General Well-Being Schedule Scores Research Articles

Effects of Regular Low-Level Alcohol Consumption in Healthy Individuals: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Crossover Study.

The effects of alcohol consumption on health are suggested to depend on the amount of alcohol consumed. We investigated the objective and subjective health effects of the daily consumption of a small amount of alcohol in healthy individuals using a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study. Accordingly, 15 male and 27 female Japanese adults with average or lower general well-being schedule (GWBS) scores were asked to consume a beverage with 0.5% (v/v) alcohol (~4 g of alcohol a day; test beverage) and a placebo beverage two times daily for 4 weeks each. Regular low-level alcohol consumption significantly decreased the serum liver function indexes (aspartic aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase) before and after consumption (p = 0.034, 0.033, and 0.013, respectively). The small amount of alcohol did not affect the participants’ GWBS scores; however, a stratified analysis with poor subjective well-being revealed that these changes differed significantly between low-level alcohol consumption and placebo-treated subjects (16.0 vs. 11.5, p = 0.041). In addition, changes in serum testosterone levels demonstrated a higher trend in the group that received the test beverage compared with the group that received the placebo beverage (p = 0.051). Daily low-level alcohol consumption may have positive effects on liver function and subjective well-being.

Factors associated with general well-being among Lebanese adults: The role of emotional intelligence, fear of COVID, healthy lifestyle, coping strategies (avoidance and approach).

General well-being is best described as the state of mind that gives people happiness and satisfaction in life. This concept is influenced by behaviors and attitudes that individuals do on a daily basis. The purpose of this study was to understand how general well-being is correlated with other factors such as emotional intelligence, Covid-19-induced fear, healthy lifestyle, and coping strategies. This cross-sectional study was carried out between December 2020 and January 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic when lockdown restrictions were implemented at different instances. A total of 470 individuals participated. The results of a linear regression, taking the general well-being schedule score as the dependent variable, showed that more avoidance coping (B = 1.05, t(459) =8.44, p < 0.001), higher healthy lifestyle scores (B = 0.45, t(459) = 5.45, p < 0.001), and more approach coping (B = 0.42, t(459) = 4.03, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with higher GWB schedule scores. Moreover, having more fear of COVID-19 (B = -0.62, t(459) = −5.09, p < 0.001) and female gender (B = -6.80, t(459) = −4.34, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with lower GWB schedule scores. To our knowledge, this is the first study in Lebanon to evaluate GWB and factors that predict it among the general population. Nevertheless, more comprehensive future studies with longitudinal designs, more diverse socio-demographic backgrounds of sampled population recruited via probability sampling, and more reliable and valid instruments utilized are warranted to confirm our findings and draw a more certain conclusion.

Does Mobile Care ('mCare') Improve Quality of Life and Treatment Satisfaction Among Service Members Rehabilitating in the Community? Results from a 36-Wk, Randomized Controlled Trial.

Research has shown that mobile phones can help with management of numerous health problems. As an adjunct to care management provided to injured service members rehabilitating in their communities, particularly those with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), post-traumatic stress (PTS), and/or behavioral health problems, the Army developed a mobile phone application called "mCare." This study examined whether service members who received mCare had higher well-being, were more satisfied with their care, and viewed mCare as a valuable part of their care management as compared with their counterparts who received standard care management alone, and whether those with mTBI, PTS, and/or behavioral health problems benefited differently from mCare. In-processing service members at four community-based warrior transition units were recruited for participation in a 36-wk, randomized, controlled trial and allocated to receive standard care management plus mCare (n = 95) or standard care management alone (n = 87). Participants in the mCare group received daily questionnaires, tips, and appointment reminders. All participants were asked to complete the General Well-being Schedule (GWS) at baseline, 12, 24, and 36 wk, and the Case Management Quality Questionnaire (CMQQ) at 12, 24, and 36 wk. All participants and care managers were approached to complete interviews about the usability/likeability of mCare or standard care management. The analyses tested for group differences in completion of the intervention, graphed means for the GWS and CMQQ by group/subgroup, and statistically compared the longitudinal trends in these outcomes using mixed models in which group, time, and group*time were included as regression variables. The analyses also tallied interview responses and identified thematic quotes. The study protocol was reviewed and approved by the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center's Institutional Review Board. Estimated rate of change in GWS scores was -2.2 (standard error = 1.0; t = -2.1; p = 0.0382). Estimated rate of change in CMQQ scores was -0.8 (standard error = 0.5; t = -1.52; p = 0.1299). Neither change was meaningful. Rates of change in the GWS and CMQQ scores did not differ by group or by behavioral health, mTBI, and PTS subgroups within the groups. The interviews found that 83% of mCare participants liked the communication with their care managers versus 73% of standard care management participants. Participants in both the mCare group and the care managers said that they liked the application's appointment tracking and reminders. Care managers thought mCare was particularly useful for people with mTBI, PTS, and cognitive problems. mCare did not result in differences in general well-being and satisfaction with care management among service members rehabilitating in their communities, some with mTBI, PTS, and/or behavioral health problems. But participants and care managers who used mCare said that they found it useful. Study limitations included the diversity of clinical issues of the participants, greater missing data among mCare participants, and the high baseline quality of care management in the settings observed. The fact that patients and care managers liked mCare, apart from no changes in outcomes, is important because health care is increasingly adopting mobile solutions.

