly affect effectiveness of a home-based exercise programme. Effectiveness of the programme and the exact contribution of its components should be further quantified in a randomized controlled trial. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Home-based exercising using novel technology may be promising for functional performance and physical activity improvement in (pre-frail) older adults. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Netherlands Trial Register (NTR); trial number NL4049 . The study was prospectively registered (registration date 14/11/2013).

Diabetic Retinopathy: Important Biochemical Alterations and the Main Treatment Strategies.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by impaired glucose homeostasis, insulin resistance and hyperglycemia. Among its serious multisystemic complications is diabetic retinopathy (DR), which develops slowly and often insidiously. This disorder-the most common cause of vision loss in working-age adults-is characterized by functional and morphological changes in the retina. It results from the exacerbation of ischemic and inflammatory conditions prompted by alterations in the blood vessels, such as the development of leukostasis, thickening of the basement membrane, retinal neovascularization and fibrovascular tissue formation at the vitreoretinal interface. The pathogenic alterations are usually triggered at the biochemical level, involving a greater activity in 4 pathways: the polyol pathway, the hexosamine pathway, the formation of advanced glycation end-products and the activation of protein kinase C isoforms. When acting together, these pathways give rise to increased levels of reactive oxygen species and decreased levels of endogenous antioxidant agents, thus generating oxidative stress. All current therapies are aimed at the later stages of DR, and their application implies side effects. One possible strategy for preventing the complications of DM is to counteract the elevated superoxide production stemming from a high level of blood glucose. Accordingly, some treatments are under study for their capacity to reduce vascular leakage and avoid retinal ischemia, retinal neovascularization and macular edema. The present review summarizes the biochemical aspects of DR and the main approaches for treating it.

A Systematic Review on Technology-Supported Interventions to Improve Old-Age Social Wellbeing: Loneliness, Social Isolation, and Connectedness.

Background: This review studies technology-supported interventions to help older adults, living in situations of reduced mobility, overcome loneliness, and social isolation. The focus is on long-distance interactions, investigating the (i) challenges addressed and strategies applied; (ii) technology used in interventions; and (iii) social interactions enabled. Methods: We conducted a search on Elsevier's Scopus database for related work published until January 2020, focusing on (i) intervention studies supported mainly by technology-mediated communication, (ii) aiming at supported virtual social interactions between people, and (iii) evaluating the impact of loneliness or social isolation. Results: Of the 1178 papers screened, 25 met the inclusion criteria. Computer and Internet training was the dominant strategy, allowing access to communication technologies, while in recent years, we see more studies aiming to provide simple, easy-to-use technology. The technology used was mostly off-the-shelf, with fewer solutions tailored to older adults. Social interactions targeted mainly friends and family, and most interventions focused on more than one group of people. Discussion. All interventions reported positive results, suggesting feasibility. However, more research is needed on the topic (especially randomized controlled trials), as evidenced by the low number of interventions found. We recommend more rigorous methods, addressing human factors and reporting technology usage in future research.

Effects of Sharing Old Pictures With Grandchildren on Intergenerational Relationships: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Intergenerational relationships are beneficial for both grandparents and grandchildren. A positive grandparent-grandchild relationship can improve the psychological well-being of older adults and be a source of social support, family history, and identity development. Maintaining meaningful interactions can be, however, a challenging endeavor, especially as life events lead to relocating geographically. Grandparents and grandchildren can have different preferences in terms of communication mediums and different assumptions about the real conversational needs of the other. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we will investigate the feasibility and effect of sharing memories of older adults with their grandchildren in social media. This intervention focuses on bringing snippets of the lives of the grandparents into the grandchildren's social media feed and analyzing the potential effect on relational quality, relational investment, and conversational resources from the perspective of the grandchildren. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial will be used to measure the effectiveness of sharing family memories through social media on intergenerational relationships from the perspective of the grandchildren. The study will be implemented in Mongolia among 60 grandparent-grandchild pairs who will be assigned to either a control or intervention group. Pictures and stories will be collected during reminiscence sessions between the researchers and the grandparents before the intervention. During an intervention period of 2 months, grandchildren in the intervention group will receive pictures and stories of their grandparents on their social media account. Pre- and postintervention questionnaires will measure relationship quality, relationship investment, and conversational resources and will be used to assess the effectiveness of the intervention. RESULTS: We conducted a pretest pilot from January to April 2018 among 6 pairs of participants (6 grandparents and 6 grandchildren). The validation of the protocol was focused on the process, instruments, and technological setup. We continued the study after the validation, and 59 pairs of participants (59 grandparents and 59 grandchildren) have been recruited. The data collection was completed in November 2019. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study will contribute to strategies to stimulate social interactions in intergenerational pairs. A validation of the study process is also presented to provide further operational recommendations. The lessons learned during the validation of the protocol are discussed with recommendations and implications for the recruitment, reminiscence sessions, technological setup, and administration of instruments. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/16315.

Effectiveness of a Home-Based Rehabilitation Program After Total Hip Arthroplasty Driven by a Tablet App and Remote Coaching: Nonrandomized Controlled Trial Combining a Single-Arm Intervention Cohort With Historical Controls.

