Role Social Functioning Research Articles

Effects of Direct-Acting Antiviral Agents on the Mental Health of Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C: A Prospective Observational Study.

In chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients, interferon-based treatments showed toxicity, limited efficacy, and psychiatric manifestations. Direct-acting antiviral (DAA) agents appeared safer, though it remains unclear if they may exacerbate or foster mood symptoms in drug-naïve CHC patients. We evaluated 62 CHC patients’ mental status, before and 12 weeks after DAA therapy, by assessment scales and psychometric instruments. We subdivided patients into two groups, CHC patients with (Group A) or without (Group B) a current and/or past psychiatric history. After DAA treatment, Group A patients showed low anxiety and improved depression, no variation in self-report distress, but worse general health perceptions. No significant difference emerged from coping strategies. Depression and anxiety improved in Group B, and no change emerged from total self-reported distress, except for somatization. Moreover, Group B increased problem-focused strategies for suppression of competing activities, and decreased strategies of instrumental social support. Contrarily, Group B reduced significantly emotion-focused strategies, such as acceptance and mental disengagement, and improved vitality, physical and social role functioning. DAA therapy is safe and free of hepatological and psychiatric side effects in CHC patients, regardless of current and/or past psychiatric history. In particular, patients without a psychiatric history also remarkably improved their quality of life.

How Functional Team Roles Mitigate the Effect of Conflict on Team Performance

Work team structures are used in organizations to achieve higher performance, enable greater creativity, and create more political buy in. The literature suggests that when teams are able to coherently carry out certain functional team roles, conflict is better managed and higher performance is achieved. This study investigates these claims in a sample of 449 individuals working in 94 project teams over two project types. Findings indicate that the performance of task and social team roles was negatively related to task and relationship conflict for both work types. In addition, Spanning roles were negatively associated with conflict only for the more complex project. Finally, functional team roles were associated with team performance for both project types. The implications for researching and managing roles in work teams are discussed.

Cognitive impairment in patients with Neuro-Sjögren.

ObjectiveExtraglandular neurological manifestations of Sjögren’s syndrome are increasingly recognized, defining the disease entity of Neuro‐Sjögren. Neuropsychological assessment of patients with Sjögren’s syndrome has hitherto been performed on predominantly rheumatological cohorts. These studies revealed a wide variety of prevalence rates for cognitive impairment (22–80%), while variable cut‐off criteria for detection of cognitive impairment were applied. Attentional functions have not yet been thoroughly investigated in these patients, although they clearly represent relevant aspects of cognitive functioning in daily life.MethodsWe therefore conducted extensive neuropsychological assessment based on two neuropsychological test batteries [i.e., the extended German version of the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer’s Disease Neuropsychological Assessment Battery (CERAD‐PLUS), and the test battery for attentional performance (TAP) as a well‐established assessment of attentional functions in the German‐speaking part of Europe].ResultsSixty‐four patients with Neuro‐Sjögren, who were treated at our university hospital between December 2016 and January 2019, were included. Evidence for the presence of cognitive impairment was found in 55% of patients with Neuro‐Sjögren. The degree of cognitive impairment ranged from mild (38%) to severe (17%). Attentional and mnemonic subtests showed pronounced cognitive impairment in patients with Neuro‐Sjögren.InterpretationOur results suggest that a substantial proportion of patients with Neuro‐Sjögren suffer from cognitive impairment, putatively as a corollary of attentional deficits, which might exert adverse effects on occupational abilities, other cognitive functions, and social role functioning.

PERAN SOSIAL PEREMPUAN DALAM AL-QUR`AN (Studi Tafsir Tematik Dengan Pendekatan Psikologi Agama)

The social role of woman in religion contestation and community values tend to be discriminatory and it is not impartial for woman. This research is to elaborate al-Quran perspective in emphasizing the sociological and psychological women through a religious psychology approach. This research used thematic interpretation method by collecting certain verses that have closes meaning based on key term, such as; niswah ةض/al Nisa ضاءال/al-unṡā ثىاأل/al-mar‟u الوزأ/al-mar‟ الوزء/ al-imru‟ اإلهز dan al-mar‟ah الوزأة/ al-imra‟ah اإلهزأة ,.etc. The data analyses used psychology religion of Henry Nelson Wreman and Maturity Allport theory. The results of this research were: first, the function of woman's social role in al-Qur`an based on woman‟s dignity from various dimensions and social functions. Second, the evidence of woman‟s ability and maturity is, woman has social role‟s variety, like as wives, legal witnesses, political leaders, workers/employers, educators, and members of society. Third, the position of woman (based on socio-historically al-Qur`an) is on strategic function, like as in family, legal, politics, economi, da‟wah and socio-culturual system. Thus, discriminate and subordinated women are clearly contrary to the historical logic of the Qur'an.

Effect of average volume-assured pressure support treatment on health-related quality of life in COPD patients with chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure: a randomized trial

The long-term effect of average volume-assured pressure support (AVAPS) on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients with chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure (CHRF) remains unclear.The objective of this study is to identify the long-term effect of AVAPS in COPD patients with CHRF through assessment of HRQOL, exercise tolerance after six months duration.MethodsIn this randomized, controlled, parallel-group study, 40 stable hypercapnic COPD patients were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive either spontaneous timed AVAPS (ST/AVAPS) (intervention) or Bilevel positive airway pressure (ST/BiPAP) (control). HRQL was measured with the Short Form 12 Health Survey Questionnaire (SF-12). Exercise tolerance assessed by 6 min walking distance. Analyses were done between groups from baseline to the average of six months measurements.ResultsAVAPS led to significant 6 months improvements in several domains of (SF-12) compared to the control group, with the greatest improvement seen in general health [treatment effect of 8.2 points (95% confidence interval [95% CI 3.2 to 11.7; p = 0.001)], vitality (treatment effect 5.4 points [95% CI 1.4 to 9.3]; p = 0.001), physical functioning 5.5 points [95% CI 1.1 to 9.8]; p = 0.001) and bodily pain 5.1 points [95% CI 3.4 to 8.8]; p = 0.002). The physical health summary score improved by 3.7 points (95% CI 1.2 to 5.8; p = 0.001), but no significant improvement in the emotional or social role functioning, mental health subscale was noted.AVAPS also resulted in improvement 6 min walking distance 9.2 points (95% CI − 1 to − 15];p = 0.001). A significant reduction in the daytime (PaCO2) was observed after 6 months in those treated with AVAPS.ConclusionsIn COPD patients with hypercapnic respiratory failure, AVAPS improved exercise tolerance and multiple domains of HRQOL over six months of follow-up, with the significant improvement observed in general health.

Emotion Recognition, Emotion Awareness, Metacognition, and Social Functioning in Persons with Schizophrenia.

Background:Emotion processing has received significant research attention in persons with schizophrenia. However, some aspects of this construct, such as emotion awareness, are less researched. In addition, there is limited work on metacognitive awareness and social functioning in persons with schizophrenia.Methods:Our sample comprised of 27 participants with schizophrenia- and 26 nonclinical controls. The clinical group was assessed on Scale for Assessment of Positive Symptoms, Scale for Assessment of Negative Symptoms, Tool for Recognition of Emotions in Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Toronto Alexithymia Scale, Metacognitive Assessment Scale, self-reflectiveness subscale of Beck's Cognitive Insight Scale, Scale S and Scale U subscales of the Metacognitive Assessment Scale, and Groningen's Social Dysfunction Scale.Results and Conclusion:Participants with schizophrenia had greater deficits in emotion recognition than nonclinical controls (P = 0.05, df = 51). There was no significant correlation between emotion recognition and metacognition in the clinical group. The presence of negative symptoms was significantly associated with social functioning in persons with schizophrenia.Key messages:Clinical symptoms, in particular negative symptoms, play an important role in social functioning in persons with schizophrenia and it is necessary to address these along with social cognition in order to improve functioning.

Social role dysfunction and coping in borderline personality disorder.

Individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD) often experience deficits in social role functioning, which encompasses the ability to adhere to socially defined rules and norms of behaviour. Additionally, research suggests that coping styles influence the way individuals with BPD manage stress and that symptom presentation and functioning in individuals with BPD vary across genders. This study sought to explore these variables via moderated mediation, investigating the mediating influence of coping styles on the association between BPD symptoms and social role dysfunction and if these associations were further moderated by gender. Participants (N=233) were outpatients attending a programme for personality dysfunction. Participants completed measures of BPD symptoms, coping styles and social role dysfunction. Moderated mediation indicated that for women, emotion-oriented coping and social diversion-oriented coping mediated the association between BPD symptoms and social dysfunction. While BPD symptoms were positively associated with emotion coping, which was positively associated with social role dysfunction, BPD symptoms were negatively associated with social diversion coping, which was negatively associated with social role dysfunction. For men, coping did not mediate the association between BPD symptoms and social role dysfunction. Our findings may indicate that social support and a healthy social network may play an important part in the ongoing social role functioning of women with BPD. From this, potential early therapeutic interventions targeting safe social engagement in times of stress may decrease the pervasive and persistent nature of social dysfunction in BPD. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The impact of surviving bowel cancer on occupation: A scoping review

Introduction The number of people surviving bowel cancer is increasing globally, with many of those affected living with long-term psychological and physical sequelae that potentially disrupt occupations. Method A scoping review – guided by Arksey and O’Malley’s methodological framework – was conducted to provide an overview of what is known about the impact of having had bowel cancer on occupations, and to reveal the potential role of occupational therapy. A systematic search of four databases and a grey literature repository generated 244 results. Applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 33 items addressing bowel cancer and occupations were selected and thematically analysed. Results Researchers have identified six domains of occupation that are impacted by bowel cancer (social activity, physical activity, sexual activity, employment and role functioning, physical functioning, and self-care) but survivors report a distinct lack of health professional support after completion of medical treatment and being left to devise self-management strategies to accommodate the long-term effects of their cancer. Conclusion The sequelae of bowel cancer can have a significant impact on occupational participation. There is scope for increasing and improving occupational therapy input to assist people with cancer-related loss of function to re-engage in valued occupations and improve wellbeing.

Positive Affect Moderates the Relationship Between Salivary Testosterone and a Health Behavior Composite in University Females

BackgroundTestosterone is released in both men and women and plays an important role in social functioning and motivation. Greater testosterone in women has been associated with negative physical health outcomes, while lower testosterone has been associated with psychological disorders. The following cross-sectional study examined the contribution of salivary testosterone, positive and negative affect, and demographic variables in predicting a composite health behavior score (cigarette use, hours of sleep, fruit/vegetable intake, following an exercise routine).MethodThe sample (mean age 21.17, SD = 6.13) consisted of 87 female university students asked to complete a demographic and lifestyle behavior questionnaire, the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, and provide a saliva sample. Participants self-identified as Latina (37.9%), European American (32.2%), Asian American (5.7%), African American (4.6%), or Mixed/other (19.5%). Hierarchical regression analyses were used to examine whether positive and negative affect served as a moderator between salivary testosterone and a health behavior composite.ResultsResults indicated that positive affect moderated the relationship between salivary testosterone and the composite health behavior score (t = − 2.42, p = .018, Adj. R2 = .21, F (5, 81) = 5.07, p < .001) such that the healthiest behaviors were observed in participants with high positive affect and low salivary testosterone. Findings remained after adjusting for oral contraceptive use, income level, relationship status, and ethnicity.ConclusionsThese results provide a preliminary foundation for future research examining the interplay of neuroendocrine function, psychological factors (i.e., positive affect), and behavior. Further empirical studies can focus on expanding this research in larger, representative samples.

Psychobehavioral risk factors for financial hardship and poor functional outcomes in survivors of multiple primary cancers.

Survivors of multiple primary cancers (MPC) are at increased risk for poor health outcomes compared with survivors of single cancers. Using an adapted psychobehavioral stress-response model, the study purpose was to identify pathways and individual risk factors associated with poor health outcomes in adults with MPC. Adult MPC survivors (N = 211) with first cancers (stages I-III) diagnosed within 1 to 10 years were recruited via tumor registry. Employing a cross-sectional design, established questionnaires were used to operationalize patient characteristics and theoretical constructs including perceived stress, psychological and behavioral responses, financial hardship, social role function, and physical health. Disease and treatment data were obtained via registry and medical records. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was performed to fit, test, and modify the hypothesized psychobehavioral model. Following measurement model refinement, an SEM linking self-management behaviors, distress, financial hardship, and functional health demonstrated a good fit: χ2 (200, N = 206) = 332.06, P < .01; Tucker-Lewis index (TLI) = .95, comparative fit index (CFI) = .96, standardized root mean residual (SRMR) = .06, root-mean-square error of approximation (RMSEA) = .06. Less use of self-management behaviors predicted higher distress which, in turn, predicted higher financial hardship; higher distress and financial hardship predicted poorer functional health. Several sociodemographic and personal factors predicted self-management behaviors and distress. The hypothesized stress-response model was partially supported. Data supported pathways among self-management behaviors, distress, financial hardship, and functional health. Self-management and distress may represent modifiable intervention targets for MPC survivors. High body mass index (BMI), less education, greater neuroticism, and lower social support were associated with less use of self-management behaviors and higher distress and should be further evaluated as potential markers of vulnerability.

PO 18194 - Functional and quality of life assessment of patients with ankle ulcers treated with complete Achilles tendon resection

Objective: The objective of this study is to perform a functional and quality of life assessment of patients subjected to debridement of ulcers in the posterior region of the ankle, which progressed to complete Achilles tendon resection without any type of tendon reconstruction or transfer. Methods: This is a case series of 4 patients, mostly diabetic, who underwent complete resection of an exposed and degenerated Achilles tendon due to ulcer in the posterior region of the ankle that precluded preservation given the need to control the infectious process considering the diagnosis of calcaneal osteomyelitis. This diagnosis was compatible with changes observed in the magnetic resonance imaging evaluation and was confirmed in cultures of bone tissue removed during debridement. The patients filled out the Brazilian Portuguese version of the Achilles Tendon Total Rupture Score (ATRS-BR) and 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36) during the postoperative period, and follow-up ranged from 6 to 24 months. The ATRS score ranges from 0 to 100, and the higher the scores are, the fewer symptoms and limitations the patients have. The SF-36 consists of 36 questions covering 8 domains: physical role functioning, physical functioning, bodily pain, general health perceptions, social role functioning, vitality, mental health and emotional role functioning. The items are independently assessed, and the total possible score is 100 points, which is indicative of the best health status. Results: All 4 Achilles tendons were approached. The mean age of the patients was 69.8 years. The mean score on the physical functioning section of the SF-36 was 63.8 points. When comparing the outcome with literature data, we observed that when patients with ulcers were compared with individuals of a similar age group, our study showed better results than previous studies. The mean score of the ATRS-BR was 46.3 points, which suggests a poor outcome. However, the patients had few complaints about their physical functioning, as shown in the SF-36 analysis. The decision not to perform Achilles tendon reconstruction was made jointly by the medical team and the patients and their families. Conclusion: Not reconstructing the Achilles tendon in patients, mostly elderly diabetic patients with posterior ankle ulcers, led to encouraging functional scores. The present study suggests that this type of ulcer treatment is a viable option for such populations.

PO 18067 - Application of 5% lidocaine patch to painful surgical scars

Introduction: Chronic postoperative pain, defined as persistent pain at the surgical incision site 3 months after a procedure, is a common complaint in orthopedic practice. Almost 50% of patients who undergo orthopedic surgery are presumably affected by this complaint. The objective of this study is to evaluate the lidocaine patch 5% as a method for neuropathic pain treatment after orthopedic surgery compared with therapeutic massage performed over the incisions. Methods: This is a prospective, randomized clinical trial of 37 patients who underwent orthopedic surgery from January 2015 to February 2017. All individuals were assessed using the pain visual analog scale (VAS) and the 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36) quality of life questionnaire at treatment onset and at 30, 60 and 90 days of treatment. Results: Both groups showed improvement in pain, although the group using the patch showed a greater reduction of pain over time. There were no significant differences in the parameters assessed by the SF-36: physical functioning, physical role functioning, vitality, emotional role functioning, social role functioning, general health perceptions or mental health. The main advantage of the patch lay in the degree of patient satisfaction, which was significantly higher than that of massage, most likely because the patch is easily applied and generates a psychological effect as a drug therapy. Conclusion: The lidocaine patch and massage are effective treatment methods for reducing scar pain that show similar results. The patch is associated with an improvement in the degree of patient satisfaction.

TL 18166 - Evaluation of quality of life and radiological parameters after hallux valgus correction

Introduction: The outcome of hallux valgus correction surgery is usually evaluated based on parameters of interest to the surgeon; however, the outcomes considered important by patients differ from those analyzed by physicians. Our objective is to evaluate the quality of life of patients undergoing hallux valgus correction and to assess the maintenance of radiographic parameters over time. Methods: The study included 38 patients who underwent hallux valgus correction surgery using different osteotomy techniques (scarf, chevron, arciform, proximal chevron and chevron-Akin) from January 2010 to December 2012. The patients were evaluated radiographically at 3 different times (preoperatively and 1 and 5 years postoperatively) and filled out the 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36) for the assessment of quality of life. Statistical analysis was performed using the paired Student’s t-test and the nonparametric Wilcoxon signed-rank and Friedman tests, with a maximum significance level of 5%. Results: Among the main findings of the SF-36 questionnaire, the sections on which the patients reported the best results were emotional role functioning, physical functioning and social role functioning, and the final mean score was 74.9. The metatarsophalangeal and intermetatarsal angles and medial eminence showed significant decreases during the postoperative period (p&lt;0.05), and only 1 patient presented loss of joint congruence. Conclusion: Different surgical osteotomy techniques used to correct moderate and severe hallux valgus improved the patients’ radiological parameters and quality of life.

Relationship between pre-sarcopenia and quality of life in patients with chronic liver disease: a cross-sectional study.

This study aimed to clarify the relationship between pre-sarcopenia (PS) and quality of life (QOL) in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD). This cross-sectional study evaluated 335 patients with CLD. PS was diagnosed on the basis of the assessment criteria by the Japan Society of Hepatology. QOL was evaluated using the short form-36. Patients' mean age was 69.52 ± 10.17 years, and 169 (50.4%) participants were men. The prevalence of PS was 53.7%. Patients were divided into the PS and non-pre-sarcopenia (NPS) groups. Patients in the PS group were older (71.84 ± 9.78 vs. 66.81 ± 9.97, P < 0.01) and mostly women (65.2 vs. 37.8%, P < 0.01) compared with those in the NPS group. QOL, physical function (38.30 ± 17.63 vs. 44.02 ± 14.76, P < 0.01), physical role functioning (RP) (40.63 ± 15.38 vs. 44.88 ± 13.89, P < 0.01), and bodily pain (BP) (48.42 ± 11.45 vs. 51.24 ± 10.19, P = 0.02) were significantly lower in the PS group than in the NPS group. Logistic regression analyses identified that the independent predictive factors for PS were female sex (odds ratio: 3.16, 95% confidence interval: 2.01-4.98; P < 0.01) and RP (odds ratio: 1.97, 95% confidence interval: 1.24-3.12; P < 0.01). QOL characteristics of PS patients with CLD were low physical function, RP, and BP in short form-36. In addition, social role functioning was low in the PS patients aged 65-74 years, whereas RP and BP were low in those aged at least 75 years. Female sex and RP were independent predictors of PS according to the multivariate analysis. Maintaining and increasing muscle mass in patients with CLD may contribute toward improving physical QOL.

Effect of lung rehabilitation exercise on cancer-related fatigue and quality of life in patients with non-small cell lung cancer undergoing chemotherapy

