Improvements In Social Functioning Research Articles

A two-year longitudinal evaluation of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on pre-existing mental health service attenders.

To examine if the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with a differential effect longitudinally in relation to its psychological and functional impact on patients with bipolar disorder and Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 29 individuals attending the Galway-Roscommon Mental Health Services with an ICD-10 diagnosis of either bipolar disorder (n = 18) or EUPD (n = 11). The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic was assessed in relation to anxiety and mood symptoms, social and occupational functioning, and quality of life utilising psychometric instruments and Likert scale data, with qualitative data assessing participants' subjective experiences. Individuals with EUPD exhibited significant anxiety and depressive symptoms and increased hopelessness compared to individuals with bipolar disorder. Repeated measures data demonstrated no significant change in symptomatology for either the EUPD or bipolar disorder group over time, but demonstrated an improvement in social (t = 4.40, p < 0.001) and occupational functioning (t = 3.65, p = 0.03), and in quality of life (t = 4.03, p < 0.001) for both participant groups. Themes attained from qualitative data included the positive impact of the discontinuation of COVID-19 mandated restrictions (n = 19), and difficulties experienced secondary to reductions in the provision of mental health services during the COVID-19 pandemic (n = 17). Individuals with EUPD demonstrated increased symptomatology over a two-year period compared to those with bipolar disorder. The importance of face-to-face mental health supports for this cohort are indicated, particularly if future pandemics impact the delivery of mental health services.

Analysis of Cornell Cooperative Extension under the Background of Big Data

In the era of knowledge economy, higher education has become the support and engine of socio-economic development, and the importance and urgency of its social service function have become more prominent. The content and form of services urgently need to be updated and innovated. Analyzing the history and current development status of typical university social services undoubtedly has important exemplary value. As one of the earliest universities born in the United States to serve society, Cornell University has a deeply rooted concept of social service, a complete social service system, and a unique social service promotion system. The development of information technology and big data has greatly improved the social service field of the university. In order to have a deeper understanding of the development track and operation logic of Cornell University's social service extension system, this paper adopts the method of literature research, historical research and case study to trace the source of Cornell University's social service concept and explore Cornell University's social service extension model -- agricultural extension project with advantages of traditional "land-grant college". Learn about natural resources, environment and sustainable energy development projects that keep pace with The Times, as well as youth development and family upbringing services for family education. This article believes that the social services provided by Cornell University under the social service promotion system have a strong academic and professional nature, and the direction, content, and social needs of serving society are highly matched and coupled, which helps the university form a complete social service system. Its mature social service promotion system and successful experience in social services have important implications for the construction and improvement of university social service functions.

Producing Altered States of Consciousness, Reducing Substance Misuse: A Review of Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy, Transcendental Meditation and Hypnotherapy

A set of interventions that can produce altered states of consciousness (ASC) have shown utility in the treatment of substance misuse. In this review, we examine addiction-related outcomes associated with three common interventions that produce ASCs: psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy (PP), Transcendental Meditation (TM) and hypnotherapy (HT). While procedurally distinct, all three interventions are associated with some common phenomenological, psychological, and neurobiological features, indicating some possible convergent mechanisms of action. Along with addiction and mental health outcomes, these common features are reviewed, and their impact on substance misuse is discussed. While our review highlights some mixed findings and methodological issues, results indicate that PP and TM are associated with significant improvements in substance misuse, alongside improvements in emotional, cognitive and social functioning, behavior-change motivation, sense of self-identity, and meaning. In contrast, and despite its broader acceptance, HT has been associated with mixed and minimal results with respect to substance misuse treatment. Authors identify key research gaps in the role of ASC interventions in addiction and outline a set of promising future research directions.

Approval of a comprehensive psychosocial rehabilitation program for patients with negative symptoms in schizophrenia

