Brain Sciences

Research

Jump to: Other

12 pages, 1600 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of Gender on Insomnia

by Jolijn Boer, Nadya Höhle, Lisa Rosenblum and Ingo Fietze

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(3), 480; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13030480 - 12 Mar 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2311

Abstract

There is a distinct preponderance of female insomniacs when compared to male insomniacs. The aim of this study was to examine possible gender differences in the causes for insomnia, and the phenotypes of insomnia, and to investigate whether gender-specific insomnia diagnosis and treatment [...] Read more.

There is a distinct preponderance of female insomniacs when compared to male insomniacs. The aim of this study was to examine possible gender differences in the causes for insomnia, and the phenotypes of insomnia, and to investigate whether gender-specific insomnia diagnosis and treatment could be relevant in clinical practice. Data were collected from 121 insomniac patients by a medical specialist in the framework of normal clinical practice in Germany. The data consist of the patient’s medical history and various sleep-related patient questionnaires. Data from both genders were tested for independence using chi-square tests and Mann–Whitney U tests. We found a correlation between the gender of the patient and insomnia phenotypes in several aspects: concomitant lipometabolic disorders, diabetes mellitus, and high BMIs are more common in male insomniacs (p < 0.05). Frequency of insomnia occurrence in certain age groups, insomnia severity, distribution of SOI (sleep onset insomnia), SMI (sleep maintenance insomnia) and combined SOI + SMI, sleep duration, the time needed to seek medical consultation, trying out sleep-inducing drugs/techniques and the trigger, etiology and familial predisposition of the insomniac disorder were independent of the patient’s gender. We would like to re-evaluate the results with a larger number of patients in a further study. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Mental Health)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 858 KiB

Open AccessArticle

How Different Preparation Techniques Affect MRI-Induced Anxiety of MRI Patients: A Preliminary Study

by Zuhal Y. Hamd, Amal I. Alorainy, Lena A. Alrujaee, Maha Y. Alshdayed, Afrah M. Wdaani, Atheer S. Alsubaie, Layal A. Binjardan, Sarab S. Kariri, Rawan A. Alaskari, Marah M. Alsaeed, Mohammed Awad Alharbi, Marzouk Sari. Alotaibi, Nagwan Elhussein and Mayeen Uddin Khandaker

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(3), 416; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13030416 - 27 Feb 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2189

Abstract

Background: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exams may cause patients to feel anxious before or during the scan, which affects the scanning outcome and leads to motion artifacts. Adequate preparation can effectively alleviate patients’ anxiety before the scan. We aimed to assess the effect [...] Read more.

Background: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exams may cause patients to feel anxious before or during the scan, which affects the scanning outcome and leads to motion artifacts. Adequate preparation can effectively alleviate patients’ anxiety before the scan. We aimed to assess the effect of different preparation methods on MRI-induced anxiety: We conducted a prospective randomized study on MRI patients between March and May 2022. We divided 30 patients into two groups: the control group, which received routine preparation (RP), and the experimental group, which received video preparation (VP). We used the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) to measure anxiety levels before and after the interventions. We assessed patients’ self-satisfaction after the scan: After preparation, VP (STAI mean = 10.7500) and RP (STAI mean = 12.7857), we observed a significant association between the pre- and post-STAI results in VP (p = 0.025). The effects of both methods in decreasing anxiety were more significant for first-timers (p = 0.009 in RP/0.014 in VP). We noted high satisfaction levels for both forms of preparation. The VP technique was superior in reducing patient anxiety, especially in first-time MRI patients. Hence, VP techniques can be used in different clinical settings to reduce anxiety and facilitate patients’ understanding of the instructions given. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Mental Health)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Other

Jump to: Research

12 pages, 1396 KiB

Open AccessSystematic Review

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Cognitive Effects of rTMS in Caucasian Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment

by Christiane Licht, Swetlana Herbrandt, Carmen van Meegen, Hartmut Lehfeld, Thomas Hillemacher and Kneginja Richter

Brain Sci. 2023, 13(9), 1335; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13091335 - 17 Sep 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1500

Abstract

In recent years, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has received much attention as a non-invasive, effective treatment modality for mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Although several meta-analyses have reported that rTMS can improve cognitive abilities, improvements in individual memory domains (speech, language, concentration, and [...] Read more.

In recent years, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has received much attention as a non-invasive, effective treatment modality for mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Although several meta-analyses have reported that rTMS can improve cognitive abilities, improvements in individual memory domains (speech, language, concentration, and memory) are poorly understood. In addition, stimulation parameters may be flawed in studies of global populations because of ethnic differences between Caucasians and Asians. This meta-analysis aimed to systematically characterize the efficacy of different combinations of rTMS parameters on different cognitive domains in Caucasian patients with MCI. We conducted a systematic literature search in Medline PubMed, Pubpsych, and Embase on the use of rTMS in MCI patients through November 2022. Randomized, double-blind, and sham-controlled trials (RCTs) from the Caucasian patient population were included. The studies reported outcome measures for different domains of cognition, such as language, concentration, or memory. Possible effects of covariates were examined using meta-regressions. The search yielded five publications. The analyses found that rTMS improved cognitive functions, memory, concentration, and language in patients with MCI and treatment with rTMS compared with the sham stimulation group. The statistical analysis results of the studies showed that rTMS could improve various cognitive functions, such as memory and concentration, in Caucasian MCI patients. A particular effect was found at a frequency of 10 Hz and stimulation of the LDLPFC. However, further studies are needed to validate these findings and explore more effective stimulation protocols and targets. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Mental Health)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

New Mental Health

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Published Papers (3 papers)

Research

Other

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI