Self-assessed Quality Of Life Research Articles

The Influence of the Time Factor and Marital Status on the Quality of Life of Patients After Kidney Transplantation in Uzbekistan

Background: Currently, compared to program hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis, kidney transplantation is considered to be the preferred method of renal replacement therapy in patients with end-stage chronic kidney disease (CKD) in terms of patient survival and improvement in their quality of life (QOL). This study aimed to investigate the influence of the post-transplantation period and marital status on the health-related QOL of patients with CKD who underwent kidney transplantation.Methods and Results: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 78 patients who had received a kidney transplant from living related donors in the Republican Specialized Scientific and Practical Medical Center for Nephrology and Kidney Transplantation between January and April 2022. Kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) were divided into four groups depending on the time after kidney transplantation: 3, 6, 12 months, and 2 years or more after surgery. The study used 2 questionnaires. The first included questions about the sociodemographic data of patients; the second was the standardized health-related QOL questionnaire SF-36. This study of the QOL of KTRs, residents of the Republic of Uzbekistan, showed an improvement in most scales of physical and mental health components 12 months and 2 years or more after kidney transplantation. On the scales of physical and mental health components, unmarried KTRs had a higher self-assessment of QOL than married KTRs, and among married KTRs, those with children had higher QOL indicators.Conclusion: Clarifying how the time after kidney transplantation and individual sociodemographic and medical factors influence QOL indicators requires further research (including longitudinal studies) in a wider КTR population.

Exploring the effect of the structural model of active aging on the self-assessment of quality of life among older people: A cross-sectional and analytical study.

Although studies have examined the relationship between variables associated with active aging and quality of life (QoL), no studies have been identified to have investigated the effect of a structural model of active aging on QoL in a representative sample of older people in the community. To measure the domains and facets of QoL in older people and identify the effect of the structural model of active aging on the self-assessment of QoL. This cross-sectional analytical study included 957 older people living in urban areas. Data were collected from households using validated instruments between March and June 2018. Descriptive, confirmatory factor, and structural equation modeling analyses were performed. Most older people self-rated their QoL as good (58.7%), and the highest mean scores were for the social relationships domain (70.12 ± 15.4) and the death and dying facet (75.43 ± 26.7). In contrast, the lowest mean scores were for the physical domains (64.41 ± 17.1) and social participation (67.20 ± 16.2) facets. It was found that active aging explained 50% of the variation in self-assessed QoL and directly and positively affected this outcome (λ = 0.70; P < 0.001). Active aging had a direct and positive effect on the self-assessment of QoL, indicating that the more individuals actively aged, the better the self-assessment of QoL.

THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF PATIENTS IN DENTAL PRACTICE: AN ANALYSIS OF HEALTH AND PSYCHOSOCIAL WELL-BEING

Quality of life (QoL) is a composite measure that reflects the overall level of satisfaction and well-being that a person experiences in their daily life. Understanding QoL is key to providing care and rehabilitation to patients, and issues identified during a QoL self-assessment may indicate the need to modify and improve treatment. It is widely recognized that COVID-19 has a diverse symptomatic spectrum. For the above reasons, COVID-19 can lead to a deterioration in health-related quality of life in both the short and long terms. The direct impact of COVID-19 on quality of life indicators, as well as the impact of coronavirus disease on dental health in general, served as a prerequisite for writing this article.&#x0D; The purpose of our study is to analyse the impact of COVID-19 on the quality of life of patients in dental practice.&#x0D; Materials and methods: all patients were interviewed for self-assessment of quality of life using the 36item Short Form-36 questionnaire.&#x0D; Results and Discussion: the obtained results among patients in group 1 and group 2 indicated a significant deterioration in both physical and psychological health components. The physical functioning (PF) score indicated average physical activity. The results of the impact of physical condition on role functioning (RP) reflected limitations in performing daily activities, both at work and at home. The pain intensity score (BP) indicated moderate body discomfort. The result for general health (GH) indicated the possibility of problems with general health and self-esteem. The vitality score (VT) indicated an average level of energy. The result obtained for the social functioning (SF) score indicated severe limitations in the social and psychological aspects of life. The value of the impact of the emotional state on role functioning (RE) indicated a significant effect of emotional difficulties on the patients' ability to perform habitual activities. The indicator of selfassessment of mental health (MH) indicated emotional and mental difficulties.&#x0D; Conclusions: This research demonstrates the ability of COVID-19 to cause long-term problems that directly affect the quality of life of patients and, accordingly, the possibility of developing dental diseases and their favourable prognosis.

