Intense Withdrawal Research Articles

1038 Sleep Architecture In Individuals Receiving Methadone For Medication-Assisted Treatment Of Opioid Use Disorder

Abstract Introduction It has been established that the use of opioids suppresses stage N3 sleep. For individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD), medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is a widely employed opioid replacement therapy used to mitigate withdrawal effects and drug cravings. We investigated sleep architecture in individuals receiving methadone-based MAT. Methods N=6 individuals (aged 43.8±12.8y; 5 females), who were within 90 days of methadone initiation, underwent in-laboratory overnight polysomnography (8h TIB; 22:00-06:00). Prior to bedtime, pain intensity and opioid withdrawal symptoms were assessed using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (0-10) and the Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale (0-48). Sleep recordings were scored visually according to AASM guidelines. Results In this sample, subjects exhibited 87.4-93.0% (M: 92.2%) sleep efficiency (SE), 8.0-16.2min (M: 12.1min) sleep latency (SL), 5.5-7.5% (M: 6.5%) N1, 46.4-52.7% (M: 49.6%) N2, 20.7-30.6% (M: 25.6%) N3, 17.5-19.1% (M: 18.3%) REM, 28.0-38.5min (M: 33.3min) N3 latency, and 84.1-125.9min (M: 105.0min) REM latency. Subjects reported moderate pain intensity scores of 5-6 (M: 5.3) and mild to moderate withdrawal symptoms of 1-15 (M: 7.8). Conclusion Relative to published healthy sleeper norms, subjects showed more N1 and N3 and less REM sleep. The increased N3 was unexpected given that opioids (such as methadone) typically suppress N3; it may reflect subjects carrying a substantial sleep debt. Pain and withdrawal symptoms may be a factor increasing N1 and reducing REM sleep. Such potential sleep deficiencies may interfere with subjects achieving OUD recovery goals and are worthy of further investigation. Support Supported in part by a seed grant from the Washington State University Office of Research Advancement and Partnerships.

“I’m using cigarettes to quit JUUL”: An analysis of Twitter posts about JUUL cessation

IntroductionJUUL, a small pod-based vaping device that aerosolizes nicotine salts, is popular among adolescents and young adults. Because of JUUL’s high nicotine content, JUUL users can become nicotine dependent very quickly and have difficulty quitting. Nicotine-dependent JUUL users might turn to Twitter to seek advice, share their cessation struggles, or report their success rather than confiding in friends or family. MethodThis study analyzed Twitter tweets (N = 3192) posted in 2018–2019 to identify common themes about quitting JUUL. Tweets containing the keywords “JUUL” and “quit” or “quitting” were analyzed qualitatively and grouped into themes. ResultsThe most common themes were Methods to quit (25.4%), Have quit (17.8%), Want to quit (16.1%), Reasons to quit (9.6%), Difficulty quitting (7.9%), Barriers to quitting (2.9%), and Curious about quitting (2.1%). Methods to quit included evidence-based tobacco cessation methods such as nicotine replacement therapy and enrolling in a text-to-quit program, but they also included non-evidence-based strategies such as buying lower-nicotine pods online or switching to other tobacco products including cigarettes. Former JUUL users who had quit successfully generally expressed pride but also acknowledged that quitting was very difficult. Reasons for quitting included adverse health effects such as breathing problems and the financial cost of a JUUL habit. Posters mentioned their extreme difficulty quitting JUUL, numerous failed quit attempts, and numerous barriers to quitting including intense physical and emotional withdrawal symptoms. Some posters joked about switching to cigarettes or other drugs to quit JUUL. ConclusionResults indicate that JUUL cessation is difficult and that some JUUL users want to quit. Health communication messages are needed to direct JUUL users to effective cessation strategies.

