Higher Levels Of Fatigue Research Articles

Prehabilitation in Radiation Therapy: A Scoping Review

Radiation therapy (RT) is a central component of cancer treatment with survival and long-term quality-of-life benefits across a spectrum of oncologic diagnoses. However, for certain cancers, RT has been associated with high levels of fatigue, pain, weight loss, and changes in mental health both during and post-treatment. Prehabilitation aims to optimize health prior to anti-neoplastic therapy in order to reduce complications, increase adherence to treatment, expedite posttreatment recovery, and improve long-term outcomes. Though prehabilitation has been studied in those undergoing cancer-related surgery, literature on prehabilitation in individuals undergoing RT has not been comprehensively explored. Thus, this scoping review aims to summarize the existing literature focused on prehabilitation interventions for patients receiving RT. The PRISMA-ScR checklist for conducting scoping reviews was adopted to identify and evaluate studies investigating the efficacy of prehabilitation before and during RT for cancer over the past 21 years (10/2002-10/2022). A search of prehabilitation and RT was performed to identify studies investigating prehabilitation interventions in adult cancer patients before or during RT. A total of 31 articles met inclusion criteria, yielding 4,031 total participants. Nineteen (61%) studies were randomized controlled trials with sample sizes ranging from 26-221. The most commonly studied populations were patients with head and neck cancer, followed by rectal, breast, and lung cancer. A majority (87%) of studies evaluated one prehabilitation intervention (i.e., unimodal). Targeted exercises were the most common intervention, followed by general exercises and technology/apps. Adherence/feasibility was the most common primary outcome, representing 23% of studies. All studies collected data on sex, and six (19%) studies collected data on race and/or ethnicity. Prehabilitation interventions have been successfully implemented in samples of patients with cancer undergoing surgical treatment. Studies demonstrating the efficacy of prehabilitation in RT are evolving. Though our review identified many RCTs, they were frequently small trials with primary outcomes focused on feasibility, rather than functional status. Thus, there is a need for adequately powered, randomized controlled intervention trials to investigate the efficacy of prehabilitation in RT.

Burnout and fatigue amongst internal medicine residents: A cross-sectional study on the impact of alternative scheduling models on resident wellness.

Fatigue and burnout are prevalent among resident physicians across Canada. Shifts exceeding 24 hours are commonly purported as detrimental to resident health and performance. Residency training programs have employed strategies towards understanding and intervening upon the complex issue of resident fatigue, where alternative resident scheduling models have been an area of active investigation. This study sought to characterize drivers and outcomes of fatigue and burnout amongst internal medicine residents across different scheduling models. We conducted cross-sectional surveys were among internal medicine resident physicians at the University of Alberta. We collected anonymized socioeconomic demographics and medical education background, and estimated associations between demographic or work characteristics and fatigue and burnout outcomes. Sixty-nine participants competed burnout questionnaires, and 165 fatigue questionnaires were completed (response rate of 48%). The overall prevalence of burnout was 58%. Lower burnout prevalence was noted among respondents with dependent(s) (p = 0.048), who identified as a racial minority (p = 0.018), or completed their medical degree internationally (p = 0.006). The 1-in-4 model was associated with the highest levels of fatigue, reported increased risk towards personal health (OR 4.98, 95%CI 1.77-13.99) and occupational or household harm (OR 5.69, 95%CI 1.87-17.3). Alternative scheduling models were not associated with these hazards. The 1-in-4 scheduling model was associated with high rates of resident physician fatigue, and alternative scheduling models were associated with less fatigue. Protective factors against fatigue are best characterized as strong social supports outside the workplace. Further studies are needed to characterize the impacts of alternative scheduling models on resident education and patient safety.