Attitude to the disease and quality of life in elderly patients with mild vascular dementia after the novel coronavirus infection

In order to study the types of attitude towards the disease and quality of life (QoL) in elderly patients with mild vascular dementia (MVD) living in the conditions of the psychoneurological institution Social Service House “Severnoye Izmailovo” in Moscow, there were 2 study groups: the patients with the clinical debut of the novel coronavirus infection (NCVI) of 6 months +/– 1 month with the recovery outcome (n=65; 33 men, 32 women) and those who did not have COVID-19 (hospital control group; n=67; 34 men, 33 women). The mean age of the studied patients was 73.05±3.48 years. The age and sex composition of the two groups was homogeneous (p&gt;0.05). Emotional disorders were investigated using the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia (CSDD); cognitive disorders – by means of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA); QoL – by the Quality of Life in Alzheimer's Disease scale (QoL-AD): QoL self-assessment (QoL-AD-SR (self-rating)) and proxy QoL rating (QoL-AD-PR (proxy rating)); the type of attitude towards the disease – by the TATD scale (Wasserman L.I. et al., 2005). It was found that COVID-19 aggravates cognitive deficits in patients with MVD (according to MoCA 20.80±0.59 /21.40±0.78 points; p&lt;0.05) in the absence of depression (according to CSDD 1.52±0.50 / 1.52±0.84 points in the group of the patients after NCVI / hospital control group, respectively; p&gt;0.05). In the patients after COVID-19, a correlation was found between the proxy QoL rating and the severity of cognitive dysfunction according to the MoCA (R= – 0.28), while in the hospital control group – between the proxy QoL rating and the severity of depressive manifestations (R= – 0.33). The first group of the patients was characterized by a mixed type of attitude to the disease and intrapsychic maladaptation (the neurasthenic type ranked first at 16.03±8.29 / 9.34±5.03 points), while the second group had a diffuse type of attitude to the disease and interpsychic maladaptation (the sensitive type ranked first at 10.31±5.71 / 14.90±7.62 points by the TATD scale among the elderly patients with MVD who have / have not undergone NCVI; p&lt;0.05). The revealed patterns can contribute to the optimization of personalized models of medical and psychological rehabilitation of elderly patients with MVD living in closed-type care facilities.

Whole versus hole: enabling community nurses to implement holistic wound care.

To improve wound-related quality of life (QoL) in clients with hard-to-heal wounds in their lower limbs and to increase referrals to multidisciplinary teams in the management of care for these clients. This was a quality improvement project with a two-group pretest-posttest interventional evaluation design. We implemented a package of interventions including the WounDS app, education related to wound care, and client engagement through a QoL self-assessment. Wound-related QoL was measured using the Cardiff Wound Impact Schedule and referrals to the multidisciplinary team were tracked through chart audits. We explored nurses' experiences with the interventions through semi-structured interviews. Clients' average ratings for 'wellbeing', 'physical symptoms and daily living', and 'overall QoL' improved by 27%, 38% and 54%, respectively. The number of referrals increased by 78% post intervention. Nurses described the interventions as effective strategies that motivated them to implement a holistic approach to care. The project was successful in creating a culture shift to practice holistic wound care. This package of interventions (WounDS app, education and client self-assessment of QoL) led to improvements in the QoL of clients with hard-to-heal wounds. Further studies are needed to generalise the findings. Strategies for sustainability include forming a champion group and providing the education and decision supports based on nurses' educational needs assessment.

The physical and psychological aspects of quality of life mediates the effect of radiation-induced urgency syndrome on disability pension in gynecological cancer survivors.