Spatiotemporal relation of RADAR-derived land subsidence with groundwater and seismicity in Semnan—Iran

Due to excessive harvesting of underground water resources in many important aquifers inside Iran, ground subsidence is occurring at different speeds. In present study, InSAR processing was applied to identify land displacement by using Sentinel-1A. For this target, 17 frames of images during 2015–2019 with small temporal-perpendicular baseline were allocated and using SBAS approach were analyzed. After removing unnecessary noise and phases, phase shift due to land deformation is extracted and then converted to subsidence. Besides SAR images, fluctuations of groundwater were analyzed using piezometric data for last 10 years. Then the spatial pattern relationship between subsided regions and underground water resources as well as urbanization was investigated. Throughout this period, all datasets reveal 125 km2 bowl subsidence in a maximum rate of 10 cm/year. Generally, areas with high rates of subsidence are located between the industrial town and city of Semnan over clay foundation with high rates of groundwater head decline. Moreover, surveying the piezometers and landuse change map obtained from Landsat indicates that due to the intense groundwater withdrawal as a result of industrialization and urbanization, the maximum annual decline of groundwater head at 123 cm/year is detected. Our preliminary investigation shows some spatiotemporal positive correlation between the subsidence and seismicity of the area. Considering the fragility of arid ecosystems and increasing the population of Semnan, it is recommended that the development of industries with high water consumption is prevented and the groundwater resources policies should seek to strictly reduce overusing of groundwater in agricultural lands and urban areas.

Detection and quantification of low submarine groundwater discharge flows by radionuclides to support conceptual hydrogeological model of porous aquifers

Submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) is considered as a good indicator of the natural behavior of coastal aquifers especially in the case of intense groundwater withdrawal or when the aquifer recharge conditions are limited. Indeed, a decrease in SGD flows would result in saline intrusion compromising the groundwater reservoir use. The need for SGD studies in Mediterranean and semi-arid environments have long been recognized and little is known on low and diffuse flows. For this reason, the detection and quantification of low and diffuse SGD flows have been attempted in a Mediterranean porous aquifer with low potential of recharge and high touristic pressure from using a multi-tracing approach combining aerial thermal infrared images (TIR), temperature (T), electric conductivity (E.C.), major ions, selected trace elements, 2H, 18O, 222Rn, 223Ra and 224Ra. The TIR images allowed the detection of slight temperature variations at the seawater surface. Contrasted lithology and strong water-rock interactions due to groundwater residence time of many decades favor the 222Rn, 223Ra and 224Ra contents in groundwater that reach the seashores. Low temperature and E.C, as well as high radon and radium activities, evidenced SGD flows in agreement with the known flow conditions within the aquifer. The quantification of SGD flows revealed in very good agreement with the known recharge rates of the aquifer that validates its conceptual hydrogeological model. For the first time in the Mediterranean or in semi-arid context, a natural tracing experiment based on geochemistry and isotope hydrology tools allowed the quantification of SGD flows to validate the hydrogeological conceptual model and to solve the water balance at the whole aquifer scale. Such a methodology could be applied worldwide to other similar coastal aquifers with low and diffuse SGD flow conditions.

Multiple suicide attempts in an individual with opioid dependence: Unintended harm of lockdown during the COVID-19 outbreak?

Multiple suicide attempts in an individual with opioid dependence: Unintended harm of lockdown during the COVID-19 outbreak?

Turbulencije na tržištu novca - blagovremenost i kredibilitet od presudne važnosti

Now that the global financial markets are highly volatile and vulnerable, and the world faces the Fourth Industrial Revolution that ushers in new technologies and potentially, with the growth of productivity, extends the period of low inflation and ultra-low interest rates, stability of the financial system is more important than ever. Technological innovation brings new uncertainty and the markets are extremely sensitive to sudden changes in the business environment, yet more so as they grew accustomed to ample liquidity in the prior period. Two episodes of similar characteristics in the money markets in two different countries, Serbia and the USA, have proven numerous patterns and demonstrated many commonalities. And yet, a somewhat different ambience, monetary measures applied to stabilise interest rates, the increase of which was driven by intensive withdrawals of liquidity from the banking system, as well as the initial signal sent to market participants, whose perception is what matters the most - proved that credibility, timeliness of response and proper choice of instruments are of crucial importance for success.

