Participation Group Research Articles

O.4.2-4 The influence of organized sport participation on health-related fitness development during adolescence

Abstract Purpose Organized sport participation plays particularly big role in promoting adolescents’ physical activity and health-related fitness. However, it remains to be understood how current, past, or complete non-participation in organized sports affect adolescents’ individual trajectories of cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness and whether adolescents benefit from their past participation in organized sports in terms of fitness. Thus, the aim of this research was to study the development of cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness during adolescence in those 1) who continued or started organized sport participation, 2) who dropped out, and 3) who never participated or dropped out before adolescence. Methods In this five-year longitudinal study, which was carried out between 2017-2021, self-reported sport participation data were collected annually, and cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness measurements were collected every other year from 963 participants (Mage = 11.25 ± 0.31). Multi-group parallel latent growth curve model was used to examine initial levels and slopes (rate of change) of cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness simultaneously in each of three sport participation group: 1) continuous, 2) dropout, and 3) non-part. Results Continuous group had significantly higher initial levels of cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness compared to other two groups. Moreover, both continuous and non-part groups had positive slopes of cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness. Although dropout group had significantly higher initial levels of cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness compared to non-part group, the slopes were smaller or not significant. Thus, at the last time point, there were no longer significant differences between these two groups in levels of cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness. Conclusions Continued participation in organized sports promotes adolescents’ health-related fitness. However, as adolescents dropout these health-related fitness improvements seem to be lost. Therefore, it is necessary to consider what could be done so that adolescents who dropout or never participated in organized sports would have equal opportunities to promote their health-related fitness. One reason for dropout is that organized sports tend to get more competitive, time-consuming, and expensive in adolescence. Thus, solution could be low-cost and low-threshold recreational or school-related physical activities that could improve or maintain health-related fitness during adolescence. Funding Source Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture

Sports-Related Concussion Assessment: A New Physiological, Biomechanical, and Cognitive Methodology Incorporating a Randomized Controlled Trial Study Protocol.

Taking part in moderate-to-vigorous exercise in contact sports on a regular basis may be linked to an increase in cerebrovascular injury and head trauma. Validated objective measures are lacking in the initial post-event diagnosis of head injury. The exercise style, duration, and intensity may also confound diagnostic indicators. As a result, we propose that the new Interdisciplinary Group in Movement & Performance from Acute & Chronic Head Trauma (IMPACT) analyze a variety of functional (biomechanical and motor control) tests as well as related biochemistry to see how they are affected by contact in sports and head injury. The study's goal will be to look into the performance and physiological changes in rugby players after a game for head trauma and injury. This one-of-a-kind study will use a randomized controlled trial (RCT) utilizing a sport participation group and a non-participation control group. Forty male rugby 7 s players will be recruited for the study and allocated randomly to the experimental groups. The intervention group will participate in three straight rugby matches during a local 7 s rugby event. At the pre-match baseline, demographic and anthropometric data will be collected. This will be followed by the pre-match baseline collection of biochemical, biomechanical, and cognitive-motor task data. After three consecutive matches, the same measures will be taken. During each match, a notational analysis will be undertaken to obtain contact information. All measurements will be taken again 24, 48, and 72 h after the third match. When the number of games increases owing to weariness and/or stressful circumstances, we expect a decline in body movement, coordination, and cognitive-motor tasks. Changes in blood biochemistry are expected to correspond to changes in biomechanics and cognitive-motor processes. This research proposal will generate considerable, ecologically valid data on the occurrence of head trauma events under game conditions, as well as the influence of these events on the biological systems of the performers. This will lead to a greater understanding of how sports participants react to exercise-induced injuries. This study's scope will have far-reaching ramifications for doctors, coaches, managers, scientists, and sports regulatory bodies concerned with the health and well-being of athletic populations at all levels of competition, including all genders and ages.