Single-Institution Propensity-Matched Study to Evaluate the Psychological Effect of Minimally Invasive Interval Debulking Surgery Versus Standard Laparotomic Treatment: From Body to Mind and Back

Study ObjectiveTo further investigate the psycho-oncologic effect of minimally invasive surgery comparing patients submitted to minimally invasive interval debulking surgery (MI-IDS) with a balanced population treated by standard laparotomy (L-IDS). DesignSingle-institution propensity-matched study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). SettingDivision of Gynecologic Oncology, “Policlinico A. Gemelli” Foundation, Rome, Italy. PatientsThe investigational arm included 30 patients with advanced ovarian cancer treated with MI-IDS, whereas the control arm included a consecutive series of 30 patients with advanced ovarian cancer submitted to L-IDS. For every patient preoperative data were collected to assess the response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Perioperative data were also recorded. InterventionsA General Well-Being Schedule (GWBS) and a clinical assessment of body uneasiness, the Body Uneasiness Test, were administered by a psycho-oncologist immediately before IDS and within 30 days after surgery to evaluate the psychological burden in both groups. Measurement and Main ResultsBoth groups were matched as closely as possible. No statistical differences were registered in terms of surgical procedures and residual tumor. A significantly longer median operative time in patients was counterbalanced by more favorable estimated blood loss and median length of stay and time to chemotherapy. No statistically significant differences were registered in terms of postoperative complications. Starting from a substantially homogenous psychological condition, psychometric evaluation underlined statistically significant differences in favor of MI-IDS. The mean GWBS score was 64.17 ± 11.77 in patients and 54.15 ± 14.76 in control subjects, with a statistically significant difference between the 2 groups (p = .004). ConclusionMI-IDS seems to play an important role in the quality of life and oncologic outcomes. Even if presented data testified a further evolutionary step in oncologic patient care, more experience with larger groups of patients is desirable to deeply investigate and assess our results.

Music therapy for people with schizophrenia and schizophrenia-like disorders.

Music therapy is a therapeutic approach that uses musical interaction as a means of communication and expression. Within the area of serious mental disorders, the aim of the therapy is to help people improve their emotional and relational competencies, and address issues they may not be able to using words alone. To review the effects of music therapy, or music therapy added to standard care, compared with placebo therapy, standard care or no treatment for people with serious mental disorders such as schizophrenia. We searched the Cochrane Schizophrenia Group's Trials Study-Based Register (December 2010 and 15 January, 2015) and supplemented this by contacting relevant study authors, handsearching of music therapy journals and manual searches of reference lists. All randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared music therapy with standard care, placebo therapy, or no treatment. Review authors independently selected, quality assessed and data extracted studies. We excluded data where more than 30% of participants in any group were lost to follow-up. We synthesised non-skewed continuous endpoint data from valid scales using a standardised mean difference (SMD). We employed a fixed-effect model for all analyses. If statistical heterogeneity was found, we examined treatment dosage (i.e. number of therapy sessions) and treatment approach as possible sources of heterogeneity. Ten new studies have been added to this update; 18 studies with a total 1215 participants are now included. These examined effects of music therapy over the short, medium, and long-term, with treatment dosage varying from seven to 240 sessions. Overall, most information is from studies at low or unclear risk of biasA positive effect on global state was found for music therapy compared to standard care (medium term, 2 RCTs, n = 133, RR 0.38 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.24 to 0.59, low-quality evidence, number needed to treat for an additional beneficial outcome NNTB 2, 95% CI 2 to 4). No binary data were available for other outcomes. Medium-term continuous data identified good effects for music therapy on negative symptoms using the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (3 RCTs, n = 177, SMD - 0.55 95% CI -0.87 to -0.24, low-quality evidence). General mental state endpoint scores on the Positive and Negative Symptoms Scale were better for music therapy (2 RCTs, n = 159, SMD -0.97 95% CI -1.31 to -0.63, low-quality evidence), as were average endpoint scores on the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (1 RCT, n = 70, SMD -1.25 95% CI -1.77 to -0.73, moderate-quality evidence). Medium-term average endpoint scores using the Global Assessment of Functioning showed no effect for music therapy on general functioning (2 RCTs, n = 118, SMD -0.19 CI -0.56 to 0.18, moderate-quality evidence). However, positive effects for music therapy were found for both social functioning (Social Disability Screening Schedule scores; 2 RCTs, n = 160, SMD -0.72 95% CI -1.04 to -0.40), and quality of life (General Well-Being Schedule scores: 1 RCT, n = 72, SMD 1.82 95% CI 1.27 to 2.38, moderate-quality evidence). There were no data available for adverse effects, service use, engagement with services, or cost. Moderate- to low-quality evidence suggests that music therapy as an addition to standard care improves the global state, mental state (including negative and general symptoms), social functioning, and quality of life of people with schizophrenia or schizophrenia-like disorders. However, effects were inconsistent across studies and depended on the number of music therapy sessions as well as the quality of the music therapy provided. Further research should especially address the long-term effects of music therapy, dose-response relationships, as well as the relevance of outcome measures in relation to music therapy.

