Research papers

Preliminary Effectiveness of mHealth App-Based Pelvic Floor Muscle Training among Pregnant Women to Improve Their Exercise Adherence: A Pilot Randomised Control Trial

This pilot randomised control trial (RCT) aimed to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of conducting a full-powered trial for a newly developed pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) app among pregnant wo…

Patient, Procedure, People (PPP): recognising and responding to intraoperative critical events.

Intraoperative critical events are rarely experienced by individual surgeons but are commonly experienced at a workforce level. Finding unfamiliar or unexpected pathology, anatomy, haemorrhage or an iatrogenic organ or s…

Machine Learning based Prediction of Situational Awareness in Pilots using ECG Signals

Reducing aviation fatalities requires a high level of reliable real-time monitoring so that events can be predicted and prevented before they can occur.

Aviation safety training methodology

Safety management systems (SMS) are widely accepted as a way of improving safety and are currently required by the aviation regulations.

A pilot RCT of virtual reality job interview training in transition-age youth on the autism spectrum.

Background Adolescents on the autism spectrum may have difficulty obtaining and maintaining employment. One particular obstacle for adolescents on the autism spectrum is the job interview.

Cockpit voice recorder transcript data: Capturing safety voice and safety listening during historic aviation accidents

Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) transcripts capture audio data within cockpit environments. This aids the investigation of causal factors contributing to aviation accidents by revealing communication and other sounds prior …

Evaluation of a Fast Test Based on Biometric Signals to Assess Mental Fatigue at the Workplace—A Pilot Study

Non-pathological mental fatigue is a recurring, but undesirable condition among people in the fields of office work, industry, and education.

Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of the WHO Caregiver Skills Training in Public Health Services in Italy

Parents of children with ASD (N = 86; mean age 44.8 months; 67 boys) were randomized to either WHO Caregiver Skills Training (CST) delivered in public health settings in Italy or enhanced treatment-as-usual.

Methylphenidate may improve mental fatigue in individuals with multiple sclerosis: A pilot clinical trial.

BACKGROUND Fatigue is the most common symptom in multiple sclerosis (MS), previously attributed to dopamine imbalance. Evidence suggests that methylphenidate, a psychostimulant that increases striatal and prefrontal dopa…

Fatigue in Aviation: Safety Risks, Preventive Strategies and Pharmacological Interventions

Fatigue poses an important safety risk to civil and military aviation. In addition to decreasing performance in-flight (chronic) fatigue has negative long-term health effects.

Cognitive fatigue in traumatic brain injury: a pilot study comparing state and trait fatigue

ABSTRACT Objective Cognitive fatigue is a common and disabling symptom following a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Literature on cognitive fatigue has distinguished between two types of fatigue: “state” fatigue refers to t…

Cognitive behavioural therapy versus health education for sleep disturbance and fatigue after acquired brain injury: a pilot randomised trial.

CBT-SF can be an effective treatment option for sleep disturbance and fatigue after ABI, over and above HE, and may provide delayed benefit for sleep, possibly by improving mood.

Home-based light therapy for fatigue following acquired brain injury: a pilot randomized controlled trial

Background and objectives Fatigue and sleep disturbance are debilitating problems following brain injury and there are no established treatments.

Performance-Based Iterative Learning Control for Task-Oriented Rehabilitation: A Pilot Study in Robot-Assisted Bilateral Training

Active participation from human subjects can enhance the effectiveness of robot-assisted rehabilitation. Developing interactive control strategies for customized assistance is therefore essential for encouraging human–ro…

Feasibility of using a biofeedback device in mindfulness training - a pilot randomized controlled trial

Background Stress can negatively impact an individual’s health and well-being and high levels of stress are noted to exist among college students today.

Cloud icing by mineral dust and impacts to aviation safety

Ice particles in high-altitude cold clouds can obstruct aircraft functioning. Over the last 20 years, there have been more than 150 recorded cases with engine power-loss and damage caused by tiny cloud ice crystals, whic…

Understanding the influence of pain and fatigue on physical performance, fear of falling and falls in people with Parkinson's disease: a pilot study.

Objective: Pain and fatigue are highly prevalent debilitating symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD), however, their relationship with physical performance, fear of falling (FOF) and falls is not clear.

