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Wiadomosci Lekarskie (Warsaw, Poland :... 2024Aim: To analyze the feasibility of utilizing a digital tool such as a chatbot at the primary health care level as part of a health program.
OBJECTIVE
Aim: To analyze the feasibility of utilizing a digital tool such as a chatbot at the primary health care level as part of a health program.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
Materials and Methods: With the involvement of a general practitioner and the use of a digital tool, a chatbot, a three-month health program was conducted for employees of an IT company. The chatbot was used to collect information, monitor the health status of participants and provide personalized health recommendations. To evaluate the program's effectiveness survey was conducted to compare participants answers before and after using standardized evaluation scales. A questionnaire based on the Evaluation and Management Services Guide was created to collect medical information on the health status of participants before and after the program.
RESULTS
Results: After the program, the average total score of participants' health complaints and symptoms decreased (from 27.1 to 16.1, p=0.019). The average severity of the chief complaint on a scale of 0 to 10 decreased from 5.08 to 2.27, or by 55.3% (p=0.00676). The frequency of individual complaints such as eye pain, decreased concentration, increased fatigue and irritability also dropped.
CONCLUSION
Conclusions: The chatbot enabled the primary care physician to respond promptly to participants' health complaints. The results demonstrated the potential of chatbots as innovative and accessible digital tools at the primary health care level for providing recommendations, monitoring health, and contacting a primary care physician in a timely manner.
Topics: Humans; Primary Health Care; Female; Male; Surveys and Questionnaires; Adult; Middle Aged
PubMed: 38865613
DOI: 10.36740/WLek202404101 -
Journal of Occupational Health Jun 2024Although vaccines have promoted the socioeconomic normalization of the new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), adverse effects on work performance due to the...
OBJECTIVE
Although vaccines have promoted the socioeconomic normalization of the new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), adverse effects on work performance due to the post-vaccination side effects have been reported. Thus, we examined the relationship between the status of going to work the day following vaccination as a post-vaccination employment consideration and work performance among the Japanese workers in the manufacturing industry.
METHODS
Overall, 1,273 employees who received the COVID-19 vaccine in a Japanese manufacturing district were surveyed using a self-administered web-based questionnaire that included fever, fatigue, workplace attendance the day after vaccination, work performance one week after vaccination, and the demographic and occupational characteristics (age, gender, work style, and psychological distress [K6 scale]). The effects of fatigue and attendance on declining work performance were estimated using a linear mixed model, with individuals as random effects and the rest as fixed effects.
RESULTS
After adjusting for the demographic and occupational characteristics, the third-order interaction of fever, fatigue, and attendance on the day following vaccination was significant. The non-attendance group had a significantly higher work performance than the attendance group in those without fever and long-term fatigue [F(1, 1559)=4.9, p=0.026] and with fever and short-term fatigue [F(1, 1559)=5.9, p=0.015]. Fever and workplace attendance the following day were not directly related to a decrease in work performance after vaccination.
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that non-attendance at the workplace is associated with work performance due to the side effects after COVID-19 vaccination.
