General Health Indicators Research Articles

Hygienic Aspects of the Quality of Life of Residents of Yaroslavl and the Yaroslavl Region

Introduction. The relevance of the study is due to the need to conduct a scientific analysis of the quality of the country’s population life, improve the standard of citizens living through the implementation of medical measures, including medical and preventive work.The purpose of the work is to conduct a comparative analysis of the quality of life of urban and rural residents of the Yaroslavl Region based on physical and psychological well-being, determine the level of general health indicators of the working-age population, and analyze the role of organizational and preventive measures in improving the quality of life.Materials and methods. The SF‑36 questionnaire was used in the study to assess the quality of life. 600 residents (age (25.1±0.8) years) of Yaroslavl and the Yaroslavl Region took part in the survey. The ratio of men and women was 50 % and 50 %, respectively.Results. It was revealed that the quality of life of rural residents has lower values compared to city residents. This difference is especially noticeable in indicators that are directly dependent on the emotional and physical state of a person.Discussion. The conducted comprehensive analysis shows that as a result, the assessment of the quality of life of the population of the respondents was based on their subjective understanding and perception of their own situation in life, which is also typical for studies in other regions of the country. The indicators of the general health of the rural population of working age indicated insufficient access to medical care and a low level of literacy of the population in matters of maintaining and strengthening their own health, as well as medical activity.Conclusion. Hygienic assessment of the quality of the population life in terms of physical and psychological well-being made it possible to identify a number of differences in the assessment of the quality of urban and rural areas residents life at Yaroslavl and the Yaroslavl Region. Most of the considered characteristics of the quality of rural residents life had reliably significant low values in comparison with city residents.

Hygienic Aspects of the Quality of Life of Residents of Yaroslavl and the Yaroslavl Region

Introduction. The relevance of the study is due to the need to conduct a scientific analysis of the quality of the country’s population life, improve the standard of citizens living through the implementation of medical measures, including medical and preventive work.The purpose of the work is to conduct a comparative analysis of the quality of life of urban and rural residents of the Yaroslavl Region based on physical and psychological well-being, determine the level of general health indicators of the working-age population, and analyze the role of organizational and preventive measures in improving the quality of life.Materials and methods. The SF‑36 questionnaire was used in the study to assess the quality of life. 600 residents (age (25.1±0.8) years) of Yaroslavl and the Yaroslavl Region took part in the survey. The ratio of men and women was 50 % and 50 %, respectively.Results. It was revealed that the quality of life of rural residents has lower values compared to city residents. This difference is especially noticeable in indicators that are directly dependent on the emotional and physical state of a person.Discussion. The conducted comprehensive analysis shows that as a result, the assessment of the quality of life of the population of the respondents was based on their subjective understanding and perception of their own situation in life, which is also typical for studies in other regions of the country. The indicators of the general health of the rural population of working age indicated insufficient access to medical care and a low level of literacy of the population in matters of maintaining and strengthening their own health, as well as medical activity.Conclusion. Hygienic assessment of the quality of the population life in terms of physical and psychological well-being made it possible to identify a number of differences in the assessment of the quality of urban and rural areas residents life at Yaroslavl and the Yaroslavl Region. Most of the considered characteristics of the quality of rural residents life had reliably significant low values in comparison with city residents.

Conceptualizing Sleep Satisfaction: A Rapid Review.

Good, satisfying, sleep is a key indicator and determinant of health and wellness. However, there is no consensus about how to define and measure good sleep. The present research aimed to define sleep satisfaction through the extant literature and disentangle it from sleep quality, a conceptually similar construct. Systematic review methods were adapted for a rapid review approach. The entire review was completed in eight weeks. Tabulation coding with content analysis was used to identify key categories and synthesize findings. A systematic process for generating construct definitions was followed. Database search yielded 51 eligible studies (N > 218,788), representing diverse adult populations, in 20 countries. Designs varied in rigour. Sleep satisfaction was defined as a personal, introspective, and global judgment about one's feelings of contentment with one's sleep, at a particular point in time. Sleep satisfaction was understood as an indicator of general health, impacted by and varied as a function of one's sleep environment and individual-level characteristics. This rapid review contributes to the literature by providing the first systematically generated definition of sleep satisfaction, with strong implications for measurement, research, and practice.