Radiation-induced fecal urgency syndrome is highly prevalent in gynecological cancer survivors. It is associated with decreased quality of life (QoL) and with disability pension. The literature remains unclear about the mediating role of physical and psychological aspects of QoL in the association between urgency syndrome and disability pension. Identifying the pathways between urgency syndrome and disability pension may help to create effective and timely interventions for increasing QoL and reducing disability pension among gynecological cancer survivors. We used patient-reported outcome measures from working-age gynecological cancer survivors (n = 247) and data on their disability pension from the official register. The mediating role of physical and psychological aspects of QoL was studied by utilizing mediation analysis based on the counterfactual framework, appropriate for binary outcome, binary mediator with an exposure-mediator interaction. The total effect (TE) was divided into direct and indirect effects using single mediation analysis. Adjusted relative risks and percentage mediated (95% confidence intervals) were calculated. All statistical tests were two-sided. Urgency syndrome increased the risk of disability pension both directly and indirectly (via QoL). Satisfaction with sleep mediated half of the TE (RR = 2.2 (1.1-4.1)) of urgency syndrome on disability pension. Physical health also mediated a similar proportion of the TE (RR = 2.1 (1.2-3.9)). The proportions mediated were higher for physical aspects of QoL (35%-71%) than for psychological aspects (2%-47%). The investigated aspects of the self-assessed QoL of gynecological cancer survivors may play a role in these women's continuing work-life. It appears that physical health, satisfaction with sleep, psychological well-being, and other investigated aspects of QoL mediate the urgency syndrome-disability pension association.

Current management and new treatment strategies of chronic myeloid leukemia

The introduction of orally available tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) into the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) 25 years ago has substantially improved the clinical outcome of affected patients and resulted in a near-normal life expectancy in chronic phase (CP). Despite of a significant fraction of currently about one third of newly diagnosed CP patients eventually reaching treatment-free remission, the majority of patients still remain on life-long treatment with TKIs. Therefore, a profound knowledge of TKI-related side effects including an increased sensitivity for organ systems predominantly involved, grading, kinetics, duration and reversibility, class-effects versus compound-relatedness as well as a better understanding of how particularly long-lasting, chronic, sometimes formally low-grade toxicities can actually significantly impair patient's self-assessed quality of life is of utmost importance for an adequate patient/doctor relationship. Given that nowadays, severity and degree of preexisting comorbidities might predict long-term survival of individual patients more significantly than the underlying CML itself, it becomes most important to properly and thoroughly select the TKI of choice on this basis as well as on the individually required co-medications. Given the variety of 2nd, 3rd and now allosteric TKIs available for the molecular targeting of the disease-driving BCR-ABL oncogene in addition to the "class-defining" Imatinib, personalization of CML therapy should now be further extended towards a better appreciation of comorbidities and co-medications before selection of an individual's TKI treatment complemented by a long-term oriented, patient-centered management and prevention of (sometimes irreversible) TKI side effects.

The Added Value of Remote Technology in Cardiac Rehabilitation on Physical Function, Anthropometrics, and Quality of Life: Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) cause most deaths globally and can reduce quality of life (QoL) of rehabilitees with cardiac disease. The risk factors of CVDs are physical inactivity and increased BMI. With physical activity, it is possible to prevent CVDs, improve QoL, and help maintain a healthy body mass. Current literature shows the possibilities of digitalization and advanced technology in supporting independent self-rehabilitation. However, the interpretation of the results is complicated owing to the studies' high heterogeneity. In addition, the added value of this technology has not been studied well, especially in cardiac rehabilitation. We aimed to examine the effectiveness of added remote technology in cardiac rehabilitation on physical function, anthropometrics, and QoL in rehabilitees with CVD compared with conventional rehabilitation. Rehabilitees were cluster randomized into 3 remote technology intervention groups (n=29) and 3 reference groups (n=30). The reference group received conventional cardiac rehabilitation, and the remote technology intervention group received conventional cardiac rehabilitation with added remote technology, namely, the Movendos mCoach app and Fitbit charge accelerometer. The 12 months of rehabilitation consisted of three 5-day in-rehabilitation periods in the rehabilitation center. Between these periods were two 6-month self-rehabilitation periods. Outcome measurements included the 6-minute walk test, body mass, BMI, waist circumference, and World Health Organization QoL-BREF questionnaire at baseline and at 6 and 12 months. Between-group differences were assessed using 2-tailed t tests and Mann-Whitney U test. Within-group differences were analyzed using a paired samples t test or Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Overall, 59 rehabilitees aged 41 to 66 years (mean age 60, SD 6 years; n=48, 81% men) were included in the study. Decrement in waist circumference (6 months: 1.6 cm; P=.04; 12 months: 3 cm; P<.001) and increment in self-assessed QoL were greater (environmental factors: 0.5; P=.02) in the remote technology intervention group than the reference group. Both groups achieved statistically significant improvements in the 6-minute walk test in both time frames (P=.01-.03). Additionally, the remote technology intervention group achieved statistically significant changes in the environmental domain at 0-6 months (P=.03) and waist circumference at both time frames (P=.01), and reference group achieve statistically significant changes in waist circumference at 0-6 months (P=.02). Remote cardiac rehabilitation added value to conventional cardiac rehabilitation in terms of waist circumference and QoL. The results were clinically small, but the findings suggest that adding remote technology to cardiac rehabilitation may increase beneficial health outcomes. There was some level of systematic error during rehabilitation intervention, and the sample size was relatively small. Therefore, care must be taken when generalizing the study results beyond the target population. To confirm assumptions of the added value of remote technology in rehabilitation interventions, more studies involving different rehabilitees with cardiac disease are required. ISRCTN Registry ISRCTN61225589; https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN61225589.

