Physical Burden Research Articles

The Impact of Double Reduction Policy on College Entrance Examination Performance: Empirical Evidence

In China, the College Entrance Examination weights great in both students' and parents' hearts, which is even recognized as the rare chance to change a people's fate. At this circumstances, heavy homework, countless tests, little break time, burning night oils and even extracurricular tutoring on the weekends have become the daily routine for Chinese high school students, which have hurt their health conditions and added great burden on their mental health. To curb this long-standing issue caused by this phenomenon, a new educational policy called Double Reduction was released by the Chinese government on 2021 and nine Chinese cities are selected as the national policy pilot areas to test the effect in advance. This paper aims to verify the impact of the Double Reduction Policy in some provinces in which lie the selected policy pilot areas. Through continuous difference-indifference method, this study found no significant correlation between the Double Reduction and the College Entrance Examination performance in these areas. Policy makers should make proper actions to implement this new policy, in order to lighten the physical and mental burden of students and the financial burden of parents while take students learning effectiveness into consideration meanwhile.

A CLINICAL STUDY TO EVALUATE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF VAMANA KARMA AND SHAMANA CHIKITSA IN THE MANAGEMENT OF EKA KUSHTHA (PSORIASIS)

Eka kushtha comes under Kshudra Kushtha division of Kushtha roga in Ayurvedic texts and primarily involves an imbalance of Vata and Kapha Doshas. This condition is characterized by symptoms such as Asvedanam (lack of sweating), Mahavastu (extensive areas of the body affected), Matsyashakalopamam (scaling resembling fish scales), Krishna Aruna Varna (dark or reddish-brown skin lesions), Kandu (itching), and Rukshata (dryness). In contemporary terms, it can be related to Psoriasis, which is chronic, non-communicable disease (NCD), with inflammatory changes in skin, this disease having no cure causing negative impact on patients quality of life (QoL). The World Health Organization (WHO) reported a global prevalence of Psoriasis in countries vary between 0.09% and 11.4%, in most developed countries, prevalence ranges between 1.5 and 5%. India showing a prevalence range between 0.44% and 2.88%. Psoriasis causes physical, mental and social burden leading to impaired quality of life in patients, making psoriasis a serious health concern. According to Acharya Charaka, the treatment for Eka kushtha should address the excessive Doshas involved. Since Eka kushtha is considered a Bahudosha (excessively aggravated Dosha) and Chirkari (chronic) condition, Shodhana Chikitsa (purificatory treatments) are recommended along with shamana chikitsa (palliative treatments). This study evaluated the effectiveness of Vamana Karma following Shamana Chikitsa in the management of Eka kushtha. A total of 33 patients with Eka kushtha (Psoriasis) were enrolled in the study and undergone Vamana Karma as Shodhana Chikitsa followed by local application of Vajrak Tail and Ayaskriti Paan as Shamana Chikitsa . The study depicted statistically significant improvement in PASI Score (71.28% improvement) and other subjective parameters like matsyashaklopamam, kandu, aswedan, bahalatva, mandal and rukshta were also reduced significantly within the sample. Overall improvement % after 50 days of study period shows that this treatment regimen (Shodhanottar Shamana Chikitsa) is highly effective with 82% markedly improved patients.

Human-Centered Coordination for Robot-Assisted Equipment Transport

Abstract This work explores how to use an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) to offload the physical burdens of equipment from humans. This work formulates dynamic alignment following and compares it to position-based following techniques. We describe the control strategies of both following methods and implement them in a dynamic simulation and a physical prototype. We test the performance of the two following methods and show that dynamic alignment following can reduce robot positional error and interaction force between the human and the robot. We then analyze the energetics and the performance of the human–UGV team for candidate transportation tasks. The presence of the robot can make some tasks take longer to perform. Nonetheless, the results show that for the candidate tasks, the robot can reduce human average metabolic power and average overall task energy.

