scholarly journals Studying the Health and Performance of Shipboard Sailors: An Evidence Map

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily A Schmied ◽  
Robyn M Martin ◽  
Elizabeth M Harrison ◽  
Vanessa G Perez ◽  
Cynthia J Thomsen
Keyword(s):  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Service Members ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Evidence Map ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Military Health ◽  
Content Areas ◽  
Performance Issues ◽  
And Performance

Abstract Introduction It is estimated that sailors who are assigned to surface ships and submarines are deployed for more than 1 year across their careers and they spend 15% to 23% of their time away from home. Research suggests that shipboard sailors experience rates of behavioral health issues similar to those with ground combat experiences. Despite the rigorous operational tempo and the unique shipboard environment experienced by these service members, little military health research has examined the health outcomes of sailors serving aboard ships. The objectives of this study were to develop an evidence map of the peer-reviewed literature to (1) identify potential threats to the health and readiness of shipboard sailors, (2) identify health and performance issues experienced by this population, and (3) identify gaps in the current peer-reviewed published literature on shipboard health and performance. Materials and Methods A systematic review of the existing peer-reviewed literature pertaining to the health, experiences, and performance of shipboard service members was conducted. Comprehensive search terms were used to identify articles published between January 2000 and April 2018. Identified articles were subject to a two-level review process. Study characteristics for all articles selected for final review were extracted, and articles were categorized into 13 content areas that were selected a priori. Findings are presented in an evidence map. Results The initial literature search yielded 8,858 unique articles, 90 of which were eligible for full review. Most articles primarily examined active duty sailors from the U.S. or other foreign militaries (88.9%). A total of 60 articles (67.8%) included information about the type of ship studied; the most frequently examined were submarines (29.5%) and aircraft carriers (27.9%). Most of the included studies used cross-sectional (63.3%) or longitudinal (24.4%) designs. Only 7.8% (n = 7) of articles described interventions. The most commonly examined focal areas included physical health issues, such as viral infections and injuries (56.7%), and health behaviors, such as substance use/misuse (40.0%). Other frequently addressed content areas were occupational stress (38.9%), interpersonal issues (32.2%), ship conditions (30.0%), and mental health (28.9%). Most articles (73.3%) addressed more than one content area. There was a high degree of variation in the measurement tools used; self-report surveys were the most common (48.9%), followed by objective physical, biological, or cognitive measures (32.2%) and medical and personnel record reviews (31.1%). Conclusions The evidence map identified various gaps in the research pertaining to the health and performance of shipboard sailors. These gaps included a lack of research on the risk factors for common health and performance issues experienced by sailors and on the relationship between stressors of shipboard life and sailors’ health, performance, and readiness. The results of this evidence map should be used to inform the development, implementation, and evaluation of interventions to improve the shipboard environment and/or the preventive health behaviors used by sailors while underway or deployed.

scholarly journals Development and Validation of the Computer-Administered Animated Activity Questionnaire to Measure Physical Functioning of Patients With Hip or Knee Osteoarthritis

2014 ◽  
Vol 94 (2) ◽  
pp. 251-261 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline B. Terwee ◽  
Charlotte Coopmans ◽  
Wilfred F. Peter ◽  
Leo D. Roorda ◽  
Rudolf W. Poolman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Knee Osteoarthritis ◽  
Physical Functioning ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Stair Climbing ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Outcome Score ◽  
Preliminary Validation ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Development And Validation ◽  
Activity Questionnaire

Background Physical functioning of patients with hip or knee osteoarthritis is measured by self-report questionnaires and performance-based tests. However, performance-based tests often are not feasible. Objective The aim of this study was to develop a computer-administered questionnaire (ie, the Animated Activity Questionnaire [AAQ]) to measure physical functioning in patients with hip or knee OA. By showing animations of activities, the influence of the patient's own reference frame is minimized. The AAQ measures the same aspects of physical functioning as performance-based tests do. Design This was a development and preliminary validation (cross-sectional) study. Methods A pilot version of the AAQ was developed using motion capture to analyze the movement of a person performing 7 daily activities. Different animations of the same activity were made with 2 to 5 levels of difficulty. For each activity, participants were asked to choose one animation that best corresponds to their own way of performing the activity. A preliminary validation study was performed to compare the AAQ with validated self-report questionnaires (Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, and questionnaires on walking, stair climbing, and rising and sitting down) and performance-based tests (walking, Timed “Up & Go” Test, Timed Stair Test) in 33 patients with hip or knee osteoarthritis. Results As expected, the AAQ showed a correlation above .70 (.79, 95% confidence interval=.61–.89) with the total score of the performance-based tests. On the subscore level, the results were partly as expected. Fifty-eight percent of the participants preferred the AAQ over self-report questionnaires and performance-based tests. Limitations The findings need to be replicated in larger samples of patients because the sample size of the study was rather small. Conclusion The AAQ might be a good alternative for measuring physical functioning of patients with hip or knee osteoarthritis. The AAQ can easily be adapted for use in other patient populations. However, further development and validation are needed.