The aim of the work is to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a comprehensive program of psychosocial rehabilitation of patients with negative symptoms in schizophrenia. Materials and methods. The study involved 168 patients with negative symptoms of schizophrenia: 94 patients who underwent a comprehensive psychosocial rehabilitation program (main group) and 74 patients who underwent a course of therapy according to the traditional scheme (control group). The criteria that evaluated the effectiveness of a comprehensive program of psychosocial rehabilitation in patients with negative symptoms in schizophrenia were: clinical dynamics of negative disorders, the degree of improvement/deterioration of compliance and social functioning, and the degree of restoration of basic life functions. Psychometric (Social Avoidance and Distress Scale (SADS), Personal and Social Functioning (PSP), Level of Compliance questionnaire, and the Severity of Negative Symptoms (SANS)) and statistical research methods were used to assess effectiveness. Results. The proposed scheme of a complex program of psychosocial rehabilitation is based on the principles of a complex, individually oriented and differentiated approach, and its targets are defined as clinical manifestations of negative symptoms in schizophrenia, impaired social adaptation, communication skills, decreased motivational sphere, compliance and impaired social functioning. Rehabilitation is implemented in four stages: diagnostic, therapeutic, rehabilitation and preventive. The effectiveness of the proposed scheme of psychosocial rehabilitation of patients with negative symptoms in schizophrenia was proven, which consisted in a more pronounced reduction of clinical manifestations of abulia, anhedonia, inattention, reduction of distress and social avoidance, improvement of social functioning in the main spheres of life, and improvement of social and behavioral compliance. Conclusions. The developed comprehensive program of psychosocial rehabilitation of patients with negative symptoms in schizophrenia has shown its effectiveness and can be used in psychocorrective measures aimed at treating patients with negative symptoms in schizophrenia.

Improvement of social functioning in patients with first-episode schizophrenia using blonanserin treatment: a prospective, multi-centre, single-arm clinical trial.

This clinical trial primarily aimed to investigate the effects of blonanserin on social functioning in patients with first-episode schizophrenia. In this prospective, multi-centre, single-arm clinical trial study, blonanserin (flexible oral dose ranging from 8mg to 24mg per day) was given 26 weeks. Outcome measures included the Personal and Social Performance (PSP) scale for evaluating social functioning, the Measurement and Treatment Research to Improve Cognition in Schizophrenia Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) for measuring neurocognitive performance, and the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) for assessing symptom severity. The primary endpoint was social function improvement evaluated by PSP scale at the end of blonanserin treatment. And the secondary endpoint was to validate the efficacy and neurocognitive effects of blonanserin. Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) were also recorded and analysed. A total of 96 patients with first-episode schizophrenia were recruited and proceeded to analysis. Fifty-one participants (53.1%) completed the PSP scale measurements at baseline and week 26. Following 26 weeks of blonanserin treatment, all outcome measurements demonstrated significant improvement during the follow-up period. Notably, PSP scores exhibited a continuous increase up to 68.1% ± 103.7% at the end of the treatment (46.6 ± 14.6 at baseline, 69.4 ± 17.4 at week 26, p<0.001), indicating positive effects on social functioning that were already noticeable by week 8. Blonanserin treatment exhibited favourable effects on social functioning in individuals with first-episode schizophrenia. The results suggest that blonanserin was effective treatment options for patients with schizophrenia encountering functional impairments.

Effect of high-density fat combined with adipose stem cell glue on the success rate of facial filling and its clinical value.

Facial fat grafting is a popular cosmetic procedure, and experts are increasingly endorsing the use of high-density fat with adipose stem cell glue for better results. This study aims to explore the effect of high-density fat combined with adipose stem cell glue on the success rate of facial filling and its clinical value. We conducted a randomized trial with 100 patients who underwent facial fat transplantation between August 2020 and August 2022. They were divided into two groups: a control group receiving traditional Coleman fat transplantation and an observation group receiving high-density fat with adipose stem cells. In the observation and control groups, the excellent and good rate was 98.00 and 80.00%. After 3 months of treatment, the thickness of frontal subcutaneous fat and temporal subcutaneous fat in the observation group was higher (P < 0.05). Observation group retention of fat transplantation was noticeably higher 3 months after treatment (P < 0.05). Three months after treatment, the VISIA (facial imaging system) scores of facial color spots, facial pores and facial wrinkles in the observation group were lower (P < 0.05). After treatment, both groups indicated noticeable improvements in physiological functions, health status, social function, mental health, and somatic diseases compared to before treatment. Notably, the observation group had higher scores (P < 0.05). The observation group had a lower complication rate (4.00% vs. 22.00%) and higher satisfaction rate (98.00% vs. 86.00%) than the control group. Using high-density fat combined with adipose stem cell glue for facial fat grafting yields superior results, reduces complications, and boosts patient satisfaction compared to traditional methods. We have complied with all relevant ethical regulations with regard to the use of stem cells.

A systematic review of the efficacy of group social skills interventions on social functioning and social participation in children with acquired brain injury or cerebral palsy.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Group social skills interventions (GSSIs) versus any comparator on social functioning in children aged 5-12 years with acquired brain injury or cerebral palsy. GSSIs are an evidence-based approach to foster social skills development in children with autism spectrum disorder. Currently, limited literature exploring GSSIs in children with acquired brain injury and cerebral palsy is available. MEDLINE, SCOPUS, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, clinicaltrials.gov, ICTRP and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses were systematically searched. Study screening, risk-of-bias, Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation and data extraction were performed in duplicate. Six studies were included in the narrative synthesis (one randomised controlled trial and five nonrandomised studies). Results indicate that GSSIs may increase children's social skills as measured on the Social Skills Rating System and Social Skills Questionnaire. Very low certainty evidence was found for improvements in social functioning and competence. There is low certainty evidence that participation in GSSI may lead to gains in social functioning for children with acquired brain injury or cerebral palsy. Given the certainty of the evidence, these results must be interpreted with caution. Only one randomised controlled trial of GSSIs for children with acquired brain injury was identified, underscoring the need for additional high-quality studies.

Effects of Multicomponent Exercise on Community-Dwelling Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment.

To explore the effects of a group-based multicomponent exercise program on general cognitive functioning, depression, and social functioning in community-dwelling older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and whether the effects can be maintained. Fifty older adults with MCI were conveniently recruited from two communities in the study area and randomly assigned to the intervention group or control group. The intervention group received three sessions of 60-minute, multicomponent exercise per week for 3 months, plus MCI-related health education. The control group only received MCI-related health education. Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment Beijing Version (MoCA-BJ) were used to assess general cognitive function. The Functional Activities Questionnaire (FAQ) and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-30) were used to evaluate participants' social function and depression, respectively. Participants' exercise intensity was assessed using the Category Ratio Scale. After the 3-month intervention, there were significant improvements in general cognitive function (p = 0.046), attention (p = 0.009), delayed recall (p = 0.015), and social function (p = 0.011) in the intervention group compared with the control group. However, after 3-month postintervention follow up, no significant differences in MMSE, MoCA-BJ, GDS-30, and FAQ scores were noted between groups. The 3-month multicomponent exercise program improved general cognitive function and social functioning in community-dwelling older adults with MCI. However, there was no evidence that these benefits lasted for another 3 months after stopping the exercise program. [Research in Gerontological Nursing, 17(2), 65-79.].

Muva physical activity intervention improves social functioning in people with a severe mental illness: A pragmatic stepped wedge cluster controlled trial

Severe mental illness (SMI) imposes a significant burden on individuals, resulting in long-lasting symptoms, lower social functioning and impaired physical health. Physical activity (PA) interventions can improve both mental and physical health and care workers can serve as healthy role models. Yet, individuals with SMI face barriers to PA participation. This study evaluated the effects of Muva, and assessed if mental health worker's (MHW) characteristics were associated with clients' change in social functioning. Muva, an intervention package primarily created to increase PA of people with SMI, places a special focus on MHWs as they might play a key role in overcoming barriers. Other PA barrier-decreasing elements of Muva were a serious game app, lifestyle education, and optimization of the medication regime. MethodThis study is a pragmatic stepped wedge cluster controlled trial. Controls received care as usual. Mixed-effects linear regressions were performed to assess changes in the primary outcome social functioning, and secondary outcomes quality of life, psychiatric symptoms, PA, body mass index, waist circumference, and blood pressure. Results84 people with SMI were included in three intervention clusters, and 38 people with SMI in the control cluster. Compared to the control condition, there was significant clinical improvement of social functioning in interpersonal communication (p=<0.01) and independent competence (p=<0.01) in people receiving Muva. These outcomes were not associated with MHW's characteristics. There were no changes in the other outcome measures. ConclusionsMuva improved social functioning in people with SMI compared to care as usual.

