Browsing by Author "Pereira, Edgar"
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- Effects of a music-based intervention on psychophysiological outcomes of patients undergoing medical imaging procedures: a systematic review and meta-analysisPublication . Vieira, Lina Oliveira; Carvalho, Catarina; Grilo, Ana; Reis, Jaime; Pires, Ana Filipa; Pereira, Edgar; Carolino, Elisabete; Almeida-Silva, MarinaIntroduction: Musical intervention (MI) is a valuable strategy for addressing the psychological and emotional challenges faced by patients undergoing imaging procedures. This study explores MI's impact on psychophysiological outcomes during imaging procedures, detailing the sound repertoire and technical characteristics employed in MI. Methods: A systematic review (SR) and meta-analysis (MA) were conducted. Electronic database searches of PubMed, Web-of-Science, and Scopus were performed encompassing original randomised research and quasi-experimental articles published until June 2023. Results: Thirteen articles were included in this SR, scoring between 23 and 68 on the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Checklist. Four articles were included to perform a MA concerning anxiety and heart rate (HR) outcomes. Most studies utilised digital playlists as the medium for MI. Headphones were commonly used, with an average volume of 50-60 dB and a musical frequency of 60-80 beats/min. While authors generally preferred selecting musical genres for the repertoire, two articles specifically chose Johann Pachelbel's "Canon in D major" as their musical theme. In terms of psychological parameters, the experimental groups exhibited lower anxiety values than the control groups, with further reductions after MI. However, MA shows that this trend is only marginally significant. Patient comfort and overall examination experience showed improvement with MI. Regarding physiological parameters, HR, especially in the final phase of the examination, was significantly lower in the experimental group compared to the control group. Conclusion: Across multiple studies, MI demonstrated the ability to reduce anxiety and HR. However, no specific music repertoire emerged as the most effective. Implications for practice: MI arises as a painless, reliable, low-cost, and side-effect-free strategy, presenting imaging departments with a practical means to enhance patient comfort and mitigate anxiety and stress during medical procedures.
- Evaluation of SPECT imaging: a multi-center and multi-vendor phantom studyPublication . Gonçalves, Maria Inês Rebelo; Parafita, Rui; Costa, Mauro; Geão, Ana; Pereira, Edgar; Vieira, Lina OliveiraBackground: Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is a nuclear medicine (NM) imaging method sensitive to the evaluation and quantification of physiological processes in patients. However, there are different factors that affect qualitatively and quantitatively the SPECT images and, consequently, the reliability of the data. There is a degree of variability underlying the intrinsic performance of systems from the same or different manufacturers. In addition, the different configurations of the gamma cameras (GC) and the acquisition and reconstruction protocols used may lead to heterogeneity of results. This study compared SPECT images acquired in three GC from three NM centers, using the Jaszczak and NEMA IEC Body phantoms, filled with a homogeneous solution of technetium-99m. Acquisitions were performed in each GC, following the protocols used in the clinical practice of the respective NM center, and the images were analyzed and compared in terms of spatial resolution, sensitivity, noise, contrast, and contrast recovery (CR). Subsequently, the processing and reconstruction parameters were harmonized to assess their impact on the standardization of results. Results: With the clinical protocols, the images acquired with the three GC showed small differences in spatial resolution, noise, and contrast, with the greatest difference being observed in the quantitative accuracy, since the CR has achieved variabilities of 0.17 and 0.28, for different activity concentrations. This intersystem variability was reduced to 0.09 and 0.08 after reconstruction algorithm standardization. However, this change increased the differences in the contrast percentage. Conclusion: GC from different manufacturers showed the greatest heterogeneity of results, however, by eliminating possible sources of variation it is possible to reduce the differences between systems. It was demonstrated the need to include different parameters for the evaluation and comparison of SPECT images so that procedures can be established between the different NM centers to ensure a trade-off between the various parameters assessed here, as the improvement of some usually leads to the deterioration of others.
- Radiopharmaceuticals for myocardial perfusion imaging: SPECT & PETPublication . Adães, Rui; Fernandes, Marco; Pereira, Edgar; Sousa, EvaMyocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) is used on a daily basis to access coronary blood flow in patients that are suspected or have known Coronary Artery Disease (CAD). A Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) or and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan are used to access regional blood flow quantification either at rest or stress, the imaging acquisition is connected to an Electrocardiogram (ECG) and it is able to determine and quantify other myocardial parameters like myocardial wall thickness and wall motion. PET is not used so broadly due to its high procedure cost, the proximity with cyclotron, where are produced the majority of radiopharmaceuticals used in PET, due to their shor thalf-life. This work is intended to carry out a review of the tests relating to radiopharmaceuticals that are used in clinical practice in SPECT or PET for assessment of myocardial perfusion, also focusing very promising radiopharmaceuticals that are under investigation or in clinical trials with great potential for conventional nuclear medicine or PET, proceeding to a comparative analysis of both techniques and respective radiopharmaceuticals used.