State Of Comfort Research Articles

Effects of eye cover among high risk neonates at night shift on their distress levels

Background and aim: The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is a stressful environment for high risk neonates. Persistent bright light is one of the main environmental stressors that are distressed newborn infants in NICU. Cycled lighting may decrease distress level of newborn infants by enhancing calming status. This study aimed to investigate effects of eye cover among high risk neonates at night shift on their distress levels.Methods: Quasi experimental research design was carried out on a randomized sample of 60 newborn infants attending the NICU of El Manial University Hospital (Kasr Al Ainy), (30 control group and 30 study group). Neonatal assessment tool and COMFORTneoNRS scale were utilized for data collection.Results: There was a statistically significant difference between control and study groups regarding the distress levels (p < .00). The mean score of distress levels were 6.80 ± 1.80 and 0.80 ± 1.15 respectively and the mean score of comfort levels in the newborn infants in the control and study groups were 23.22 ± 5.50 and 6.60 ± 1.06 respectively. Eye coved enhanced quite sleep (66.7%), relaxed muscle (73.3%), decrease movement (66.7%) and no crying (85.7%).Conclusions: The use of eye cover among high risk neonates at night shift is effective to decrease their distress level and improve their comfort state in the morning shift by promoting quite sleep and relaxation. Recommendations: The educational program is needed to raise awareness among neonatal nurses about the effect of light reduction methods such as eye patches on the distress level and comfort state that enhances the growth and development of newborn infants.

Structured Short-Term Group Art Therapy in Patients with Fibromyalgia. A Pilot Study

Research background. The causes of fibromyalgia (FM) are unclear and diagnosing FM is complicated, which limits treatment options, and no treatment to date has proven fully effective in alleviating its symptoms. In current studies, where art therapy has been applied in the case of FM, art therapy has been part of a multidisciplinary intervention. The authors were unable to find any published data on the effects of art therapy on FM. The aim of the research was to determine the effect of group art therapy on pain, emotional state, and feeling of health and comfort of FM patients. Research methods. Intervention included ten structured art therapy sessions. The participants were 20 women between the ages of 39–64 years. In order to assess the results of therapy, a self-rate questionnaire was used. Therapy session changes were registered using pain and fatigue NRS and semantic differential scales of feeling of health and comfort. The outcome of group art therapy was assessed with a pain and fatigue NRS, and an Emotional State Questionnaire (EST-Q2). An open question was used to study the expectations of participants at the beginning of therapy and the main result of the therapy upon its conclusion. Research results. During the group art therapy session, pain and fatigue decreased and the feeling of health and comfort improved. This was confirmed by the content analysis of open questions. Following therapy, a significant decrease had taken place in the subscales of the Emotional State Questionnaire in depression, anxiety, and agoraphobia-panic; a substantial decrease in pain and fatigue took place in patients with heightened baseline measures. Conclusion. The changes following the therapy session confirm the results of earlier studies on the positive effects of psychotherapy and art therapy sessions on pain. The pilot study provided promising results for the application of structured short-term group art therapy with FM patients. Keywords: group art therapy, fibromyalgia, pain, fatigue, emotional state.Keywords: group art therapy, fbromyalgia, pain, fatigue, emotional state.

Survey of epilepsy and seizure awareness in Manitoba: An evaluation

BackgroundEpilepsy and seizure awareness is gradually improving across Canada. With the strategic proposal for a Comprehensive Epilepsy Program in Manitoba (including formation of a new Pediatric Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU)), a provincial strategy has been recommended outlining a path towards improved access to epilepsy care. We sought to qualify the current state of clinician knowledge and comfort towards diagnosis and management of this condition. MethodsA qualitative online survey (Survey of Epilepsy and Seizure Awareness in Manitoba: An Evaluation (SESAME)), comprised of 36 short-answer questions, was delivered to primary care and specialist physicians in Manitoba. ResultsOne hundred and eight subjects responded across varying medical disciplines. One hundred and one (93.5%) had previously managed patients with epilepsy, and 87 (80.6%) had previously ordered an electroencephalogram (EEG). A total of 63 (59.4%) had referred to a neurologist, with a lower proportion (30, 28.3%) referring specifically to an epileptologist. Only 36 respondents (33.3%) had heard of the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) guidelines. A total of 61 (56.5%) were unaware of invasive EEG techniques. Most (85, 78.7%) understood a role for surgery in treating epilepsy, with 12 (11.1%) unaware of surgical therapies beyond vagal nerve stimulation (VNS). Finally, less than half (44.2%) had heard about the Comprehensive Epilepsy Program in Manitoba, with nearly two-thirds (62.8%) indicating that they would like to have more information on epilepsy management. ConclusionsThe SESAME successfully identified strong awareness towards epilepsy, with identifiable lapses in knowledge that will benefit from a formal provincial-wide educational curriculum.