Closing the window on COVID-19 case-control studies.

Closing the window on COVID-19 case-control studies.

PREBIOTIC: a study protocol of a randomised controlled trial to assess prebiotic supplementation in kidney transplant recipients for preventing infections and gastrointestinal upset — a feasibility study

BackgroundModulating the microbiota in the large intestine of kidney transplant recipients through prebiotic supplementation may prevent infectious complications from occurring. To date, there have been no interventional trials which have investigated this novel treatment in kidney transplantation. The aim of PREBIOTIC is to assess the feasibility of performing a randomised controlled trial of prebiotics in reducing infections and gastrointestinal symptoms in kidney transplant recipients.MethodsSixty kidney transplant patients will be recruited to a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised feasibility trial. Patients will be provided with prebiotic therapy or placebo for 4 to 6 weeks. Outcomes will include recruitment, adherence, tolerance, retention, laboratory parameters (including serum indoxyl sulphate, ρ-cresyl sulphate and stool collection), patients’ self-assessed quality of life, gastrointestinal symptoms and clinical outcomes.DiscussionThis trial will assess the feasibility of prebiotic supplementation in kidney transplant recipients. Prebiotics not only may alter the gut microbiota and their inherent metabolism and production of uraemic toxins but also may prevent infections from occurring in kidney transplant recipients.Trial registrationAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry number ACTRN12618001057279p. The date of registration was 25th June 2018, https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=375370&isReview=true.

Civil society’s impact on quality of life

ABSTRACT The purpose of the article is to analyze the impact of three forms of involvement in organized civil society – as ‘participant’, as ‘member’ and as ‘volunteer’ – on self-assessed quality of life when checking for coherence between the three forms of participation. The article is inspired by both Lim and Putnam’s claim that close social networks around meaningful and identity-bearing activities increase self-assessed quality of life and Stebbins’ claim that life satisfaction is an essential by-product of ‘serious leisure’. This article utilizes data from a digital survey study conducted among adult citizens in Denmark, which 2514 citizens answered. The questionnaire contained a broad range of questions regarding participation in leisure activities, membership in associations, engagement in voluntary work, subjective life-satisfaction, self-assessed health and social background of the respondents. The statistical regression analysis shows a correlation between volunteering in general and self-assessed quality of life, but the correlation is relatively weak. However, the analysis does not show a significant correlation between the quality of life and membership in an association and participation in ‘serious leisure’. Of the other variables included, self-assessed health, in particular, contributes to explaining the variation in self-assessed quality of life.

Where do we meet? Exploring how facilities and meeting places in rural areas contribute to quality of life

As a result of structural and demographic changes in rural areas, fewer facilities and meeting places exist in Denmark. In this article, we assess which role facilities and meeting places in rural areas might have for the self-assessed Quality of Life (QoL) of the individuals living in the rural areas. Based on 27 semi-structured qualitative interviews with persons from three different rural areas in Denmark, we show how facilities and meeting places in rural areas play a role in relation to self-assessed QoL via two different types of mechanism: 1) through providing a framework for activities and 2) through the symbolic role facilities and meeting places might have to indicate that one is part of a thriving village. We argue that it is important to acknowledge both mechanisms when assessing the role of facilities and meeting places for QoL in rural areas. The findings in this study focus on the users of the local facilities. Further qualitative research could explore which role the presence of facilities and meeting places might play for the inhabitants who do not use the local facilities and meeting places to the same extent as the interview persons in this study.

