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Biomedical subjects

A Busby

Publications and source records attributed to A Busby.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1996

A preliminary investigation into the aetiology of Meares-Irlen syndrome.

A recent double-masked placebo-controlled trial has confirmed that some children experience a reduction in symptoms of eyestrain and headache when they read through individually prescribed coloured filters and has shown that this benefit cannot be solely attributed to a placebo effect. People who are helped by coloured filters in this way have been described as having "Meares-Irlen syndrome'. We investigated the mechanism of this benefit by studying the optometric and visual perceptual characteristics of the children in the double-masked study. This population had normal refractive errors and heterophorias (none of the subjects had strabismus). They demonstrated slightly, but significantly, reduced amplitudes of accommodation and vergence and poor stereo-acuity. However, these factors seemed to be correlates of Meares-Irlen syndrome rather than the underlying cause. Pattern glare, a sensitivity to striped patterns (e.g. lines of text), was prevalent in our sample and was significantly associated with the subjects' symptoms. The spatial contrast sensitivity function was normal.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Optometric correlates of Meares-Irlen syndrome: a matched group study.

People who report visual perceptual distortions, typically when reading, that are alleviated by using coloured filters are described as suffering from 'Meares-Irlen Syndrome'. A recent double-masked placebo-controlled trial showed that this condition cannot be solely explained as a placebo effect and that the beneficial filter is idiosyncratic and sometimes needs to be highly specific. Several mechanisms have been suggested for Meares-Irlen Syndrome including ocular motor (binocular and accommodative) anomalies, a sensitivity to patterned stimuli (pattern glare), and a deficit of the transient visual sub-system. We investigated these hypotheses by comparing 16 children, who reported the symptoms described above and who showed a sustained benefit from coloured filters, with 25 control children who came from the same school and were matched for age, reading performance and intelligence. The 'Meares-Irlen Syndrome' group had slightly, but significantly, reduced vergence and accommodative amplitudes and stereo-acuity; they also demonstrated significantly more pattern glare. The two groups did not differ significantly in their visual acuities, refractive error, dissociated or associated heterophoria, AC/A ratio, or ability to perceive 20 Hz flicker. It appears that certain ocular motor factors are correlates of Meares-Irlen Syndrome, rather than the primary underlying cause of the symptoms. The results support the hypothesis that pattern glare may be involved in the mechanism of Meares-Irlen Syndrome.

Accommodation, Ocular↗
PubMed1992

The role of the nurse in the medical ward round.

Communication between hospital staff and in-patients, especially regarding the provision of information, has been found to be inadequate although improving information-giving has been demonstrated to have a number of beneficial effects. While the ward round might be a particularly valuable setting for communication, few studies have explored the multidisciplinary nature of rounds. This study obtained the views of 33 consultants, 14 nurses and eight patients and observed three ward rounds in order to determine the nature of present round functioning, and the nurse's role in such a round. The results showed that the rounds studied were not being conducted in a democratic fashion: medical staff dominated and other health care professionals had little involvement. Patients received few explanations and had great difficulty understanding the discussion. The functions nurses were seen to perform involved primarily providing information for medical staff. It is recommended that patients are more involved in rounds and are given more explanations and encouraged to ask questions. Nurses should be educated to assert themselves in ward rounds in order to fulfil roles they prescribe for themselves, and all professionals should aim towards more democratic, equal discussion. There is a need for further research to determine the effectiveness of nurse intervention on patient involvement and satisfaction with the round.

Assertiveness↗
PubMed1983

Dietary patterns of third-year secondary schoolgirls in Glasgow.

The dietary pattern of 270 third-year secondary schoolgirls in Glasgow was investigated by means of a 24-hour recall. Subjects were asked to indicate any food which they had bought themselves and to answer questions relating to fat, sugar and fibre. Most ate at normal mealtimes including breakfast but additional snacking was prevalent especially in the evening. There was a distinct lack of fruit and vegetables in the diet. The subjects could exercise reasonable influence over their own intake by virtue of their purchasing power. The roles of fat, sugar and fibre in the diet were variably understood and sources of fibre not well recognised.

Adolescent↗