Heatwave events and concurrent ozone concentrations between 2006 and 2022 at two sites in southern and northern Spain.

Hotter-than-usual days are becoming more common, such that heat waves are expected to increase in intensity, frequency, duration, and spatial extent in Spain. Within this framework, this paper looks at the combined effects of extreme temperatures and air pollution in two cities in Spain, Córdoba and Valladolid, over the period 2006-2022. Synoptic patterns and air mass movement were analysed during the eleven coincident heat waves at both locations in order to study what impact orography and local meteorology have on ozone concentrations. Weak flow conditions were the most frequent synoptic pattern in the Iberian Peninsula during heat waves. Moreover, west and local circulations characterised the main air trajectories at low levels (500m agl), while southwest maritime advections and African air mass transport were more frequent at higher levels (1500 and 3000m agl) in Córdoba and Valladolid, respectively. On average, maximum ozone values were higher in Córdoba (105.1µgm-3) than in Valladolid (80µgm-3) and were strongly correlated with extreme temperatures at both locations (r up to 0.8, p-value < 0.05). Mean temperature in Córdoba was 31.9°C, with the maximum value reaching 43.7°C, while temperatures in Valladolid were lower (28.3°C and 37.3°C, respectively). Calculation and assessment of some indices helped to understand the impact of extreme events. Caution actions based on the Heat Index characterised heat wave periods. Moderate risk was the general Air Quality Health Index feature recorded and reached a very high risk of unhealthy air quality in the June 2022 event in Córdoba.

Optimizing the outcome of non-pre-stented flexible ureteroscopic lithotripsy regarding the quality of life, when to remove the stent?

ObjectivesTo investigate the safety of short-term stenting following flexible ureteroscopic lithotripsy (fURL) for patients without preoperative stents. Retaining double-J stent for 1–2 weeks after fURL is a common practice. At present, data on short-term stenting after non-pre-stented fURL is still lacking.Methods182 patients who met inclusion criteria were retrospectively divided into the 2-days group (2-day removal, 76 cases) and the 1-week group (1-week removal, 106 cases). The study endpoint was stent-associated adverse symptoms assessed by follow-up and completed validated questionnaires on postoperative days (POD) 7 and 12. A postoperative imaging review was performed 1 month after the surgery.ResultsNo statistical differences were found in the patients’ demographic and stone-related characteristics. The 2-days group showed fewer urinary tract symptoms and lower scores on the ureteral stent symptom questionnaire on POD 7: less backache during urination (p = 0.004), less hematuria (p = 0.031), less frequent urination (p = 0.004), lower urinary symptoms index (p < 0.001), lower general health index (p < 0.001), and lower performance index (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in fever (p = 0.372), visual analogue scale score (p = 0.760), and painkiller requirements (p = 0.160) on POD 7. The average general health score and work performance score remained significantly higher in the 1-week group patients at 5 days after removal compared to the 2-days group patients at 5 days after removal. (p < 0.001, p = 0.005). Five patients in the 2-days group and 15 patients in the 1-week group returned to the emergency department for additional treatments. No patient required rehospitalization. Stone-free rates were 85.5% in the 2-days group and 80.2% in the 1-week group (p = 0.499), respectively, and none of the patients got aggravating hydronephrosis.ConclusionsCompared to the common 1-week stent removal option, short-term stenting after non-pre-stented fURL is safe, which can enhance the patient’s quality of life.

Physical Performance, Body Composition, and Oral Health in Community-Residing Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study.

A group of active older adults was selected from a government-sponsored reunion center in Mexico City. OHRQoL was assessed using the General Oral Health Index (GOHAI), and nutritional status was assessed using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) tool. A short physical performance battery (SPPB) was applied, and, for body composition, DXA (dual X-ray absorptiometry) was conducted. Data were analyzed using logistic regression models, and marginal probabilities were obtained. This study involved 366 participants; their mean age was 73.9 (±6.2) years, and 24.9% had type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). OHRQoL information revealed that pain or discomfort in the oral cavity was perceived by 63.9% of the older adults during the previous three months. The SPPB score was low in 159 (43.44%) participants. The logistic regression model revealed that age (OR = 1.13, p < 0.001), T2DM (OR = 2.10, p = 0.009), the risk of malnutrition/malnutrition (OR = 1.76, p = 0.047), high %BF (OR = 1.09, <0.001), and poor OHRQoL (OR = 1.96, p = 0.009) were associated with deteriorated physical performance. OHRQoL self-perception, excess body fat, and nutritional status impacted physical performance. Aging well requires a comprehensive approach.

A prospective exploration of the urban exposome in relation to headache in the Dutch population-based Occupational and environmental health cohort study (AMIGO)

ObjectiveHeadache is one of the most prevalent and disabling health conditions globally. We prospectively explored the urban exposome in relation to weekly occurrence of headache episodes using data from the Dutch population-based Occupational and Environmental Health Cohort Study (AMIGO). Material and MethodsParticipants (N = 7,339) completed baseline and follow-up questionnaires in 2011 and 2015, reporting headache frequency. Information on the urban exposome covered 80 exposures across 10 domains, such as air pollution, electromagnetic fields, and lifestyle and socio-demographic characteristics. We first identified all relevant exposures using the Boruta algorithm and then, for each exposure separately, we estimated the average treatment effect (ATE) and related standard error (SE) by training causal forests adjusted for age, depression diagnosis, painkiller use, general health indicator, sleep disturbance index and weekly occurrence of headache episodes at baseline. ResultsOccurrence of weekly headache was 12.5 % at baseline and 11.1 % at follow-up. Boruta selected five air pollutants (NO2, NOX, PM10, silicon in PM10, iron in PM2.5) and one urban temperature measure (heat island effect) as factors contributing to the occurrence of weekly headache episodes at follow-up. The estimated causal effect of each exposure on weekly headache indicated positive associations. NO2 showed the largest effect (ATE = 0.007 per interquartile range (IQR) increase; SE = 0.004), followed by PM10 (ATE = 0.006 per IQR increase; SE = 0.004), heat island effect (ATE = 0.006 per one-degree Celsius increase; SE = 0.007), NOx (ATE = 0.004 per IQR increase; SE = 0.004), iron in PM2.5 (ATE = 0.003 per IQR increase; SE = 0.004), and silicon in PM10 (ATE = 0.003 per IQR increase; SE = 0.004). ConclusionOur results suggested that exposure to air pollution and heat island effects contributed to the reporting of weekly headache episodes in the study population.

Health status, care dependency and oral care utilization among older adults: a register-based study.

The aim of the study was to examine oral care utilisation among older Danes and to describe the extent to which oral care use is associated with the co-existence of challenges relating to general health and care dependency. The study used registry data covering the entire population of older adults (≥65 years) in seven municipalities in Denmark (N = 178 787 individuals). Oral care services utilisation was computed from administrative data on oral care contacts up to and including 2019, including both private oral care and a municipal oral care programme (MOCP). Various registry data sources were used to compute risk factors to describe oral care utilisation across indicators of general health and care dependency. Indicators for poorer health were associated with larger proportions of individuals enrolled in the MOCPs and larger proportions of non-users of any type of oral care. Higher degrees of care dependency were associated with larger proportions of individuals enrolled in MOCPs and individuals with no use of any oral care services, with the exception of nursing home residents, who comprised a lower proportion of non-users than individuals receiving at-home care. Municipal oral care mainly enrolled older adults who were nursing home residents (60% of nursing home residents were enrolled). Our findings support existing evidence on the link between oral care utilisation and general health and frailty. While the municipal care programmes assisted in covering oral care for those with the highest level of care dependency, future preventive strategies for ensuring care continuity for older adults that are increasing in frailty may want to focus on the earlier stages of frailty and of general health deterioration.

