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Background and aims: Whole-body vibration (WBV) training may offer an efficient option to improve physical performance of nursing home residents, but the feasibility of WBV training among frail elderly who require continuous institutional care is still open. Methods: Fifteen nursing home residents (mean age 84 years) with low physical performance (mean SPPB score 3.7) participated in this blinded, randomized controlled pilot trial. The intervention was either a 10 week, twice-a-week progressive vibration training with slight exercises done on a side-alternating device or similar sham training without vibration. Physical performance was assessed with Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), Timed Up and Go, walk speed and grip strength tests. Results: Low 12 Hz frequency was well tolerated with mean 95 % compliance in contrast to higher 18 Hz (or 26 Hz) frequency, which was poorly (<30 %) tolerated. While treatment effects were not significant, the mean change in SPPB score was 0.4 (range from −2 to +4) in the WBV group in contrast to −0.1 (from −3 to +3) in the sham group. Discussion and conclusion: Frail nursing home residents form not only a potential but also challenging target group for physical rehabilitation with WBV. Side-alternating WBV training performed at low 12 Hz frequency was found generally feasible, whereas higher frequencies appeared formidable. Nevertheless, it is possible that physical performance of some frail elderly without contraindications to WBV can be improved with this type of rapidly executable physical training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To investigate self-reported practices of contraceptive provision among primary care physicians. Design. A cross-sectional questionnaire study. Setting. All community health centers ( n = 63) in an university hospital area in Western Finland. Sample and methods. A total of 122 health center physicians involved in contraceptive counseling (CC) were invited to participate in self-administered survey. Data were obtained on initiation of contraceptive methods and the limits and contraindications applied when prescribing combined hormonal contraception (CHC), and they were assessed against Finnish and WHO guidelines. Main outcome measures. Distribution of initiated contraceptive methods and of examinations and tests included, application of limits and contraindications in relation to age, smoking, body mass index or weight, blood pressure (BP) and migraine with aura when prescribing CHC (combined oral contraceptives (COCs), vaginal ring and contraceptive patch). Results. Responded physicians ( n = 83.68%) said they most frequently prescribed the COC pill. Progestin-only pills, levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system and copper-releasing intrauterine device were also provided regularly. Most of the respondents routinely took numerous examinations and tests when initiating contraception, including also unnecessary ones. There were gaps in their knowledge about the limits and contraindications for CHC. For example, 41% of the respondents did not recognize migraine with aura as a contraindication and only 19% reported applying the recommended BP limit of 140/90 mmHg. Conclusions. The range of contraceptives available and examinations and tests offered were comprehensive. However, the inadequate procedures regarding assessment of contraindications for CHC suggests that updating CC practices is challenging in primary care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to evaluate general and local contraindications for implantation for 65-yr-old subjects from a medium-sized Finnish city, 431 such persons were examined anamnestically and by means of panoramic radiographs. The population represents 61% of the total age group in the city (born in 1923). It was shown that several degrees of cardiac problems and increased blood pressure followed by pulmonary diseases and diabetes were the most commonly encountered relative contraindications for implantation. Eleven percent of the patients said that they smoked regularly and the bone quality was estimated to be less suitable for implantation in 21% of the cases. Implantation was evaluated according to the Bonefit® system (implant lengths between 6 and 16 mm) in 10 regions in the maxilla and 6 regions in the mandible and was shown to be possible in 38% of the regions in the partially edentulous maxillae and 50% of those in the partially edentulous mandibles, the corresponding figures for the edentulous jaws were 55% in the maxilla and 61% in the mandible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]