The Effects of Dialysis Modality and Emotional Distress on Fatigue in Patients Undergoing Dialysis

Introduction: Fatigue is a common but often overlooked symptom in dialysis patients. Factors affecting fatigue in dialysis patients are currently unclear. There are few studies on the effects of mental factors and dialysis modality on fatigue. This study aims to explore the potential relationship between fatigue and insomnia, as well as psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and depression among patients who undergo peritoneal dialysis (PD) or hemodialysis (HD). Methods: There were 96 HD patients and 160 PD patients at our hospital who voluntarily participated in the survey. A questionnaire survey was conducted to gather general characteristics of the patients and to evaluate fatigue, sleep quality, anxiety, and depression levels among PD and HD patients. Results: The overall fatigue score was 53.83 ± 14.22 for the PD group and 57.92 ± 16.35 for the HD group. Notably, the fatigue level was lower in the PD group compared to the HD group (p < 0.05). Univariate analysis indicated that fatigue was associated with occupational status and income in the PD group, as well as educational level and income in the HD group (p < 0.05). Correlation analysis revealed that patients in both groups who were older and had higher scores for insomnia, anxiety, and depression experienced more severe fatigue. Moreover, body mass index was positively correlated with fatigue status in the PD group, while duration of dialysis showed a positive association with fatigue in the HD group. Multivariate regression analysis identified income and depression as major factors influencing fatigue in the PD group, and duration of dialysis, income, and depression in the HD group. Conclusion: Patients who undergo dialysis exhibit high levels of fatigue, with the severity of fatigue being less pronounced in the PD group compared to the HD group. Fatigue in these patients is associated with the duration of dialysis, income level, and presence of depression.

The Assessment of Post-COVID Fatigue and Its Relationship to the Severity and Duration of Acute COVID Illness.

Emerging data suggests that COVID-19 is associated with fatigue well beyond the acute illness period. The present analysis aimed to: (1) characterize the prevalence and incidence of high fatigue at baseline and follow-up; (2) examine the impact of COVID-19 diagnosis on fatigue level following acute illness; and (3) examine the impact of acute COVID-19 symptom severity and duration on fatigue at follow-up. Subjects (n = 1417; 81.0% female; 83.3% White; X¯age = 43.6 years) completed the PROMIS-Fatigue during the initial wave of the pandemic at baseline (April-June 2020) and 9-month follow-up (January-March 2021). A generalized linear model (binomial distribution) was used to examine whether COVID-19 positivity, severity, and duration were associated with higher fatigue level at follow-up. Prevalence of high fatigue at baseline was 21.88% and 22.16% at follow-up, with 8.12% new cases at follow-up. Testing positive for COVID-19 was significantly associated with higher fatigue at follow-up. COVID-19 symptom duration and severity were significantly associated with increased fatigue at follow-up. COVID-19 symptom duration and severity during acute illness may precipitate longer-term fatigue, which could have implications for treatment planning and future research. Future studies should further evaluate the relationship between symptom severity, duration, and fatigue.

How much can we improve two-section watch bills? Sleepiness, Fatigue, and Psychomoter Vigilance Performance during naval operations in the 6/6 and 7-5-5-7 watch bills

A traditional two-section watch bill (6 hours on / 6 hours off, starting at midnight – “6/6”) and a two-section watch bill better adapted to the human circadian rhythm (watches of 7, 5, 5, and 7 hours duration, starting at 3 a.m. – “7-5-5-7”) were trialed on two vessels of the German Navy with 67 study participants in a crossover design. Questionnaires were used to assess subjective sleepiness (ESS, KSS) and subjective fatigue (FSS). The psychomotor vigilance task (PVT) was self-administered with wearable devices before and after each watch. Over the course of seven days at sea, PVT performance worsened significantly with the 6/6, but not with the 7-5-5-7 watch bill. In the 6/6 watch bill, number of participants with excessive sleepiness and high levels of fatigue was higher than in the 7-5-5-7 watch bill although not at a statistically significant level. Marked differences between watch bills in crew performance started to emerge after 6 days.