The notion of comfort, from word to concept

The notion of comfort emerged from a background of constraints caused by environmental, social, psychological, technological etc. factors, as a human attitude and endeavor to diminish these constraints and then to improve other elements that could ensure a different quality standard of life. In the last two decades, one can perceive an intensification of the efforts put into revealing the factors, together with their limitations, which contribute to achieving the state of comfort in various types of buildings considered isolated or in relation to others, in a rural or urban setting, and putting them into a standardized format that is to be taken into account. The increasing debates between specialists on the one hand and between specialists and occupants/users/residents on the other hand regarding the addition of new factors or the preeminence of their importance generates the re-contextualization of the notion of “comfort”, whose elements are presented in this study. The last chapter proposes a different approach and understanding of the notion of comfort which can thus become a concept that finds its starting point in the way man is structured as a living being and takes

Evaluation of the effectiveness of single session audiovisual stimulation for the organism functional state’s correction

Based on the analysis of the changes in the bioelectrical activity of the brain, the dynamics of cerebral blood flow and the vegetative balance of the body, the efficacy of a single 15-minute session of audiovisual stimulation for the correction of the functional state of the organism was evaluated. It was found that after the audiovisual stimulation session, the mean value of the alpha-rhythm power in the frontal, anterior-parietal and occipital leads of the right and left hemispheres of the brain was statistically significant more than in the background study. Such a change in the power of the alpha-rhythm reflects the level of ascending activation necessary for the organization of adaptive behavior, and can also characterize the intensity of the neuro-emotional stress. Increasing the power of the α-rhythm indicates a decrease in the level of nonspecific cerebral activation and is one of the main characteristics of the state of functional comfort. Statistically significant ifferences in the indices of powers of the β - and β -rhythms inherent in the state of active wakefulness were determined. The decrease1 2in the power index of the electoencephalography delta rhythm was revealed. The revealed dynamics of cerebral blood flow parameters was subject to pronounced individual differences, which made it impossible to determine the direction of the trend. It was established a gradual decrease in the power of the low-frequency component of the cardiorhythm with simultaneous increase in the contribution power of the high-frequency component, reaching a statistically significant difference at the last stage of registration, which leads to a significant decrease in the coefficient of vagosympathetic balance after the audiovisual stimulation session. The revealed changes indicate a decrease in the tone of the sympathetic part of the autonomic nervous system. Thus, it is established that after a single 15-minute audiovisual stimulation session, the value of the α-rhythm power in the frontal, anterior parietal and occipital leads of the right and left hemispheres of the brain increases, the power indices of the beta and delta rhythms of the electoencephalography decrease, the stress index and the vegetative index decrease balance, and also the coefficient of the vagosympathetic balance of the rhythmocardiogram. These changes characterize the optimization of the functional state of the organism and contribute to an accelerated restoration of working capacity.

Endocrinology Fellows' Perception of Their Confidence and Skill Level in Providing Transgender Healthcare

Both educational content and hours devoted to transgender health training of endocrinology fellows are suboptimal. The objective of this study was to assess the perspectives of endocrinology fellows on their training in transgender health. We evaluated the state of comfort and knowledge of transgender healthcare among endocrinology fellows attending Endocrine University. Surveys were administered to fellows before and after their participation in a case-based session on transgender health. The majority of fellows felt that training in transgender health is important (95.9%, 189/197); however, only 58.9% reported inclusion of dedicated transgender content in their training programs. Fellows who had received transgender healthcare education, and those who had seen more transgender patients in their training, were more likely to be confident in treating patients with hormone therapy ( P<.001 and P<.0001, respectively). Following the case-based session, 62.4 % of fellows reported that they would change their practice, 72.8% felt that their comfort level with transgender care had improved, and 91% felt that transgender content such as that provided in the educational session should be mandatory in endocrinology training programs. Methods most desired by fellows to improve their education included lectures from visiting professors (70.3%), participation in elective rotations (62.1%), online training modules (57.9%), and attendance at meetings with transgender topics (57.4%). Transgender health education of U.S. endocrinology fellows is suboptimal. Participation in a case-based session significantly increased the comfort level of endocrinology fellows in key areas of transgender health. Abbreviation: ACGME = Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education.

