Perception Of Discomfort Research Articles

Exploring the lived experience of performance-related health and wellbeing among flautists.

The study has investigated the lived experience of flautists, focusing on their experiences and perceptions of performance-related physical discomfort, injury and related mental health challenges that they might have encountered in practice and performance. The aims of the research have been to provide flautists with an opportunity to reflect on any physical or psychological performance issues in their own words, and to understand the subjective meaning of these experiences. A basic qualitative approach was used for gathering data. All the fieldwork was undertaken during or immediately after the Covid-19 pandemic. Consequently, the participating flautists were deliberately selected using professional networks on the basis of their answers to a pre-interview initial questionnaire related to the characteristics of their personal backgrounds and their experiences, as well as being able to participate remotely. There have been two data collection phases. Phase 1 was a specially designed pre-interview questionnaire drawing on themes from appropriate literature. Phase 2 built on the pre-interview questionnaire responses and was designed as semi-structured interviews, undertaken on Zoom, and included a 'River of Flute-playing Experience' activity during the interview. The 'River of Experience' method is an autobiographical research tool in which participants were asked to annotate key biographical experiences and challenges at various points along their drawing of a meandering river. The combined data analyses drew on thematic analysis. The eight participants reported a personal history of performance-related health and wellbeing challenges that they had faced at some point in their lives. The findings reveal that flautists encounter health-related challenges associated with their practice and performances, and the data suggest that they each require an understanding of likely performance-related health challenges and supportive resources to assist them in managing these challenges. The participants' diverse experiences highlight the importance of managing health and the value of supportive social connections. They cope with health challenges by integrating passion, resilience, and adaptability into their lives, finding ways to grow and continue to thrive in their flute-playing journey. The study underscores the need for comprehensive health education and support resources for flautists, emphasising the significance of resilience and adaptability in fostering health, wellbeing, and success.

Refractive blur’s influence on discomfort glare perception from white LED headlights at night

This study examined the effects of refractive blur on discomfort perception caused by peripheral glare from white LED passing (low)-beam headlights at night. The study compared two levels of binocular blur (+0.50 diopter [D] and +1.00D) against a baseline of optimal refractive correction. Thirty participants (mean age 21.3±1.6 years; range 20–24 years) simulating a driving position assessed discomfort from glare sources (headlights of oncoming vehicles) located at 40 and 20 m distances using the de Boer scale. The study found that, with a blur of +0.50D, discomfort glare from white LED headlights did not significantly differ from the baseline regarding de Boer scores. However, with a blur of +1.00D, de Boer scores significantly decreased, indicating increased discomfort glare compared with the baseline for all distances (P=0.004). These results suggest that refractive blur may contribute to an increased perception of discomfort glare during nighttime driving.

The mask paradox between perception of discomfort and reality of physiological effects in healthy college students in China: a panel study

BackgroundDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, masks proved to be an effective measure in preventing virus transmission. However, many people have reported discomfort and negative perceptions toward wearing masks, especially during physical activity. This study aims to evaluate the discomfort and adverse perceptions related to various mask types among young, healthy adults during light exercise, including sitting, stationary stepping, and stair climbing. The study also examines the extent to which masks influence physiological indicators of physical well-being.MethodsThe study was conducted in two stages at the campus hospital of Shantou University. In Stage 1, 20 healthy college students (10 males, 10 females) were recruited to identify the mask with the most substantial physiological and psychological impact among four types: KN95 respirators, surgical masks, cloth masks, and 3D medical masks. These specific types were chosen due to their widespread use and varying levels of filtration and breathability. In Stage 2, 14 healthy college students (7 males, 7 females) were included to examine the effects of the identified mask across various levels of physical exertion. Subjective perceptions were measured using the Mask-Related Discomfort and Perception Score (MRDPS), and physiological parameters such as body temperature, blood pressure, pulse rate, and vital capacity were recorded.ResultsThe KN95 respirator and cloth mask were associated with the highest MRDPS, indicating significant discomfort among wearers (p < 0.05). The use of KN95 respirators had the largest impact on MRDPS during stair stepping (β = 10.357, 95% CI [5.755, 14.959]). Physiological parameters showed minor variations across different masks, with KN95 respirators significantly associated with reduced diastolic blood pressure (β=-7.806, 95% CI [-12.294, -3.318]) and pulse rate (β=-10.661, 95% CI [-18.896, -2.425]) in Stage 1. However, after controlling for exercise pace in Stage 2, wearing a KN95 respirator did not significantly affect these parameters.ConclusionsKN95 respirators and cloth masks were found to cause the most discomfort during light physical activity, with males reporting higher discomfort levels than females. While these masks are associated with varying levels of perceived discomfort, their impact on physiological indicators is relatively modest. Future research should include larger and more diverse samples , continuous monitoring of physiological parameters during exercise, and exploration of the underlying mechanisms of gender differences in mask discomfort.