Groundwater flow in the Ischia volcanic island (Italy) and its implications for thermal water abstraction

This study improves knowledge on the hydrogeology of Ischia Island, an active volcano of southern Italy. Combining previous published and unpublished data with newly collected data, and through the results of simplified numerical models, the existing conceptual hydrogeological model of the volcanic island has been reviewed and the present impact of intensive withdrawals on the island’s groundwater resources has been examined. Two areas with different hydrogeological characteristics have been recognized: (1) the resurgent block of Mt. Epomeo, where an independent and uplifted basal groundwater circulation exists; (2) the external areas of Mt. Epomeo, where a continuous basal aquifer and local discontinuous perched aquifers have been distinguished. The marginal faults of the resurgent block of Mt. Epomeo represent the preferential pathways of ascending deep fluids. In natural conditions, the island’s aquifers are recharged by rainfall and by deep fluids from beneath, discharging towards the sea and the springs. Since the start of activity at the spa facilities, involving intensive pumping from wells, a further and significant recharge of the aquifers has come from seawater and from increased upwelling of the deep fluids. Although this does not compromise the sustainability of the groundwater withdrawals in quantitative terms, the pumping rates determine the quality of the water captured by the wells. The great variability in temperature and chemical composition of groundwater of the island is also influenced by local hydrogeological parameters and characteristics of the wells from which the water samples were taken, as well as the phenomena of interaction among different end-members.

2027 Upper GI Bleeding With Black Esophagus: Case Report of Acute Esophageal Necrosis

INTRODUCTION: Acute esophageal necrosis, a very rare cause of upper GI bleeding, is seen mainly in elderly men. We report a new case in an elderly woman. CASE DESCRIPTION/METHODS: A 90-year-old woman with a history of DM, HTN, and CHF presented with SOB and abdominal pain of 2-day duration. She didn’t vomit. Confusion, pallor, and large melanotic bowel movement were noted. Temperature was 36.1°C, BP 86/68 mmHg, HR 104 bpm, and RR 22 br/min. She had bilateral shallow coarse breath sounds and otherwise unremarkable abdominal and neurological exams. Urine ketones was negative, plasma glucose 98 mg/dL, WBC 40.8 K/mcL, hemoglobin 9.3 g/dL, platelet 437 K/mcL, GFR 18 mL/min/1.73 m2, lactate 15.5 mmol/L, and procalcitonin 1.49 ng/mL. Blood culture was negative. Chest CT showed small bilateral pleural effusions and ground glass opacities. Abdominal CT showed fecal impaction. Working diagnoses included septic/hypovolemic shock, pneumonia, encephalopathy, acute upper GI bleed, and acute hypoxic respiratory failure. Volume resuscitation, vasopressors (norepinephrine, phenylephrine, and vasopressin), mechanical ventilation, broad spectrum antibiotics (vancomycin, cefepime, and azithromycin), total parenteral nutrition, and proton pump inhibitor were started. EGD revealed friable, black, circumferential esophageal mucosal changes starting 25-30 cm from incisors and extending to GE junction without gastric outlet obstruction (Figure 1). Follow up EGD one week later showed slow healing with black and thin tissue, starting 4 cm proximal to GE junction without stricture (Figure 2). She continued to be encephalopathic, requiring mechanical ventilation and vasopressor support. She died upon intensive care withdrawal at family request. DISCUSSION: Our patient had endoscopic diagnosis of acute ischemic esophagitis, which was likely due to compromised esophageal perfusion secondary to septic/hypovolemic shock in the setting of chronic vascular compromise. Biopsy to differentiate ischemic esophageal necrosis from other etiologies, such as infection and malignancy, carries a high risk for perforation and was not performed. As seen in our patient, acute esophageal necrosis typically affects the relatively hypovascular distal esophagus down to GE junction and quickly resolves when blood flow is restored. Nevertheless, mortality remains high due to the underlying conditions. Unlike our case, acute esophageal necrosis affects mainly men, with a men/women ratio of 4/1.