Patients with persistent symptoms after COVID-19 attending a multidisciplinary evaluation: Characteristics, medical conclusions, and satisfaction

ObjectiveAmong patients attending a multidisciplinary day-hospital program for persistent symptoms after COVID-19, we aimed i) to describe their characteristics ii) to present the medical conclusions (diagnoses and recommendations) and iii) to assess the patients' satisfaction and its correlates. MethodsFor this retrospective chart review study, frequent symptoms were systematically assessed. Standardized questionnaires explored fatigue (Pichot scale), physical activity (Ricci & Gagnon scale), health-related quality of life (Short-Form Health Survey), anxiety and depressive symptoms (Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale) and associated psychological burden (Somatic-Symptom-Disorder B criteria Scale). Medical record conclusions were collected and a satisfaction survey was performed at 3-months follow-up. ResultsAmong 286 consecutive patients (median age: 44 years; 70% women), the most frequent symptoms were fatigue (86%), breathlessness (65%), joint/muscular pain (61%) and cognitive dysfunction (58%), with a median duration of 429 days (Inter-quartile range (IqR): 216–624). Questionnaires revealed low levels of physical activity and quality of life, and high levels of fatigue, anxiety, depression, and psychological burden, with 32% and 23% meeting the diagnostic criteria for a depressive or anxiety disorder, respectively. Positive arguments for a functional somatic disorder were found in 76% of patients, including 96% with no abnormal clinical or test findings that may explain the symptoms. Physical activity rehabilitation was recommended for 91% of patients. Patients' median satisfaction was 8/10 (IqR: 6–9). ConclusionMost patients attending this program presented with long-lasting symptoms and severe quality of life impairment, received a diagnosis of functional somatic disorder, and reported high levels of satisfaction regarding the program.

Occupational Stress of Long Covid Rehabilitants and Return to Work After Pneumological Rehabilitation

The Long Covid syndrome, a condition that is induced by SARS-CoV-2, affects patients in their social and professional life due to persistent symptoms and functional deficits. Medical rehabilitation aims to reduce participation incapacity and restore the ability to work. So far, it is not known what happens to the occupational situation of people affected by Long Covid after pneumological rehabilitation. The overall study is designed as a multicentric and prospective observational study with a mixed-method design. Covid-19 rehabilitation patients undergoing pneumological rehabilitation aged between 18 and 65 years were recruited. The questionnaire data of persons that were employed at baseline were evaluated. The written survey took place at the beginning and at end of rehabilitation and, additionally, after six months. The data collected included terms such as return to work, occupational stress and changes, subjective prognosis of gainful employment (SPE scale) and occupational performance and working ability (WAI). The sample comprised N=173 participants (68.2% female) and the average age was 52.5 years. 85.5% of the rehabilitation patients were fit for work six months after rehabilitation and returned to a job. Absenteeism, subjectively perceived performance, and work ability improved statistically significantly over time (p<0.01). The risk of early retirement still existed six months after rehabilitation in 41.3% of the study participants. The participation limitations were statistically significantly reduced during the follow-up with a medium effect size (ES=0.60, p<0.01). In the logistic regression, the WAI proved to be a significantly protective predictor of return to work, while cognitive corona symptoms and high levels of cognitive fatigue proved to be risk factors. The majority of rehabilitation patients are gainfully employed six months after pneumological rehabilitation, although persistent symptoms and a reduced ability to work are also reported even after rehabilitation. In the rehabilitation of employed persons, work-related elements, for example clarification of work-related questions and preparation for occupational demands (e. g. concentration, stress, physical demands), could support a sustained return to work.

