A comparison of the effectiveness of three types of trunk orthoses on the balance performance of older people with osteoporotic hyperkyphosis: A cross-over study.

BACKGROUND: Orthotic immobilization is an early treatment for osteoporotic vertebral fracture at the hyperkyphotic thoracic spine. OBJECTIVE: This exploratory study compared the immediate impact of three types of trunk orthoses on the balance parameters of older people with osteoporosis hyperkyphosis. METHODS: Twenty older people (aged 60-65 years) with osteoporosis kyphosis and a history of falls participated in a pilot cross-over study. Four randomized comparisons were carried out, including either soft, semi-rigid, and rigid trunk orthoses worn on the participants compared to "no orthosis" as the control condition. Kyphosis angle, Forward Reach Test, Timed Up and Go test, and postural stability during standing on a force plate were recorded and compared between study conditions using one-way repeated measures analysis of variance test. RESULTS: All orthoses significantly reduced the kyphosis angle (p < 0.01). None of the orthoses has a significant change in the Timed Up and Go test (p > 0.01). Rigid orthosis significantly reduced the forward reach compared to "no orthosis" (p = 0.003, 95% CI: 1.08-6.3 cm). None of the orthosis induced a significant change in postural sway velocity in anteroposterior and mediolateral directions compared to the control condition (p > 0.01). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that using rigid orthosis in older people with osteoporosis hyperkyphosis reduces the balance performance.

The Recovery of an Elderly Woman with Asthma and Diabetes from COVID-19 Infection: A Case Report.

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 has caused a great deal of fear in different communities. In this study, we reported the recovery of a diabetic elderly woman with a history of asthma from COVID-19 infection. CASE PRESENTATION: A 61-year-old woman was hospitalized due to dyspnea and low blood O2 saturation and was later diagnosed with COVID-19, as confirmed by PCR. The patient had a history of asthma and diabetes and used salbutamol and Atrovent spray. She also had a history of hospitalization at one month prior to the current admission. Despite all these, COVID-19 was successfully managed, and she was discharged with a good clinical condition after the improvement of respiratory complications. CONCLUSION: Despite having an advanced age and underlying diseases (diabetes and asthma), the recovery of this elderly woman shows that even such patientscandefeatCOVID-19 as long as the disease is not progressed to advanced phases and appropriate therapeutic measures are taken. By reporting such cases, it is possible to give people hope and motivation and reduce their fear of the disease.

The effect of educational intervention on the knowledge and attitude of intensive care nurses in the prevention of pressure ulcers.

BACKGROUND: Pressure ulcers can cause disability, which can lead to a default in patients' safety and results in frequent complications for patients. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the effect of educational intervention on nurses' knowledge and attitude in preventing pressure ulcers. METHODS: In this study, 67 nurses of ICU wards at Ilam University of Medical Sciences were randomly assigned to the experimental or control group. Data collection tools included the demographic characteristics questionnaire, the Pieper Pressure Ulcer Knowledge test (PUKT) and the Attitude toward Pressure Ulcer tool (APuP). In the experimental group, the nurses were allocated into groups of four-five persons and for each group four face-to-face training sessions and two virtual training sessions by means of educational videos on bed sores were performed. Gathered data were analyzed using SPSS software version 16, and descriptive and analytical tests were performed. RESULTS: PUKT questionnaire score in the experimental group improved from 15.68 (3.42) to 29.75 (12.33) (P = 0.000), while in the control group it was 16.40 (3.13) and 17.54 (6.62) before intervention, which was not significant (P > 0.05). Furthermore, the APUP questionnaire score in the experimental group improved from 27.12 (2.13) to 39.37 (3.21) (P = 0.000), while in the control group it was 27.65 (1.71) and 28.37 (5.00) before intervention, which was not significant (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Since educational intervention improved the knowledge and attitude of nurses in preventing pressure ulcers, it is required to conduct appropriate educational interventions to improve their knowledge and attitude.