Patients undergoing double J substitution with a pigtail suture stent report a significant decrease of stent-related symptoms. Results from a prospective multicenter longitudinal trial

PurposeTo compare stent-related symptoms (SRS) in patients with double J (DJ) undergoing substitution with a pigtail suture stent (PSS) after ureteroscopy (URS), through the Ureteral Stent Symptom Questionnaire (USSQ).Materials and methodsPatients with DJ undergoing URS for stone treatment were enrolled in this prospective multicenter longitudinal study. The USSQ was submitted thrice: 2 weeks after DJ, 2 weeks after PSS and 4 weeks after PSS removal (baseline). Primary endpoint: to compare Urinary Symptom Index Score and the rate of patients with pain 2 weeks after DJ and PSS. Secondary endpoints: to compare other USSQ scores and single answers 2 weeks after DJ and PSS, and DJ and PSS USSQ scores with baseline.Results93 patients were enrolled. 2 weeks Urinary Symptom Index Score (p < 0.001) and the percentage of patients complaining of pain (60.2% vs 88.2%, p < 0.001) were significantly in favour of PSS compared to DJ. 2 weeks scores were significantly improved with PSS compared to DJ: Pain Index (p < 0.001), VAS (p < 0.001), General Health Index (p < 0.001) and Work Performance Index (p < 0.001). All urinary symptoms were significantly decreased with PSS, including renal pain during micturition and pain interfering with life. Pain Index Score (p = 0.622) and VAS (p = 0.169) were comparable to baseline with PSS, while differed with DJ.ConclusionsPatients undergoing DJ substitution with PSS after URS report a significant decrease of SRS. Urologists may consider positioning PSS after URS in pre-stented patients to reduce the impact of SRS.

Asupan Gizi Anak Usia Dini Melalui Program Kerja Di Wilayah Kerja Puskesmas Tamalanrea Makassar

In Indonesia, nutritional problems, especially for early childhood, are a big problem because they are closely related to general health indicators such as morbidity and mortality rates. One effort to improve the level of public health can be done by improving the nutritional status of all family members with the support of various factors in a coordinated manner and is part of development to improve community welfare. The aim of efforts to improve nutritional status is to improve the nutritional condition of all members of society through participation and equal distribution of activities, changes in behavior that support the achievement of improved nutrition. Nutrition, which plays a big role in children's growth and development, must be a supervised and programmed part. Nutritional intake in early childhood cannot be separated and is closely related to children's health and intelligence. Apart from that, the nutritional intake the child receives will be a supporting factor in the child's growth and development. An unbalanced diet and inadequate or excessive nutritional intake can cause stunted growth and development in children. Monitoring of nutritional status is carried out every month in the Tamalanrea Community Health Center Work Area, there are 6 young children who have normal nutritional status and 18 young children still have malnutrition status, one of which is malnourished. Thirteen Early Childhood Children can no longer be monitored because they are not actively attending. The quality and quantity of complementary foods for breast milk really determines the nutritional status of young children. For this reason, mothers need to be given knowledge and skills in processing food by paying attention to the quality and quantity of complementary breast milk foods. Quality is seen from the type and diversity of food, while quantity is seen from the frequency of feeding. In connection with this, community service activities were carried out involving malnourished mothers of young children in making nutritious and varied complementary foods for breast milk.

Mental Health and Body Image and the Reduction of Excess Body Weight in Woman (Polish Sample).

In recent years, excessive body weight has become one of the most serious psychological, biological and social problems. According to forecasts by the World Health Organization, obesity and overweight will continue to increase among both adults and children in the coming years. Poland ranks sixth in Europe in this respect. In 2021, almost 58% of Poles had above-average body weight (overweight or obesity). In Poland, 29% of women are overweight, and 21% of women are obese. Body dissatisfaction, depression, and anxiety disorder are indicated as consequences of high BMI in women. Reducing excess body weight improves psychosocial functioning and changes body assessment. The most lasting effects of weight reduction are achieved by a properly selected diet combined with increased physical activity. This results in a change in lifestyle, changes in the levels of metabolic indicators, and changes in one's body image and mental health. Objective: Our objective was to assess changes in body image and mental health among Polish women and their dependence on the weight reduction method used (type of diet and physical activity). Comparative studies involving 122 women were conducted. These women were selected from 1000 volunteers based on BMI criteria. The effects of diet therapy were compared with the effects of diet therapy combined with physical activity. Research tools: The GHQ-12 scale was used to measure mental health, and the Body Esteem Scale was used to measure body image. The study lasted four years. The results showed changes in body image, general mental health index, and BMI in women who dieted and in those who dieted and exercised. In women using a diet combined with physical activity, greater positive changes in mental condition and stronger positive changes in body image, namely in the assessment of satisfaction with sexual attractiveness, physical condition, and body weight control, were observed compared to women using diet therapy alone.

