scholarly journals Quality of Life and Functional Health Status of Long-Term Meditators

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramesh Manocha ◽  
Deborah Black ◽  
Leigh Wilson

Background. There is very little data describing the long-term health impacts of meditation.Aim. To compare the quality of life and functional health of long-term meditators to that of the normative population in Australia.Method. Using the SF-36 questionnaire and a Meditation Lifestyle Survey, we sampled 343 long-term Australian Sahaja Yoga meditation practitioners and compared their scores to those of the normative Australian population.Results. Six SF-36 subscales (bodily pain, general health, mental health, role limitation—emotional, social functioning, and vitality) were significantly better in meditators compared to the national norms whereas two of the subscales (role limitation—physical, physical functioning) were not significantly different. A substantial correlation between frequency of mental silence experience and the vitality, general health, and especially mental health subscales (P<0.005) was found.Conclusion. Long-term practitioners of Sahaja yoga meditation experience better functional health, especially mental health, compared to the general population. A relationship between functional health, especially mental health, and the frequency of meditativeexperience(mental silence) exists that may be causal. Evidence for the potential role of this definition of meditation in enhancing quality of life, functional health and wellbeing is growing. Implications for primary mental health prevention are discussed.

2020 ◽  
Vol 102-B (7) ◽  
pp. 845-851 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graham S. Goh ◽  
Ming Han Lincoln Liow ◽  
You Wei Adriel Tay ◽  
Jerry Yongqiang Chen ◽  
Sheng Xu ◽  
...  

Aims While patients with psychological distress have poorer short-term outcomes after total knee arthroplasty (TKA), their longer-term function is unknown. We aimed to 1) assess the influence of preoperative mental health status on long-term functional outcomes, quality of life, and patient satisfaction; and 2) analyze the change in mental health after TKA, in a cohort of patients with no history of mental health disorder, with a minimum of ten years’ follow-up. Methods Prospectively collected data of 122 patients undergoing primary unilateral TKA in 2006 were reviewed. Patients were assessed pre- and postoperatively at two and ten years using the Knee Society Knee Score (KSKS) and Function Score (KSFS); Oxford Knee Score (OKS); and the Mental (MCS) and Physical Component Summary (PCS) which were derived from the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey questionnaire (SF-36). Patients were stratified into those with psychological distress (MCS < 50, n = 51) and those without (MCS ≥ 50, n = 71). Multiple regression was used to control for age, sex, BMI, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), and baseline scores. The rate of expectation fulfilment and satisfaction was compared between patients with low and high MCS. Results There was no difference in the mean KSKS, KSFS, OKS, and SF-36 PCS at two years or ten years after TKA. Equal proportions of patients in each group attained the minimal clinically important difference for each score. Psychologically distressed patients had a comparable rate of satisfaction (91.8% (47/51) vs 97.1% (69/71); p = 0.193) and fulfilment of expectations (89.8% vs 97.1%; p = 0.094). The proportion of distressed patients declined from 41.8% preoperatively to 29.8% at final follow-up (p = 0.021), and their mean SF-36 MCS improved by 10.4 points (p < 0.001). Conclusion Patients with poor mental health undergoing TKA may experience long-term improvements in function and quality of life that are comparable to those experienced by their non-distressed counterparts. These patients also achieved a similar rate of satisfaction and expectation fulfilment. Undergoing TKA was associated with improvements in mental health in distressed patients, although this effect may be due to residual confounding. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2020;102-B(7):845–851.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (21) ◽  
pp. 5211
Author(s):  
Claudia Mehedintu ◽  
Francesca Frincu ◽  
Lacramioara Aurelia Brinduse ◽  
Andreea Carp-Veliscu ◽  
Elvira Bratila ◽  
...  

