Effect of Adding Virtual Reality Training to Traditional Exercise Program on Pain, Mental Status and Psychological Status in Unilateral Traumatic Lower Limb Amputees: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Lower limb amputation is an emotionally devastating condition that causes a complete change in the quality of life, may lead to phantom limb pain in most of the cases, and puts the individual in a high risk of developing psychological disorders. The objective of this study is to evaluate the consequence of adding virtual reality (VR) to a traditional exercise program on pain, mental status, and psychological status in traumatic unilateral lower limb amputees (LLAs). Methods: Thirty-two traumatic LLAs were randomly assigned into two equal groups in this randomized control trial. Participants did accomplish a postfitting exercise program at least 6 months before enrolment; the control group (CG) underwent a traditional rehabilitation program, and experimental group (EG) had the same program, in addition to VR training. Data were collected before and after 6 weeks of intervention using visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, Beck's depression inventory (BDI) for depression, and 12-item short form survey for mental health summary (MHS) and physical health summary (PHS). Results: Thirty-two amputees (29 males and 3 females) were included with mean age in CGs and EG (27.6 ± 4) and (27.6 ± 7.6) years, respectively. Postintervention, the VAS score was significantly reduced only in EG (P = 0.003). Both groups showed significant improvement in BDI, MHS, and PHS (P < 0.05). However, the EG showed a superior significance in BDI and MHS scores (P < 0.05). There was no significance between groups in PHS score. Conclusion: Adding VR to conventional training is beneficial in decreasing pain and in improving depression and MHS of traumatic unilateral LLAs.

Understanding Trust Drivers of S-commerce.

Trust has emerged as a pillar in the acceptance and use of new technologies in the ever-changing digital landscape, notably in the booming field of social commerce. The importance of this study lies in the fact that it explores in-depth the aspects of customer trust in Instashopping using new constructs that have yet to be explored in s-commerce literature. Focusing on Instashopping, the research proposed a multi-dimensional model of trust to examine the dynamics of user trust in social commerce platforms and analyses the effects of various factors, including institution-based trust, disposition to trust, personal inventiveness, perceived page quality, and overall web experience. Structural equation modelling and confirmatory factor analysis were used to examine data from 267 responses in a survey of university students in the United Arab Emirates who have used Instagram for shopping. The analysis showed that user trust and trusting beliefs were significantly influenced by the disposition to trust, institution-based trust, and general web experience. Still, no significant association was found between perceived site quality and trusting beliefs. These findings highlight the crucial part that user trust plays in social commerce platform success and how important it is for online platforms to build and maintain user trust. The work also contributes theoretically to the knowledge body by comprehensively analysing trust dynamics in social commerce. In practice, the knowledge gained can help organisations plan their strategy for gaining and keeping client trust, which is essential for long-term success in the digital arena. To ensure long-term success, organisations must emphasise building and maintaining customer trust.

Effect of Adding Motorized Cycle Ergometer Over Exercise Training on Balance in Older Adults with Dementia: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Falls secondary to balance disturbances have been considered as a burden on health systems in people with dementia aged above 65. Exercise has been increasingly recommended to address such problem and the main challenges being the commitment and supervision of training. The study's aim was to investigate the effect of adding motorized cycle ergometer (MCE) on high intensity functional exercise (HIFE) training on balance and cognition in older adults with dementia. METHODS: Sixty participants over the age of 65 were randomly allocated into 3 groups, Mo, Ex, and MoEx undergoing, respectively, 50 minutes MCE, HIFE, or combination of both. Sessions were done 3 times per week for 12 weeks. Outcome measures taken before and after study period were Berg Balance Scale (BBS), timed up and go test (TUG), and Mini Mental State Exam (MMSE). RESULTS: All groups showed significant improvement in BBS scores but not on TUG or MMSE scores. Between group analysis showed no privilege of any used training methods over the other for all measures taken. CONCLUSIONS: Training with HIFE, MCE, or combination of both is effective in improving balance but not cognition. However, MCE can be an alternative to supervised exercise training in addressing balance.

LncRNA PAINT is associated with aggressive prostate cancer and dysregulation of cancer hallmark genes.

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play regulatory role in cellular processes and their aberrant expression may drive cancer progression. Here we report the function of a lncRNA PAINT (prostate cancer associated intergenic noncoding transcript) in promoting prostate cancer (PCa) progression. Upregulation of PAINT was noted in advanced stage and metastatic PCa. Inhibition of PAINT decreased cell proliferation, S-phase progression, increased expression of apoptotic markers, and improved sensitivity to docetaxel and Aurora kinase inhibitor VX-680. Inhibition of PAINT decreased cell migration and reduced expression of Slug and Vimentin. Ectopic expression of PAINT suppressed E-cadherin, increased S-phase progression and cell migration. PAINT expression in PCa cells induced larger colony formation, increased tumor growth and higher expression of mesenchymal markers. Transcriptome analysis followed by qRT-PCR validation showed differentially expressed genes involved in epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT), apoptosis and drug resistance in PAINT-expressing cells. Our study establishes an oncogenic function of PAINT in PCa.

