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Life (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Due to the complex nature of chronic pain, especially in older adults, a biopsychosocial approach is more effective than an isolated approach for its management.... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Due to the complex nature of chronic pain, especially in older adults, a biopsychosocial approach is more effective than an isolated approach for its management. Furthermore, when patients are actively engaged in their pain management, they are more likely to be successful than relying totally on others.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the self-management strategies currently used by older adults with chronic pain.
METHOD
An integrative review was conducted through seven online databases, searching for scientific studies on this topic published in the last 10 years.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION
Fifty-eight studies were included in the final sample. Research on chronic pain self-management for older adults has increased in recent years. Although a diversity of chronic physical painful conditions are being investigated, many conditions are still under-investigated. Online and in-person strategies are currently adopted, demonstrating similar results. Positive results are evidenced by strategies including health promotion, mind control, social participation and take-action fields. Major results come from a combination of strategies focusing on biopsychosocial aspects of pain management. Results include not only the reduction of pain itself, but increased self-efficacy, adoption of health behaviors and improvement of functionality, among others, i.e., improved QoL, despite pain.
PubMed: 38929690
DOI: 10.3390/life14060707 -
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) Jun 2024: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is the third most common cause of death globally. Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) programmes are important to reduce COPD... (Review)
Review
: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is the third most common cause of death globally. Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) programmes are important to reduce COPD symptoms and improve the quality of life of people with COPD. Digital health interventions have recently been adopted in PR programmes, which allow people with COPD to participate in such programmes with low barriers. The aim of this study is to review and discuss the reported effects of digital health interventions on PR outcomes in people with COPD. To achieve the study goals, a systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed (MEDLINE), CINAHL, AMED, SPORTDiscus and the Physiotherapy Evidence Database. Randomised clinical trials (RCTs) were included if they met specified criteria. Two reviewers independently checked titles, abstracts, and performed full-text screening and data extraction. The quality assessment and risk of bias were performed in accordance with the PEDRO scale and Cochrane Risk of Bias tool 2, respectively. : Thirteen RCTs were included in this systematic review with 1525 participants with COPD. This systematic review showed the potential positive effect of digital health PR on the exercise capacity-measured by 6- and 12-min walking tests, pulmonary function, dyspnoea and health-related quality of life. There was no evidence for advantages of digital health PR in the improvement of anxiety, depression, and self-efficacy. : Digital health PR is more effective than traditional PR in improving the pulmonary and physical outcomes for people with COPD, but there was no difference between the two PR programmes in improving the psychosocial outcomes. The certainty of the findings of this review is affected by the small number of included studies.
Topics: Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Humans; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Quality of Life; Telemedicine; Digital Health
PubMed: 38929580
DOI: 10.3390/medicina60060963 -
Children (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Obesity in children is a critical public health issue in developed countries and developing countries. The establishment of health-related behaviors in childhood,...
BACKGROUND
Obesity in children is a critical public health issue in developed countries and developing countries. The establishment of health-related behaviors in childhood, significantly influenced by parental involvement, underscores the need for effective intervention measures.
AIM
This original research is a systematic review and meta-analysis that aimed to investigate the impact of parental involvement on the prevention and management of childhood obesity, focusing on outcomes such as BMI z-score, exercise levels, screen time, dietary self-efficacy, and percentage body fat.
METHODS
Adhering to the PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 12 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) identified through comprehensive searches of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library, including RCTs involving children aged 2-18 years with parental or caregiver participation, reporting on the specified outcomes. Data analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3, employing a random effects model.
RESULTS
A total of 5573 participants were included. The meta-analysis revealed a significant reduction in BMI z-score (MD = -0.06, 95% CI: -0.09 to -0.02, = 0.005, I = 58%), a non-significant increase in exercise levels (SMD = 0.26, 95% CI: -0.01 to 0.52, = 0.05, I = 52%), and a significant reduction in screen time (MD = -0.36 h per day, 95% CI: -0.61 to -0.11, = 0.005, I = 0%). Dietary self-efficacy also improved significantly (MD = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.12 to 1.05, = 0.01, I = 0%). However, changes in percentage body fat did not reach statistical significance (MD = -1.19%, 95% CI: -2.8% to 0.41%, = 0.15, I = 0%).
CONCLUSION
Parental involvement in childhood obesity interventions significantly impacts BMI z-score, exercise levels, screen time, and dietary self-efficacy but not percentage body fat. These findings highlight the importance of engaging parents in obesity prevention and management strategies.
PubMed: 38929318
DOI: 10.3390/children11060739 -
Children (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024This study explores longitudinal influences of various factors on Black parents' involvement in their children's education. Guided by Hoover-Dempsey & Sandler's Model of...