Protocol for a parallel assignment prospective, randomised, comparative trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of intense pulsed light (IPL) combined with 3% diquafosol (DQS) ophthalmic solution in dry eye syndrome

IntroductionEvaporative dry eye (EDE) is common and can lead to ocular pain, decreased visual quality and reduced quality of life. Intense pulsed light (IPL) and 3% diquafosol ophthalmic solution have...

Generation of Conventional 18F-FDG PET Images from 18F-Florbetaben PET Images Using Generative Adversarial Network: A Preliminary Study Using ADNI Dataset.

Background and Objectives: 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) (PETFDG) image can visualize neuronal injury of the brain in Alzheimer's disease. Early-phase amyloid PET image is reported to be similar to PETFDG image. This study aimed to generate PETFDG images from 18F-florbetaben PET (PETFBB) images using a generative adversarial network (GAN) and compare the generated PETFDG (PETGE-FDG) with real PETFDG (PETRE-FDG) images using the structural similarity index measure (SSIM) and the peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR). Materials and Methods: Using the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) database, 110 participants with both PETFDG and PETFBB images at baseline were included. The paired PETFDG and PETFBB images included six and four subset images, respectively. Each subset image had a 5 min acquisition time. These subsets were randomly sampled and divided into 249 paired PETFDG and PETFBB subset images for the training datasets and 95 paired subset images for the validation datasets during the deep-learning process. The deep learning model used in this study is composed of a GAN with a U-Net. The differences in the SSIM and PSNR values between the PETGE-FDG and PETRE-FDG images in the cycleGAN and pix2pix models were evaluated using the independent Student's t-test. Statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. Results: The participant demographics (age, sex, or diagnosis) showed no statistically significant differences between the training (82 participants) and validation (28 participants) groups. The mean SSIM between the PETGE-FDG and PETRE-FDG images was 0.768 ± 0.135 for the cycleGAN model and 0.745 ± 0.143 for the pix2pix model. The mean PSNR was 32.4 ± 9.5 and 30.7 ± 8.0. The PETGE-FDG images of the cycleGAN model showed statistically higher mean SSIM than those of the pix2pix model (p < 0.001). The mean PSNR was also higher in the PETGE-FDG images of the cycleGAN model than those of pix2pix model (p < 0.001). Conclusions: We generated PETFDG images from PETFBB images using deep learning. The cycleGAN model generated PETGE-FDG images with a higher SSIM and PSNR values than the pix2pix model. Image-to-image translation using deep learning may be useful for generating PETFDG images. These may provide additional information for the management of Alzheimer's disease without extra image acquisition and the consequent increase in radiation exposure, inconvenience, or expenses.

Group-Based Trajectory Modelling of Changes in Mobility over Six Years in Type 2 Diabetes: The Fremantle Diabetes Study Phase II.

To investigate temporal changes in mobility in community-based people with type 2 diabetes, Fremantle Diabetes Study Phase II (FDS2) data were analysed. The baseline assessment included the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, which was repeated biennially for up to six years. Group-based trajectory modelling (GBTM) identified TUG trajectory groups in participants with ≥2 tests. Independent associates of group membership were assessed using multinomial regression. Of 1551 potential FDS2 participants, 1116 (72.0%; age 64.9 ± 11.0 years, 45.6% female) were included in the modelling. The best-fitting GBTM model identified two groups with linear, minimally changing trajectories (76.2% and 19.4% of participants; baseline TUG times 8 ± 2 and 12 ± 3 s, respectively), and a third (4.5%; baseline TUG 17 ± 5 s) with a TUG that increased over time then fell at Year 6, reflecting participant attrition. Both slower groups were older, more likely to be female, obese, and had greater diabetes-associated complications and comorbidities. Almost one-quarter of the FDS2 cohort had clinically relevant mobility impairment that persisted or worsened over six years, was multifactorial in origin, and was associated with excess late withdrawals and deaths. The TUG may have important clinical utility in assessing mobility and its consequences in adults with type 2 diabetes.

Comparison of Dynamic Knee Contact Mechanics with T2 Imaging in Different Ages of Healthy Participants.