Results of Primary Arteriovenous Fistulas Formation with Different Types of Anastomoses in the Early Postoperative Period in Patients on Programmed Hemodialysis

The study includes the analysis of the results of using the different types of arteriovenous anastomoses in the formation of arteriovenous fistulas and their impact on fistula maturation in the early postoperative period. One of the main aspects of the work is to determine the optimal type of anastomosis to ensure the proper functioning of arteriovenous fistula that is an important element of vascular access in patients on renal replacement therapy. It is important to consider such factors as the diameter of formed arteriovenous fistula, the blood flow velocity through it, the incidence of complications and the duration of its functioning. The study also takes into account the impact of patients’ characteristics, such as age, condition of arteries and veins, as well as general health indicators on the results of surgery. Taking these factors into account allows to identify the groups of patients who can benefit most from a particular type of anastomosis.&#x0D; During the sample period, 384 patients with terminal stage of renal failure aged 20 to 84 years undergoing programmed hemodialysis, the native arteriovenous fistula was formed. It was found that 94.01 % of arteriovenous fistulas were successful in the early postoperative period. The average age of these patients was 44.2 years, while unsuccessful cases developed in people with an average age of 66.8 years. It was also found that within an hour after surgery for the formation of an arteriovenous fistula with the type end-to-side anastomosis, its diameter increases from 2.08±0.42 mm to 2.96±1.68 mm, and the blood flow velocity increases from 21.4±7.6 ml/min to 212.4±74.6 ml/min. The risk factor for effective fistula formation, in addition to age, is the diameter of vessels, anatomical features of the venous system, the presence of concomitant pathology (primarily diabetes mellitus).&#x0D; The obtained results can serve as a basis for the developing of recommendations for the optimal choice of anastomosis type for certain categories of patients who will undergo renal replacement therapy. The study is aimed at improving the results of surgical treatment and increasing the quality of life of patients with chronic renal failure.

Understanding Burn Injuries: From Epidemiology to Rehabilitation and Psychometric Evaluation

Burn injuries have long been recognized as one of the most severe traumas, posing significant challenges to both physical and psychological well-being. This comprehensive review explores various aspects of burn injury, including epidemiology, mechanisms of injury, advancements in contemporary treatment, rehabilitation, health status assessment methods, the impact of preexisting psychiatric conditions, personality assessment, and coping strategies. Globally, burn injuries rank among the leading causes of trauma-related deaths, with factors such as burn depth, extent of injury, age, and associated conditions influencing outcomes. Advancements in treatment, including surgical techniques and skin substitutes, have significantly improved survival rates. Rehabilitation plays a crucial role in maximizing patients' ability to adapt to life after burn injury, addressing both physical and psychological aspects. Health status assessment methods encompass a range of measures, from general health indices to disease-specific scales. Preexisting psychiatric conditions, personality traits, and coping strategies also play significant roles in post-burn adaptation and recovery. Developing burn-specific coping scales could enhance our understanding of the unique stressors faced by burn patients and improve patient outcomes. This review highlights the interdisciplinary nature of burn care and the importance of addressing physical, psychological, and social aspects in the treatment and rehabilitation of burn survivors.

Health Implications of Lipedema: Analysis of Patient Questionnaires and Population-Based Matched Controls.