Relationship between rainfall and water table in a coastal aquifer: the case study of Castelporziano presidential estate

This study is focused on the analysis of seasonal and annual variability in groundwater levels of the coastal aquifer of Castelporziano Presidential Estate, a protected area of 59 Km2 located in the periphery of Rome. A comparison with the local trends of rainfall at “Castello” gauging station at different time scales (monthly, seasonal and annual) has been carried out. The results highlight differences between the coastal area and eastern and northern sector of the Estate. Indeed, the seasonal effect due to local meteoric recharge is direct and regular during the year in the coastal area in respect to the eastern and northern sectors of the Estate. Moreover, annual steady regime and multi-year trend of groundwater levels suggest the contribution from the adjacent volcanic aquifer of Albani Hills. In the latter case, the regional circulation of groundwater is affected by the effects of intense withdrawals. The maintenance of the monitoring network will allow to define the flow paths of the groundwater that characterize the coastal aquifer of Castelporziano.

Blunts versus joints: Cannabis use characteristics and consequences among treatment-seeking adults

BackgroundDespite the high prevalence of blunt smoking among cannabis users, very few studies examine the clinical profile of blunt smokers relative to those using more common methods of cannabis use, such as joints. MethodsThe current study uses baseline data from the ACCENT (Achieving Cannabis Cessation-Evaluating N-acetylcysteine Treatment) study, a multi-site randomized pharmacotherapy clinical trial within the National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network, to predict the association between blunt and joint use frequency and cannabis use characteristics (e.g., grams of cannabis used) and consequences (e.g., withdrawal) among past-month cannabis users (N = 377) who were screened for study participation. ResultsAfter controlling for race, age, gender, other forms of cannabis use (including joint use) and nicotine dependence, multivariable linear regression models indicated that the number of days of blunt use in the past month was a significant predictor of the average amount of cannabis per using day (t = 3.04, p < .01), the estimated average cost of cannabis (t = 2.28, p < .05) and Cannabis Withdrawal Scale scores (t = 1.94, p < .05). Frequency of joint use did not significantly predict any of the cannabis use characteristics or consequences. ConclusionsBlunt smokers may present to treatment with greater amounts of cannabis smoked and more intense withdrawal symptoms, which may adversely impact their likelihood of successful abstinence. Cannabis-dependent blunt smokers may be more likely to benefit from treatment that targets physiological and mood-related withdrawal symptoms.

Chronological reflection on monitoring urban areas subsidence due to groundwater extraction

Land subsidence affects urban areas worldwide. Sometimes it could be driven by intensive groundwater withdrawal to assure different urban needs and functionalities. Some of these urban areas have a long history of subsidence that covers almost a century. The aim of this paper is to present the evolution of several urban areas affected by land subsidence, the methods used to monitor vertical displacements along the decades in relationship to the groundwater extraction associated to the urban expansion, and the mitigation techniques used for countering the effects of intensive groundwater withdrawal. Even the originally applied subsidence monitoring methods (such as geometric levelling) are still very sensitive, in terms of time consuming, covered area, and financial effort, these methods might be complemented by new methods based on Synthetic Aperture Radar Interferometry (InSAR). InSAR methods show also a significant progress during the last decades when considering the subsidence sensed order of magnitude.

Techniques for improving the water-flooding of oil fields during the high water-cut stage

The multi-layer co-exploitation method is often used in offshore oilfields because of the large spacing between the injection and production wells. As oilfields gradually enter the high water-cut stage, the contradiction between the horizontal and vertical directions becomes more prominent, and the distribution of the remaining oil is more complex. Oilfields are facing unprecedented challenges in further enhancing oil recovery. Using oilfield A, which is in the high water-cut stage, as the research object, we compiled a detailed description of the remaining oil during the high water-cut stage using the information collected during the comprehensive adjustment and infilling of the oilfield. In addition various techniques for tapping the potential reservoir, stabilizing the oil, and controlling the water were investigated. A set of key techniques for the continuous improvement of the efficiency of water injection after comprehensive adjustment of high water-cut fields was generated. Based on the determined configuration of the offshore deltaic reservoir, a set of detailed descriptive methods and tapping technology for extracting the remaining oil in the offshore high water-cut oilfield after comprehensive adjustment was established. By considering the equilibrium displacement and using a new quantitative characterization method that includes displacement, a new technique for determining the quantity of water that needs to be injected into a stratified injection well during the high water-cut stage was established. Based on the principle of flow field intensity reconfiguration, a linear, variable-intensity, alternating injection and withdrawal technique was proposed. With the application of this series of techniques, the increase in the water content was controlled to within 1%, the natural reduction rate was controlled to within 9%, and the production increased by 1.060 × 107 m3.

Naldemedine in Japanese patients with opioid-induced constipation and chronic noncancer pain: open-label Phase III studies.

IntroductionNaldemedine is a peripherally-acting µ-opioid-receptor antagonist, approved in Japan for opioid-induced constipation (OIC). In two open-label, single-arm, Phase III studies, we evaluated the safety and efficacy of naldemedine in Japanese patients with OIC receiving regular-use opioids (COMPOSE-6) or prolonged-release oxycodone (COMPOSE-7) for chronic noncancer pain.MethodsEligible Japanese adults with OIC and chronic noncancer pain received once-daily oral naldemedine 0.2 mg for 48 weeks, irrespective of food intake. Primary end points included measures of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs), pain intensity, and opioid withdrawal. Secondary efficacy end points were evaluated at treatment week 2. Patient Assessment of Constipation Symptoms (PAC-SYM) and Quality of Life (PAC-QOL) scores were evaluated in both 48-week studies.ResultsOf patients enrolled in COMPOSE-6 (N = 43) and COMPOSE-7 (N = 10), TEAEs were reported in 88% (95% CI 74.9–96.1) and 90% (95% CI 55.5–99.7), respectively. The most frequently reported TEAEs, nasopharyngitis and diarrhea, were mostly mild or moderate in severity. Assessments of pain intensity and opioid withdrawal remained stable over the 48-week treatment periods of both studies. The proportion of spontaneous bowel-movement responders at week 2 in COMPOSE-6 was 81.0% (95% CI 65.9–91.4) and 90.0% (95% CI 55.5–99.7) in COMPOSE-7. Significant and sustained improvements in PAC-SYM and PAC-QOL scores were also observed in both studies (all P<0.05).ConclusionSide effects that occurred with naldemedine were mostly mild or moderate in severity, and the data suggested that naldemedine can improve bowel function and QOL in Japanese patients with OIC receiving regular-use opioids or prolonged-release oxycodone for chronic noncancer pain.

Course and complications of GHB detoxification treatment: a1-year case series

Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) and its precursors have gained popularity over the last decade as adrug in the party and club scene; however, the clinical knowledge of these substances is low. In the literature there have been case reports of severe dependence and withdrawal but there is a lack of systematic knowledge about the clinical course and complications of detoxification treatment. The aim of this article is to evaluate the prevalence, treatment course, complications and compliance of GHB patients seeking inpatient qualified detoxification treatment (QDT). Aretrospective evaluation of the hospital charts of all patients admitted to this clinic in 2017 for QDT of GHB. The Jewish Hospital in Berlin (Jüdisches Krankenhaus Berlin) provides specialized inpatient units for addictive diseases and ageneral intensive care unit. The control population came from a prospective study of all patients with addictive diseases who were treated in the same hospital in 2012. In 2017 atotal of 18patients with GHB addiction were treated in this hospital. This corresponds to a 1‑year prevalence of 2.28% of all addictive diseases in this year. During detoxification treatment 52% of the GHB patients had to be temporarily transferred to the intensive care unit, 5% had to be temporarily mechanically ventilated and 26% suffered from withdrawal delirium. Of the patients 42% terminated treatment prematurely against medical advice. Withdrawal treatment from GHB is asevere and potentially dangerous condition, the prevalence of complications was higher than for most other drugs and the rate of intensive care and withdrawal delirium was very high. Further studies are urgently needed with the aim of reducing the complication rates of GHB withdrawal and enhancing therapy adherence.

Land Subsidence in Taiyuan, China, Monitored by InSAR Technique With Multisensor SAR Datasets From 1992 to 2015