Objective To investigate the effect of lung rehabilitation exercise on cancer-related fatigue and quality of life in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) undergoing chemotherapy. Methods From October 2016 to October 2018, 82 patients with NSCLC treated in Zhejiang Rongjun Hospital were randomly divided into control group (41 cases) and observation group (41 cases) according to random number table method.The control group was given routine intervention, while the observation group was given lung rehabilitation exercise on the basis of the control group.Both two groups were evaluated after 8 weeks of intervention.The changes of lung function, cancer-related fatigue and quality of life before and after intervention were compared between the two groups. Results After intervention, the FEV1% and FEV1/FVC in the two groups were higher than those before intervention (observation group: t=18.565, 11.207; control group: t=9.363, 6.028, all P<0.05). After intervention, the FEV1% [(64.38±3.79)%] and FEV1/FVC (69.47±6.54) in the observation group were higher than those in the control group [(56.74±2.85)% and (60.10±4.25)] (t=10.316, 7.692, all P<0.05). After intervention, the scores of body, cognition, behavior and emotion in the two groups were higher than those before intervention (observation group: t=17.663, 15.167, 12.304, 14.750; control group: t=9.869, 6.617, 7.566, 9.553, all P<0.05). After intervention, the scores of body [(6.57±0.31)points], cognition[(6.15±0.42)points], behavior[(6.32±0.31)points] and emotion [(6.28±0.21)points] in the observation group were higher than those in the control group [(5.78±0.28)points, (5.41±0.48)points, (5.78±0.27)points and (5.82±0.25)points] (t=12.109, 7.429, 8.411, 9.021, all P<0.05). After intervention, the scores of social function, cognitive function, emotional function, role function, physical function and general health in the two groups were higher than those before intervention (observation group: t=14.487, 17.845, 22.025, 16.393, 11.665, 14.533; control group: t=9.880, 9.777, 10.797, 6.231, 6.838, 6.512, all P<0.05). After intervention, the scores of social function[(75.48±8.19)points], cognitive function[(72.43±6.32)points], emotional function [(71.93±5.74)points], role function[(63.25±7.86)points], physical function[(69.45±8.97)points] and general health[(68.39±7.54)points] in the observation group were higher than those in the control group [(67.31±6.74)points, (60.38±5.75)points, (59.64±6.56)points, (51.47±10.29)points, (58.83±7.09)points and (56.82±7.38)points] (t=4.932, 9.030, 9.028, 5.825, 5.947, 7.022, all P<0.05). Conclusion Lung rehabilitation exercise has good clinical effect on patients with NSCLC undergoing chemotherapy.It can alleviate cancer-related fatigue and improve the quality of life of patients.It is worthy of clinical reference. Key words: Carcinoma, non-small cell lung; Antineoplastic combined chemotherapy protocoks; Rehabilitation, vocational; Vital capacity; Quality of life; Fatigue

Implicit beliefs of emotion and anxiety in psychotherapy

Implicit theories about the malleability of emotion and anxiety (i.e., mindsets) are related to clinically relevant outcomes. However, a paucity of research in clinical samples highlights the importance of assessing the role of these mindsets in treatment. In the current study, treatment-seeking adults (N = 104, Mage = 25.29, SD = 8.42) at a university training clinic evidenced greater malleability in anxiety (but not emotion) mindset at their final treatment session as compared to their initial intake appointment. Surprisingly, neither anxiety nor emotion mindset exerted an indirect effect on the relationship between intake and final session levels of symptom distress, social role, or interpersonal functioning, while controlling for pre-treatment mindsets and session attendance. Yet, accounting for the same covariates, anxiety mindset at the final session was significantly associated with final session levels of symptom distress and social role. Findings contribute to the growing evidence regarding the relative importance of anxiety over emotion mindset in relating to clinical outcomes, while also highlighting the limitations of both mindsets in explaining treatment change.

Effectiveness of Using Photographs of the Change in Standing Posture on Postoperative Patient-Reported Satisfaction and Quality of Life.

Dissatisfaction is still an important problem in a small but important group of patients who undergo total knee arthroplasty. This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of showing patients the change in their standing posture, before and after total knee replacement, using standing photographs (anterior, posterior, and lateral view), on improving self-reported quality of life and satisfaction. Full-length lower extremity radiographs and standing photographs were obtained prior to total knee replacement and 6 months after surgery in the study group. In the control group, radiographs and photographs were not obtained. The hip-knee-ankle angle and mechanical axis deviation were compared between the two limbs and two groups. The changes in the following outcome measures were evaluated from baseline to 6 months after surgery: Short Form-36 Survey, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, Oxford Knee Score, and Knee Society score. Postoperative measures were also compared before and after showing patients their standing photographs, and between two groups. The study and control groups included 71 and 44 patients, respectively, with unilateral or bilateral knee osteoarthritis (Kellgren-Lawrence Grade 3 or 4), with a mean age of 66 years. All patients had a varus malalignment, with significant improvement in postoperative limb alignment (p < 0.001). All self-reported outcome measures improved after surgery (p < 0.05), with the exception of mental health in the Short Form-36. Self-reported scores further improved after patients seeing their standing photographs (p < 0.05), with the exception of mental health and social role functioning. There were also significantly improved scores in the study group than control group after showing photographs (p < 0.05). Showing patients the pre-to-postoperative change in their standing posture might be an easy-to-administer method to improve patient satisfaction with the outcome of total knee replacement and self-reported quality of life. The Level of Evidence for this study is four.

