e23045 Background: Brazil’s participation in clinical research (CR) remains limited. Unawareness of CR benefits is a key barrier. Understanding patient perspectives is crucial for addressing these challenges. We conducted a national survey to explore cancer patients’ knowledge, fears, and misconceptions regarding CR, identifying factors that preclude their participation. Methods: This transversal observational study used a self-administered questionnaire comprising validated sociodemographic questions to explore the profiles, perceptions, and experiences with CR of cancer patients. The questionnaire included 14 demographic questions, 22 exploring knowledge and concerns about CR, and 7 specifically for CR participants to describe their experiences. Descriptive analysis was performed. Results: 290 participants answered the survey from Mar 23, 2024, to Nov 1, 2024. 44 were CR and 246 were non-CR, with a median age of 54 (44-65) years. 47 (16.6%) attended elementary school (ES), 110 (38.9%) had a high school and 122 (43.1%) had a university degree (UD). Of these, 186 (65.0%) were white, 22 (7.8%) were unemployed, and 137 (48.6%) were not engaged in paid work (retired, homemaker). The median gross monthly income was R$ 2,000.00 ([IQR]: R$ 675.00–R$ 4,000.00). 148 (54.4%) were covered by the public health system, and 124 (45.6%) had private health insurance. 195 (72.2 %) did not know the meaning of randomization; 123 (45.4%) never heard of an informed consent form (ICF). When questioned about their priorities before participating in CR, 68.3% prioritized receiving complete information about the advantages and disadvantages, 46.2% emphasized the importance of clear descriptions of participation requirements, and 55.2% valued beliefs in the study's potential to benefit future patients. The fear of being treated as a "guinea pig" (i.e., the perception of being subjected to research without full consent or awareness) was the most common concern, 81 (27.9%). 225 (90.7%) agreed that CR brings benefits for society and 197 (80.4%) would participate if invited. However, 112 (45.9%) believed that the risks outweigh the benefits. When comparing the answers by educational level, 8 (17.4%) participants with ES degree and 46 (39.0%) with UD answered that they knew the concept of randomization (p = 0.0011). Regarding risks and benefits of CR, 25 (59.6%) with ES and 44 (41.1%) with UD believed that the risks outweigh the benefits (p = 0.0024). Conclusions: While Brazilian cancer patients view CR positively, significant gaps in awareness of key concepts, such as randomization and ICF, persist. Fear of being treated as a "guinea pig" and concerns about risks outweighing benefits highlight the need for educational initiatives. Efforts by institutions like the CURA Institute and broader stakeholder engagement are vital for addressing these misconceptions, building trust, and enhancing CR participation in Brazil.
Introduction: Serious games have been widely used as support to traditional therapies in healthcare. However, their usability has to be evaluated first to assure its effectiveness with the target group. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the usability of a serious game developed to assist in the motor rehabilitation of stroke patients. METHODS: 21 subjects evaluated the virtual game “O Cacador de Reliquias Perdidas” and its multisensory glove “NEDGlove”, developed by the NeuroErgoDesign research group. The subjects tested the game two sessions of 5-min. For the statistical analysis, we used the Wilcoxon test and the Spearman correlation. The project was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the University Hospital Onofre Lopes (CAAE: 34478214.0.0000.5292). RESULTS: We observed significant correlations between actual experience and the visual aspects of the game, concentration, adaptation and immersion in the virtual environment. There was also a correlation between design of both hardware and software and performance of the task. CONCLUSION: The system’s usability suggests a successful acceptance by the target population, stroke rehabilitation patients.
Introduction: During aging there is a close relationship between visual deficits, imbalance and falls, and eye surgery can be an efficient treatment option for elderly persons. Objective: Evaluate the influence of visual conditions on patients suffering from senile cataract with increasing imbalance. Method: A descriptive and analytical study using a quantitative longitudinal cohort technique was conducted. The study included 30 individuals who were evaluated before and 30 and 60 days after surgery. The Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), International Falls Efficacy Scale adapted for Brazil (FES-I) and a medical history questionnaire were used to collect data. Statistical analysis involved the Chi-squared, Student's t and Mann-Whitney tests. Values of p<0.05 were considered significant. Results: The SPPB found that of 15 elderly women, 13 (87%) achieved moderate performance of the lower limbs while the performance of two (13%) remained poor, after 60 postoperative days. The FES-I revealed that three (20%) elderly persons were mildly worried about falls 60 days post-surgery. Of the 15 elderly male subjects evaluated by BBS, before and at 30 and 60 days after surgery, one (7%), managed to maintain some balance but needed assistance; while 14 (93%) maintained good balance. The SPPB found that the performance of five elderly persons (33%) was moderate and that of nine (67%) was good. Conclusion: Senile cataract surgery had positive preventative effects on lower limb performance, balance and fear of falling among the elderly studied, preventing the falls and fractures that are common during aging.
Churg-Strauss syndrome is a rare systemic disease primarily characterized by hypereosinophilia, asthma and vasculitis. The lung is the organ most frequently involved. In the present report, the authors describe a relatively rare finding in this disease - the presence of a pulmonary nodule -, while recalling the main radiological findings and the most relevant differential diagnoses.
A hallucination is a distortion of sensory perception with the same qualities of a real perception, but without external stimulation of a sensory organ. It is estimated that approximately 60% to 70% of patients with this disorder and other psychopathology and to have symptoms, despite its strong association with schizophrenia, many studies have shown that auditory hallucinations can also be measured in non-psychiatric population with rates many times greater than all psychotic disorders combined. Neuroimaging technologies have been widely used in an attempt to understand the brain regions and circuits involved in the genesis of hallucinations, and patients with schizophrenia has been studied more frequently. This article aims to review the literature on neuroscience have helped in the process of discovery processes involving auditory hallucinations. It is concluded that neuroimaging data have confirmed the expectation that the hallucinations involve changes in the activity of neural circuits known to be involved in normal hearing liguagem and its control, but the big question of how this altered activity arises, remains unanswered.