Clownselling: an in-depth narrative review on the therapeutic influence of clowning therapy in paediatric and adult cancer treatment and palliative care

Cancer and its treatments impose substantial physical and psychological burdens on patients, underscoring the need for innovative and holistic interventions. This narrative review explores the evolving role of clownselling in paediatric and adult cancer care, tracing its historical progression from entertainment to a therapeutic modality. Recognizing the potential of clowning therapy to address emotional, psychological, and existential challenges, the review systematically assesses its impact on treatment adherence, quality of life, and contributions in palliative care settings. By elucidating the therapeutic process, principles, and goals, it provides a comprehensive understanding of the foundations of clowning therapy. Given its positive influence on well-being, the integration of clowning therapy into interdisciplinary care teams and institutional policies is advocated. Future directions include diversified research, technology integration, standardized protocols and awareness campaigns, ensuring the sustained evolution of clowning therapy in fostering holistic well-being within the intricate tapestry of cancer care.

Life After Invasive Meningococcal Disease: Insights from Survivors and Their Caregivers.

Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) has a low incidence but is a life-threatening illness that is preventable via vaccination. Even with treatment, up to 10-15% of cases are fatal, and many survivors may experience severe long-term sequelae. Building upon the acute-phase findings presented in the Part1 manuscript for this study, we describe the long-term physical, social, psychological, and economic burden of IMD on US survivors and their caregivers in this Part2 manuscript. This was a novel, non-interventional, mixed-methods study among US survivors and their caregivers using a bespoke survey and qualitative interviews. Ten adult survivors, one adolescent survivor, and three caregivers participated in this study. Survivors described extensive physical, neurological, and systemic sequelae, including difficulty walking (11/11), repeat secondary infections (9/11), and numbness (6/11), among others, which were echoed by caregivers. Survivors shared that IMD had negatively impacted their long-term quality of life, citing long-term impacts including emotional impacts (11/11), social impacts (10/11), memory (7/11) and attention (5/11) problems, and difficulty with functional (10/11), self-care (7/11), and physical (6/11) activities. Caregivers were also impacted, describing emotional trauma (3/3), sleep problems (2/3), and day-to-day challenges (2/3). Long-term financial challenges related to healthcare resource utilization were substantial, with specialized care and rehabilitation therapy expenses (11/11), insurance challenges (8/11), and high out-of-pocket costs (6/11) for survivors. Productivity losses were also commonly described by survivors (9/11); sequelae hindered ability to attend school (9/11) or work full time (8/11). Caregivers (2/3) described taking leave from their employment, affecting family income. The humanistic burden of IMD on survivors and their caregivers is substantial and persistent. A comprehensive approach, including preventative measures (e.g., vaccination) and long-term medical, psychological, and financial support for those affected, is needed to mitigate the burden of IMD. A video abstract is available with this article. Video abstract (MP4 1,17,430kb).

Initial Experiences with Invasive Meningococcal Disease: Insights from Survivors and Their Caregivers.

Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) has a low incidence but is a life-threatening illness with a 10-15% mortality rate. Even with timely treatment, survivors may experience acute and long-term health complications. While meningococcal vaccines are recommended for adolescents and young adults in the USA, vaccination coverage remains uneven across serotypes. This study investigated the physical, social, psychological, and economic burden of IMD on survivors and their caregivers in the USA during the acute phase (Part1, presented in this manuscript) and the long-term phase (Part2, presented in a separate manuscript) of IMD. This study implemented a non-interventional, mixed-methods approach using a bespoke survey and qualitative interviews (designed on the basis of a preliminary conceptual model of IMD) with US survivors and their caregivers. A total of 11 survivors (1 adolescent, 10 adults) and 3 caregivers participated in the study. Survivors contracted IMD during infancy (n = 2), childhood (n = 3), or adulthood (n = 6), and often described leading healthy lives pre-IMD. At IMD onset, interactions with the healthcare system impacted participants' experiences; confusion and care delays were common, and procedures were often invasive (e.g., amputations). Survivors commonly experienced symptoms including skin rash (7/11), fever (6/11), and unconsciousness (6/11), consistent with caregivers' reports. Survivors able to report on the short-term impacts of IMD (n = 9) described functional limitations (9/9), emotional impacts (6/9) such as fear and trauma, and school (6/9), work (4/9), and financial (5/9) challenges. Caregivers also experienced emotional impacts (3/3) and family (2/3), work (3/3), and financial (3/3) impacts during the acute phase. IMD places a significant humanistic burden on survivors and their caregivers during the acute phase. Results from Part1 of this study indicate a need for increased disease awareness and healthcare provider education, expeditious diagnosis, and improved access to prevention methods such as available meningococcal vaccines. A video abstract is available with this article. Video abstract (MP4 1,24,432kb).

