scholarly journals Effects of Long-Versus Short-Term Exposure to the Mediterranean Diet on Skin Microvascular Function and Quality of Life of Healthy Adults in Greece and the UK

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 2487 ◽  
Author(s):  
Markos Klonizakis ◽  
Maria G. Grammatikopoulou ◽  
Xenophon Theodoridis ◽  
Marianne Milner ◽  
Yingshan Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Microvascular Function ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
The Uk

The beneficial effects of the Mediterranean diet (MD) adherence in reducing cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and improving CVD-related physiological indices have been well-documented. However, the exact MD adherence duration needed for these effects to occur is under-researched. The aim of the present, two-arm, two-site study clinical trial was to assess the effects of long- vs. short-term MD adherence on the skin microvascular circulation, and quality of life. Two groups were recruited, one being long-term MD adherers (>5 years; from Greece; control group), and one of the non-adherers (from the UK), with the latter participating in a four-week MD intervention (intervention group). Our main outcome was skin microvascular function assessed by cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC). Secondary outcomes included quality of life, dietary intake, blood pressure and lipidemic profile. At the end of the intervention, both groups had high MD adherence. For the intervention group, significantly improved post-intervention CVC values were noted concerning the initial peak phase (2.0 ± 0.6 vs. 2.8 ± 0.8; p < 0.05). CVC values of the control group, were however higher at the plateau phase in comparison to the intervention group (intervention end; 3.8 ± 0.8 vs. 3.1 ± 1.2; p < 0.05). As per QoL, the physical domain was improved post-intervention (13.7 ± 1.2 vs. 15.9 ± 1.2; p < 0.05). No differences were observed in the lipidemic profile between groups, or between the baseline and final intervention phases. The findings indicate that although short-term MD adherence is effective in improving certain microvascular physiological properties and QoL domains, there is room for additional improvement, observed in long-term adherers. Our findings are important in the design of future, MD-based, lifestyle interventions, with the advisable durations differing between target groups.

Impact of a 12-month web and smartphone-based intervention initiated during spa therapy to improve long-term physical activity of patients with chronic diseases: randomized controlled trial. (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florie FILLOL ◽  
Ludivine PARIS ◽  
Sébastien PASCAL ◽  
Aurélien MULLIEZ ◽  
Christian-François ROQUES ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Waist Circumference ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Group Versus ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Spa Therapy

BACKGROUND Lack of physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviors are leading risk factors for non-communicable diseases (NCD). Web-based interventions are effective in increasing PA in older adults and in NCD patients. In many countries a course of spa therapy is commonly prescribed to NCD patients and represents an ideal context to initiating lifestyle changes. OBJECTIVE The main objective of this study was to evaluate in NCD patients the effectiveness of an intervention combining an individual face-to-face coaching during spa therapy and, when returning home, a web- and smartphone-based PA program including a connected wrist pedometer and a connected weighing scale, on the achievement of physical activity guidelines (PAG) 12 months after the end of spa therapy. METHODS This was a 12-month, prospective, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial. Patients were enrolled during spa therapy and randomized 1:1 to intervention or control group who received usual advices about PA. From the end of spa therapy, PA, weight, waist circumference, and quality of life of the participants in both groups, were assessed by phone every 2 months. Primary outcome was meeting PAG (PA≥600 METs) at 12 months after the end of spa therapy. Secondary outcomes were: meeting current PAG at 6 months of follow-up; sedentary time, weight and waist circumference, PA and quality of life, at 6 and 12 months. Objective use data of the web-and smartphone-based PA program were collected. Analytic methods include intention-to-treat and constrained longitudinal data analyses. RESULTS The study sample was 228 patients (female : 77.2% (176/228), mean age: 62.4 years (SD 6.7), retired: 53.9% (123/228), mean BMI = 28.2 kg.m-2 (SD 4.2)). No group differences were found for any baseline variable. At 12 months, the proportion of patients achieving PAG was significantly higher in intervention group versus control group (81% vs 67% respectively, OR = 2.34 (95% CI 1.02- 5.38; P=.045). No difference between intervention and control group was found neither in achieving PAG at 6 months nor for sedentary time, weight and waist circumference, at 6 and 12 months. Regarding quality of life, the physical component subscale score was significantly higher at 12 months in intervention group versus control group (mean difference: 4.1 (95% CI 1.9-6.3; P<.001). The mean duration use of the program was 7.1 months (SD 4.5). Attrition rate during the first 2 months of the program was 20.4% (23/113) whereas 39.8% (45/113) of the participants used the program for at least 10 months. CONCLUSIONS The results showed significantly more participants meeting PAG at one year in the intervention group compared to controls. A course of spa therapy offers the ideal time and setting to implement education in PA. Digital coaching seems to be more efficient than usual coaching for increasing the level of PA and decreasing sedentariness on the long term. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02694796; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02694796.

