Consumption of OLL1073R-1 yogurt improves psychological quality of life in women healthcare workers: secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial

Background We conducted a randomized controlled trial to investigate the effects of consumption of yogurt fermented with Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus OLL1073R-1 in women healthcare workers. In a previous study we used these data to investigate hypothesized preventive effects against flu, however any effects on improving mental quality of life were not analyzed at that time. In the present study, we focus on that aspect. Methods The participants (961 women; mainly nurses, aged 20–71 years) were randomly allocated to either the yogurt group (n = 479) or the control group (n = 482). Participants in the yogurt group drank 112 mL of OLL1073R-1 yogurt for 16 weeks, while those in the control group did not consume any yogurt. All participants were prohibited from consuming other yogurt or fermented dairy products during the study period. The participants answered the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Short Form-8 Health Survey (SF-8), and Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) questionnaires at baseline and after 16 weeks. Results The PSQI score showed significant improvement after the intake of yogurt (p < 0.01). SF-8 results showed significant intervention effects in the General Health and Vitality scores (p = 0.02 and p = 0.01, respectively). In other subscales of SF-8, we did not observe significant effects of the yogurt. In the GSRS, daily intake of yogurt exerted a preventive effect on constipation (p = 0.03). Conclusions Consumption of yogurt fermented with Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus OLL1073R-1 enhances subjective psychological quality of life by improving quality of sleep and gastrointestinal condition among women healthcare workers.

Consumption of OLL1073R-1 Yogurt Improves Psychological Quality of Life in Women Healthcare Workers: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background To investigate the effects of yogurt consumption fermented with Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus OLL1073R-1 on improving mental quality of life of women healthcare workers, a randomized controlled trial was conducted. The 961 women (mainly nurses, aged 20–71 years) agreed to participate in this trial, and were randomly allocated to either the yogurt group (n = 479) or the control group (n = 482). Participants of the yogurt group drank 112 mL of OLL1073R-1 yogurt for 16 weeks, meanwhile those of the control group did not consume the yogurt. All participants were prohibited from consuming other yogurt or fermented dairy products during the study period. The participants answered the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Short Form-8 Health Survey (SF-8), and Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) questionnaires at baseline and after 16 weeks.Results The PSQI score showed significant improvement after the intake of yogurt (p < 0.01). SF-8 results showed significant intervention effects in the General Health and Vitality scores (p = 0.02 and p = 0.01, respectively). In other subscales of SF-8, we did not observe significant effects of the yogurt. In the GSRS, daily intake of the yogurt exerted a preventive effect on constipation (p = 0.03). Conclusions Consumption of yogurt fermented with Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus OLL1073R-1 enhances subjective psychological quality of life by improving quality of sleep and gastrointestinal condition among women healthcare workers.

Cost-effectiveness of a multi-professional case management experiment in Finnish labor market services

The study undertook an economic evaluation of a multi-professional case man-agement intervention targeted at long-term unemployed Finns. The cost-effectiveness outcome of the intervention was analyzed in a matched case-control study framework involving a six-month follow-up. Effectiveness was measured by standardized quality of life indicators, and an indicator measuring personal capabilities. Individual level costs were derived from health and social services utilization data. Cost-effectiveness of the intervention was examined in relation to services as usual. The studied labor market intervention was associated with a positive change in the selected quality of life indicators; physical and psychological quality of life improved in the intervention group. Cost-effectiveness in physical quality of life was attained at a willingness to pay of EUR 500 – 700 per effectiveness unit, while cost-effectiveness in psychological quality of life required incremental costs exceeding EUR 1,600. The intervention had no discernible effect on personal capabilities. The study demonstrated that favorable improvements in quality of life could be attained by a rather ‘light’ and moderate-cost service concept. Such well-being improvements may enhance the preparedness for re-employment of individuals with a prolonged unemployment history. However, a longer follow-up of the labor market intervention would be needed to examine the long-term effects on quality of life and employment. Published: Online October 2020.

Psychological Quality of Life in People with Physical Disability: The Effect of Internalized Stigma, Collective Action and Resilience

Purpose: The main objective of this study was to examine the role of social identification, collective action and resilience in reducing the negative consequences of internalized stigma on the psychological quality of life of people with physical disability using path analysis. We propose a model with two paths: the first through social identification and collective action and the second via resilience. Method: A total of 288 Spanish people with physical disability aged between 18 and 82 years (46.4% males; mean [SD] of age = 45.1 [12.3] responded to the questionnaire. Data were collected for three months through an online survey. Results: The tested model adequately fit the data. We found that the relationship between internalized stigma and the psychological quality of life of people with physical disability was mediated by resilience. However, neither social identification nor collective action mediated the association between internalized stigma and quality of life among our participants. Conclusions: The results confirmed the negative association between internalized stigma and quality of life in the population with physical disability. The results show that some interactive processes, such as resilience, may contribute to decreasing the negative effects of internalized stigma. In contrast, no effects of identification with the group or collective action intention were found.

