scholarly journals gamified sleep intervention for veterans: an overview

2022 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-53
Author(s):  
Natasha Odessa Grimard ◽  
Nissim Frija-Gruman ◽  
Steven Grover

A good night’s sleep is well known to be imperative for maintaining one’s overall wellness. Yet, about half of Canadian adults struggle with falling asleep or maintaining sleep. The impacts of insufficient sleep are wide-ranging, from physiological correlates such as diabetes to mental correlates such as depression. Effective treatments for sleep-related issues exist: for example, online interventions for insomnia have been found to be effective. As a medicine and a health psychology student at, respectively, Sherbrooke University and McGill University, we worked on the MissionVAV health promotion program during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing free gamified interventions for Canadian Veterans and their families. Over the course of several online interventions related to physical health, we observed that a large proportion of our participants were dissatisfied with their sleep. Consequently, we have developed an 8-week online sleep intervention to address this primordial element of primary prevention. The intervention aims to better our participants’ sleep through providing weekly readings on the following topics: age-related changes in sleep, proper sleep hygiene, varied relaxation techniques as well as the relationship between sleep and chronic pain, menopause, shift work, rumination, exercise and light. To promote healthy sleep hygiene habits, daily self-assessment questions are provided and are incentivized through points and storytelling. Furthermore, health coaches trained in sleep medicine follow participants throughout their journey to provide support and reinforcement. Ultimately, the intervention aims to shed light on the importance of sleep within preventative medicine, tackling it systematically in an engaging, gamified fashion.

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 81-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen Van Benthem ◽  
Chris M. Herdman

Abstract. Identifying pilot attributes associated with risk is important, especially in general aviation where pilot error is implicated in most accidents. This research examined the relationship of pilot age, expertise, and cognitive functioning to deviations from an ideal circuit trajectory. In all, 54 pilots, of varying age, flew a Cessna 172 simulator. Cognitive measures were obtained using the CogScreen-AE ( Kay, 1995 ). Older age and lower levels of expertise and cognitive functioning were associated with significantly greater flight path deviations. The relationship between age and performance was fully mediated by a cluster of cognitive factors: speed and working memory, visual attention, and cognitive flexibility. These findings add to the literature showing that age-related changes in cognition may impact pilot performance.


Author(s):  
Janusz Kocjan ◽  
Andrzej Knapik

AbstractBackground: Comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a process designed to restore full physical, psychological and social activity and to reduce cardiovascular risk factors. Fear of movement may contribute to the occurrence and intensification of hypokinesia, and consequently affect the effectiveness of therapy. The aim of the study was to determine the level of barriers of physical activity in patients undergoing cardiac rehabilitation. The relationship between selected determinants (age and health selfassessment) and the kinesiophobia level were also examined.Material/Methods: 115 people aged 40-84 years were examined: 50 females (x = 63.46; SD = 11.19) and 65 males (x = 64.65; SD = 10.59) - patients undergoing cardiac rehabilitation at the Upper-Silesian Medical Centre in Katowice. In the present study, the Polish version of questionnaires: Kinesiophobia Causes Scale (KCS) and Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) were used. Questionnaires were supplemented by authors’ short survey.Results: The patients presented an elevated level of kinesiophobia, both in general as well as in individual components. In women, the kinesiophobia level was higher than in men. The psychological domain was a greater barrier of physical activity than the biological one. Strong, negative correlations of psychological and biological domains of kinesiophobia to physical functioning (SF-36) were noted in women. In the case of men, correlations were weaker, but also statistically significant.Conclusions: 1. Sex differentiates patients in their kinesiophobia level 2. Poor self-assessment of health is associated with a greater intensification of kinesiophobia 3. A high level of kinesiophobia may negatively affect cardiac rehabilitation process


Author(s):  
Vasiliy Dvortsov ◽  
Alexander Efimenko

В статье предпринята попытка теоретического анализа и изучения научной литературы по организации и становлению воспитательной работы с осужденными в местах лишения свободы, продемонстрирована взаимосвязь между политико-воспитательной работой, ресоциализацией и исправлением осужденных в пенитенциарных учреждениях. Проведенное исследование позволяет предполагать, что воспитательная работа является основополагающим средством исправления различных категорий осужденных (регламентировано ст. 9 УИК РФ). На этой основе критерием исправления будет становиться устойчивое правопослушное поведение человека. В связи с этим возникает необходимость использования психолого-педагогической программы по перестройке и самооценке осужденных, позволяющей формировать их готовность к самореализации, когда осознание совершенных преступлений становится внутренне неприемлемым. Авторами отмечается, что, самоисправление человека зависит от ряда направлений воспитательной работы: нравственного, правового, физического воспитания, получения основного общего образования, получения профессии. Очевидно, что для закрепления положительного результата процесс ресоциализации в пенитенциарных учреждениях должен проводиться сотрудниками всех отделов и служб на основе комплексных программ, разработанных с учетом специфики и возраста осужденных.The article attempts a theoretical analysis and study of scientific literature on the organization and formation of educational work with convicts in prisons, demonstrates the relationship between «political and educational work», re-socialization and correction of convicts in prisons. The study suggests that educational work is a fundamental means of correcting various categories of convicts (regulated by article 9 of the criminal code). Based on this criterion fixes will become sustainable human behavior, demonstrating a conscious rejection of the violation of legal norms with the aim of securing sustainable patterns of law-abiding behavior. There is a need to use the psychological and pedagogical Program for restructuring and self-assessment of convicts, which allows to form on this basis their readiness for self-realization, when the awareness of the crimes committed becomes internally unacceptable. In this regard, the self-correction of a person depends on a number of areas, namely, moral, legal, physical education, basic General education, profession, forming the basis of educational work. It is obvious that in order to consolidate a positive result in penitentiary institutions, the activities of all departments and services should be carried out a process of re-socialization on the basis of comprehensive Programs developed taking into account the specifics and different ages of convicts.


