Search Results (41)

There is growing evidence that public hospitals in high-income countries—in particular, Anglo-Saxon neoliberal countries (USA, UK, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia)—have been engaging with food retailers to attract private capital and maximise their incomes in a drive to reduce costs. Added to which, public hospital food can have a substantial influence on the health of children and young people. However, there is still relatively little research on food for young people in healthcare settings. This is concerning, as an appropriate food intake is vital not only for the prevention of and recovery from diseases, but also for the physical growth and psychological development of young people. This critical narrative review examined the available evidence on hospital food provision, practices, and environments, as well as children’s experiences of hospitalization in high-income countries, drawing on both peer-reviewed articles and the grey literature. Our analytical lens for this review was the Commercial Determinants of Health (CDOH), a framework that necessitates a critical examination of commercial influences on individual, institutional, and policy practices relevant to health. Our findings illustrate the mechanisms through which the CDOH act as a barrier to healthy food and eating for children in hospitals in high-income countries. Firstly, hospital food environments can be characterised as obesogenic. Secondly, there is a lack of culturally inclusive and appropriate foods on offer in healthcare settings and an abundance of processed and convenience foods. Lastly, individualised eating is fostered in healthcare settings at the expense of commensal eating behaviours that tend to be associated with healthier eating. Public hospitals are increasingly facing commercial pressures. It is extremely important to resist these pressures and to protect patients, especially children and adolescents, from the marketing and selling of foods that have been proven to be addictive and harmful. Full article

This study examines the psychological and psychodynamic factors influencing vaccine hesitancy, focusing on body image and emotional processing. A cross-sectional observational design was used. Participants from five European countries completed the Body Image and Schema Test (BIST). ANOVA analyses compared cognitive, affective, and behavioral traits between pro- and anti-vaccine individuals. Findings indicate that anti-vaccine individuals exhibit higher levels of autonomy, distrust of authority, and emotional intensity, particularly in the form of heightened fear and anger. Their resistance to vaccination is linked to concerns about bodily integrity and a strong sense of self-protection, reflecting deep-seated psychological dispositions. This study highlights the role of defense mechanisms, personality traits, and social influences in shaping vaccine attitudes. By understanding these psychodynamic underpinnings, public health strategies can be better tailored to address vaccine resistance through targeted communication and interventions. The findings provide valuable insights for policymakers and healthcare professionals in designing more effective public health campaigns. The repository Open Science Framework link contains data, a complete presentation of the BIST theoretical framework, and a full description of the meaning of BIST Factors and Items. Full article

Background and Objectives: Exercise-induced hypoalgesia (EIH) is a topic of interest in the scientific community. This umbrella review aimed to analyze EIH research and compare it with public dissemination on X. Materials and Methods: We selected relevant EIH reviews that included a healthy population or patients with pain and studied exercise interventions. A systematic literature search was carried out in PubMed, Web of Science, SciELO, PEDro, and Google Scholar, employing the Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcome strategy. Data were extracted and summarized, and methodological quality was assessed with the Quality Assessment Scale for Systematic Reviews, and risk of bias with the Risk of Bias in Systematic Reviews tool. The Physical Activity Guidelines Advisor Committee was employed for evidence synthesis. Simultaneously, advanced X website searches gathered EIH-related content for analysis. Information from posts on X was qualitatively analyzed and contrasted with evidence in the literature. Results: We included nine systematic reviews and 17 narrative reviews. Systematic reviews presented high methodological quality. However, half had low risk of bias, while the other half presented high risk of bias. The EIH in healthy participants was controversial for some exercise modalities, such as aerobic exercise, and the influence of psychological variables. Modalities, such as isotonic resistance exercise, showed favorable effects on hypoalgesia. However, in patients with musculoskeletal pain, different exercise modalities did not generate EIH. X analysis unveiled a considerable representation of science-related content, although with prevalent misinterpretations of scientific evidence. Conclusions: EIH has been extensively studied, yet the certainty of evidence remains limited. While some exercise modalities demonstrate hypoalgesic effects in asymptomatic individuals, these effects remain unverified in patients with musculoskeletal pain. Moreover, the analysis of social media content highlights frequent misinterpretations of scientific evidence, particularly conflating hypoalgesia with analgesia. This underscores the need for more precise, evidence-based communication on social media platforms. Full article

