Abstract P181: Musical Improvisation In Labile Hypertension

Hypertension ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 76 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey Corbett ◽  
Mark W Nickels ◽  
Christopher D Azzara ◽  
John D Bisognano
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Stress Response ◽  
Emotional Distress ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Negative Emotions ◽  
Relaxation Techniques ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Negative Thoughts ◽  
Musical Improvisation ◽  
The Impact

Background: Patients with labile hypertension experience transient but substantial increases in blood pressure, usually surrounding episodes of emotional distress and anxiety. Inability to express negative emotions may also play a substantial role. Most psychological interventions are aimed at blunting the stress response to anxiety or distress (i.e. mindfulness techniques). We hypothesize that musical improvisation therapy may blunt emotional response but may also decrease brain activity associated with negative thinking and emotions. Materials/methods: We surveyed 20 individuals with labile hypertension. Subjects completed a pre- and post-intervention and also had their blood pressure checked pre- and post-intervention. The intervention involved subjects actively engaging in a roughly one hour-long interactive musical improvisation simulation delivered via electronic media. Results: Nine out of 20 participants had a positive responsive to the exercise (SBP drop > 10mmHg). Fifty-eight percent of all subjects and 63% of positive responders felt the exercise made them feel less self-conscious and self-critical. Sixty-seven percent of all subjects who endorsed struggling with mindfulness felt that this exercise would help them practice mindfulness more regularly. Discussion: One of the most difficult judgments to make is whether a patient’s office hypertension is due to isolated “white coat spike” or whether the elevated readings represent a potentially physically damaging recurring hyperadrenergic response to life stressors. Most efforts of combating labile hypertension, such as yoga and relaxation techniques, aim at blunting the stress response, but results are variable. Yet, labile hypertension may well additionally be linked to inhibition of the expression of negative emotions. The neural complexes involved in musical improvisation appear to not only increase pleasure but also decrease activity in brain structures associated with negative thoughts and emotions. Conclusion: Our data supports the conclusion that musical improvising has the potential to both blunt emotional distress (i.e. through mindfulness) and decrease negative thoughts and emotions. Both pathways can potentially lessen the impact of labile hypertension.

scholarly journals A food-based dietary strategy lowers blood pressure in a low socio-economic setting: a randomised study in South Africa

2008 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 1397-1406 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen E Charlton ◽  
Krisela Steyn ◽  
Naomi S Levitt ◽  
Nasheeta Peer ◽  
Deborah Jonathan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
South African ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Control Diet ◽  
Diet Group ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Intervention Effect ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Cation Content ◽  
The Impact

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the impact of a food-based intervention on blood pressure (BP) in free-living South African men and women aged 50–75 years, with drug-treated mild-to-moderate hypertension.MethodsA double-blind controlled trial was undertaken in eighty drug-treated mild-to-moderate hypertensive subjects randomised to an intervention (n40) or control (n40) arm. The intervention was 8-week provision of six food items with a modified cation content (salt replacement (SOLO™), bread, margarine, stock cubes, soup mix and a flavour enhancer) and 500 ml of maas (fermented milk)/d. The control diet provided the same quantities of the targeted foods but of standard commercial composition and 500 ml/d of artificially sweetened cooldrink.FindingsThe intervention effect estimated as the contrast of the within-diet group changes in BP from baseline to post-intervention was a significant reduction of 6·2 mmHg (95 % CI 0·9, 11·4) for systolic BP. The largest intervention effect in 24 h BP was for wake systolic BP with a reduction of 5·1 mmHg (95 % CI 0·4, 9·9). For wake diastolic BP the reduction was 2·7 mmHg (95 % CI −0·2, 5·6).ConclusionsModification of the cation content of a limited number of commonly consumed foods lowers BP by a clinically significant magnitude in treated South African hypertensive patients of low socio-economic status. The magnitude of BP reduction provides motivation for a public health strategy that could be adopted through lobbying of the food industry by consumer and health agencies.