High-Resolution and Large-Detection-Range Virtual Antenna Array for Automotive Radar Applications

Collision avoidance and autonomous control of vehicles have become essential needs for providing a high-quality and safe life. This paper introduces a new generic scheme for a virtual antenna array (VAA) and its applicat…

Surgeons Are Not Pilots: Is the Aviation Safety Paradigm Relevant to Modern Surgical Practice?

Error in surgery is common, although not always consequential. Surgical outcomes are often compared to safety data from commercial aviation.

Gut microbiota and fatigue in rectal cancer patients: a cross-sectional pilot study

Differentially abundant microbial taxa were identified in fatigued and non-fatigued rectal cancer participants at the end of CRT, however, the exact role of these taxa in the biology ofCRT-related fatigue remains to be e…

Effectiveness of communication skill training on cancer truth‐telling for advanced practice nurses in Taiwan: A pilot study

Advanced practice nurses (APNs) can best support physicians in improving the quality of truth‐telling. However, the effectiveness of communication skill training (CST), based on the Japanese SHARE model exclusive to APNs…

The effects of Virtual Reality technology application in the aircraft pilot training process

In this study, we focus on some problems related to virtual reality technology usage in supporting the educational process. The main goal is to obtain the optimal duration of exposure to virtual reality without the appea…

Virtual Reality for Pilot Training: Study of Cardiac Activity

: Flight training is provided through real flights with real aircraft and virtual flights using simulators. Nowadays a third alternative way emerges which is the use of immersive virtual reality (VR) flight deck.

Individualized Aerobic Exercise in Neuromuscular Diseases: A Pilot Study on the Feasibility and Preliminary Effectiveness to Improve Physical Fitness

Abstract Objective Clear guidelines to prescribe aerobic exercise in neuromuscular diseases (NMD) are lacking, which hampers effective application in neuromuscular rehabilitation.

Transcranial direct current stimulation for fatigue in patients with Sjogren’s syndrome: A randomized, double-blind pilot study

BACKGROUND Transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) has shown promise to decrease fatigue. However, it has never been examined in primary Sjogren Syndrome (pSS).

Effects of physical fatigue on the induction of mental fatigue of construction workers: A pilot study based on a neurophysiological approach

Within a dynamic and complex working environment, fatigue statuses (involving physical and mental fatigue) of workers on construction sites tend to have a more serious impact on work performance than general workplaces.

The effectiveness of smartphone compassion training on stress among Swedish university students: A pilot randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of a 6-week smartphone compassion training intervention on mental health. METHOD Fifty-seven Swedish university students (mean age = 25, SD = 5) reporting high levels of stress were r…

Assessment of Fatigue Using Wearable Sensors: A Pilot Study

Background: Fatigue is a broad, multifactorial concept encompassing feelings of reduced physical and mental energy levels. Fatigue strongly impacts patient health-related quality of life across a huge range of conditions…

Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation reduces pain and fatigue in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a randomised, double-blind, sham-controlled pilot trial

Objectives Musculoskeletal pain and fatigue are common features in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway is a physiological mechanism diminishing inflammation, engaged by stimulati…

Impact of Rehabilitation on Breast Cancer Related Fatigue: A Pilot Study

Breast cancer fatigue (BCF) is a complex and multidimensional condition characterized by a persistent sense of physical and/or mental stiffness, resulting in a substantial impairment of health-related quality of life in …

The role of the gut microbiome in cancer-related fatigue: pilot study on epigenetic mechanisms

Recent evidence supports a key role of gut microbiome in brain health. We conducted a pilot study to assess associations of gut microbiome with cancer-related fatigue and explore the associations with DNA methylation cha…

Effectiveness of a Serious Game for Cognitive Training in Chronic Stroke Survivors with Mild-to-Moderate Cognitive Impairment: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Previous cognitive training games for stroke survivors required the close supervision of therapists. We aim to demonstrate the preliminary therapeutic effectiveness of Neuro-World, serious mobile games for cognitive trai…

Effects of Vestibular Rehabilitation on Fatigue and Activities of Daily Living in People with Parkinson's Disease: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial Study

One of the most disabling nonmotor symptoms in persons with Parkinson's disease is fatigue, which can decrease the quality of life by restricting the function and activities of daily living (ADL).

An evaluation of fatigue factors in maritime pilot work scheduling

ABSTRACT Maritime piloting operations involve on-call work schedules that may lead to sleep loss and circadian misalignment. Our study documented pilot work scheduling practices (n = 61) over a one-year period.