Background/Objectives: Despite an improved knowledgebase, effective intervention, and guidelines, many patients with depression do not receive adequate treatment and treatment discontinuation and non-response are common. It was intended to explore the challenges clinicians face while managing depression in their clinical practice and their suggestions for solutions. Methods: It was an online survey of 137 psychiatrists in 18 countries including both high and low economies, using a pre-designed questionnaire; with both quantitative and qualitative measures. Results: Antidepressant prescribing appeared close to the evidence-based guidelines. There was frequent use of other medications alongside antidepressants since treatment initiation. There were many challenges in managing depression, such as treatment non-response, resistance, and discontinuation; side effects, mostly sexual problems; inadequate psychological intervention; availability and affordability of treatment modalities; comorbidities, especially substance use and personality disorders; stigma; and lack of education and training. Suggested approaches for solutions included personalized treatment, quicker follow-up, psychoeducation, blending psychological intervention into routine clinical practice, improving continuity of care, and preventing treatment discontinuation. Support from governments for improving access, making interventions affordable, and providing socio-occupational support is essential. Training and development of professionals, public education providing information, and dealing with stigma are still relevant. Conclusions: The results indicated a need for reviewing current practices in managing depression, optimizing it with available resources, and preventing treatment discontinuation, and non-response. Making treatment available and affordable, public education fighting stigma to improve treatment acceptability, and research addressing gaps in interventions, especially for treatment resistance and psychotherapy are other approaches that may improve depression management. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study investigates the challenges faced by family caregivers of individuals with dementia in Japan, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 500 family caregivers of patients with dementia. Results: 56.4% of caregivers reported an increased caregiving burden, primarily due to extended caregiving hours, reduced access to public services, and restrictions on social interactions. This study found a strong preference for formal support, with 75.4% of caregivers desiring access to more comprehensive services. However, 19.4% of dementia patients were not utilizing any public services, largely due to a mismatch between available services and caregivers’ actual needs, as well as societal resistance to inviting formal support into the home. Informal support systems, such as dementia family groups and cafes, were well-known, but participation rates remained low (5.4% and 5.8%, respectively), despite the potential benefits for reducing stress and providing emotional support. Key barriers included privacy concerns, reluctance to engage, and logistical challenges such as inconvenient access and time constraints. Conclusions: To mitigate the above challenges, this study recommends expanding telemedicine and remote support services, improving awareness of available resources, and offering flexible, tailored solutions to meet diverse caregiving needs. Additionally, increasing financial support, enhancing public recognition of caregiver roles, and providing psychological counseling and stress management programs are essential to alleviating both the emotional and economic burdens placed on family caregivers during the pandemic. Full article

Falls among older adults present a major public health challenge, causing significant physical, psychological, and economic consequences. Exercise interventions are a proven strategy to reduce fall risk by targeting biomechanical, physiological, and psychological factors. This review examines evidence from 155 studies published between 2004 and 2024, including systematic reviews, meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, and cohort studies. Data were rigorously screened and extracted using predefined criteria, with studies sourced from PubMed, MEDLINE, EBSCO (EDS), and additional gray literature identified via Google Scholar. Key findings show that balance and strength training improves postural control, gait stability, and neuromuscular coordination, while resistance training mitigates sarcopenia and enhances joint mobility. Cognitive exercises enhance attention, spatial awareness, decision-making, and psychological benefits like reduced fear of falling and greater social engagement. Multidisciplinary approaches integrating physical, cognitive, and social components deliver the most significant impact. This review underscores the value of evidence-based exercise programs in promoting active aging and enhancing the quality of life for older adults. Full article

Background/Objectives: Physiotherapists face significant challenges in managing chronic pain; a complex condition best addressed through a biopsychosocial (BPS) approach. Although substantial evidence exists globally, research specific to Spain remains limited. This study explores the experiences and challenges Spanish physiotherapists encounter in integrating BPS elements across public and private healthcare settings. Methods: Semi-structured interviews with 12 experienced physiotherapists were conducted, using a qualitative approach with purposive sampling and reflexive thematic analysis. The analysis, grounded in a constructivist/interpretivist framework, allowed themes to emerge naturally from the data, supported by relevant quotes. Results: Three primary themes were identified: (1) challenges in implementing the BPS approach, including patient resistance and limited training; (2) facilitators for adopting the BPS model, such as multidisciplinary support and positive patient outcomes; and (3) emotional and psychological aspects of the physiotherapists. The findings highlight the complexities of chronic pain management in physiotherapy, emphasizing the need for enhanced psychological training, integrated multidisciplinary care, early diagnosis, and effective family involvement. These insights are critical for improving both patient care and physiotherapist well-being. Conclusions: This study provides valuable guidance for future strategies, focusing on educational enhancements, multidisciplinary collaboration, healthcare policy reform, and emotional support for physiotherapists within the Spanish healthcare context. Full article