The influence of drinkers on alcohol preferences and habits, as well as on the quality of life of representatives of their microsocial environment

The purpose of the work is to study the influence of drinkers on alcohol prefe- rences and habits, as well as on the quality of life (QoL) of representatives of their microsocial environment. 1572 people were examined, who belonged to two groups: group I — 329 patients with alcohol dependence (AD); group II — healthy respondents (1243 people). Each of these contingents was divided into comparison groups based on the presence or absence of drinkers in the environment (DIE). The main research instruments were the questionnaire of the interna- tional research consortium GENAHTO (Gender, Alcohol, and Harms to Others), the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) and the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). The obtai- ned data were processed by methods of mathe matical statistics (variance and correlation analysis). It was found that the presence of DIE in all surveyed respondents increases sub- jectively acceptable levels of alcohol con- sumption (АС) in typical life situations and worsens self-assessment of QoL. It has been shown that the stage of domestic drunkenness is characterized by a much greater dependence of the severity of al- coholic disorders (according to the AUDIT test) on the characteristics of alcoholic behavior than the stage AD. All surveyed respondents showed significant correla- tions between the results of the AUDIT test and the following features of alcohol behavior: АС alone, in one’s own home and while eating, indicating the patho- genic role of the loss of social ties and the integration of alcohol habits into the process of satisfying basic human needs.

Quality of Life After Total Temporomandibular Joint Prothesis Surgery.

Total temporomandibular joint (TMJ) prostheses are increasingly used in patients with joint destruction presenting significant pain and mouth opening limitation. This surgery can be considered as the last resort solution whose goal is to restore the mandible function. The aim of this study was to evaluate the patient quality of life (QoL) before and after TMJ replacement surgery with a total TMJ prosthesis, using a modified QoL scale. All patients with a total uni or bilateral TMJ prosthesis who could be contacted were included. All patients completed 2 retrospective questionnaires: once relative to the preoperative QoL and another for the post-operative QoL, including the assessment of mouth opening limitation, daily eating difficulties and also a QoL score, adapted from the TMJ-QoL questionnaire. A total of 17 patients were included: 13 temporomandibular ankylosis, 3 condylar resorptions and 1 congenital malformation. Mouth opening limitation and daily eating difficulties were significantly reduced after surgery ( P < 0.001). Nine of the 11 QoL questions showed a significant decrease in score and thus an improvement of the QoL after surgery: having a conversation ( P = 0.006), eating ( P < 0.001), yawning ( P < 0.001), sleeping ( P = 0.043), recreational activities ( P = 0.005), relaxing ( P = 0.021), feeling depressed because of TMJ problems ( P = 0.032), daily activities ( P = 0.008) and patient self-assessment of QoL ( P = 0.003). Two showed no significant difference: taking analgesics, and social life. Total score of QoL showed a significant improvement ( P = 0.003). Quality of life, mouth opening, and daily eating were significantly improved after total TMJ prosthesis, in agreement with the litterature. The TMJ prosthesis could be considered ealier in the management of end-stage temporomandibular disease.

Effects of Physical Activity on the Physical Condition and Quality of Life of Elderly People

Background: The article raises a topical scientific problem regarding the physical inactivity and low physical capacity of the elderly population, the indicators of which, according to researchers in old age, can help predict institutionalization, disability, or even the risk of premature death. Various organizations around the world are striving to increase the number of physically active people by raising awareness and developing preventive measures. In this study, we looked for optimal activities that can effectively improve the physical capacity and quality of life self assessment of older people. Methods: Eurofit tests were used to assess physical capacity (Jones, &amp; Rikli, 2002). The study assessed the physical capacity of elderly people to determine body composition, motor system capacity, skeletal muscle capacity, and cardiovascular capacity. A shortened version of the WHO questionnaire (World Health Organization Quality of Life 100 - WHOQOL-100), WHO-BREF-26 was used to assess quality of life (World Health Organization, 2012). Results: The indicators of quality of life of the subjects did not improve in a statistically significant way after physically energetic activities – exercise, swimming and Nordic walking. The indicators of physical capacity of the subjects improved in a statistically significant way after physically energetic activities. The three-month exercise increased hand muscle strength and body composition, swimming activity increased hand muscle strength, upper body flexibility and motor system performance indicators, Nordic walking statistically significantly improved upper body flexibility. Conclusions: Different physical activity activities significantly improve different components of physicalcapacity. Keywords: physical activity, elderly people, physical capacity.

