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Zhu D, Zhu B, Zhao J, Zhang C, He J, Song D, Han T. Investigation on the Effectiveness of Augmented Reality Memory Training Game for Chinese Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Games Health J 2024; 13:5-12. [PMID: 38193809 DOI: 10.1089/g4h.2022.0183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of augmented reality (AR) game based on n-back training paradigm as a training tool for working memory (WM) of Chinese healthy older adults. Materials and Methods: One hundred eighteen older adults self-assessed as healthy were included in this study. Individuals were randomly divided into an intervention group (n = 57) and a control group (n = 61). Interventions, consisting of a 30-minute AR game-based training and a 30-minute health science program, were administered three times per week for 4 weeks, whereas the control group was required to view a 60-minute health science program three times per week for 4 weeks. Tests, Digit Span, Corsi Block-Tapping Task (CBT), and Stroop Color and Word Test (SCWT), were conducted for all participants before and after the experiment, and the game accuracy rate of the intervention group before and after intervention was recorded. Results: There was a statistically significant difference in terms of both CBT indicators, CBT forward span (z = -2.835, P = 0.005) and CBT backward span (z = 3.285, P = 0.001), and the SCWT indicator of Stroop Words Test (SW) (z = -1.894, P = 0.048) in the two groups. The intervention group showed significant improvements in the game accuracy of both medium level (z = -3.535, P < 0.05) and of high level (z = -3.953, P < 0.05). In addition, differences were observed in subgroup analysis in the accuracy of medium level (H = 6.218, P < 0.05) and high level (H = 8.002, P < 0.05) among older people with different levels of education. Conclusion: AR game based on n-back training paradigm could improve WM of Chinese older adults, showing potential for wider promotion and adoption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dian Zhu
- Design Management Institute, School of Design, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Beiyao Zhu
- School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Jianan Zhao
- Design Management Institute, School of Design, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Chenqi Zhang
- Design Management Institute, School of Design, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Jingran He
- Design Management Institute, School of Design, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Dongjin Song
- Design Management Institute, School of Design, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Ting Han
- Design Management Institute, School of Design, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, P.R. China
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Dandekar T, Kunz M. How Is Our Own Extremely Powerful Brain Constructed? Bioinformatics 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-662-65036-3_15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
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Akhgarjand C, Ebrahimi Mousavi S, Kalantar Z, Bagheri A, Imani H, Rezvani H, Ghorbi MD, Vahabi Z. Does folic acid supplementation have a positive effect on improving memory? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:966933. [PMID: 36518821 PMCID: PMC9742231 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.966933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 09/25/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The results of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the effect of folic acid supplementation on memory status due to various heterogeneity, dosage, duration, and cognitive function assessments were inconclusive. Therefore, we have performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the effect of folic acid supplementation on memory in RCTs. METHOD Comprehensive computerized systematic searches were conducted throughout Scopus, PubMed/Medline, and Google Scholar from inception until February 2022 to investigate the effect of folic acid supplementation memory levels in RCTs. The standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (CIs) were used to estimate the overall effect size using random-effects meta-analyses. RESULTS The overall results of nine trials with 641 participants, revealed that folic acid supplementation did not significantly change memory score compared to placebo (SMD: 0.12; 95% CI: -0.17, 0.40, p = 0.418; I 2 = 62.6%). However, subgroup analyses showed that supplementation with folic acid had favorable effects on memory levels considering the following conditions: (1) doses lower than 1 mg/day, (2) treatment lasting more than 6 months, (3) conducted in eastern countries, and (4) in participants equal to or older than 70 years old. The dose-response analysis suggested a significant favorable effect on memory status at doses of 6-11 mg/d and a significant decline at doses of 17-20 mg/d. DISCUSSION Although we did not find a significant effect of folic acid supplementation on memory, there were some suggestions of beneficial effects in the subgroup analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camellia Akhgarjand
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sara Ebrahimi Mousavi
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Kalantar
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Nutrition, School of Nutrition Science and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amir Bagheri
- Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Imani
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamid Rezvani
- Hemato-Oncology Ward, Taleghani Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahmoud Dehghani Ghorbi
- Hemato-Oncology Ward, Imam Hossein Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Vahabi