School-Based Intervention for Adolescents With ADHD: Predictors of Effects on Academic, Behavioral, and Social Functioning

Adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) experience significant academic, behavioral, and social skill difficulties including underachievement, risk for school dropout, poor peer relations, and emotion dysregulation. Although stimulant medication reduces ADHD symptoms, psychosocial and educational interventions are necessary to address functional impairments. We examined the nature and predictors of academic, behavioral, and social skills trajectories in response to multicomponent organizational and interpersonal skills training in 92 high school students with ADHD. Latent trajectory class analyses revealed positive treatment response ranging from 61.5% (report card grades) to 100% (inattention symptoms, organizational skills, social skills). Organizational skill and academic grade treatment response trajectories were predicted by assigned sex, pretreatment anxiety, and treatment dosage, while improvement in behavioral and social functioning was associated with better emotion regulation and family relations prior to treatment along with stronger working alliance with treatment coach at midtreatment. Multicomponent organizational and interpersonal skills training appears effective for most high school students with ADHD and the degree treatment-induced change is associated with multiple malleable factors can be leveraged to enhance intervention response.

The efficacy and safety of ivabradine hydrochloride in hemodialysis patients with chronic heart failure.

There is little evidence for ivabradine hydrochloride in patients undergoing hemodialysis. In this open-label prospective interventional trial of hemodialysis patients with chronic heart failure, during 12 weeks of treatment, changes in Heart rate (HR), frequency of dialysis-related hypotension were examined, and we investigated health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) and adverse effects. 18 patients from 6 facilities were enrolled in the study. HR significantly decreased over time, from 87 ± 12.61/min at baseline to 75.85 ± 8.91/min (p = 0.0003), and systolic blood pressure also increased significantly (p < 0.0001). The frequency of dialysis-related hypotension was markedly reduced (p = 0.0001). The HR-QOL survey showed significant improvements in Social Functioning among others (p = 0.0178). No specific adverse events occurred. Ivabradine hydrochloride improved dialysis-related hypotension. Furthermore, the HR-QOL improvement effect were suggested. These results demonstrated the safety and effectiveness of ivabradine hydrochloride.

A combined EMDR/CBT-based approach for the successful management of cyclical vomiting syndrome: a case study

Abstract Cyclical vomiting syndrome (CVS) is an extremely debilitating condition that can have an adverse impact on physical health and can significantly disrupt social and occupational functioning. It is a poorly understood illness in terms of aetiology, and most research has focused on the pharmacological management of the condition. This article describes a case study of a combined cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR)-based intervention with an adult with past trauma who had a 20-year history of CVS accompanied by high cannabis use. Therapy led to improvements in physical health and social functioning, reduced use of cannabis, and a significant reduction in the frequency and severity of vomiting episodes and associated hospital admission. Implications for future research and management of the illness are discussed. Key learning aims (1) To understand how the presence of co-morbid untreated trauma in individuals with CVS may result in unhelpful coping strategies that can worsen the course of the illness. (2) To explore how the addition of psychological therapy to routine care of gastrointestinal disorders such as CVS can improve treatment outcome. (3) To consider how offering an individualised and flexible approach to appointments may benefit individuals who find it more difficult to engage in psychological therapy.

The Effects of Resveratrol Supplementation on the Quality of Life of Diabetic Patients with Neuropathy: Small Randomized Clinical Trial

The diabetic neuropathy complication exerts a considerable decline in the level of patient’s well-being. The main approaches to hamper the progression of diabetic complications and improve patient’s life quality are controlling the glycemic levels and amelioration of the hyperglycemia-induced neuroinflammation, oxidative stress and pain. Supplementation of appropriate anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidants such as resveratrol may therefore be effective in the management of diabetic complications. The aim of this trial was to assess resveratrol’s impact on improving life quality of patients with the neuropathic complication of diabetes. Sixty-one patients with diabetic neuropathy were recruited in this double-blinded placebo-controlled trial. Patients were randomized into the resveratrol (n=31) group; who received a 500mg resveratrol capsule once daily concomitantly with the conventional hypoglycemic agents for three months, and the placebo (n=30) group. From each group 25 patients completed the study. The quality of life (QoL) of the patients was estimated utilizing RAND 36-item survey questionnaire. Fasting blood glucose levels were analyzed at the baseline and on the last day of the 3rd month. There was a significant decrement (p&lt; 0.001) in the fasting serum glucose level of the patients supplemented with resveratrol at the end of the 3rd month, in comparison with the patient using the placebo. There was also a significant improvement in patient’s severity of pain (p&lt;0.001) as shown in the bodily pain score of the RAND 36 scale and a remarkable (p &lt; 0.05) improvement in physical functioning, physical health, social functioning, emotional well-being, energy/fatigue, and health change subscales of the questionnaire. The study concluded that resveratrol is the polyphenol that has a positive effect on reducing pain associated with diabetic neuropathy and improving the overall QoL of the patient.