Summarizing the Evidence Base for Palliative Oncology Care: A Critical Evaluation of the Meta-analyses

Background: Palliative care is a specialized approach to symptom management that focuses on supporting patients’ physical and psychological quality of life throughout the disease course. In oncology, palliative care has been increasing in utilization. The evidence base for such care is also growing through the use of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). In this review, we aim to integrate the findings from 4 meta-analyses of palliative oncology care RCTs to examine the impact of palliative care on physical and psychological quality of life and survival. Method: We considered 4 meta-analyses of palliative oncology care RCTs, which each used slightly different methodologies and analyses. Two of the meta-analyses included both outpatient and inpatient populations, whereas the remaining meta-analyses focused specifically on outpatient palliative oncology care. Results: All 4 meta-analyses reported a robust quality of life advantage for patients randomized to receive palliative care. Two meta-analyses identified a survival advantage, whereas the other 2 detected no survival differences. In 1 meta-analysis that examined high-quality RCTs of outpatient palliative oncology care, it was found that an increased survival probability for palliative care, compared with standard of care, was confined to 6- to 18-month follow-up. Conclusions: There is a growing evidence base for palliative oncology care, as highlighted by the 4 meta-analyses considered. Such care successfully improves both physical and psychological quality of life for patients with serious illnesses, especially cancer. Clinicians should educate patients and their caregivers about the findings of these meta-analyses. Finally, governmental policies should focus on increasing palliative care access.

Impact of Alexithymia on Organ Transplant Candidates’ Quality of Life: The Mediating Role of Depressive Symptoms

Solid organ transplant candidates who display alexithymia tend to report psychological distress with some displaying symptoms associated with depression which in turn has a negative impact on their quality of life. This study sought to examine the mediating role of depression on the relationship between alexithymia and physical and psychological quality of life. The sample comprised 707 patients who were under consideration for solid organ transplantation. Mediation models were used to examine the proposed hypotheses, specifically that alexithymia would predict quality of life, and that depression would mediate the relationship between alexithymia and physical and psychological quality of life. Findings revealed that alexithymia predicted both physical and psychological quality of life. Depression scores partially mediated the relationship between alexithymia and both physical and psychological quality of life. Transplant candidates with higher levels of alexithymia who report poor physical and psychological quality of life may be at increased risk for depression. Results highlight the need to assess alexithymia within this unique patient population, who may understate symptoms of depression due to attempts at positive impression management.

Experiential avoidance, committed action and quality of life: Differences between college students with and without chronic illness

This study aimed to explore, through structural equation modelling, experiential avoidance and committed action’s effects on the association between anxiety and psychological quality of life and whether this relationship presents significant differences across a sample of 115 college students with chronic illness and a sample of 232 students without illness. Students with chronic illness presented higher levels of anxiety and experiential avoidance and lower levels of quality of life. The association between anxiety and psychological quality of life was partially explained by experiential avoidance and committed action. This path model was shown to be invariant between the two groups of students.

The impact of brief lifestyle self-management education for the control of seizures

Aim: this study examined a brief lifestyle self-management intervention, based on self-determination theory, to manage seizure frequency, and its effects on health-related quality of life and resilience in people with epilepsy aged over 18 years. Background: most people with epilepsy can identify factors that may trigger seizures and may try to avoid these; however, education from clinicians on this varies. Design: a cohort study with control design. Method: sixty participants were purposively sampled and allocated to an intervention or a control group. Results: moderate correlations were found, particularly between: resilience and satisfaction with life; medication adherence and psychological quality of life; and psychological quality of life and satisfaction with life. The mean seizure occurrences between the control and intervention groups were 12.71 (SD 24.55) and 6.76 (SD 13.40) respectively after the intervention. While the study was not powered to assess this, the intervention may be most effective regarding medication adherence and physical health quality of life. Conclusion: the relationship between self-efficacy and seizure management appeared to be strengthened by the programme. This study is the first known to measure resilience in relation to lifestyle self-management for seizure control in people with epilepsy. Relevance to practice: nurses are well placed to work with patients' strengths towards self-efficacy and potentially resilient coping.