scholarly journals Augmented Reality Technology As A Delivery Mechanism For Psychological Intervention In Adolescents With Asthma: A Randomised Controlled Feasibility Trial Protocol

Author(s):  
Kelsey Sharrad ◽  
Caitlin Martini ◽  
Zoe Kopsaftis ◽  
Andrew Tai ◽  
Nicola Spurrier ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Australia has one of the highest rates of asthma prevalence worldwide, with almost one in 10 children affected. The mental health and wellbeing of asthmatic children is reported to be significantly more impacted than non-asthmatic peers; affecting both asthma management and their overall quality of life. The relationship between asthma and psychological distress is likely bi-directional, therefore requiring an intervention that addresses both psychological and physiological factors. Technology-based psychological interventions provide a potential solution that may increase engagement with treatment amongst adolescents. In particular, augmented reality (AR) is a novel technology that can be tailored to individual populations and has been proven effective in the management of other conditions. No evidence exists currently on the feasibility of AR in the management of psychological wellbeing within the asthmatic community.Methods: An 80-page workbook has been developed based on best-practice asthma guidelines and through consultation with field experts in Psychology and Paediatric Respiratory Medicine, AR tools have been developed following a needs assessment, and a bespoke smartphone app has been developed by Portal Australia. Forty (n=40) young people aged 13-17 years with persistent asthma will be recruited from the Respiratory Department at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital. Participants will be required to download a smartphone application (YOLO de-stress) and will be encouraged to use the app for a month. Participants will be required to complete the Youth Asthma-related Anxiety Scale, Paediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire and the Asthma Control Questionnaire at baseline and one-month post-intervention. Data analysis will be descriptive, with counts and percentages for categorical data, and means and standard deviations for continuous data compared between baseline and follow-up. For continuous outcome variables mixed effects linear models will be used. For other outcome measures mixed effects generalized linear models will be used. Discussion: This study will explore the feasibility of AR tools to aid delivery of psychological intervention to manage symptoms of elevated psychological distress among young people with asthma, and inform development of a fully powered RCT. Trial registration: This project was prospectively registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR): ACTRN12620001109998

Author(s):  
Grete K. Velure ◽  
Bernd Müller ◽  
May Aa. Hauken

Abstract Purpose Curative radiotherapy for cancer may lead to severe late radiation tissue injuries (LRTIs). However, limited knowledge exists about pelvic cancer survivors’ LRTI symptoms, distress, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). We sought to assess the symptom burden, distress, and HRQOL in survivors with established pelvic LRTIs compared to norm populations and to investigate the relation between these factors. Methods Cancer survivors referred for treatment of established pelvic LRTIs were recruited nationwide. LTRIs were assessed with the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC), psychological distress was assessed with the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), and HRQOL was assessed with the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORCT-QLQ-C30). Results A total of 107 participants (mean age 64, 53% men) were included. Compared to norms, participants reported more urinary (mean 68.7 vs. 89.5; p = 0.00; d = 1.4) and bowel symptoms (mean 62.5 vs. 92.4; p = 0.00; d = 2.7), increased psychological distress (mean 13.4 vs. 10.3; p = 0.00; d = 0.6), and overall poorer HRQOL (mean 54.9 vs. 71.2; p = 0.00; d = 0.7). Higher symptom burden and higher levels of psychological distress were associated with lower HRQOL (r2 = 46%), but psychological distress did not moderate the influence of symptoms on HRQOL. Conclusion Cancer survivors with established pelvic LRTIs are highly burdened compared to norms. The association of the LRTI-related symptom burden with HRQOL is independent of the level of psychological distress. Both coping and treatment interventions are crucial to promoting long-term health and HRQOL. Trial registration NCT03570229.


2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gopal L. Narang ◽  
Laura E. Wiener ◽  
Kristina L. Penniston ◽  
Jodi A. Antonelli ◽  
Timothy D. Averch ◽  
...  

