scholarly journals Impact of Feng Shui Bedrooms on Self-Assessed Sleep and Well-Being: A Randomized Double-Blind Field Research with Instrumental Biocommunication

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Špela Kryžanowski
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Models ◽  
Field Research ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Living Environment ◽  
Significant Variable ◽  
Feng Shui ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
The Impact

Chinese feng shui is well-researched in social sciences but under-researched regarding its impact on the well-being of users. The main problem is the isolation of feng shui effects. Participants (n=134) provided a photograph of their bedroom onto which feng shui recommendations were sent long distance (for 4 months), using an instrumental biocommunication device with a computer, white-noise diode and fengshui recommendations database. Three groups were formed, one acted as control (double-blind protocol). Data was collected through self- evaluating questionnaires (n=10) on the quality of sleep and well-being. Data were statistically evaluated with R environment using linear mixed models and the analyses of variables: feng shui support, stress, age and bedroom evaluation. Results for sleep show feng shui as the most statistically significant variable (p=<0.001). For each day the value increases by 0.003 on the Likert scale 1-5. In 120 days, it increases by 0.36. The impact is dynamic and in direct connection with the level of our living environment satisfaction, stress and age. For well-being most statistically significant are stress (p<0.001) and the interaction of feng shui and bedroom rating (p<0.001). Positive feng shui impact is highest for participants without stress and low satisfaction with the bedroom environment.

The Impact of the Environment on Quality of Life and Mediating Effects of Sleep and Stress

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine Chang ◽  
Frances K. Y. Wong ◽  
K. L. Chan ◽  
Fiona Y. Wong ◽  
H.C. Ho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Living Environment ◽  
Health Practices ◽  
Service Utilisation ◽  
Mediating Effects ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Purpose Environment is an independent factor affecting quality of life. Studies suggest that health practices consider having an impact on quality of life. The purpose of the present paper was to examine the association between environmental conditions and quality of life, and how individual health practices affected this association. Methods Participants aged 20 or above were recruited from 11 tertiary planning units in the centre of Kowloon. These tertiary planning units were selected as they represent the overall living environment in Hong Kong, with older poorer urban areas alongside relatively affluent districts. A mediation analysis was implemented using multiple linear regressions to examine the effects of environmental conditions on quality of life. The predictor variables included sociodemographic and environmental conditions, health practices and health service utilisation. Results Of the eligible 607 participants, 390 females and 217 males with a mean age of 47.4 were included for analysis. Physical, psychological and environmental factors were conducive and connected to quality of life. After adjusting for fruit and vegetable intake, gender, education level and chronic illness, perceived stress and sleep quality had significant mediating effects. Conclusion Environment is an important factor that affects the overall well-being of individuals. The interaction of environmental quality with individual variables, specifically stress and sleep is extremely important when assessing its impact on the quality of life. The findings of this study support the importance of individual stress and sleep in mediating the relationship between the environment and quality of life.

scholarly journals COMBINED EFFECTS OF THE LIVING ENVIRONMENT ON THE WELL-BEING OF THE CITY POPULATION

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 128-137
Author(s):  
Alexandra Alekseevna KORMINA
Keyword(s):  
Well Being ◽  
Living Environment ◽  
Management Decision ◽  
Residential Areas ◽  
City Population ◽  
Management Decision Making ◽  
High Level ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The City

The method of assessing the impact of factors of diff erent nature on the components of the city’s living environment that determine favorable living conditions and the well-being of the population is considered. It is statistically established that the variety of factors should be taken into account when assessing and normalizing the combination of multifactorial impacts on demographic and social processes occurring in the urban environment. Combinations of the most signifi cant interacting factors and statistical models based on them can be taken into account when predicting the level of morbidity, the dynamics of migration processes, the family well-being of the population, and others. The developed models and assessment methodology can serve as a tool to support management decision-making to ensure a high level of quality of life of the population and urban development of residential areas.

