Therefore, the aims of this study were (1) to compare the somatosensory function at and around the TMJ in TMJ arthralgia and OA patients diagnosed clinically without and in combination with different imaging techniques and (2) to examine whether the CPM differs between the TMJ arthralgia and OA patients diagnosed clinically without and in combination with different imaging modalities and also in comparison with healthy controls.
The frequencies of absolute abnormalities of Z-scores for each QST parameter for controls, arthralgia and OA patients classified based on clinical examination, presence or absence of degenerative changes on CBCT, MRI and HR-US and combined examinations (i.e., pure arthralgia and OA diagnosed as OA on all imaging techniques) are shown in Table 1. The most frequent somatosensory absolute abnormalities (outside 95 % CI of reference data) at the test site found in both arthralgia and OA patients, diagnosed regardless of the examination modalities used were (in order of frequency): somatosensory gain with regard to PPT and MPT and somatosensory loss with regard to MDT and WDT. However, with regards to gain of function, in arthralgia patients both HPT and WUR occurred as the third most frequent somatosensory abnormality and in OA patients HPT occurred as the third and WUR occurred as the fourth most frequent somatosensory abnormality.
Quantitative Techniques Cr Kothari Pdf 61
This is the first study to compare the somatosensory function at TMJ between TMJ arthralgia and OA patients using the full battery of 13 standardized QST parameters [17]. Also this is the first study to assess the function of the endogenous analgesic system in TMJ arthralgia and OA patients separately in comparison to age- and gender-matched healthy controls. Moreover, the patients were carefully characterized based on the findings from clinical examination and three different imaging techniques. The main findings were that both TMJ arthralgia and OA patients were associated with a higher frequency of somatosensory abnormalities than in healthy controls. Interestingly, a few, but significant differences in the QST parameters between the two groups of patients were demonstrated. The CPM effect was similar in patients and controls.
In terms of sensory loss of function, tactile hypoesthesia was the most commonly occurring somatosensory abnormality at the test site in both diagnostic subgroups of patients regardless of the examination techniques used. Reduced tactile sensation may be due to inhibitory mechanisms [63]. Similar findings were reported in studies conducted in knee OA [60]. However, a couple of studies employing different stimulus modality and response measures demonstrated tactile hyperesthesia in TMJ arthralgia patients [59, 64], indicating that the results may differ based on the study design.
In simple terms, bibliometric analysis is the application of quantitative techniques on bibliographic data (Donthu et al., 2021a). The main advantage of the technique is its ability to handle large amounts of bibliographic data (Ramos-Rodrígue & Ruíz-Navarro, 2004).
To shed light on the methodological choices of MIR authors, we classified each article based on its methodology. The choice of methodology has been identified as one of the drivers of citations in previous research (Dang & Li, 2020; Stremersch et al., 2007; Valtakoski, 2019). Two of the authors independently read the full articles, coded them, and classified each article by its industrial focus, regional focus, research methods (i.e., empirical, conceptual, literature review, and modelling and analytical),Footnote 5 research design (i.e., qualitative, quantitative, or mixed), data collection (i.e., case study, interview, archival, survey, or experiment), and data analytics method.Footnote 6
While the Hofstede cultural dimensions (see Taras et al., 2016 for a meta-analytic review) and GLOBE study (Dorfman et al., 2012; House et al., 2004) have had most impact on the field, it will be important for IB scholars to explore other cultural dimensions further, such as Trompenaars (1993) and Triandis (1994), to obtain more nuanced understanding of different cultures and their impacts on IB activities. Moreover, while cross-cultural IB research has proliferated and has gone beyond the initial Anglo-Saxon focus, many regions, such as Latin America, Africa, and the Middle-East, remain under-researched and, thus, underrepresented in comparative IB studies. Relatedly, most cross-cultural IB studies rely on quantitative techniques. It is imperative for IB scholars to employ ethnography and other qualitative methodologies to obtain fine-grained, contextual information as to how cross-cultural variations may influence MNE and local firm behavior. Thus, we put forth the following two broad future research questions:
RQ2 deals with the methodological choices of MIR authors. In terms of industry focus, we found a shift towards service industries. In terms of geographic focus, Asia seems to be the most popular choice among single-country studies. We found that the authors have chosen to conduct more empirical and quantitative studies. We also found that the archival data sources were the most popular in the journal, with regression and related techniques being the preferred methods of data analysis.