Effects of disparity on visual discomfort caused by short-term stereoscopic viewing based on electroencephalograph analysis

BackgroundDiscomfort evoked by stereoscopic depth has been widely concerned. Previous studies have proposed a comfortable disparity range and considered that disparities exceed this range would cause visual discomfort. Brain activity recordings including Electroencephalograph (EEG) monitoring enable better understanding of perceptual and cognitive processes related to stereo depth-induced visual comfort.MethodsEEG data was collected using a stereo-visual evoked potential (VEP) test system by providing visual stimulus to subjects aged from 21 to 25 with normal stereoscopic vision. For each type of visual stimulus, data were processed using directed transfer function (DTF) and adaptive directed transfer function (ADTF) in combination with subjective feedbacks (comfort or discomfort). The topographies of information flow were constructed to compare responses stimulated by different stereoscopic depth, and to determine the difference in comfort and discomfort situations upon stimulation with same stereoscopic depth.ResultsBased on EEG analysis results, we found that the occipital P270 was moderately related to the disparity. Moreover, the ADTF of P270 showed that the information flows at frontal lobe and central-parietal lobe changed when stimulation with different stereoscopic depth applied. As to the stereo images with same stereoscopic depth, the DTF outflows at the temporal and temporal-parietal lobes in δ band, central and central-parietal lobes in α and θ bands, and the comparison of inflows in these three bands could be considered as discriminated indexes for matching the stereoscopic effect with viewers’ comfort or discomfort state impacted by disparity. The subjective feedbacks indicated that the comfort judgments remained as a result of cumulative effect.ConclusionsThis study proposed a short-term stereo-VEP experiment that shorted the duration of each stimulus in the experimental scheme to minimize the interference from other factors except the disparity. The occipital P270 had a mid-relevance to the disparity and its ADTF showed the affected areas when viewers are receiving stimulations with different disparities. DTF could be considered as discriminated indexes for matching the stereoscopic effect with viewers’ comfort or discomfort state induced by disparity. This study proposed a preferable experiment to observe the single effect of disparity and provided an intuitive and easy-to-read result in a more convenient manner.

Oxytocin levels in the saliva of preterm infant twins during Kangaroo care

Background and purposeTo investigate whether Kangaroo care (KC) influences the salivary oxytocin (OT) concentration in preterm infants, and which correlates affect the OT response. MethodsEleven twin pairs participated in a study in which we collected saliva using cotton swabs twice a day, once during KC and once during baseline conditions (lying in bed or incubator). The total study duration was five days. The saliva of twin siblings were pooled to obtain vials with sufficient volumes of either saliva collected during KC or at baseline. OT levels were measured using a radio-immuno assay. The infants’ state of comfort and parent-infant interaction were examined using previously developed Likert-scales, amongst other correlates such as the KC duration, gestational age and birth weight. ResultsDuring KC, OT was lower compared to baseline (mean 1.39 pg/ml (SD 0.58 pg/ml) versus 2.40 pg/ml (SD 1.64 pg/ml), p = 0.03). Comfort at baseline and parent-infant interaction seemed to influence OT responses. ConclusionThe OT concentration in the pooled saliva of preterm infant twins decreased during KC. This response of the OT system might be explained by stress during baseline.