Patient and Healthcare Provider Perspectives on Disease Burden of Seborrheic Dermatitis in the United States: Results from a National Survey.

Seborrheic dermatitis (SD) is a common, chronic inflammatory skin disease, but the physical and emotional burden of patients with SD experience has not been well characterized. The Harris Poll conducted online surveys of US patients and healthcare providers (HCPs) from December 2021 to January 2022. Almost half of patients reported that SD negatively impacts their emotional and physical well-being "a lot/a great deal"; HCPs underestimate the level of impact on patients. Most patients with SD reported a significant mental health impact, including anxiety, depression, anxiety about interacting with other people, and isolation. Two-thirds of patients said they did not know anyone else who had been diagnosed with SD, and even after diagnosis, less than half of patients still said they did not know anyone else with SD. Nearly all patients and HCPs agreed that it was challenging to hide SD symptoms, and most patients felt embarrassed when people commented on their SD symptoms. Most patients agreed that they would be further along in their career if they did not have SD, and SD symptoms made them less confident at work and less likely to want to interact with people at work. Almost half of patients reported ever missing work as a result of SD symptoms. These insights emphasize the physical and emotional patient burden associated with SD, impacting all aspects of patients' lives. Graphical abstract available for this article.

Adherence to First-Line Intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin Therapy in the Context of Guideline Recommendations for US Patients With High-Risk Non-muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer.

Background: Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) can reduce recurrence and delay progression among patients with high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), but is associated with a substantial emotional, physical, and social burden. Objectives: This study evaluated the adequacy of first-line intravesical BCG treatment among high-risk NMIBC patients in the United States, including the subgroup with carcinoma in situ (CIS) of the bladder. Methods: Adults with high-risk NMIBC treated with BCG were selected from de-identified MarketScan® Commercial, Medicare, and Medicaid Databases (1/1/2010-2/28/2021). Adequacy of BCG induction and maintenance was evaluated from the first BCG claim until the end of the patient's observation, using a previously published claims-based algorithm (induction: ≥5 instillations within 70 days; induction and maintenance: ≥7 instillations within 274 days of first instillation) and a definition based on the landmark Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG) trial (induction: ≥5 instillations without gaps >7 days; followed by ≥2 instillations at month 3, 6, and every 6 months thereafter). Proportions of patients with adequate BCG induction and maintenance were reported overall and compared between those with and without CIS. Results: Of 5803 high-risk NMIBC patients treated with first-line BCG (mean age, 67.3 years; 20.6% female), 930 (16.0%) had CIS. After first-line BCG, 56.6% received another treatment. Although 86.9% had adequate BCG induction based on the claims-based algorithm (SWOG, 73.6%), only 41.5% had adequate BCG induction and maintenance (SWOG, 1.6%). Similar trends were observed for patients with and without CIS, with higher adherence to guidelines for patients with CIS (adequate induction using claims-based algorithm: 90.3% vs 86.2%; adequate induction and maintenance: 50.8% vs 39.7%, all P < .001). A greater proportion of CIS patients than non-CIS patients had cystectomy (CIS, 14.4%, non-CIS, 8.5%; P < .001) after first-line BCG. Discussion: Among patients with NMIBC treated with first-line intravesical BCG, most received adequate BCG induction but less than half had adequate BCG maintenance. BCG treatment was also inadequate for patients with CIS, with only half of patients receiving adequate BCG maintenance and a higher proportion undergoing cystectomy following first-line BCG. Conclusions: Results emphasize the need for additional treatment options for patients with NMIBC.