Analysis of Burnout, Job Satisfaction, and Fatigue Among Yacht Crew: A Case Study of Turkish Yacht Crew Operating in the Southern Aegean Sea

An examination was conducted on the correlation between burnout, job satisfaction, fatigue levels, and the demographic characteristics of yacht crew. In March 2023, a survey was administered to 81 yacht crew of various ratings operating in the South Aegean. The Maslach Burnout Inventory, Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire, and Piper Fatigue Scale were used in the study, and the subdimensions of these scales analyzed in detail in relation to the yacht crew. Low burnout levels, moderate emotional exhaustion, low depersonalization and a lack of personal accomplishment was found among participants. Job satisfaction was moderate, primarily influenced by internal factors. Overall fatigue levels were moderate, with varying subscale levels. Deckhands had higher burnout and fatigue levels, whereas able seamen had the highest job satisfaction. Statistically significant relationships were found between participant age and years of service and burnout; between job satisfaction, competence, and years of service; and between fatigue and marital status. A statistically significant relationship was found between crew burnout and their levels of job satisfaction and fatigue. Another finding of the research was that males had higher job satisfaction than females, however, male crew members reported higher levels of burnout and fatigue. Furthermore, since there is dense yacht traffic in the Aegean Sea, the high levels of fatigue among yacht crew in the region could be affecting the safety of commercial vessel navigation. Excluding captains, this study is the first to research job satisfaction, burnout, and fatigue levels among yacht crew.

Factors contributing to falls in people with multiple sclerosis: The exploration of the moderation and mediation effects.

The prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS) has significantly increased in recent decades. People with MS have a high risk of falling; these falls may lead to serious injuries, affecting their quality of life PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to assess the factors affecting falls in people with MS and map out the most significant ones. This study also aims to determine whether fatigue has a moderation effect and balance has a mediation effect on falls in people with MS METHODS: In total, 103 people with MS with a mean age of 32.09 ± 7.17 were enrolled. All subjects were assessed for multiple variables including balance using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), speed of gait using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, fear of falling using the Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I), level of fatigue using the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS), and lower limb muscle strength using a handheld digital dynamometer RESULTS: Simple binary logistic regression analysis showed significant results for BBS (OR: 10.88; 95% CI: 4.24-27.96; p < 0.0001), TUG (OR: 1.18; 95% CI: 1.09-1.28; p < 0.0001), FES-I (OR: 1.06; 95% CI: 1.02-1.10; p=0.001), and MFIS (OR: 1.04; 95% CI: 1.02-1.07; p < 0.0001) as factors affecting falls. According to multivariate analysis, balance (OR: 3.924; 95% CI: 1.307-11.780, p=0.015), speed of gait (OR: 1.122; 95% CI: 1.023-1.231; p=0.015), and fatigue (OR: 1.029; 95% CI: 1.002-1.058; p=0.038) were the strongest predicting factors of falls. Hayes's PROCESS analysis showed that fatigue had a significant moderation effect on the relationship between gait speed and falls (MFIS; β; 0.10; p < 0.0001; 95% CI: 0.07-0.14) and balance had a mediation effect on the relationship between gait speed and falls (BBS; indirect effect; 0.08; 95% CI: 0.02-0.13) CONCLUSIONS: People with MS with impaired balance, slower gait speeds, higher levels of fatigue, and a fear of falling were at a high risk of falling. The relationship between gait speed and falls can be mediated by impaired balance and moderated by the level of fatigue. Our data suggest that targeting balance and fatigue while developing rehabilitation interventions could decrease the incidence of falls among people with MS.

Inertial Measurement Units and Partial Least Square Regression to Predict Perceived Exertion During Repetitive Fatiguing Piano Tasks

Aim. Predict the rate of perceived exertion (RPE) of pianists using inertial measurement units (IMUs)-based kinematic descriptors. Method. Fifty expert pianists played <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">Digital</i> (right-hand 16-tone sequence) and <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">Chord</i> (right-hand chord sequence) excerpts in a continuous loop for 12 min or until exhaustion. Partial least square regression was used to predict RPE with IMUs-based kinematic descriptors. The mean error of prediction over 50 iterations with five-folds cross-validation was used to assess the quality of the model. Variable importance in projection was calculated to determine the most relevant features for predicting the RPE and reduce the number of input predictors. Results. Thirty and twenty-six participants showed signs of fatigue before 12 min of the <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">Digital</i> and <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">Chord</i> tasks, respectively, and were included in the analysis. The reduced model of 275 and 227 input variables including four-latent variables explained 86.95 ± 0.46 and 83.91 ± 0.54 of the variance of the RPE on the training set with an absolute error of 0.976 ± 0.033 and 1.189 ± 0.068 on the testing set for both <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">Digital</i> and <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">Chord</i> tasks, respectively. The best features, variables, and sensor positions to predict RPE were different between both <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">Digital</i> and <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">Chord</i> tasks suggesting a task-dependency in the prediction of effort exertion during piano performance. Conclusion. These results highlight the feasibility of continuously monitoring RPE in pianists using kinematic descriptors. These results are promising for developing methods to prevent high levels of fatigue and injuries in musicians.

