An Exploratory Study Testing Autonomic Reactivity to Pain in Women with Sensory Over-Responsiveness

Background: Difficulty modulating sensory input related to multi-sensory integration dysfunction, specifically the sensory over-responsive (SOR) type, is associated with psychological distress and hyperalgesia in children and adults. Scares reports suggest atypical autonomic nervous system (ANS) reactivity to innocuous sensory stimuli in children with SOR. Thus, the ANS may contribute to sensory stimuli responses and psychological distress. This exploratory study aimed to characterize the ANS reactivity to single and dual pain stimulation, and in relation to psychological distress in adults with SOR. Methods: Healthy women with SOR (n = 9) vs. without SOR (n = 9) underwent two runs of single pain stimulation and a third run comprised of dual pain stimulation. Pain was self-rated, while heart rate variability was measured and analyzed in the time and frequency domains. In addition, questionnaires assessing anxiety and somatization were utilized. Results: While controls demonstrated a vagal tone withdrawal (root mean square of successive differences in R-R-intervals; (RMSSD)) p = 0.029 from base-line to the third run, this was absent in the SOR group. However, no group differences were found in pain ratings. Furthermore, groups differed in the correlations between R-R mean and the level of both anxiety (p = 0.006) and somatization (p < 0.001); while in the SOR group, higher levels of anxiety and somatization correlated with shorter R-R intervals, the opposite was found in the control group. Conclusions: This is the first study to demonstrate in women with SOR atypical vagal tone reactivity to challenging pain load. Vagal tone reactivity is related to both pain ratings and psychological distress.

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Melatonin Improves Erythropoietin Hyporesponsiveness via Suppression of Inflammation

Reviews on Recent Clinical Trials ◽

10.2174/1574887114666190528120357 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 14 (3) ◽

pp. 203-208

Author(s):

Evan Noori Hameed ◽

Haydar F. Hadi AL Tukmagi ◽

Hayder Ch Assad Allami

Keyword(s):

Iron Status ◽

Transferrin Saturation ◽

Control Group ◽

Base Line ◽

Inadequate Response ◽

Inflammatory Parameters ◽

Tnf Α ◽

Before And After ◽

And Control ◽

Controlled Clinical Study

Background: Inadequate response to Erythropoietin Stimulating Agents (ESA) despite using relatively larger doses regimen represents a potential risk factor of Cardiovascular (CV) related mortality in addition to health-care economic problems in anemic patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). Erythropoietin (EPO) hyporesponsiveness related to inflammation has been increased progressively. Melatonin is well known as a potent anti-inflammatory agent. Therefore, the current study was designed to evaluate whether melatonin could improve anemic patients response to EPO. Methods: This single controlled clinical study was carried out in 41 CKD patients with hemoglobin (Hb) levels less than 11g/dl divided randomly in a 1:1 ratio into 2 groups; treatment group who received 5mg melatonin plus their regular treatments and control group who received their regular treatments only. Hematological and iron status parameters include Hb level, serum iron (S. iron), Transferrin Saturation Ratio (TSAT) and serum ferritin (S. ferritin) in addition to inflammatory parameters that include tissue necrotic factor alfa (TNF-α), interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) determined before and after 12 weeks of treatment. Results: Melatonin remarkably increases the Hb level with a significant increase in S. iron and TSAT compared to baseline. The elevation of S. iron and TSAT was significantly higher in the melatonin group. Additionally, all inflammatory markers estimated were reduced significantly by melatonin compared to base line and control group. Conclusion: The results of the current study showed that melatonin has an advantageous effect on improving EPO response in anemic patients with CKD.

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Comparison of pregnenolone sulfate, pregnanolone and estradiol levels between patients with menstrually-related migraine and controls: an exploratory study

The Journal of Headache and Pain ◽

10.1186/s10194-021-01231-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Cecilia Rustichelli ◽

Elisa Bellei ◽

Stefania Bergamini ◽

Emanuela Monari ◽

Flavia Lo Castro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Exploratory Study ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Control Group ◽

Allosteric Modulator ◽

Positive Allosteric Modulator ◽

Pregnenolone Sulfate ◽

Menstrually Related Migraine ◽

History Of ◽

Estradiol Levels

Abstract Background Neurosteroids affect the balance between neuroexcitation and neuroinhibition but have been little studied in migraine. We compared the serum levels of pregnenolone sulfate, pregnanolone and estradiol in women with menstrually-related migraine and controls and analysed if a correlation existed between the levels of the three hormones and history of migraine and age. Methods Thirty women (mean age ± SD: 33.5 ± 7.1) with menstrually-related migraine (MM group) and 30 aged- matched controls (mean age ± SD: 30.9 ± 7.9) participated in the exploratory study. Pregnenolone sulfate and pregnanolone serum levels were analysed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, while estradiol levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results Serum levels of pregnenolone sulfate and pregnanolone were significantly lower in the MM group than in controls (pregnenolone sulfate: P = 0.0328; pregnanolone: P = 0.0271, Student’s t-test), while estradiol levels were similar. In MM group, pregnenolone sulfate serum levels were negatively correlated with history of migraine (R2 = 0.1369; P = 0.0482) and age (R2 = 0.2826, P = 0.0025) while pregnenolone sulfate levels were not age-related in the control group (R2 = 0.04436, P = 0.4337, linear regression analysis). Conclusion Low levels of both pregnanolone, a positive allosteric modulator of the GABAA receptor, and pregnenolone sulfate, a positive allosteric modulator of the NMDA receptor, involved in memory and learning, could contribute either to headache pain or the cognitive dysfunctions reported in migraine patients. Overall, our results agree with the hypothesis that migraine is a disorder associated with a loss of neurohormonal integrity, thus supporting the therapeutic potential of restoring low neurosteroid levels in migraine treatment.

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Alleviating psychological distress associated with a positive cervical cancer screening result: a randomized control trial

BMC Women s Health ◽

10.1186/s12905-021-01207-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Yukari Isaka ◽

Ai Hori ◽

Rie Tanaka ◽

Masao Ichikawa

Keyword(s):

Cervical Cancer ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Cancer Screening ◽

Cervical Cancer Screening ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Control Group ◽

Control Groups ◽

And Control ◽

Screening Result

Abstract Background The method of communicating a positive cancer screening result should seek to alleviate psychological distress associated with a positive result. We evaluated whether the provision of information through a leaflet would help reduce psychological distress in a randomized controlled trial. Methods The participants were women aged 20–69 years who were about to undergo cervical cancer screening at health centers. Before the screening, they received hypothetical screening results, with a leaflet (intervention group, n = 493) or without it (control group, n = 479), randomly. Their psychological distress and intention to undergo further examination were then compared between the intervention and control groups. Results After the intervention (providing a leaflet with hypothetical screening results), psychological distress appeared to be higher in the control group than in the intervention group among those who received a hypothetical positive screening result (odds ratio: 2.57, 95% confidence interval: 1.87–3.54), while 95% and 97% of those in the intervention and control groups, respectively, reported that they would undergo further examination. Conclusions Information provision might help reduce psychological distress but not hinder further examination among women who screen positive for cervical cancer. Trial registration: UMIN Clinical Trials Registry UMIN000029894. Date of Registration: November 2017.

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Eye-Movement Patterns of Readers With Down Syndrome During Sentence-Processing: An Exploratory Study

American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities ◽

10.1352/1944-7558-115.3.193 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 115 (3) ◽

pp. 193-206 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Cheryl Frenck-Mestre ◽

Nathalie Zardan ◽

Annie Colas ◽

Alain Ghio

Keyword(s):

Down Syndrome ◽

Eye Movements ◽

Sentence Processing ◽

Exploratory Study ◽

Matched Control ◽

Reading Level ◽

Control Group ◽

Future Studies ◽

Complex Sentences ◽

Simple Sentences

Abstract Eye movements were examined to determine how readers with Down syndrome process sentences online. Participants were 9 individuals with Down syndrome ranging in reading level from Grades 1 to 3 and a reading-level-matched control group. For syntactically simple sentences, the pattern of reading times was similar for the two groups, with longer reading times found at sentence end. This “wrap-up” effect was also found in the first reading of more complex sentences for the control group, whereas it only emerged later for the readers with Down syndrome. Our results provide evidence that eye movements can be used to investigate reading in individuals with Down syndrome and underline the need for future studies.

