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The Emergence of ‘Small-scale’ Sport Events in 'Small Island’ Developing States: Towards Creating Sustainable Outcomes for Island Communities
Get PDFAlthough academic literature has examined sport events in urban and rural communities, there is limited research on the forces and dynamics that influence the sustainability of sport events in islands. Cyprus represents a small island developing state with an embryonic event industry, which poses the question whether the emergence of new events can contribute to its sustainable development. The purpose of this study is to examine the impacts of two nascent sport events: the “Limassol Marathon” and the “Tour of Cyprus Cycling Challenge,” focusing on their prospects for creating strategic outcomes that can contribute to the sustainability and rejuvenation of Cyprus as a tourism destination. The study employed a triangulation research technique through the application of mixed methods, conducting first semistructured interviews with event organizers, and thereafter a survey examining the perceived experiences of event participants. Findings illustrate the interrelationships of new small-scale events that can amplify their synergistic value by enabling the achievement of multiple purposes. Implications are drawn concerning the synergistic value of small-scale sport events and the strategic processes for creating a range of sustainable event outcomes
Symptoms and acceptance of psychogenic non-epileptic seizures
No full textIntroduction We analysed general symptom burden in patients with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES). A comparison was made between those who accept and those who do not accept the diagnosis of PNES (Thaller, Hyland, Kandasamy, & Sadler, 2016).
Method A questionnaire-based pilot study of newly diagnosed psychogenic nonepileptic seizure patients was carried out. PNES diagnosis had to be confirmed by video electroencephalograph. The questionnaire was a 59-item general symptom questionnaire, with frequency (scores) ranging from never (0) to every day (5). Next, we performed blinded assessment of the patient's acceptance of diagnosis.
Results We collected data on 13 patients over the five month period. Eight accepted the diagnosis, and five did not. Diagnosis acceptance correlated with a significantly lower overall symptom score (p<0.001) and significantly lower symptom scores in seven symptom subscales – of which there were 10 in total.
Conclusion Symptom burden and distribution of psychogenic nonepileptic seizure patients differs between those accepting, versus those not accepting diagnosis. The complexity of additional symptoms may contribute to poorer outcomes in those that do not accept the psychogenic nonepileptic seizure diagnosis. The next step would be to collect similar data on a larger number of these patients
Preference for different relaxation techniques by COPD patients: comparison between six techniques
Get PDFBackground: A review of the effectiveness of relaxation techniques for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients has shown inconsistent results, but studies have varied in terms of technique and outcome measures.
Aim: To determine patient preference for different relaxation techniques.
Methods: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients were presented with six techniques via a DVD and asked to rate the techniques in terms of effectiveness, rank in order of likely use, and comment.
Results: Patients differed in the technique preferred and reason for that preference, but the most commonly preferred technique both for effectiveness and ease of use was “thinking of a nice place” followed by progressive relaxation and counting. Familiarity and ease of activity were commonly given reasons for preference.
