Archives of Allied Health Sciences

Feasibility of a technology readiness level 6 web application for monitoring postoperative cognitive dysfunction in older adults: a pilot study

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0700

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a common yet underrecognized issue in older surgical patients. Long-term cognitive follow-up is often absent in standard care. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for remote monitoring tailored to aging populations. Therefore, this study presented a web-based platform, developed under World Health Organization’s Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE) framework and evaluated at Technology Readiness Level 6 (TRL-6). The objective of this study was to design and commission the development of the web application, and to assess its feasibility among older surgical patients within a clinical setting. The study was conducted in two phases: system development based on literature-guided risk factors and ICOPE principles, and a prospective cohort study to evaluate feasibility by assessing data completeness, user input capability, and follow-up adherence after surgery. Patients aged ≥60 years who underwent elective surgery under anesthesia were enrolled. Exclusion criteria were included having severe sensory deficits or inability to use a smartphone. POCD was defined as a ≥2-point decline in the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score from baseline. This study found the platform featured (1) communication via a LINE official account (LINE OA), (2) risk screening with tailored educational video clips, and (3) automated reminders for postoperative assessments. Ten participants (mean age 70.90 ± 6.14 years; 70% female) were recruited between April and July 2024. Retention rates were 100% at 1 week and 70% at 3 months. POCD was observed in 2 of 10 participants at 1 week and 2 of 7 of participants at 3 months postoperatively. In conclusions, this TRL-6 pilot shows the feasibility of integrating a digital cognitive tool into perioperative care, with potential to enhance follow-up and early POCD detection in older patients.

Frozen storage stability of pre-diluted colistin microdilution plates for routine susceptibility testing

Aschana Tirapattanun, Pintip Suchartlikitwong , Sunisa Chirakul — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0700

Broth microdilution (BMD) is the reference method recommended by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) and the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) for determining colistin susceptibility testing; however, its routine implementation in clinical laboratories remains challenging due to factors such as storage conditions and technical variability. To provide a more practical and standardized approach, this study evaluated the stability of pre-diluted colistin stored at -20°C in a 96-well microdilution plate format. Serial twofold dilutions of colistin in Mueller-Hinton broth were prepared, frozen, and tested at 15-day intervals over 90 days using Klebsiella pneumoniae (colistin-resistant clinical isolate), Acinetobacter baumannii (colistinintermediate isolate), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC27853 (quality control strain). Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined according to CLSI guidelines to monitor changes in antimicrobial activity during storage. The MIC values of all strains remained consistent throughout the 90-day period, indicating that colistin retained its biological activity under frozen storage. These findings demonstrate that colistin microdilution plates stored at -20 °C remain stable and reliable for at least three months, offering laboratories a convenient and reproducible method for preparing ready-to-use colistin BMD plates to support standardized susceptibility testing.

Immediate effects of kinesiology tape on pain and quadriceps muscle strength in individuals with patellofemoral pain syndrome

Nipaporn Rigo, Atcharaphan Changkeaw — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0700

Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a common condition causing anterior knee pain during performing activities, such as squatting, running, and stair climbing. A kinesiology tape (KT) is often used to reduce pain and improve muscle functions, but its immediate effects remain unclear. This study investigated immediate effects of KT on pain and muscle strength in individuals with PFPS. Thirty-two male participants diagnosed with PFPS from Thailand National Sports University, Samut Sakhon campus, were recruited and randomly assigned into two groups using a simple randomization method. The placebo group (n = 16; age 20.0 ± 1.4 years) received I-shaped KT applied 7 cm above and below the patella without tension. The intervention group (n = 16; age 20.2 ± 1.4 years) received KT using a Y- and I-shaped application technique for quadriceps facilitation and patellar correction. Outcomes were measured before and immediately after KT application, including pain intensity assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS), squat range of motion (ROM) measured by goniometer, and quadriceps muscle strength measured using a hand-held dynamometer. There were no significant differences between the groups at baseline. Within-group analysis showed that the placebo group demonstrated significant improvements in pain (p-value = 0.002) and muscle strength (p-value = 0.012). In the intervention group, significant improvements were observed in pain (p-value = 0.001), squat ROM (p-value = 0.001), and muscle strength (p-value = 0.005) after KT application. However, no significant differences were found between the intervention and placebo groups in post-test outcomes (p-value > 0.05). KT may be used as an alternative treatment option to reduce pain, and improve squat ROM and quadriceps muscle strength in individuals with PFPS. However, the immediate outcomes were not significantly better than the placebo taping applications.

Effects of aerobic and combined exercise interventions on CD4 cell counts and VO2max in people living with HIV: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0700

Exercise has been proposed as a non-pharmacological strategy to improve immune functions and cardiorespiratory fitness in people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effects of aerobic and combined exercise interventions on the cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4) cell counts and maximal oxygen consumption (VO₂max). Randomized controlled trials were identified and pooled using random-effects models. Seven trials comprising 366 participants were included. Meta-analysis demonstrated a significant improvement in VO₂max following exercise interventions compared with control conditions, while a favorable but non-significant effect was observed for CD4 cell counts. Several included studies implemented combined exercise modalities (e.g., aerobic with resistance training), which may have contributed to the observed effects. These findings suggest that exercise interventions, particularly those including aerobic components, improve cardiorespiratory fitness and may provide modest immunological benefits in people living with HIV. Further adequately powered trials are required to clarify the independent effects of different exercise modalities and to determine optimal exercise prescriptions.