PubMed: 38865583
DOI: 10.1093/joccuh/uiae030 -
Neuropsychology Review Jun 2024To effectively diagnose and treat subjective cognitive symptoms in post-acute sequalae of COVID-19 (PASC), it is important to understand objective cognitive impairment... (Review)
Review
To effectively diagnose and treat subjective cognitive symptoms in post-acute sequalae of COVID-19 (PASC), it is important to understand objective cognitive impairment across the range of acute COVID-19 severity. Despite the importance of this area of research, to our knowledge, there are no current meta-analyses of objective cognitive functioning following non-severe initial SARS-CoV-2 infection. The aim of this meta-analysis is to describe objective cognitive impairment in individuals with non-severe (mild or moderate) SARS-CoV-2 cases in the post-acute stage of infection. This meta-analysis was pre-registered with Prospero (CRD42021293124) and utilized the PRISMA checklist for reporting guidelines, with screening conducted by at least two independent reviewers for all aspects of the screening and data extraction process. Fifty-nine articles (total participants = 22,060) with three types of study designs met our full criteria. Individuals with non-severe (mild/moderate) initial SARS-CoV-2 infection demonstrated worse objective cognitive performance compared to healthy comparison participants. However, those with mild (nonhospitalized) initial SARS-CoV-2 infections had better objective cognitive performance than those with moderate (hospitalized but not requiring ICU care) or severe (hospitalized with ICU care) initial SARS-CoV-2 infections. For studies that used normative data comparisons instead of healthy comparison participants, there was a small and nearly significant effect when compared to normative data. There were high levels of heterogeneity (88.6 to 97.3%), likely reflecting small sample sizes and variations in primary study methodology. Individuals who have recovered from non-severe cases of SARS-CoV-2 infections may be at risk for cognitive decline or impairment and may benefit from cognitive health interventions.
PubMed: 38862725
DOI: 10.1007/s11065-024-09642-6 -
Scientific Reports Jun 2024Post-COVID Syndrome has emerged as a significant public health concern worldwide with increasing evidence to suggest that individuals who have had an acute COVID-19...
Post-COVID Syndrome has emerged as a significant public health concern worldwide with increasing evidence to suggest that individuals who have had an acute COVID-19 infection report lingering memory and attention difficulties, even in individuals who have fully recovered and no longer experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. The present study sought to investigate the profile of objective and subjective cognitive difficulties in people who have Post-COVID Syndrome, people who have fully recovered from an acute COVID infection and people who have never had COVID-19. We further sought to explore the extent to which self-reported fatigue and stress are related to subjective and objective cognitive difficulties. 162 participants including 50 people living with Post-COVID Syndrome, 59 people who have had COVID-19 but have fully recovered and 53 people who have never experienced symptoms of COVID-19 and had never tested positive for COVID-19 were recruited from Academic Prolific to complete a series of online questionnaires and neurocognitive tasks. Subjective cognitive function was measured using the Cognitive Failures Questionnaire and objective cognitive function was measured using the Cognitron cognitive test battery. We found that objective and subjective measures of cognitive function were not significantly related, suggesting that self-reports of "brain fog" are not reflecting objectively measured cognitive dysfunction. A MANOVA revealed that subjective cognitive deficits were driven by heightened perceived stress and fatigue and not significantly related to COVID-19 status. Objective cognitive function, however, was significantly related to perceived stress and COVID status whereby we observed significant objective cognitive deficits in people who have been exposed to an acute COVID-19 infection regardless of whether they had Post-COVID Syndrome or had fully recovered, as compared to people who had never had COVID-19. This suggests that an acute infection can have long term effects on cognitive function, even without persistent COVID-19 symptoms. Encouragingly, objective cognitive function was significantly associated with time since initial infection showing that cognitive deficits improved over time for people who had recovered from COVID-19. However, we did not observe the same improvement in individuals with Post-COVID Syndrome and observed that cognitive dysfunction was significantly related to the number of neurological symptoms presently experienced. These results add to the accumulating literature that COVID-19 is associated with significant cognitive difficulties following a COVID-19 infection, which appear to improve over time for those who have recovered from COVID-19 yet persist in people living with Post-COVID Syndrome.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; Male; Female; Middle Aged; Adult; Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome; Cognition; SARS-CoV-2; Fatigue; Neuropsychological Tests; Surveys and Questionnaires; Stress, Psychological; Cognitive Dysfunction; Aged; Self Report
PubMed: 38862569
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-62050-x -
Annals of Surgery Jun 2024To investigate the initial set of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in the ACS NSQIP and their associations with 30-day surgical outcomes.
Adding Patient-Reported Outcomes to the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program: Results of the First 33,842 Patients from 65 Hospitals.