BACKGROUND: Recent technological developments such as wearable sensors and tablets with a mobile internet connection hold promise for providing electronic health home-based programs with remote coaching for patients following total hip arthroplasty. It can be hypothesized that such a home-based rehabilitation program can offer an effective alternative to usual care. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a home-based rehabilitation program driven by a tablet app and remote coaching for patients following total hip arthroplasty. METHODS: Existing data of two studies were combined, in which patients of a single-arm intervention study were matched with historical controls of an observational study. Patients aged 18-65 years who had undergone total hip arthroplasty as a treatment for primary or secondary osteoarthritis were included. The intervention consisted of a 12-week home-based rehabilitation program with video instructions on a tablet and remote coaching (intervention group). Patients were asked to do strengthening and walking exercises at least 5 days a week. Data of the intervention group were compared with those of patients who received usual care (control group). Effectiveness was measured at four moments (preoperatively, and 4 weeks, 12 weeks, and 6 months postoperatively) by means of functional tests (Timed Up & Go test and the Five Times Sit-to Stand Test) and self-reported questionnaires (Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score [HOOS] and Short Form 36 [SF-36]). Each patient of the intervention group was matched with two patients of the control group. Patient characteristics were summarized with descriptive statistics. The 1:2 matching situation was analyzed with a conditional logistic regression. Effect sizes were calculated by Cohen d. RESULTS: Overall, 15 patients of the intervention group were included in this study, and 15 and 12 subjects from the control group were matched to the intervention group, respectively. The intervention group performed functional tests significantly faster at 12 weeks and 6 months postoperatively. The intervention group also scored significantly higher on the subscales "function in sport and recreational activities" and "hip-related quality of life" of HOOS, and on the subscale "physical role limitations" of SF-36 at 12 weeks and 6 months postoperatively. Large effect sizes were found on functional tests at 12 weeks and at 6 months (Cohen d=0.5-1.2), endorsed by effect sizes on the self-reported outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Our results clearly demonstrate larger effects in the intervention group compared to the historical controls. These results imply that a home-based rehabilitation program delivered by means of internet technology after total hip arthroplasty can be more effective than usual care. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03846063; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03846063 and German Registry of Clinical Trials DRKS00011345; https://tinyurl.com/yd32gmdo.

Feasibility and Patient Experience of a Home-Based Rehabilitation Program Driven by a Tablet App and Mobility Monitoring for Patients After a Total Hip Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Recent developments in technology are promising for providing home-based exercise programs. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and patient experience of a home-based rehabilitation program after total hip arthroplasty (THA) delivered using videos on a tablet personal computer (PC) and a necklace-worn motion sensor to continuously monitor mobility-related activities. METHODS: We enrolled 30 independently living patients aged 18-75 years who had undergone THA as a treatment for primary or secondary osteoarthritis (OA) between December 2015 and February 2017. Patients followed a 12-week exercise program with video instructions on a tablet PC and daily physical activity registration through a motion sensor. Patients were asked to do strengthening and walking exercises at least 5 days a week. There was weekly phone contact with a physiotherapist. Adherence and technical problems were recorded during the intervention. User evaluation was done in week 4 (T1) and at the end of the program (T2). RESULTS: Overall, 26 patients completed the program. Average adherence for exercising 5 times a week was 92%. Reasons mentioned most often for nonadherence were vacation or a day or weekend off 25% (33/134) and work 15% (20/134). The total number of technical issues was 8. The average score on the user evaluation questionnaire (range 0-5) was 4.6 at T1 and 4.5 at T2. The highest score was for the subscale "coaching" and the lowest for the subscale "sensor." CONCLUSIONS: A home-based rehabilitation program driven by a tablet app and mobility monitoring seems feasible for THA patients. Adherence was good and patient experience was positive. The novel technology was well accepted. When the home-based rehabilitation program proves to be effective, it could be used as an alternative to formal physiotherapy. However, further research on its effectiveness is needed.

Effects of online group exercises for older adults on physical, psychological and social wellbeing: a randomized pilot trial.

BACKGROUND: Intervention programs to promote physical activity in older adults, either in group or home settings, have shown equivalent health outcomes but different results when considering adherence. Group-based interventions seem to achieve higher participation in the long-term. However, there are many factors that can make of group exercises a challenging setting for older adults. A major one, due to the heterogeneity of this particular population, is the difference in the level of skills. In this paper we report on the physical, psychological and social wellbeing outcomes of a technology-based intervention that enable online group exercises in older adults with different levels of skills. METHODS: A total of 37 older adults between 65 and 87 years old followed a personalized exercise program based on the OTAGO program for fall prevention, for a period of eight weeks. Participants could join online group exercises using a tablet-based application. Participants were assigned either to the Control group, representing the traditional individual home-based training program, or the Social group, representing the online group exercising. Pre- and post- measurements were taken to analyze the physical, psychological and social wellbeing outcomes. RESULTS: After the eight-weeks training program there were improvements in both the Social and Control groups in terms of physical outcomes, given the high level of adherence of both groups. Considering the baseline measures, however, the results suggest that while in the Control group fitter individuals tended to adhere more to the training, this was not the case for the Social group, where the initial level had no effect on adherence. For psychological outcomes there were improvements on both groups, regardless of the application used. There was no significant difference between groups in social wellbeing outcomes, both groups seeing a decrease in loneliness despite the presence of social features in the Social group. However, online social interactions have shown to be correlated to the decrease in loneliness in the Social group. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that technology-supported online group-exercising which conceals individual differences in physical skills is effective in motivating and enabling individuals who are less fit to train as much as fitter individuals. This not only indicates the feasibility of training together despite differences in physical skills but also suggests that online exercise might reduce the effect of skills on adherence in a social context. However, results from this pilot are limited to a small sample size and therefore are not conclusive. Longer term interventions with more participants are instead recommended to assess impacts on wellbeing and behavior change.