Evaluation of nursing interventions using minimally invasive assessments methods for patients in a persistent vegetative state

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of nursing interventions using minimally invasive or non-invasive methods conducive to frequent use in order to assess patients in a persistent vegetative state (PVS). We provided three nursing interventions-sitting the patient in an upright position, footbath care, and oral care-to PVS patients (n = 11) and elderly bedridden subjects with consciousness (n = 6) for 3 weeks in addition to ordinary nursing treatments. The Kohnan Score, plasma cortisol and adrenaline levels, General Well-Being Schedule score, and facial expression assessments were used as evaluation methods. The Kohnan Score of PVS patients declined significantly, indicating that the interventions increased patients' consciousness levels, but none of the other parameters showed significant change in either group. The change in Kohnan Score showed dependent trends for facial expression at baseline, cortisol change during the intervention, and the term of PVS. The data suggest three indices for predicting intervention efficacy in individuals and for assessing an intervention's contribution to quality of life improvement. Among the multiple evaluation methods, Konan Scores was the most effective. Ultimately, the three nursing interventions used in this study and Konan Score led to the optimization of nursing home care and rehabilitation for PVS patients.

Minimally invasive versus standard laparotomic interval debulking surgery in ovarian neoplasm: A single-institution retrospective case-control study

ObjectiveTo further investigate the role of MIS comparing patients submitted to MI-IDS with a balanced population treated by standard laparotomy. MethodsThe investigational arm (Cases) includes 30 AEOC patients treated with MI-IDS. The Control arm included a consecutive series of 65 AEOC patients submitted to laparotomic IDS. Inclusion criteria were: age>18years, histologically proven EOC, clinical complete/partial response after NACT, and ECOG PS <2. Preoperative clinical data, perioperative and oncological outcomes were analyzed. General Well-Being Schedule (GWBS) was administered to evaluate quality of life before and after surgery. ResultsBoth groups were well-balanced. A higher percentage of women among Cases received bevacizumab-containing NACT compared with Controls.No statistical differences were registered in terms of surgical procedures and residual tumor.A significantly longer median OT in Cases was counterbalanced by more favorable EBL and median length of stay and TTC. No statistically significant differences were registered in terms of postoperative complications.Cases showed a 6months longer PFS compared to Controls. However, in multivariate analysis only the administration of Bevacizumab and a shorter TTC were independently associated with a longer PFS.Regarding QoL, no statistically significant differences were registered in Cases between pre- and postoperative GWBS score. Differently from Controls where this difference was statistically significant and a more intense distress were recorded. ConclusionsMinimally invasive approach could represent an advantageous alternative surgical way to perform interval debulking surgery in this specific subset of patients, with no impact on PFS. Based on these findings a randomized clinical trial is now under evaluation in our Institution.

Assessment of patient engagement with a mobile application among service members in transition

This article examines engagement with a mobile application ("mCare") for wounded Service Members rehabilitating in their communities. Many had behavioral health problems, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), and/or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTS). The article also examines associations between Service Members' background characteristics and their engagement with mCare. This analysis included participants who received mCare (n = 95) in a randomized controlled trial. mCare participants received status questionnaires daily for up to 36 weeks. Participant engagement encompasses exposure to mCare, percentage of questionnaires responded to, and response time. Participants were grouped by health status-that is, presence/absence of behavioral health problems, PTS, and/or TBI. Histograms and regression analyses examined engagement by participants' health status and background characteristics. Exposure to mCare did not differ by health status. Participants usually responded to ≥60% of the questionnaires weekly, generally in ≤10 h; however, participants with behavioral health problems had several weeks with <50% response and the longest response times. Total questionnaires responded to and response time did not differ statistically by health status. Older age and higher General Well-Being Schedule scores were associated with greater and faster response. The sustained response to the questionnaires suggests engagement. Overall level of response surpassed trends reported for American's usage of mobile applications. With a few exceptions, Service Members engaged with mCare irrespective of health status. Mobile health has the potential to increase the quantity and quality of patient-provider communications in a community-based, rehabilitation care setting, above that of standard care.