scholarly journals Group-based music intervention in Parkinson’s disease – findings from a mixed-methods study

2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 533-544
Author(s):  
Petra Pohl ◽  
Ewa Wressle ◽  
Fredrik Lundin ◽  
Paul Enthoven ◽  
Nil Dizdar
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Freezing Of Gait ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Music Intervention ◽  
Post Intervention

Objective: To evaluate a group-based music intervention in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Design: Parallel group randomized controlled trial with qualitative triangulation. Setting: Neurorehabilitation in primary care. Subjects: Forty-six patients with Parkinson’s disease were randomized into intervention group ( n = 26), which received training with the music-based intervention, and control group ( n = 20) without training. Interventions: The intervention was delivered twice weekly for 12 weeks. Main measures: Primary outcome was Timed-Up-and-Go subtracting serial 7’s (dual-task ability). Secondary outcomes were cognition, balance, concerns about falling, freezing of gait, and quality of life. All outcomes were evaluated at baseline, post-intervention, and three months post-intervention. Focus groups and individual interviews were conducted with the intervention group and with the delivering physiotherapists. Results: No between-group differences were observed for dual-task ability. Between-group differences were observed for Falls Efficacy Scale (mean difference (MD) = 6.5 points; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 3.0 to 10.0, P = 0.001) and for Parkinson Disease Questionnaire-39 items (MD = 8.3; 95% CI = 2.7 to 13.8, P = 0.005) when compared to the control group post-intervention, but these were not maintained at three months post-intervention. Three themes were derived from the interviews: Expectations versus Results, Perspectives on Treatment Contents, and Key Factors for Success. Conclusion: Patient-reported outcomes and interviews suggest that the group-based music intervention adds value to mood, alertness, and quality of life in patients with Parkinson’s disease. The study does not support the efficacy in producing immediate or lasting gains in dual-tasking, cognition, balance, or freezing of gait.

scholarly journals Influence of a Multidisciplinary Program of Diet, Exercise, and Mindfulness on the Quality of Life of Stage IIA-IIB Breast Cancer Survivors

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 ◽  
pp. 153473542092475
Author(s):  
Julia Ruiz-Vozmediano ◽  
Sarah Löhnchen ◽  
Lucas Jurado ◽  
Rosario Recio ◽  
Andrea Rodríguez-Carrillo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Breast Cancer Survivors ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Cancer Symptoms

Background: Integrative oncology has proven to be a useful approach to control cancer symptoms and improve the quality of life (QoL) and overall health of patients, delivering integrated patient care at both physical and emotional levels. The objective of this randomized trial was to evaluate the effects of a triple intervention program on the QoL and lifestyle of women with breast cancer. Methods: Seventy-five survivors of stage IIA-IIB breast cancer were randomized into 2 groups. The intervention group (IG) received a 6-month dietary, exercise, and mindfulness program that was not offered to the control group (CG). Data were gathered at baseline and at 6 months postintervention on QoL and adherence to Mediterranean diet using clinical markers and validated questionnaires. Between-group differences at baseline and 3 months postintervention were analyzed using Student’s t test for related samples and the Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney U tests. Results: At 6 months postintervention, the IG showed significant improvements versus CG in physical functioning ( p = .027), role functioning ( p = .028), and Mediterranean diet adherence ( p = .02) and a significant reduction in body mass index ( p = .04) and weight ( p = .05), with a mean weight loss of 0.7 kg versus a gain of 0.55 kg by the CG ( p = .05). Dyspnea symptoms were also increased in the CG versus IG ( p = .066). Conclusions: These results demonstrate that an integrative dietary, physical activity, and mindfulness program enhances the QoL and healthy lifestyle of stage IIA-IIB breast cancer survivors. Cancer symptoms may be better managed by the implementation of multimodal rather than isolated interventions.

scholarly journals Surgical treatment for colorectal cancer: analysis of the influence of an enhanced recovery programme on long-term oncological outcomes—a study protocol for a prospective, multicentre, observational cohort study

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. e040316
Author(s):  
Jose-M Ramirez-Rodriguez ◽  
Javier Martinez-Ubieto ◽  
Jose-L Muñoz-Rodes ◽  
Jose-R Rodriguez-Fraile ◽  
Jose-A Garcia-Erce ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Enhanced Recovery ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Rank Test ◽  
Control Group ◽  
The Impact

IntroductionThe evidence currently available from enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programmes concerns their benefits in the immediate postoperative period, but there is still very little evidence as to whether their correct implementation benefits patients in the long term. The working hypothesis here is that, due to the lower response to surgical aggression and lower rates of postoperative complications, ERAS protocols can reduce colorectal cancer-related mortality. The main objective of this study is to analyse the impact of an ERAS programme for colorectal cancer on 5-year survival. As secondary objectives, we propose to analyse the weight of each of the predefined items in the oncological results as well as the quality of life.Methods and analysisA multicentre prospective cohort study was conducted in patients older than 18 years of age who are scheduled to undergo surgery for colorectal cancer. The study involved 12 hospitals with an implemented enhanced recovery protocol according to the guidelines published by the Spanish National Health Service. The intervention group includes patients with a minimum implementation level of 70%, and the control group includes those who fail to reach this level. Compliance will be studied using 18 key performance indicators, and the results will be analysed using cancer survival indicators, including overall survival, cancer-specific survival and relapse-free survival. The time to recurrence, perioperative morbidity and mortality, hospital stay and quality of life will also be studied, the latter using the validated EuroQol Five questionnaire. The propensity index method will be used to create comparable treatment and control groups, and a multivariate regression will be used to study each variable. The Kaplan-Meier estimator will be used to estimate survival and the log-rank test to make comparisons. A p value of less than 0.05 (two-tailed) will be considered to be significant.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval for this study was obtained from the Aragon Ethical Committee (C.P.-C.I. PI20/086) on 4 March 2020. The findings of this study will be submitted to peer-reviewed journals (BMJ Open, JAMA Surgery, Annals of Surgery, British Journal of Surgery). Abstracts will be submitted to relevant national and international meetings.Trial registration numberNCT04305314.

scholarly journals Physical activity, emotional state and socialization in the elderly: study protocol for a clinical multicentre randomized trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (6) ◽  
pp. 030006052110167
Author(s):  
Anna Ruiz-Comellas ◽  
Glòria Sauch Valmaña ◽  
Jacobo Mendioroz Peña ◽  
Pere Roura Poch ◽  
Anna Sabata Carrera ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Scale Score ◽  
Emotional State ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Post Intervention

Objective To evaluate whether a 4-month physical activity (PA) group program and visits to sociocultural organizations improve emotional state, social support levels and health-related quality of life in elderly individuals with depression and/or anxiety and/or loneliness. Methods This will be a multicentre, randomized, two-group clinical trial with a 1-year follow-up. Participants will be 150 primary care patients aged >64 years allocated equally to a control group and an intervention group. Inclusion criteria are Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) score ≥14 and/or General Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) scale score ≥10 and/or Duke-UNC-11 scale score ≥32. The intervention group will participate in a 4-month group PA program. The program will comprise two walks per week and a monthly visit to a sociocultural facility. Results Measured outcomes are clinical remission of depression (BDI-II score <14) and anxiety (GAD-7 scale score <10), improved social support (reduction in DUKE-UNC-11 score), improved quality of life and/or response to the intervention at 4 and 12 months post-intervention. Intervention satisfaction and adherence and post-intervention links with sociocultural organizations will also be assessed. Conclusion The findings could encourage the provision of activity-based community interventions for older individuals.