Aging is a known risk factor for Osteoarthritis (OA), however, relations between cartilage composition and aging remain largely unknown in understanding human OA. T2 imaging provides an approach to assess cartilage composition. Whether these T2 relaxation times in the joint contact region change with time during gait remain unexplored. The study purpose was to demonstrate a methodology for linking dynamic joint contact mechanics to cartilage composition as measured by T2 relaxometry. T2 relaxation times for unloaded cartilage were measured in a 3T General Electric magnetic resonance (MR) scanner in this preliminary study. High-speed biplanar video-radiography (HSBV) was captured for five 20-30-year-old and five 50-60-year-old participants with asymptomatic knees. By mapping the T2 cartilages to the dynamic contact regions, T2 values were averaged over the contact area at each measurement within the gait cycle. T2 values demonstrated a functional relationship across the gait cycle. There were no statistically significant differences between 20- and 30-year-old and 50-60-year-old participant T2 values at first force peak of the gait cycle in the medial femur (p = 1.00, U = 12) or in the medial tibia (p = 0.31, U = 7). In the medial and lateral femur in swing phase, the joint moved from a region of high T2 values at 75% of gait to a minimum at 85-95% of swing. The lateral femur and tibia demonstrated similar patterns to the medial compartments but were less pronounced. This research advances understanding of the linkage between cartilage contact and cartilage composition. The change from a high T2 value at ~ 75% of gait to a lower value near the initiation of terminal swing (90% gait) indicates that there are changes to T2 averages corresponding to changes in the contact region across the gait cycle. No differences were found between age groups for healthy participants. These preliminary findings provide interesting insights into the cartilage composition corresponding to dynamic cyclic motion and inform mechanisms of osteoarthritis.

Exploring the Relationship between Participant Role and Collaborative Quality in Online Collaborative Discussions

The exploration of the role concept has become an important perspective for analyzing and promoting computer-supported collaborative learning (CSCL). Understanding the relationships between individual participation roles and collaborative performance is of great significance to the research of collaborative learning theory, pedagogy and technology. However, few empirical studies investigated the individual participation roles in collaborative discussions and the impact of participation role configuration on group performance. Based on the interactive content of learners in collaborative discussions, this research uses machine learning methods to automatically identify learners’ participating roles. Through cluster analysis, five different roles are identified: leader, problem solver, coordinator, marginal learners and learners with difficulties. Furthermore, this research explores the relationships between individual participation roles and group collaboration quality. The results show that groups with different collaboration performances have different role compositions, and the roles of leader, problem solver and coordinator have significant positive effects on collaboration performance. Learners with difficulties have a negative impact on collaboration performance. Combining the research results with the discussion content of the learners, this research conducted an in-depth discussion and analysis of the characteristics of each role, and proposed implications for teaching guidance and researchers.

SING, SING IAB PROJECT ‐ Family caregivers online support group of Instituto Alzheimer Brasil

AbstractThe Instituto Alzheimer Brasil (IAB) is a non‐governmental organization that promotes information about Alzheimer’s disease to the community, offering support for people with dementia, caregivers, and familiars. During the covid pandemic, it was implemented an online support group via messaging app using music as an instrument for relaxation and exchange of positive experiences among family caregivers. The present study aimed to describe the SING SING IAB PROJECT and its benefits to participants.The group was created in November 2020 and the invitation was made to family caregivers who participated in our monthly online support meetings. To participate in the group, the family caregiver must rehearse a song that has some relation to their personal history, or that of their family member with Alzheimer’s, record a personal video and post it in the group (messaging application) for other participants to enjoy. These videos can be only of the caregiver, the family, or with the family member who has Alzheimer’s disease and can be recorded only with singing, accompanied by musical instruments, or karaoke. The rule to remain in the group is the confidentiality of the images, which are restricted to the group only, and the posting only of videos with musical recordings or positive comments to the videos posted. So far, we have had the participation of 62 caregivers and family members with Alzheimer’s Disease. The project has continued since November 2020, so far we have had the participation of 62 caregivers and family members with AD. 357 videos were published up to January 2022. We are collecting reports of the benefits of the group of caregivers and patients with AD. The objective was to use music as a therapeutic intervention in mental health and improve the quality of life of caregivers and family members with AD.Participants' reports refer to several benefits such as not feeling alone in caring, a welcoming and friendly environment amid so many difficulties, beneficially interfering with the quality of life of the caregiver and their family members with AD.