Introduction: Urolithiasis causes a significant impact on health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Patients with kidney stones have high levels of stress and anxiety. Symptom resolution often requires treatment. Travel distance is a barrier to care but little is known about its effects on HRQOL. We hypothesize that increased distance to treatment site is associated with decreased HRQOL. Methods: Patients with a history of stones were enrolled at 11 tertiary centers as part of the QOL Stone Consortium of North America. HRQOL data were obtained using the Wisconsin Stone Quality of Life questionnaire (WISQOL). We calculated distance between patient and treatment site using national ZIP codes. We used linear models to evaluate the effect of distance on HRQOL, while also considering demographics data, stones/symptom status, and distance. Results: Of the 1676 enrolled patients, 52% were male, 86% non-Latino White, and the mean age was 53 years. Mean distance to treatment site was 63.3 km (range: 0–3774), with 74% reporting current stones and 45% current symptoms. WISQOL score and distance were negatively correlated for patients reporting current stones and symptoms (p=0.0010). Linear modelling revealed decreased WISQOL scores for patients with symptoms as distance increased from treatment site (p=0.0001), with a 4.7-point decrease for every 100 km traveled. Conclusions: Stone disease imposes significant burden on patients’ HRQOL due to a variety of factors. Patients with active stone symptoms report worse HRQOL with increased distance to their treatment site. Possible etiologies include travel burden, increased disease burden, decreased healthcare use, and delays in care.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ljupcho Efremov ◽  
◽  
Aneta Petrusevska ◽  
Vera Dimitrievska ◽  
Valentina Simonovska ◽  
...  

Introduction: Acne vulgaris is a disorder of the pilosebaceous units. It is a chronic inflammatory dermatosis notable for open/closed comedones, papules, pustules, nodules. It is characterized by open comedones, closed comedones and pustular nodules. Aim of study: To examine factors underlying the quality of life of people with acne. Materials and method: A total of 576 respondents were included in the study. Acne specific Quality of Life questionnaire was used for this purpose. A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted, performed in private dermatological clinic as well as on-line. All analyses were conducted by using the SPSS.26 for Windows. Results and Discussion: 5.7 % were males and 94.3 percent were females. About 69.4% were aged between 15-25; 16.7 % between 26 to 30; 8.8% between 31 to 35 years old. Quality of life and emotional perception towards the social environment is demonstrated by the three components (self-perception of discomfort, functionality, and social factor). The reliability levels for the three components were .858 for self-perception of discomfort, .779 for functionality and .745 for the social factor. The factor analysis discovered three underlying factors: self-perception of discomfort, social factor and functionality in daily life. Conclusion: The findings confirm the general notion that people with acne have problems in quality of life and therefore special attention to psychological intervention should be given in the treatment of acne.


2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e23187-e23187
Author(s):  
Fan Zhang ◽  
Junyan Wang ◽  
Lei Hong ◽  
Yu Xu ◽  
Da Jiang ◽  
...  

e23187 Background: Most patients with lung cancer have psychological problems, which has a significant impact on patients' rehabilitation, treatment and quality of life. Through the distress and quality of life assessment, to understand the risk factors of distress, in order to improve the quality of life of lung cancer patients. Methods: The investigation was consisted of 209 lung cancer patients who were treated in Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University from February 2014 to December 2015.Patients were assessed through the use of distress thermometer, problem list, quality of life questionnaire. Lung cancer patients were divided into a significant distress group and a non-significant distress group. Chi-square test was used to analyze the relationship between demographic characteristics, disease information and significant distress. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze risk factors for distress. The Spearman rank correlation was used to analyze the correlation between the significant distress group and each area of the quality of life questionnaire. The test level was significantly different at P< 0.05. Results: The distress of majority lung cancer patients was 0-4 points, 68 cases were significant distress, significant distress rate was 32.5%. Logistic regression showed PS scores, family residence, informed condition were risk factors of significant distress( P< 0.001 < P= 0.035, P= 0.031). Economic problems were the most common cause of psychological distress in lung cancer patients. Other risk factors included the lack of time and energy to take care for the elderly/children, fear, sadness, dizziness and pain. The significant distress of lung cancer patients was negatively correlated with health status, physical function, emotional function, cognitive function, social function, and was positively correlated with symptoms as fatigue, nausea and vomiting, pain, shortness of breath, insomnia, loss of appetite and constipation. Conclusions: The incidence of significant distress in patients with lung cancer is 32.5%. PS score, fully informed, and family residence are the risks of significant distress in patients. The distress of lung cancer patients is significantly related to the quality of life.