All three frameworks provide determinants that could influence change and implementation. The Social Marketing Framework uses the principles, techniques, and tools of marketing [29]. It overlaps with CIFR on the identification of target audience, internal factors (degree of readiness), external factors (self-efficacy), and perceived risk. As with CIFR, it also integrates both qualitative and quantitative research methods. In addition, the Social Marketing Framework considers price in terms of incentives and disincentives, whereas CIFR considers costs in terms of the intervention. However, the Social Marketing Framework also has distinguishing features such as how the five Ps are inter-related and additional determinants such as audience segmentation, competition, and exchange [29].
All three TMFs can be used to evaluate interventions and the extent to which the interventions are applied in practice. Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance (RE-AIM) focusses on five elements and is the only full-spectrum evaluation framework that is solely quantitative in nature [41]. This framework is unique as it allows for the assessment of intervention impact over time and for comparison of interventions. However, RE-AIM assumes that the five elements are equal, which may not be the case. In addition, the time interval for assessing implementation (6 months to a year) and maintenance (two or more years), respectively, is arbitrary [41].
Comparison of the KT TMFs within each category highlighted similarities and unique characteristics. Within the process category, two thirds of the KT TMFs incorporated other TMFs or provided variations of previous TMFs. Six of these TMFs had a focus toward quality improvement. The classic theory category presented TMFs that were foundational, such as the DIT. The theories within this category concentrated on the level of change at the organizational, community, or behavioural change related to self. Both determinant and evaluation framework categories had three TMFs each. The determinant category offered a meta-theoretical framework, with two simpler determinant frameworks. The evaluation category offered three very distinct TMFs, with one quantitative in nature. The final category afforded TMFs that could fit more than one category. As such, they would be useful for users seeking more than one theoretical approach.
Throughout the review, we engaged in conversations with key stakeholders from the cultural sector, social prescribing and with older people, to ensure that our findings resonated with these individuals. A realist approach enabled us to draw on a range of literature. At the point of searching for literature, we found few documents meeting our inclusion criteria that related specifically to the pandemic (due to its recentness). The role of link workers was also missing from most documents we reviewed, as were data on digital offers. We plan to explore these topics in more detail in future research, through primary data collection, using a mixture of qualitative and quantitative methods. This will enable the programme theory presented in this paper to be tested and amended to further understanding of this topic.
Some scholars argue that complex policymaking systems defy control and, therefore, are not conducive to the use of RCTs (see [61]). Instead, we use other methods, such as process tracing [90], large-scale quantitative evaluation designs like difference in differences, or case studies, to highlight the interaction between a large number of factors which combine to produce an outcome, the result of which cannot be linked simply to the independent effects of each factor.
As with quantitative research, detailed information about qualitative research methods and study participants is needed to enable other researchers to understand the context and focus of the research and to establish how these findings relate more broadly. This helps researchers to not only potentially repeat the study, but to extend its findings to similar participants in similar contexts. Dense description provides details of the social, demographic and health profile of participants (e.g., gender, education, health conditions, etc.), as well as the setting and context of their experiences (i.e., where they live, what access to healthcare they have). In this way, dense description improves the transferability of study findings to similar individuals in similar situations [15]. To date, most studies involving patient engagement provide limited details about their engagement processes and who was engaged [17]. This omission may be done intentionally (e.g., to protect the privacy of engaged patients, particularly those with stigmatizing health conditions), or as a practical constraint such as publication word limits. Nonetheless, reporting of patient engagement using some aspects of dense description of participants (as appropriate), the ways that they were engaged, and recommendations that emanated from engaged patients can also contribute to greater transferability and understanding of how patient engagement influenced the design of a research study. 2ff7e9595c
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