Experiencing the digital working transition in participant and public involvement in dementia research during the COVID‐19 pandemic

AbstractBackgroundInvolvement of patients and public in research have been disrupted by the consequences of the COVID‐19 pandemic, forcing a rapid transition from face‐to‐face meetings to digital working as an alternative to engage experts by experience. This project presents a co‐production experience of a Participant and Public Involvement (PPI) group implementing a framework in dementia research, during this transition period.MethodA PPI activity was developed with the participation of the MindTech Involvement Team (PPI group) through the entire process. A group of experienced researchers, facilitators, and contributors in PPI in dementia research, and an active PPI group during the pandemic were targeted. Three online workshops were performed, and thematic analysis was chosen for the data analysis.ResultConflicting positions were identified regarding the transition from face‐to‐face meetings to digital working by using a refine version of the ‘E‐nabling Digital Co‐production' Framework as the coding structure. Regarding e‐PPI (digital PPI), the participating groups shared two perspectives associated to the non‐geographical constraints and the more business‐like sessions. For dementia research, e‐PPI was identified to decrease the supportive and respite environment associated to face‐to‐face meetings, however, it was considered to allow the participants to attend more meetings.ConclusionThe project gives feedback on the digital working in PPI by identifying concerns and fortes of this transition, both for general PPI and in the field of dementia research. It contributes further co‐production initiatives by introducing the ‘E‐nabling Digital Co‐production' Framework as a tool to reflect on future public involvement.

Evaluación de una intervención comunitaria para incrementar la cobertura vacunal de la gripe en mujeres embarazadas

ObjectiveTo know the impact of the educational intervention carried out on the professionals of a basic health area and their community participation group, which make up the intervention group (IG), and to analyze its repercussion on the vaccination coverage achieved for influenza in the risk group (pregnant and puerperal women) comparing it with its neighboring basic zone, which makes up the control group (CG), during the 2019/20 vaccination season. DesignQuasi-experimental study of community intervention. SiteTwo basic health zones belonging to the Elche-Crevillente health department, Spain. ParticipantsPregnant and postpartum women from 2 basic health areas and the community participation group. Health professionals directly related to the flu vaccination campaign. InterventionsTraining session for the IG prior to the 2019/20 flu campaign. Main measurementsAttitudes towards influenza vaccination in health professionals through the validated CAPSVA questionnaire and the vaccination coverage of pregnant and postpartum women through the Nominal Vaccine Registry and their acceptance of the vaccine in the midwife's office. ResultsThe influenza vaccination coverage data recorded in Nominal Vaccine Registry for pregnant and puerperal women was 26.4% (n=207) in the IG and 19.7% (n=144) in the CG (p=0.001), with an incidence ratio of 1.34, thus achieving 34% more vaccination in the IG. Acceptance for vaccination in the midwife's office was also high, with 96.5% immunization in IG vs. 89.0% in CG, with a RR=1.09 (95% CI 1.01-1.62). ConclusionsJoint training strategies for professionals and community assets improve the results of vaccination coverage.

Exploring the Case Running as a Tool for Social Inclusion and Community Change in Cairo, Egypt

Introduction This case study sheds light on the growing interest and community participation in recreational running in Cairo, the Capital of Egypt. It highlights the contribution of running groups in promoting social inclusion and fostering community change. In this case study, students can learn about terms such as social inclusion and community change and how they are linked to sports and recreation. Students will also learn about the role of running groups in encouraging community participation in running, especially in less developed countries. Moreover, they will learn about the power of sports such as running in providing an entry point for the participation of women in leisure activities and creating opportunities for socially excluded individuals to be involved in society. The case study also explains how participation in running events promotes interaction and dialogue within the community and the exchange of ideas and experiences. As introductory exercises, to become familiar with the subject, students can: Through online research, learn about running in urban areas and streets in less developed countries, including Egypt. This includes exploring the current situation, opportunities, and challenges. Explore the impact and contribution of running on improving social inclusion and community change.