Author(s):  
Taina Rantanen ◽  
Johanna Eronen ◽  
Markku Kauppinen ◽  
Katja Kokko ◽  
Sini Sanaslahti ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Social distancing, that is, avoiding places with other people and staying at home, was recommended to prevent viral transmission during the COVID-19 pandemic. Potentially, reduced out-of-home mobility and lower activity levels among older people may lower their quality of life (QOL). We studied cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of and changes in life-space mobility, active aging, and QOL during COVID-19 social distancing compared to 2 years before. Methods Altogether 809 community-living participants initially aged 75, 80, or 85 years of our active aging study (AGNES) conducted in 2017–2018 took part in the current AGNES-COVID-19 survey in May and June 2020. Outdoor mobility was assessed with the Life-Space Assessment (range 0–120). Active approach to life was assessed with the University of Jyväskylä Active Aging Scale (range 0–272), and QOL with the shortened Older People’s Quality of Life Questionnaire (range13–65; higher scores better for all). Data were analyzed with General Estimating Equations, General Linear Models, and One-way analysis of variance. Results Life-space mobility (B −10.8, SE 0.75, p &lt; .001), the active aging score (B −24.1, SE 0.88, p &lt; .001), and the QOL score (B −1.65, SE 0.21, p &lt; .001) were lower during COVID-19 social distancing versus 2 years before. Concurrent life-space mobility and active aging scores, age, and sex explained 48% of QOL at the baseline and 42% during social distancing. Longitudinally, steeper declines in all 3 variables coincided. Conclusion The observed declines indicate compliance with social distancing recommendation, but underline the importance of participation in meaningful life situations as a factor underlying good QOL also during the COVID-19 pandemic.


2013 ◽  
Vol 31 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e20657-e20657
Author(s):  
Daniela Gercovich ◽  
Pablo Lopez ◽  
Diego Bortolato ◽  
Patricia Margiolakis ◽  
Mirta Morgenfeld ◽  
...  

e20657 Background: In a previous study (Gercovich et al., 2011) we found that several dimensions of Illness Perception predicted some aspects of Quality of Life. The present study introduces Psychological Distress as a variable to assess the modulatory role it plays in the association between Illness Perception dimensions and Quality of Life in patients with breast cancer, identifying which of these two variables explain further variability in the different aspects of Quality of Life. Methods: A cohort of seventy-five patients was evaluated with the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ-30). We calculated bivariate and partial correlations to evaluate the associations between the illness perception dimensions and different aspects of quality of life, controlling these associations by the psychological distress measure. Subsequently, we performed linear regression analysis to evaluate which of these two variables better explains the variability in the quality of life scores. Results: Although significant associations between subscales of perception of illness and quality of life were found, most of them lost their significance when controlled by distress. In the regression models, variables that predicted the variability in the quality of life best were psychopathological diagnostic and distress. Conclusions: According to the study results, psychological distress and psychopathological diagnostic were the two variables that better explained the variability in the quality of life. For this reason it is essential to learn more about the role these variables play on the quality of life and on the morbidity and mortality associated to them.


2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 575-581 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mare Nishiura ◽  
Atsuhisa Tamura ◽  
Hideaki Nagai ◽  
Eisuke Matsushima

AbstractObjective:We investigated the prevalence of sleep disturbance and psychological distress in lung cancer patients. We also examined the association between sleep disturbance and psychological distress, pain, fatigue, and quality of life in the same population.Method:Fifty lung cancer patients were evaluated. Sleep disturbance was assessed using the Athens Sleep Insomnia Scale (AIS) and psychological distress using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Quality of life (QOL), pain, and fatigue were assessed employing the European Organization of Research and Treatment Quality of Life Questionnaire–Cancer 30 (EORTC QLQ–C30).Results:We observed that 56% of lung cancer patients had sleep disturbance (AIS score ≥6) and 60% had psychological distress (total HADS score ≥11). Patients with sleep disturbance had a HADS score of 14.6 ± 5.8, a fatigue score of 45.3 ± 22.0, and a pain score of 27.2 ± 26.2. In contrast, patients without sleep disturbance had a lower HADS score of 9.9 ± 8.1 (p < 0.05) and a higher fatigue score of 28.5 ± 18.0 (p < 0.01) and a pain score of 8.7 ± 15.8 (p < 0.01). In addition, we found a lower QOL in patients with sleep disturbance (46.3 ± 20.2) than in those without (65.2 ± 20.7) (p < 0.05). We also observed a significant correlation between the AIS, HADS, fatigue, QOL, and pain scores.Significance of Results:Lung cancer patients suffered from combined symptoms related to sleep. Sleeping pills improved sleep induction but were not sufficient to provide sleep quality and prevent daytime dysfunction. Daytime dysfunction was specifically associated with psychological distress. Additionally, the type of sleep disturbance was related to other patient factors, including whether or not they received chemotherapy.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ljupcho Efremov ◽  
Aneta Petrusevska ◽  
Vera Dimitrievska ◽  
Valentina Simonovska

