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Frontiers in Psychology 2023Investigation of the psychological impact on soccer athletes during the pandemic is essential given their unique challenges, including training disruptions and...
INTRODUCTION
Investigation of the psychological impact on soccer athletes during the pandemic is essential given their unique challenges, including training disruptions and competition postponements. Understanding these effects will allow the development of specific strategies to preserve the mental health and performance of elite athletes, contributing to effective interventions with both short and long-term benefits.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the psychological aspects and mental health of elite soccer athletes.
METHOD
The review adhered to PRISMA criteria, and the study protocol was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42022341545). Searches were conducted until July 2023 in databases including Cochrane, PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science. Only original, peer-reviewed studies in English, Portuguese, or Spanish assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the psychological aspects and mental health of elite soccer athletes were included.
RESULTS
The search identified 1,055 records and 43 studies were included in this review between 2020 and 2023. In total, the sample included 16,321 soccer athletes of different age groups. Anxiety, depression, mood states, and mental well-being were the most investigated variables. Increased levels of anxiety, depression, and worsening mental well-being were observed in elite soccer athletes. Maintaining fitness during the pandemic showed positive results. Other variables, such as coping, resilience, and sleep quality monitoring, were less widely investigated. Evaluating methodological quality was considered regular for observational and experimental studies.
CONCLUSION
The study reveals a negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on elite soccer athletes, considering psychological aspects and their mental health, notably heightened anxiety and depression. Observational methods predominated, showing mood swings linked to individual characteristics and fitness maintenance efforts. Studies with better-designed methodological approaches and controlled experimental interventions are recommended in the future to mitigate the negative effects of the pandemic on soccer players.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?, identifier (CRD42022341545).
PubMed: 38333426
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1295652 -
Brazilian Journal of Physical Therapy 2023Individuals with Parkinson's disease present arm swing alterations that can adversely affect their locomotion. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Individuals with Parkinson's disease present arm swing alterations that can adversely affect their locomotion.
OBJECTIVE
To identify differences in arm swing asymmetry (ASA) between individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) and healthy individuals and to investigate the relationship between ASA, temporal-spatial gait parameters, and disease progression.
METHODS
A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, ProQuest, Web of Science, and EBSCOhost up to February 2023. Cross-sectional studies evaluating parameters of arm swing (AS) and ASA were included. Methodological quality was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Checklist, and the quality of the evidence was measured with a modified Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation.
RESULTS
Fourteen studies were included in the systematic review (1130 participants). Irrespective of the medication phase (ON or OFF) and the type of walk test employed, the meta-analysis showed moderate-quality evidence that individuals with PD have increased ASA amplitude (SMD = 0.84; 95% CI: 0.69, 0.99; I²= 0%).Very low-quality evidence suggests higher ASA velocity (SMD=0.64; 95% CI: 0.24, 1.05; I²=59%) and lower AS amplitude on both the most affected (ES = -1.99, 95% CI: -3.04, -0.94, I: 91%) and the least affected sides (ES = -0.75, 95% CI: -1.05, -0.44; I²=66%). Meta-regression indicated that ASA is inversely related to disease duration (Z: -2.4892, P< 0.05) and motor symptoms progression (Z: -2.1336, P< 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Regardless of the medication phase and the type of walk test employed, individuals with PD exhibited greater ASA and decreased AS amplitude than healthy individuals. ASA decreases as the disease progresses and symptoms worsen.
Topics: Humans; Parkinson Disease; Walking; Arm; Cross-Sectional Studies; Biomechanical Phenomena; Gait
PubMed: 37980716
DOI: 10.1016/j.bjpt.2023.100559 -
Psychiatria Danubina Oct 2023Depressive disorders are characterized by fluctuating symptom severity, and developing an individual prognostic model for relapse is crucial for effective prevention....
BACKGROUND
Depressive disorders are characterized by fluctuating symptom severity, and developing an individual prognostic model for relapse is crucial for effective prevention. Chronobiological factors are poorly understood in this context.
METHODS
A systematic search was conducted to identify articles related to the prognosis of depression recurrence based on chronobiological factors. Relevant clinical studies were included, while reviews and case reports were excluded. A total of 14 articles were selected for review.
RESULTS
The included articles focused on various chronobiological factors, including circadian biorhythms, individual chronotype, mood swings, seasonal patterns, diurnal cortisol fluctuations, and light therapy. The accuracy of personified prognosis ranged from 22.7% to 93.8%, and the prognostic value of specific predictors in group prognosis varied from 23.9% to 54%. Methodological differences and limitations hindered direct comparison and clinical applicability.