Taxi drivers and modifiable health behaviors: Is stress associated?

Work ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Sheena Mirpuri ◽  
Kristen Riley ◽  
Francesca Gany
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Sleep Disturbances ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Male Population ◽  
Demographic Differences ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Taxi Drivers ◽  
Metropolitan Cities

BACKGROUND: Taxi drivers, an immigrant male population, may exhibit poor health behaviors and increased health risks. OBJECTIVE: The current study examined stress and demographics as predictors of physical activity (PA), nutrition, sleep, and smoking, and the co-occurrence of these behaviors among taxi drivers. METHODS: A cross-sectional needs assessment was conducted in New York City. The sample (n = 252) was comprised of male taxi drivers, 98%of whom were born outside of the U.S., with the majority from South Asian countries (62%), and 45 years old on average (SD = 11). RESULTS: We found low rates of fruit/vegetable consumption and PA. Rates of stress, PA, and smoking varied by demographic factors. Stress was positively associated with sleep disturbances and negatively associated with smoking. Aside from a relationship between sugar consumption and smoking, other health behaviors were not associated. CONCLUSIONS: While stress appears to impact some indicators of modifiable health behaviors, its lack of relationship with others points to more persistent health issues. Demographic differences found for PA and smoking also point to groups that may especially benefit from interventions. These findings suggest the need for targeted health interventions for taxi drivers in large metropolitan cities.

The Relationship between Chronic Pain, Immune Function, Depression, and Health Behaviors

2003 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan W. Vines ◽  
Sat Gupta ◽  
Theresa Whiteside ◽  
Dorene Dostal-Johnson ◽  
Anna Hummler-Davis
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Immune Function ◽  
Nk Cells ◽  
Chronic Back Pain ◽  
Nk Cell ◽  
Cell Activity ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Pain Patients

The objectives of this study were 1) to determine the relationships between pain perceptions, immune function, depression and health behaviors and 2) to examine the effects of chronic pain on immune function using depression and health behaviors as covariates. A nonexperimental cross-sectional design was used to compare 24 chronic back pain patients with 33 asymptomatic no-pain healthy subjects. Immune function measures using natural killer (NK) cell activity, percent and numbers of NK cells, and T-cell lymphocyte proliferation with mitogens concanavalin A (ConA) and pytohemagglutinin (PHA) as well as self-report measures for depression and health behaviors were collected on all subjects. Pain perceptions showed positive significant correlations with depression (P = 0.01) and total percent of NK cells (P = 0.04). Depression and health behaviors were negatively correlated (P = 0.01). Positive associations were observed for depression and 2 PHA mitogen levels (P < 0.05). Comparison of group means, controlling for depression and health behaviors, showed that chronic pain patients' immune function, as measured by the combined NK effector to target (E:T) cell ratio levels, was significantly higher than the no-pain comparison group. Pain perceptions may have a deleterious effect on enumerative NK cell measures and depression levels. However, people with chronic pain may not experience attenuation in functional immune parameters.

Musculoskeletal Pain and Injury in Professional Orchestral Musicians in Australia

2012 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 181-187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bronwen Ackermann ◽  
Tim Driscoll ◽  
Dianna T Kenny
Keyword(s):  
Upper Limb ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Experienced Pain ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Orchestral Musicians ◽  
The Right

This paper reports on the major findings from the questionnaire component of a cross-sectional survey of the musicians in Australia’s eight fulltime professional symphonic and pit orchestras, focusing on performance-related musculoskeletal disorders (PRMDs). METHODS: All musician members of the orchestras participating in this project were invited to complete a self-report survey. The overall response rate was about 70% (n = 377). In addition to general health and experience questions, respondents who reported a current or previous PRMD were asked to report on a range of associated factors. RESULTS: Of the participants, 84% had experienced pain or injuries that had interfered either with playing their instrument or participating in normal orchestral rehearsals and performances. Fifty percent reported having such pain or injury at the time of the survey, mostly with disorders perceived by the musicians to be work-related. Twenty-eight percent had taken at least 1 day off from work for such pain in the previous 18 months. The most common broad sites affected were the trunk (primarily the back), the right upper limb and neck, the left upper limb and neck, and the neck alone, but the relative proportions varied by instrument. Of those musicians who reported at least one episode of pain or injury in the past, less than 50% reported that they had completely recovered. The most commonly cited performance-related factors that had contributed to injury or pain all related to training and playing load (including practice and performance). CONCLUSION: This study provides strong evidence that PRMDs are a common complaint in professional orchestral musicians and identifies a range of factors suggested as contributing to the occurrence or persistence of these disorders.