scholarly journals Do improved biomass cookstove interventions improve indoor air quality and blood pressure? A systematic review and meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nitya Kumar ◽  
Eunice Phillip ◽  
Helen Cooper ◽  
Megan Davis ◽  
Jessica Langevin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Fine Particulate Matter ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Low Middle Income Countries ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
The Impact

AbstractBackgroundHousehold air pollution (HAP) kills 4 million annually, with access to clean cooking being a challenge for 37% of the world’s population. Whilst there have been advancements in improved biomass cookstove (ICS) technologies, reviews on the impact of these ICS on HAP are now more than three years old.ObjectivesThis review and meta-analysis examines the most recent evidence on the impact of ICS on HAP and blood pressure (BP).MethodsA literature search was conducted using scientific literature databases and grey literature. Studies were included if they were published between January 2012 and June 2020, reported impact of ICS interventions in non-pregnant adults in low/middle-income countries, and reported post-intervention results along with baseline of traditional cookstoves. Outcomes included 24- or 48-hour averages of kitchen area fine particulate matter (PM2.5), carbon monoxide (CO), mean systolic BP (SBP) and mean diastolic BP (DBP). Meta-analyses estimated weighted mean differences between baseline and post-intervention values for all outcome measures.ResultsNine studies were included; eight contributed estimates for HAP and three for BP. Interventions lead to significant reductions in PM2.5 (−0.28 mg/m3, 95% CI: -0.46, -0.10), CO (−6.59ppm, 95%CI: - 10.73, -2.46) and SBP (−2.82mmHg, 95% CI: -5.53, -0.11); and a non-significant reduction in DBP (−0.80 mmHg, 95%CI: -2.33, 0.73), when compared to baseline of traditional cookstoves. Except for DBP, greatest reductions in all outcomes came from standard combustion ICS with a chimney, compared to ICS without a chimney and advanced combustion ICS. WHO air quality targets were met by post-intervention values for CO but not for PM2.5.ConclusionOur review suggests that ICS with a chimney results in the greatest reductions in HAP and BP. Further research on qualitative impact of such ICS on end-users is required to understand feasibility of adoption at scale.

Farming for Life: Pilot assessment of the impact of medical prescriptions for vegetables on health and food security among Latino adults with type 2 diabetes

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin York ◽  
Mary Kujan ◽  
Casey Conneely ◽  
Namino Glantz ◽  
David Kerr
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Waist Circumference ◽  
The United States ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Female Age ◽  
Organic Vegetables ◽  
The Impact

Background: In the United States, Latino families have a disproportionate burden of diabetes and associated complications. Aim: This pilot study assessed the feasibility of using medical prescriptions of organic vegetables to improve health outcomes among Latinos with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Methods: Latino participants ( n = 21, 91% female, age 56 ± 11.1 years) with T2D received 12 weeks of medically prescribed organic vegetables. Weight, waist circumference, blood pressure, and HbA1c were measured pre and post-intervention. Food security was also assessed. Results: Over 12 weeks, there was a significant fall in systolic ( p = 0.03) and diastolic ( p = 0.01) blood pressure. A total of 14 participants lost weight (median weight loss among responders was 1.9 pounds), and waist circumference decreased in 9 of 19 responders by a median of 1.5 inches. HbA1c was unchanged (6.7 ± 1.1% at baseline versus 7.0 ± 1.1% post-intervention). Conclusions: Medical prescriptions of organic vegetables may have measurable health benefits for adult Latinos with T2D.

Unmasking the borderline coarctation: the utility of isoproterenol in the paediatric cardiac catheterisation laboratory

2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (6) ◽  
pp. 804-810 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neil D. Patel ◽  
Patrick M. Sullivan ◽  
Cheryl M. Takao ◽  
Sarah Badran ◽  
Joseph Ahdoot ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Coarctation Of The Aorta ◽  
Cardiac Catheterisation ◽  
Blood Pressure Cuff ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Arterial Blood ◽  
Pressure Cuff ◽  
Blood Pressures ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Impact