Angiology ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 000331972110287
Author(s):  
Turhan Turan ◽  
Faruk Kara ◽  
Selim Kul ◽  
Muhammet Rasit Sayın ◽  
Sinan Sahin ◽  
...  

The most common cause of complete atrioventricular block (CAVB) is age-related fibrotic degeneration and is referred to as primary idiopathic complete atrioventricular block (iCAVB). This study aims to investigate the relationship between iCAVB and arterial stiffness using the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI). In this study, of 205 CAVB patients, 41 patients with iCAVB implanted with a dual-chamber permanent pacemaker and 40 age- and gender-matched controls were studied. Arterial stiffness was assessed by a VaSera VS-1000 CAVI instrument. The CAVI values of patients with iCAVB were significantly higher compared with the controls (9.63 ± 1.42 vs 8.57 ± 1.12, P < .001). Idiopathic complete atrioventricular block frequency was higher among patients with abnormal CAVI values than those with borderline and normal CAVI ( P = .04). In multivariate analysis, only CAVI was an independent predictor of iCAVB after adjusting for other relevant factors (odds ratio, 2.575; 95% CI [1.390-4.770]; P = .003). The present study demonstrated that CAVI, as a marker of arterial stiffness, was increased among elderly patients with iCAVB. Thus, we provide a possible additional mechanism linking easily measured CAVI with iCAVB.


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Benson J. Ouma ◽  
Paul Bangirana ◽  
John M. Ssenkusu ◽  
Dibyadyuti Datta ◽  
Robert O. Opoka ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Elevated angiopoietin-2 (Angpt-2) concentrations are associated with worse overall neurocognitive function in severe malaria survivors, but the specific domains affected have not been elucidated. Methods Ugandan children with severe malaria underwent neurocognitive evaluation a week after hospital discharge and at 6, 12 and 24 months follow-up. The relationship between Angpt-2 concentrations and age-adjusted, cognitive sub-scale z-scores over time were evaluated using linear mixed effects models, adjusting for disease severity (coma, acute kidney injury, number of seizures in hospital) and sociodemographic factors (age, gender, height-for-age z-score, socio-economic status, enrichment in the home environment, parental education, and any preschool education of the child). The Mullen Scales of Early Learning was used in children < 5 years and the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children 2nd edition was used in children ≥ 5 years of age. Angpt-2 levels were measured on admission plasma samples by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Adjustment for multiple comparisons was conducted using the Benjamini–Hochberg Procedure of False Discovery Rate. Results Increased admission Angpt-2 concentration was associated with worse outcomes in all domains (fine and gross motor, visual reception, receptive and expressive language) in children < 5 years of age at the time of severe malaria episode, and worse simultaneous processing and learning in children < 5 years of age at the time of severe malaria who were tested when ≥ 5 years of age. No association was seen between Angpt-2 levels and cognitive outcomes in children ≥ 5 years at the time of severe malaria episode, but numbers of children and testing time points were lower for children ≥ 5 years at the time of severe malaria episode. Conclusion Elevated Angpt-2 concentration in children with severe malaria is associated with worse outcomes in multiple neurocognitive domains. The relationship between Angpt-2 and worse cognition is evident in children < 5 years of age at the time of severe malaria presentation and in selected domains in older years.


SLEEP ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 43 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. A100-A100
Author(s):  
S Nagy ◽  
S M Pickett ◽  
J Sosa ◽  
A Garcell

