Balance and gait improved in patients with MS after physiotherapy based on the Bobath concept

Background and Purpose . Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) tend to have movement difficulties, and the effect of physiotherapy for this group of patients has been subjected to limited systematic research. In the present study physiotherapy based on the Bobath concept, applied to MS patients with balance and gait problems, was evaluated. The ability of different functional tests to demonstrate change was evaluated. Method . A single‐subject experimental study design with ABAA phases was used, and two patients with relapsing–remitting MS in stable phase were treated. Tests were performed 12 times, three at each phase: A (at baseline); B (during treatment); A (immediately after treatment); and A (after two months). The key feature of treatment was facilitation of postural activity and selective control of movement. Several performance and self‐report measures and interviews were used. Results . After intervention, improved balance was shown by the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) in both patients, and improved quality of gait was indicated by the Rivermead Visual Gait Assessment (RVGA). The patients also reported improved balance and gait function in the interviews and scored their condition as ‘much improved’. Gait parameters, recorded by an electronic walkway, changed, but differently in the two patients. Among the physical performance tests the BBS and the RVGA demonstrated the highest change, while no or minimal change was demonstrated by the Rivermead Mobility Index (RMI) and Ratings of Perceived Exertion (RPE). Conclusion . The findings indicate that balance and gait can be improved after physiotherapy based on the Bobath concept, but this should be further evaluated in larger controlled trials of patients with MS. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Kindergarten children's representation and understanding of written number symbols

Two samples of kindergarten children's representation and understanding of written number symbols were examined in two time points in one academic year. About 85% of Chinese five year olds (mean = 5 years 10 months) were able to use conventional number symbols to represent the quantity of 30 or larger. At the end of the kindergarten year, 94% of Chinese six year olds (mean = 6 years 4 months) were able to use conventional number symbols to represent the quantity of 100 or larger. Some Chinese six year olds had problems in representing written addition and subtraction tasks. Children's ability to represent written number symbols, ability to represent written addition and subtraction formula and their performance on written addition and subtraction were closely related. The performance of children in a university-affiliated childcare center was better than that of the center serving working-class families in Time 1, but the performance reversed at the end of the kindergarten year.     

西医院校在中医学教学方面亟待解决的几个问题

西医院校的中医学教育，在学时、教材、师资等方面存在着诸多制约因素。要全面提高西医院校的中医学教学质量，必须摆正其教育地位，调整和充实教学内容，加强师资队伍建设，改进教学方式与方法，逐步建立健全全新的中医学教学模式。     

Visiting experiences in Nursing School of Hong Kong PolytechnicUniversity

I was honored to study the undergraduate course in Hong Kong Polytechnic University for 4 months in 2006, experienced the characteristic and teaching mode of Hong Kong nursing education on undergraduate course personally. Make an introduction from respects such as course offered, teaching method, educational idea, examination way, etc. now, and compare with domestic nursing education.     

护理导师制教学法的临床应用研究

目的:为培养适应在新医学模式下开展以病人为中心整体护理工作的护理人员,改革传统临床教学模式,采用护理导师教学法,以提高教学质量.方法:制定导师职责,制定导师的选择聘任标准,制定导师培训方案,实施导师制教学法的临床过程,实行双向教学评价,通过以上活动达到提高教学质量的效果.结果:320余名实习学生调查表明,12%的学生认为护理导师教学法形式明显优于其它教学形式,82%的学生认为优于其它教学形式.结论:护理导师教学法提高了临床教学水平和导师的整体素质,也促进了临床护理质量和临床教学质量的不断提高.     

Reconstruction of a transmetatarsal amputation stump using a salvaged peroneal artery fasciocutaneous flap from the opposite leg: A case report

During lower extremity amputation, the objective is to provide a functional residual limb that permits maximum patient mobility and independence. Preservation of length of the fore part of the foot using salvageable tissue from the amputated part in young patients prevents equines deformity and revision of amputation to a higher level. This can be achieved using tissue available from the amputated part. The spare part concept in reconstructive surgery should be integrated into the trauma algorithm to avoid additional donor site morbidity. Reported here is a young adult patient with crush injuries to both feet, which resulted in amputations. A fasciocutaneous flap raised from one extremity was used to facilitate transmetatarsal amputation stump length preservation of the other extremity.     

Undergraduate psychiatry teaching in Ethiopia

Many epidemiological studies have shown the magnitude and seriousness of mental disorders in developing countries. However, mental health care remains unsatisfactory owing to lack of skilled manpower and many other social and medical priorities. General practitioners and other health personnel can significantly help in extending mental health care provided they receive adequate training during their medical curriculum. With this aim, the Department of Psychiatry at Addis Ababa University runs a 6-week full-time course for undergraduate medical students. Its chief objectives, teaching methods, achievements and shortcomings are discussed in the paper.     

浅谈启发式教学法在肾脏病学教学中的应用

随着素质教育的全面推进,以教师为主导、学生为主体,通过学生主动学习、促进主体个性发展的教学思想和教学方法日渐重要。教学方法的改革已由过去的以"教"为重心,逐步转移到以"学"为重心,教学方法由过去的单一化向多元化发展。良好的教学方法有利于向学生传授知识,培养学生的学习兴趣、学习能力,激励学习动机。文章根据教学实践,就启发式教学法在肾脏病教学中的具体应用进行了分析。     

Athletic identity and its relationship to sport participation levels

This study looked at the relationship between athletic identity and three levels of sport participation (elite, recreational, non-participation). Athletic identity was measured using the Athletic Identity Measurement Scale (AIMS) with participants being compared on the total AIMS score and scores on its three factors (social identity, exclusivity, negative affectivity). Results indicated that the male non-participation group scored lower on all three factors and the total AIMS when compared to the two athlete groups. The male elite and recreational groups did not differ on exclusivity and negative affectivity but did differ on the total AIMS and social identity, with elite scoring higher than recreational. For female participants, the non-participation group again scored lower on all three factors and the total AIMS when compared to the two athlete groups. The female elite and recreational groups did not differ on negative affectivity but did differ on the total AIMS, social identity, and exclusivity, with elite scoring higher than recreational. Findings suggest that to assume sport is only important to elite athletes ignores the role that sport may play for less talented sport participants. Whilst not seeing themselves as athletes per se, it is suggested that participation in sport may still impact upon the self-perceptions of recreational sport participants. Therefore, threats to participation may result in similar negative consequences for both elite athletes and recreational sport participants.     

高职高专院校生物化学教学体会

生物化学这门课程理论性强，内容复杂、抽象、难学难记，教学过程中如果采用灵活多样的教学手段，注意调动学生学习的主动性和积极性，即可克服学生的畏难情绪，从而提高学习效率。