Mindfulness meditation moderates the relationship between five prohibitions of Buddhism and subjective wellbeing

Vietnam is a country of religious diversity, in which Buddhism has the most significant participation. In addition to practicing the Five Precepts, many Vietnamese people have registered for active mindfulness meditation classes recently. This fact has received significant attention from scientists to add to the evidence of previous studies. Enrich the research literature, so the study explores the role of mindfulness meditation practice as a moderator of the relationship between five precepts practice and subjective perception well-being of Vietnamese adults. This study was conducted through a cross-sectional survey using an intentional sampling technique (n=200). Multivariable linear regression analysis and moderator regression were applied to prove the hypotheses. Research results show a positive and meaningful relationship between practicing mindfulness meditation, practicing the five precepts and feeling subjective happiness. In particular, mindfulness meditation acts as a moderating variable between the practice of the five sexes and the subjective feeling of happiness.

Exercise Related Respiratory Problems in the Young—Is It Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction or Laryngeal Obstruction?

Complaints of breathlessness during heavy exercise is common in children and adolescents, and represent expressions of a subjective feeling that may be difficult to verify and to link with specific diagnoses through objective tests. Exercise-induced asthma and exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction are two common medical causes of breathing difficulities in children and adolescents that can be challenging to distinguish between, based only on the complaints presented by patients. However, by applying a systematic clinical approach that includes rational use of tests, both conditions can usually be diagnosed reliably. In this invited mini-review, we suggest an approach we find feasible in our everyday clinical work.

Virtual Reality Environments in Pain Management

Pain is a distressing and subjective feeling that occurs in different intensities and may result from the stimulation of a nerve due to injury, illness, or emotional disturbance. This chapter aims to understand how VR can contribute to pain management. To this end, the authors will address topics such as: pain – types of pain and its consequences in everyday life, as well as ways to relieve it; virtual reality – what it consists of, its functionalities and components, as well as its application to health and well-being, its advantages and limitations; and virtual reality in pain management. It is intended to emphasize the importance of pain management for the daily lives of individuals and the consequent improvement in the quality of life of those who benefit from this type of intervention.

Understanding the Importance of Sexual Consent among University Students

The knowledge about how young people understand sexual consent remains scant. This study aimed to understand how the university students perceived sexual consent and the importance of consent before engaging in sexual related activities with a partner. Using explanatory sequential mixed method approach, an in-depth interview was conducted to five participants following administration of survey questionnaire to obtain a general view on the issues around sexual consent. 102 active university students at the age between 18-25 years old participated in this study. The result of the questionnaire-survey was analysed with descriptive analysis and the in-depth interview data were transcribed and were analysed using the Interpretative Phenomenology Analysis (IPA). Integration of data was done to find pattern and relation between quantitative and qualitative data. Findings from this study suggest that young people, both young men and women, perceived sexual consent as important and, therefore, should be obtained before engaging in any sexual contact. While gesture and direct communication were the common techniques on communicating consent between genders, there were still difficulties in conveying the message of consent because of the subjective feeling and norms of the society.

Therapeutic Education and Physiotherapy in Low Back Pain Management

BACKGROUND: Low-back pain (LBP) is one of the most common musculoskeletal problems; it is the leading cause of disability worldwide. Therapeutic patient education is a method that enables health care professionals to pass on their knowledge and experience to patients so that they can participate consciously and actively in their recovery. AIM: The present study aims to examine the effect of therapeutic education (TE) combined with a specific physiotherapy (PT) approach in people with LBP. МАTERIALS AND METHODS: This was an experimental pre- and post-study design. The study involved 25 patients, mean age 43.08 ± 12 years, divided into two groups: experimental group (EG), with TE (n =18) and control group (CG), without TE (n = 7). The PT treatment frequency and duration were consistent between groups. The patients were monitored for one month, and the intervention under supervision – face-to-face and self-monitored home-based PT have been organized. The included outcome measures were Oswestry Disability Index, Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia, STarT Back Screening Tools, and the movement-induced pain in the lumbar spine. RESULTS: At the end of the study improved pain-free movements in the lumbar region, functionality, reduced catastrophizing was observed in both groups. There is a tendency for better results in the EG compared to the CG in terms of functionality and pain-free movement. The subjective feeling of the catastrophizing was reduced only in the EG below the cut-off score from 45.2 ± 7.7 to 33.2 ± 3.3 points. CONCLUSION: TE in combination with PT interventions improves functional abilities, decreases the pain during movements, and the subjective perception of kinesiophobia. The results suggest TE should be included in a LBP management approach.

Cognitive Models of Loneliness in Women in Early and Middle Adulthood

The problem of loneliness is caused by a disunity and alienation of modern society, dissatisfaction with the basic social needs for acceptance and support. The fact that the subjective feeling of loneliness does not coincide with the real degree of social isolation determines the need to study the cognitive aspects. The aim of this study is to show the role of cognitive structures in loneliness in women. A survey of 144 women aged 26-55 years was conducted. Using the UCLA Loneliness Scale and the Differential Loneliness Experience Questionnaire, loneliness was measured as a global experience, positive and negative attitudes towards it. Cognitive models were studied using the Dysfunctional Attitude Scale, Young Schema Questionnaire, the author’s questionnaire that reveals cultural myths and gender stereotypes about loneliness. A comparative analysis of the groups showed no differences in the perception of loneliness among women with different family situations; it also does not depend on having children and their number. Age was found to be a significant determinant of perceptions of loneliness and family circumstances. Cognitive models influence women’s loneliness to a greater extent than family situation. The publication describes correlations between perceived loneliness and individual dysfunctional attitudes, and builds regression models of predictors of loneliness in different age groups. The study shows the prevalence of cultural stereotypes about the need for marriage and motherhood, and a special female vulnerability in relationships. The construct “tolerance to loneliness” is proposed and described, which reveals the positive potential of this experience for self-knowledge and self-development.