- Cognitive Neurology and Neuropsychiatry Division, Department of Psychiatry, Roozbeh Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Geriatric, Ziaeian Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Mugruza-Vassallo CA, Granados-Domínguez JL, Flores-Benites V, Córdova-Berríos L. Different Markov chains modulate visual stimuli processing in a Go-Go experiment in 2D, 3D, and augmented reality. Front Hum Neurosci 2022; 16:955534. [PMID: 36569471 PMCID: PMC9769205 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.955534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The introduction of Augmented Reality (AR) has attracted several developments, although the people's experience of AR has not been clearly studied or contrasted with the human experience in 2D and 3D environments. Here, the directional task was applied in 2D, 3D, and AR using simplified stimulus in video games to determine whether there is a difference in human answer reaction time prediction using context stimulus. Testing of the directional task adapted was also done. Research question: Are the main differences between 2D, 3D, and AR able to be predicted using Markov chains? Methods: A computer was fitted with a digital acquisition card in order to record, test and validate the reaction time (RT) of participants attached to the arranged RT for the theory of Markov chain probability. A Markov chain analysis was performed on the participants' data. Subsequently, the way certain factors influenced participants RT amongst the three tasks time on the accuracy of the participants was sought in the three tasks (environments) were statistically tested using ANOVA. Results: Markov chains of order 1 and 2 successfully reproduced the average reaction time by participants in 3D and AR tasks, having only 2D tasks with the variance predicted with the current state. Moreover, a clear explanation of delayed RT in every environment was done. Mood and coffee did not show significant differences in RTs on a simplified videogame. Gender differences were found in 3D, where endogenous directional goals are in 3D, but no gender differences appeared in AR where exogenous AR buttons can explain the larger RT that compensate for the gender difference. Our results suggest that unconscious preparation of selective choices is not restricted to current motor preparation. Instead, decisions in different environments and gender evolve from the dynamics of preceding cognitive activity can fit and improve neurocomputational models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Andrés Mugruza-Vassallo
- Escuela Profesional de Medicina Humana, Universidad Privada San Juan Bautista (UPSJB), Lima, Peru,*Correspondence: Carlos Andrés Mugruza-Vassallo
| | | | - Victor Flores-Benites
- Facultad de Ingeniería y Arquitectura, Universidad de Lima, Lima, Peru,Universidad de Ingeniería y Tecnología (UTEC), Lima, Peru
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Zhai Z, Xie D, Qin T, Zhong Y, Xu Y, Sun T. Effect and Mechanism of Exogenous Melatonin on Cognitive Deficits in Animal Models of Alzheimer's Disease: A Systematic review and Meta-analysis. Neuroscience 2022; 505:91-110. [PMID: 36116555 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2022.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
Melatonin (MT) has been reported to control and prevent Alzheimer's disease (AD) in the clinic; however, the effect and mechanism of MT on AD have not been specifically described. Therefore, the main purpose of this meta-analysis was to explore the effect and mechanism of MT on AD models by studying behavioural indicators and pathological features. Seven databases were searched and 583 articles were retrieved. Finally, nine studies (13 analyses, 294 animals) were included according to pre-set criteria. Three authors independently judged the selected literature and the methodological quality. Meta-analysis showed that MT markedly ameliorated the learning ability by reducing the escape latency (EL), and the memory deficit was significantly corrected by increasing the dwell time in the target quadrant and crossings over the platform location in the Morris Water Maze (MWM). Among the pathological features, subgroup analysis found that MT may ease the symptoms of AD mainly by reducing the deposition of Aβ40 and Aβ42 in the cortex. In addition, MT exerted a superior effect on ameliorating the learning ability of senescence-related and metabolic AD models, and corrected the memory deficit of the toxin-induced AD model. The study was registered at PROSPERO (CRD42021226594).
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenwei Zhai
- School of Medical Information Engineering, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China.
| | - Danni Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China.
| | - Tao Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China.
| | - Yanmei Zhong
- School of Medical Information Engineering, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China.
| | - Ying Xu
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610072, China.
| | - Tao Sun
- School of Medical Information Engineering, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China; State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China.
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Association between WeChat Use and Memory Performance among Older Adults in China: The Mediating Role of Depression. Behav Sci (Basel) 2022; 12:bs12090323. [PMID: 36135127 PMCID: PMC9495430 DOI: 10.3390/bs12090323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Changes to memory performance in the course of aging may be influenced by behavioral factors. The use of social media among elderly people is increasing, but studying its effect on cognitive functions such as memory remains at an early stage of development. Meanwhile, the linking mechanisms underlying the association between social media use and memory performance, if any exist, have not been revealed. This study attempted to examine the association between the use of WeChat, the most popular social media platform in China, and memory performance among older people, and to test the possible mediating role of depression underlying this association. Data were drawn from the five-wave survey of the China Family Panel Study (CFPS), and 4929 respondents aged 60 or older (mean age = 68.19, SD = 5.84, 48.2% females) were included. Based on the descriptive statistics, the chi-squared test, Student’s t-test, correlation analysis, and mediation analysis were conducted. The results indicated that the usage rate of WeChat among the sample was 20.1%. After controlling for demographic variables, the use of WeChat was related to higher levels of memory performance and lower levels of depression. Moreover, depression partially mediated the relationship between WeChat use and memory performance. To maintain memory performance and promote cognitive health in the course of aging, using social media and alleviating depression merit special attention.