We conducted a comparative study involving 39 female patients with lipedema and group-matched controls at a ratio of 1:5. The primary survey tool was the German Health Update (GEDA 2019/2020-EHIS) questionnaire, which was developed by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), Germany. The secondary survey tool was the German Pain Questionnaire. The prevalence of hypertension (p = 0.041) and high blood lipids (p = 0.024) was lower in the lipedema group compared to the control group. General health and well-being indicators demonstrated lower overall health ratings (p < 0.001) and higher physiotherapy use in patients with lipedema (p = 0.016). Mental health assessment revealed higher depression prevalence and severity (p = 0.001), together with a lower number of close contacts (p = 0.032). Furthermore, patients with lipedema experienced higher levels of pain (p < 0.001) and more significant pain-related disability in daily activities (p < 0.001) than controls. Correlation analysis among patients with lipedema showed a positive correlation between pain severity and depressive symptoms (ρ = 0.612, p < 0.001) and a moderate positive correlation with impaired health-related quality of life (ρ = 0.418, p = 0.010). In summary, our findings highlight significant differences in health and well-being between patients with lipedema and matched controls, especially in overall, metabolic, and mental health, as well as pain perception. The findings emphasize the need for a validated lipedema-specific questionnaire and a multidisciplinary treatment approach with a combination of physical therapies, lifestyle adjustments, and psychological strategies.

Toxicity Risk Assessment Due to Particulate Matter Pollution from Regional Health Data: Case Study from Central Romania.

Air pollution poses one of the greatest dangers to public well-being. This article outlines a study conducted in the Central Romania Region regarding the health risks associated with particulate matter (PM) of two sizes, viz., PM10 and PM2.5. The methodology used consists of the following: (i) an analysis of the effects of PM pollutants, (ii) an analysis of total mortality and cardiovascular-related mortality, and (iii) a general health risk assessment. The Central Region of Romania is situated in the Carpathian Mountains' inner arch (consisting of six counties). The total population of the region under investigation is about 2.6 million inhabitants. Health risk assessment is calculated based on the relative risk (RR) formula. During the study period, our simulations show that reducing these pollutants' concentrations below the new WHO guidelines (2021) will prevent over 172 total fatalities in Brasov alone, as an example. Furthermore, the potential benefit of reducing annual PM2.5 levels on total cardiovascular mortality is around 188 persons in Brasov. Although health benefits may also depend upon other physiological parameters, all general health indicators point towards a significant improvement in overall health by a general reduction in particulate matter, as is shown by the toxicity assessment of the particulate matter in the region of interest. The modality can be applied to other locations for similar studies.

The state of oral health and its impact on the quality of life of six-year-olds in the city area of Živinice

Background: Oral health is the main indicator of general health, individual well-being, and quality of life. Oral health in children and adolescents is often reflected by the state of their dental hard tissues in a form of their previous caries experience. Poor oral health in children increases the likelihood of more complex dental treatment and emergencies, which can lead to absenteeism from school and reduced learning abilities, causing slowed physical development, and overall reduced oral health-related quality of life.Aim: To determine the state of oral health and its influence on the overall quality of the life in six-year-olds in the city of Živinice.Methods: The study participants were psychophysically healthy six-year-old children of both genders with residences in the urban and rural areas of the city of Živinice. Oral examinations were conducted according to the WHO Oral Health Survey manual. The previous caries experience indexes of primary teeth (dmft, SiC, pufa) were noted during clinical examinations of children, with a simultaneous filling of the POQL questionnaire by children's parents.Results and Conclusion: The state of oral health of six-year-olds in the area of the city of Živinice was not on a satisfactory level. Analyzed oral health indexes were higher worldwide and national findings. High scores of all analyzed indexes indicated that oral health could have an impact on the quality of life and that these values are high in comparison to the given recommendations. KEYWORDS: six-year-old children, dmft, pufa, SiC, POQL

КАЧЕСТВО ЖИЗНИ И СТЕПЕНЬ СОПРОТИВЛЯЕМОСТИ СТРЕССОВЫМ ФАКТОРАМ У НАСЕЛЕНИЯ РЕСПУБЛИКИ БЕЛАРУСЬ ПО ДАННЫМ КЛИНИКО-ЭПИДЕМИОЛОГИЧЕСКИХ ИССЛЕДОВАНИЙ