Effectiveness of a supportive housing program for homeless adults with mental illness and substance use: A two-group controlled trial

2017 ◽  
Vol 80 (5) ◽  
pp. 286-293 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharon A Gutman ◽  
Emily I Raphael-Greenfield
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Goal Attainment ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Housing Program ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Significant Difference

Introduction The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a housing transition program for homeless shelter residents with chronic mental illness and substance use. Method A two-group controlled study design was used to assess the program, with 10 participants in an intervention group and 10 in a control group. Goal attainment scaling and quality of life ratings were used pre- and post-intervention to determine if a statistically significant difference existed between groups at post-intervention. Results A statistically significant difference existed between intervention and control group goal attainment scaling scores ( U = 9.50, p < .03, d = 1.34), and on quality of life scores ( U = 10.50, p < .04, d = 1.30) at post-intervention. At a 6-month follow-up, 57.14% of intervention group participants had transitioned into supportive housing, while only 25% of control group participants had transitioned. Conclusion Findings suggest that intervention participants made greater progress toward desired housing goals and reported higher quality of life ratings than controls at post-intervention. This study provides support for the effectiveness of a housing program for homeless adults with chronic mental illness and substance use histories to achieve housing goals and higher quality of life ratings.

scholarly journals The Effect of Lymphoedema Exercises and Foot Elevation on the Quality of Life of Patients with Elephantiasis

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Emirensiana Watu ◽  
Supargiyono ◽  
Haryani
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Cluster Sampling ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Before And After ◽  
And Control ◽  
Pitting Edema

Filariasis is a chronic infectious disease caused by filarial worms. Swelling in the legs in patients with filariasis can result in a significantly lower quality of life. The recommended treatments for patients who experience swelling or lymphoedema are lymphoedema exercises and foot elevation. This research is a quantitative study with a quasi-experimental design including pre- and posttreatment tests with a control group. This study used a cluster sampling method, which is a nonprobability sampling technique. The samples in this study were 48 respondents divided into two groups: 24 respondents from the Nebe Village comprising the intervention group and 24 respondents from the Bangkoor Village comprising the control group. The intervention group conducted lymphoedema exercises and foot elevation three times a week for 15–20 min for 1 month and measured their quality of life using the LFSQQ questionnaire. Measurements of pitting edema and ankle diameter were also carried out. Paired t-test revealed an improvement in the quality of life between pretest and posttest in the intervention and control groups (p=0.001). The quality of life in the pre-post intervention group improved from 67.42 to 81.58. In addition, the quality of life in the pre-post control group only improved from 62.50 to 72.58. The level of pitting edema decreased from severe (+++) to moderate (++) and from mild (+) to normal (0), and there was no difference in ankle diameter in each group (p=1.000). The quality of life improved before and after the administration of lymphoedema exercises and foot elevation for each group. Pitting edema decreased before and after lymphoedema exercises and foot elevation for each group. There was no decrease in ankle diameter after lymphoedema exercises and foot elevation in the intervention and control groups.

scholarly journals Therapeutic Effect of Common Goldenrop Decoction Combined With Ramuli Cinnamomi Decoction in the Treatment of Patients with Insomnia during the Period of the Day from 11 PM to 3 AM

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 18
Author(s):  
Na Duan ◽  
Zhizhi Dong ◽  
Xiyou Qi
Keyword(s):  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Therapeutic Effect ◽  
Clinical Efficacy ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Effective Rate ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Short Term ◽  
The Difference

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of common goldenrop decoction combined with ramuli cinnamomi decoction in the treatment of patients with insomnia during the period of the day from 11 PM to 3 AM. Methods: 80 patients with insomnia during the period of the day from 11 PM to 3 AM were randomly divided into control group and intervention group. The control group was treated with 1 mg of estazolam tablets at 9 PM every night; while the intervention group was given common goldenrop decoction combined with ramuli cinnamomi decoction based on the estazolam tablets. After 2 weeks of treatment and after 2 weeks of withdrawal, the improvement in sleep was observed. Results: After 2 weeks of treatment, the efficacy of the intervention group (97.5%) was significantly higher than that of the control group (75.0%). The difference was statistically significant. After 2 weeks of withdrawal, the intervention group still had an effective rate of 87.5%, which was significantly higher than that of the control group (55.0%). Conclusion: common goldenrop decoction combined with ramuli cinnamomi decoction can improve the short-term and long-term sleep quality of patients with insomnia during the period of the day from 11 PM to 3 AM.

scholarly journals Practice and Outcome of Exercise Intervention on Breast Cancer-Specific Quality of Life of Breast Cancer Survivors in Nigeria

2021 ◽  
pp. 174-182
Author(s):  
Linda C Odikpo ◽  
Edith N Chiejina
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Breast Cancer Survivors ◽  
Exercise Intervention ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Moderate Intensity ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Post Intervention

