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Scientific Reports Jul 2024The effect of the menstrual cycle on fine motor skills is unclear. This study determined whether the menstrual cycle affected fine motor skills and related neural...
The effect of the menstrual cycle on fine motor skills is unclear. This study determined whether the menstrual cycle affected fine motor skills and related neural activities. Nineteen women with regular menstrual cycles were tested for fine motor skills using two types of tasks: grooved pegboard task (GPT), which evaluates motor control with high freedom of movements, and force modulation task (FMT), which evaluates more complex and fine motor control with low freedom of movements. We also assessed primary motor cortex intracortical circuits and sensorimotor integration using paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation to reveal why the menstrual cycle affects fine motor skills. The present study indicated that fine motor skills assessed by FMT varied throughout the menstrual cycle while those measured by GPT did not. These results suggest that fine motor skills requiring more complex and fine control may be affected by the menstrual cycle. Additionally, changes in fine motor skills throughout the menstrual cycle may be associated with the severity of menstruation-related symptoms.
Topics: Humans; Female; Menstrual Cycle; Motor Skills; Adult; Motor Cortex; Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation; Young Adult; Evoked Potentials, Motor
PubMed: 38956128
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-65823-6 -
Zhonghua Yu Fang Yi Xue Za Zhi [Chinese... Jun 2024The prevalence of food allergy is increasing worldwide and seriously affects the living quality of patients and their families. Egg allergy is one of the commonest forms... (Review)
Review
The prevalence of food allergy is increasing worldwide and seriously affects the living quality of patients and their families. Egg allergy is one of the commonest forms of food allergy. The traditional regimen is to delay the introduction of eggs to infant complementary foods, which is not able to reduce the prevalence of egg allergies and causes negative effects on infants' physical and psychological conditions. Oral tolerance therapy is an approach to establish immune tolerance by the active suppression of specific immune responses to antigens in the gastrointestinal tract. The development of oral tolerance through early introduction of eggs to infant complementary has proven effective in randomized controlled trials, which has been incorporated into infant feeding guidelines in many countries. This article focuses on the mechanism, efficacy and safety of oral tolerance induction in the prevention of egg allergy.
Topics: Humans; Egg Hypersensitivity; Infant; Immune Tolerance; Desensitization, Immunologic
PubMed: 38955722
DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.cn112150-20231108-00323 -
Journal of Integrative Medicine Jun 2024Sleep disturbance is commonly seen in fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS); however, high quality studies involving manual therapies that target FMS-linked poor sleep quality are...
BACKGROUND
Sleep disturbance is commonly seen in fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS); however, high quality studies involving manual therapies that target FMS-linked poor sleep quality are lacking for the Indian population.
OBJECTIVE
Craniosacral therapy (CST), Bowen therapy and exercises have been found to influence the autonomic nervous system, which plays a crucial role in sleep physiology. Given the paucity of evidence concerning these effects in individuals with FMS, our study tests the effectiveness of CST, Bowen therapy and a standard exercise program against static touch (the manual placebo group) on sleep quality in FMS.
DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTION
A placebo-controlled randomized trial was conducted on 132 FMS participants with poor sleep at a hospital in Bangalore. The participants were randomly allocated to one of the four study groups, including CST, Bowen therapy, standard exercise program, and a manual placebo control group that received static touch. CST, Bowen therapy and static touch treatments were administered in once-weekly 45-minute sessions for 12 weeks; the standard exercise group received weekly supervised exercises for 6 weeks with home exercises until 12 weeks. After 12 weeks, all study participants performed the standard exercises at home for another 12 weeks.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Sleep quality, pressure pain threshold (PPT), quality of life and fibromyalgia impact, physical function, fatigue, pain catastrophizing, kinesiophobia, and positive-negative affect were recorded at baseline, and at weeks 12 and 24 of the intervention.
RESULTS
At the end of 12 weeks, the sleep quality improved significantly in the CST group (P = 0.037) and Bowen therapy group (P = 0.023), and the PPT improved significantly in the Bowen therapy group (P = 0.002) and the standard exercise group (P < 0.001), compared to the static touch group. These improvements were maintained at 24 weeks. No between-group differences were observed for other secondary outcomes.
CONCLUSION
CST and Bowen therapy improved sleep quality, and Bowen therapy and standard exercises improved pain threshold in the short term. These improvements were retained within the groups in the long term by adding exercises. CST and Bowen therapy are treatment options to improve sleep and reduce pain in FMS.
TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER
Registered at Clinical Trials Registry of India with the number of CTRI/2020/04/024551. Please cite this article as: Ughreja RA, Venkatesan P, Gopalakrishna DB, Singh YP, Lakshmi VR. Effectiveness of craniosacral therapy, Bowen therapy, static touch and standard exercise program on sleep quality in fibromyalgia syndrome: a randomized controlled trial. J Integr Med. 2024; Epub ahead of print.
PubMed: 38955652
DOI: 10.1016/j.joim.2024.06.003 -
Saudi Medical Journal Jul 2024To understand the prevalence and survival rates of preterm birth (PTB) is of utmost importance in informing healthcare planning, improving neonatal care, enhancing...
OBJECTIVES
To understand the prevalence and survival rates of preterm birth (PTB) is of utmost importance in informing healthcare planning, improving neonatal care, enhancing maternal and infant health, monitoring long-term outcomes, and guiding policy and advocacy efforts.
METHODS
The medical records of preterm infants admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) with a diagnosis of prematurity at the Maternity and Children's Hospital (MCH), Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia, were reviewed between January 2018 and December 2022. Data were collected on birth weight (BW), gender, number of live births, gestational age, mortality, nationality, APGAR score, length of stay in the NICU, and maternal details.
RESULTS
A total of 9809 live births were identified between 2018 and 2022, of which 139 (3.9%) were born preterm. The overall mortality rate of the included sample was 7.19%, whereas the mortality rate according to BW was 38.4% of those born with extremely low birth weight (ELBW). The most common intrapartum complications were malpresentation (15.1%), placental complications (4.3%), and cord complications (3.6%).
CONCLUSION
This study provides valuable insights into the prevalence of PTB in the country, particularly focusing on the vulnerability of extremely preterm babies.
Topics: Humans; Saudi Arabia; Female; Premature Birth; Infant, Newborn; Cross-Sectional Studies; Male; Incidence; Pregnancy; Gestational Age; Infant, Premature; Infant Mortality; Survival Rate; Birth Weight; Infant; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; Infant, Extremely Low Birth Weight; Apgar Score
PubMed: 38955439
DOI: 10.15537/smj.2024.45.7.20240194 -
European Journal of Oncology Nursing :... Jun 2024Physical activity (PA) is beneficial but difficult to maintain during chemotherapy. This pilot RCT explored the feasibility of the MI-Walk intervention-an 8-week...
PURPOSE
Physical activity (PA) is beneficial but difficult to maintain during chemotherapy. This pilot RCT explored the feasibility of the MI-Walk intervention-an 8-week motivational enhancement therapy- and home-based brisk walking intervention-among gastrointestinal (GI) cancer survivors receiving chemotherapy.
METHODS
Sixty stage II-IV GI cancer survivors were recruited from 5 sites at their second infusion visit. Participants were randomized to receive PA education alone or the MI-Walk intervention: motivational enhancement therapy consisting of 3 motivational interviewing and self-efficacy-enhancing counseling sessions, a Fitbit Charge 2, exercise diaries, telephone follow-up, scripted motivational email messages, and optional weekly walking groups.
RESULTS
The enrollment and completion rates were 62% and 90%, respectively. The MI-Walk participants (n = 29; mean age = 56.79, SD = 11.72; 97% white; 79% male) reported a baseline moderate-vigorous PA duration of 250.93 (SD = 636.52) min/wk. The mean MI-Walk Intervention acceptability score was 50.32 (SD = 12.02) on a scale of 14-70. Mean Fitbit and counseling helpfulness scores on a 5-point scale were 3.67 (SD = 1.43) and 3.44 (SD = 1.36), respectively. Participants' Fitbit moderate-vigorous PA 8-week averages ranged from 0 to 716.88 min/wk; 64% of participants adhered to ≥127 min/wk. Several characteristics (e.g., age, comorbidity, PA level, employment status, BMI, education level, gender, symptoms) were associated with enrollment, attrition, and intervention acceptability and adherence (p < 0.05).
CONCLUSION
Enrollment and retention were adequate. The Fitbit and counseling were the most helpful. Acceptability and adherence varied based on participant characteristics; therefore, intervention tailoring and further research among cancer survivors less physically active at baseline and most in need of complex exercise intervention are needed.
