Biomedical subjects

Cathy L Antonakos

Publications and source records attributed to Cathy L Antonakos.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Need for population specific validation of a portable metabolic testing system: a case of sedentary pregnant women.

Commercially available portable metabolic systems have been validated with samples of young, healthy, and well-fit subjects, but use of these systems with a special population, such as healthy but sedentary pregnant women, requires a unique set of considerations. These include a woman's limited testing time necessary for fetal safety, relatively low oxygen consumption, and the unique physiology of pregnancy (woman, the placenta, and the fetus). The purpose of this study was to validate a portable metabolic testing system (VO2000) with healthy sedentary pregnant women. A total of 9 sedentary pregnant women who averaged 30 years of age (SD=3), 93 kg (SD=19) weight, 163 cm (SD=7) height, and at 19 weeks' gestation (SD=5) volunteered to participate. Submaximum fitness tests using the Cornell protocol were conducted once with two systems (VO2000 and CPX/D, a reference) simultaneously, and then subsequently twice with one system (VO2000). The VO2000 consistently overestimated VO2 measurement, compared to the same manufacturer's reference system, by 4.4 +/- 3.6 (SD) ml/kg/min, and when VO2000 was used twice, the mean difference was statistically significant (1.0 +/- 1.8 [SD] ml/kg/min; t(45) = 3.9, p < .001). The results of the study show that although VO2000 is an established and validated portable metabolic system for measurement on adult males and females who are relatively well fit, this portable system consistently overestimates VO2 readings for pregnant women compared to standard full-size system. Measurements, when repeated, were not consistent.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Indices for studying urinary incontinence and levator ani function in primiparous women.

Urinary incontinence (UI) is a complex phenomenon that is prevalent in pregnant and parous women and requires the use of sophisticated measures to adequately reflect functioning of the continence system. The purpose of this study was to develop reliable and valid measures of UI and levator ani function for use in research and clinical settings. A Leakage Index (LI) and a Levator Ani Function Index (LAFI) were developed using data from a longitudinal study of primiparous women. Reliability and validity tests were conducted to: (i) estimate the internal consistency reliability of each index, (ii) determine whether the indices captured change in continence status and pelvic floor function during pregnancy through 1 year postpartum, and (iii) estimate association between the indices as a test of predictive validity. Cronbach's alpha ranged from 0.72 to 0.84 for the LI and from 0.53 to 0.79 for the LAFI across the six data collection time points of the study. Average LI scores increased late in pregnancy and decreased postpartum, though not significantly. Average LAFI scores decreased significantly at 35 weeks gestation (t = 4.84, P = 0.000) and increased significantly at 12 months postpartum (t = -3.51, P = 0.002) relative to baseline. The LI and LAFI were significantly associated at 20 weeks gestation (Pearson r = -0.40, P = 0.007) and at 6 weeks postpartum (Pearson r = -0.33, P = 0.029). The findings suggest the LI and LAFI are reliable and valid measures of UI and levator ani function in primiparous women, which can be used with confidence in clinical and research settings.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

Research process in the health sciences: a focus on methods.

Research in the health sciences is becoming increasingly challenging as data and methods advance in complexity. This article was written to provide an overview of the research process for complex and intricate projects, with a focus on methods. The insights regarding structuring and managing research projects are intended to guide researchers through all phases of the research process. Our key suggestions include the following: (1) conceptual and methodological complexity must be balanced, (2) skilled project managers and statisticians are needed, and can be rewarded for their contributions to projects in part through authorship, and (3) grants involving multiple investigators present problems related in part to the abstruseness of integrated methods and so require special solutions for effective management. Overall, we conclude that researchers are rewarded in a variety of ways when they remain focused on the original study aims, keep methods simple, utilize skilled staff, and engage in strategic planning.

Authorship↗

PubMed2002

Critical elements of documentation for data-based research.

Scientific integrity and progress are enhanced by precise documentation of the conceptual development and information management aspects of research. Careful and complete documentation of the research process supports accurate reporting. The exercise of documenting data management activities provides an opportunity for nurse researchers to reflect on a study to guide current work and inform and enhance future research. The literature includes many references to the need for data management but contains little advice regarding the nuts and bolts of documenting data management activities. This article describes specific steps for documenting data-based research beginning with the study design and ending with data analysis. The documentation framework and examples presented are sufficient to guide the comprehensive record keeping required for complex studies and can be modified to meet the simpler needs of smaller research projects.

Clinical Nursing Research↗