Protecting IoТ Wearable Devices from Electromagnetic Radiation Using Radio-Opaque Fabrics

The number of sources of electromagnetic radiation is increasing every day. In most cases, electromagnetic radiation has a negative effect on the human body, animals, and other living beings. Electromagnetic radiation negatively affects the operation of electronic devices. Due to the electromagnetic radiation of electronic devices, information may leak from them. The negative impact of electromagnetic radiation on the human body provokes a high level of fatigue, headache, heartache, etc. The everyday use of mobile equipment, household magnetic appliances (for example, microwave ovens), and telecommunication networks puts the majority of the planet's population at risk. Otherwise, the external influence of electromagnetic fields on the various sensors used in the IoT can contribute to receiving incorrect data from the sensors. The powerful external influence of the electromagnetic field on devices that process large data sets can contribute to a failure in mathematical calculations. Thus, protection from electromagnetic fields is necessary not only for electronic devices but also for human protection. Radio-opaque fabrics are one of the modern materials for protection from electromagnetic radiation. They can be used to protect stationary objects and wearable IoT devices and to protect people. Industrial samples of foreign and Ukrainian radio-opaque fabrics were analyzed in the work. Ukrainian manufacturers continue to develop new variants of radio-opaque fabrics. The next options for radiopaque fabrics are fabrics G7, G8, and G9. The article proposed and described a method of researching the shielding properties of the fabric. Experimental studies were carried out, and the shielding coefficient was calculated in the frequency range of 50 MHz - 2 GHz for two fabrics G7 and G8. Experimental studies were carried out for two cases of the location of fabric fibers relative to the radiating antenna and field polarization. Plots of dependences of the shielding coefficient for two fabrics with different locations of fabric fibers were presented. A comparative analysis of the shielding coefficients of two fabrics was made, and relevant conclusions were presented.

The Challenge EFL Teachers Face in Turkey: Burnout

Burnout is quite common in educational settings for a variety of reasons and may specifically affect the lives of teachers, especially English language teachers. Therefore, it needs to be analyzed in detail and resolved by policymakers in education. To reveal this significant drawback, this research aims to examine the research studies on the issue of burnout among English as foreign language teachers from primary schools to higher education that were carried out in the English language teaching context in Turkey between 2012 and 2022 through a systematic review. 19 research studies done in Turkey were obtained and the findings of the studies related to the burnout challenge of Turkish English language teachers were scrutinized. Based on the findings of the study, English teachers are the most prevalent demographic to have a variety of ailments due to burnout, which is caused by extended exposure to high levels of stress, chronic fatigue, unhappiness, and feelings of inefficacy. The unique finding of this study is that English teachers are mainly faced with challenging and stressful conditions in their daily teaching life as they are forced to adapt to changing student profiles and technological advancements as well as rising demands of society and as a result, they struggle with burnout even if they are still in their early years of teaching English. In the meanwhile, their commitment to in-service training and the support of their superiors are crucial and maintaining a healthy lifestyle is also important. Besides, a comprehensive strategy that includes regulatory modifications, encouraging work conditions, and professional development opportunities is required to address English teacher burnout in Turkish society and thus, by prioritizing teacher well-being, education policies can have a positive influence on the education sector by ensuring the availability of motivated and effective English instructors who can provide high-quality education to students and these policies could eradicate negative views and provide the respect for the teaching profession by fostering a resilient English teaching workforce while mitigating the risks of burnout.