Morbidity and mortality alone are not comprehensive measures of evaluating the benefits of surgical interventions in endometriosis patients, thus, subjective patient-reported instruments are required. The 36-tem Short Form Survey (SF-36) is a Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) instrument that has not been validated yet for women with endometriosis. The aims of this study are to evaluate the validity and reliability of the SF-36 in patients with colorectal endometriosis and to compare the HRQoL before and after surgery, using different Quality of Life (QoL) instruments: the Gastrointestinal QoL Index (GIQLI) and Knowles–Eccersley–Scott Symptom Questionnaire (KESS). We conducted a retrospective study using prospectively recorded data in the North-West Inter-Regional Female Cohort for Patients with Endometriosis (CIRENDO) database. The assessment was performed on four hundred and eighty-eight patients before and 12 months after the surgery. Preoperative and postoperative item-internal consistency and Cronbach’s α proved evidence for good reliability showing that SF-36 is a useful instrument for endometriosis patients’ QoL. The domains of Role (limitation) physical, Bodily pain and Role (limitation) emotional showed the most remarkable improvements (difference before vs. one year after surgery) with p < 0.001. Our data show that SF-36 has validity and reliability and can be used in patients with endometriosis. Surgery improved the QoL and digestive function.


2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S2) ◽  
pp. 584-584
Author(s):  
M. Stinga ◽  
E. Moti ◽  
E. Papageorgiou ◽  
T. Ioannou ◽  
V. Paraskevopoulou ◽  
...  

IntroductionIn the context of psychiatric reformation, the long-term mentally ill have moved from institutionalized care to outpatient-based mental health services and community-based rehabilitation settings.ObjectiveQuality of Life (QoL) constitutes a critical outcome of mental health programs and services and is a multidimensional subjective construct.AimExploring the perceived QoL of long-term psychiatric residents and, identifying possible associations between sociodemographic variables, psychiatric history, cognitive function (MMSE), physical comorbidity and type of residential care.Method104 patients residing for over six months, to community based rehabilitation settings subjected to the PHPO (5 sheltered apartments, 7 hostels, 2 boarding houses) were encountered. QoL of participants was assessed using the self-fulfilling, 36 item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) at a given point of time.ResultsThe majority of the residents expressed good levels of satisfaction in all subscales of the SF-36, with mean values of Physical Component Summary (PCS): 34.90 ± 13.92 (range: 0–50) and Mental Component Summary (MCS): 67.89 ± 20.09 (range: 25-100). Statistical significant differences were recorded concerning the PCS and age (p = 0.000), MMSE scores (p = 0.000), educational level (p = 0.017), marital status (p = 0.049) and type of residential home (p = 0.012). MCS was statistically significant associated with age (p = 0.032), MMSE scores (p = 0.007), socioeconomic status (p = 0.008) and type of residential home, too (p = 0.040). No differences were found concerning psychiatric diagnosis or physical comorbidity.ConclusionsCommunity care models provide subjective positive life satisfactions to the majority of the chronically mentally ill. Thus, besides the care giver's management, independent variables play an important role to perceived QoL.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 30-35
Author(s):  
Vladlen V. Bazylev ◽  
Evgeniy V. Nemchenko ◽  
Galina N. Abramova ◽  
Tаtyana V. Kanaeva ◽  
Vаdim A. Karnakhin