Hybrid PCM and Transparent Solar Cells in Zero Energy Buildings

Zero energy building design could be realized by passive design. Having energy conservation concepts and active mechanical renewable energy generation systems could be considered as passive technique. This concept becomes a very interesting technique in countries that consume a lot of energy for their domestic sector. The purpose of the recent paper is to investigate the effect of hybrid construction material that merges phase change material, PCM walls for heat load minimization and transparent solar cells, and TSC in the windows for electricity generation for the purpose of illumination in such typical design. PCMs could be used for storing thermal energy and utilizing this energy during different annual seasons by absorption or release mechanisms to keep the building’s inside temperature at thermal comfort state. While TSC,s are substances that allow partial Sun light penetration for illumination during day and use the other part for electricity generation at night. The paper introduce a typical architectural design for residential building that utilizes such type of constructional material for energy saving and analyzes thermal effectiveness of using PCM and power production effectiveness of using TSC as passive technique integrated with the zero-energy building envelope. Proper modeling tool has been used to investigate the impact of these materials on the thermal comfort perceived by the occupants. Results show that using such type of hybrid materials reduces annual energy consumption. It has been concluded that the passive structural heat isolation and power production material is a very effective manner in countries like Iraq which has severe temperature differences between summer and winter seasons.

Development of the ASHRAE Global Thermal Comfort Database II

Recognizing the value of open-source research databases in advancing the art and science of HVAC, in 2014 the ASHRAE Global Thermal Comfort Database II project was launched under the leadership of University of California at Berkeley's Center for the Built Environment and The University of Sydney's Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) Laboratory. The exercise began with a systematic collection and harmonization of raw data from the last two decades of thermal comfort field studies around the world. The ASHRAE Global Thermal Comfort Database II (Comfort Database), now an online, open-source database, includes approximately 81,846 complete sets of objective indoor climatic observations with accompanying “right-here-right-now” subjective evaluations by the building occupants who were exposed to them. The database is intended to support diverse inquiries about thermal comfort in field settings. A simple web-based interface to the database enables filtering on multiple criteria, including building typology, occupancy type, subjects' demographic variables, subjective thermal comfort states, indoor thermal environmental criteria, calculated comfort indices, environmental control criteria and outdoor meteorological information. Furthermore, a web-based interactive thermal comfort visualization tool has been developed that allows end-users to quickly and interactively explore the data.

P.014 Survey of epilepsy and seizure awareness in Manitoba: an evaluation (SESAME)

Background: Epilepsy/seizure awareness is improving across Canada. With the formation of a Comprehensive Epilepsy Program in Manitoba (including a new Pediatric Epilepsy Monitoring Unit), a provincial strategy has been proposed outlining a path towards improved access to epilepsy care. We now sought to qualify the current state of clinician knowledge and comfort towards diagnosis and management of this condition. Methods: A qualitative online survey, comprised of 36 short-answer questions, was delivered to primary care and specialist physicians in Manitoba. Results:108 subjects responded, across varying medical disciplines. 101 (93.5%) have previously managed epilepsy patients, and 87 (80.6%) have previously ordered an EEG. A total of 63 (59.4%) have referred to a neurologist, with a lower proportion (30, 28.3%) referring specifically to an epileptologist. 36 respondents (33.3%) have heard of the ILAE guidelines, with 43 (63.2%) reporting refractory epilepsy to be -defined by the failure of 3 (or more) medications. 61 (56.5%) were unaware of invasive EEG techniques. Most (85, 78.7%) understood a role for surgery in treating epilepsy, with 12 (11.1%) unaware of surgical therapies beyond VNS. Conclusions: SESAME successfully identified strong awareness towards epilepsy, with small lapses in knowledge that will benefit from a formal provincial-wide educational curriculum.

Стресорна реакція у жінок з безплідністю, оперованих на придатках матки у плановому та ургентному порядку

The objective: the study of the psychoemotional state in women with infertility, who underwent surgical treatment on the uterine appendages in the planned and urgent order. Materials and methods. 120 women of reproductive age with a tubal peritoneal factor of infertility and benign ovarian formations, an ectopic pregnancy, who underwent organ-preserving surgical intervention on the uterine appendages (the main group) were examined. Planned surgical treatment was performed in 76 (63.7%) of the examined main group (group 1); In urgent order, 44 (36.7%) patients of the main group (the second group) underwent surgical treatment. Depending on the access, laparoscopy (LP) with the use of monopolar or bipolar electrosurgery was performed in 54 women of the 1st group and in 24 patients of the 2nd group, and laparotomy (LT) in 22 patients of the 1st group and in 20 patients - 2 nd group. The control group included 20 patients with reproductive function without infertility (3rd group). Twenty women of reproductive age with infertility without surgery entered the comparison group (group 4). Results The article examines the effect of surgical treatment on the uterine appendages in 120 women with infertility on the psychoemotional state depending on the planned nature of the surgical intervention. Women who underwent surgical treatment in urgent order found that pronounced depression and neurotic manifestations are closely related to sleep disturbances, decreased mood, crying, irritability. Conclusion. A month after surgery, depression, anxiety, nervousness decreased, which indicates positive changes in the mental state of patients and an improvement in the state of internal comfort as a result of the recovery of somatic well-being, increased optimism and self-confidence, which is the result of cosmetic effect and organ-preserving surgical treatment. Key words: infertility, operations on the appendages of the uterus, psychoemotional state