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Prevalence of mental health symptoms among male and female Australian professional footballers

BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine ◽

10.1136/bmjsem-2021-001043 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (3) ◽

pp. e001043

Author(s):

Özgür Kilic ◽

Sean Carmody ◽

Judith Upmeijer ◽

Gino M M J Kerkhoffs ◽

Rosemary Purcell ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Problem Gambling ◽

Sleep Disturbance ◽

Alcohol Misuse ◽

Control Group ◽

Psychological Resilience ◽

Mental Health Symptoms ◽

Male And Female ◽

Health Symptoms

ObjectiveDetermining the prevalence of mental health symptoms (MHS) among Australian professional footballers compared with former players. A secondary aim was to assess whether MHS were associated with recent injury and psychological resilience.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 149 male (mean age: 24 years) and 132 female (mean age: 23 years) Australian A-League and W-League professional footballers (study group) and 81 former male footballers (control group, mean age: 39 years) for analysis. MHS and psychological resilience were assessed through validated questionnaires. Severe injuries were assessed through a single question. The adjusted Wald method was used to assess the primary aim. Logistic regression analyses was used to assess the secondary aim.ResultsThe most prevalent MHS among active footballers and former footballers was sport-related psychological distress (63%) and alcohol misuse (69%), respectively. Global psychological distress, sleep disturbance, alcohol misuse and substance misuse were significantly lower among active male footballers than among former players. Increased psychological resilience among active male footballers was associated with a decrease in symptoms of sport-related and global psychological distress, anxiety and depression of 9%, 14%, 23% and 20%, respectively. Increased psychological resilience among female players was associated with 10% decrease in symptoms of depression. Problem gambling and sleep disturbance was associated with injury in the previous 6 months among active male and female footballers, respectively.ConclusionsMHS are prevalent among active and former professional footballers. Higher level of psychological resilience is associated with decreased reporting of MHS. Severe injury is associated with problem gambling and sleep disturbance.

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Comorbidity and COVID-19: Investigating the Relationship between Medical and Psychological Well-being

Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/ipm.2021.37 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-22

Author(s):

Owen Stafford ◽

Anna Berry ◽

Laura K. Taylor ◽

Sinead Wearen ◽

Cian Prendergast ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Vulnerable Populations ◽

Illness Perceptions ◽

Medical Condition ◽

Well Being ◽

Control Group ◽

Medical Conditions ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Relationship

Abstract Objective: The unprecedented occurrence of a global pandemic is accompanied by both physical and psychological burdens that may impair quality of life. Research relating to COVID-19 aims to determine the effects of the pandemic on vulnerable populations who are at high risk of developing negative health or psychosocial outcomes. Having an ongoing medical condition during a pandemic may lead to greater psychological distress. Increased psychological distress may be due to preventative public health measures (e.g. lockdown), having an ongoing medical condition, or a combination of these factors. Methods: This study analyses data from an online cross-sectional national survey of adults in Ireland and investigates the relationship between comorbidity and psychological distress. Those with a medical condition (n128) were compared to a control group without a medical condition (n128) and matched according to age, gender, annual income, education, and work status during COVID-19. Participants and data were obtained during the first public lockdown in Ireland (27.03.202008.06.2020). Results: Individuals with existing medical conditions reported significantly higher levels of anxiety (p<.01) and felt less gratitude (p.001). Exploratory analysis indicates that anxiety levels were significantly associated with illness perceptions specific to COVID-19. Post-hoc analysis reveal no significant difference between the number of comorbidities and condition type (e.g. respiratory disorders). Conclusion: This research supports individualised supports for people with ongoing medical conditions through the COVID-19 pandemic, and has implications for the consideration of follow-up care specifically for mental health. Findings may also inform future public health policies and post-vaccine support strategies for vulnerable populations.