Evaluation of the long-term effect of foldable capsular vitreous bodies in severe ocular rupture

AIM: To evaluate the long-term effect of foldable capsular vitreous body (FCVB) in the treatment of severe ocular rupture to provide a practical basis for clinical selection. METHODS: A total of 26 patients (26 eyes), 23 men and 3 women, with severe ocular rupture who underwent FCVB implantation between March 2018 and September 2018 were retrospectively analysed. All open ocular wounds located in zone III, with preoperative visual acuity grade IV and above (Snellen less than 4/200). The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), cornea, anterior chamber, iris, lens, choroid, and retina were evaluated before and after the surgery. The subjective feeling and the location of FCVB were also assessed. RESULTS: The average age of the 26 patients was 36y (20-60y). Postoperative follow-up was from 10 to 14mo. At the end of follow up, BCVA was light perception (LP) in 10 cases, no light perception (NLP) in 13 cases, hand motions (HM) in 3 cases. IOP was 11±5 mm Hg. Corneal degeneration was in 3 cases and corneal endothelial dystrophy was in 7 cases. Shallow anterior chamber was in 8 cases and hyphema was in 8 cases. Organized membrane in the pupil was in 14 cases. Epiphora occurred in 3 cases. FCVB drainage tube exposed in 3 cases. All FCVBs were in their normal location and no rejection occurred. CONCLUSION: FCVB implantation is a long-term effective treatment and may provide a practical selection for severe ocular rupture.

Psychiatric Comorbidity and Stress in Medical Students Using Neuroenhancers

Background: Pharmacological neuroenhancement (PN) is a common healthcare problem at least among students. PN seems to be associated with stressful situations. There is a lack of data about personal characteristics, comorbidities, and coping strategies regarding stress and factors of resilience in students and medical staff.Methods: A web-based survey about the non-medical use of PN drugs with a focus on neuroenhancement was developed and distributed among medical students throughout Germany; the questionnaire was open in April and May of 2020. The survey contained questions about the use of well-known PN drugs, frequency, special purposes, reasons for the use, psychiatric disorders, use of psychotropic drugs apart from PN purposes, and factors of resilience using the brief resilience scale.Results: Data of 1,159 students of medicine were analyzed. The most frequently used substances for PN were coffee (78.8% lifetime prevalence rate), energy drinks (45.7%), caffeine tablets (24.3%), methylphenidate (5.2%), illicit amphetamines (2.0%), and cocaine (1.7%). 98.4% suspected that PN drug use could lead to addiction. PN drug use specifically for PN was significantly associated with the use of (a) any psychotropic drug (other than neuroenhancers), (b) any psychiatric disorder, and (c) higher values of feeling pressure to perform in professional/students' life and in private life as well as (d) the subjective feeling of pressure to perform to be burdening and (e) harmful to one's own health. PN drug use in general was significantly associated with being less resilient. The use of illicit PN drugs, over the counter drugs and prescription drugs was associated with being less resilient.Conclusion: This study indicates that PN with legal and illegal drugs is a widespread phenomenon among German medical students. Users seem to be more often burdened by psychiatric disorders, especially addictive disorders, the perception of stress, pressure to perform and low levels of resilience. These aspects should be considered in further investigation of PN drug use.

Mental Fatigue-Associated Decrease in Table Tennis Performance: Is There an Electrophysiological Signature?

Mental fatigue (MF) is a psychobiological state negatively impacting both cognitive and physical performance. Although recent research implies that some table tennis (TT) performance outcomes are impaired by MF, open skill sports such as TT require a more detailed overview of MF-related performance decrements. Moreover, research into MF and sport-specific psychomotor performance lacks the inclusion of brain-related measurements to identify MF mechanisms. Eleven experienced TT players participated in this randomized counterbalanced crossover trial. Participants were either required to perform an individualized Stroop task (MF condition) or watch a documentary (control condition). The primary outcomes were reaction time on a sport-specific visuomotor task and EEG activity throughout the trial. The subjective feeling of MF was significantly different between both conditions and confirmed that the MF condition induced the mentally fatigue state of participants (p < 0.001), though no behavioral indicators (i.e., decrease in performance on Stroop and flanker task) of MF. MF worsened reaction time on the visuomotor task, while other secondary measurements remained largely ambiguous. Spectral power (i.e., decreases in upper α band and θ band) was influenced by MF, while ERPs measured during the visuomotor task remained unaltered. The present study confirms that MF negatively impacts table tennis performance, specifically inhibitory stimuli during the visuomotor task. These findings also further augment our understanding of the effects of MF on human performance.