Effect of Knife Use and Overlapping Gloves on Finger Temperature of Poultry Slaughterhouse Workers.

Brazilian poultry slaughterhouses employ many workers, consequently exposing them to various ergonomic risks. This study aimed to analyze the effects of knife use and overlapping gloves on the finger temperatures of poultry slaughterhouse workers. Employees (n = 571) from seven Brazilian poultry slaughterhouses participated in this cross-sectional study. A Flir® T450SC infrared camera was used to record thermographic images of the workers' hands. The workers were interviewed about work organization, cold thermal sensations, and the perception of upper-limb musculoskeletal discomfort. Dependent and independent sample t-tests and binary logistic regression models were applied. The results proved that the workers wore up to five overlapping gloves and had at least one finger with temperatures of ≤15 °C (46.6%) or ≤24 °C (98.1%). Workers that used a knife and wore a chainmail (CM) glove on their non-dominant hand had average finger temperatures significantly colder on the palmar surface than the anti-cut (AC) glove group (p = 0.029). The chance of one worker who wore a CM glove to have finger temperatures of ≤15 °C was 2.26 times greater than a worker who wore an AC glove. Those who wore an AC glove and those wearing a CM glove presented average overall finger temperatures significantly lower on the non-dominant hand (products) than the dominant hand (knife) (p < 0.001).

Effects of short-term upper extremity exercise training in office workers during COVID-19 restrictions: A randomized controlled trial.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, physical inactivity and inactivity-related health problems have deepened in many individuals, including office workers. It is not yet known whether there are exercise programs through telerehabilitation that will provide rapid relief in a short time in office workers who apply part or full-time teleworking system. To comparatively investigate influences of short-term upper extremity exercise trainings (UEET) on pain, musculoskeletal discomforts (MSD), physical activity (PA), mood, and quality of life (QOL) in office workers during COVID-19 restrictions. Thirty office workers were divided into exercise (EG) (UEET and walking advice) and control (CG) (walking advice) groups. The UEET was applied for at least 20-40 minutes/day, 5-7 days/week for a one week between February 2022 and June 2022. Office workers' pain, MSD, PA level, mood and QOL were measured. Baseline characteristics of groups (EG: 37.8±7.04 years, CG: 41.6±7.97 years) were similar (p > 0.05). Following UEET, scores of office workers in EG on total step count, vigorous PA, moderate-intensity PA, walking, total PA, physical functioning, and body pain subscales of QOL significantly increased compared to scores of office workers in CG, while scores on neck, back and hip discomforts and anxiety and depression significantly decreased (p < 0.05). One-week UEET and walking advice can improve office workers' daily step counts, MSD, PA levels, mood, and QOL. Office workers who have a busy work schedule may do these UEET and walking exercises in break times to relieve perception of discomfort.

Quantifying Household Discomfort Perception: An Application for Spain

AbstractThe physical structure of the dwelling itself and its immediate surroundings determine its Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) and this has a direct impact on the perception of comfort and wellbeing of the people who live there. Analysing the adequacy of housing from a comfort perception perspective makes it possible to better design renovation strategies for buildings. The aim of this paper is to define a multidimensional index based on multiple comfort variables to measure household discomfort. The proposed method assigns to each household a level of discomfort according to the comfort variables in which it is affected. Subsequently, these households’ values are aggregated to obtain an overall discomfort value for the society analysed. The evolution of the perception of discomfort from 2008 to 2020, the incidence of each of the variables, and the characteristics of the dwellings with the highest levels of discomfort are studied for Spanish households using the Spanish Survey on Income and Living Conditions. The results highlight a large increase in discomfort in 2020, the year of Covid-19 lockdown in Spain, and reveal that the most affected households are those living in populated areas, in apartments and in rented houses, and that the variable that affects them the most is Acoustic Comfort.