CLINICALTRIALS
gov NCT03515356.
PubMed: 38954929
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejon.2024.102649 -
Journal, Physical Therapy Education Jun 2024Given the impetus to improve accessibility for diverse learners seeking physical therapist education, it is critical that all entry points to access information have...
INTRODUCTION
Given the impetus to improve accessibility for diverse learners seeking physical therapist education, it is critical that all entry points to access information have minimal barriers. This study identified Web site accessibility barriers among Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs in the United States.
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
Web site accessibility has been evaluated among many institutions of higher education, but none focused on DPT education. Individuals with disabilities may be adversely affected by Web site accessibility barriers.
SUBJECTS
This cross-sectional study included 262 DPT programs in the United States. Doctor of Physical Therapy program characteristics collected were geographic region, institutional control type (public/private), medical school affiliation, accreditation status, total institutional enrollment, and DPT class size.
METHODS
The Web Accessibility Evaluation (WAVE) Tool assessed data related to accessibility barriers among DPT program homepage Uniform Resource Locators. Three primary outcomes from the WAVE Tool included WAVE Total Errors, Error Density, and Total Alerts.
RESULTS
Web site homepage accessibility barriers varied among programs for WAVE Total Errors (range 0-150), Error Density (range 0-14.6%), and Total Alerts (range 1-331). Median Total Errors were greater among private (9.0) versus public (5.0) institution Web sites (P < .001). Median Total Errors were greater among those institutions not affiliated with a medical school (9.0) compared with those that had an affiliated medical school (7.0) (P = .04). No differences in accessibility barriers were identified according to geographic region or accreditation status (P > .05). Median Total Errors were significantly different between institutional enrollment quartiles (H[3] = 17.9, P < .001), with no differences noted between DPT class size quartiles for any outcome (P > .05). Generally, weak-fair inverse correlations were observed between student enrollment for the institution and Web site accessibility barrier outcomes.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION
Homepage accessibility barriers varied greatly among DPT programs in the United States. Factors, including being a private institution, no medical school affiliation, and lower institutional enrollment, were related to increased accessibility barriers.
PubMed: 38954766
DOI: 10.1097/JTE.0000000000000357 -
Journal, Physical Therapy Education Jun 2024The 2 aims of this observational study are (a) to describe the implementation and feasibility of a bed mobility skills simulation-based mastery learning (SBML)...
INTRODUCTION
The 2 aims of this observational study are (a) to describe the implementation and feasibility of a bed mobility skills simulation-based mastery learning (SBML) curricular module for physical therapist students and (b) to measure learning outcomes and student perceptions of this module.
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
Simulation-based mastery learning is an outcome-based educational approach that has been successful in other health professions but has not been explored in physical therapy education.
SUBJECTS
Eighty-seven students in a single cohort of a Doctor of Physical Therapy program.
METHODS
The SBML module in this pretest-posttest study included a pretest, instruction, initial posttest, and additional rounds of instruction and assessment as needed for all learners to achieve the minimum passing standard (MPS) set using the Mastery Angoff and Patient Safety methods. Outcome measures were bed mobility assessment pass rates and scores, additional student and faculty time compared with a traditional approach, and student perceptions of their self-confidence and the module.
RESULTS
All students achieved the MPS after 3 rounds of training and assessment beyond the initial posttest. Mean Total Scores improved from 67.6% (12.9%) at pretest to 91.4% (4.8%) at mastery posttest (P < .001, Cohen's d = 1.8, 95% CI [1.4-2.1]); mean Safety Scores improved from 75.2% (16.0%) at pretest to 100.0% (0.0%) at mastery posttest (P < .001, Cohen's d = 1.5, 95% CI [1.2-1.9]). Students who did not achieve the MPS at the initial posttest (n = 30) required a mean of 1.2 hours for additional instruction and assessment. Survey results revealed an increase in student confidence (P < .001) and positive student perceptions of the module.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION
Implementation of this SBML module was feasible and resulted in uniformly high levels of bed mobility skill acquisition. Based on rigorous learning outcomes, feasible requirements for implementation, and increased student confidence, SBML offers a promising approach for wider implementation in physical therapy education.
PubMed: 38954765
DOI: 10.1097/JTE.0000000000000358 -
American Journal of Physical Medicine &... Jul 2024This study aimed to assess the effects of aquatic therapy in individuals with hemiplegia compared to those of a conventional land-based exercise program.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to assess the effects of aquatic therapy in individuals with hemiplegia compared to those of a conventional land-based exercise program.