OBJECTIVES
To investigate the initial set of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in the ACS NSQIP and their associations with 30-day surgical outcomes.
BACKGROUND
PROs provide important information that can be used to improve routine care and facilitate quality improvement. The ACS conducted a demonstration project to capture PROs into the NSQIP to complement clinical data.
METHODS
From 2/2020-3/2023, 65 hospitals collected PROMIS measures assessing global health, pain interference, fatigue, and physical function from patients accrued into the NSQIP. Using multivariable mixed regression, we compared the scores of patients with and without 30-day complications and further analyzed scores exceeding one standard deviation (1-SD) worse than national benchmarks.
RESULTS
Overall, 33842 patients completed the PROMIS measures a median 58 days (IQR 47-72) postoperatively. Among patients without complications (n=31210), 33.9% had PRO scores 1-SD worse than national benchmarks. Patients with complications were 1.7-times more likely to report worse PROs (95% CI 1.6-1.8). Patients with complications had lower scores for global physical health (adjusted mean difference [AMD] 2.6, 95% CI 2.2-3.0), lower for global mental health (AMD 1.8, 95% CI 1.4-2.2), higher for pain interference (AMD 2.4, 95% CI 2.0-2.8), higher fatigue (AMD 2.7, 95% CI 2.3-3.1), and lower physical function (AMD 3.2, 95% CI 2.8-3.5).
CONCLUSIONS
Postoperative complications negatively affect multiple key dimensions of patients' health-related quality of life. PROs were well below national benchmarks for many patients, even among those without complications. Identifying solutions to improve PROs after surgery thus remains a tremendous quality opportunity.
PubMed: 38860381
DOI: 10.1097/SLA.0000000000006382 -
Trials Jun 2024Insomnia is a highly prevalent disorder associated with numerous adverse health outcomes. Cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is recommended as first-line... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
BACKGROUND
Insomnia is a highly prevalent disorder associated with numerous adverse health outcomes. Cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is recommended as first-line treatment by clinical guidelines but is accessible to only a minority of patients suffering from insomnia. Internet-delivered CBT-I (iCBT-I) could contribute to the widespread dissemination of this first-line treatment. As there is insufficient evidence regarding non-inferiority, this study directly aims to compare therapist-guided internet-delivered versus face-to-face CBT-I in terms of insomnia severity post-treatment. Furthermore, a health-economic evaluation will be conducted, and potential benefits and disadvantages of therapist-guided iCBT-I will be examined.
METHODS
This study protocol describes a randomised controlled two-arm parallel-group non-inferiority trial comparing therapist-guided iCBT-I with face-to-face CBT-I in routine clinical care. A total of 422 patients with insomnia disorder will be randomised and treated at 16 study centres throughout Germany. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline, 10 weeks after randomisation (post), and 6 months after randomisation (follow-up). The primary outcome is insomnia severity measured using the Insomnia Severity Index. Secondary outcomes include depression-related symptoms, quality of life, fatigue, physical activity, daylight exposure, adverse events related to treatment, and a health-economic evaluation. Finally, potential moderator variables and several descriptive and exploratory outcomes will be assessed (e.g. benefits and disadvantages of internet-delivered treatment).
DISCUSSION
The widespread implementation of CBT-I is a significant healthcare challenge. The non-inferiority of therapist-guided iCBT-I versus face-to-face CBT-I will be investigated in an adequately powered sample in routine clinical care, with the same therapeutic content and same level of therapist qualifications provided with both interventions. If this trial demonstrates the non-inferiority of therapist-guided iCBT-I, healthcare providers may be more confident recommending this treatment to their patients, contributing to the wider dissemination of CBT-I.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
Trial registration number in the German Clinical Trials Register: DRKS00028153 ( https://drks.de/search/de/trial/DRKS00028153 ). Registered on 16th May 2023.