Intermittent blood flow restriction with low-load resistance training for older adults with knee osteoarthritis: a randomized, controlled, non-inferiority trial protocol

BackgroundKnee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a chronic musculoskeletal disorder characterized by pain and functional impairment. Blood flow restriction (BFR) with low-load resistance training (LLRT) demonstrates a similar improvement in clinical outcomes to high-load resistance training (HLRT) in treating KOA. It has not been established whether intermittent blood flow restriction (iBFR) with LLRT can lead to clinical outcomes that are comparable to those produced by continuous blood flow restriction (cBFR) with LLRT and HLRT. The aim of the proposed study is to evaluate the efficacy of iBFR with LLRT on pain, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), muscle strength, muscle mass, physical function, perceptions of discomfort and effort, and adherence in KOA patients.MethodsThis is a three-arm, non-inferiority, randomized controlled trial utilizing blinded assessors. Two hundred thirteen participants will be randomly allocated to one of the following three groups: iBFR group—receiving 4 months of LLRT with iBFR, twice weekly (n = 71); cBFR group—receiving 4 months of LLRT with cBFR, twice weekly (n = 71); or HLRT group—receiving 4 months of HLRT without BFR, twice weekly (n = 71). The primary outcome is pain. The secondary outcomes include the WOMAC, muscle strength, muscle mass, physical function, perceptions of discomfort and effort, and adherence. Pain and WOMAC will be measured at the baseline and 4 and 12 months after randomizations. Muscle strength, muscle mass, and physical function will be measured at the baseline and 4 months after randomizations. The perceptions of discomfort and effort will be measured during the first and final sessions.DiscussionBFR with LLRT has a similar improvement in clinical outcomes as HLRT. However, cBFR may cause elevated ratings of perceived exertion and local discomfort, compromising patient tolerability and treatment adherence. If iBFR with LLRT could produce improvement in clinical outcomes analogous to those of HLRT and iBFR with LLRT, it could be considered an alternative approach for treating patients with KOA.Trial registrationChinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2300072820. Registered on June 26, 2023.

Assessment of the musculoskeletal discomfort scale for upper limb among workers in inner Brazil.

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders for upper limbs (UL-WMSDs) form a complex of occupational diseases common to many professions worldwide. UL-WMSDs are manifested in most cases by pain, resulting in musculoskeletal discomfort. This research aimed to evaluate the perception of musculoskeletal discomfort in workers from the interior of the Brazilian states of Alagoas and Bahia through the construction of a scale to assess musculoskeletal discomfort for upper limb. The discomfort assessment scale was constructed from self-reported pain symptoms by 420 workers from the inner regions of the Brazilian states of Alagoas and Bahia. The reliability and dimensionality of the collected data were analyzed by McDonald's Omega and exploratory factor analysis, respectively. Item Response Theory (IRT) was used to create parameters for the discomfort scale. The musculoskeletal discomfort metric was constructed from the workers' response with six levels (varying from minimum discomfort to maximum discomfort). At the lowest level of the scale, workers indicated symptoms in the shoulders and wrists were rare. At the highest level of the scale, daily pain symptoms are reported in all regions of the upper limbs. The shoulders are the last region to develop extreme pain symptoms. The metric was created to present satisfactory psychometric properties and capable measurement of the workers' level of musculoskeletal discomfort based on self-reported pain symptoms. Therefore, the metric can support measuring discomfort, contributing to decisions that improve a healthier occupational environment for the worker.

Assessment of ocular neuropathic pain following vitreoretinal surgery using 23-gauge sclerotomy