Emotional reactivity and prosocial behaviour in response to witnessing social exclusion in adolescents with eating disorders and healthy controls

BackgroundProsocial behaviour can promote positive social interactions and it is a key skill in adolescence. People with emotional problems or psychiatric disorders, such as people with eating disorders might have impairments in prosocial behaviour, due to broader documented difficulties in underlying processes (e.g., mentalizing).MethodsThe aim of this study was to examine prosocial behaviour in adolescents with eating disorders compared to healthy controls, using a computerised behavioural task. Adolescents (N = 123) including patients with eating disorders (n = 61) and healthy adolescents (n = 62) played a four-player computerised Prosocial Cyberball Game with three pre-programmed avatar players. During the task, participants witnessed the exclusion of one of the players, and subsequently had the opportunity to compensate for this by throwing the ball more often to the excluded player. Throughout the game, participants rated the level of negative emotion in themselves and in the excluded player.ResultsPatients made significantly fewer ball tosses towards the excluded player during the compensation round compared to healthy controls (large effect size). Patients reported a significantly smaller increase in negative emotion after witnessing the exclusion and a significantly smaller decrease in negative emotion following the compensation round (large effect sizes). Patients also estimated a smaller decrease in negative emotion in the excluded player following the compensation round (medium effect size). There were no significant associations between these outcomes and eating disorder psychopathology in patients.ConclusionsCompared to healthy adolescents, adolescent patients with eating disorders demonstrated less prosocial compensatory behaviour towards a computerised victim of social exclusion. In addition, they reported flatter negative emotion in themselves in response to witnessing and compensating for exclusion, and in the excluded player following compensation. If these findings are replicated, interventions to target these difficulties might contribute to improvements in social functioning in this patient group.

Sudden gains in social functioning and PTSD improvement

Sudden gains in social functioning and PTSD improvement

A Phase II Study of Isatuximab, Once Weekly Carfilzomib, Lenalidomide, Dexamethasone, in Newly Diagnosed, Transplant-Eligible Multiple Myeloma (The SKylaRk Trial)