Introduction: Acne vulgaris is a disorder of the pilosebaceous units. It is a chronic inflammatory dermatosis notable for open/closed comedones, papules, pustules, nodules. It is characterized by open comedones, closed comedones and pustular nodules. Aim of study: To examine factors underlying the quality of life of people with acne. Materials and method: A total of 576 respondents were included in the study. Acne specific Quality of Life questionnaire was used for this purpose. A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted, performed in private dermatological clinic as well as on-line. All analyses were conducted by using the SPSS.26 for Windows. Results and Discussion: 5.7 % were males and 94.3 percent were females. About 69.4% were aged between 15-25; 16.7 % between 26 to 30; 8.8% between 31 to 35 years old. Quality of life and emotional perception towards the social environment is demonstrated by the three components (self-perception of discomfort, functionality, and social factor). The reliability levels for the three components were .858 for self-perception of discomfort, .779 for functionality and .745 for the social factor. The factor analysis discovered three underlying factors: self-perception of discomfort, social factor and functionality in daily life. Conclusion: The findings confirm the general notion that people with acne have problems in quality of life and therefore special attention to psychological intervention should be given in the treatment of acne.


2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
C Thyagaraju ◽  
A Naidu

Abstract Study question What are the levels of psychological distress (anxiety and depression) and quality of life faced by infertile couple presenting with or undergoing treatment for infertility? Summary answer The levels of psychological distress and quality of life seems to be affected more in women than their husbands and may require psychological intervention. What is known already Infertility is a biopsychosocial crisis which can cause psychological distress in the form of depression and anxiety, and can impair quality of life .It often has a stressful impact on relationships and can affect a couple’s sex life. Most of the time these aspects are not explored and only medical and surgical treatment is offered depending on the cause. Assessing the psychological distress and quality of life contributes to decrease the stress and helps to improve the outcome of management by improving the relationship of the individual to achieve pregnancy. These women need psychological support, in the form of counselling. Study design, size, duration Cross-sectional study .100 infertile couples attending fertility clinics. Previous data indicate that the mean infertility specific QoL in infertile couples is 54.39 for females (nd 60.63 for males .Thus, a minimum sample size of 77 samples per group is needed to be able to reject the null hypothesis with probability 80% power. With a 30% dropout rate, the sample size is 100 samples per group. The study was conducted from Jan 2018 to June 2019. Participants/materials, setting, methods Infertile couples aged between 25 to 40years attending the Infertility outpatient clinic in OBG department, JIPMER, Pondicherry, India were recruited in to the study. Presence of a pre-existing major medical illness and presence of a major psychiatric illness were excluded from the study. After written consent, the severity of depression and anxiety was measured using the Hospitol Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS Scale) and QoL was assessed with the Fertility Quality of Life (FertiQoL) questionnaire. Main results and the role of chance The average ages (SD) of men and women were 33.6 (4.29) and 31.3(4.03) years, respectively. Women reported higher levels of depression (p &lt; 0.001) and anxiety (p &lt; 0.001) as compared to their husbands. Depression and anxiety was noted more in women who were more than 32year age and prolonged duration of infertility. There was a significant association between depression, gender, duration of marriage and duration of infertility among the infertile couples.78% women felt that their attention and concentration were impaired and 63% responded that they cannot move towards their life goals . Around 72% and 60% felt drained out and lost, respectively. 57% women had fluctuant thoughts like hope and despair. More women felt were socially isolated and uncomfortable with social situations than men. 45% reported social pressure and 52% were felt angry because of fertility problem. Only 24% women were satisfied with support from friends and 37% of their family can understand them. Overall only 51% of the participants gave positive response to fertiqol questions. The total FertiQoL scores were significantly higher in the husbands than the wives (p &lt; 0.001). Poor Qol were significantly associated with male cause of infertility (p = 0.004), primary infertility (p = 0.022) and previous history of receiving multiple treatments (p = 0.020). Limitations, reasons for caution The main limitation of the study is the cross-section study design which cannot detect exact cause of psychological distress and small sample size from single center which did not define entire population. Self reported questionairre was more subjective 5han objective which might be counfounding. Wider implications of the findings: Couples going through infertility have a varying degree of emotional moods swinging between anxiety and depression impairing QoL.,women being affected more than men.Counselor who can empathize with the couple should form an integral part of the infertility team providing psychological intervention along with infertility treatment. Trial registration number NA


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