Studies Results Regarding Bisphosphonate Therapy in Dental Medicine

Osteoporosis is a health problem reported worldwide, which predominantly affects women in menopause. Since the percentage level in this population category is quite high, a treatment plan was elaborated to minimize the negative effects of this bone disease, to restore the general state of comfort and allow women to reintegrate in society.

Apport de la transdisciplinarité sans perdre sa spécificité de kinésithérapeute dans la rééducation d’un enfant polyhandicapé : étude de cas

This paper presents the case study of Julie, a 5-year-old child presenting a cerebral palsy. Her motor function level is rated V on the Gross Motor Function Classification System for cerebral palsy (GMFCS) and her manual ability is rated V on the Manual Ability Classification Scale (MACS). Her communication level is rated IV on the Système de classification des fonction de communication (SCFC). Our work focuses on the major hypertonia observed with this child and which massively alter her voluntary motor skills. The analysis was led through an interdisciplinary re-education team and enabled us to consider the different roots for these contractions. Not only is the neuromotor function altered by the brain injury leading to an inflated basal state of contraction, but the sensory, psychological and emotional dimensions were also taken into account to understand Julie's behavior in relation to her exaggerated contractions. Based on this multidimensional diagnosis, a collective process led to a physiological and educative therapy in order to allow this young girl with multiple disabilities to achieve a certain level of control over her contractions. The installations, the organization of her environment and an adapted educational framework were the three areas chosen to answer the three identified dimensions of pathological contraction. Regulating her state of contraction appears as a necessary step towards optimizing her expression and accessing an improved state of relaxation and comfort – a key element to support her general development.

Experimental study on thermal performance improvement of building envelopes by integrating with phase change material in an intermittently heated room

The intermittent heating is frequently used to save the building heating energy consumption. Both the heat storage and release processes of building envelope have coupling influences on the indoor thermal environment during intermittent heating process. In order to make the best of the heat storage and release process to adjust the indoor thermal environment, this paper integrated phase change material (PCM) with the building envelope and experimentally studied the thermal performance improvement under four typical intermittent heating conditions summarized by questionnaires in China. The results show that the inner surface temperature of the PCM wall increased faster after heating, which was more favorable to ensure that the indoor thermal environment recovers to the thermal comfort state quickly. The inner surface temperature of the PCM wall was higher than the reference wall after heating was off, which can maintain a constant indoor air temperature. In the heating process of the four conditions, the inner surface heat flux value was 18.48% lower than the reference wall. Integrating PCM with the building envelope can not only improve the indoor thermal environment, but also reduce the heating time and heating energy consumption.

Biomimicry for Innovative Air-Conditioning

The intendment of Air Conditioning lies not just only in removing the heat from a confined space so as to produce a state of thermal comfort, but also must focus on Energy Efficient processes, parroting the similar state of Thermal Comfort. Biomimicry is an emerging field of science that imitates nature and applies such process for scientific technologies. In Biomimicry for airconditioning systems, the requirement for energy efficient processes lies in creating a domain of thermal comfort by a process that would eliminate the necessity for an energy consuming process. Also such bionic inspired systems must be reliable and must not cause further disadvantages. In such a scenario, this work focuses on three main bio-inspirations; A Termite Mound inspired convection currents, Blood Flow in Penguins inspired counter flow heat exchanger system and the behavior of an insect Brown Dog Tick that secretes an interesting hydrophilic chemical that could be used for dehumidification. Various happenings in the three biological processes have been discussed and the feasibility of such processes to be implemented in technological behavior has been discussed.

