Chewing gum reduces visually induced motion sickness

Visually induced motion sickness (VIMS) is a common side-effect of exposure to virtual reality (VR). Its unpleasant symptoms may limit the acceptance of VR technologies for training or clinical purposes. Mechanical stimulation of the mastoid and diverting attention to pleasant stimuli-like odors or music have been found to ameliorate VIMS. Chewing gum combines both in an easy-to-administer fashion and should thus be an effective countermeasure against VIMS. Our study investigated whether gustatory-motor stimulation by chewing gum leads to a reduction of VIMS symptoms. 77 subjects were assigned to three experimental groups (control, peppermint gum, and ginger gum) and completed a 15-min virtual helicopter flight, using a VR head-mounted display. Before and after VR exposure, we assessed VIMS with the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ), and during the virtual flight once every minute with the Fast Motion Sickness Scale (FMS). Chewing gum (peppermint gum: M = 2.44, SD = 2.67; ginger gum: M = 2.57, SD = 3.30) reduced the peak FMS scores by 2.05 (SE = 0.76) points as compared with the control group (M = 4.56, SD = 3.52), p < 0.01, d = 0.65. Additionally, taste ratings correlated slightly negatively with both the SSQ and the peak FMS scores, suggesting that pleasant taste of the chewing gum is associated with less VIMS. Thus, chewing gum may be useful as an affordable, accepted, and easy-to-access way to mitigate VIMS in numerous applications like education or training. Possible mechanisms behind the effect are discussed.

Improper Disposal of Non-biodegradable Chewing Gum is One of the Biggest Threats to Our Ecology: A Review

One of the oldest habits of human beings is chewing gum. It has continued from ancient civilizations to the current time. Gum chewing provides a relaxing experience that individuals enjoy for a long time. The non-food item, chewing gum, has a long history. The gradual progression of its development has provided us with a greater flavour as well as extra medicinal properties. Chewing gum is known for its stress-relieving qualities as well as its ability to keep our mouths fresh. Soon, ‘chewing gum’ will be included as part of the drug delivery mechanism. Unfortunately, it has had some negative consequences. Modern chewing gum is made of non-biodegradable hydrophobic polymers together with artificial sweeteners and flavours. So, chewing this sort of synthetic material over a long time could produce some adverse effects. After chewing, most individuals throw the waste part of chewing gum everywhere, resulting in environmental trash known as 'gum pollution. Each year, chewing gum generates more than 105 tonnes of "plastic" garbage. Thus, the discarded non-biodegradable residue of the gum produces plastic pollution. Every year, enormous sums of money are spent to clean up the abandoned gum from the streets. Again, it has a high potential to trap bacteria inside. Therefore, this widespread habit causes an additional nuisance in this pandemic situation. As a result, the waste part of the gum has multiple dimensions to pollute our environment. Gum disposal has become a major problem all across the world. Gum litter can only be reduced by properly disposing of gum. As a result, it's time to reconsider the role of chewing gum in terms of human health and the environment. This article emphasizes the importance of proper waste (gum) disposal and calls for increased awareness to safeguard our environment from "gum pollution."

Supporting Sign Language Narrations in the Museum

The accessibility of Cultural Heritage content for the diverse user population visiting Cultural Heritage Institutions and accessing content online has not been thoroughly discussed. Considering the penetration of new digital media in such physical and virtual spaces, lack of accessibility may result in the exclusion of a large user population. To overcome such emerging barriers, this paper proposes a cost-effective methodology for the implementation of Virtual Humans, which are capable of narrating content in a universally accessible form and acting as virtual storytellers in the context of online and on-site CH experiences. The methodology is rooted in advances in motion capture technologies and Virtual Human implementation, animation, and multi-device rendering. This methodology is employed in the context of a museum installation at the Chios Mastic Museum where VHs are presenting the industrial process of mastic processing for chewing gum production.

Efficacy of providing free nicotine replacement chewing gum to induce quit attempts in tobacco users- A prospective observational study

To assess the effectiveness of providing free NRT to tobacco users in increasing quit attempts and to assess the perception of adherence, side effects and safety issues related to the usage in increasing quit attempt. A observational study was conducted to motivate tobacco users to have a quit attempt with a nicotine replacement sample among patients visiting out-patient department of a dental college. Baseline evaluation (demographic), Modified Fagerstrom test for Nicotine Dependence (MFTND) to assess nicotine addiction level, “breath analyzer” for the quantitative detection of levels of carbon monoxide were assessed. A free NRT sample was given. Telephonic follow up was done at an interval of 2 weeks, 1 month to assess the reduction in the mean MFTND score and to assess the perception of using NRT sample. All data was entered and analysed in SPSS for Windows version 22. Among the 40 subjects 80% were in the age group of 30-50 years and were males. The levels of carbon monoxide using breath analyser showed 80% of the subjects as heavy and chain smokers. Out of 40 subjects, 29 (72.5%) subjects were having high dependence calculated using MFTND which reduced to 2(5%) after using nicotine chewing gum. The mean and standard deviation of pre MFTND was 7.97±2.35 and for post MFTND it was 5.57±2.14 and the difference was highly significant (p&#60; 0.005).: The results of this study confirm the efficacy of providing free nicotine replacement sample a novel strategy in motivating tobacco users to induce quit attempt.

The Effects of Chewing Gum on Nausea, Vomiting, and Intestinal Functions of Surgical Patients

Background: It is important to resume regular functions of the digestive system as soon as possible after surgery. It has been reported that chewing gum can be used in this regard. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of chewing gum on nausea-vomiting and bowel function in surgical patients. Methods: A total of 60 patients with cholecystectomy and herniotomy (30 controls [non-chewing gum] and 30 interventions [chewing gum]) were enrolled in this controlled experimental study. The intervention group was provided to chew gum 3 times for 15 - 30 minutes with a 2-hour interval. Both control and intervention groups were evaluated 6 and 24 hours after being taken to the surgical service using the nausea-vomiting, intestinal functions monitoring form. Results: A statistically significant difference was found between the control and intervention groups 0 - 6 hours after surgery (χ2 = 4.320, P < 0.05). The intervention group was found to be discharged earlier than the control group (χ² = 4.286, P < 0.05; Z = -2.053, P < 0.05), and the difference was significant. It was found that the intervention group suffered 5.09 times less vomiting compared to the control group 0 - 6 hours after surgery. Conclusions: The positive effects of chewing gum on nausea, vomiting, intestinal function, and early discharge were found. It is recommended that chewing gum be included in nursing interventions for patients after surgery.

Study protocol for a randomized clinical trial to evaluate the effect of the use of Xylitol gum in the prevention of caries lesions in children living in Ladakh—the Caries Prevention Xylitol in Children (CaPreXCh) trial

Background Xylitol use is reported to be able to reduce dental plaque amount and cariogenic bacteria and, as a consequence, the caries increment. Only few data on the oral health of Ladakh’s population are available. The aim of the present protocol will be to record the caries prevalence of primary and permanent molars of schoolchildren living in Ladakh and to implement a school-based Xylitol programme, named the Caries Prevention Xylitol in Children (CaPreXCh) trial, using chewing gums. Methods The protocol is designed as a triple-blind randomized, controlled, parallel-group clinical trial in children aged 5–14 years. The study should have been carried out from August 2021 to August 2024 in Zanskar Valley (Ladakh), but the COVID-19 pandemic does not allow today to make predictions on the exact start. Participants will be randomly allocated into two groups: subjects who will receive a chewing gum with Xylitol (70% w/v) as only sweetener, and those who will receive a sugared chewing gum containing Maltitol (23% w/v). The subjects will be instructed to chew a total of 6 pellets for 5 min divided into 3 intakes a day (2 in the morning, 2 after the midday meal and 2 in the afternoon) for one school year. Clinical examination will comprise an oral examination in which caries index (ICDAS scores), bleeding on probing and plaque pH evaluation after sucrose challenge will be recorded at baseline (t0); the clinical examination will be repeated after 12 months since the beginning of the chewing gum administration period (t1), after another 12-month period (t2) and finally after further 12 months (t3) (24 months from the end of the chewing gum use). The primary outcome will be the caries increment measured both at enamel and dentinal levels on primary and permanent molars. Data analysis will be conducted through Kaplan-Meyer graphs to evaluate caries increment. A comparison of the methods will be carried out with Cox regression with shared frailty. The net caries increment for initial, moderate and severe caries levels, using ICDAS (Δ-initial, Δ-moderate and Δ-severe), will be calculated. Discussion This trial will be the first trial conducted in India assessing the efficacy of a school-based caries preventive programme through the use of chewing gum containing only Xylitol as a sweetener. The findings could help strengthen the evidence for the efficacy of Xylitol use in community-based caries prevention programmes in children. Trial registration Clinical trials.govNCT04420780. Registered on June 9, 2020

A RANDOMIZED INTERVENTIONAL STUDY ON EFFECT OF CHEWING GUM ON RECOVERY OF GASTROINTESTINAL FUNCTIONS IN POSTOPERATIVE PATIENTS FOLLOWING ABDOMINAL SURGERIES IN THE DEPARTMENT OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY, SMS MEDICAL COLLEGE, JAIPUR

Background: Post- operative gastrointestinal dysfunction is one of the complications following abdominal surgery which results in delayed return of bowel motility. It causes discomfort, prolonged hospital stay; hospital acquired infection and enhanced treatment cost. This study was conducted with an aim to analyze the clinical outcome of effect of chewing gum mainly to avoid post-operative gastrointestinal dysfunction and to compare the different gastrointestinal variables between cases and control group. Methods: In this study 80 patients were included, 40 Cases and 40. The cases were given chewing gum for duration of 15 minutes at 2nd , 4th and 6thhour of surgery. Bowel sound was auscultated at 3rd, 5th and 7th hour of surgery and outcomes were compared with control group. Control group were given only standard post-operative care. Results: Among cases Mean duration of 1st bowel sound appeared was 9.23±2.2 hours whie among control group was 15.99±3.48 hours and with operating time <1 hour is 5.1 ± 1.04 hours in cases and 6.2 ± .66 hours in control group while with operating time >1 hour it was 5.2 ± 1.03 hours cases and 6.3 ± 0.7 hours in control group. Mean duration of 1st flatus passed among cases was 13.3±2.24 hours while among control group was 26.62 ±2.6 hours and with operating time <1 hour was 13.8 ± 1.03 hours in cases and 16.25 ± 1.5 hours in control group, while it was 13.12 ± 1.96 hours in cases and 17.12 ± 1.5 hours in control group with operating time >1 hour. Mean duration of 1st motion passed among cases was 31.33±2.24 hours and was 44.62± 2.6 hours in control group and it was 48.8 ± 1.2 hours in cases and 50.7 ± 1.27 hours in control group with operating time <1 hour, while it was 48.8 ± 1.2 hours in cases and 51.1 ± 1.46 hours in control group with operating time >1 hour. Result was statistically significant P value (0.001).