Co-Designing a New Yoga-Based Mindfulness Intervention for Survivors of Stroke: A Formative Evaluation

Movement-based mindfulness interventions (MBI) are complex, multi-component interventions for which the design process is rarely reported. For people with stroke, emerging evidence suggests benefits, but mainstream programs are generally unsuitable. We aimed to describe the processes involved and to conduct a formative evaluation of the development of a novel yoga-based MBI designed for survivors of stroke. We used the Medical Research Council complex interventions framework and principles of co-design. We purposefully approached health professionals and consumers to establish an advisory committee for developing the intervention. Members collaborated and iteratively reviewed the design and content of the program, formatted into a training manual. Four external yoga teachers independently reviewed the program. Formative evaluation included review of multiple data sources and documentation (e.g., formal meeting minutes, focus group discussions, researcher observations). The data were synthesized using inductive thematic analysis. Three broad themes emerged: (a) MBI content and terminology; (b) manual design and readability; and (c) barriers and enablers to deliver the intervention. Various perspectives and feedback on essential components guided finalizing the program. The design phase of a novel yoga-based MBI was strengthened by interdisciplinary, consumer contributions and peer review. The 12-week intervention is ready for testing among survivors of stroke.

P-OGC51 A Review of Post-Oesophagectomy Benign Anastomotic Strictures

Background Benign anastomotic strictures (BAS) are a known risk of oesophageal resection, leading to significant post-operative morbidity and a reported incidence of BAS varies widely from 8.83% to 42.38%. This review aims to assess incidence, risk factors for development as well as treatment. Methods An electronic search using specific search terms using Medline, Embase and the Cochrane Library to identify all articles studying the development of BAS in adults post oesophagectomy was carried out. Inclusion criteria were patients who underwent any form of oesophagectomy for malignant disease (Ivor Lewis, McKeown, thoracoabdominal, transhiatal,minimally invasive); patients in study >18-year-old; study reported only benign anastomotic strictures and any study design with a minimum of 6 patients. Only articles published in the English language were included. Review articles, case reports and conference abstracts were all excluded Results Seven studies reported on the incidence of BAS and an average of 34.1% was found. Cervical anastomosis, anastomotic leak development. Cardiovascular disease, diabetes and gastric conduit and smaller gun size in a stapled anastomosis were also found to be associated with BAS. Hypertension, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, transhiatal oesophagectomy or transthoracic were not found to be associated with BAS. The mainstay of management appears to be endoscopic balloon dilatation with adverse reported outcomes related to stent management. Conclusions BAS after oesophagectomy is common. Several risk factors have been identified and balloon dilatation appears to be the mainstay of treatment.

‘When I say “modern”, you say “band”’: A critical narrative of modern band and Little Kids Rock as music education curriculum

This article is based on the lived experiences of the authors engaging with modern band and the organization Little Kids Rock (LKR). We approach this research as critical storytelling to highlight the importance of critique of music curriculum and pedagogy. We identify moments of cognitive dissonance we experienced with LKR and modern band and unpack them through theory. Data included review of LKR materials, journals, text messages, reflective writing and discussion around participation in LKR-sponsored events. We share our critical story through text messages and narration, through which we note issues such as neo-liberalism and indoctrination; language (mis)use through educational buzzwords; identity reformation and the manner in which teachers feel a need to cling to methodolatry or act as change agents. We illustrate the central role critique plays in music teaching discourses and practices to guide music teachers to accept vigilance of curricular resources and pedagogical approaches presented to them.

Impact of Home Parenting Environment on Cognitive and Psychomotor Development in Children Under 5 Years Old: A Meta-Analysis

This study aims to evaluate the relationship between home parenting environment and the cognitive and psychomotor development in children under 5 years old by using meta-analysis. A systematic search of the Chinese and English databases including Pubmed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, CNKI, Weipu, Wanfang, and CBMdisc databases from January 1, 1990, to July 31, 2021, was performed. Articles concerning the relationship between home parenting environment and the cognitive and psychomotor development in children under 5 years old were included. Review Manager 5.4 was used for meta-analysis. Subgroup analysis in terms of age and region were performed. A total of 12 articles were included, including 11 in English and 1 in Chinese. Meta-analysis showed that there was significant relationship between home parenting environment and the cognitive and psychomotor development of children (r = 0.31; r = 0.21). Subgroup analysis showed that correlation between home parenting environment and the cognitive and psychomotor development of children was stronger in children over 18 months compared to those under 17 months [(r = 0.33, r = 0.21) vs. (r = 0.28, r = 0.17)]. The converted summary r value between home parenting environment and cognitive development in developing and developed countries was both 0.32. Conclusively, there is a positive correlation between the home parenting environment and the cognitive and psychomotor development of children under 5 years old. Improving the home parenting environment of children is beneficial to promote their early development.