THE IMPACT OF THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT ON RESIDENTS’ SELF-RATED HEALTH: A CASE STUDY IN PENANG, MALAYSIA

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 109
Author(s):  
Massoomeh Hedayati ◽  
Aldrin Abdullah ◽  
Mohammad Javad Maghsoodi Tilaki
Keyword(s):  
Physical Environment ◽  
Fear Of Crime ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Living Environment ◽  
Housing Quality ◽  
Self Rated Health ◽  
Environment And Health ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

There is continuous debate on the impact of house quality on residents’ health and well-being. Good living environment improves health, and fear of crime is recognised as a mediator in the relationship between physical environment and health. Since minimal studies have investigated the relationship, this study aims to examine the impact of the house quality on fear of crime and health. A total of 230 households from a residential neighbourhood in Malaysia participated in the study. Using structural equation modelling, the findings indicate that housing quality and fear of crime can account for a proportion of the variance in residents’ self-rated health. However, there is no significant relationship between housing quality and fear of crime. Results also show that fear of crime does not mediate the relationship between housing quality and health. This study suggests that the environment-fear relationship should be re-examined theoretically.  

scholarly journals Determinants of participation and quality of life of young adults with cerebral palsy: longitudinal approach and comparison with the general population – SPARCLE 3 study protocol

BMC Neurology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine Arnaud ◽  
Carine Duffaut ◽  
Jérôme Fauconnier ◽  
Silke Schmidt ◽  
Kate Himmelmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Cerebral Palsy ◽  
Young People ◽  
General Population ◽  
Transition Period ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Personal Factors ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Effective inclusion in society for young people with disabilities is increasingly seen as generating opportunities for self-development, and improving well-being. However, significant barriers remain in the vast majority of activities meaningful for young adults. Research argues that various personal (disabilities, health) and environmental (access to the resources needed, accessible environment, discrimination, lack of personal economic independence) factors contribute to limited participation. However, previous studies conducted in young people with cerebral palsy (CP) mainly investigated the transition period to adulthood, and did not fully consider the whole range of impairment severity profiles or environmental barriers. In this study, we will use the follow-up of the SPARCLE cohort and a comparison group from the general population (1) to investigate the impact of the environment on participation and quality of life of young adults with CP, (2) to determine predictors of a successful young adulthood in educational, professional, health and social fields, (3) to compare quality of life and frequency of participation in social, work and recreational activities with the general population, (4) to document on participation and quality of life in those with severe disabilities. Methods The SPARCLE3 study has a combined longitudinal and cross-sectional design. Young adults with CP aged 22 to 27 years in 6 European regions previously enrolled in the SPARCLE cohort or newly recruited will be invited to self-complete a comprehensive set of questionnaires exploring participation (daily life and discretionary activities), health-related quality of life, body function, personal factors (health, personal resources), and contextual factors (availability of needed environmental items, family environment, services provision) during home visits supervised by trained researchers. Proxy-reports or adapted questionnaires will be used for those with the most severe impairments. The recruitment of a large group from the general population (online survey) will enable to identify life areas where the discrepancies between young people with CP and their able-bodied peers are the most significant. Discussion This study will help identify to what extent disabilities and barriers in environment negatively affect participation and quality of life, and how previous valued experiences during childhood or adolescence might modulate these effects.

scholarly journals Vision-related quality of life in adults with severe peripheral vision loss: a qualitative interview study