The Effect of Adding Virtual Reality Training on Traditional Exercise Program on Balance and Gait in Unilateral, Traumatic Lower Limb Amputee.

Objective: Lower limb amputation is common in war combat and armed conflict as well as in traumatic settings and presents a challenge for health care providers. The incorporation of advanced technologies, particularly virtual reality, presents an opportunity to address the main consequences of amputation, principally balance and gait. The aim of this study was to investigate the additional effect of virtual reality with a traditional rehabilitation exercise program on balance and gait in unilateral, traumatic lower limb amputees. Materials and Methods: Thirty-two traumatic lower limb amputees, fulfilling a postfitting rehabilitation program at least 6 months ago, were recruited and randomly assigned into two identically sized groups; group C (control group) experiencing the traditional exercise program and group VR (virtual reality group) experiencing an addition of a virtual reality training. The intervention was conducted over 6 weeks at a rate of three sessions per week. Outcome measures assessed before and after 6 weeks were the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, Dynamic Gait Index (DGI), and 6-minute walk test (6 MWT). Results: Both interventions induced improvement in all measured parameters (P < 0.05); however, virtual reality demonstrated significant superior effects only on the balance markers, TUG test, DGI, and BBS (P < 0.05), but not on the 6 MWT (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Virtual reality is a promising, amusing, and safe intervention for addressing balance and gait in unilateral, traumatic lower limb amputees.

Benefits of Aerobic Exercise for Breast Cancer Survivors: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

BACKGROUND: Physical exercise may be beneficial to breast cancer (BC) survivors. Here, we systematically summarized the effects of aerobic exercise in BC survivors. We conducted a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). METHODS: We searched PubMed, Web of knowledge, Scopus, Cochrane Central, Virtual Health Library and PEDRO databases for relevant RCTs, comparing aerobic exercise with usual care among BC survivors. Data were extracted and evidence was synthesized narratively. RESULTS: Twelve studies were included in this systematic review. Studies reported that aerobic exercise can significantly improve the quality of life in BC survivors. Moreover, aerobic exercise alleviated the symptoms of depression and anxiety. However, current evidence from the included studies showed that there was no significant benefit for aerobic exercise in terms of weight loss. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that aerobic exercise is beneficial to BC survivors. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Aerobic exercise should be recommended in the therapeutic and rehabilitative regimens of BC survivors.
.

Does the Type of Toeing Affect Balance in Children With Diplegic Cerebral Palsy? An Observational Cross-sectional Study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to find out effect of toeing on balance in children with diplegic cerebral palsy. METHODS: An observational study was conducted. Thirty children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy, aged 5 to 8 years, participated in this study. They were classified into 2 groups: group A was children with out-toeing, and group B was children with in-toeing. Foot progression angle was measured by using dynamic footprint, and balance was evaluated using Biodex Balance System equipment. The outcome of interest was postural control (overall stability, anteroposterior stability, and mediolateral stability). RESULTS: Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference for the tested variables of interest between the 2 tested groups. Multiple pairwise comparison tests revealed that there was significantly better overall stability, anteroposterior stability, and mediolateral stability (P < .05) in group A. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that children with out-toeing have higher balance and stability than children with in-toeing.

Effect of aerobic exercises versus laser acupuncture in treatment of postmenopausal hot flushes: a randomized controlled trial.

[Purpose] To compare the effect of aerobic exercises versus laser acupuncture in treatment of postmenopausal hot flushes. [Subjects and Methods] This study was designed as single blind randomized controlled trial. A total of 48 postmenopausal women complained of hot flushes. Their ages ranged between 45 to 55 years and were randomly assigned into 2 equal groups: group (A), which received an aerobic exercises, and group (B), which received laser acupuncture. Both groups recieved 3 sessions per week for two months. The level of follicular stimulating hormone, lutelizing hormone, and hot flushes dairy card were assessed the severity of hot flahes before and after treatment program. [Results] There were Significant reduction in FSH, LH, and menopausal daily hot flush scale in group A compared with group B at the post treatment. [Conclusion] Eight week program of an aerobic exercises yields improvement in FSH, LH, and decrease in severity of hot flushes assessed by hot flush dairy card than laser acupuncture in the treatment of postmenopausal hot flashes.