CONCLUSIONS
Developing precise and practical models for depression recurrence prognosis remains limited. Parameters of circadian rhythm showed the highest accuracy for short-term prognosis, and the use of digital technologies, including AI, enhanced prognostic value. Relapse seasonality had limited practical applicability. Integrating other chronobiological factors into prognostic models requires further research. Utilizing digital technologies, including AI, can improve the accuracy and range of personified prognosis. Only a few selected parameters of the human chronobiological system were considered in the examined studies. There are indications of the other chronobiological factors that could be included in the integrated prognostic model of recurrence for its further improvement.
Topics: Humans; Depression; Prognosis; Mood Disorders; Circadian Rhythm; Recurrence
PubMed: 37800204
DOI: No ID Found -
BMC Rheumatology Aug 2023The psychological burden in people with inflammatory arthritis is substantial, yet little is known about the disease-related affect experienced by individuals with axial...
BACKGROUND
The psychological burden in people with inflammatory arthritis is substantial, yet little is known about the disease-related affect experienced by individuals with axial Spondyloarthritis (axial SpA). The aim of this study was to conduct a qualitative evidence synthesis and a review of social media to explore the emotional impact of living with axial SpA.
METHODS
We searched nine databases for studies reporting qualitative data about participants' emotional experience of living with axial SpA. In addition, we searched social media platforms for posts from people with axial SpA based in the UK that offered insights into emotional responses to living with the condition. We employed a thematic approach to synthesise the data.
RESULTS
We included 27 studies (1314 participants; 72% men) in our qualitative evidence synthesis and developed seven descriptive themes from the data: 1) delayed diagnosis: a barrier to emotional wellbeing; 2) disruptive symptoms: a source of mood swings; 3) work disability: a loss of self-esteem; 4) obstacles in interpersonal relationships: a trigger of distress; 5) taking up exercise: personal pride or unwelcomed reminders; 6) anti-TNF therapy: hope reignited despite concerns and 7) a journey of acceptance: worry mixed with hope. Posts extracted from social media fora (537; 48% from women) for the most part supported the seven themes. One additional theme-COVID-19, uncertainty and anxiety during the pandemic, was developed, reflecting common emotions expressed during the UK's first wave of the coronavirus pandemic.
CONCLUSION
This study highlights a preponderance of negative affect experienced by people living with axial SpA, conditioned through existing and anticipated symptoms, failed expectations, and lost sense of self. Given the bidirectional relationships between negative emotions and inflammation, negative emotions and perceptions of pain, and the influence of affect in self-care behaviours, this finding has important implications for treatment and management of people with axial SpA.
PubMed: 37608395
DOI: 10.1186/s41927-023-00351-w -
PLOS Global Public Health 2023It is unclear whether the literature on adolescent gender dysphoria (GD) provides evidence to inform clinical decision making adequately. In the final of a series of...
It is unclear whether the literature on adolescent gender dysphoria (GD) provides evidence to inform clinical decision making adequately. In the final of a series of three papers, we sought to review published evidence systematically regarding the types of treatment being implemented among adolescents with GD, the age when different treatment types are instigated, and any outcomes measured within adolescence. Having searched PROSPERO and the Cochrane library for existing systematic reviews (and finding none at that time), we searched Ovid Medline 1946 -October week 4 2020, Embase 1947-present (updated daily), CINAHL 1983-2020, and PsycInfo 1914-2020. The final search was carried out on 2nd November 2020 using a core strategy including search terms for 'adolescence' and 'gender dysphoria' which was adapted according to the structure of each database. Papers were excluded if they did not clearly report on clinically-likely gender dysphoria, if they were focused on adult populations, if they did not include original data (epidemiological, clinical, or survey) on adolescents (aged at least 12 and under 18 years), or if they were not peer-reviewed journal publications. From 6202 potentially relevant articles (post deduplication), 19 papers from 6 countries representing between 835 and 1354 participants were included in our final sample. All studies were observational cohort studies, usually using retrospective record review (14); all were published in the previous 11 years (median 2018). There was significant overlap of study samples (accounted for in our quantitative synthesis). All papers were rated by two reviewers using the Crowe Critical Appraisal Tool v1·4 (CCAT). The CCAT quality ratings ranged from 71% to 95%, with a mean of 82%. Puberty suppression (PS) was generally induced with Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone analogues (GnRHa), and at a pooled mean age of 14.5 (±1.0) years. Cross Sex Hormone (CSH) therapy was initiated at a pooled mean of 16.2 (±1.0) years. Twenty-five participants from 2 samples were reported to have received surgical intervention (24 mastectomy, one vaginoplasty). Most changes to health parameters were inconclusive, except an observed decrease in bone density z-scores with puberty suppression, which then increased with hormone treatment. There may also be a risk for increased obesity. Some improvements were observed in global functioning and depressive symptoms once treatment was started. The most common side effects observed were acne, fatigue, changes in appetite, headaches, and mood swings. Adolescents presenting for GD intervention were usually offered puberty suppression or cross-sex hormones, but rarely surgical intervention. Reporting centres broadly followed established international guidance regarding age of treatment and treatments used. The evidence base for the outcomes of gender dysphoria treatment in adolescents is lacking. It is impossible from the included data to draw definitive conclusions regarding the safety of treatment. There remain areas of concern, particularly changes to bone density caused by puberty suppression, which may not be fully resolved with hormone treatment.