Topics: Humans; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Treatment Outcome; Internet-Based Intervention; Equivalence Trials as Topic; Quality of Life; Germany; Multicenter Studies as Topic; Internet; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Time Factors; Severity of Illness Index
PubMed: 38858707
DOI: 10.1186/s13063-024-08214-6 -
Journal of Safety Research Jun 2024Prolonged operation of construction equipment could lead to mental fatigue, which can increase the chances of human error-related accidents as well as operators'...
INTRODUCTION
Prolonged operation of construction equipment could lead to mental fatigue, which can increase the chances of human error-related accidents as well as operators' ill-health. The objective detection of operators' mental fatigue is crucial for reducing accident risk and ensuring operator health. Electroencephalography, photoplethysmography, electrodermal activity, and eye-tracking technology have been used to mitigate this issue. These technologies are invasive and wearable sensors that can cause irritation and discomfort. Geometric measurements of facial features can serve as a noninvasive alternative approach. Its application in detecting mental fatigue of construction equipment operators has not been reported in the literature. Although the application of facial features has been widespread in other domains, such as drivers and other occupation scenarios, their ecological validity for construction excavator operators remains a knowledge gap.
METHOD
This study proposed employing geometric measurements of facial features to detect mental fatigue in construction equipment operators' facial features. In this study, seventeen operators performed excavation operations. Mental fatigue was labeled subjectively and objectively using NASA-TLX scores and EDA values. Based on geometric measurements, facial features (eyebrow, mouth outer, mouth corners, head motion, eye area, and face area) were extracted.
RESULTS
The results showed that there was significant difference in the measured metrics for high fatigue compared to low fatigue. Specifically, the most noteworthy variation was for the eye and face area metrics, with mean differences of 45.88% and 26.9%, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
The findings showed that geometrical measurements of facial features are a useful, noninvasive approach for detecting the mental fatigue of construction equipment operators.
Topics: Humans; Mental Fatigue; Adult; Male; Face; Construction Industry; Young Adult
PubMed: 38858047
DOI: 10.1016/j.jsr.2024.01.013 -
Work (Reading, Mass.) Jun 2024Shift work affects the mental and physical health of nurses, yet the effect of working irregular shifts on sleep and its association with the need for recovery is...
BACKGROUND
Shift work affects the mental and physical health of nurses, yet the effect of working irregular shifts on sleep and its association with the need for recovery is under-explored.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to investigate the sleep quality of nurses working irregular shifts, including night shifts, and to determine whether sleep quality is associated with the need for recovery.
METHODS
This cross-sectional study included 405 nurses working irregular shifts. Data were collected using an online questionnaire that included sociodemographic characteristics, the Sleep-Wake Experience List, sleep problems, sleep duration, and the Need for Recovery scale. Data analyses included descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, t-tests, logistic and multiple linear regressions.
RESULTS
Nurses who worked irregular shifts had poor sleep quality. Those who also worked night shifts, had significantly poorer sleep quality and experienced more difficulties in daily functioning than those who did not work night shifts. Sleep quality was significantly associated with the need for recovery and this remained so after controlling for confounding variables (β= .554, p = .001).
CONCLUSION
The findings indicate that in nurses who work irregular shifts, the sleep quality is low. In this group, the sleep quality in nurses who work night shifts is lower than in nurses who do not work night shifts. Furthermore, better sleep quality was associated with lower need for recovery. These findings suggest that improving sleep quality in nurses working irregular shifts may lower their need for recovery, which may improve health, and reduce burnout and sickness absence.
PubMed: 38848155
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-230500 -
Medicine Jun 2024Mindfulness-Based Cancer Recovery (MBCR) program is a group course training for cancer patients that combines cancer knowledge and psychological knowledge, emphasizing...
Effects of Mindfulness-Based Cancer Recovery training on anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and cancer-related fatigue in breast neoplasm patients undergoing chemotherapy.