Dynamics of self­esteem quality of life by health workers during the Coronavirus pandemic in 2020—2021

A relatively new term, VUCA, has emerged in the modern information field. It clearly reflects 4 essential features of modern life: Volatility — due to the need to study many factors that change in the decision-making process; Uncertainty — the inability to see and predict the future prospects; Complexity — lack of clarity of understanding of many events; Ambiguity — uncertainty of interpretation of the situation. This could not but affect the self-esteem of young health professionals of their quality of life (QOL) during 2020 and 2021.&#x0D; Objective — to remotely monitor the dynamics of changes in self-esteem of certain indicators of quality of life (QOL) in young health professionals depending on their professional background against the negative impact of chronic stress (infodemia), various administrative quarantine restrictions and forced professional communication with various patients with somatic diseases. during the COVID-19 pandemic during 2020—2021.&#x0D; Materials and methods. The study used: general clinical methods — for the overall assessment of somatic condition; psychodiagnostic survey – adapted SF-36 questionnaire to determine QOL; biostatistical methods — for the purpose of mathematical processing of the received data.&#x0D; Results and discussion. Interpersonal contacts with 4th year students of medical and dental faculties related to remote testing for the period from spring 2020 to December 2021 took place exclusively remotely due to quarantine restrictions and mainly at the initiative of health workers themselves, who learned about the possibility to effectively assess their psychological state and QOL.An objective analysis of the dynamics of self-assessment by young health workers of their own QOL over the past two years shows their successful psychosomatic adaptation to learning and clinical work in complex, unpredictable due to instability, ambiguity and some uncertainty in the 2020—2021 pandemic. Their average self-assessment of QOL should be considered as a kind of positive standard control when compared with data from similar tests conducted among other segments of the population.&#x0D; Conclusions. An objective analysis of the dynamics of self-esteem by young physicians of their own QOL over the past two years shows their successful psychosomatic adaptation in the pandemic of 2020—2021. They should be considered as a kind of positive standard when compared with data from similar testing of other segments of the population in these years.

Association of Physical Performance, Muscle Strength and Body Composition with Self-Assessed Quality of Life in Hemodialyzed Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study.

(1) Patients on chronic hemodialysis (HD) experience impaired quality of life (QoL). We analyzed HD’s relationship with physical performance, body composition, and muscle strength; (2) QoL was assessed with the Short Form-36, composed of physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) health dimensions. Physical performance was assessed with the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), body composition (lean tissue mass% (LTM%), fat tissue mass% (FTM%), and skeletal muscle mass% (SMM%)) was assessed with bioelectrical impedance, and lower extremity strength was assessed with a handheld dynamometer; and (3) we enrolled 76 patients (27 F, 49 M), age 62.26 ± 12.81 years, HD vintage 28.45 (8.65–77.49) months. Their QoL score was 53.57 (41.07–70.64); their PCS and MCS scores were 52.14 (38.69–65.95) and 63.39 (44.64–76.79) and strongly correlated (p < 0.0001, R = 0.738). QoL correlated positively with SPPB (R = 0.35, p ≤ 0.001), muscle strength (R from 0.21 to 0.41, p < 0.05), and LTM% (R = 0.38, p < 0.001) and negatively with FTM% (R = −0.32, p = 0.006). PCS correlated positively with SPPB (R = 0.42 p < 0.001), muscle strength (R 0.25–0.44, p < 0.05), and LTM% (R = 0.32, p = 0.006) and negatively with FTM% (R = −0.25, p = 0.031). MCS correlated positively with SPPB (R = 0.23, p = 0.047), SMM% (R = 0.25; p = 0.003), and LTM% (R = 0.39, p < 0.001) and negatively with FTM% (R = −0.34; p = 0.003). QoL was unrelated to sex (p = 0.213), age (p = 0.157), HD vintage (p = 0.156), and BMI (p = 0.202); (4) Better physical performance, leaner body composition, and higher muscle strength are associated with better mental and physical QoL in HD.

