Showing papers by "Northampton Community College published in 1976"

Assessment of nasalization in the speech of deaf children.

Abstract: Nasality is widely recognized as a problem in the speech of many deaf people. This paper describes one approach to the assessment of nasalization and to the development of visual aids to assist in ...

Esophageal dilatation using the eder puestow dilators

Abstract: We have performed fifty-one dilatations in twenty-six patients using an end-viewing fiberoptic endoscope and Eder Puestow dilators. All (except two) were performed using intravenous diazepam, the majority on an outpatient basis. The only complication has been a single case of aspiration pneumonia. We have found this method of esophageal dilatation particularly useful in the preoperative dilatation of benign strictures, and in those elderly frail patients who are unsuitable for surgery. Transthoracic resection of the stricture is avoided and thus transabdominal repair of the hiatus hernia may be undertaken.

Clinical evaluation of a root canal cement that contains paraformaldehyde

Abstract: The clinical evaluation of a Formalin-containing root canal cement is presented. The effectiveness of a Formalin-containing root canal cernent in endodontic treatment is evaluated. A total of 76 teeth from 73 patients was used in a series of root canal treatments in which it was impossible to fill the canal to the apex; results of treatment were compared with the results in teeth with conventionally filled canals. The evaluation of the results shows Formalin-containing cements to have a useful place in endodontic therapy.

A single-blind comparative clinical trial of lymecycline and amoxycillin in the treatment of acute bronchitis in general practice.

Abstract: A single-blind comparison of lymecycline and amoxycillin was performed by three general practitioners in the treatment of acute bronchitis. A total of 132 patients were treated for seven days with lymecycline (204 mg) two capsules twice daily or amoxycillin 250 mg three times daily. Symptoms and signs assessed were cough, dyspnoea, sputum volume, purulence of sputum and temperature. Both drugs brought about a statistically significant improvement. For all parameters the improvements seen with lymecycline were superior to those seen with amoxycillin although in no case did any of these reach statistical significance. However, in the case of purulent sputum those patients receiving lymecycline showed improvement which reached borderline significance (0-05 less than p less than 0-1) as compared with amoxycillin. Side-effects in the case of both drugs were negligible.

Patient Acceptability of Two Diuretic/Potassium Supplement Preparations

Abstract: In a random crossover study in general practice, sixty patients with heart failure were given one week's maintenance treatment with the recommended dosage of Burinex K or Lasix+K. Burinex K appeared to be easier to swallow than the supplement tablets of Lasix+K although the differences were not significant. Patients showed a highly significant preference to take two tablets on one occasion (Burinex K) rather than two different types of tablet on three separate occasions (Lasix+K). Despite pharmacological arguments in favour of stimultaneous versus separate administration of potassium supplement and diuretic, patient acceptibility is of over-riding importance in the long-term.

The addition of Visken to methyldopa therapy in hypertension: a multicentre study.

Abstract: Forty-one patients completed the study where Visken was added to the treatment regimen of patients whose blood pressures were poorly controlled on methyldopa or who were experiencing side-effects with methyldopa. Supine blood pressure was reduced from 177/108 mm Hg before Visken therapy to 159/96 mm Hg after twelve weeks of taking Visken. The dose of methyldopa was reduced from a mean 921 mg at the start to 445 mg at the end. Fourteen patients were able to stop methyldopa therapy. The number of side-effects reported was reduced as the study continued and fifteen patients commented that they felt better on Visken. Nine patients did not complete the trial, three of these because of side-effects, viz insomnia, lethargy and sleep disturbances.

The Token Economy Package: Social v. Token Reinforcement

Abstract: The paper reports a Token Economy project involving 18 long stay male patients (diagnosis chronic schozophrenia), average length of hospitalisation twenty-five years. The project comprised a one month baseline period, a six month Token Economy phase, a two month experimental phase and a second three months Token Economy. Conditions were the same for all patients except during the experimental phase where they were randomly assigned to one of three experimental groups to investigate the relative importance of social reinforcement and other variables involved in token systems. The groups were (1) a social reinforcement only group; (2) a social reinforcement and non-contingent tokens; (3) a social reinforcement and contingent, non-spendable tokens. Each groups' performance was compared both with the other groups and with their own performance over all phases of the study. Assessment measures comprised standardised psychiatric rating scales - the Nurses Observation Scale for In-patient Evaluation (Honigfeld and Klett, 1965; Honigfeld et al 1966), and the Psychotic Reaction Profile (Lorr et al, 1960); other rating checklists, and time-sampling data. Analysis of Variance was carried out on all data over the four phases of the programme. The total token economy package as represented by the first token economy period was shown to be effective in promoting improvements in most areas of patients' functioning as compared to baseline. Results during the experimental phase suggest that contrary to our initial hypothesis social factors involved in exchanging tokens are not demonstrably important sources of reinforcement in Token Economies. There were no inter-group differences during the experimental phase, suggesting that none of the variables studied were critical factors. After the experimental phase the return to the complete token package produced an unclear picture where there were significant improvements on some scales, but significant declines on others.