Agitation is one of the most common and persistent behavioral and psychological symptoms among persons with dementia (PWD) in residential aged care facilities (RACFs). While most studies have explored the general impact of COVID-19 on the mental health and well-being of aged care residents, there has been limited research on the pandemic’s impact on agitation in dementia within RACFs. This knowledge is crucial to ensuring that RACFs are better equipped to handle future public health emergencies. Therefore, this retrospective cohort study investigates the impact of the pandemic on agitation incidents within 40 Australian RACFs. Using Python, we extracted agitation symptoms from nursing notes and compared the frequency and percentage of symptom occurrence pre-pandemic versus during-pandemic. Chi-square tests examined any significant change in the prevalence of dementia and agitation in dementia between the comparative groups and periods. Dementia prevalence dropped significantly during the second year of the pandemic, with a concurrent increase in early-onset dementia cases. Overall, agitation symptoms decreased by 20.1%, but six symptoms significantly increased: resisting (28.98%), wandering (11.78%), restlessness (3.19%), complaining (10.1%), arguing (2.36%), and outbursts (1.74%). Conversely, pacing decreased by 15.88% and speaking loudly decreased by 10.9%. Over half of the care recipients with dementia experienced agitation symptoms 2–5 times each year, increasing from 50.56% in 2019 to 58.28% in 2021. Despite the co-occurrence of symptoms such as falls, confusion, and weakness, there was no evidence to suggest that these comorbidities were specific to COVID-19; rather, they appeared to be prevalent even before the pandemic. Persons with agitation in dementia had a significantly higher death rate during the COVID-19 pandemic than otherwise. Full article

Infections by multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) pose significant public health challenges, including increased mortality rates, healthcare costs, and significant impacts on the quality of life for patients. Utilizing a systematic review methodology adhering to PRISMA guidelines, we performed a comprehensive search across three databases, identifying 20 relevant studies that investigated the psychological effects of infections due to MDROs on hospitalized adults. The primary outcomes examined included depression, anxiety, and other psychosocial impacts, while secondary outcomes included patient and caregiver understanding of the infection. Findings revealed consistent associations between contact isolation due to MDRO infections and heightened levels of depression and anxiety among patients, although evidence regarding the impact on anger was mixed. Other psychological aspects, such as feelings of stigmatization and reduced healthcare provider interactions, were also recorded. The current systematic review highlights the importance of addressing these psychological effects through holistic, patient-centered care approaches, emphasizing the need for better communication and comprehensive education for both patients and healthcare providers. Our findings suggest that mitigating the psychological burden of MDROs can enhance overall patient care and outcomes and call for further research to optimize care strategies for patients hospitalized for infections due to MDROs. Full article

Background: Sarcopenia is an age-related condition characterized by progressive loss of muscle mass, strength, and function. The occurrence of sarcopenia has a huge impact on physical, psychological, and social health. Therefore, the prevention and treatment of sarcopenia is becoming an important public health issue. Method: 35 six-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into five groups, one of which served as a control group, while the rest of the groups were constructed as a model of sarcopenia by intraperitoneal injection of D-galactose. The intervention with lactoferrin, creatine, and their mixtures, respectively, was carried out through gavage for 8 weeks. Muscle function was assessed based on their endurance, hanging time, and grip strength. The muscle tissues were weighed to assess the changes in mass, and the muscle RNA was extracted for myogenic factor expression and transcriptome sequencing to speculate on the potential mechanism of action by GO and KEGG enrichment analysis. Result: The muscle mass (lean mass, GAS index), and muscle function (endurance, hanging time, and grip strength) decreased, and the size and structure of myofiber was smaller in the model group compared to the control group. The intervention with lactoferrin and creatine, either alone or combination, improved muscle mass and function, restored muscle tissue, and increased the expression of myogenic regulators. The combined group demonstrated the most significant improvement in these indexes. The RNA-seq results revealed enrichment in the longevity-regulated pathway, MAPK pathway, focal adhesion, and ECM–receptor interaction pathway in the intervention group. The intervention group may influence muscle function by affecting the proliferation, differentiation, senescence of skeletal muscle cell, and contraction of muscle fiber. The combined group also enriched the mTOR-S6K/4E-BPs signaling pathway, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, and energy metabolism-related pathways, including Apelin signaling, insulin resistance pathway, and adipocytokine signaling pathway, which affect energy metabolism in muscle. Conclusions: Lactoferrin and creatine, either alone or in combination, were found to inhibit the progression of sarcopenia by influencing the number and cross-sectional area of muscle fibers and muscle protein synthesis. The combined intervention appears to exert a more significant effect on energy metabolism. Full article

China has become the largest country for e-bikes in the past decade, leading to a surge in road-related accidents. Chinese provinces and cities have successfully formulated local regulations, which set fines for not wearing helmets levying on e-bike riders. Without considering psychological resistance which is universal under the premise of compulsory legislation, the legislation and enforcement activities cannot continuously promote electric bikers’ helmet use. This study aims to investigate the predictors that influence e-bike riders’ intention to wear helmets by designing a research methodology that incorporates the theory of planned behavior (TPB), the protection motivation theory (PMT), and the psychological reactance theory (PRT). A multi-method analytical approach, including structural equation modeling (SEM), fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA), and a Bayesian Network (BN) with a sample dataset of 846 respondents. SEM and fsQCA explored the intentions to wear helmets from linear and nonlinear perspectives. BN verifies the degree of influence between different configurations resulting from fsQCA, to predict which mental configurations could get the most significant impact on helmet use. A total of 11 configurations lead to high helmet-wearing intention, and 4 lead to low helmet-wearing intention. Policymakers could design safety policies on our research, such as driving licenses and special lectures for e-bike riders. Full article