Taiyuan city has been suffering significant subsidence during last two to three decades, mainly due to the effects of groundwater withdrawal and urban construction. The purpose of this study is to map the spatial-temporal variations of land subsidence over Taiyuan and analyze the causes of the observed deformations by using the interferometric point target analysis (IPTA) technique with multisensor SAR datasets during 1992 and 2015. The InSAR-derived deformations are then compared to the leveling measurements and groundwater data. The observed deformation based on ERS-1 datasets has mapped regional subsidence rate ranging from 30 to 60 mm/a in the northern and central Taiyuan from 1992 to 1993. InSAR measurements from Envisat ASAR, TerraSAR-X, and Radarsat-2 data reveal land subsidence rate up to 80 mm/a in the southern suburb during 2009 to 2015, whereas a rebound rate more than 10 mm/a in northern Taiyuan from 2004 to 2005. The time series deformation maps from 2009 to 2010 present slight nonlinear periodic variations, which might be caused by the seasonal groundwater fluctuations. The observed InSAR results indicate that the pattern of ground deformation is nearly concentric around locations of intense groundwater withdrawal, and the spatial extent of the subsiding area has been shrinking and moving toward the central and southern Taiyuan after 2003. Furthermore, differential subsidence rates are identified on both sides of Tianzhuang fault from observed deformation maps during the period of 2009–2010, 2012–2013, and 2014–2015, which could be explained that the fault acts as the barrier to the groundwater flow. Our results could provide significant evidence to serve the decision-making on land subsidence mitigation in Taiyuan, China.

Cortical remodeling after electroacupuncture therapy in peripheral nerve repairing model

Electroacupuncture (EA) is an alternative therapy for peripheral nerve injury (PNI). The treatment relies on post-therapeutic effect rather than real-time effect. We utilized fMRI to clarify the resting-state alteration caused by sustained effect of EA on peripheral nerve repairing model. Twenty-four rats were divided equally into three groups: normal group, model group and intervention group. Rats of the model and intervention group underwent sciatic nerve transection and direct anastomosis. EA intervention at ST-36 and GB-30 was conducted continuously for 4 months on the intervention group. Behavioral assessments and fMRI were performed 1 month and 4 months after surgery. Intervention group showed significant improvement on the gait parameters max contact mean intensity (MCMI) and thermal withdrawal latency (TWL) than model group. EA-related sustained effects of amplitude of low frequency fluctuations (ALFF) could be described as a remolding pattern of somatosensory area and sensorimotor integration regions which presented higher ALFF in the contralateral hemisphere and lower in the ipsilateral hemisphere than model group. Interhemispheric functional connectivity (FC) analysis showed a significantly lower FC after EA therapy between the largest significantly different clusters in bilateral somatosensory cortices than the model group 4 months after surgery(p < 0.05). And the model group presented significantly higher FC than the normal group at both two time-points (p < 0.01). The sustained effect of EA on peripheral nerve repairing rats appeared to induce both regional and extensive neuroplasticity in bilateral hemispheres. We proposed that such EA-related effect was a reverse of maladaptive plasticity caused by PNI.

The role of anxiety sensitivity-physical concerns in terms of quit day withdrawal symptoms and cravings: A pilot test among smokers with asthma

ABSTRACTObjective: The aim of the current study was to conduct secondary analyses of data collected from a study examining a self-guided quit attempt of smokers with and without asthma in order to examine the unique predictive ability of precessation (i.e., baseline) anxiety sensitivity physical concerns in terms of quit day withdrawal symptoms and cravings among abstinent smokers with asthma. Methods: Participants were 24 regular cigarette smokers with asthma (50% female, Mage = 37.63 years, SD = 12.20) who participated in a self-guided-quit attempt and were able to maintain abstinence on their quit day. Results: After controlling for the effects of the cognitive and social concerns domains of anxiety sensitivity, anxiety sensitivity-physical concerns significantly predicted greater quit day withdrawal symptoms (20.8% unique variance) and urges to smoke (38.0% unique variance). Conclusions: These findings suggest that smokers with asthma who fear anxiety-related sensations due to their feared physical consequences are more likely to experience intense withdrawal symptoms and desire to smoke at the beginning of a quit attempt. Clinically, smokers with higher levels of anxiety sensitivity physical concerns may benefit from smoking cessation interventions that specifically target anxiety sensitivity as well as prolonged use of nicotine replacement therapies to target withdrawal symptoms and cravings.