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The Efficacy and Mechanism of Positive Psychological Intervention on Well-Being for Colostomy Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

10.21203/rs.3.rs-1137918/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Yanfei Jin ◽

Yuqing Wang ◽

Hongwen Ma ◽

Xu Tian ◽

Wang Honghong

Keyword(s):

Life Satisfaction ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Standard Care ◽

Psychological Capital ◽

Psychological Intervention ◽

Well Being ◽

Control Group ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Experimental Group ◽

Positive Psychological Intervention

Abstract Aims To evaluate the efficacy and mechanism of positive psychological intervention (PPI) on the psychological capital, psychological distress, and life satisfaction among colostomy patients. Methods Patients (n=120) with permanent stomas were recruited and randomly assigned into two groups. Patients in the experimental group (n=60) received standard care and PPI, whereas patients in the control group (n=60) only received standard care. The psychological capital, psychological distress, and life satisfaction were measured and compared between two groups before the intervention, the immediate post-intervention, and follow-up. Results All 120 patients completed the study. The hope, optimism, resilience, psychological distress, and life satisfaction score of the experimental group were significantly higher than those of the control group at T1 and T2 (P<0.05). Self-efficacy score of the experimental group had no significant difference at the two-time points after the intervention than the control group (P>0.05). Changes in hope and resilience which belong to psychological capital mediated the intervention’s efficacy on changes in PPI on life satisfaction (β = 0.265, P=0.005; β = 0.686, P=0.002). Conclusions PPI could effectively improve psychological capital, psychological distress, and life satisfaction among patients with stomas. Besides, our findings add novel support that increased hope and resilience are the active ingredients that promote intervention change.

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The Effect of Fluoxetine and Ibuprofen on BCG-Induced Alteration in Pain Sensitivity in Mice

QJM ◽

10.1093/qjmed/hcab114.002 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 114 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

Heba H El-Morsy ◽

Wesam El-Bakly ◽

Amany H Hasanin ◽

May Hamza ◽

M Abdel-Bary

Keyword(s):

Drinking Water ◽

Mechanical Allodynia ◽

Formalin Test ◽

Forced Swim Test ◽

Tail Suspension Test ◽

Control Group ◽

Base Line ◽

Immobility Time ◽

Long Time ◽

Incisional Pain

Abstract Clinical observations recognized the co-existence and interactions of pain and depression a long time, ago. The aim of this work was to study the effect of ibuprofen and fluoxetine on BCGinduced depressive-like behaviour, on formalin-induced pain, as well as on mechanical allodynia after planter incision in mice. BCG induced a depressive behaviour that was seen in the forced swim test (FST) and the tail suspension test (TST). It also induced a decrease in pain-related behaviour in the formalin test, and an increase in the baseline in mechanical allodynia test compared to the control group. Fluoxetine (80 mg/L of drinking water) showed a significant decrease in the immobility time in the FST and TST and enhanced pain related behaviour in formalin test in the BCG-inoculated group. However, it did not affect the increase in the pain threshold in the planter incision allodynia model. Adding ibuprofen to drinking water (0.2 g/L of drinking water), reversed the depressive like behaviour induced by BCG and enhanced pain-related behaviour in formalin test, in both the total pain-related behaviour and phase 2. It also prevented the increase in the base line induced by BCG. On the other hand, the incisional pain model was not affected by BCG inoculation except at the 2-hour time point, where it showed hypoalgesia, as well.