Background: Our aim was understanding and identifying the main performance factors involved in sport climbing. Methods: A systematic review was conducted using the Google Scholar, Dialnet, Scielo, and Redalyc databases. Results: After establishing the selection criteria, a total of 27 documents related to the subject of study were examined. A limited number of publications with scientific evidence related to performance factors in sport climbing were found, despite the rise of sport climbing following its inclusion in the Olympic Games in Tokyo 2020. The results have been organized based on different performance factors analyzed, such as strength, muscular endurance, psychological factors, etc. Key determinants in climbing performance, and thus those present in elite athletes, include improved climbing efficiency, greater ability to apply maximum force or finger and palm pressure resistance, and increased arm locking strength. Additionally, it has been observed that those who can apply higher and more consistent loads experience better muscle oxygenation and have greater flexibility and lateral foot reach. Conclusions: Climbing performance is the result of factors that can be enhanced through training. Therefore, further research is needed to understand the performance factors involved in this sports discipline and how to improve them. Full article

Background: Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) is now an official diagnosis and significant public health challenges have been already identified regarding the provision of appropriate care to patients of all ages and the preparedness of mental health professionals to manage the disorder. Despite the existence of psychotherapeutic treatment modalities available for some time now, there is a paucity of any psychoanalytically driven treatments and the disorder is widely regarded and classified as being ‘behavioral’. This has profound implications for patients with long-standing character pathology and psychiatric comorbidities, who are underserved by the provision of health services that could efficiently address their issues. Methods: This study presents a psychoanalytic perspective on IGD, based on Kohut’s Self Psychology as applied in the treatment of other addictions. An outline of the theory, assessment and treatment modalities is presented with two case reports that illustrate its application. Results: The presentation outlines the challenges in treating IGD, expanding on the concept of guided imagery, resistance to treatment, selfobject transference and comorbidity with marijuana use and bipolar disorder. Conclusions: A psychoanalytically driven protocol can be effective in treating IGD, especially in cases with marked character pathology and low motive to engage in other treatment modalities. Full article

This study explores the intriguing relationship between personality traits, self-rated fitness (SRF), and physical activity (PA) variables among German university students (N = 4244) and sheds light on the impact of personality on adherence to PA guidelines. Employing an online cross-sectional study, the short-form of the Big Five Inventory-2 assessed five domains of personality traits (Extraversion, Negative Emotionality, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, and Open-Mindedness). PA, including sitting time, was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (short-form). SRF and muscle-strengthening activities (MSA) were assessed with one item each. Multiple linear and logistic regression analyses examined associations of individual personality trait domains and all domains combined with SFR, PA variables, and adherence to PA guidelines, controlling for sociodemographic, behavioral, and (mental) health covariates. Most reliably, Extraversion and Conscientiousness revealed positive associations with PA variables, while Negative Emotionality yielded inverse relationships with PA variables. For instance, each unit increase in Extraversion corresponded to an additional 17 min of weekly MSA. On the contrary, daily sitting time was unrelated to personality. Of note, high Open-Mindedness was associated with lower odds for adhering to current PA guidelines. The findings have implications for developing targeted interventions that promote a physically active lifestyle and support students’ well-being and academic success. Full article

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the major cause of death worldwide and have economic, psychological, and social impacts. Air pollution is the second, contributing to NCDs-related deaths. Metabolomics are a useful diagnostic and prognostic tool for NCDs, as they allow the identification of biomarkers linked to emerging pathologic processes. The aim of the present study was to review the scientific literature on the application of metabolomics profiling in NCDs and to discuss environmental planning actions to assist healthcare systems and public managers based on early metabolic diagnosis. The search was conducted following PRISMA guidelines using Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed databases with the following MeSH terms: “metabolomics” AND “noncommunicable diseases” AND “air pollution”. Twenty-nine studies were eligible. Eleven involved NCDs prevention, eight addressed diabetes mellitus, insulin resistance, systemic arterial hypertension, or metabolic syndrome. Six studies focused on obesity, two evaluated nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, two studied cancer, and none addressed chronic respiratory diseases. The studies provided insights into the biological pathways associated with NCDs. Understanding the cost of delivering care where there will be a critical increase in NCDs prevalence is crucial to achieving universal health coverage and improving population health by allocating environmental planning and treatment resources. Full article