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Chifu VR, Pop CB, Demjen D, Socaci R, Todea D, Antal M, Cioara T, Anghel I, Antal C. Identifying and Monitoring the Daily Routine of Seniors Living at Home. SENSORS 2022; 22:s22030992. [PMID: 35161739 PMCID: PMC8840439 DOI: 10.3390/s22030992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022]
Abstract
As the population in the Western world is rapidly aging, the remote monitoring solutions integrated into the living environment of seniors have the potential to reduce the care burden helping them to self-manage problems associated with old age. The daily routine is considered a useful tool for addressing age-related problems having additional benefits for seniors like reduced stress and anxiety, increased feeling of safety and security. In this paper, we propose a solution for identifying the daily routines of seniors using the monitored activities of daily living and for inferring deviations from the routines that may require caregivers’ interventions. A Markov model-based method is defined to identify the daily routines, while entropy rate and cosine functions are used to measure and assess the similarity between the daily monitored activities in a day and the inferred routine. A distributed monitoring system was developed that uses Beacons and trilateration techniques for monitoring the activities of older adults. The results are promising, the proposed techniques can identify the daily routines with confidence concerning the activity duration of 0.98 and the sequence of activities in the interval of [0.0794, 0.0829]. Regarding deviation identification, our method obtains 0.88 as the best sensitivity value with an average precision of 0.95.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viorica Rozina Chifu
- Computer Science Department, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, Memorandumului 28, 400114 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (V.R.C.); (D.T.); (M.A.); (T.C.); (I.A.); (C.A.)
| | - Cristina Bianca Pop
- Computer Science Department, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, Memorandumului 28, 400114 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (V.R.C.); (D.T.); (M.A.); (T.C.); (I.A.); (C.A.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +40-264-202-352
| | - David Demjen
- Department of Informatics, Technical University of Munich, Boltzmannstr. 3, 85748 Garching, Germany;
| | - Radu Socaci
- Mobile Clients Team, Prime Video, Amazon, 1 Principal Place, Worship St, London EC2A 2FA, UK;
| | - Daniel Todea
- Computer Science Department, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, Memorandumului 28, 400114 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (V.R.C.); (D.T.); (M.A.); (T.C.); (I.A.); (C.A.)
| | - Marcel Antal
- Computer Science Department, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, Memorandumului 28, 400114 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (V.R.C.); (D.T.); (M.A.); (T.C.); (I.A.); (C.A.)
| | - Tudor Cioara
- Computer Science Department, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, Memorandumului 28, 400114 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (V.R.C.); (D.T.); (M.A.); (T.C.); (I.A.); (C.A.)
| | - Ionut Anghel
- Computer Science Department, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, Memorandumului 28, 400114 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (V.R.C.); (D.T.); (M.A.); (T.C.); (I.A.); (C.A.)
| | - Claudia Antal
- Computer Science Department, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, Memorandumului 28, 400114 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (V.R.C.); (D.T.); (M.A.); (T.C.); (I.A.); (C.A.)
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Tsiftsoglou AS. Erythropoietin (EPO) as a Key Regulator of Erythropoiesis, Bone Remodeling and Endothelial Transdifferentiation of Multipotent Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs): Implications in Regenerative Medicine. Cells 2021; 10:cells10082140. [PMID: 34440909 PMCID: PMC8391952 DOI: 10.3390/cells10082140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 08/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Human erythropoietin (EPO) is an N-linked glycoprotein consisting of 166 aa that is produced in the kidney during the adult life and acts both as a peptide hormone and hematopoietic growth factor (HGF), stimulating bone marrow erythropoiesis. EPO production is activated by hypoxia and is regulated via an oxygen-sensitive feedback loop. EPO acts via its homodimeric erythropoietin receptor (EPO-R) that increases cell survival and drives the terminal erythroid maturation of progenitors BFU-Es and CFU-Es to billions of mature RBCs. This pathway involves the activation of multiple erythroid transcription factors, such as GATA1, FOG1, TAL-1, EKLF and BCL11A, and leads to the overexpression of genes encoding enzymes involved in heme biosynthesis and the production of hemoglobin. The detection of a heterodimeric complex of EPO-R (consisting of one EPO-R chain and the CSF2RB β-chain, CD131) in several tissues (brain, heart, skeletal muscle) explains the EPO pleotropic action as a protection factor for several cells, including the multipotent MSCs as well as cells modulating the innate and adaptive immunity arms. EPO induces the osteogenic and endothelial transdifferentiation of the multipotent MSCs via the activation of EPO-R signaling pathways, leading to bone remodeling, induction of angiogenesis and secretion of a large number of trophic factors (secretome). These diversely unique properties of EPO, taken together with its clinical use to treat anemias associated with chronic renal failure and other blood disorders, make it a valuable biologic agent in regenerative medicine for the treatment/cure of tissue de-regeneration disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asterios S Tsiftsoglou
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