AbstractBackgroundOne indication for intervention in coarctation of the aorta is a peak-to-peak gradient >20 mmHg. Gradients may be masked in patients under general anaesthesia and may be higher during exercise. Isoproterenol was given during cardiac catheterisation to simulate a more active physiologic state.ObjectivesWe aimed to describe the haemodynamic effects of isoproterenol in patients with coarctation and the impact of intervention on the elicited gradients.MethodsA retrospective study was performed on two-ventricle patients who underwent cardiac catheterisation for coarctation with isoproterenol testing.Results25 patients received isoproterenol before and after intervention. With isoproterenol, the mean diastolic (p=0.0015) and mean arterial (p=0.0065) blood pressures proximal to the coarctation decreased significantly. The mean systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial blood pressures distal to the coarctation decreased significantly (p<0.0001). In patients with a baseline gradient ⩽20 mmHg (n=17) at catheterisation, the median gradient increased from 10 (0–20) to 30 (15–50) mmHg (p<0.0001) with isoproterenol. Of these, 15 patients developed a gradient >20 mmHg. Post intervention, the median gradient decreased to 2 (0–29) mmHg, versus baseline, p=0.005, and with isoproterenol it decreased to 8 (0–27) mmHg, versus pre-intervention isoproterenol, p<0.0001. There were significant improvements in the gradients by Doppler (<0.0001) and by blood pressure cuff (p=0.0313). The gradients on isoproterenol best correlated with gradients by blood pressure cuff in the awake state (R2=0.76, p<0.0001).ConclusionsIsoproterenol can be a useful tool to assess the significance of a coarctation and the effectiveness of an intervention. Percutaneous interventions can effectively reduce the gradients elicited by isoproterenol.

Emotional Reactivity to Visual Content as Revealed by ERP Component Clustering

2015 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 135-146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miroslaw Wyczesany ◽  
Szczepan J. Grzybowski ◽  
Jan Kaiser
Keyword(s):  
Emotional Reactivity ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Affective State ◽  
Occipital Lobe ◽  
Stimulus Onset ◽  
Emotional States ◽  
Neural Basis ◽  
Temporoparietal Junction ◽  
The Right ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. In the study, the neural basis of emotional reactivity was investigated. Reactivity was operationalized as the impact of emotional pictures on the self-reported ongoing affective state. It was used to divide the subjects into high- and low-responders groups. Independent sources of brain activity were identified, localized with the DIPFIT method, and clustered across subjects to analyse the visual evoked potentials to affective pictures. Four of the identified clusters revealed effects of reactivity. The earliest two started about 120 ms from the stimulus onset and were located in the occipital lobe and the right temporoparietal junction. Another two with a latency of 200 ms were found in the orbitofrontal and the right dorsolateral cortices. Additionally, differences in pre-stimulus alpha level over the visual cortex were observed between the groups. The attentional modulation of perceptual processes is proposed as an early source of emotional reactivity, which forms an automatic mechanism of affective control. The role of top-down processes in affective appraisal and, finally, the experience of ongoing emotional states is also discussed.

Feedback based on health advice via tracing bracelet and smartphone in the management of Blood Pressure among hypertensive patients: A Community-based RCT Trial in Chongqing, China (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yong Zhang ◽  
Yang Tao ◽  
Yun Zhong ◽  
Jacqueline Thompson ◽  
Jamal Rahmani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Community Settings ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Attrition Rates ◽  
Hypertensive Patients ◽  
Professional Health ◽  
Group A ◽  
And Control ◽  
Study Intervention

UNSTRUCTURED Lifestyle interventions have been recognised as a line treatment of non-communicable diseases. The aimed of this study was to evaluate a bespoke mHealth approach to delivers personalised feedback to improve blood pressure and weight for hypertensive patients in community settings. A total of 307 participants, 50 from each community, were expected to be in the intervention or control group. A professional health facilitator was assigned for each of the 6 communities. The primary outcomes of the study are the reduction in blood pressure and weight at baseline and post-intervention. Of 307 recruited,192 (62.5%) participants completed the study (intervention: 104 and control: 88). There was no difference in attrition rates between the two groups (33.5%vs41.9%, p=0.291). After 6-months of intensive feedback intervention through mHealth approach, patients had better blood pressure, weight, and BMI compared with control. People who were adherent to the intervention demonstrated a clinical benefit with regards to weight and blood pressure.