English

OBJECTIVE: There has been an increasing interest in Pranayama breathing exercises which have been known to improve the quality of life. Present study was conducted to find out the effect of Bhastrika and Anulom Vilom Pranayam and Yogasana on heart rate variability, general wellbeing, and cognition and anxiety level of the medical students. METHODOLOGY: 100 medical students were randomly divided into two groups. One group performed Bhastrika and Anulom Vilom Pranayam and the second Surayanamaskar for six weeks. The subjects were made to fill in PGI memory scale, Hamiltonanxiety scale and psychological general well-being schedule and record of the heart rate variability parameters was done, before and after six weeks of pranayam practice. RESULTS: The results showed highly significant increase in-high frequency (HF) components of heart rate variability and decrease in low frequency (LF) components and LF/ HF in the group practicing pranayam. There was also highly significant improvement of cognition, general well-being and anxiety as shown by the PGI memory scale, Hamilton-anxiety scale and psychological general wellbeing schedule score in this group. In yogasana group no significant changes were observed in the heart rate variability, cognition and anxiety although psychological general well-being schedule score significantly improved after six weeks of practice of yogasana. CONCLUSION: The study shows that practice of slow breathing type of pranayam for six weeks improves cognition, anxiety and general well-being and increases the parasympathetic activity. Whereas there was no effect of the yogasana on the above parameters except improvements in the general well-being.

Effects of FESS and additional fluticasone propionate nasal drops on psychological well-being in nasal polyposis with asthma

Conclusion: A combined therapy of fluticasone propionate nasal drops (FPND) and functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) can improve quality of life (QoL). When compared with prior data, the results imply that a generic measure of psychological aspects of QoL may be better than measures of respiratory symptoms and clinical parameters to capture a patient's perception of the disease and its treatment. Objective: To better understand effects of FPND and FESS on generic QoL. Methods: Sixty nasal polyposis patients with concomitant asthma completed participation in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 14-week study in which they responded to the General Well-Being Schedule (GWBS). Results: GWBS scores (i) increased significantly after administration of FPND, independent of FESS (from lower than normal to normal), (ii) increased after FESS independent of FPND (from lower than normal to normal), and (iii) increased additively after FPND and FESS.

Quality of life and personality in adults with epilepsy.

This study was undertaken to understand the quality of life, personality, and associated factors in patients with epilepsy. 117 patients with epilepsy and 84 healthy people were studied and tested using the Social Support Scale, the General Well-being Schedule, the Life-Event Scale, the Behavior Pattern Scale, and the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ). There were no significant differences between the patients with epilepsy and the control group in the Social Support Scale results. The General Well-being Schedule scores were lower for the case patients than for the control group (p < 0.01). Scores for patients with frequent seizures (once a month or more) were lower than those without frequent seizures (less than once per month). The case patients had higher negative scores in the family-related problem section of the Life Events Scale, compared with the control group (p < 0.05). The patients with epilepsy were also more likely to lie (p < 0.05); their emotions were more changeable (p < 0.01), and their character more introverted (p < 0.05), although their behavior patterns were similar to the controls. We also studied associated factors related to personality, general well-being, and familial-negative life-events. These results provide information about patients with epilepsy that may be useful in their psychological treatment.

The effect of client choice of therapist on therapy outcome

This study compared the therapeutic progress of three randomly assigned groups (n = 14 in each group) of community mental health center clients: (a) clients who viewed a slide/sound presentation about all available therapists and chose their own therapist; (b) clients who viewed the presentation and were assigned to a therapist by the center's clinical director; (c) clients who were assigned to a therapist by the clinical director without seeing the presentation. There were no significant differences among the three groups in their initial reaction to the clinic, number of therapy sessions, type of termination, severity of presenting problems, General Well-Being Schedule scores, Current Adjustment Rating Scale scores, or therapist's satisfaction with therapy. Further analysis revealed that three out of four clients had improved significantly as a result of therapy. It was concluded that in the absence of research evidence demonstrating the efficacy of client choice on therapy outcome, support for the notion of client choice must be based solely on social, ethical, and legal considerations.