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López-Ojeda W, Hurley RA. Extended-Reality Technologies: An Overview of Emerging Applications in Medical Education and Clinical Care. J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci 2021; 33:A4-177. [PMID: 34289698 DOI: 10.1176/appi.neuropsych.21030067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Wilfredo López-Ojeda
- Veterans Affairs Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, and Research and Academic Affairs Service Line, W.G. Hefner Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Salisbury, N.C. (López-Ojeda, Hurley); Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, N.C. (López-Ojeda); Departments of Psychiatry and Radiology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, N.C. (Hurley); and Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston (Hurley)
| | - Robin A Hurley
- Veterans Affairs Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, and Research and Academic Affairs Service Line, W.G. Hefner Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Salisbury, N.C. (López-Ojeda, Hurley); Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, N.C. (López-Ojeda); Departments of Psychiatry and Radiology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, N.C. (Hurley); and Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston (Hurley)
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Perspective: Treatment for Disease Modification in Chronic Neurodegeneration. Cells 2021; 10:cells10040873. [PMID: 33921342 PMCID: PMC8069143 DOI: 10.3390/cells10040873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Symptomatic treatments are available for Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. An unmet need is cure or disease modification. This review discusses possible reasons for negative clinical study outcomes on disease modification following promising positive findings from experimental research. It scrutinizes current research paradigms for disease modification with antibodies against pathological protein enrichment, such as α-synuclein, amyloid or tau, based on post mortem findings. Instead a more uniform regenerative and reparative therapeutic approach for chronic neurodegenerative disease entities is proposed with stimulation of an endogenously existing repair system, which acts independent of specific disease mechanisms. The repulsive guidance molecule A pathway is involved in the regulation of peripheral and central neuronal restoration. Therapeutic antagonism of repulsive guidance molecule A reverses neurodegeneration according to experimental outcomes in numerous disease models in rodents and monkeys. Antibodies against repulsive guidance molecule A exist. First clinical studies in neurological conditions with an acute onset are under way. Future clinical trials with these antibodies should initially focus on well characterized uniform cohorts of patients. The efficiency of repulsive guidance molecule A antagonism and associated stimulation of neurogenesis should be demonstrated with objective assessment tools to counteract dilution of therapeutic effects by subjectivity and heterogeneity of chronic disease entities. Such a research concept will hopefully enhance clinical test strategies and improve the future therapeutic armamentarium for chronic neurodegeneration.
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Smith O, MacLeod T, Lim P, Chitsabesan P, Chintapatla S. A structured pathway for developing your complex abdominal hernia service: our York pathway. Hernia 2021; 25:267-275. [PMID: 33599900 PMCID: PMC7890783 DOI: 10.1007/s10029-020-02354-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Clinical pathways are widely prevalent in health care and may be associated with increased clinical efficacy, improved patient care, streamlining of services, while providing clarity on patient management. Such pathways are well established in several branches of healthcare services but, to the authors' knowledge, not in complex abdominal wall reconstruction (CAWR). A stepwise, structured and comprehensive approach to managing complex abdominal wall hernia (CAWH) patients, which has been successfully implemented in our practice, is presented. METHODS A literature search of common databases including Embase® and MEDLINE® for CAWH pathways identified no comprehensive pathway. We therefore undertook a reiterative process to develop the York Abdominal Wall Unit (YAWU) through examination of current evidence and logic to produce a pragmatic redesign of our own pathway. Having introduced our pathway, we then performed a retrospective analysis of the complexity and number of abdominal wall cases performed in our trust over time. RESULTS We describe our pathway and demonstrate that the percentage of cases and their complexity, as defined by the VHWG classification, have increased over time in York Abdominal Wall Unit. CONCLUSION A structured pathway for complex abdominal wall hernia service is one way to improve patient experience and streamline services. The relevance of pathways for the hernia surgeon is discussed alongside this pathway. This may provide a useful guide to those wishing to establish similar personalised pathways within their own units and allow them to expand their service.
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Affiliation(s)
- O Smith
- York Abdominal Wall Unit, Department of General Surgery, York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Wigginton Road, York, YO31 8HE, UK
| | - T MacLeod
- Department of Plastic Surgery, York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Wigginton Road, York, YO31 8HE, UK
| | - P Lim
- Department of Plastic Surgery, York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Wigginton Road, York, YO31 8HE, UK
| | - P Chitsabesan
- York Abdominal Wall Unit, Department of General Surgery, York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Wigginton Road, York, YO31 8HE, UK
| | - S Chintapatla
- York Abdominal Wall Unit, Department of General Surgery, York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Wigginton Road, York, YO31 8HE, UK.
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