PubMed: 37552651
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0001478 -
PloS One 2023The number of children with mental health problems has more than doubled since the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the effect of long Covid on children's mental health is... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
INTRODUCTION
The number of children with mental health problems has more than doubled since the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the effect of long Covid on children's mental health is still debatable. Recognising long Covid as a risk factor for mental health problems in children will increase awareness and screening for mental health problems following COVID-19 infection, resulting in earlier intervention and lower morbidity. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the proportion of mental health problems post-COVID-19 infection in children and adolescents, and to compare them with the population with no previous COVID-19 infection.
METHODOLOGY
A systematic search was done in seven databases using pre-defined search terms. Cross-sectional, cohort and interventional studies reporting the proportion of mental health problems among children with long COVID in the English language from 2019 to May 2022 were included. Selection of papers, extraction of data and quality assessment were done independently by two reviewers. Studies with satisfactory quality were included in meta-analysis using R and Revman software programmes.
RESULTS
The initial search retrieved 1848 studies. After screening, 13 studies were included in the quality assessments. Meta-analysis showed children who had previous COVID-19 infection had more than two times higher odds of having anxiety or depression, and 14% higher odds of having appetite problems, compared to children with no previous infection. The pooled prevalence of mental health problems among the population were as follows; anxiety: 9%(95% CI:1, 23), depression: 15%(95% CI:0.4, 47), concentration problems: 6%(95% CI: 3, 11), sleep problems: 9%(95% CI:5, 13), mood swings: 13% (95%CI:5, 23) and appetite loss: 5%(95% CI:1, 13). However, studies were heterogenous and lack data from low- and middle-income countries.
CONCLUSION
Anxiety, depression and appetite problems were significantly increased among post-COVID-19 infected children, compared to those without a previous infection, which may be attributed to long COVID. The findings underscore the importance of screening and early intervention of children post-COVID-19 infection at one month and between three to four months.
Topics: Adolescent; Humans; Child; COVID-19; Mental Health; Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome; Pandemics; Prevalence; Cross-Sectional Studies; Anxiety; Depression
PubMed: 37195978
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0282538 -
Psychiatria Danubina Sep 2022The features of bipolar affective disorder (BAD) include mood swings, recurring episodes of mania, depression, and mixed states. Numerous studies of people living with...
BACKGROUND
The features of bipolar affective disorder (BAD) include mood swings, recurring episodes of mania, depression, and mixed states. Numerous studies of people living with BAD have found the presence of cognitive impairments that affect patients' daily social functioning and quality of life. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique recommended for the treatment of bipolar depression (BD). The effect of TMS on cognitive function in BD patients remains mostly unclear.
SUBJECTS AND METHODS
We carried out a systematic search in the databases of PubMed and Scopus for the whole publication period until March 30, 2022. PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) was used to identify all data published in English language and related to the use of TMS in the treatment of depression in BAD and its impact on cognitive function. Articles related to TMS, cognition, and BD were identified using predefined term search algorithms. Articles on clinical trials and case reports were included, but reviews were excluded. The PICOS (Population Intervention Comparison Outputs Study) formula in our review included: P - patients with bipolar depression, I - TMS treatment, C - patients without TMS treatment / placebo TMS, O - changes in cognitive functions, S - all types of original studies.
RESULTS
Within the primary screening for assessment of full texts, 25 documents met our selection criteria to test the effect of TMS on cognitive functioning in BD. Based on a secondary screening of the full-text analysis, 10 articles (N=259 patients) were included into the current review. Among these, the majority of articles were based on the randomized controlled trials (RCTs, N=6), whereas the remaining four presented a case report, an open unblinded study, an open-label study, and a pilot study, respectively. Most of the studies produced mixed result. However, the limited data strongly suggested that TMS is without detriment to cognition in BD patients and is indeed beneficial in specific domains of cognitive function, namely (i) verbal fluency, (ii) verbal memory, and (iii) executive functioning. Small sample sizes, heterogeneity across the study designs, lack of the control groups data in some of the trials, different TMS protocols parameters and outcome measures represent significant limitations for comparing and analyzing the available results.