Mental health of an individual is one of the priorities of healthcare. Positive dynamics in preventing the development of the disease and providing timely assistance in case of its presence helps to prevent a number of social and economic consequences. The aim of this study is to track the level of dependence of the quality of life on the degree of resistance to stress factors among the adult population of our country. Material and methods. A survey of 1200 respondents from six regions of the Republic of Belarus (regional centres, cities, villages) was conducted. The SF-36 questionnaire (The Short Form-36) and the Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale were used. Data were processed using the Statistica 10.0 program. Conclusions. The assessed indicators of physical functioning, role-physical functioning, general health and physical health component are higher among those who live in large cities. Residents of rural areas have higher indicators of role-emotional functioning, mental health, vitality and mental health component.

Effectiveness of an online recovery training for employees exposed to blurred boundaries between work and non-work: Bayesian analysis of a randomised controlled trial

BackgroundBlurred work–non-work boundaries can have negative effects on mental health, including sleep.ObjectivesIn a randomised control trial, we aimed to assess the effectiveness of an online recovery training programme designed to...

A randomized controlled pilot study of a cognitive-behavioral video game intervention for the promotion of active aging.

Due to the accessibility barriers of in-person programs for active aging, the development of programs that use innovative technologies is needed. Video games can be an engaging tool for disseminating active aging interventions. The objective of this pilot study was to analyze the feasibility of a cognitive-behavioral intervention to promote active aging administered through a video game. Fifty-five participants (63.6% women, mean age = 53.0 years) were randomly assigned to a cognitive-behavioral intervention to promote active aging administered through an interactive multimedia online video game with a complementary app (CBI-V; n = 29) or to a control group that received nonspecific online information (CG; n = 26). Only 3.6% of the participants dropped out of the study (6.9% in CBI-V and 0.0% in CG; without significant differences between groups). The mean number of modules completed was 7.6 (SD = 0.9) out of 8 in the CBI-V and 7.9 (SD = 0.5) in the control group (CG), without significant between-group differences. In the CBI-V, the mean total time dedicated to the game was 516.8 min (SD = 94.3), including 143.2 min (SD = 31.6) of cognitive training tasks, and the mean of completed tasks was 206.2 (SD = 33.7) out of 259. Participants were highly engaged (M = 39.9, SD = 8.6) and satisfied (M = 25.8, SD = 4.5) with the intervention. After the intervention, the CBI-V group significantly improved on SF-36 dimensions of General Health (p = .0386), Vitality (p = .0283), Social Functioning (p = .0130), and Physical Summary Index (p = .0370) compared to the CG, with medium effect sizes (d = 0.56-0.75). The results demonstrate the feasibility of the video game intervention to promote active aging and encourage conducting a large-scale randomized controlled trial.

Indicators for evaluating the quality of life of men injured by the consequences of combat actions

The article presents the results of a comparative analysis of the responses of war victims to questions of the non-specific "ShortForm-36 Health Status Survey" (SF-36) questionnaire to determine the quality of physical and mental life at the time of filling out the questionnaire. The SF-36 questionnaire is one of the most common methods of measuring health-related quality of life and shows general well-being and the degree of satisfaction with aspects of a person's life that are affected by health. The vast majority of examined men injured as a result of hostilities were aged 30–49. It was found that against the background of a decrease in all indicators on the scales of the physical components of health, the most pronounced changes were recorded in the indicators of general health and role functioning caused by physical condition. In the psychological domain, the most pronounced changes were recorded in such components as mental health, vital activity and social functioning. A number of correlations were established between quality of life indicators in victims of hostilities. The closest probable positive correlation in men injured as a result of hostilities was established between physical functioning and role functioning caused by emotional state (r=+0.64; p&lt;0.05). A positive correlation was also found between general health and physical functioning (r=+0.43; p&lt;0.05), between general health and role functioning caused by emotional state (r=+0.34; p&lt;0.05), a probable positive relationship between mental health and life activity (r=+0.34; p&lt;0.05) and pain intensity (r=+0.42; p&lt;0.05). The correlation between role functioning caused by emotional state and role functioning caused by physical state was negative and amounted to -0.37 (p&lt;0.05). Keywords: SF-36, physical health, mental health.