Effects of an individualised exercise programme plus Behavioural Change Enhancement (BCE) strategies for managing fatigue in frail older adults: a cluster randomised controlled trial

BackgroundTo the best of our knowledge, although ageing-induced fatigue could cause adverse outcomes such as frailty, there is currently no intervention for it. This study evaluated the effects of an individualised exercise programme with/without BCE strategies on reducing fatigue in older adults.MethodsA three-armed cluster-randomised controlled trial (RCT) was conducted with 184 participants (mean age: 79.1 ± 6.4; mean frailty score: 2.8 + 0.8) from 21 community centres (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03394495). They were randomised into either: the COMB group (n = 64), receiving 16 weeks of exercise training plus the BCE programme; the EXER group (n = 65), receiving exercise training and health talks; or the control group (n = 55), receiving only health talks. Fatigue was assessed using the Multi-dimensional Fatigue Inventory (range: 20 to 100, with higher scores indicating higher fatigue levels) at baseline, and immediately, 6 months, and 12 months post-intervention.ResultsThe GEE analyses showed significant interaction (time x group) between the COMB and control groups immediately (p < 0.001), 6 months (p < 0.001), and 12 months (p < 0.001) post-intervention. Comparing the COMB and EXER groups, there was a significant interaction immediately (p = 0.013) and at 12 months post-intervention (p = 0.007). However, no significant difference was seen between the EXER group and control group at any time point.ConclusionsThe COMB intervention showed better immediate and sustainable effects (i.e., 12 months after the intervention) on reducing fatigue in frail older adults than exercise training or health education alone.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03394495), registered on 09/01/2018.

Are new mums driving tired?

During the first year of their child’s life, mothers typically experience disrupted sleep and high levels of daytime fatigue. Other populations who experience sleep disruption and/or fatigue are considered to be at risk for fatigued driving. However, the degree of fatigue-related risk experienced by new mothers in Australia is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of fatigued driving, fatigue-related near misses, and vehicle crashes in this population. A cross-sectional survey including the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and a range of fatigue and driving questions was completed by 187 Australian new mothers. Over 50% of participants who regularly drove did so while fatigued at least a few times per month. Furthermore, most participants who reported near misses indicated that either some or more than some of these incidents were attributable to fatigue (>70%). Similarly, >55% of participants who reported experiencing a motor vehicle crash since the birth of their child indicated that this crash was caused by fatigue. These findings suggest that new mothers may be considered an at-risk group for fatigued driving. To address this issue, it may be appropriate to provide education around driver safety, and to establish strategies to help minimise fatigue-related driving risk in this population. Furthermore, future research should include objectively measured sleep to establish the link more accurately between prior sleep and driver safety in new mothers in Australia.

Caregiver strain among non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic male caregivers with self-reported chronic health conditions

ABSTRACT Objectives Caregiver strain often stems from unmet needs and is a risk factor for poor physical and psychological health. This study aims to identify factors associated with caregiver strain among middle-aged and older non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic male caregivers living with one or more chronic conditions. Design Data were analyzed from 418 male caregivers collected through Qualtrics Online Panels using an internet-delivered survey instrument (55.7% non-Hispanic Black, 44.3% Hispanic). Three ordinal regression models were fitted to assess factors associated with Caregiver Strain Scale tertiles: one for all men, one for non-Hispanic Black men only; and one for Hispanic men only. Results Similarities and differences were observed between the two groups in terms of factors associated with higher caregiver strain (i.e. lower disease self-management efficacy scores, providing ≥20 h of care per week). Uniquely for Non-Hispanic Black male caregivers, higher caregiver strain was associated with living with more children under the age of 18 (β = 0.35, P = 0.011) and feeling more socially disconnected (β = 0.41, P = 0.008). Uniquely for Hispanic male caregivers, higher caregiver strain levels were associated with experiencing lower pain levels (β = −0.14, P = 0.040) and higher fatigue levels (β = 0.23, P < 0.001). Conclusion Findings from this study suggest that non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic men with chronic conditions have differing caregiving experiences. While bolstering social connectedness and caregiver support services may offset caregiver strain, tailored mental health and disease management programming are needed to meet the specific needs of non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic male caregivers.