DESIGN
This was a blinded, randomized controlled study of chronic stroke patients with hemiplegia. The participants were randomized in to aquatic therapy (experimental) or conventional therapy (control) groups. The aquatic therapy group conducted the exercise program in a swimming pool, and the conventional therapy group performed to an exercise on the land environment three times per week for six weeks. Both interventions focused on posture, balance, and weight-bearing exercises. Outcomes included the Berg Balance Scale, Brunnstrom scale, Motricity Index, muscle strength tests, Modified Ashworth Scale, Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke, Trunk Control Test and Functional Independence Measure. Also, postural sway was evaluated by using the variables of center of pressure displacements in the mediolateral and anteroposterior directions.
RESULTS
The findings of the present study show that the experimental group (26 patients) exhibited significant improvements in spasticity compared to the control group (25 patients) (p = 0.01). The conventional therapy group also achieved significant improvements (p < 0.05) in anteroposterior deviation, mediolateral velocity, and total velocity of center of pressure in a sitting position with eyes closed.
CONCLUSION
Land-based exercises were more beneficial in the spasticity of chronic stroke patients.
PubMed: 38954645
DOI: 10.1097/PHM.0000000000002589 -
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology : JDD Jul 2024Dermatologists routinely see patients with inflammatory skin conditions and aesthetic concerns that involve substantial psychological comorbidity. However, most... (Review)
Review
Dermatologists routinely see patients with inflammatory skin conditions and aesthetic concerns that involve substantial psychological comorbidity. However, most dermatologists do not receive formal training in this area, and many are unsure how to best help treat certain patients holistically. Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a common and distressing psychiatric condition that disproportionately impacts dermatology patients, including patients living with chronic inflammatory skin conditions such as acne and atopic dermatitis. BDD is characterized by preoccupation with nonexistent or minimally noticeable flaws in physical appearance that cause clinically significant distress or impairment in functioning. Adolescent populations may be particularly vulnerable to clinically significant body image dissatisfaction, including BDD, due to the high prevalence of acne and the pervasive role of social media platforms. The rise of social media may exacerbate body image issues through repetitive exposure to idealized and often unrealistic beauty standards. Though screening questionnaires can assist dermatologists in recognizing BDD, dermatologists must collaborate with mental health providers to provide comprehensive care to vulnerable patients, including adolescents.J Drugs Dermatol. 2024;23(7):545-550. doi:10.36849/JDD.8156.
Topics: Humans; Body Dysmorphic Disorders; Adolescent; Body Image; Acne Vulgaris; Body Dissatisfaction; Dermatology; Social Media; Dermatitis, Atopic; Dermatologists
PubMed: 38954625
DOI: 10.36849/JDD.8156 -
Journal of Traumatic Stress Jul 2024The heterogeneity of the core symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), high rates of comorbid mental and physical health conditions, and substantial impact of...
The heterogeneity of the core symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), high rates of comorbid mental and physical health conditions, and substantial impact of the disorder on functioning and well-being contribute to complex clinical presentations that can be challenging to treat. Despite these challenges, there are excellent manualized treatments for PTSD with significant empirical support. Although the success of frontline treatments for PTSD is evident, there remains room for improvement as indicated by suboptimal response and attrition rates. To address challenges to optimal therapy outcomes (COTOs), researchers have conducted numerous clinical trials designed to (a) enhance the core structure of treatment protocols to increase flexibility or (b) expand the protocols to address comorbid conditions that inhibit recovery. However, it is implausible to ever conduct the number of enhancement and expansion clinical trials necessary to test manual modifications for the universe of possible COTOs. This conceptual review describes the concept of a personalized model of therapy that leverages a case formulation approach to implementing an evidence-based treatment for PTSD. This personalized approach provides guidance for the clinician in assessing the patient's COTOs, monitoring them throughout treatment, and relying on the patient's idiosyncratic data to inform treatment decisions, including how and when to diverge from treatment when clinically indicated and ensuring a clear path to return to trauma-focused work when the COTO is stabilized. This personalized, case formulation approach to treating PTSD provides guidance for adopting a more flexible approach to treating clinically complex patients while ensuring fidelity to the protocol.
PubMed: 38954530
DOI: 10.1002/jts.23073