How do practicing physical therapists perceive anatomy education?

The purpose of this investigation was to explore the perceptions of the sufficiency and relevancy of physical therapy anatomy education among early, mid, and late career physical therapists. A survey was distributed via email through clinical networks in the greater Mid-Atlantic region, the American Physical Therapy Association Pennsylvania chapter (APTA-PA), and the American Council of Academic Physical Therapy (ACAPT) Educational Research division. 194 physical therapists responded to the survey. The survey included questions regarding how anatomy was learned in physical therapy school and Likert scale questions investigating opinions of anatomy education. Frequencies were calculated to determine the methods of anatomy education and Likert scale responses. One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was performed to compare the Likert scale responses from the groupings of survey participants. Respondents across all years of practice felt that their anatomy education was sufficient and relevant to their clinical practice and that schools dedicated enough time to teaching anatomy. Respondents who had a dissection component in their anatomy curriculum were more likely to view dissection as essential. Length of time in practice did not influence opinions on the sufficiency or relevancy of anatomy education. Dissection continues to be included in most physical therapy anatomy courses and perceived as essential for learning. Practicing physical therapists' anatomy education was viewed as sufficient and relevant with few recommendations for change. Perceptions of clinicians should be incorporated into curriculum design and reform and be gathered on an ongoing basis as more students from programs without anatomical donors graduate and enter clinical practice.

An observational human study investigating the effect of anabolic androgenic steroid use on the transcriptome of skeletal muscle and whole blood using RNA-Seq

BackgroundThe effects of Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS) are largely illustrated through Androgen Receptor induced gene transcription, yet RNA-Seq has yet to be conducted on human whole blood and skeletal muscle. Investigating the transcriptional signature of AAS in blood may aid AAS detection and in muscle further understanding of AAS induced hypertrophy.MethodsMales aged 20–42 were recruited and sampled once: sedentary controls (C), resistance trained lifters (RT) and resistance trained current AAS users (RT-AS) who ceased exposure ≤ 2 or ≥ 10 weeks prior to sampling. RT-AS were sampled twice as Returning Participants (RP) if AAS usage ceased for ≥ 18 weeks. RNA was extracted from whole blood and trapezius muscle samples. RNA libraries were sequenced twice, for validation purposes, on the DNBSEQ-G400RS with either standard or CoolMPS PE100 reagents following MGI protocols. Genes were considered differentially expressed with FDR < 0.05 and a 1.2- fold change.ResultsCross-comparison of both standard reagent whole blood (N = 55: C = 7, RT = 20, RT-AS ≤ 2 = 14, RT-AS ≥ 10 = 10, RP = 4; N = 46: C = 6, RT = 17, RT-AS ≤ 2 = 12, RT-AS ≥ 10 = 8, RP = 3) sequencing datasets, showed that no genes or gene sets/pathways were differentially expressed between time points for RP or between group comparisons of RT-AS ≤ 2 vs. C, RT, or RT-AS ≥ 10. Cross-comparison of both muscle (N = 51, C = 5, RT = 17, RT-AS ≤ 2 = 15, RT-AS ≥ 10 = 11, RP = 3) sequencing (one standard & one CoolMPS reagent) datasets, showed one gene, CHRDL1, which has atrophying potential, was upregulated in RP visit two. In both muscle sequencing datasets, nine differentially expressed genes, overlapped with RT-AS ≤ 2 vs. RT and RT-AS ≤ 2 vs. C, but were not differentially expressed with RT vs. C, possibly suggesting they are from acute doping alone. No genes seemed to be differentially expressed in muscle after the long-term cessation of AAS, whereas a previous study found long term proteomic changes.ConclusionA whole blood transcriptional signature of AAS doping was not identified. However, RNA-Seq of muscle has identified numerous differentially expressed genes with known impacts on hypertrophic processes that may further our understanding on AAS induced hypertrophy. Differences in training regimens in participant groupings may have influenced results. Future studies should focus on longitudinal sampling pre, during and post-AAS exposure to better control for confounding variables.

