Millenium - Journal of Education, Technologies, and Health

Acute Stroke in northern Portugal: outcomes and characteristics of patients in a Medical-Surgical Emergency Department

Fri, 17 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Introduction: Stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and long-term disability worldwide, significantly impacting health systems and personal lives. Disparities in European access to stroke care suggest an increased burden on individuals and society. Effective management of acute stroke in emergency departments is critical, requiring a rapid and coordinated response to optimize clinical outcomes.

Objective: Characterize the hospital approach to acute stroke patients attended through the Stroke Pathway (Via Verde AVC) protocol in a Medical-Surgical Emergency Department in northern Portugal.

Methods: Retrospective observational study of 1153 patients admitted through the Acute Stroke Care Pathway from 2019 to 2023. Data on patient demographics, clinical characteristics, treatments, and outcomes were collected from electronic medical records. Statistical analysis included chi-square tests, ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis tests, trend analysis, and logistic regression.

Results: Stroke Pathway activations increased from 0.28% in 2019 to 0.31% in 2023 (p<0.05). Ischemic stroke was most common (64.8%, 95% CI: 62.1-67.4%). Thrombolysis rates increased from 21.96% to 27.27% (p<0.01), and thrombectomy from 4.67% to 21.21% (p<0.001). Age >70 years (OR 1.8, 95% CI: 1.3-2.5) and arrival within 3 hours (OR 2.3, 95% CI: 1.7-3.1) predicted reperfusion therapy. Female patients surpassed males in 2023 (51.01% vs 48.99%).

Conclusion: The Emergency Department demonstrated improvement in acute stroke care. Enhanced systematic data recording and new technologies are needed to optimize care. Future research should focus on long-term outcomes and quality-of-life measures.

Effects of physiotherapy on pelvic function and quality of life in women with urinary incontinence – a systematic review

Fri, 03 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Introduction: In recent years, pelvic floor physiotherapy, namely pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) has shown a high importance in women with urinary incontinence (UI), optimizing pelvic function and quality of life (QoL).

Objective: Evaluate the effects of pelvic floor physiotherapy on pelvic function and QoL in women with UI.

Methods: Computerized search in the databases Pubmed, Scopus, and Web of Science, using the combination of keywords: Physiotherapy; Urinary Incontinence; QoL,in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. The methodological quality was analysed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale.

Results: Nineteen articles meeting the eligibility criteria were included with a total of 2253 participants and an arithmetic mean of 8.4/10 on the PEDro scale. PFMT interventions showed positive effects on QoL, as well as in decreasing involuntary urine loss and increasing pelvic floor muscle strength. In addition, PFMT combined with biofeedback, electrotherapy or Pilates training seemed to reveal significant effects.

Conclusions: PFMT is an effective treatment for UI in women. PFMT significantly improves QoL in women with UI, a determinant factor for physical, mental, and social conditions.

Care of preterm newborn’s sleep in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Manuel Sousa e Cunha, Daniela Trindade, Ana Rita Carneiro — Wed, 03 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Introduction: Sleep plays an important role in brain development and synaptic plasticity and has implications for neurodevelopment.

Assessment of NB’s behavioral states (sleeping and awake) is the first step to protecting sleep in premature babies and optimizing the neurodevelopment process.

Objective: The main objective of the present study investigation is to analyze the implementation of a bundle of care in the neonatal unit concerning preterm newborn sleep and its influence on the length of hospital stay.

Methods: This is an exploratory descriptive study carried out in a Portuguese NSCU. We describe the different standardized care strategies implemented, in response to the demands of Joint Commission International in patient care and also to the concerns of health professionals in this area.

Results: Applying care and strategies to improve sleep quality in the studied timeframe, we did not find significant differences in the profile of hospitalized patients, and this procedure did not lead to an increase in the length of hospital stay.

Conclusion: Professionals have a vital role in implementing strategies that promote sleep in premature babies in the NICU and in interventions that have a positive effect on the quality of sleep of these newborns. It is necessary to include and train parents in the effort to promote sleep development in the NSCU so that they maintain these interventions after hospital discharge.

Continuing professional development of physical education teachers through collaborative professional reflection

Nataliia Mukan, Fedir Zagura, Yuliana Lavrysh — Fri, 17 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Introduction: This paper explores the pivotal role of continual reflection and collaboration for physical education teachers in advancing their professional development. The study focuses on the effectiveness of Gibbs Model and Glatthorn's collegial growth paradigm in enhancing teachers' self-reflection abilities.

Objective: Assess the impact of collaborative group reflection on physical education teachers' professional development, utilizing Gibbs Model and Glatthorn's collegial growth paradigm. The study aims to measure changes in reflective practices and identify factors influencing teacher participation in collaborative reflection.

Methods: The research employed pre- and post-self-assessed reflective questionnaires, focus group discussions, and peer observations. A Likert scale questionnaire measured changes in reflective skills, while focus group discussions provided qualitative insights. Peer observation rubrics assessed various teaching criteria.

Results: Findings indicate collaborative group reflection as a valuable tool for professional development, despite challenges like time constraints. The study emphasizes leadership and peer support as positive outcomes. Quantitative analysis showed a significant increase in the level of reflection among participating teachers.

Conclusion: The paper underscores the importance of collaboration in fostering efficient reflection for professional development among physical education teachers. Recommendations include incorporating stages from Gibbs's Reflection Cycle and Glatthorn's collegial growth paradigm in professional development programs. Rigorous analysis, including the chi-square test for independence and content analysis, ensured the validity and reliability of the study's findings, facilitating a comprehensive interpretation of the results.

AI in research, education, and practice of structural and earthquake engineering - a reflection on impacts, challenges, and future directions

Tiago Ferreira — Thu, 02 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The fields of structural and earthquake engineering are critical in ensuring the safety and resilience of our built environment, particularly as global challenges such as urbanization, climate change, and disaster preparedness become increasingly urgent (Ferreira & Santos, 2024). In recent years, the integration of engineering with artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and deep learning (DL) has begun to reshape traditional paradigms. These technologies offer new opportunities to automate processes, enhance predictive accuracy, and optimize designs, paving the way for more efficient, adaptive, and sustainable engineering practices.

Despite its transformative potential, the adoption of AI in structural and earthquake engineering remains relatively underutilized compared to other fields (Tapeh & Naser, 2023; Xie et al., 2020). Traditional mechanics-based methodologies continue to dominate the field, and it remains to be seen how AI-driven approaches will coexist with these established practices, particularly in the professional and educational contexts. Some skepticism surrounding AI’s perceived opacity—often viewed as a "black box" compared to the transparency of experimental, numerical, and analytical methods—further complicates its integration. However, AI’s unparalleled ability to process extensive datasets, execute computationally intensive tasks, and adapt to real-time conditions presents significant opportunities for innovation.

In this editorial, I aim to provide a concise yet comprehensive reflection on AI's current state and transformative potential in structural and earthquake engineering. By looking at its impacts across research, education, and practical implementation, I hope to highlight some opportunities and challenges for AI integration. Furthermore, I will emphasize pressing concerns, such as the importance of fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and addressing the significant environmental footprint of AI technologies—an aspect that, in my view, has not received the attention it deserves.