Adherence to First-Line Intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin Therapy in the Context of Guideline Recommendations for US Patients With High-Risk Non-muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer

Background: Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) can reduce recurrence and delay progression among patients with high-risk non–muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), but is associated with a substantial emotional, physical, and social burden. Objectives: This study evaluated the adequacy of first-line intravesical BCG treatment among high-risk NMIBC patients in the United States, including the subgroup with carcinoma in situ (CIS) of the bladder. Methods: Adults with high-risk NMIBC treated with BCG were selected from de-identified MarketScan® Commercial, Medicare, and Medicaid Databases (1/1/2010-2/28/2021). Adequacy of BCG induction and maintenance was evaluated from the first BCG claim until the end of the patient’s observation, using a previously published claims-based algorithm (induction: ≥5 instillations within 70 days; induction and maintenance: ≥7 instillations within 274 days of first instillation) and a definition based on the landmark Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG) trial (induction: ≥5 instillations without gaps &gt;7 days; followed by ≥2 instillations at month 3, 6, and every 6 months thereafter). Proportions of patients with adequate BCG induction and maintenance were reported overall and compared between those with and without CIS. Results: Of 5803 high-risk NMIBC patients treated with first-line BCG (mean age, 67.3 years; 20.6% female), 930 (16.0%) had CIS. After first-line BCG, 56.6% received another treatment. Although 86.9% had adequate BCG induction based on the claims-based algorithm (SWOG, 73.6%), only 41.5% had adequate BCG induction and maintenance (SWOG, 1.6%). Similar trends were observed for patients with and without CIS, with higher adherence to guidelines for patients with CIS (adequate induction using claims-based algorithm: 90.3% vs 86.2%; adequate induction and maintenance: 50.8% vs 39.7%, all P &lt; .001). A greater proportion of CIS patients than non-CIS patients had cystectomy (CIS, 14.4%, non-CIS, 8.5%; P &lt; .001) after first-line BCG. Discussion: Among patients with NMIBC treated with first-line intravesical BCG, most received adequate BCG induction but less than half had adequate BCG maintenance. BCG treatment was also inadequate for patients with CIS, with only half of patients receiving adequate BCG maintenance and a higher proportion undergoing cystectomy following first-line BCG. Conclusions: Results emphasize the need for additional treatment options for patients with NMIBC.

Role of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) in Unexplained Infertility Management: A Systematic Review.

Unexplained infertility presents a significant reproductive challenge globally, affecting couples who are unable to conceive despite comprehensive fertility evaluations. This condition carries emotional, physical, and economic burdens, with a moderate to high prevalence, underscoring the need for effective interventions. In vitro fertilization (IVF) has emerged as a crucial treatment option for unexplained infertility, offering a unique approach to conception when traditional diagnostic tests fail to identify specific causes. However, the efficacy, safety, and comparative benefits of IVF in this context warrant comprehensive evaluation through systematic reviews. A systematic review was conducted to assess the effectiveness and outcomes of IVF in cases of unexplained infertility. Inclusion criteria encompassed peer-reviewed studies focusing on human subjects diagnosed with unexplained infertility and evaluating IVF outcomes. Comprehensive searches were performed across electronic databases, and eligible studies were selected based on predetermined criteria. Data extraction was conducted independently by two researchers, and quality assessment was performed using standardized tools. The search yielded 10 studies comprising 73,884 patients, published between 2000 and 2021. Variability in methodological quality was observed across randomized controlled trials, while cohort studies demonstrated consistently high quality. Studies assessed outcomes like pregnancy success rate (46.2-47.9%), live birth rates (29.4-49%), time to pregnancy (9-14 months), cost-effectiveness, and adverse events such as ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Elective single embryo transfer (eSET) was found effective, and donor oocytes had higher live birth rates than autologous cycles. Multiple gestations and canceled IVF cycles were common. The systematic review underscores the complexity of IVF treatment for unexplained infertility, with variability in outcomes influenced by multiple factors. Strategies such as eSET and donor oocyte cycles show promise in optimizing treatment efficacy and safety. However, challenges such as heterogeneity, moderate to high risk of bias across studies, and cost considerations warrant careful interpretation and further research.

