2 research outputs found
Vision screening in older adults who attend hospital following a fall: a scoping review
Get PDFBackground: The assessment of impaired vision is included in falls prevention guidance for older adults, but implementation is variable. We conducted a scoping review to better understand current practice and inform future implementation research around vision assessments for older adults attending acute hospitals following a fall. We explored the extent and types of evidence, key concepts, methods, emerging topics and identified evidence gaps. Methods: JBI methodology was followed. MEDLINE, AMED, EMBASE, PsychInfo, CINAHL and WebofScience were systematically searched for literature on the assessment of vision in older adults attending acute hospitals following a fall. Sources eligible for inclusion had a mean/median population age of 65 years or over, included patients presenting to an acute hospital setting following a fall and described vision assessments in these patients. Grey literature, conference abstracts and sources without a full text were excluded. Title, abstract and full-text screening were completed by two independent reviewers. Data extraction and charting of the data were performed by the primary author. Data analysis comprised descriptive statistics of study characteristics and content analysis of vision assessment methods used. Results: We included 27 studies from 13 countries, between 1806 and 2024. Studies reported various vision assessment methods. Questions frequently asked in vision assessments included: presence of visual symptoms (n = 9), date of last eye test (n = 9) and previous ocular history (n = 5). The most common visual function assessed was distance visual acuity (n = 12). Six studies used standardised screening tools, including: the Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths & Injuries (STEADI) 12-question falls risk screening tool, a modified Kombinert Alvorlig Sansesvikt (Combined Serious Sensory Impairment) (KAS-Screen), procedures of the InterRAI-AC, the St Thomas’s Risk Assessment Tool In Falling elderly inpatients (STRATIFY), the Physiological Profile Assessment (PPA) and the Look Out! Bedside vision check. The most common post-screening interventions were: advising an eye test with an optometrist (n = 8), advising an ophthalmology referral (n = 7) and patient education (n = 6). Conclusions: The literature on vision screening in this population was sparse and there was heterogeneity in current practices, highlighting the need for standardised screening protocols. More research is needed to evaluate vision screening services in this population and to explore implementation barriers
EFFECTS OF AVURVEDIC SHODHANA (PROCESSING) ON DRIED TUBEROUS ACONITE (Aconitum napellus Linn.) ROOT
Get PDFAconite (Aconitum napellus Linn.) commonly known as atis is a poisonous plant used extensively as antihypertensive, antipyretic, analgesic and antirheumatic. Ayurveda recommended the administration of aconite roots only after purification, i.e., boiling roots in cow’s urine (Gomutra). In the present study an attempt was made to compare the pro-arrhythmic and antihypertensive effects of powdered aconite root purified by shodhana process with that of unpurified form of aconite roots in order to provide scientific support of the claim in ayurvedic texts that purification of aconite root by shodhana process retains its antihypertensive activity and is devoid of pro-arrhythmic activity. Aconite root treatment in both forms purified and unpurified) caused significant reduction in BP when compared with diseased control group (P<0.05). The unpurified aconite root group showed significant increase in heart rate, increase in QRS complex time and increase in QT interval, however these parameters were statistically insignificant in purified aconite root treated group. The PRA, SC and BUN levels was significantly decreased in aconite root treatment groups. The probable mechanism of antihypertensive activity of aconite root can be attributed to decrease in plasma renin activity, decrease in oxidative stress and increase in NO levels. Key words: Aconite, shodhana process, antihypertensive, proarrhythmi