scholarly journals Metagenomic Analysis of the Fecal Archaeome in Suckling Piglets Following Perinatal Tulathromycin Metaphylaxis

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1825
Author(s):  
Mohamed Zeineldin ◽  
Ameer Megahed ◽  
Benjamin Blair ◽  
Brian Aldridge ◽  
James Lowe
Keyword(s):  
Sequencing Analysis ◽  
Metagenomic Sequencing ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Gastrointestinal Microbiome ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Suckling Piglets ◽  
And Function ◽  
Changes Over Time ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Impact

The gastrointestinal microbiome plays an important role in swine health and wellbeing, but the gut archaeome structure and function in swine remain largely unexplored. To date, no metagenomics-based analysis has been done to assess the impact of an early life antimicrobials intervention on the gut archaeome. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of perinatal tulathromycin (TUL) administration on the fecal archaeome composition and diversity in suckling piglets using metagenomic sequencing analysis. Sixteen litters were administered one of two treatments (TUL; 2.5 mg/kg IM and control (CONT); saline 1cc IM) soon after birth. Deep fecal swabs were collected from all piglets on days 0 (prior to treatment), 5, and 20 post intervention. Each piglet’s fecal archaeome was composed of rich and diverse communities that showed significant changes over time during the suckling period. At the phylum level, 98.24% of the fecal archaeome across all samples belonged to Euryarchaeota. At the genus level, the predominant archaeal genera across all samples were Methanobrevibacter (43.31%), Methanosarcina (10.84%), Methanococcus (6.51%), and Methanocorpusculum (6.01%). The composition and diversity of the fecal archaeome between the TUL and CONT groups at the same time points were statistically insignificant. Our findings indicate that perinatal TUL metaphylaxis seems to have a minimal effect on the gut archaeome composition and diversity in sucking piglets. This study improves our current understanding of the fecal archaeome structure in sucking piglets and provides a rationale for future studies to decipher its role in and impact on host robustness during this critical phase of production.

scholarly journals Anthropomorphic Strategies Promote Wildlife Conservation through Empathy: The Moderation Role of the Public Epidemic Situation

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (7) ◽  
pp. 3565
Author(s):  
Dan Yue ◽  
Zepeng Tong ◽  
Jianchi Tian ◽  
Yang Li ◽  
Linxiu Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Behavioral Intention ◽  
Wildlife Conservation ◽  
Negative Emotion ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Negative Emotions ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Wildlife Trade ◽  
Illegal Wildlife Trade ◽  
The Impact

The global illegal wildlife trade directly threatens biodiversity and leads to disease outbreaks and epidemics. In order to avoid the loss of endangered species and ensure public health security, it is necessary to intervene in illegal wildlife trade and promote public awareness of the need for wildlife conservation. Anthropomorphism is a basic and common psychological process in humans that plays a crucial role in determining how a person interacts with other non-human agents. Previous research indicates that anthropomorphizing nature entities through metaphors could increase individual behavioral intention of wildlife conservation. However, relatively little is known about the mechanism by which anthropomorphism influences behavioral intention and whether social context affects the effect of anthropomorphism. This research investigated the impact of negative emotions associated with a pandemic situation on the effectiveness of anthropomorphic strategies for wildlife conservation across two experimental studies. Experiment 1 recruited 245 college students online and asked them to read a combination of texts and pictures as anthropomorphic materials. The results indicated that anthropomorphic materials could increase participants’ empathy and decrease their wildlife product consumption intention. Experiment 2 recruited 140 college students online and they were required to read the same materials as experiment 1 after watching a video related to epidemics. The results showed that the effect of wildlife anthropomorphization vanished if participants’ negative emotion was aroused by the video. The present research provides experimental evidence that anthropomorphic strategies would be useful for boosting public support for wildlife conservation. However, policymakers and conservation organizations must be careful about the negative effects of the pandemic context, as the negative emotions produced by it seems to weaken the effectiveness of anthropomorphic strategies.

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