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Anxiety and depression in parents 4–9 years after the loss of a child owing to a malignancy: a population-based follow-up

Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s0033291704002740 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 34 (8) ◽

pp. 1431-1441 ◽

Cited By ~ 133

Author(s):

ULRIKA KREICBERGS ◽

UNNUR VALDIMARSDÓTTIR ◽

ERIK ONELÖV ◽

JAN-INGE HENTER ◽

GUNNAR STEINECK

Keyword(s):

Psychological Distress ◽

Relative Risk ◽

Confidence Interval ◽

Stressful Life Event ◽

Population Based ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Control Group ◽

Bereaved Parents ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Loss Of A Child

Background. Some consider the loss of a child as the most stressful life event. When the death is caused by a malignancy, the parents are commonly exposed not only to their own loss, but also to the protracted physical and emotional suffering of the child. We investigated parental risk of anxiety and depression 4–9 years after the loss of a child owing to a malignancy.Method. In 2001, we attempted to contact all parents in Sweden who had lost a child due to a malignancy during 1992–1997. We used an anonymous postal questionnaire and utilized a control group of non-bereaved parents with a living child.Results. Participation among bereaved parents was 449/561 (80%); among non-bereaved 457/659 (69%). We found an increased risk of anxiety (relative risk 1·5, 95% confidence interval 1·1–1·9) and depression (relative risk 1·4, 95% confidence interval 1·1–1·7) among bereaved parents compared with non-bereaved. The risk of anxiety and depression was higher in the period 4–6 years after bereavement than in the 7–9 years period, during which the average excess risks approached zero. Psychological distress was overall higher among bereaved mothers and loss of a child aged 9 years or older implied an increased risk, particularly for fathers.Conclusions. Psychological morbidity in bereaved parents decreases to levels similar to those among non-bereaved parents 7–9 years after the loss. Bereaved mothers and parents who lose a child 9 years or older have on average an excess risk for long-term psychological distress.

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Cardiovascular response and backward, upward, right push maneuver during laryngoscopy: comparison between CMAC® video laryngoscopy and conventional Macintosh

Medical Journal of Indonesia ◽

10.13181/mji.v26i2.1505 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 26 (2) ◽

pp. 116-21

Author(s):

Arif H.M. Marsaban ◽

Aldy Heriwardito ◽

I G.N.A.D. Yundha

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Heart Rate ◽

Mean Arterial Pressure ◽

Cardiovascular Response ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Control Group ◽

Nociceptive Stimulation ◽

Cardiovascular Parameters ◽

Pain Stimulation ◽

Frequent Response

Background: Increased blood pressure and heart rate are the most frequent response to laryngoscopy which sometimes causes serious complications. Laryngoscopy technique and tools modification lessen the nociceptive stimulation, thus preventing hemodynamic response. BURP maneuver is used to lower Cormack-Lehane level, but it can cause additional pain stimulation during laryngoscopy. The aim of this study was to compare the cardiovascular response and the need of BURP maneuver during laryngoscopy between CMAC® and conventional Macintosh.Methods: A randomized, single blinded, control trial was performed to 139 subjects who underwent general anesthesia with endotracheal tube. Subjects were randomised into a control group (conventional Macintosh) and an intervention group (CMAC®). The cardiovascular parameters (systolic, dyastolic, mean arterial pressure, and heart rate) were measured prior to induction (T1). Midazolam 0.05 mg/kg and Fentanyl 2 micrograms/kg were given 2 minutes before the induction. Moreover, they were given propofol 1 mg/kg followed by propofol infusion of 10 mg/kg/hour and Atracurium 0.8–1 mg/kg. After TOF-0 cardiovascular parameters (T2) were remeasured, it was proceeded to laryngoscopy. When Cormack-Lehane 1–2 was reached (with or without BURP maneuver), cardiovascular parameters were measured again (T3).Results: Unpaired T-test showed that cardiovascular response during laryngoscopy were significantly lower in the intervention group compared to the control group (p<0.05). The need of BURP maneuver was significantly lower in the CMAC® group compared to the Convensional Macintosh group (13.9% vs 40.3%; p<0.05).Conclusion: Cardiovascular response and BURP maneuver during laryngoscopy with CMAC® were significantly lower compared to conventional Macintosh.

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