Ocular neuropathic pain refers to persistent post-operative perception of ocular discomfort in the absence of painful stimuli. This study investigates persistent ocular pain following 23-gauge pars plana vitreoretinal surgery. In the present study, patients who underwent either 23-gauge vitrectomy or silicone oil removal, under local or general anesthesia, were included. The symptoms of ocular neuropathic pain were evaluated using the brief pain inventory questionnaire before and 2 months after surgery. In addition, the impact of reported ocular symptoms on quality of life was assessed. We also evaluated the correlation between ocular pain and factors such as patient demographics and underlying systemic conditions. This study includes 75 eyes of 75 patients with an average age of 58.93 &amp;plusmn; 12.05 years. Of the included patients, 31 (41.3%) were female. Among the participants, 67 (89.3%) underwent pars plana vitrectomy, and 8 (10.7%) experienced silicone oil removal surgery. Analysis using paired t-test or Wilcoxon signed-rank test, based on data normality, indicated no significant change in eye pain scores 2 months after surgery. However, the percentage of patients using analgesics increased from 4% before surgery to 17.3% 2 months after surgery (P = 0.021). Furthermore, based on a linear regression model, patients who reported increased analgesic usage 2 months after surgery also scored worse on the quality-of-life questionnaire (P &lt; 0.05). We also found that those who reported ocular pain, facial pain, and photophobia before surgery had a higher likelihood of using analgesics after surgery (P = 0.03, 0.003, and 0.001, respectively). In addition, regression analysis revealed that patients with migraine headaches and lower levels of education were more likely to develop eye symptoms postoperatively (P = 0.017 and 0.044, respectively). In conclusion, surgeries involving 23-gauge scleral incisions do not significantly induce ocular neuropathic pain within 2 months after surgery. However, there is an observed increase in the use of analgesics following surgery.

Transient pain and discomfort when wearing high-heeled shoes

In the dynamic world of fashion, high-heeled footwear is revered as a symbol of style, luxury and sophistication. Yet, beneath the facade of elegance of classy footwear lies the harsh reality of discomfort and pain. Thus, this study aims to investigate the influence of wearing high-heeled shoes on the sensation of pain across different body regions over a period of 6 h. It involved fifty female participants, all habitual wearers of high-heeled shoes, aged between 20 and 30 years. Each participant kept a record of their perceptions of pain and discomfort every hour for a total of 6 h using a 0–10 pain scale with 0 indicating no pain and 10 indicating severe pain. The findings reveal a progressive rise in pain throughout wear, with the most intense pain reported in the back, calcaneus, and metatarsals. The analysis shows that after approximately 3.5 h, participants experience significant increases in pain levels. However, the relationship between heel height and pain is not linear. It appears that a heel height of 7.5 cm is the threshold where overall body pain becomes significant. The study suggests that a duration of 3.5 h of wear and a heel height of 7.5 cm serve as critical points to decrease overall body pain. Moreover, beyond this heel height, knee pain diminishes compared to other body areas possibly due to the shift towards a more neutral posture. The study findings, coupled with the recommendations, can assist footwear designers in crafting not only stylish but also comfortable shoes.

Individual-specific postural discomfort prediction using decision tree models

The objective of the current study was to explore the utilization of the decision tree (DT) algorithm to model posture-discomfort relationships at the individual level. The DT algorithm has the advantage that it makes no assumptions about the distribution of data, is robust in representing non-linear data with noise, and produces white-box models that are interpretable. Individual-level modelling is essential for examining individual-specific postural discomfort perception processes and understanding the inter-individual variability. It also has practical applications, including the development of individual-specific digital human models and more precise and informative population accommodation analysis. Individual-specific DT models were generated using postural discomfort rating data for various seated upper body postures to predict discomfort based on postural and task variables. The individual-specific DT models accurately predicted postural discomfort and revealed large inter-individual variability in the modelling results. DT modelling is expected to greatly facilitate investigating the human discomfort perception process.

Comparison of Automatically Controlled Injection System with a Traditional. Syringe for Multiple Infiltrations in Children Aged 6-12 Years: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Children's conduct is significantly impacted by pain during dental procedures. Children's pain and discomfort can be reduced using computer-controlled local anesthetic delivery, which applies a steady, gradual flow of the anesthetic solution into the tissues. Using a self-report anxiety scale, the study aimed to assess and compare children's perceptions of discomfort following a new auto-controlled injection method to a traditional local anesthetic procedure. A total of 25 children, ages 6-12 requiring the use of local anesthesia for treatment on both sides of the arch were selected. It was a split-mouth design, in which each participating child received both types of infiltrations in two separate, consecutive visits, using a metallic syringe in one session, and using the I-Ject device in the other. Before administering anesthesia, all the children's anxiety scales were recorded using the Modified Child Dental Anxiety Faces Scale simplified to assess the anxiety level of a child. In the first appointment, Conventional anesthetic technique was and in the second appointment anesthesia was delivered using a computer-controlled device. Faces pain scaleRevised, a selfreport measure of pain was recorded immediately after completion of both types of local anesthesia (LA) administration. Patients reported greater comfort with the I-Ject computer-controlled device than with conventional anesthesia. Together with the practitioner, the computer system produced a pleasant and cozy environment for the youngster.