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan Lange ◽  
Abigail Kumagai ◽  
Sara Weiss ◽  
Katherine B. Zaffke ◽  
Sherry Day ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Contrast Sensitivity ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Vision Impairment ◽  
Qualitative Interview Study ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Existing patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures may not be relevant to the full range of functional and vision-related quality of life (VR-QOL) concerns of individuals with vision impairment due to severe peripheral field loss (PFL). Measurement of VR-QOL in severe PFL is important in order to determine the effectiveness of vision rehabilitation interventions for this population. The purpose of this study was to characterize the impact of severe PFL due to retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and glaucoma on VR-QOL as the initial phase in the development of a novel PRO measure. Methods Individuals with severe PFL due to RP or glaucoma were recruited from the Kellogg Eye Center and the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Participants completed semi-structured qualitative interviews, the Impact of Vision Impairment (IVI) questionnaire and the RAND 36-Item Health Survey. Interviews were analyzed by two coders using thematic analysis. A matrix analysis was conducted to compare VR-QOL by cause of severe PFL. Sample size was determined by thematic saturation. Results The study included 37 participants (19 RP, 18 glaucoma). Median best-corrected visual acuity for those with RP and glaucoma was 20/40 and 20/27.5, while Pelli-Robson contrast sensitivity was 1.2 log contrast sensitivity (logCS) and 1.1 logCS, respectively. Median domain scores on the IVI (reading, mobility, well-being) ranged from a low of − 0.2 to a high of 0.7 logits in those with RP and from 0.5 to 1.2 logits in those with glaucoma. Qualitative interviews identified six VR-QOL themes relevant across participants with both RP and glaucoma, including activity limitations, driving, emotional well-being, reading, mobility, and social function. VR-QOL concerns were largely consistent among those with severe PFL due to RP and glaucoma. These overarching themes contained content relevant to specific challenges related to severe PFL. Conclusions There are commonly occurring VR-QOL concerns among individuals with severe PFL due to RP and glaucoma. The outlined themes will serve as the basis for development of the Low Vision Severely Constricted Peripheral Eyesight (LV-SCOPE) Questionnaire.

scholarly journals COVID-19 Pandemic and Quality of Life among Romanian Athletes

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. 4065
Author(s):  
Germina-Alina Cosma ◽  
Alina Chiracu ◽  
Amalia Raluca Stepan ◽  
Marian Alexandru Cosma ◽  
Marian Costin Nanu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Trait Anxiety ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Quality Of Life Scale ◽  
Life Scale ◽  
Personality Item ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

The aim of this study was to analyze athletes’ quality of life during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study involved 249 athletes between 15 and 35 of age, M = 21.22, SD = 5.12. The sample was composed of eight Olympic Games medalists, three European medalists, 67 international medalists, and 63 national medalists. The instruments used were: (1) COVID-19 Anxiety Scale, (2) Athlete Quality of Life Scale, (3) Impact of Pandemic on Athletes Questionnaire, and (4) International Personality Item Pool (IPIP Anxiety, Depression, and Vulnerability Scales). The results indicate significant differences in COVID-19 anxiety depending on the sport practiced, F (9239) = 3.81, p < 0.01, showing that there were significant differences between sports. The negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic mediates the relationship between trait anxiety and the athletes’ quality of life. The percentage of mediation was 33.9%, and the indirect effect was −0.11, CI 95% (−0.18, −0.03), Z = −2.82, p < 0.01. Trait anxiety has an increasing effect on the intensity of the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, 0.23, CI 95% (.10, 0.35), Z = 3.56, p < 0.01, and the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has a decreasing effect on quality of life, −0.47, CI 95% (−0.67, −0.27), Z = −4.62, p < 0.01. Gender and age did not moderate the relationship between the negative impact of COVID-19 and athletes’ quality of life. The results of the study highlighted the impact that social isolation and quarantine have on athletes’ affective well-being.

scholarly journals Understanding the Link between Family Caregiver Quality of Life and the Care Provided to Older People With Dementia