Физические параметры и комфортность школьной среды в оценках обучающихся и педагогов

The problem of interrelation of physical parameters of school space with the state of comfort of students and teachers in conditions of different types of educational environment is considered: "enriched", "standard" and "depleted". The hypothesis was that the assessment of comfort is interrelated with the physical parameters of the environment (temperature, air quality, illumination, acoustics, furniture) and has significant differences in the assessments of schoolchildren and teachers of schools with different types of educational environment. 416 schoolchildren and 73 teachers of three Moscow educational complexes took part in the study. Specially developed questionnaires were used. In the group of schoolchildren, significant differences in assessments of the comfort of the school space and its individual physical parameters were revealed depending on the type of educational environment and significant relationships were established between these indicators. The state of comfort of schoolchildren is determined by the type of educational environment and its physical parameters. For teachers, comfort, which is higher in comparison with the assessments of children, is determined by a favorable psychological climate and benevolent relationships.

Relationship of psychophysiological characteristics with different levels of motivation in judo athletes of high qualification

Aim : to study the connection of psychophysiological characteristics with different levels of motivation in judo athletes of high qualification. Material: highly qualified athletes were examined, members of the National Judo Team (men). All athletes (n = 25) were divided into three groups, depending on the level of motivation to achieve success. Results: it is established that the high level of motivation for achieving success in judo is provided by activation of neurodynamic, cognitive functions and the level of light resistance. Athletes with a high level of motivation to achieve success is observed the predominance of the values of neurodynamic functions: endurance of the nervous system; speed of visual reactions. Athletes with an average level of motivation to achieve success identified higher values: productivity, speed, accuracy, effectiveness of verbal information. Athletes with a predominance of avoidance of failure motivation have a preference for other groups in the speed, efficiency and stability of the processes of thinking and processing information. Conclusions: judo athletes with a predominance of motivation to avoid a failure form coping strategy to prevent psycho-emotional stress. This helps to minimize the exhaustion of vegetative resources in conditions of extreme sports activity. Judo athletes with high level of motivation to achieve success, the presence of mental state of relative comfort is associated with the search for support among others and orientation toward internal beliefs.

Parental assessment of comfort in newborns affected by life-limiting conditions treated by a standardized neonatal comfort care program.

To assess the perception of parents concerning the state of comfort maintained in their infants born with life-limiting conditions and treated by a standardized neonatal comfort care program. Participants were parents (n=35 families) who elected comfort care for their newborns diagnosed with life-limiting conditions. Standardized comfort measures including family/infant bonding, warmth, nutrition/hydration and pain/discomfort management were provided to all infants. Parents consented to receive a questionnaire with quantitative response options and open-ended questions. Forty-two questionnaires (26 from mothers and 16 from fathers) were collected and analyzed. Most parents reported that their child was treated with respect, in a caring, peaceful and non-invasive environment. To the question 'Do you think that overall your baby received comfort' mode response was 'always'. Parents of infants with life-limiting conditions perceive that their babies experience comfort as a result of the care provided by the standardized Neonatal Comfort Care Program.

Практика убаюкивания в современной городской культуре: материнский фольклор и потребности ребенка

This study describes the practice of lulling in contemporary urban culture and its accompanying speech forms and nonverbal components. The research material included interviews with parents, which were recorded in Saint Petersburg from 2008 to 2015. Thirty-seven such records (33 women and 4 men) were made during the gender study. In was interesting to find out which texts the parents used as lullabies and what they felt when lulling their children to sleep and how the children reacted to it. It was found that various texts and melodies, which the respondents were sung in their childhood, were used as lullabies; these texts and melodies came from different genres and times, including contemporary works. The repertoire is generally based on the personal experience of the performer. Adults sing to their children the things that they themselves learned during their childhood, folk lullabies, which they are familiar with after reading children’s books, popular hits and military songs that they learned while attending the school choir. The choice to use this or that text as a lullaby can be related to the state of emotional comfort and calmness of the performer. Thus, the lullaby is addressed equally to both participants of the process – the child and the performer. Through certain strategies (rocking, humming), parents also access their own feelings and gain the ability to control them. It is worth noting that the textual content of the lullaby is not as important for the child as it is for the adult. Children’s needs primarily come from the rhythm and melody of the performed work. Therefore, it is possible to conclude that the lullaby is a means that allows working with the internal state of the per-former.