Background: Clinical data support the combination of a CD38 monoclonal antibody, an immunomodulatory drug, a proteasome inhibitor, and a glucocorticoid for the treatment of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM). Isatuximab (Isa) is approved in combination with carfilzomib and dexamethasone (dex) for relapsed, refractory MM based on the results of the IKEMA study, as well as with pomalidomide and dex based upon ICARIA and is now being explored in novel combinations in the newly diagnosed setting. Our study evaluated the addition of isa to weekly carfilzomib (K), lenalidomide (len), and dex in all-risk, transplant-eligible patients with NDMM and stratifies maintenance based on cytogenetic risk. Study Design and Methods: Phase II study of isa-KRd in 50 transplant-eligible NDMM patients (NCT04430894). All patients received 4 cycles of isa-KRd followed by stem cell collection with option of upfront versus deferred stem cell transplant (SCT). Upfront SCT patients received 2 additional cycles then maintenance. Deferred SCT patients received 4 additional cycles then maintenance. Each 28-day cycle consisted of isa 10 mg/kg iv weekly cycles 1-2, Q2 weeks cycles 3-6, then Q4 weeks; K (20 mg/m 2 cycle 1, day 1 only) 56 mg/m 2 iv days 1, 8, 15; len 25 mg po days 1-21; and dex 20 mg po days 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, and 16 (and days 22, 23 cycles 1-2). For maintenance, standard-risk received len 10 mg po days 1-21 and high-risk (del 17p, gain 1q, t(4:14), t(14;16), t(14;20)) isa 10 mg/kg iv day 1; K 56 mg/m 2 iv days 1, 15; len 10 mg po days 1-21. Main Outcomes and Measures: Primary end point was complete response (CR + stringent CR) rate after 4 cycles by the IMWG response criteria. Secondary endpoints included safety and tolerability; minimal residual disease (MRD), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) rates, quality of life, body composition, and T cell repertoire. Results: Fifty patients enrolled between August 2020 and February 2022. Median age was 59 years (range 39-70) and 54% were male. Forty-six percent of patients had high-risk cytogenetics. Median follow-up is 26 months. Of 45 patients evaluable for response after 4 cycles, ORR was 100% and 89% (39/45) achieved a very good partial response (VGPR) or better and 36% (16/45) a CR. Of those, 43% (12/28) were MRD negative at 10 -5. After the completion of C6/C8, ORR was 100% and 64% (29/45) achieved a CR and 96% (43/45) achieved a VGPR or better. After C6/C8, 41 patients, 66% (27/41) were MRD negative at 10 -5. The 24-month PFS was 91.3% (95% CI 83.4% -99.8%) and OS was 95.8% (95% CI 90.2%-100%). SCT was deferred in most patients (40/45, 89%). Grade 3 or 4 side effects (≥2 patients) included neutropenia (24%), elevated alanine aminotransferase (10%), acute kidney injury (6%), and thrombocytopenia (6%). Grade 1-2 infusion-related reactions in 20%, no grade 3. Hypertension in 49% grade 1-2 and one grade 3; one grade 3 myocardial infarction. There was one death assessed as unrelated. Two patients withdrew for acute kidney injury. Two patients were not evaluable at C4 and C6/C8 because measurable disease could only be assessed by PET CT. There were statistically significant within-patient improvements in global health status ( p&amp;lt;.01), physical ( p&amp;lt;.01), role ( p&amp;lt;.01), emotional ( p=.01), and social functioning ( p&amp;lt;.01), body image ( p&amp;lt;.01), future perspective ( p&amp;lt;.01), fatigue ( p&amp;lt;.01), pain ( p&amp;lt;.01), loss of appetite ( p&amp;lt;.01), and symptoms ( p&amp;lt;.01). There were no statistically significant changes in body composition measurements between baseline and the completion of 4 cycles or consolidation/induction. There was a significant improvement in total lean mass ( p=0.01) between baseline and end of induction adjusted for SCT status. In terms of correlatives to-date, there were no significant differences in total T cells, total templates, total productive templates; total and productive rearrangements; or clonality, maximum productive frequency and T cell fraction between those patients achieving MRD negativity and those not and no significant differences between clonality at baseline and post-induction/consolidation. Conclusions: Isa-KRd induces deep and durable responses, with an ORR of 100% (including 96% VGPR or better, 66% MRD negative) as well as improved quality of life in transplant-eligible patients with NDMM, with or without SCT. The overall safety profile was favorable and consistent with similar regimens in this setting, with toxicities proving generally manageable.

Clinical study of antinib combined with radiotherapy in the treatment of third-line extensive small cell lung cancer

Objective: To explore whether the survival benefit of the third-line extensive small-cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) will be obtained by the combination of anlotinib and radiotherapy, and evaluate the safety of this treatment regimen. Methods: Twenty-seven patients with ES-SCLC who received third-line treatment with less than three metastatic organs at the Cancer Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from November 2018 to July 2021 were collected and treated with radiotherapy based on anlotinib. Kaplan-Meier curve was used to estimate the overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS), descriptive statistical analysis was used to evaluate the safety, and European organisation for research and treatment of cancer quality of life questionnaire-core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) was used to evaluate the quality of life. Results: The follow-up cut-off date was July 1, 2021, and the follow-up time ranged from 4.8 to 31.0 months, with a median follow-up time of 10.2 months for the entire group. Among the 27 patients, 4 achieved partial remission, 17 had stable disease and 6 had progression of disease. The objective remission rate (ORR) was 14.8%, and the disease control rate (DCR) was 77.8%. Median PFS and the median OS were 5 months and 11 months, respectively. The most common adverse reactions included fatigue (33.3%, 9/27), anorexia (14.8%, 4/27), bleeding (14.8%, 4/27) and hand-foot syndrome (11.1%, 3/27). Most of them were grade 1 to grade 2, 3 cases were more than grade 3, and there was no grade 5 toxicity recorded. After radiotherapy combined with amlotinib treatment, patients showed improvement in general health, somatic functioning, social functioning, and emotional functioning (all P<0.05). Conclusion: For the third-line ES-SCLC patients, radiotherapy based on the anlotinib can significantly prolong their PFS and OS, and the adverse reactions can be tolerated.

EMPOWERED trial: protocol for a randomised control trial of digitally supported, highly personalised and measurement-based care to improve functional outcomes in young people with mood disorders

ObjectivesMany adolescents and young adults with emerging mood disorders do not achieve substantial improvements in education, employment, or social function after receiving standard youth mental health care. We have developed...