Effectiveness of a Novel Multimodal Intervention for Family Caregivers of Persons With Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Purpose Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of visual impairment in older adults. Individuals affected by AMD often require regular physical and emotional support from family caregivers. Carers of people with AMD endure significant physical burdens, emotional distress, increased financial stress, and disruptions due to their lifestyle and retirement plans as a direct consequence of the AMD caregiving experience. Despite this, there are currently no interventions targeted toward family caregivers of AMD patients. We evaluated the efficacy of a novel intervention aiming to improve the burden and well-being of family carers of persons with AMD. Methods Family carers of relatives with AMD were primarily recruited through private eye clinics and randomized 1:1 to either receive a 10-week intervention of mail-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (M-CBT) and optional telephone-delivered group counseling (n = 47) or to a wait-list control group (n = 47). Outcome measures were assessed pre-intervention (baseline) and six months post-intervention. These included treatment acceptability, caregiver burden, presence of depressive symptoms, self-efficacy, quality of life (QoL), and fatigue. Results A total of 94 participants were enrolled, with 47 randomized to each arm. Of those who completed the intervention, 30 (97%) participants reported that they were satisfied/very satisfied with the intervention. Twenty-seven (87%) participants indicated that they would recommend the program to others, and 26 (84%) thought that the program was worth their time. Intervention participants demonstrated several positive nonsignificant improvements versus the control group at six months: burden (P= 0.53), depressive symptoms (P= 0.19), general self-efficacy (P= 0.14), QoL (P= 0.17) and fatigue (P= 0.15). Conclusions Study findings demonstrate that combined M-CBT and telephone counseling intervention appear to be feasible, but did not lead to nonsignificant improvements in outcome measures such as burden in family carers of persons with AMD.

Assessing Awareness and Understanding of Gold ETFs Among Residents of Amravati City

This study investigates the level of awareness and understanding of Gold Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) among citizens of Amravati City. As a modern investment option, Gold ETFs offer a convenient and secure method for individuals to invest in gold without the physical burden of ownership. Despite their growing popularity, awareness of Gold ETFs remains limited, particularly in smaller urban areas. Using a quantitative approach, this research collects primary data through surveys to evaluate knowledge, perceptions, and investment intentions regarding Gold ETFs among local residents. The findings aim to inform stakeholders about existing gaps in awareness and suggest strategies for enhancing financial literacy and investment participation.

Looking beyond the eyes of the patient: The importance of effective communication in the treatment of age-related macular degeneration.

Patients with exudative and nonexudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) can experience physical, mental, social, administrative or financial burden that are associated with the treatment of this progressive chronic disease. The role of healthcare providers in supporting patients who experience high treatment burden can be important, especially when it comes to effective communication. Despite previous research underlining the need to improve patient-provider communication in AMD care, patient experiences with communication, and how these are related to perceived treatment burden, remain underexplored. A survey was distributed among Dutch patients with AMD, which contained questions on several aspects of communication with the patient's ophthalmologist, such as the Quality Of communication Through the patients' Eyes (QUOTE-COMM, including task-, affect- and therapy-oriented communication) questionnaire. Patients were primarily enlisted through a patient association. A total of 162 patients completed the questionnaire, of which 133 provided fully completed responses. While patients reported positive experiences with affect-oriented communication of their ophthalmologist, they rated task- and therapy-oriented communication as below their expectations. Most patients wished to receive (additional) information on AMD-related costs (71%), future perspectives (71%) and coping with negative emotions pertaining to the disease (68%). Both lower experience scores on task- and affect-oriented communication and lower self-efficacy were associated with higher administrative burden and mental burden among patients. Our study shows that current communication, information provision and decision-making do not fully meet patients' needs and preferences. Enhancing patient-provider communication seems important, as effective dialogue is likely to diminish patients' perceived treatment burden.