Mental workload, musculoskeletal discomfort and physical activity level in master's degree students in the COVID-19 context: A pilot study.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to a change of pedagogical strategies from on-campus to "online" modality (synchronous and asynchronous learning) and may influence the health of university students, including their mental workload. To identify the association between mental workload, perception of musculoskeletal discomfort (MSD), and the level of physical activity of Masters's students' online learning due to the pandemic. This was a pilot descriptive study with a cross-sectional, quantitative, non-experimental study design. The sample consisted of 20 students. To collect the data, the participants answered a sociodemographic questionnaire, NASA-Task Load Index, International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. The students presented mental workload at medium (45%) and high (55%) levels, with time demands as the most prevalent dimension. In addition, 80% of the students reported experiencing MSD in the last seven days, with the most frequent areas being the neck and lower back. Regarding the level of physical activity, five students had a low level (25%), five students had a medium level (25%), and ten students had a high level (50%) of activity. Most of the students (95%) conduct their master's degree along with maintaining a full-time job. Therefore, the adaptive requirements according to "time demands" is a negative factor because of its contribution to mental workload. Especially in addition to students' perception of musculoskeletal discomfort, organizational aspects would be fundamental to prevent physical and mental health risks.

Unraveling the complexities: Impacts of energy burden on the built environment challenges among assistance-dependent populations in the United Kingdom

The intricate relationship between energy burden (EB) and indoor environmental quality (IEQ) is vital for human well-being within the built environment. While previous studies have focused on vulnerable groups, individuals with health concerns have received limited attention. This interdisciplinary study delves into the disparities and cumulative impacts of EB, the built environment, and social demographics, with a particular focus on assistance-dependent populations (ADPs). Based on 2588 online respondents in the U.K. during the COVID-19 pandemic, our research unveils significant relationships between EB, heating insecurity, and perceived thermal discomfort. ADPs reported an average EB of 5.5% and poorer housing quality than their counterparts, with inadequate temperatures emerging as a primary concern. The correlation analysis highlights a strong connection between the perception of thermal discomfort and energy-saving behaviors. We also explored the interactions of EB, homeownership, and assistance-dependent status to uncover concentrated disadvantages in housing issues and identified vulnerable groups. Notably, irrespective of their EB, ADPs face more challenges than non-ADPs, highlighting the greater predictive significance of assistance-dependent status over EB. Moreover, our findings suggest that assistance-dependent renters constitute the most vulnerable group. Considering that ADPs already contend with preexisting physical illnesses, the revelation that they are more prone to experiencing higher EB and residing in inferior conditions is of utmost importance. It underscores the urgency of mitigating these additional health risks and ensuring the availability of a healthy and safe living environment for vulnerable demographics, thereby advancing the goal of equity within the built environment for overall well-being.

Thermal comfort and the influence of dress culture analysis based on temperature humidity index in Pontianak

In recent decades, global warming has resulted in rising temperatures worldwide, including in equatorial regions. Pontianak, situated precisely on the equator, faces environmental challenges such as high rainfall, frequently exceeding comfort tolerances in air temperatures, intense solar radiation, and persistent high humidity, impacting thermal comfort. The primary goal of this research is to evaluating thermal comfort conditions in Pontianak, primarily utilizing the Temperature Humidity Index (THI) as a key indicator. The study also investigates the influence of local dress culture and clothing choices on thermal comfort. To further measure the level of thermal comfort in Pontianak, the Temperature Humidity Index formula developed by Nieuwolt was employed. The analysis revealed that, on average, the THI during daytime was 32.87°C, indicating some discomfort perception. This is consistent with the opinions of the local community, who often express discomfort with the thermal conditions in Pontianak. These conditions also affect the clothing choices of Pontianak’s residents. Factors such as material, size, and color are among the main considerations for selecting clothing. Nevertheless, the selection of clothing ultimately depends on the body’s response to the thermal conditions in Pontianak, aiming to minimize the impact of the prevailing thermal conditions.