scholarly journals Falling and Chronic Diseases among the Elderly: Result from AHAP study

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Diseases ◽  
Elderly People ◽  
Elderly Women ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Important Health ◽  
Fracture History

Background: Falling and chronic diseases are important health issues in elderly people and reduce the quality of life. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between chronic diseases and falling in the elderly people. Methods: This cross-sectional study came from the first phase of Amirkola Health and Ageing Project (AHAP) that has been done on all elderly people aged 60 and over in Amirkola city in northern part of Iran. Demographic information including chronic diseases were gathered through self-report, observation of prescriptions and consumed drugs by patients and prevalence of falling during 12 months ago was obtained through information form and interview with elderly people. Results: In this study, 883 men(54.6%) and 733 women(45.3%) were investigated. The average age of individuals was 69.37±7.42 (in men 70±7.7 and in women 69.7±7.00). In this study, 288(17.8%) of eldely people had the experience of falling in the last 12 months. The prevalence of falling was higher in elderly women(P<0.001) and the elderly who lived alone(P=0.01). The prevalence of falling in the elderly had a significant relationship with diseases of osteoporosis(P<0.001), myocardial infarction(P=0.03), fractures(P<0.001), cognitive impairment(P=0.001), headache(P=0.002). In addition, the results of logistic regression showed that the prevalence of falling was related to urinary incontinence(P=0.02), fracture history(P=0.001), hearing loss(P=0.006), and depressive symptoms(P=0.001). Conclusions: The results of this study indicate a significant prevalence of falling and its direct relation with some chronic diseases. Therefore, it is necessary to ask some questions and care about each referring of the elderly to the health centers.

scholarly journals Exploring the impacts of COVID-19 related social distancing on loneliness, psychological needs and symptomatology

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruno Faustino ◽  
António Branco Vasco ◽  
João Delgado ◽  
António Farinha-Fernandes ◽  
José Carlos Guerreiro
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Psychological Needs ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
Cross Sectional Design

Loneliness may be a consequence of social distancing, a measure imposed by several governments to try to reduce the contagion of severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Despite being necessary, this measure may have thus caused a rise in mental health issues, leading to higher psychological distress and symptomatology. Thus, it is also important to explore how loneliness relates to the regulation of psychological needs. This study aims to explore the relationships between loneliness, symptomatology, and the regulation of psychological needs. 142 individuals (M age=32.7, SD=10.9), answered self-report questionnaires in a cross-sectional design. Results show that loneliness is positively correlated with symptomatology and difficulties in the regulation of psychological needs, with these relationships being mediated by psychological distress and psychological well-being. We discuss our results with a focus on loneliness and related psychopathological symptomatology, as they seem to be core factors in the regulation of psychological needs.

scholarly journals Biological and Socio-Cultural Factors Have the Potential to Influence the Health and Performance of Elite Female Athletes: A Cross Sectional Survey of 219 Elite Female Athletes in Aotearoa New Zealand

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison K. Heather ◽  
Holly Thorpe ◽  
Megan Ogilvie ◽  
Stacy T. Sims ◽  
Sarah Beable ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Disordered Eating ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Peak Performance ◽  
Sociocultural Factors ◽  
Medical Illness ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
And Performance

Health is a pre-requisite for optimal performance yet the parameters which govern health and performance of elite female athletes are little understood. The aim of this study was to quantify the health status of elite female athletes, and understand sociocultural factors influencing that status. The survey addressed demographic, health and athletic performance history, training load, contraceptive use, sport-specific appearance and performance pressures, and communication barriers. Three hundred and fifty-seven elite New Zealand female athletes were recruited to complete an on-line survey. Two hundred and nineteen athletes completed the survey. Oligomenorrhea/amenorrhea had been diagnosed in only 12% of athletes compared with 50% of athletes not on hormonal contraception who reported symptoms consistent with this diagnosis. Stress fractures and iron deficiency were common and associated with oligomenorrhoea/amenorrhea (P = 0.002), disordered eating (P = 0.009) or menorrhagia (P = 0.026). Athletes involved in individual sports (P = 0.047) and with higher training volumes (P &lt; 0.001) were more likely to report a medical illness. Seventy-three percent of athletes felt pressured by their sport to alter their physical appearance to conform to gender ideals with 15% engaging in disordered eating practices. Barriers to communicating female health issues included male coaches and support staff, and lack of quality information pertaining to health. Elite female athletes may fail to reach peak performance due to specific health issues and undiagnosed pathology. Sociocultural factors influence the effectiveness of support of female's health and performance. Organizational and cultural change is required if elite female athletes are to combine optimal health with best performance.