Harmonising the human biobanking consent process: an Irish experience

Biobanks are repositories of human biological samples and data. They are an important component of clinical research in many disease areas and often represent the first step toward innovative treatments. For biobanks to operate, researchers need human participants to give their samples and associated health data. In Ireland, research participants must provide their freely given informed consent for their samples and data to be taken and used for research purposes. Biobank staff are responsible for communicating the relevant information to participants prior to obtaining their consent, and this communication process is supported by documentation in the form of Participant Information Leaflets and Informed Consent Forms (PILs/ICFs). PILs/ICFs should be concise, intelligible, and contain relevant information. While not a substitute for layperson and research staff discussions, PILs and ICFs ensure that a layperson has enough information to make an informed choice to participate or not. However, PILs/ICFs are often lengthy, contain technical language and can be complicated and onerous for a layperson to read. The introduction of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the related Irish Health Research Regulation (HRR) presented additional challenges to the Irish biobank community. In May 2019, the National Biobanking Working Group (NBWG) was established in Ireland. It consists of members from diverse research backgrounds located in universities, hospitals and research centres across Ireland and a public/patient partner. The NBWG aimed to develop a suite of resources for health research biobanks via robust and meaningful patient engagement, which are accessible, GDPR/HRR-compliant and could be used nationally, including a PIL/ICF template. This open letter describes the process whereby this national biobank PIL/ICF template was produced. The development of this template included review by the Patient Voice in Cancer Research, led by Professor Amanda McCann at University College Dublin and the Health Research Data Protection Network.

Harmonising the human biobanking consent process: an Irish experience

Biobanks are repositories of human biological samples and data. They are an important component of clinical research in many disease areas and often represent the first step toward innovative treatments. For biobanks to operate, researchers need human participants to give their samples and associated health data. In Ireland, research participants must provide their freely given informed consent for their samples and data to be taken and used for research purposes. Biobank staff are responsible for communicating the relevant information to participants prior to obtaining their consent, and this communication process is supported by documentation in the form of Participant Information Leaflets and Informed Consent Forms (PILs/ICFs). PILs/ICFs should be concise, intelligible, and contain relevant information. While not a substitute for layperson and research staff discussions, PILs and ICFs ensure that a layperson has enough information to make an informed choice to participate or not. However, PILs/ICFs are often lengthy, contain technical language and can be complicated and onerous for a layperson to read. The introduction of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the related Irish Health Research Regulation (HRR) presented additional challenges to the Irish biobank community. In May 2019, the National Biobanking Working Group (NBWG) was established in Ireland. It consists of members from diverse research backgrounds located in universities, hospitals and research centres across Ireland and a public/patient partner. The NBWG aimed to develop a suite of resources for health research biobanks via robust and meaningful patient engagement, which are accessible, GDPR/HRR-compliant and could be used nationally, including a PIL/ICF template. This open letter describes the process whereby this national biobank PIL/ICF template was produced. The development of this template included review by the Patient Voice in Cancer Research, led by Professor Amanda McCann at University College Dublin and the Health Research Data Protection Network.

Post-Prescription Audit Plus Beta-D-Glucan Assessment Decrease Echinocandin Use in People with Suspected Invasive Candidiasis

Background and Objectives: Overtreatment with antifungal drugs is often observed. Antifungal stewardship (AFS) focuses on optimizing the treatment for invasive fungal diseases. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the utility of a post-prescription audit plus beta-D-glucan (BDG) assessment on reducing echinocandin use in persons with suspected invasive candidiasis. Materials and Methods: This is a prospective, pre-post quasi-experimental study of people starting echinocandins for suspected invasive candidiasis. The intervention of the study included review of each echinocandin prescription and discontinuation of treatment if a very low probability of fungal disease or a negative BDG value were found. Pre-intervention data were compared with the intervention phase. The primary outcome of the study was the duration of echinocandin therapy. Secondary outcomes were length of hospital stay and mortality. Results: Ninety-two echinocandin prescriptions were reviewed, 49 (53.3%) in the pre-intervention phase and 43 (46.7%) in the intervention phase. Discontinuation of antifungal therapy was possible in 21 of the 43 patients in the intervention phase (48.8%). The duration of echinocandin therapy was 7.4 (SD 4.7) in the pre-intervention phase, 4.1 days (SD 2.9) in persons undergoing the intervention, and 8.6 (SD 7.3) in persons in whom the intervention was not feasible (p at ANOVA = 0.016). Length of stay and mortality did not differ between pre-intervention and intervention phases. Conclusions: An intervention based on pre-prescription restriction and post-prescription audit when combined with BDG measurement is effective in optimizing antifungal therapy by significantly reducing excessive treatment duration.