Australian medical practitioners' perspectives about current practice relating to fitness to drive assessment for older people with dementia and mild cognitive impairment: A qualitative study.

To describe the perspectives of Australian medical practitioners about current practice, and the potential benefit of tools and resources to support fitness to drive assessment for older people with dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Semi-structured interviews with 22 medical practitioners from cognitive/memory clinics, hospitals, general practice and driving fitness assessment services in Australia. Reflexive thematic analysis was conducted. Two overarching themes were generated: (1) Uncomfortable decisions, describing feelings of discomfort expressed by practitioners about making fitness to drive recommendations, with two subthemes: (a) 'Feeling uncertain' and (b) 'Sticking your neck on the line'; and (2) Easing the discomfort, describing participants' desire for tools/resources to support practitioners to increase comfort with fitness to drive recommendations, with two subthemes: (a) 'Seeking certainty' and (b) 'Focusing on the process' conveying two different perspectives about how this may be achieved. There was a desire for a new in-office assessment tool capable of accurately predicting fitness to drive outcomes and views that an evidence-based clinical pathway could improve practitioners' confidence in decision-making. Perceptions of discomfort relating to fitness to drive assessment of older people with dementia and MCI exist amongst medical practitioners from health-care settings across Australia. In the absence of a well-validated in-office assessment tool, practitioners may benefit from an evidence-based clinical pathway to guide driving recommendations.

Perception of discomfort by patients immediately after gastrointestinal surgery: A qualitative study

BackgroundData regarding the postoperative recovery experience are limited. Perioperative clinicians focus on improving patients’ postoperative discomfort. However, the types of postoperative discomfort experienced by patients are unclear. MethodsThis descriptive, qualitative study explored the perception of discomfort in 12 postoperative patients by conducting semi-structured, face-to-face interviews. Interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed and analysed using inductive content analysis. ResultsData analysis revealed two themes ‘physical sensation’ and ‘psychological feelings’ and six categories, ‘restrictions imposed after surgery’, ‘symptoms related to surgery and anaesthesia’, ‘indescribable physical discomfort’, helplessness towards oneself’, ‘lack of privacy’ and ‘noisy medical environment’. ConclusionHealthcare workers should consider psychological and physical factors to improve postoperative discomfort, particularly focusing on identifying the cause of discomfort and alleviating psychological and physical discomfort.

Different Perception on the Use of Hawley and Vacuum-formed Retainers Amongst Post-orthodontic Patients. Part 1: Discomfort and Aesthetic Perception

Backgrounds and Objectives The use of a retainer in the retention phase creates different perceptions amongst patients. However, the evidence regarding it is limited. This research was conducted to analyze the difference in patients’ perception of discomfort and aesthetics between Hawley and vacuum-formed retainers. Methods This study included 80 patients ( n per group = 40). Patients were invited to participate if they had completed their treatment for 6 months to 5 years and complied with the inclusion criteria. Seven questions were given to the patients using a digital-based questionnaire. Each was asked twice to address both maxillary and mandibular retainers. Responses were measured using the Visual Analogue Scale. Blinding was applied through data analysis. Results Statistically significant differences were found in the perception of the aesthetic, shape, and retainer color. Statistically significant differences were not found in the perception of comfort, pain, sharpness, pressure, presence of soft tissue cut, and confidence level with the retainer in place. No harm was observed to any patients during the study. Conclusions Vacuum-formed retainers (VFRs) were more acceptable than Hawley retainers (HRs) regarding the retainer’s aesthetic, shape, and color. There were no significant differences between HRs and VFRs regarding patient perception of discomfort and confidence when using the retainer.