Conclusion: Rather than providing patients with a single technique that they might find difficult to implement, these results suggest that it would be better to give a choice. “Thinking of a nice place” is a popular but under-investigated technique
Person-centred, physical activity for patients with low back pain: piloting service delivery
Get PDFLow back pain (LBP) is one of the most common and costly conditions in industrialized countries. Exercise therapy has been used to treat LBP, although typically using only one mode of exercise. This paper describes the method and initial findings of a person-centered, group physical activity programme which featured as part of a multidisciplinary approach to treating LBP. Six participants (aged 50.7 ± 17 years) completed a six-week physical activity programme lasting two hours per week. A multicomponent approach to physical activity was adopted which included aerobic fitness, core activation, muscular strength and endurance, Nordic Walking, flexibility and exercise gaming. In addition, participants were required to use diary sheets to record physical activity completed at home. Results revealed significant (p < 0.05) improvements in back strength (23%), aerobic fitness (23%), negative wellbeing (32%) and disability (16%). Person’s Correlation Coefficient analysis revealed significant (p < 0.05) relationships between improvement in perceived pain and aerobic fitness (r = 0.93). It was concluded that a person-centered, multicomponent approach to physical activity may be optimal for supporting patients who self-manage LBP
Reframing Impairment? Continuity and Change in Media Representations of Disability through the Paralympic Games
Get PDFThis study, which examines key features of contemporary media representations of disabled athletes in the context of the Paralympic Games, engages with established literature on representations of disability in order to critically interpret recent trends in journalistic inquiry. The analysis of media coverage of the 2012 and 2014 Paralympic Games identifies salient themes concerning the representation of disability. This, along with an investigation of documentary evidence concerning attempts by key stakeholders including the International Paralympic Committee to influence the nature of representation, contributes to an interrogation of the disability narrative emerging from the Paralympic Games and a consideration of the extent to which media coverage has shifted significantly from previous representations of disability
Cognitive load and live coding: a comparison with improvisation using traditional instruments
Get PDFThis paper explores the claim that live coding is a ‘real-time’ improvisatory activity by examining the difference in the temporal frame used by this and traditional instrumental improvisation, for the creation of novel musical expression. It posits the notion that because live coding requires less complex motor skills than instrumental improvisation, it may be less susceptible to certain types of mechanical modes of musical expression which inhibit musical novelty. This hypothesis is developed to include the concept of goal states, models of memory and cognitive load, as a means of mapping this territory and to provide an understanding of the various perceptual domains with which a coder engages during a live extemporised performance. This work will engage in a comparative discourse relating live coding to instrumental improvisation, as a point of departure for the understanding of cognitive functioning in this rapidly developing performance paradigm
Comparison of reliability and repeatability of corneal curvature assessment with six keratometers
Get PDFBackground
Keratometric methodology varies between instruments and the differences may have a clinical impact. We investigated the agreement and reproducibility of six keratometers.
Methods
Keratometry was performed on 100 subjects at two separate sessions with IOLMaster 500, Pentacam, OPD scanner, Medmont E300, Javal-Schiøtz and TMS-5. A second observer assessed 30 subjects to determine inter-observer variability. A single individual was assessed on 10 separate sessions to determine intra-observer variability. Data were analysed using coefficient of variation (CV) and intra-class correlation coefficient (ICCC) for intra-observer variation. Inter-observer concordance was evaluated by the ICCC. Bland–Altman plots, Pearson's correlation coefficient and repeated measures analysis of variance were used to assess agreement of data produced by the instruments.
Results
OPD scanner and Javal-Schiøtz mean spherical equivalent (MSE) results were systematically different (p < 0.001) from other instruments (flatter and steeper, respectively). J0/J45 were similar for all instruments (p < 0.05). Bland–Altman comparison plots indicated that Pentacam and IOLMaster demonstrated greatest level of agreement (ICC results MSE = 0.992, J0 = 0.934 and J45 = 0.890). Agreement (ICC) between observers for MSE ranged from 0.955 to 0.995 for all instruments; lower levels of agreement were found for J0/J45 (0.289 to 0.901). IOLMaster showed greatest correlation and Medmont the lowest. All instruments showed high intra-observer repeatability of MSE (CV 0.1 to 0.3 per cent). The J0/J45 readings showed greater variability (CV range 8.8 to 57.6 per cent).
Conclusion
When considering MSE alone IOLMaster, Pentacam, OPD scan and Medmont may be considered interchangeable; however, assessment of astigmatism shows greater variability between instruments, sessions and observers
What is reflective practice?
Get PDF‘Reflective practice’ broadly refers to approaches and tools facilitating critical interrogation of professional practice in the social professions, those “whose role it is to work with people who are regarded as in need of support, advocacy, informal education or control” (Banks & Nøhr, 2003, p. 8). Classroom practice of teachers,for example, is perceived as an ongoing interplay of individual, role, craft, context, setting and interpersonal dynamics; an effective practitioner would be one who can consider, critically evaluate and develop these elements. As a result, students on professionally qualifying programmes are increasingly required to engage in reflective practice. Indeed, the significance of reflective practice has grown such that in some countries (such as UK, USA), it is becoming recognized as a significant element of “graduateness” for all students at Higher Education level. This chapter charts the principles and practices encompassed by the term ‘reflective practice’ with the intention to enable readers to ‘map’ literature on and experiences of reflective practice