This study explores longitudinal influences of various factors on Black parents' involvement in their children's education. Guided by Hoover-Dempsey & Sandler's Model of Parent Involvement, this research examines whether parents' school climate perceptions, attitudes about involvement, self-efficacy, and children's academic performance predict parent involvement over time. Utilizing data from the Maryland Adolescence in Context Study with a sample of 560 Black parents, we found that positive school climate perceptions and favorable attitudes towards involvement significantly predict increased parent involvement in later years. The results underscore the importance of supportive school environments and parent attitudes in fostering their involvement.
PubMed: 38929301
DOI: 10.3390/children11060722 -
Children (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Food insecurity is a heightened concern among economically disadvantaged youth, and it may contribute to the atypical body mass index (BMI) patterns frequently observed...
BACKGROUND
Food insecurity is a heightened concern among economically disadvantaged youth, and it may contribute to the atypical body mass index (BMI) patterns frequently observed in this group. Self-efficacy seems to intervene in the negative impacts of contextual restraints. This study investigated the relationship between food insecurity, self-efficacy, and BMI trajectory among economically disadvantaged Taiwanese youth.
METHODS
We utilized three-wave longitudinal data from the Taiwan Database of Children and Youth in Poverty. The Food Insecurity Score (FIS) assessed food insecurity with a 4-item scale measuring reduced meal frequency, hunger, skipping meals, and economic constraints. Moreover, the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES) assessed self-efficacy, showcasing the ability to handle stress effectively and envision success scenarios, contributing to positive outcomes. By employing latent growth modeling, we were able to delineate the impacts of baseline food insecurity and self-efficacy on initial BMI and its subsequent growth trajectory.
RESULTS
Elevated baseline FIS significantly predicted higher initial BMI (coefficient = 0.420, = 0.042). Baseline GSES was negatively associated with initial BMI (coefficient = -0.093, < 0.001) but positively predicted the BMI growth rate (coefficient = 0.023, = 0.011).
CONCLUSION
Enhancing self-efficacy may be an effective multidisciplinary intervention to address psychosocial and socioeconomic factors when tackling weight problems in vulnerable youth groups.
PubMed: 38929242
DOI: 10.3390/children11060663 -
Children (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024A longitudinal design was used to examine the psychometric properties of the Self-Efficacy for Diabetes Self-Management (SEDM) for children and adolescents with a...
A longitudinal design was used to examine the psychometric properties of the Self-Efficacy for Diabetes Self-Management (SEDM) for children and adolescents with a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes (T1D). The SEDM was adapted to Spanish and the best factorial solution was selected to test the invariance of the measures of age and gender. Individuals between the ages of 10 and 19 years old with a diagnosis of T1D completed a self-reported questionnaire (167 at Time 1 [mean age = 14.49, SD = 2.76; 56.9% boys] and 122 at Time 2 [mean age = 14.77, SD = 2.58; 56.6% boys]). Two unifactorial solutions were tested. The psychometric properties of the scale were validated. The proposed validation obtained excellent reliability indices (χ (26) = 25.59, > 0.49, RMSEA = 0.00, 95% CI [0.00, 0.07], CFI = 1.00, GFI = 0.96, AGFI = 0.92, TLI = 1.00, and CMIN = 0.98), and it appeared to be invariant for gender and for age groups. The Cronbach's α was 0.85. The test-retest reliability was high (r = 0.69 [ < 0.001]). Convergent, discriminant, and external validity were proven. The nine-item SEDM is a brief measure with satisfactory structural validity. From our knowledge, this study provides the first reliable tool to assess self-efficacy in the management of T1D for Spanish children and adolescents.
PubMed: 38929241
DOI: 10.3390/children11060662 -
Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Oxidative stress (OS) affects men's health and impairs spermatogenesis. Micronutrient antioxidants are available for male infertility as complemental support; however,...
Oxidative stress (OS) affects men's health and impairs spermatogenesis. Micronutrient antioxidants are available for male infertility as complemental support; however, their efficacy remains debatable. This study aimed to investigate whether antioxidants can help to reduce sperm OS and improve semen analysis and quality. We included 171 male partners of couples planning to undergo assisted reproductive technology (ART). Male partners, aged 29-41 years, of couples intending to conceive were self-selected to take daily antioxidants (n = 84) containing folic acid and zinc, or not to take antioxidants (n = 52) for 6 months. We analyzed the alterations in serum oxidant levels, sperm parameters, OS, and deoxyribonucleic acid fragmentation after 3 and 6 months. Additionally, implantation, clinical pregnancy, and miscarriage rates after vitrified-warmed embryo transfer were compared between those taking antioxidants and those not taking them after 6 months. In men with high static oxidation-reduction potential (sORP), we observed a significant improvement in sperm concentration and sORP. The high-quality blastocyst rate tended to increase, and implantation and clinical pregnancy rates also significantly increased after 6 months of intervention. The micronutrient antioxidants could improve sperm function by reducing OS and improving ART outcomes. Therefore, micronutrient antioxidants may be a viable treatment option for male infertility.