RATIONALE
Mindfulness-Based Cancer Recovery (MBCR) program is a group course training for cancer patients that combines cancer knowledge and psychological knowledge, emphasizing focusing on the psychosomatic symptoms of cancer patients. Currently, the application value of Mindfulness-Based Cancer Recovery in improving psychosomatic health of cancer patients has been confirmed, however, its intervention effect on breast neoplasm patients has not yet been widely studied in China.
PATIENT CONCERNS AND DIAGNOSES
This study introduced the Mindfulness-Based Cancer Recovery protocol into the rehabilitation process of breast cancer patients, aiming to elucidate the effects of Mindfulness-Based Cancer Recovery on anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and cancer-related fatigue in breast neoplasm patients, to provide a practical basis for improving the physical and mental health of breast cancer patients.
INTERVENTION
In this study, 80 patients with chemotherapy-stage breast neoplasm attending the oncology department of a tertiary-level hospital from January 2022 to December 2022 were selected, 40 patients attending from January 2022 to June 2022 were included in the study group, and 40 patients attending from July 2022 to December 2022 were included in the control group. The control group was administered conventional care, and the study group was administered Mindfulness-Based Cancer Recovery based on conventional care in the control group for 8 weeks. After the intervention, hospital anxiety and depression scale, impact of event scale-revised, and cancer fatigue scale were used for evaluation.
OUTCOMES
After the intervention, hospital anxiety and depression scale scores decreased in both groups compared with pre-intervention, with the study group scoring lower than the control group (P < .05). After the intervention, the impact of event scale-revised scores of the 2 groups decreased from the preintervention period, with the study group scoring lower than the control group (P < .05). After the intervention, cancer fatigue scale scores decreased in the 2 groups compared with the preintervention period, with the study group scoring lower than the control group (P < .05).
LESSONS
Mindfulness-Based Cancer Recovery can effectively reduce the levels of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder in breast neoplasm patients undergoing chemotherapy, reduce the levels of cancer-related fatigue, and promote the physical and mental health of patients.
Topics: Humans; Mindfulness; Female; Breast Neoplasms; Middle Aged; Fatigue; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; Anxiety; Depression; Adult; China; Antineoplastic Agents
PubMed: 38847730
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000038460 -
Sleep Science (Sao Paulo, Brazil) Jun 2024To compare the effects of strength training with load progression after 4 weeks on sleep parameters and mental health in college students. A total of 17...
To compare the effects of strength training with load progression after 4 weeks on sleep parameters and mental health in college students. A total of 17 university students (11 women, 6 men), ranging from 18 to 21 years old, were randomized into a strength training group (STG) and a control group (CG). The Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), insomnia severity questionnaire, hospital anxiety and depression (HAD) scale, profile of mood states (POMS), and chronotype were used to evaluate the main outcomes. Training consisted of 60 minute·d (2 times/week, for 4-weeks), with 3 sets of 10 to 12 repetitions, and a 1-minute rest interval between sets and exercises. Baseline and postintervention differences were analyzed using generalized estimating equations (GEE). After 4 weeks of ST, a significant time effect on the chronotype (β: 1.33; < 0.05) was observed in the STG. Additionally, there was a significant time and group effect in the reduction of tension (β: 5.00; < 0.05), depression (β: 15.41; < 0.05), anger (β: 8.00; < 0.05), and confusion (β: 6.50; < 0.05). For fatigue (β: 2.66; < 0.05), there was a significant time effect difference in its reduction. Vigor was meaningfully increased in the STG group (β: -1.75; < 0.05). Furthermore, a significant positive relationship was observed between sleep quality and anxiety (r = 0.54; = 0.03). Finally, insomnia was positively related with an increase in confusion (r = 0.70; = 0.04) and anxiety (r = 0.52; = 0.04), as well as with a decrease in vigor (r = -0.71; = 0.03). Short-term strength training for 4 weeks was effective for improving mental health, helping achieve characteristics of a positive mood profile, that is, low values for negative factors and a high value for the positive factor.
PubMed: 38846591
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1777781