Binge drinking and psychomotor performance in female social drinkers of Kalingalinga in Lusaka, Zambia

Introduction: Consuming large amounts of alcohol on an irregular basis is a common form of alcohol misuse among female adolescents and young women. This form of alcohol misuse is called binge drinking (BD) and is associated with harm to the central nervous system mainly due to repeated alternations between intense intoxication and withdrawal episodes. Adverse effects of BD on cognitive functions such as psychomotor skills negatively impact on women's daily living.Methodology: Using a matched-pairs design and snowball sampling method, the present study investigated the relationship between binge drinking and psychomotor performance in a population of female social drinkers of Kalingalinga in Lusaka, Zambia. Two specific objectives based on continuity hypothesis guided the study; to identify characteristics of binge drinking among female social drinkers; to compare motor skills performance between female binge drinkers and their non-drinking female counterparts. Sixty female participants (30 drinkers and 30 nondrinkers) were enrolled. Data was collected through a two-phase approach; AUDIT questionnaires in the first place and neuropsychological testing of motor skills using Grooved Pegboard and Finger Tapping tests, over a two-weeks period. Pearson's Chi-square revealed no significant differences in demographic characteristics. Data was normally distributed as shown by Shapiro Wilk's test and skewness and kurtosis results. Hence the use of the independent samples t-test whose results showed slower psychomotor performance among binge drinkers (M=84.07, SD=10.581; M=1.2167, SD=7.260 and M=42.17, SD=.88749) on both the Grooved Pegboard and Finger tapping tests than the non-drinking control group (M=66.77, SD=8.295; M=.5167, SD=5.050 and M=50.45, SD=.62261).Conclusion: In conclusion, these results seem to suggest that there is a statistically significant relationship between BD and psychomotor performance among female social drinkers. The implication is that these women may be at risk of home and/or road accidents and that BD may impinge on their multitask-taking skills which may in turn affect their families and society. It is hoped that the results of the study will; open research prospects on female alcohol BD in Zambia and help therapists to consider focusing their efforts on the intensity and frequency of alcohol consumption as predicted by the study's regression analyses.

Binge Drinking and Psychomotor Performance in Female Social Drinkers of Kalingalinga in Lusaka, Zambia

Introduction&#x0D; Consuming large amounts of alcohol on an irregular basis is a common form of alcohol misuse among female adolescents and young women. This form of alcohol misuse is called binge drinking (BD) and is associated with harm to the central nervous system mainly due to repeated alternations between intense intoxication and withdrawal episodes. Adverse effects of BD on cognitive functions such as psychomotor skills negatively impact on women’s daily living.&#x0D; Methodology&#x0D; Using a matched-pairs design and snowball sampling method, the present study investigated the relationship between binge drinking and psychomotor performance in a population of female social drinkers of Kalingalinga in Lusaka, Zambia. Two specific objectives based on continuity hypothesis guided the study; to identify characteristics of binge drinking among female social drinkers; to compare motor skills performance between female binge drinkers and their non-drinking female counterparts.&#x0D; Sixty female participants (30 drinkers and 30 non-drinkers) were enrolled. Data was collected through a two-phase approach; AUDIT questionnaires in the first place and neuropsychological testing of motor skills using Grooved Pegboard and Finger Tapping tests, over a two-weeks period. Pearson’s Chi-square revealed no significant differences in demographic characteristics. Data was normally distributed as shown by Shapiro Wilk’s test and skewness and kurtosis results. Hence the use of the independent samples t-test whose results showed slower psychomotor performance among binge drinkers (M=84.07, SD=10.581; M=1.2167, SD=7.260 and M=42.17, SD=.88749) on both the Grooved Pegboard and Finger tapping tests than the non-drinking control group (M=66.77, SD=8.295; M=.5167, SD=5.050 and M=50.45, SD=.62261).&#x0D; Conclusion&#x0D; In conclusion, these results seem to suggest that there is a statistically significant relationship between BD and psychomotor performance among female social drinkers. The implication is that these women may be at risk of home and/or road accidents and that BD may impinge on their multitask-taking skills which may in turn affect their families and society. It is hoped that the results of the study will; open research prospects on female alcohol BD in Zambia and help therapists to consider focusing their efforts on the intensity and frequency of alcohol consumption as predicted by the study’s regression analyses.

Whole body vibration exercise training for fibromyalgia.

Whole body vibration exercise training for fibromyalgia.