Abstract Introduction Stress has been identified as a barrier to engaging in positive health behaviors. Sleep interventions, including sleep hygiene recommendations, highlight stress management as an important treatment component. However, the relationship between negative emotion, stress management or emotion regulation, and positive sleep behaviors has largely been unexamined. Therefore, the current study, through secondary analyses, examined the relationships between negative affect, stress and emotional reactivity and sleep incompatible behaviors. Lastly, the indirect effect that dispositional mindfulness, as a possible self-regulatory mechanism, may have on the relationship was also examined. It was hypothesized that greater levels of stress, emotional reactivity, and negative arousal along with lower levels of dispositional mindfulness would predict higher engagement in sleep incompatible behaviors. Methods Participants (n=308) identified mostly as female (55.8%) and White/Caucasian (83.2%) and with an average age of 36.76 (SD = 12.20). Participants completed the Perceived Stress and Reactivity Scale (PSRS), the Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS), the Sleep Behaviors Self-Rating Scale, and the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ). A multiple regression analysis was conducted using the relevant subscales from the PSRS, PANAS, and FFMQ to predict the occurrence of behaviors incompatible with healthy sleep. Results The hypothesis was partially supported. Results indicated that the model significantly predicted sleep incompatible behavior (R2= .108, F(9, 299) = 4.042, p &lt; .001), with only negative affect (β= .163, t(299) = 2.555, p = .011) and nonreactivity (β= -.219, t(299) = -2.484, p = .014) remaining significant when all variables were entered in the model. Conclusion The findings demonstrate that negative affect and reactivity are significant predictors of engagement in poor sleep hygiene practices. They also suggest that certain facets of dispositional mindfulness has an indirect relationship with sleep incompatible behaviors. The results may contribute to the development of sleep health interventions and highlight the need for future research. Support N/A


Parasitology ◽  
1983 ◽  
Vol 87 (3) ◽  
pp. 481-492 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Ruth Lawson ◽  
R. A. Wilson

SummaryThe ability of the cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni to penetrate the tails of mice was shown to remain constant throughout their lives. However, their capacity to establish themselves and then reach maturity decreased as they aged. The abdominal route of penetration produced consistently higher maturation rates than the tail route. Significantly different maturation rates were obtained by modifying the standard tail infection technique. Evidence is presented that age-related mortality of schisto-somula occurs within 24 h of penetration and may be associated with the exhaustion of energy reserves during the penetration of the stratum corneum. The relationship of this age-related mortality to ‘mass mortality’ is discussed.


Author(s):  
Katalin Dózsa ◽  
Fruzsina Mezei ◽  
Tamás Tóth ◽  
Ábel Perjés ◽  
Péter Pollner

Abstract Background: Expectations towards general practitioners (GPs) are continuously increasing to provide a more systematic preventive- and definitive-based care, a wider range of multidisciplinary team-based services and to integrate state-of-the-art digital solutions into daily practice. Aided by development programmes, Hungarian primary care is facing the challenge to fulfil its role as the provider of comprehensive, high quality, patient-centred, preventive care, answering the challenges caused by non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Aim: The article aims to provide an insight into the utilization of simple, digital, medical devices. We show the relationship between the primary health care (PHC) practice models and the used types of devices. We point at further development directions of GP practices regarding the utilization of evidence-based medical technologies and how such devices support the screening and chronic care of patients with NCDs in everyday practice. Methods: Data were collected using an online self-assessment questionnaire from 1800 Hungarian GPs registered in Hungary. Descriptive statistics, Wilcoxon’s test and χ2 test were applied to analyze the ownership and utilization of 32 types of medical devices, characteristics of the GP practices and to highlight the differences between traditional and cluster-based operating model. Findings: Based on the responses from 27.7% of all Hungarian GPs, the medical device infrastructure was found to be limited especially in single GP-practices. Those involved in development projects of GP’s clusters in the last decade reported a wider range and significantly more intensive utilization of evidence-based technologies (average number of devices: 5.42 versus 7.56, P<.001), but even these GPs are not using some of their devices (e.g., various point of care testing devices) due to the lack of financing. In addition, GPs involved in GPs-cluster development model programmes showed significantly greater willingness for sharing relatively expensive, extra workforce-demanding technologies (χ2 = 24.5, P<.001).


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre Petitet ◽  
Jacqueline Scholl ◽  
Bahaaeddin Attaallah ◽  
Daniel Drew ◽  
Sanjay Manohar ◽  
...  

AbstractApathy and impulsivity are debilitating conditions associated with many neuropsychiatric conditions, and expressed to variable degrees in healthy people. While some theories suggest that they lie at different ends of a continuum, others suggest their possible co-existence. Surprisingly little is known, however, about their empirical association in the general population. Here, gathering data from six large studies ($$n = 3755$$ n = 3755 ), we investigated the relationship between measures of apathy and impulsivity in young adults. The questionnaires included commonly used self-assessment tools—Apathy Evaluation Scale, Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11) and UPPS-P Scale—as well as a more recent addition, the Apathy Motivation Index (AMI). Remarkably, across datasets and assessment tools, global measures of apathy and impulsivity correlated positively. However, analysis of sub-scale scores revealed a more complex relationship. Although most dimensions correlated positively with one another, there were two important exceptions revealed using the AMI scale. Social apathy was mostly negatively correlated with impulsive behaviour, and emotional apathy was orthogonal to all other sub-domains. These results suggest that at a global level, apathy and impulsivity do not exist at distinct ends of a continuum. Instead, paradoxically, they most often co-exist in young adults. Processes underlying social and emotional apathy, however, appear to be different and dissociable from behavioural apathy and impulsivity.


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