The role of oxytocin in the facial mimicry of affiliative vs. non-affiliative emotions

The present paper builds upon a growing body of work documenting oxytocin’s role in social functioning, to test whether this hormone facilitates spontaneous mimicry of others’ emotional expressions. In a double-blind, randomized trial, adult Caucasian males (n = 145) received a nasal spray of either oxytocin or placebo before completing a facial mimicry task. Facial expressions were coded using automated face analysis. Oxytocin increased mimicry of facial features of sadness (lips and chin, but not areas around the eyes), an affiliative reaction that facilitates social bonding. Oxytocin also increased mimicry of happiness, but only for individuals who expressed low levels of happiness in response to neutral faces. Overall, participants did not reliably mimic expressions of fear and anger, echoing recent theoretical accounts of emotional mimicry as dependent on the social context. In sum, our findings suggest that oxytocin facilitates emotional mimicry in ways that are conducive to affiliation, pointing to a possible pathway through which oxytocin promotes social bonding.

Trapezius Üst Kısmınında Miyofasyal Ağrı Sendromu Olan Diş Hekimlerinde Kinezyolojik Bantlama ile Egzersizin Etkinliğinin Sadece Egzersizin Etkinliği ile Karşılaştırılması

Objective: The aim in the present study was to compare the effectiveness of exercise plus kinesio taping versus exercise alone in dentists who have myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) of the upper trapezius muscle. Materials and Methods: In total, 47 dentists diagnosed with MPS of the upper trapezius muscle were included in the study. The patients were divided into two groups according to the dual block randomisation method. The patients in the first group (n = 23) received kinesio taping for the upper trapezius muscle and an exercise programme. The patients in the second group (n = 24) received only an exercise programme. All patients completed the study. The severity of the pain was measured with the visual analogue scale (VAS). An algometer was used to determine the pressure pain threshold, and the quality of life was measured using the Short Form-36 (SF-36) Health Survey. Results : The mean age of the patients included into the study was 29.83 ± 5.45 in the kinesio taping group and 31.79 ± 5.60 in the exercise alone group. In both groups, a significant improvement in pain values was observed between the evaluations performed at the beginning and at the end of the study (p < 0.05). After the treatment, it was observed that the kinesio taping group exhibited higher improvement (p < 0.05) in the pain scores at rest and during activity as measured by VAS, pressure pain threshold values and using the subscales (physical functioning, social role functioning, vitality [energy], emotional role limitation, physical role limitation, mental health and general health perceptions) and total SF-36 scores. Only the improvement in the ‘bodily pain’ subscale of the SF-36 did not show statistically significant difference between the groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The present study found that exercise therapy alone and exercise plus kinesio taping are beneficial in reducing pain in dentists with MPS of the upper trapezius muscle. The use of kinesio taping plus exercise provided further improvement in the resting and activity pain scores, pressure pain threshold and in certain subscales of the quality of life scale.

Cognitive impairment and health-related quality of life following traumatic brain injury.

Cognitive impairment is a common and disabling consequence of traumatic brain injury (TBI) but its impact on health-related quality of life is not well understood. To investigate the relationship between cognitive impairment and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after TBI. Retrospective, cross-sectional study of a specialist TBI outpatient clinic patient sample. Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination Tool - Revised (ACE-R), and SF-36 quality of life, Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) questionnaires. 240 adults were assessed: n = 172 (71.7%) moderate-severe, 41 (23.8%) mild, 27 (11.3%) symptomatic TBI, 174 (72.5%) male, median age (range): 44 (22-91) years. TBI patients reported poorer scores on all domains of SF-36 compared to age-matched UK normative data. Cognitively impaired patients reported poorer HRQoL on the physical, social role and emotional role functioning, and mental health domains. Cognitive impairment predicted poorer HRQoL on the social and emotional role functioning domains, independently of depressive symptoms, sleep disturbance, daytime sleepiness and TBI severity. Mediation analysis revealed that the effect of depressive symptoms on the emotional role functioning domain of HRQoL was partially mediated by cognitive dysfunction. Cognitive impairment is associated with worse health-related quality of life after TBI and partially mediates the effect of depressive symptoms on emotional role functioning.