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• Stretching exercise can mitigate knee osteoarthritis-associated pain. • Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching programs are the most effective stretching exercises for pain relief in older adults with knee osteoarthritis. • Mind-body exercises are the most effective in alleviating stiffness, while multi-component exercise programs are the most effective in reducing physical function disability in older adults with knee osteoarthritis. To assess and compare the effects of different stretching exercise programs on pain, stiffness, and physical function disability in older adults with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). This study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guideline for network meta-analysis (NMA). Relevant randomized controlled trials were identified by searching 7 databases up to December 2022. Inclusion criteria included (1) older adults with KOA; (2) intervention included stretching exercises; (3) control groups received no stretching exercise; and (4) outcome measurements included pain, stiffness, or physical function disability. Methodological quality was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials version 2. NMA was performed using R and MetaInsight, with results presented as a standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI). We examined 17 studies, and NMA results indicated that proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching, mind-body exercises, and multi-component exercise programs were effective in mitigating pain in older adults with KOA (SMD=2.54 [95% CI: 1.23; 3.84], SMD=1.09 [95% CI: 0.27; 1.92], SMD=0.57 [95% CI: 0.06; 1.09]). Moreover, mind-body exercises and multi-component exercises were the most effective programs in reducing stiffness (SMD=1.31 [95% CI: 0.12; 2.51]) and physical function disability (SMD=1.67 [95% CI: 0.01; 3.33]) in older adults with KOA, respectively. Findings suggest that PNF stretching, mind-body exercises, and multi-component exercises can be incorporated into exercise programs to better mitigate pain, stiffness, and physical function disability in older adults with KOA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The Older Volunteer Competency Scale (OVCS) was validated in this study. • The OVCS is an effective and reliable instrument. • The OVCS can be used to evaluate training outcomes and improve training programs. To investigate the factorial structure, test-retest reliability, and internal consistency of the Older Volunteer Competency Scale and establish its psychometric properties. Cross-sectional survey. A total of 1,000 older volunteers were recruited through random sampling and asked to complete the Older Volunteer Competency Scale. Subsequently, 100 participants were selected to participate in a second test to determine the scale's test-retest reliability. Factorial structure was assessed through exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis, and internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach's α. Favorable exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis results were obtained. In addition, the three dimensions of the Older Volunteer Competency Scale, namely service awareness, service skills, and interpersonal interaction, had high internal consistency and test-retest reliability. The Older Volunteer Competency Scale is an effective and reliable research instrument for evaluating competency and needs among older volunteers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Tai chi and yoga are effective in relieving chronic pain in older adults. • The effects of tai chi and yoga are not superior to traditional physical exercises. • There are no differences between the effects of mind-body exercises in relieving chronic pain. • Mind-body exercises alone cannot mitigate pain-related disability in older adults. Mind-body exercises (MBEs) were shown to be effective in managing chronic pain among older adults in several recent studies. However, the differences in the effects of different MBEs remained unclear. To compare the effects of different MBEs in managing chronic pain in older adults. Eight databases were searched for studies published between 2012 and 2023, and 14 studies were included in this systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA). The NMA was performed using R and Metainsight. Results showed that tai chi and yoga were effective in alleviating chronic pain, but their effects were not superior to traditional physical exercises and other MBEs. In addition, none of the MBEs were shown to be effective in mitigating chronic pain-related disabilities. Tai chi and yoga can be used for relieving chronic pain in older adults; however, MBE programs alone were not sufficient to mitigate chronic pain-related disabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electronic technology can be used to overcome many of the barriers and other factors that restrict delivery of services to rural schools; it can also expand the world of rural gifted students who are deaf or hard of hearing. Online college and high school Web sites that offer courses are listed, as well as a Web site for tutoring and one offering help for teachers of rural gifted students who are deaf or hard of hearing. Recommendations are made for ways that legislatures and rural school districts can make Internet resources and assistive technology more widely available in rural educational settings.

This experimental study compared the use of Belcastro rods with the use of traditional methods in teaching addition and subtraction of whole numbers to five blind students. Results showed a significant difference favoring the use of Belcastro rods. (Contains 30 references.) (MKR)

Describes a study conducted at an urban multicampus community college comparing day and evening students' perceptions of their faculty academic advising. Indicates that daytime students were generally more satisfied than evening students and that ease of making appointments influenced both groups' level of satisfaction. (DMM)

Electronic technology can be used to overcome many of the barriers to delivering services to rural schools and it can expand the world of rural gifted students. On-line college and high school sites offering courses are listed. Also listed is a site for tutoring and one offering help for teachers. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

At the 1991 PTA convention, the delegates called for developing a comprehensive parent involvement program in every elementary school. Local PTAs could explore and implement the school-as-community philosophy by selecting appropriate programs and activities, such as Parents in Partnership, Megaskills Workshops, Alliance for Achievement Model, Family Study Institute, or Effective Schools Institute. (MLH)

Electronic technology can be used to overcome many of the restrictive factors or barriers to delivering services to rural schools, and it can expand the world of rural gifted students. On-line college and high school sites offering courses are listed. Also listed is a site for tutoring and one offering help for teachers of rural gifted students. Recommendations are made for legislatures and for rural school districts., Although there are issues for all children in rural schools, the needs of rural gifted students are especially critical (DeLeon & Argus-Calvo, 1997; Gear, 1984; Joyce & Wolking, 1988; O'Connell [...]

Studies of behavior modifications with gifted students are reviewed in terms of maladaptive and adaptive behaviors in gifted underachievers, culturally different students, and gifted students with serious maladjustment and less serious behavior problems. (CL)

Evaluation of the effectiveness of pull-out programs for meeting elementary gifted students' needs found such programs inadequate in meeting several criteria: integration with ongoing curriculum; rigorous identification procedures; daily activities; interaction with intellectual peers; pace matching and challenging students' learning rates; and teachers thoroughly trained in gifted education. (CB)

The article suggests that Belcastro rods, which retain the basic properties of Cuisenaire rods but allow instant identification by touch, may be useful in teaching mathematical concepts to blind children. Drawings illustrate use of the rods in teaching such concepts as addition and subtraction. (Author/DB)

This study shows Edwards Personal Preference Schedule and Strong Vocational Interest Blank can distinguish between groups who successfully complete secondary teaching preparation programs and those who do not. Findings suggest they are differentiated on the basis of personality and interest measures. (Author/BEF)

The research literature in the use of programed instruction with visually handicapped and hearing impaired Ss was reviewed. The applications of behavior modification and programed instruction were compared. (Author)

I found Jo Boaler's January article, 'Urban Success: A Multidimensional Mathematics Approach with Equitable Outcomes,' to be deficient. The author claims that students at Railside High School 'performed better in [...]

Reviews responsibilities and structure of local boards of education; notes deficits. Improvements suggested: additional qualifications for board members; changing to an active, creative, thoughtful board; more attention to curricular policies; board committees with greater emphasis on the curricular; appropriate school officials seated with boards at meetings. (AH)