Comparison of the accuracy of three interproximal reduction methods used in clear aligner treatment

ObjectivesTo comparatively assess 3 interproximal reduction (IPR) methods used in clear aligner treatment with regard to accuracy, and patient perception of discomfort and anxiety.Materials and methodsA total of 42 patients, treated with the Invisalign® system, were included in this prospective trial and received one of the following IPR methods: hand-operated abrasive strips (group 1; 14 patients, 150 teeth), motor-driven 3/4 oscillating segmental discs (group 2; 14 patients, 134 teeth), or motor-driven abrasive strips (group 3; 14 patients, 133 teeth). Accuracy was evaluated using the difference between planned and executed IPR. Anxiety and discomfort levels experienced by the patients were evaluated using a questionnaire of 17 questions.ResultsThe accuracy of IPR was high in groups 2 and 3; however, it was low in group 1 with the executed IPR significantly less than the planned amount. On quadrant-level, executed IPR was significantly less in the upper left quadrant in group 1, and significantly more in the upper right quadrant in group 2. The difference between planned IPR and executed IPR was significant for teeth 11, 21, 32, 33, and 43 in group 1, indicating deficiency. The average difference between planned IPR and executed IPR was 0.08 mm for group 1, 0.09 mm for group 2, and 0.1 mm for group 3. Anxiety and discomfort levels did not differ between the methods, but a negative correlation was observed between age and discomfort and anxiety levels.ConclusionsThe overall accuracy of the 2 motor-driven IPR methods was found to be better than the hand-operated system. Maxillary central incisors and mandibular canines were more prone to IPR deficiency when hand-operated abrasive strips were utilized. Patients were similarly comfortable with all 3 methods, and discomfort and anxiety levels decreased with age.Clinical relevanceMotor-driven methods have proven to be more effective when compared to the hand-operated ones by means of precision, speed, and patient comfort. If the clinician favors a hand-operated method, it may be advised to perform slightly more IPR especially on mandibular canines and maxillary central incisors.

Acute psycho-physiological responses to submaximal constant-load cycling under intermittent hypoxia-hyperoxia vs. hypoxia-normoxia in young males.

Hypoxia and hyperoxia can affect the acute psycho-physiological response to exercise. Recording various perceptual responses to exercise is of particular importance for investigating behavioral changes to physical activity, given that the perception of exercise-induced pain, discomfort or unpleasure, and a low level of exercise enjoyment are commonly associated with a low adherence to physical activity. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the acute perceptual and physiological responses to aerobic exercise under intermittent hypoxia-hyperoxia (IHHT), hypoxia-normoxia (IHT), and sustained normoxia (NOR) in young, recreational active, healthy males. Using a randomized, single-blinded, crossover design, 15 males (age: 24.5 ± 4.2 yrs) performed 40 min of submaximal constant-load cycling (at 60% peak oxygen uptake, 80 rpm) under IHHT (5 × 4 min hypoxia and hyperoxia), IHT (5 × 4 min hypoxia and normoxia), and NOR. Inspiratory fraction of oxygen during hypoxia and hyperoxia was set to 14% and 30%, respectively. Heart rate (HR), total hemoglobin (tHb) and muscle oxygen saturation (SmO2) of the right vastus lateralis muscle were continuously recorded during cycling. Participants' peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) and perceptual responses (i.e., perceived motor fatigue, effort perception, perceived physical strain, affective valence, arousal, motivation to exercise, and conflict to continue exercise) were surveyed prior, during (every 4 min), and after cycling. Prior to and after exercise, peripheral blood lactate concentration (BLC) was determined. Exercise enjoyment was ascertained after cycling. For statistical analysis, repeated measures analyses of variance were conducted. No differences in the acute perceptual responses were found between conditions (p ≥ 0.059, ηp 2 ≤ 0.18), while the physiological responses differed. Accordingly, SpO2 was higher during the hyperoxic periods during the IHHT compared to the normoxic periods during the IHT (p < 0.001, ηp 2 = 0.91). Moreover, HR (p = 0.005, ηp 2 = 0.33) and BLC (p = 0.033, ηp 2 = 0.28) were higher during IHT compared to NOR. No differences between conditions were found for changes in tHb (p = 0.684, ηp 2 = 0.03) and SmO2 (p = 0.093, ηp 2 = 0.16). IHT was associated with a higher physiological response and metabolic stress, while IHHT did not lead to an increase in HR and BLC compared to NOR. In addition, compared to IHT, IHHT seems to improve reoxygenation indicated by a higher SpO2 during the hyperoxic periods. However, there were no differences in perceptual responses and ratings of exercise enjoyment between conditions. These results suggest that replacing normoxic by hyperoxic reoxygenation-periods during submaximal constant-load cycling under intermittent hypoxia reduced the exercise-related physiological stress but had no effect on perceptual responses and perceived exercise enjoyment in young recreational active healthy males.