여가적 게임참여수준에 따른 집단 간 인지기능 및 운동조절능력 차이

The purpose of this study was to compare cognitive and motor control skill task performance among high and low groups according to the level of participation in video game as leisure for explaining the positive aspects of participation in leisure games. Participants were recruited from right-handed male and female adults in their 20s and 30s (n=153). To evaluate cognitive function and motor control skill, a measurement program consisting of 9 cognitive tasks was used: Trail Making Test, Corsi Block Test, Tower of London, Key-mapping, shooting game performance(Grid Shot, Sphere Track), etc. Descriptive statistical analysis and normality test were conducted. The difference in cognitive task performance and motor control skill between high and low game participation groups was identified in the Mann-Whitney U analysis, a non-parameter test method, and the statistical significance level was set to .05. As a result, the high group according to the level of participation in video game showed overall higher task performance than the low group. TMT_A(p=.034), Key-mapping(default p=.039, random 2nd p=.043, random 3rd p=.039), and motor control skill tasks through gaming condition (Grid Shot p=.032, Sphere Track p=.030) were verified statistically significant differences between groups. The current study verifies the hypothesis that leisure game participation activities can increase neural plasticity of brain cognitive function and motor control skill. Also, it implies the positive aspects of game participation through significant empirical data.

Outdoor Recreation in Southeastern United States National Forests: An Investigation of the Influence of Ethnicity and Gasoline Price on Individual Participation

Outdoor recreation is one of the most widely recognized ecosystem services provided by forests and grasslands in the world. This paper examined the influence of factors not related to landscape values, such as ethnicity and gasoline prices, on individual participation in outdoor recreation in the southeastern region of the U.S. The model results showed that there were no significant (p &gt; 0.05) differences between the race groups (Caucasians and non-Caucasians) for participation in the different activities either between racial groups or among National Forest (NF). This may be due to the very high proportion of Caucasian participants in the study. The results also revealed that travel costs negatively influence the number of NF visits. The number of NF visits decreases if the gasoline price increases by 20% and more. The results of this study have practical importance for different entities such as stakeholders, tourism operators, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service, and local authorities.