What sustains feminized part-time work at the gender equality frontier? Evidence from a vignette experiment

Feminized part-time work has been deemed a family policy conundrum yet to be solved by any welfare regime. To identify ways forward, this article examines structural drivers of part-time work decisions through a vignette experiment fielded in the gender-egalitarian context of Norway ( N = 3500). Six theory-grounded factors are tested in this multidimensional, causal framework: partner income level, physical and cognitive household labour burdens, the presence of a part-time culture at the workplace, and consequences of part-time work for career advancement and future pensions. Results show that overall, factors that regulate individuals’ material self-interest (partner income, career and pension consequences) have the largest impact on working-time decisions. Additionally, a priming treatment is given with a split sample concerning the factor of cognitive household labour – the organizational dimension of household work. Results from sub-group analyses show that non-primed respondents prefer significantly higher working hours when their cognitive labour burden is lower. Respondents who received experimental priming, however, portray the opposite behaviour (lower working-hour preference when cognitive labour burden is low). The pattern is driven by women, whereas men are left largely unaffected by both the priming and vignette treatment of cognitive labour. Thus, robust findings imply that gender inequality in material circumstances sustains feminized part-time work patterns. Suggestive evidence further indicates that gender inequality in cognitive labour loads may also contribute to sustaining feminized part-time work.

Autonomous Self-Propelled Napa Cabbage Harvester: Cutting, Attitude Control, and Loading Modules

This paper introduces an autonomous self-propelled Napa cabbage harvester, designed to significantly improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the traditionally labor-intensive harvesting process. The harvester integrates three key modules: a cutting, an attitude control, and a loading module. The cutting module is equipped with an attitude control module that ensures precise severance of the Napa cabbage stems, minimizing damage to the crop and maintaining product quality. The attitude control module employs a backstepping-based force control that continuously adjusts the cutting angle and height to ensure consistent cutting precision, even on uneven terrain, thereby optimizing the quality of the Napa cabbages. The loading module automates the collection and transfer of harvested Napa cabbages into storage, significantly reducing the physical burden on workers and improving operational efficiency. Field experiments demonstrated improvements, including a 42–66% reduction in task time compared to manual harvesting, as well as a 37% increase in cutting accuracy through the use of autonomous control. The proposed system presents a comprehensive solution for enhancing productivity, reducing labor demands, and maintaining high crop quality in Napa cabbage harvesting, offering a practical approach to modernizing agricultural practices.

A multifunctional electronic dressing with textile-like structure for wound pressure monitoring and treatment

In the treatment of infected wounds in bedridden or lying chair patients with mobility problems, improper wound care can lead to wound deterioration, prolong disease pain, increase treatment and care costs, and bring heavier psychological, physical, and economic burdens to patients. In the process of wound recovery, patients with mobility problems mainly face the comprehensive problems of poor air permeability, wound pressure could not be monitored, wound infection and slow healing. Therefore, in the process of wound care for such patients, it is imperative to develop a gas permeable dressing that can monitor the patient’s wound compression status in real time and promote wound healing. Here, we developed a textile-shaped gel dressing with pressure-responsive properties. Polydopamine (PDA)-silver coated calcium phosphate nanoparticles (CPNPs）and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were introduced into the gel to give the gel good antibacterial and therapeutic effects, while enhancing the pressure resistance of the gel to meet the needs of wound pressure monitoring. The textured gel morphology greatly improves the gas permeability of the gel and further improves the pressure sensitivity of the gel. This multifunctional textile-like gel dressing provides a new strategy for the development of treatment monitoring integrated dressing and has broad application prospects.

Exploring the Incidence and Determinants of Surgical Site Infections in Caesarean Sections: A Five-Year Study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common complications following a cesarean section and has an incidence of 0.63 to 9.85%. It places physical, emotional and financial burden on the mother herself and on the health care system. Aims and Objectives: The study aimed to identify and analyze the risk factors associated with SSIs in women undergoing both elective and emergency cesarean sections and to assess the risk factors and propose modifications to preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative practices to reduce the incidence of SSI. Optimization of maternal comorbidities, appropriate antibiotic prophylaxis, and evidence-based surgical techniques are some of the practices proven to be effective in reducing the incidence of SSI.