Aim. To evaluate long-term quality of life (QOL) of patients after surgical treatment of mitral valve disease depending on the types of surgical intervention, to identify predictors of a lower QOL after surgery. Material and methods. A single-center retrospective study involved 107 patients after isolated correction of primary non-ischemic mitral valve (MV) pathology, who were operated on from 2009 to 2016, and analyzed their long-term QOL. The follow-up period was from 2 to 6 years. 2 groups of patients were formed: the 1st group (n=60) patients who underwent mitral valve replacement (MVR); the 2nd group (n=47) patients who underwent mitral valve repair (MVRep). There were no statistically significant differences between the main clinical and demographic characteristics in reference to the groups. The SF-36 questionnaire was used for studying QOL. Results. The indicators of QOL approach the average population levels in both groups. In group MVRep Physical Functioning PF (p=0.02 and 0.01), Bodily Pain BP (p=0.04), Vitality VT (p=0.01) and Social Functioning SF (p=0.001) are higher. There are improvements in physical and mental health components after surgery. Mental and physical components are lower than in the normal population but they dont go beyond average populations indicators. Mental health in the MVRep group is better than in the MVR group (p=0.01). Female gender, dilatation of the left atrium (every 1 mm before surgery), older age (every year) increased the probability of lower QOL in the long term by 84, 11 and 8% respectively. Conclusion. Long-term QOL of patients after surgical treatment of mitral valve disease improves both after valve repair and after valve replacement. After MVRep Physical Functioning, Bodily Pain, Vitality and Social Functioning indicators are higher. There are improvements in physical and mental health components. Psychological component of health is higher in patients in the MVRep-group. Female gender, dilatation of the left atrium, older age increase the probability of lower QOL in the long term after mitral valve surgery.


2019 ◽  
Vol 104 (7) ◽  
pp. 2748-2756 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gaia Tabacco ◽  
Yu-Kwang Donovan Tay ◽  
Natalie E Cusano ◽  
John Williams ◽  
Beatriz Omeragic ◽  
...  

Abstract Context Calcium and vitamin D treatment does not improve reduced quality of life (QOL) in hypoparathyroidism. Recombinant human (rh) PTH(1-84) therapy improves QOL metrics for up to 5 years. Data on QOL beyond this time point are not available. Objectives To evaluate the effects of 8 years of rhPTH(1-84) therapy on QOL and factors associated with long-term benefit. Design Prospective, open-label trial. Setting Referral center. Patients Twenty patients with hypoparathyoidism. Main Outcome Measures RAND 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Results rhPTH therapy led to substantial improvement in five of the eight SF-36 domains [vitality, social functioning (SF), mental health (MH), bodily pain (BP) and general health] and three of these domains (SF, MH, BP) were no longer lower than the reference population. The improvement in the mental component summary (MCS) score was sustained through 8 years, while the physical component summary (PCS) score improved through 6 years. A lower baseline QOL score was associated with greater improvement. A threshold value &lt;238 (MCS) and &lt;245 (PCS) predicted long-term improvement in 90% and 100% of the cohort, respectively. In patients whose calcium supplementation was reduced, MCS and PCS scores improved more than those whose supplementation did not decline to the same extent. Improvement in PCS was greater in patients whose calcitriol dosage was reduced and duration of disease was shorter. Conclusions rhPTH(1-84) improves long-term well-being in hypoparathyroidism. The improvements are most prominent in those with impaired SF-36 at baseline and those whose requirements for conventional therapy decreased substantially.


2009 ◽  
Vol 137 (9-10) ◽  
pp. 524-528 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dusan Mustur ◽  
Vladislava Vesovic-Potic ◽  
Dejana Stanisavljevic ◽  
Tatjana Ille ◽  
Mihailo Ille

Introduction Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic progressive autoimmune inflammatory disorder involving mainly the axial skeleton and larger peripheral joints that progressively limits spinal mobility and may lead to irreversible structural changes and consequently to impaired physical function and reduced quality of life. Objective The aim of this study was to assess functional disability and quality of life of patients with ankylosing spondylitis and determine the correlation between functional disability and quality of life. Methods The study enrolled 74 patients with ankylosing spondylitis (16 females and 58 males). The demographic data of the patients were collected. Functional disability was assessed with the Bath Ankylosing Functional Index (BASFI). Quality of life was assessed by the Short-Form 36 (SF-36) and the European Quality of Life Questionnaire (EuroQoL/EQ-5D). Results In our study, the mean age was 48.5?10.3 years. BASFI was negatively correlated with the SF-36 physical function subscale (p<0.001), physical role (p=0.002), bodily pain (p=0.003), general health (p<0.001), vitality (p=0.012) and mental health (p=0.010) subscale. There was a significantly inverse correlation between the BASFI score and the rating scale of EQ-5D (p=0.001). In the regression model, the BASFI score (p=0.000) showed an independent association with the physical function domain of SF-36. Conclusion In conclusion, the BASFI index was associated with physical function, physical role, bodily pain, general health, vitality and mental health domains of SF-36 and also with the rating scale of EQ-5D.