5597164 BURDEN AND RISK FACTOR TO ACUTE MYOCARDIAL ISCHAEMIA IN CHILDREN WITH SICKLE CELL ANAEMIA

Introduction: Sickle cell anaemia (SCA) is a genetic disorder of haemoglobin synthesis with multi-organ manifestations. Myocardial ischaemia (MI) and infarction as a result of sickling are not commonly reported, often overshadowed by the more dramatic presentation of musculoskeletal pain. Studies have postulated that sudden deaths during vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) may be secondary to the arrhythmogenic effect of severe MI. Aim: This study compared the prevalence of MI and associated risk factor in children with SCA aged 6 months to 18 years in VOC and steady state at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital using both cardiac troponin T (cTnT) and electrocardiography (ECG) as recommended by the fourth universal definition of MI (2018). Methodology: A cross-sectional comparative study conducted over 10months (March and December 2019). The participants were 250 children (125 age and gender-matched children with SCA in VOC and steady state respectively). Informed consent was obtained from the parents or caregivers while assent was obtained from children 10 years and above. Socio-demographic data and relevant history were obtained using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Targeted clinical examination with focus on the cardiovascular system was done. All study participants had ECG performed and blood samples taken for cTnT, full blood count, electrolyte, urea, and creatinine. Myocardial ischaemia was defined as cTnT level greater than 100ng/L which is the 99th percentile and abnormal ECG findings indicative of MI (wide Q wave, ST-segment elevation or prolonged QT interval corrected for heart rate with accompanying Q wave abnormalities). Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) software version 20 was used for analysis, statistical association was declared significant if the p-value was <0.05. Results: The prevalence of MI using cTnT alone in children with SCA in VOC and steady state was 42.4% (53) and 23.2% (29) respectively while with ECG alone, the prevalence of MI in children with SCA in VOC and steady state was 40.8% (51) and 20.8% (26) respectively. The prevalence of MI using both cTnT and ECG in children with SCA in VOC and steady state was 38.4% and 20% respectively and this was statistically significant (p-valve 0.001). In relation to VOC, the mean age (10.0±4.1), mean WBC (20,131.2±7,268.0), mean platelet count (461,208.0±143,956.8) and pain score of children with MI was significantly higher compared to those without MI. Among the steady state children, higher mean age (11.6±3.5), lower mean PCV (22.3±3.7) and higher mean platelet count (446,240.0±140,841.0) was significant in children in steady state with MI compared to those without MI. Furthermore, on multivariate analysis, the mean age & mean platelet count; mean age & low PCV; were significantly associated with MI in children with VOC and steady state respectively. The older age group in both study participants had a higher prevalence of MI. Combining both cTnT and ECG in the diagnosis of MI gave similar prevalence compared to using either cTnT or ECG alone. Conclusion: Myocardial ischaemia (MI) is prevalent in children with SCA. Children with SCA should routinely be screened for MI during VOC and steady state especially adolescents with SCA for early intervention.

Assessing the longitudinal effects of the continuation and discontinuation of the school-located influenza vaccination programme on parental vaccine hesitancy in Hong Kong.

School-located influenza vaccination programme (SIVP) can effectively promote childhood seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV). However, the longitudinal effects of continuation and discontinuation of the SIVP on parents' vaccine hesitancy remained unknown. A two-wave longitudinal study recruited adult parents who had at least one child attending a kindergarten or primary school using random-digital-dialled telephone interviews. Generalized estimating equation and structural equation modelling were used to examine the impact of changes in schools' SIVP participation status on parents' vaccine-related attitudes, and childhood SIV acceptance over 2years in Hong Kong. Children's SIV uptake varied by the schools' SIVP participation status. The highest SIV uptake was found in schools that consistently participated in SIVP (Consistent participation group) (2018/2019: 85.0%; 2019/2020: 83.0%) but lowest in the Consistent non-Participation group (2018/2019: 45.0%; 2019/2020: 39.0%). SIV uptake increased in the Late Initiation group but declined in the Discontinuation group. An increasing trend of parental vaccine-hesitant attitudes was observed in the Consistent non-Participation group. Initiation and continuation of the SIVP can reduce parental vaccine hesitancy to achieve a high childhood SIV uptake. Conversely, discontinuation of the SIVP or persistent resistance to the implementation of SIVP can increase parental vaccine hesitancy and reduce childhood SIV uptake.

Osteopathic manipulative treatment for the allopathic resident elective: does it change practice after graduation?

Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) for the allopathic resident is an elective at the University of Minnesota North Memorial Residency that engages the resident in the basic tenants of osteopathic medicine, with exposure to the vast application of OMT with a curricular focus on low back pain management. Implementing an elective curriculum is a feasible way to improve attitudes in OMT for MDs in a Family Medicine residency, and residents can learn OMT in an elective rotation. This article aims to determine if MDs who complete an OMT for the allopathic physician elective rotation have higher comfort caring for patients with back pain compared to those who do not complete the elective. Further, this article is designed to evaluate if these MDs continue to incorporate OMT into the care they provide once they graduate from their residency programs. Graduates from the University of Minnesota North Memorial Family Medicine Residency (2013 to 2019) were sent an email invitation in August 2020 to complete a Qualtrics survey regarding their comfort with caring for patients with back pain, referral patterns for these patients, and the ongoing use of OMT in their practices. Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) graduates who responded to the survey were removed from the analysis. Among emailed graduates, 61.8% (42/68) completed the survey, with representation from each class ranging from 1 to 7years postresidency. The five DO graduates who responded were removed from the analysis. Among the remaining 37 respondents, 27 had completed the OMT for the allopathic rotation ("elective participants") during their residency training and 10 had not ("control"). Half (50.0%) of the control group provide OMT care compared to 66.7% of the elective participants, with a comfort score of 22.6 (standard deviation [SD] 32.7) in the control group vs. 34.0 (SD 21.0) in elective participants (on a 0-100 scale; 100 being completely comfortable; p=0.091). Among the control group, 40.0% regularly refer to a DO provider compared to 66.7% of those who completed the elective (p=0.257). The mean comfort score for performing a physical examination on patients presenting with back pain was 78.7 (SD 13.1) and 80.9 (SD 19.3) in the control and elective participants groups, respectively (p=0.198). Allopathic Family Medicine residents who completed an elective rotation in OMT have a slight increase in frequency of referring to DOs. They also have a meaningful increase in comfort performing OMT. With the limited number of DOs being a common barrier to OMT care, more widely implemented training in OMT for allopathic Family Medicine residents may be a reasonable intervention to improve the care of patients with back pain.

Filling a gap: virtual clinician-led support groups for disordered eating

ABSTRACT For people with disordered eating, support groups can play an important role in treatment and recovery journeys. Such resources became crucial during COVID-19, as people with disordered eating reported increased isolation, symptomology, and decreased treatment access. This study examines participants’ experiences of nine, rolling, clinician-led, free, virtual support groups for disordered eating. Participants (207 attenders and 70 nonattenders (individuals who signed up for groups and never attended)) completed an online survey. Codebook thematic analysis of open response items generated topics and themes including: reasons for signing up (“community connection and seeking support,” “filling a treatment gap,” “behavior and support changes due to COVID-19”), barriers to participation (“interpersonal dynamics,” “accessibility factors,” “group structure”), and benefits of attending group (“feeling less alone,” “identifying new treatment needs,” “coping skills and reduction of symptoms”). Participants discussed lack of accessible, identity-aware treatment options outside of these groups, particularly for those with minoritized identities. This paper highlights the role of groups in participants’ eating disorder recoveries and explores how virtual clinician-led support groups fit into the constellation of eating disorder care that increasingly includes virtual resources. Group psychotherapy specialists could consider bringing skills to facilitate spaces for community-based healing to complement conventional treatment approaches.

Behavioral and cognitive-affective features of stuttering in preschool-age children: Regression and exploratory cluster analyses

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to investigate associations among behavioral and cognitive-affective features of stuttering in preschool-age children who stutter, and the extent to which participants may or may not cluster together based on multiple indices of stuttering. MethodsParticipants were 296 preschool-age children who stutter (mean age 47.9 months). Correlation and regression analyses, as well as k-means cluster analyses were conducted between and among several indices of stuttering: frequency of stuttering- and non-stuttering-like disfluencies (SLDs and NSLDs), ratios of repetitions and prolongations/blocks out of total number of SLDs, associated nonspeech behaviors, duration of stuttering events, KiddyCAT scores (Vanryckeghem & Brutten, 2007), and a TOCS parent-rated scale (Gillam et al., 2009). ResultsFor preschool-age children who stutter, most indices of overt stuttering behaviors were intercorrelated (e.g., more SLDs were associated with higher ratio of repetitions). Self-reported KiddyCAT scores (Vanryckeghem & Brutten, 2007) were largely not significantly associated with stuttering. Cluster analyses yielded two participant groupings: a larger group with less prominent stuttering features and a smaller group with more prominent features. ConclusionsThis study contributes to an increasingly comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the heterogeneous features of stuttering and their development in preschool-age children. Findings show strong intercorrelations between measures of stuttering behaviors, but more tenuous relationships between behaviors and cognitive-affective reactions to stuttering. Exploration of clusters of characteristics within this population revealed potential opportunities for future research.