CONCLUSIONS
Thus, present data on the effects of TMS in improving cognition in BD patients remains limited. To our mind, in order to evaluate properly the effectiveness of TMS in cognitive functioning improvement in BD, there is need for further randomized controlled trials and the corresponding development of the clinical standards for research recommendations. Such studies could define the appropriate methods for valid assessments of cognitive functions, and guide the selection of optimal TMS protocols when planning RCTs. We suggest that efforts should be expended to organize centralized large-scale clinical trials to determine the optimal parameters of TMS procedures and the range of effects of this treatment on various indicators of cognitive functioning in BD. This applies equally to other socially significant mental disorders marked by perturbations in cognitive functioning.
Topics: Bipolar Disorder; Cognition; Humans; Pilot Projects; Quality of Life; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
PubMed: 36170725
DOI: No ID Found -
Journal of Personalized Medicine Sep 2022Mood swings in patients with bipolar disorder (BD) are difficult to control and can lead to self-harm and suicide. The interaction between the therapist and BD will... (Review)
Review
Mood swings in patients with bipolar disorder (BD) are difficult to control and can lead to self-harm and suicide. The interaction between the therapist and BD will determine the success of therapy. The interaction model between the therapist and BD begins by reviewing the models that were previously developed using the Systematic Literature Review and Bibliometric methods. The limit of articles used was sourced from the Science Direct, Google Scholar, and Dimensions databases from 2009 to 2022. The results obtained were 67 articles out of a total of 382 articles, which were then re-selected. The results of the selection of the last articles reviewed were 52 articles. Using VOSviewer version 1.6.16, a visualization of the relationship between the quotes "model", "therapy", "emotions", and "bipolar disorder" can be seen. This study also discusses the types of therapy that can be used by BD, as well as treatment innovations and the mathematical model of the therapy itself. The results of this study are expected to help further researchers to develop an interaction model between therapists and BD to improve the quality of life of BD.
PubMed: 36143254
DOI: 10.3390/jpm12091469 -
Cureus Aug 2022Bipolar disorder (BD) is a mood disorder characterized by severe mood swings and or periods of depression. This study examined the role that practicing yoga has on the... (Review)
Review
Bipolar disorder (BD) is a mood disorder characterized by severe mood swings and or periods of depression. This study examined the role that practicing yoga has on the symptoms of BD. One of the main goals was to identify if patients with BD believe that yoga is a viable treatment option. Six research databases were searched using the keywords "yoga" AND "therapy" AND "BD" AND "bipolar depression." Articles published in 2005 and later were included in the search. After duplicates were removed, and inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, five articles were analyzed and included in this literature review. Results of this review indicate that yoga has been shown to be associated with both benefits and risks for the treatment of BD. Studies have shown that yoga might relieve some symptoms of BD and depression. However, due to the lack of research on the impact of yoga on BD and the small number of studies included in this review, results should be approached with caution. Overall, yoga was well-tolerated in the studies reviewed in this article. Yoga may relieve the symptoms of depression. Future research should analyze the long-term impact of yoga on bipolar depression. Yoga instructional standards should also be considered.
PubMed: 36072189
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.27688 -
Frontiers in Psychiatry 2022Personal recovery from psychiatric disorders is a journey toward a satisfying and hopeful life despite the possible persistence of symptoms. This concept has gained...
Personal recovery from psychiatric disorders is a journey toward a satisfying and hopeful life despite the possible persistence of symptoms. This concept has gained interest and become an increasingly important goal in mental health care programmes. Personal Recovery is well described in the context of severe mental illnesses in general, but little is known about this journey in bipolar disorders and the factors underlying it. A systematic review was conducted according to the PRISMA recommendations, focusing on studies exploring personal recovery in bipolar disorder specifically. The latter have integrated a comprehensive approach to the concept, the existing means of measurement or have explored the levers of recovery in care. Twenty-four articles were selected, including seven qualitative, 12 observational, and five interventional studies. The Bipolar Recovery Questionnaire was the only scale developed from qualitative work with bipolar people. Personal recovery did not correlate very closely with symptomatology. Some elements of personal recovery in bipolar disorder were similar to those in other severe mental illnesses: meaning in life, self-determination, hope, and low self-stigma. Specific levers differed: mental relationships with mood swings, including acceptance and decrease in hypervigilance, and openness to others, including trust and closeness. The studies highlighted the role of caregiver posture and the quality of communication within care, as well as the knowledge gained from peers. The choice to exclude articles not focused on bipolar disorder resulted in the provision of very specific information, and the small number of articles to date may limit the scope of the evidence. New components of personal recovery in bipolar disorder emerged from this review; these components could be taken into account in the construction of care tools, as well as in the caregiving posture. Strengthening skills of openness to others could also be a central target of recovery-focused care.
PubMed: 35815013
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.876761