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 280-287
Author(s):  
Ostapyak Z. M. ◽  
◽  
Starodubtsev S. G. ◽  

In old age, due to the spread of age-related diseases, there are changes in the functioning of many organs and systems due to and against the background of polymorbidity, which affects the quality of life and requires correction. The purpose of the study was to determine the dynamics of the quality of life of elderly people with frailty and parkinsonism under the influence of physical therapy in the post-immobilization period after fracture of the radial bone in a typical place. Material and methods. We examined 27 elderly people with frailty and Parkinson's disease in the early postimmobilization period after fracture of the distal metaepiphysis of the radial bone (in a typical place). Group 1 engaged in the principles of outpatient rehabilitation with a predominance of preformed physical factors and group 2 engaged in a developed program of physical therapy, created in terms of patient-centric model of rehabilitation taking into account the specifics of each polymorbid condition using functional body training, massage, nutrition correction, expansion of social activity. The effectiveness of the program was evaluated in the dynamics before and after a month of implementation based on the results of the comparison of quality of life on the questionnaire "Medical outcomes study short form" (SF-36). 36 points were grouped into eight scales: Physical health: Physical Functioning, Role-Physical, Bodily Pain, General Health and Mental Health, Vitality, Social Functioning, Role-Emotional. Results and discussion. At the initial examination the examined people revealed a significant decrease in the results of all scales of physical and mental components of the quality of life of the questionnaire SF-36. The parameters of both groups did not differ statistically significantly (p> 0.05). At retesting, the difference between the results of the physical component of health in the primary and re-study on the physical functioning scale for individuals in group 1 was 18.9%, group 2 – 29.0%, role-physical – 19.8% and 35.5%, respectively, bodily pain – 12.3% and 33.1%, general health – 25.8% and 30.1%. The improvement of the mental component compared to the initial result on the vitality scales in patients of group 1 was 14,0%, group 2 – 27,4%, social functioning – 17,5% and 41,3%, respectively, role-emotional – 15,0% and 23,8%, mental health – 20,5% and 30,2%. The results of testing on all scales were statistically significantly better in individuals of group 1 compared with the result of group 2 (p <0,05). Conclusion. Elderly patients with polymorbid pathology and traumatic bone injuries require the development of pathogenetically based physical therapy programs taking into account and correcting the specifics of each disease, increases the overall effectiveness of rehabilitation and, consequently, quality of life


2003 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 397-403 ◽  
Author(s):  
A CJW Janssens ◽  
P A van Doorn ◽  
J B de Boer ◽  
N F Kalkers ◽  
F GA van der Meché ◽  
...  

Disability status, depression and anxiety are important determinants of quality of life (Q oL) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). We investigated whether anxiety and depression influence the relation between disability status and Q oL in our cohort of recently diagnosed patients. Disability status [Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS)], anxiety and depression [Hospital A nxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)], and Q oL (SF-36) were prospectively obtained in 101 MS patients. The relation between EDSS and SF-36 scales was examined using regression analyses, without and with adjustment for anxiety and depression. Interaction effects were investigated by comparing the relation between EDSS and Q oL in patients with high and low anxiety and depression. In the unadjusted analyses, EDSS was significantly related to all SF-36 physical and mental health scales. A fter adjustment for anxiety and depression, EDSS was significantly related only to the SF-36 physical functioning, role-physical functioning and bodily pain scales. The relation between EDSS and these SF-36 scales was consistently higher in patients with more symptoms of anxiety or depression, suggesting that anxiety and depression strengthened the association of EDSS in these SF-36 physical health scales. A fter adjustment for anxiety and depression, EDSS was not significantly related to the SF-36 mental health scales and the general health scale. This finding is compatible with the hypothesis that anxiety and depression are intermediate factors in the association of EDSS with these SF-36 scales. Screening for symptoms of anxiety and depression is recommended in studies that use Q oL as an outcome measure of treatment or intervention efficacy.


