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Biomedical subjects

A J Felling

Publications and source records attributed to A J Felling.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

The effects of physiotherapy for female urinary incontinence: individual compared with group treatment.

OBJECTIVES: To compare, in a randomized trial, the effects of individual and group physiotherapy for urinary incontinence in women referred by their general practitioner (GP). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included women of all ages (mean 47.8 years) with stress, urge or mixed incontinence; 126 received individual and 404 group treatment. Both groups undertook the same pelvic floor exercises and bladder training, and received the same information. The effects were measured soon after treatment and again 9 months later. The main outcome measures were objective changes in the severity of incontinence, frequency of urine loss and frequency of nocturnal urine loss. The trial was nationwide; 25 physiotherapists and 337 GPs participated. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in effect between the groups; after individual treatment the severity of incontinence improved in 60% of the patients and the mean (95% confidence interval, CI) frequency of urine loss decreased, by -8.7 (-6.4 to -11.1) times/week. After group therapy continence improved in 57% and the frequency of urine loss decreased, by -8.4 (-6.8 to -10.0) times/week. For women who had nocturnal urine loss (at baseline), the frequency decreased after individual treatment by -11.2 (4 to -26.4) and after group therapy by -14 (-9.1 to -18.9) times/month. All improvements persisted in full for up to 9 months. CONCLUSION: Individual and group physiotherapy are equally effective for at least 9 months in improving incontinence in women. Factors should be sought that can predict the effectiveness of therapy, and thus better select those patients most likely to benefit from therapy.

Female↗

Predictors of sense of competence in caregivers of demented persons.

In this study a path analytic approach was used to investigate predictors of the sense of competence in primary caregivers of demented persons. Data were gathered from 141 pairs of demented persons living in the community and their informal primary caregivers. Analysis of the information reported by the primary caregivers indicated that sense of competence and its component domains were affected above all by behavioural problems of the demented person and degree of neuroticism of the primary caregiver. No significant influence was found on the sense of competence of formal support of home helps and district nurses. The results suggested that the amount of support the demented person received from other social network members only had a limited influence on the domains of sense of competence.

Aged↗

Elderly people's adaptability to complete denture therapy: usability of a geriatric behaviour-rating scale as a predictor.

Accurately predicting prognosis of complete denture therapy requires a reasonable estimation of the ability of a patient to adapt. The aim of the current study was to test the usability of a geriatric behaviour-rating scale (BOP) as a predictor of elderly people's ability to adapt after complete denture therapy. Ninety-five complete denture-wearing residents of four nursing homes for somatically handicapped patients were randomly divided into two groups, 48 test subjects for whom replacement dentures were prepared and 47 test subjects whose current dentures were improved on. The results of these treatments were evaluated by comparing the scores on the so-called 'scale of appreciation' (complaints of and (dis)satisfaction with complete dentures) prior to and at 2 and 6 months post-treatment. Univariate correlations were computed between the scores on the 'scale of appreciation' or the differences in scores at the three evaluation-moments and the foremost BOP-subscale (BOP1, infirmity) and some factors that were considered to be of influence on the process of adaptation. The BOP1 was the only factor showing a significant correlation with the 'scale of appreciation' at 2 months posttreatment; this suggests that little infirmity was connected with a low value of complaints of and dissatisfaction with complete dentures or a positive alteration of this value. It is concluded that the BOP1 can be a useful predictor of complete denture therapy in this group of elderly people. A relationship between elderly people's adaptability to complete denture therapy and the BOP or any other geriatric behaviour-rating scale could be possible.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

Dental health behavior and attitudes--an application of correspondence analysis.

Differences in dental behavior and dental attitudes between people with (almost) all natural teeth, people with a full denture in both jaws and people with a full denture in only the maxilla are visualized by means of correspondence analysis in one overall picture. In this picture the three distinguished subgroups of dental patients and their characteristics are indicated as points in a two-dimensional space. The distances between the points in this picture show to what extent these points are connected. The findings obtained in this study can lead to the conclusion that: a. differences in dental status are related to differences in dental behavior and dental attitudes; b. people with all natural teeth and people with a full denture in both jaws obviously are opposite of each other in many respects, whereas people with a full denture in only one jaw can be characterized as a dental in-between group.

Adult↗

[Differences between dentate and edentate people].

Differences in dental behaviour and dental attitudes between people with (almost) all natural teeth, people with a full denture in both jaws and people with a full denture in only the upper jaw are summarized by means of correspondence analysis in one overall picture. The findings obtained in this study can lead to the conclusion that: a. differences in dental status are related to differences in dental behaviour and dental attitudes; b. people with all natural teeth and people with a full denture in both jaws obviously are each other's opposites in many respects, whereas people with a full denture in only one jaw can be characterized as a dental in-between group.

Attitude to Health↗

Quality of dental restorations and dental treatment in Dutch schoolchildren.

The quality of dental restoration and treatment need have been defined and investigated in a survey of primary schoolchildren in the Netherlands. Measurements were made using respectively a quality of dental restorations index and a dental treatment index. A statistical analysis was carried out on these data. Six criteria were used to classify the technical quality of restorations. Quality was analysed in relation to the child's region of residence and the type of dental professional regularly visited. Three other variables were also considered to be relevant in the analysis; the size of the restorations (one or more surface fillings), the child's age, and whether the restorations were polished (finished) or not. An overall index to measure the intrinsic quality of dental restorations (QDRI) based upon five qualitative criteria was constructed. A proportional dental treatment index (DTI) was developed on the basis of sets of fillings placed and fillings needed.

Adolescent↗

[Interaction between food texture and dental health].

The consistency is one of the sensoric properties of a food item and forms the origin of texture. The texture of a food item can be distinguished in hardness, toughness, stickiness, juiciness and chewability. The consistency of food items may influence dental health. It is suggested that hard food cleans the teeth. The chewing pattern depends on the texture of the masticated food. Hard and tough food require a more horizontal movement of the lower jaw, contrary to soft and tender food which mainly require a vertical movement. An adequate food texture contributes to the acceptability and the preference of food.

Food↗

The subjective experience of mastication in subjects with shortened dental arches.

In this study the perception of chewing is investigated in forty-three subjects with a shortened dental arch (SDA) by means of an interview. A group of fifty-four subjects with a complete dentition was used as a control group. The aim was: (i) do subjects with a SDA have a higher risk of chewing problems, and (ii) do they have different food perception and food selection leading to change in their diet? The results show that for subjects with a SDA the chewing function, food perception, food selection and actual food consumption are hindered within an acceptable degree.

Adult↗