Ergonomic implementation of movement interventions in healthcare from the point of view of the physiotherapist

Introduction: Healthcare workers have a high prevalence of musculoskeletal problems, which are often associated with the physical demands of their work, especially with manual handling, lifting and helping patients with mobility. In this paper, we examined these interventions from the physiotherapist’s point of view, mainly with the help of biomechanics, and proposed appropriate ergonomic approaches to reduce risks of musculoskeletal disorders. Methods: We analysed two basic interventions: helping patients to sit over the edge of the bed (starting in the supine position) and helping them to stand up. To determine the safest and most effective methods, we used a combined approach of biomechanics and ergonomics, and we also considered the patient’s cooperation in order to train independence and functionality. This approach has also been explained with the help of ergonomic principles. Results: The optimization of assisting patients to sit over the edge of the bed emphasized minimal lifting, gradual execution, effective rotation of partial centres of gravity, patient activation, use of levers (to use gravity), and rotation instead of lifting. When helping patients to stand up, it is most optimal for the healthcare worker to stand next to the patient, ideally on the side where the patient has preserved better functionality. All the proposed methods have proven to be more ergonomically effective and safe, and allow the patient to gain more independence and functionality. Discussion: By incorporating the principles of ergonomics and biomechanics, we can reduce the physical burdens of healthcare workers, which does not only improve the safety of healthcare providers, but also increases the safety and independence of patients. Our findings highlight the need to evaluate the relevance of traditional approaches to lifting and handling patients in healthcare. Conclusion: Incorporation of optimized methods into patient mobility curricula for healthcare professionals is suggested. Policy changes that focus on reducing manual tasks and lifting and include ergonomic interventions can play a key role in reducing work-related musculoskeletal problems.

Experiences and needs of colorectal cancer survivors in resource-limited countries: A qualitative descriptive study in Syria

PurposeColorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the three most prevalent cancers globally, with incidence rates projected to increase. CRC survivors face various challenges due to the disease and its treatments. However, there is limited evidence on the experiences and needs of CRC survivors in resource-constrained countries. This study aimed to explore the experiences and needs of CRC survivors in Syria and to identify perceived opportunities for improvement. MethodsA descriptive qualitative study design was employed, using semi-structured in-depth interviews with 12 adult CRC survivors who had completed treatment at least 6 months prior, selected through purposive sampling. Data were analyzed using an inductive thematic analysis approach. ResultsThe interviews revealed 15 major themes: 11 concerning the experiences of CRC survivors and four related to their needs. The survivors’ experiences included physical burden, psychological expressions, economic burden, social withdrawal, stigmatization, family and friend supports, cultural and social impact, religion and coping mechanisms, relationship with healthcare professionals, support from healthcare system. Their needs encompassed emotional and psychological, informational, financial, and sexual needs. ConclusionThis study highlights the unpredictable psychological, economic and physical burdens experienced by Syrian CRC survivors. Personalized care plans that address unmet needs of survivors are crucial to improving their quality of life. Prioritizing the development of comprehensive survivorship care plans that address the multifaceted needs of CRC survivors is crucial. Additionally, further qualitative research is essential to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by these survivors and to inform the design of effective interventions.

Electrocardiogram and respiration recordings show a reduction in the physical burden on professional caregivers when performing care tasks with a transfer support robot

ABSTRACT In this study, we assessed the physical burden on professional caregivers when using a transfer support robot, “Hug,” to transfer and move a care recipient. We compared heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV), and the time-series synchronization between HRV and respiration in caregivers using the robot or a normal wheelchair as control. Under both conditions, a commercial wearable device was used to simultaneously obtain electrocardiogram and respiration signals while performing care tasks, which comprised transfer from a bed to a wheelchair or to the robot, movement to a remote location, and transfer to a chair. We found that HR was significantly higher and HRV and wavelet coherence were significantly lower in the control than with Hug during at least the first 30 seconds of rest after the task (p < 0.05). This suggests that Hug could reduce the increase in HR and thereby maintain a more constant rhythm between HRV and respiration during care tasks. A post-task questionnaire also revealed that caregivers felt the physical burden of the tasks was reduced using Hug. Our results suggest that the introduction of transfer support robots can reduce the physical burden for caregivers of daily transfer assistance tasks.