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 153-154
Author(s):  
Afeez Hazzan
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Quality Of Care ◽  
Older People ◽  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Family Caregiver ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Dementia is one of the most rapidly growing diseases in the United States. In 2018, the direct costs to American society of caring for older people with dementia was approximately $277 billion. Primary informal caregivers are mainly responsible for the care of older people with dementia including Alzheimer’s disease. Caregivers perform a myriad of duties ranging from shopping for their loved ones’ groceries, helping with medications, and managing finances. The caregiving role becomes more demanding as the disease progresses over time, and studies have shown that the quality-of-life (QoL) experienced by caregivers of older adults who have dementia is lower than the QoL of caregivers for older people who do not have dementia. To the best of our knowledge, there has been no research conducted to investigate whether lower caregiver QoL affects the level or quality of care that caregivers provide to persons with dementia. In the current study, we interviewed family caregivers living in Rochester, New York to inquire about their quality of life and the care provided to older people living with dementia. Further, caregivers completed the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) as well as a draft questionnaire for measuring the quality of care provided to older people living with dementia. Both quantitative and qualitative findings from this study reveals important relationships between family caregiver QoL and the care provided, including the impact of social support and financial well-being. The study findings could have significant impact, particularly for the provision of much needed support for family caregivers.

scholarly journals Analysis of the Impact of a Multi-Strain Probiotic on Body Composition and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Long-Distance Runners

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 3758
Author(s):  
Joanna Smarkusz-Zarzecka ◽  
Lucyna Ostrowska ◽  
Joanna Leszczyńska ◽  
Karolina Orywal ◽  
Urszula Cwalina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Cardiorespiratory Fitness ◽  
The Body ◽  
Double Blind Study ◽  
Distance Runners ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Necrosis Factor Alpha ◽  
Total Body ◽  
The Impact

Use of probiotic supplements, the benefits of which have not been proven in sportspeople, is becoming more widespread among runners. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a multi-strain probiotic on body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness and inflammation in the body. The randomised, double-blind study included 66 long-distance runners. The intervention factor was a multi-strain probiotic or placebo. At the initial and final stages of the study, evaluation of body composition and cardiorespiratory fitness was performed and the presence of inflammation determined. In the group of men using the probiotic, an increase in lean body mass (p = 0.019) and skeletal muscle mass (p = 0.022) was demonstrated, while in the group of women taking the probiotic, a decrease in the content of total body fat (p = 0.600) and visceral fat (p = 0.247) was observed. Maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max) increased in women (p = 0.140) and men (p = 0.017) using the probiotic. Concentration of tumour necrosis factor-alpha decreased in women (p = 0.003) and men (p = 0.001) using the probiotic and in women (p = 0.074) and men (p = 0.016) using the placebo. Probiotic therapy had a positive effect on selected parameters of body composition and cardiorespiratory fitness of study participants and showed a tendency to reduce inflammation.

scholarly journals Community intervention strategies to reduce the impact of financial strain and promote financial well-being: a comprehensive rapid review

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-50
Author(s):  
Nicole M. Glenn ◽  
Lisa Allen Scott ◽  
Teree Hokanson ◽  
Karla Gustafson ◽  
Melissa A. Stoops ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Community Intervention ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Financial Strain ◽  
Rapid Review ◽  
Research Centre ◽  
Future Research ◽  
The Impact

Financial well-being describes when people feel able to meet their financial obligations, feel financially secure and are able to make choices that benefit their quality of life. Financial strain occurs when people are unable to pay their bills, feel stressed about money and experience negative impacts on their quality of life and health. In the face of the global economic repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic, community-led approaches are required to address the setting-specific needs of residents and reduce the adverse impacts of widespread financial strain. To encourage evidence-informed best practices, a provincial health authority and community-engaged research centre collaborated to conduct a rapid review. We augmented the rapid review with an environmental scan and interviews. Our data focused on Western Canada and was collected prior to the pandemic (May–September 2019). We identified eight categories of community-led strategies to promote financial well-being: systems navigation and access; financial literacy and skills; emergency financial assistance; asset building; events and attractions; employment and educational support; transportation; and housing. We noted significant gaps in the evidence, including methodological limitations of the included studies (e.g. generalisability, small sample size), a lack of reporting on the mechanisms leading to the outcomes and evaluation of long-term impacts, sparse practice-based data on evaluation methods and outcomes, and limited intervention details in the published literature. Critically, few of the included interventions specifically targeted financial strain and/or well-being. We discuss the implications of these gaps in addition to possibilities and priorities for future research and practice. We also consider the results in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic consequences.

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