Patient-centred, self-administered acupressure for Chinese advanced cancer patients experiencing fatigue and co-occurring symptoms: A pilot randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the feasibility and potential effects of patient-centred self-administered acupressure for alleviating fatigue and co-occurring symptoms among Chinese advanced cancer patients receiving treatment.

Digital Training for Non-Specialist Health Workers to Deliver a Brief Psychological Treatment for Depression in Primary Care in India: Findings from a Randomized Pilot Study

Introduction: Task sharing holds promise for scaling up depression care in countries such as India, yet requires training large numbers of non-specialist health workers.

Sleepiness on the flight deck: Reported rates of occurrence and predicted fatigue risk exposure associated with UK airline pilot work schedules

Abstract Survey and field studies conducted with commercial airline pilots suggest that in-flight sleepiness and related involuntary sleep phenomena are experienced by pilots during their duties.

Cooking for Vitality: Pilot Study of an Innovative Culinary Nutrition Intervention for Cancer-Related Fatigue in Cancer Survivors

(1) Background: Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is one of the most prevalent and distressing side effects experienced by patients with cancer during and after treatment, and this negatively impacts all aspects of quality of…

Responding to an Unexpected In-Flight Event: Physiological Arousal, Information Processing, and Performance

Objective The study was designed to investigate whether a simulated unexpected abnormal flight event can lead to startle and explore differences in behavioral responses between expected and unexpected abnormal flight eve…

A Pilot Study of Metabolomic Pathways Associated With Fatigue in Survivors of Colorectal Cancer

Background: Over 30% of cancer survivors experience chronic fatigue. An alteration in energy metabolism is one of the hypothesized mechanisms for cancer-related fatigue (CRF).

Brief Workplace Interventions Addressing Burnout, Compassion Fatigue, and Teamwork: A Pilot Study

Burnout and compassion fatigue are problematic for nurses, patients, and organizations. Identifying brief interventions nurses can engage in while at work to address compassion fatigue, burnout, and teamwork, as burnout …

A randomised clinical pilot trial to test the effectiveness of parent training with video modelling to improve functioning and symptoms in children with autism spectrum disorders and intellectual disability.

BACKGROUND Poor eye contact and joint attention are early signs of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and important prerequisites for developing other socio-communicative skills.

Effectiveness of a transdiagnostic group intervention to enhance emotion regulation in young Afghan refugees: A pilot randomized controlled study.

There are several challenges to providing mental health care for refugees, including high comorbidity and structural barriers. Targeting transdiagnostic processes in a low-threshold group intervention appears particularl…

Effectiveness of high-intensity interval training versus moderate-intensity continuous training in patients with fibromyalgia: A pilot randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE To compare the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) combined with strengthening and stretching exercises in patients with fibromyalgia.

Dynamic Stability and Trunk Control Improvements Following Robotic Balance and Core Stability Training in Chronic Stroke Survivors: A Pilot Study

Stroke survivors show greater postural oscillations and altered muscular activation compared to healthy controls. This results in difficulties in walking and standing, and in an increased risk of falls.

Evidence-Based Integrated Intervention in Patients with Schizophrenia: A Pilot Study of Feasibility and Effectiveness in a Real-World Rehabilitation Setting

Impairment in real-world functioning remains one of the most problematic challenges that people with schizophrenia have to face. Various psychosocial interventions have proven to be effective in promoting recovery and im…

Neural mechanisms underlying state mental fatigue in multiple sclerosis: a pilot study

Assessing the effectiveness of a comprehensive menstrual health intervention program in Ugandan schools (MENISCUS): process evaluation of a pilot intervention study

Background Poor menstrual health and hygiene (MHH) is a globally recognised public health challenge. A pilot study of an MHH intervention was conducted in two secondary schools in Entebbe, Uganda, over 9 months.

Pilot Study of Combined Aerobic and Resistance Exercise on Fatigue for Patients with Head and Neck Cancer: Inflammatory and Epigenetic Changes

This pilot study examined whether a combined aerobic resistance exercise program reduced fatigue and the potential inflammatory and epigenetic mechanisms in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) receiving intensity-mo…

A resilience group training program for people with multiple sclerosis: Results of a pilot single-blind randomized controlled trial and nested qualitative study

Introduction An Australian case series study demonstrated the effectiveness of the REsilience and Activities for every DaY for people with multiple sclerosis (READY for MS), a resilience group training program based on A…