Implementation of nursing case management to improve community access to care: A scoping review

Background: Case management is an approach used to help patients locate and manage health resources as well as to enhance effective communication among patients, families, and health systems. Nurses’ role as case managers has been proven effective in reducing healthcare costs among patients with chronic diseases. However, little is known about its implementation in improving access to care in community-based settings. Objectives: This scoping review aimed to examine the components of nursing case management in improving access to care within community settings and to identify the issues of community-based nursing case management for future implications. Design: This study was conducted following the framework of scoping review.Data Sources: The authors systematically searched five electronic databases (CINAHL, PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, and Google Scholar) for relevant studies published from January 2010 to February 2021. Only original studies involving nurses as one of the professions performing case management roles in the community-based settings, providing 'access to care' as the findings, were included. Review Methods: The article screening was guided by a PRISMA flowchart. Extraction was performed on Google Sheet, and synthesis was conducted from the extraction result.Results: A total of 19 studies were included. Five components of nursing case management to improve access to care were identified: 1) Bridging health systems into the community, 2) Providing the process of care, 3) Delivering individually-tailored health promotion and prevention, 4) Providing assistance in decision making, and 5) Providing holistic support. In addition, three issues of nursing case management were also identified: 1) Regulation ambiguity, 2) High caseloads, and 3) Lack of continuing case management training.Conclusion: Care coordination and care planning were the most frequent components of nursing case management associated with access to care. These findings are substantial to improve nurses' ability in performing the nursing process as well as to intensify nurses’ advocacy competence for future implications.

Does organic means health for consumers? Selected issues of organic food market

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe organic food supply and demand from the perspective of evolutionary economics. Furthermore, identification of motives of organic food purchasing as well as the most important distribution channels was performed.Design/methodology/approachThis study included review of statistical data available on organic food market, observations from three different formats of shops in France and Poland as well as collected data from 54 French and 85 Polish consumers.FindingsThe findings of this paper show how the organic food market undergoes evolutionary changes, especially how supply and demand sides are being tuned to each other. Health properties of organic food were found as universal characteristics affecting organic food purchasing, regardless the level of the national market development. Organic food retail adjusts to consumer demand, but the rate of this transformation is different when markets of different countries are compared.Originality/valueChanges in supply and demand are continuous in the organic food market; therefore, they should be monitored on an ongoing basis. The insights extend present knowledge on consumer behaviour indicating health concerns as a universal motive affecting organic food purchasing. The study also takes the existing literature a step further by providing additional insight into adjustment of organic food retail to consumer demand.

Mechanisms Linking Periodontal Disease and Cardiovascular Disease: A Review and Update

Aim: To present review of current literature regarding association between periodontal and cardiovascular diseases and the mechanisms involved in the association. Materials and Methods: Thorough search was carried out on PUBMED, MEDLINE databases and Google on the association between periodontal disease and cardiovascular diseases and the mechanisms involved selected literature included review articles, observational studies, case control studies, randomized control trials and meta-analysis. Priority was placed on papers published within last 10 years. Brief description of periodontal disease and atherosclerosis underlying pathophysiology has also been included. Results and Conclusion: Preponderance of data appears to support the concept that a potential link does exist between periodontal disease and CVD independent of confounding factors. Interventional trials have shown that periodontal therapy is associated with reduction in surrogate markers of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Prospective interventional studies are required to determine the exact link between PD and CVD as well as to evaluate whether periodontal treatment may reduce the risk of developing CVD. Clinical Significance Pre assessment of developing cardiovascular disease using biomarkers can help in diagnosis of developing or worsening periodontal diseases at earlier stages and can aid in providing screening services and advice to seek immediate dental care. Keywords: Coronary Artery Disease, Chronic Periodontitis, Interrelationship, Periodontal disease, Systemic conditions.