scholarly journals The Role of Pain Catastrophizing and Pain Acceptance in Performance-Based and Self-Reported Physical Functioning in Individuals with Fibromyalgia and Obesity

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 810
Author(s):  
Giorgia Varallo ◽  
Federica Scarpina ◽  
Emanuele Maria Giusti ◽  
Carlos Suso-Ribera ◽  
Roberto Cattivelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Functioning ◽  
Psychological Factors ◽  
Pain Catastrophizing ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Pain Acceptance ◽  
Lower Pain ◽  
And Performance

Impaired physical functioning is one of the most critical consequences associated with fibromyalgia, especially when there is comorbid obesity. Psychological factors are known to contribute to perceived (i.e., subjective) physical functioning. However, physical function is a multidimensional concept encompassing both subjective and objective functioning. The contribution of psychological factors to performance-based (i.e., objective) functioning is unclear. This study aims to investigate the contribution of pain catastrophizing and pain acceptance to both self-reported and performance-based physical functioning. In this cross-sectional study, 160 participants completed self-report measures of pain catastrophizing, pain acceptance, and pain severity. A self-report measure and a performance-based test were used to assess physical functioning. Higher pain catastrophizing and lower pain acceptance were associated with poorer physical functioning at both self-reported and performance-based levels. Our results are consistent with previous evidence on the association between pain catastrophizing and pain acceptance with self-reported physical functioning. This study contributes to the current literature by providing novel insights into the role of psychological factors in performance-based physical functioning. Multidisciplinary interventions that address pain catastrophizing and pain acceptance are recommended and might be effective to improve both perceived and performance-based functioning in women with FM and obesity.

Coping Style as a Mediator of the Relationship Between Depressive Symptoms and Deliberate Self-Harm

Crisis ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 272-279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allison S. Christian ◽  
Kristen M. McCabe
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Hierarchical Regression ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Deliberate Self Harm ◽  
Self Blame ◽  
Self Harm ◽  
The Relationship

Background: Deliberate self-harm (DSH) occurs with high frequency among clinical and nonclinical youth populations. Although depression has been consistently linked with the behavior, not all depressed individuals engage in DSH. Aims: The current study examined maladaptive coping strategies (i.e., self-blame, distancing, and self-isolation) as mediators between depression and DSH among undergraduate students. Methods: 202 students from undergraduate psychology courses at a private university in Southern California (77.7% women) completed anonymous self-report measures. Results: A hierarchical regression model found no differences in DSH history across demographic variables. Among coping variables, self-isolation alone was significantly related to DSH. A full meditational model was supported: Depressive symptoms were significantly related to DSH, but adding self-isolation to the model rendered the relationship nonsignificant. Limitations: The cross-sectional study design prevents determination of whether a casual relation exists between self-isolation and DSH, and obscures the direction of that relationship. Conclusions: Results suggest targeting self-isolation as a means of DSH prevention and intervention among nonclinical, youth populations.

Identifying Suicide Typologies Among Trauma-Exposed Veterans

Crisis ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 288-295 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nadia Bounoua ◽  
Jasmeet P. Hayes ◽  
Naomi Sadeh
Keyword(s):  
Latent Profile Analysis ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Profile Analysis ◽  
Risky Behaviors ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Research Priority ◽  
Self Harm ◽  
And Behaviors

Abstract. Background: Suicide among veterans has increased in recent years, making the identification of those at greatest risk for self-injurious behavior a high research priority. Aims: We investigated whether affective impulsivity and risky behaviors distinguished typologies of self-injurious thoughts and behaviors in a sample of trauma-exposed veterans. Method: A total of 95 trauma-exposed veterans (ages 21–55; 87% men) completed self-report measures of self-injurious thoughts and behaviors, impulsivity, and clinical symptoms. Results: A latent profile analysis produced three classes that differed in suicidal ideation, suicide attempts and nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI): A low class that reported little to no self-injurious thoughts or behaviors; a self-injurious thoughts (ST) class that endorsed high levels of ideation but no self-harm behaviors; and a self-injurious thoughts and behaviors (STaB) class that reported ideation, suicide attempts and NSSI. Membership in the STaB class was associated with greater affective impulsivity, disinhibition, and distress/arousal than the other two classes. Limitations: Limitations include an overrepresentation of males in our sample, the cross-sectional nature of the data, and reliance on self-report measures. Conclusion: Findings point to affective impulsivity and risky behaviors as important characteristics of veterans who engage in self-injurious behaviors.

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