Impact of fatigue as the primary determinant of functional limitations among patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome: a cross-sectional observational study

ObjectivesTo describe self-reported characteristics and symptoms of treatment-seeking patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS). To assess the impact of symptoms on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and patients’ ability to work...

A cross-sectional study on Zoom fatigue and satisfaction with online learning among Filipino nursing students

This study determined the associations between Zoom fatigue and satisfaction with online learning among nursing students in a higher institution of learning in the Philippines. A cross-sectional research design was employed and a web-based survey using two self-report measures was conducted in 2021. Descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation, and linear regression were used to analyze the responses of 408 student respondents. The sample demonstrated high levels of Zoom fatigue and low to average online learning satisfaction. There was a significant difference in the Zoom fatigue levels between male and female students. Higher Zoom fatigue levels predicted reduced online learning satisfaction. This study underscores that online learning and virtual meetings have a likely negative impact on students' online learning experiences. Nursing schools may need to reconsider the existing learning and teaching strategies and start measures that will foster more meaningful and positive experiences in the virtual learning environment.

0189 Particulate Matter 2.5: Examining How Its Exposure Affects Perceived Sleep Quality and Electroencephalography Based Sleep Metrics

Abstract Introduction Individuals are exposed to various air pollutants every day, both when they are inside and when they are outside. Poor air quality can negatively impact an individual’s sleep quality, especially when the individual has been exposed to Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM2.5) which can adversely affect human health due to its ability to penetrate into a human body easily. Methods We examined how PM2.5 exposure impacts perceived sleep quality and sleep metrics. 11 individuals (7 Female, 4 Male) with an average age 34.18±10.24 years participated where each participant lived in a simulated one-bedroom apartment unit located in Rochester, MN for 20 nights in total over 4 weeks. Participants wore an EEG-based sleep headband (Dreem) to measure sleep metrics and completed surveys to assess perceived sleep quality and fatigue level each weekday after they woke up. Air quality including PM2.5 was monitored in the units from sensors and from the participants outside the units using a portable research grade air quality monitor paired with GPS. Total PM2.5 exposure was calculated each day by multiplying the PM2.5 concentration by 6 liter/min of inhalation rate and duration (min). We excluded nights with less than 5 hours of sleep duration. One participant who reported poor sleep quality over 70% of the time was also excluded. Results Participants had an average of 58.2μg±63.8 PM2.5 exposure during a day until they went to bed and 0.8μg±2.6 PM2.5 exposure during sleep. Because there was minimal night PM2.5 exposure, only the day exposure was correlated to sleep measures. There was no significant effect of PM2.5 exposure on sleep efficiency, sleep onset latency, wake after sleep onset, and total sleep time as measured from the Dreem headband. There was a modest but significant effect of PM2.5 on perceived sleep quality, as participants rated poorer sleep quality (r(141)=.17, p=.042) and higher fatigue levels (r(141)=.26, p=.002) the next morning. Conclusion These findings suggest acute PM2.5 exposure levels were not high enough to affect sleep metrics but did affect one’s perceived sleep. Future studies should examine longer period to assess whether there is a chronic effect of PM2.5 exposure on sleep. Support (if any)

(010) Correlates of Sexual Dysfunction in Young Adult Cancer Survivors: A Project REACH Study