Gender differences in health-related quality of life, blood pressure and heart rate among patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation after performing MediYoga

IntroductionPatients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation experience low health-related quality of life which can be improved by performing yoga. The aim of this study was to evaluate gender differences in health-related quality of life, blood pressure and heart rate among patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation after performing MediYoga. MethodsThis is a secondary analysis of subgroups, investigating the yoga groups, from two randomized controlled trials (RCT 1: yoga group versus control group, RCT 2: a three-armed randomized study with yoga, control and relaxation groups). The yoga groups performed MediYoga for one hour/week over a 12-week period in both studies. Quality of life (SF-36), blood pressure and heart rate were collected at baseline and end of study. ResultsNo differences were found between the women and men. Within the women’s group, there were improvements in vitality (p = 0.011), social function (p = 0.022), mental health (p = 0.007) and Mental Components Summary (p = 0.022). There were differences within the men’s group in bodily pain (p = 0.005), general health (p = 0.003), vitality (p = 0.026), social function (p = 0.005), role-emotion (p = 0.011) and Mental Components Summary (p = 0.018). Within the women’s group, differences were observed in systolic blood pressure (p = 0.010) and diastolic blood pressure (p = <0.001). The men’s group also showed improvement in diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.021). ConclusionMediYoga improved mental health as well as diastolic blood pressure in both men and women with PAF. This study suggests that both men and women, with PAF, may benefit from complementary treatment such as yoga.Clinical Trial Gov Id: NCT01789372.

A multivariate cognitive approach to predict social functioning in recent onset psychosis in response to computerized cognitive training

Clinical and neuroimaging data has been increasingly used in recent years to disentangle heterogeneity of treatment response to cognitive training (CT) and predict which individuals may achieve the highest benefits. CT has small to medium effects on improving cognitive and social functioning in recent onset psychosis (ROP) patients, who show the most profound cognitive and social functioning deficits among psychiatric patients. We employed multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA) to investigate the potential of cognitive data to predict social functioning improvement in response to 10 h of CT in patients with ROP. A support vector machine (SVM) classifier was trained on the naturalistic data of the Personalized Prognostic Tools for Early Psychosis Management (PRONIA) study sample to predict functioning in an independent sample of 70 ROP patients using baseline cognitive data. PRONIA is a part of a FP7 EU grant program that involved 7 sites across 5 European countries, designed and conducted with the main aim of identifying (bio)markers associated with an enhanced risk of developing psychosis in order to improve early detection and prognosis. Social functioning was predicted with a balanced accuracy (BAC) of 66.4% (Sensitivity 78.8%; Specificity 54.1%; PPV 60.5%; NPV 74.1%; AUC 0.64; P = 0.01). The most frequently selected cognitive features (mean feature weights > ± 0.2) included the (1) correct number of symbol matchings within the Digit Symbol Substitution Test, (2) the number of distracting stimuli leading to an error within 300 and 200 trials in the Continuous Performance Test and (3) the dynamics of verbal fluency between 15 and 30 s within the Verbal Fluency Test, phonetic part. Next, the SVM classifier generated on the PRONIA sample was applied to the intervention sample, that obtained 54 ROP patients who were randomly assigned to a social cognitive training (SCT) or treatment as usual (TAU) group and dichotomized into good (GF-S ≥ 7) and poor (GF-S < 7) functioning patients based on their level of Global Functioning-Social (GF-S) score at follow-up (FU). By applying the initial PRONIA classifier, using out-of-sample cross-validation (OOCV) to the sample of ROP patients who have undergone the CT intervention, a BAC of 59.3% (Sensitivity 70.4%; Specificity 48.1%; PPV 57.6%; NPV 61.9%; AUC 0.63) was achieved at T0 and a BAC of 64.8% (Sensitivity 66.7%; Specificity 63.0%; PPV 64.3%; NPV 65.4%; AUC 0.66) at FU. After SCT intervention, a significant improvement in predicted social functioning values was observed in the SCT compared to TAU group (P ≤0.05; ES[Cohens' d] = 0.18). Due to a small sample size and modest variance of social functioning of the intervention sample it was not feasible to predict individual response to SCT in the current study. Our findings suggest that the use of baseline cognitive data could provide a robust individual estimate of future social functioning, while prediction of individual response to SCT using cognitive data that can be generated in the routine patient care remains to be addressed in large-scale cognitive training trials.