PubMed: 38929074
DOI: 10.3390/antiox13060635 -
Foods (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Probiotics are natural microbial agents with beneficial properties such as bacteriostatic and anti-infective properties. Q21, Q25 and QA85, were isolated from the...
Probiotics are natural microbial agents with beneficial properties such as bacteriostatic and anti-infective properties. Q21, Q25 and QA85, were isolated from the Chinese specialty fermented food "Jiangshui" and proved to be highly resistant to ( < 0.0001). In vitro results showed that Q21, Q25 and QA85 strongly inhibited and could specifically co-aggregate in vitro (more than 56%). Strains have the potential to adhere to cells and hinder colonization ( < 0.0001). To assess the anti- efficacy of strains in vivo, volunteers were recruited and a self-controlled study of probiotic intervention was conducted. Compared to pre-probiotics, volunteers who took Q21, Q25 and QA85 for 1 month showed significant improvement in discomfort, a significant reduction in GSRS scores ( < 0.05), and modulation of inflammatory response ( < 0.05). Q21, Q25 and QA85 resulted in a decreasing trend of load in volunteers (454.30 ± 327.00 vs. 328.35 ± 237.19, = 0.06). However, the strains were not significantly effective in modulating the imbalance of the gut microbiota caused by infection. In addition, strains affect metabolic pathways by increasing the levels of O-Phosphoethanolamine and other related metabolites, which may ameliorate associated symptoms. Therefore, Q21, Q25 and QA85 can be regarded as a candidate probiotic preparation that exerts direct or indirect anti- effects by inhibiting activity and colonization, reducing inflammation and discomfort, maintaining homeostasis in the internal environment, affecting the metabolic pathways and repairing the body barrier. They can play a role in relieving infection.
PubMed: 38928794
DOI: 10.3390/foods13121851 -
Foods (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024The COVID-19 pandemic, propelled by the highly transmissible Omicron variant, had a global impact and significantly affected Shanghai, a major city in China. This study...
Older Adults' Exposure to Food Media Induced Unhealthy Eating during the COVID-19 Omicron Lockdown? Exploring Negative Emotions and Associated Literacy and Efficacy on Shanghainese.
The COVID-19 pandemic, propelled by the highly transmissible Omicron variant, had a global impact and significantly affected Shanghai, a major city in China. This study investigates how food media exposure influenced unhealthy eating habits among older adults during the COVID-19 lockdown in Shanghai, focusing on the roles of negative emotions, food literacy, health consciousness, and eating self-efficacy. The random sample comprised 400 individuals aged ≥50 years who lived in Shanghai from March to June 2022. A path and correlation analysis was performed. The exposure of older adults to food media resulted in the acceleration of unhealthy eating. The relationship was significantly exacerbated by food literacy and negative emotions. In contrast, eating self-efficacy and health consciousness effectively countered the media. The enhanced pathway from food-related media influence to eating habits through negative emotions or self-efficacy towards health awareness and food literacy showed significant effects. The findings provide insights for future research and public health strategies. Importantly, this study has practical significance for media professionals, public health decision-makers, and healthy food businesses regarding how to enhance older adults' cognition to respond to unhealthy eating crises.
PubMed: 38928739
DOI: 10.3390/foods13121797 -
Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024There is a significant need to develop new environmentally friendly, extraction-free sample collection mediums that can effectively preserve and protect genetic material...
There is a significant need to develop new environmentally friendly, extraction-free sample collection mediums that can effectively preserve and protect genetic material for point-of-care and/or self-collection, home-collection, and mail-back testing. Systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) was used to create anti-ribonuclease (RNase) deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) aptamers against purified RNase A conjugated to paramagnetic carboxylated beads. Following eight rounds of SELEX carried out under various stringency conditions, e.g., selection using Xtract-Free™ (XF) specimen collection medium and elevated ambient temperature of 28 °C, a panel of five aptamers was chosen following bioinformatic analysis using next-generation sequencing. The efficacy of aptamer inactivation of RNase was assessed by monitoring ribonucleic acid (RNA) integrity via fluorometric and real-time RT-PCR analysis. Inclusion of aptamers in reaction incubations resulted in an 8800- to 11,200-fold reduction in RNase activity, i.e., digestion of viral RNA compared to control. Thus, anti-RNase aptamers integrated into XF collection medium as well as other commercial reagents and kits have great potential for ensuring quality intact RNA for subsequent genomic analyses.
PubMed: 38928623
DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics14121207