2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 12077-12077
Author(s):  
Joaquin Ponce-Zepeda ◽  
Tuyen Hoang

12077 Background: There were extensive reports in literature about the debilitating health experienced by cancer patients during treatment. This study examined how the quality of life of cancer survivors changed over time. Methods: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) is a program of studies designed to assess the health and nutritional status of adults and children in the U.S. This study involved participants in NHANES from 2000-2020. Participants who reported having had a cancer diagnosis were matched one to one with participants who reported no cancer diagnosis by age, gender, race, year of recruitment into NHANES, and comorbidities. Quality of life measures including self-reported general/physical/mental health, examinations, and laboratory tests were compared between cancer cases and matched controls using paired t tests. Results: This study included 5,166 pairs of cancer cases and matched controls. Mean age was 66 (±15 years). Male 47% and female 53%. White 69%, Black 14%, Hispanic 12%, others 5%. Most common comorbidities were hypertension (56%), arthritis (50%), diabetes (19%), and thyroid (18%). About 38% of cancer cases had survived in 1-5 years; 22% in 6-10 years; 39% in 10+ years. Most prevalent cancers were skin (28%), breast (15%), and prostate (15%). Compared to controls, cancer cases who had survived in 1-5 years reported higher rates of poor general health (38% vs. 27%, p <.0001), hospitalizations (31% vs. 17%, p <.0001), mental health visits (9% vs. 7%, p =.0204). There were no significant differences in general health and healthcare utilization between cancer cases who survived > 5 years and controls. There were no clinically meaningful differences in laboratory tests and examinations between cancer cases and controls regardless of survival time. Conclusions: During the first 5 years after cancer diagnosis, survivors reported worse health than controls. As survival time extended, there was no difference between cancer cases and controls. The debilitating health reported during the first 5 years could not be explained by examinations and laboratory tests alone. Future research should explore neurochemical and hormonal markers to investigate adverse effects of cancer treatment on long-term quality of life.


2003 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 855-863 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeanne S. Mandelblatt ◽  
Stephen B. Edge ◽  
Neal J. Meropol ◽  
Ruby Senie ◽  
Theodore Tsangaris ◽  
...  

Purpose: There are few data on sequelae of breast cancer treatments in older women. We evaluated posttreatment quality of life and satisfaction in a national population. Patients and Methods: Telephone surveys were conducted with a random cross-sectional sample of 1,812 Medicare beneficiaries 67 years of age and older who were 3, 4, and 5 years posttreatment for stage I and II breast cancer. Regression models were used to estimate the adjusted risk of decrements in physical and mental health functioning by treatment. In a subset of women (n = 732), additional data were used to examine arm problems, impact of cancer, and satisfaction, controlling for baseline health, perceptions of ageism and racism, demographic and clinical factors, region, and surgery year. Results: Use of axillary dissection was the only surgical treatment that affected outcomes, increasing the risk of arm problems four-fold (95% confidence interval, 1.56 to 10.51), controlling for other factors. Having arm problems, in turn, exerted a consistently negative independent effect on all outcomes (P ≤ .001). Processes of care were also associated with quality of life and satisfaction. For example, women who perceived high levels of ageism or felt that they had no choice of treatment reported significantly more bodily pain, lower mental health scores, and less general satisfaction. These same factors, as well as high perceived racism, were significantly associated with diminished satisfaction with the medical care system. Conclusion: With the exception of axillary dissection, the processes of care, and not the therapy itself, are the most important determinants of long-term quality of life in older women.


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