Abstract Introduction Cancer treatment early in life contributes to a wide range of late effects such as sexual dysfunction, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and widespread pain. Although these concerns have been found to be related in older survivors, research is limited in young adult cancer survivors (YACS), particularly using validated measures of sexual dysfunction. Objective The current study aims to address this gap in research by describing relationships between sexual dysfunction and fatigue, sleep, and pain in YACS. Methods 164 young women (aged 18-39) previously treated for pediatric cancer completed self-report measures on sexual function, fatigue, sleep, and pain through Project REACH, a prospective cohort study. Sexual function was assessed using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI-6); participants were classified as experiencing significant sexual dysfunction if they scored ≤ 19 on this measure. Participants also completed the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy–Fatigue (FACIT-F) questionnaire, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and items adapted from the Brief Pain Inventory. Of note, lower FACIT-F, higher PSQI, and higher pain scores represent more impaired functioning. T-tests were used to compare participants with and without sexual dysfunction on fatigue (FACIT-F total score), sleep (PSQI total score), and pain (days of severe pain in the last week). A logistic regression was also performed to understand the effects of fatigue, sleep, and pain on the likelihood that participants would have sexual dysfunction. Results Over half (56%) of participants were classified as experiencing significant sexual dysfunction. Participants with sexual dysfunction had significantly more severe fatigue (p&amp;lt;.001), significantly worse sleep (p=.02), and significantly more days of severe pain (p=.006) than those without sexual dysfunction. The logistic regression model with fatigue, sleep, and pain was significant (p&amp;lt;.001) and correctly classified 69% of participants. In this model, more severe fatigue was significantly associated with an increased likelihood of having sexual dysfunction (OR=0.93, 95% CI [0.88-0.98]). More frequent severe pain was associated with an increased likelihood of having sexual dysfunction (OR=2.49, 95% CI [0.99-6.28]), although this finding was only marginally significant (p=.053). Sleep was not significantly associated with sexual dysfunction in the model. Conclusions As hypothesized, female YACS with sexual dysfunction had higher levels of fatigue, worse sleep, and more frequent severe pain than those without sexual dysfunction. However, when included in a logistic model, fatigue but not sleep was significantly associated with an increased likelihood of sexual dysfunction. This suggests that consistent with previous research on cancer survivors, fatigue in this population is more than simply the result of poor sleep. Fatigue may need to be directly addressed to improve sexual function in YACS. Although only marginally significant, overall pain may also contribute to sexual dysfunction in this population; as severe pain was infrequent and the sample small, future research should examine this relationship in larger samples. Additionally, as the current study examined general pain, more research is necessary to determine whether sexual or non-sexual pain is driving the potential relationship between sexual dysfunction and frequency of severe pain. Disclosure No

Features of neuropsychological characteristics of patients with arterial hypertension

Introduction. The significant pathogenetic effect of arterial hypertension on the development of cognitive and psycho-emotional disorders, on the one hand, and the lack of algorithms for identifying and managing patients with comorbid neurocognitive disorders in therapeutic practice, on the other hand, determines the relevance of studying this problem.Aim. To study neuropsychological characteristics of patients with arterial hypertension in therapeutic practice. Materials and methods. A total of 508 patients with arterial hypertension were enrolled in the study. All study participants underwent the clinical examination and neuropsychological tests: Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MoCA test), Schulte tables, Categorical Verbal Fluency Test, Tracking Test, MFI-20 asthenia self-assessment questionnaire, Reeder's Test, Maastricht Questionnaire, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Results. The analysis of neuropsychological testing results of patients with hypertension showed that almost all the techniques identified deviations from the reference ranges in most of the study subjects. 85% of patients had decreased total score of cognitive functions assessed in terms of MoCA test scores, 83% of patients showed increased time in performing tracking test part A and 74% patients showed increased time in performing part B, and there was also a large difference between the time spent on performing parts B and A of the test; 49% of patients demonstrated decreased speed in performing the Schulte test. Th psycho-emotional state test results showed a high level of psycho-emotional stress in 80.5%, vital exhaustion in 78% and fatigue in 96% of patients. Conclusions. In this study, the neuropsychological testing results of patients with hypertension showed decreased total scores of cognitive functions and individual parameters of the cognitive spectrum, such as attention focusing, information processing speed, memory, speech function and executive functions combined with a high level of psycho-emotional stress, fatigue and anxiety.