A unique medium chain triglyceride-containing micronutrient complex: Effects on migraine symptoms compared to quality of lif

Purpose: Migraine headaches and associated symptoms are prevalent medical issues. Medium-chain triglyceride (MCT)/nootropic-based compounds have demonstrated benefits in multiple domains. This study assessed the potential relief provided from a unique, high-concentration MCT/nootropic component blend on migraine frequency, duration, secondary symptoms, and quality of life (QOL) during a 60-day clinical investigation. Methods: Forty (n=40) chronic migraine sufferers [migraineurs] were prospectively randomized to participate in the double-blinded study. Both intervention (n=30) and control (n=10) participants were required to maintain lifestyle patterns for the trial duration. Migraine surveys used electronic response forms to allow subjects increased ease and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results. The intervention subjects experienced reduction in migraine episodes by 53%, from 11.6 to 5.4 per month, after 60 days of supplement use. The average episode duration decreased from 260 minutes to 158 minutes, a 39% improvement. Time lost due to severe migraine effect was reduced from an average of more than five days per month to just over two per month, a decrease of 55%. A combined measure of secondary symptoms, which aggregate to illustrate migraine intensity, also decreased according to subject rating by an average of 37%. Self-assessed QOL scales improved by 43% in the intervention cohort. The control subjects showed no significant changes in any measures. Conclusion: Consumption of a unique, nootropic brain complex significantly improved migraine symptoms, including episode frequency, duration, severity, and lost days due to dysfunction. The formulation also beneficially impacted secondary effects and self-reported QOL.

The effects of an early intervention on adults’ gaming-related problems – a pilot study

Gaming Disorder (GD) has been recognized as an official psychiatric condition characterized by individuals’ impaired control over gaming, continuous gaming despite the occurrence of negative side-effects, and gaming taking increasing priority over other important areas of life, thus leading to significant impairments in their everyday lives. To date few prevention and treatment programs have been developed. The present pilot study aimed to investigate the effects of an early psycho-educational intervention for young adults with excessive gaming behaviors. A one-group pre- and post-test design without a control group was used. A total of 22 young adults (20 males and 2 females) aged between 18 and 28 (M = 23.05, SD = 3.02) years old, engaged with the intervention. The severity of gaming-related problems, average gaming time per day, quality of life, and mental well-being were assessed at pretest and post-test stages. Participants demonstrated a slight reduction in gaming time (d = 0.13, p = .545 for weekdays, and d = 0.08, p = .714 for weekend days) and in the severity of problematic gaming (d = 0.17, p = .411) over the three-month intervention period. Changes in neither gaming-related measures nor self-assessed quality of life (p > .01) and mental well-being (d = 0.23, p = .288) reached statistical significance, however. Regardless of limitations on sample size, this study shows encouraging signs that this brief 10-session and three-month educational intervention can achieve positive effects on gaming behavior. A larger scale investigation is needed to develop the intervention further.

Secondary Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on People with Parkinson's Disease-Results of a Polish Online Survey.

The COVID-19 pandemic causes increased mental stress and decreased mobility, which may affect people with Parkinson’s disease (PD). The study aimed to investigate the secondary impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the level of activity, quality of life (QoL) and PD-related symptoms. The respondents completed an online survey in Polish in the period from December, 2020 to June, 2021. The questionnaire was completed by 47 participants aged 43 to 90 years (mean 72.1 ± 1.3 years). A total of 94% reported reduced contact with family and friends. Over 90% remained active during the pandemic. However, 55% of people with PD showed subjectively lower level of activity then before the pandemic. Moreover, 36% of the respondents felt afraid to visit a doctor and reported problems with access to medication. Subjective QoL reduction was reported by 80%, and 83% declared worsening of PD symptoms. The post pandemic deterioration of motor symptoms in people with PD did not affect their QoL. However, the deterioration of contacts and feelings of isolation had a significant impact on the decline in quality of life (p = 0.022 and p = 0.009, respectively) and the presence of anxiety (p = 0.035 and p = 0.007, respectively). These results may indicate than greater importance of social and mental factors than fitness and health-related factors in the QoL self-assessment of the people with PD.