Background: Lifestyle modification like exercise is an essential rehabilitation measure that improves the quality of life (QoL) of women with breast cancer and helps in preventing cancer related complications. This study assessed the practice and outcome of exercise interventions on breast cancer-specific quality of life of survivors in Delta State, Nigeria. Methods: Experimental design was applied with intervention (47) and control (47) groups. This design involved a pre-test, an intervention, and a post-test. Exercise intervention (aerobic, resistance and flexibility exercises, including warm-up with Swiss ball and dance, climbing of stairs, treadmill, stationary exercise bicycle, shoulder, and arm exercises) was administered to the intervention group for twelve weeks. The assessment of breast cancer survivors' specific quality of life in the two groups was done with the English version of The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Breast Cancer-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ- EORTC-BR23) before and after the exercise intervention. Results: The overall pre and post-intervention breast cancer-specific functional quality of life was 65.4±22.7 (intervention group); 71.3±23.4 (control group) and 75.05 ±10.4 (intervention group); 58.65±12.9 (control group) while the pre and post breast cancer-specific symptoms QoL was 22.2±6.2 (intervention group); 24.1±9.6 (control group) and 11.8±13.0 (intervention group); 30.9±21.2 (control group), respectively. All the women in the intervention group practiced exercise only at mild/moderate intensity and no notable side effects were observed during the practice by many of them (n=39). Significant differences existed in the overall post-intervention breast cancer-specific functional and symptoms QoL between the two groups (p<0.001) and no significant differences were observed among most of the specific QoL scales in relation to age, duration of diagnosis, and stage of the cancer diagnosis. Conclusion: Exercise remains beneficial to women with breast cancer and has proven to be one of the necessary means to improve their overall well-being. Therefore, healthcare providers that manage these patients in different hospitals should always counsel and support them to initiate the recommended exercises for cancer survivors to enhance their survival.

eSeniorCare: Technology for Promoting Well-Being of Older Adults in Independent Living Facilities (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dipanwita Dasgupta ◽  
Beenish Chaudhry ◽  
Kimberly Greeves ◽  
Joyce Long ◽  
Mayra Duarte ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Mobile Technology ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Health Goals

BACKGROUND Successful Aging is a multidimensional concept that encompasses mental and physical health, chronic disease management and social engagement of older adults. A number of mobile health interventions have been designed to promote Successful Aging, but the majority focus on only one dimension. Moreover, there is a dearth of research studies that explore the feasibility and long-term acceptance of these interventions in community-dwelling older adults from lower socioeconomic strata (SES), who can derive the greatest health and economic benefits from such interventions. OBJECTIVE To study the long-term feasibility of an integrated intervention, which combined mobile technology with social relationships, in improving perceptions of Successful Aging in community-dwelling low-SES older adults. METHODS The intervention combined mobile technology with social relationships. The mobile technology component of the intervention consisted of a tablet-based application, eSeniorCare, that allowed older adults to track their medications and health activities and play proprietary gaming apps from the online app store. Whereas the social component consisted of weekly technology workshops and meetups. Study Design. We used a pre-test post-test experimental design approach with two groups (intervention and control). 25 older adults were recruited in each group. Each participant in the intervention group received a tablet PC pre-installed with the eSeniorCare app and various gaming apps. The control group received usual care. Participants completed self-reported outcomes consisting of SF12v2 and Older Person Quality of Life (OPQOL) questionnaires both at the beginning and at the end of the study. The study lasted for 42 weeks during which the intervention group used the eSeniorCare app to track their medications and health activities, and they also played the installed gaming apps. In addition, they received technology training via weekly workshops, where they interacted with participants in the intervention group and the study staff. RESULTS The results indicate that the integrated intervention significantly improved participants’ perceptions of their mental health and health-related quality of life. Specifically, they found that the eSeniorCare app improved their adherence to medication regimen and motivated them to pursue their health goals. They also thought that playing tablet games was men- tally stimulating and it improved their overall cognitive health. By the end of the study, the intervention group preferred technology over paper for managing their medications and health goals, while no one in the control group wanted to preferred technology over paper. CONCLUSIONS An integrated mobile health intervention is feasible for long-term use by community-dwelling older adults from lower SES and community-based caregivers. It improved perceptions of mental health and health related quality of life among the study participants.

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