Therapy Techniques Research Articles

Emerging Nanotechnology-based Therapeutics: A New Insight into Promising Drug Delivery System for Lung Cancer Therapy.

Lung cancer is a foremost global health issue due to its poor diagnosis. The advancement of novel drug delivery systems and medical devices will aid its therapy. In this review, the authors thoroughly introduce the ideas and methods for improving nanomedicine- based approaches for lung cancer therapy. This article provides mechanistic insight into various novel drug delivery systems (DDSs) including nanoparticles, solid lipid nanoparticles, liposomes, dendrimers, niosomes, and nanoemulsions for lung cancer therapy with recent research work. This review provides insights into various patents published for lung cancer therapy based on nanomedicine. This review also highlights the current status of approved and clinically tested nanoformulations for their treatment. For finding scholarly related data for the literature search, many search engines were employed including PubMed, Science Direct, Google, Scihub, Google Scholar, Research Gate, Web of Sciences, and several others. Various keywords and phrases were used for the search such as "nanoparticles", "solid lipid nanoparticles", "liposomes", "dendrimers", "niosomes", "nanoemulsions", "lung cancer", "nanomedicine", "nanomaterial", "nanotechnology", "in vivo" and "in vitro". The most innovative and cutting-edge nanotechnology-based approaches that are employed in pre-clinical and clinical studies to address problems associated with lung cancer therapies are also mentioned in future prospects. A variety of problems encountered with current lung cancer therapy techniques that frequently led to inadequate therapeutic success are also discussed in the end. The development of nanoformulations at the pilot scale still faces some difficulties, but their prospects for treating lung cancer appear to be promising in the future. Future developments and trends are anticipated as the evaluation comes to a close.

Current Practice Patterns in the Management of Bell's Palsy Among Physiotherapists of Sargodha, Pakistan

Objectives: We intend to find out current practice patterns in managing Bell’s palsy among the physiotherapists of Sargodha, Pakistan. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from May to August 2022. Data were obtained from 50 physiotherapists working in various clinical settings of Sargodha with more than 2 years of clinical experience. They were selected using convenient sampling. A self-designed questionnaire was used to gather all necessary information regarding the physical therapy practice patterns of Bell’s palsy. The obtained data were analyzed by using SPSS software, version 20. Results: Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) was the preferred (42%) neurodevelopmental technique used in current practice patterns to manage Bell’s palsy. The most used therapeutic exercises by the physiotherapists were facial expression coordination exercises (66%). Also, 44% of physiotherapists used electrical muscle stimulation as the preferred electrotherapeutic modality in their current practice. Soft tissue release (54%) was the most preferred manual therapy technique in Bell’s palsy patients. The combination of electrical muscle stimulation, facial exercises, and biofeedback was the most used (54%) among physiotherapists. Discussion: Current practice for Bell’s palsy treatment includes PNF techniques, facial expression coordination exercises, soft tissue release, and electrical muscle stimulation by most physiotherapists in Sargodha. The most preferred combination was facial exercises, electrical stimulation, and biofeedback.

РОЛЬ КОЛЬОРУ В ОСМИСЛЕННІ ПІДЛІТКАМИ ВЛАСНОГО ЕМОЦІЙНОГО КОНТЕКСТУ ТА ЙОГО ЗМІН ПІД ВПЛИВОМ ПСИХОТРАВМУЮЧИХ ОБСТАВИН

The article deals with using art therapeutic technologies to comprehend adolescents’ emotional context. Fragments of psychoanalytic work using artistic and symbolic images are presented. The paper analyzes a set of thematic drawings covering various aspects of adolescents’ lives and attitudes towards themselves, others, and the world around them. The results of an experimental study are given. It is noted that the art therapy method contains the potential to actualize the strategy of creative activity and is based on the expressive arts that provide support for the individual. It has been found that using color in art therapy techniques corrects disorders of psychosomatic and psycho-emotional processes in personal development. The role of color in adolescents’ comprehension of their emotional context and its changes under the influence of psychotraumatic circumstances is considered. It is stated that the use of mandalas allows a teenager to delve into the unconscious levels of the psyche and ensure its balance and integrity under of the influence psychotraumatic circumstances It is proved that color not only affects an adolescent’s personality depending on his or her emotional state but also shapes emotions in a certain way. The art therapy method has been found to contribute to the subject’s reflexive comprehension of his/her emotional experiences embodied in artistic and symbolic forms

Investigating the Comparative Effectiveness of Yoga and Relaxation Therapy on Restlessness, Fatigue and Difficulty Concentrating in Multiple Sclerosis Patients

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a long-term autoimmune disorder affecting the central nervous system, leading to reduced quality of life and impaired physical and psychological functions. Objectives: This study aims to examine the relative efficacy of yoga and relaxation therapy in improving sleep disturbances, fatigue, and cognitive impairment among individuals diagnosed with MS. Methods: This study employed a semi-experimental research design, including a pre-test, post-test, and follow-up over three months. The target population comprised all MS patients referred to the Iranian MS Association in Tehran between July and November 2023. Sixty participants were selected using purposive sampling and randomly assigned to research groups: Two yoga therapy groups with 17 participants each, a relaxation therapy group with 16 participants, and a control group with 18 participants. The yoga therapy group participated in twelve 90-minute sessions twice a week, while the control group received no intervention and was placed on a waiting list. Various tools, including the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI), Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory (CMAI-O), and a concentration skills questionnaire, were used to collect data. The data were analyzed using ANOVA, Bonferroni post hoc test, MANCOVA, and Kruskal-Wallis H tests with a significance level of 0.05, utilizing SPSS 27 software. Results: The study found a significant difference (P < 0.001) in the restlessness factor in both the post-test and follow-up phases. Additionally, there was a significant difference (P < 0.001) in the levels of physical fatigue, mental fatigue, decreased activity, and decreased motivation in both the post-test and follow-up phases, indicating significant changes in the fatigue factor among the research groups. However, there was no significant difference in the general fatigue component between the research groups. A significant difference (P < 0.001) was also found in the concentration factor, particularly in the components of voluntary and involuntary concentration, during both the post-test and follow-up stages. Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that both yoga and relaxation therapy techniques significantly reduce restlessness, physical tiredness, mental fatigue, decreased activity, and decreased motivation. Furthermore, the findings validate that both yoga and relaxation therapy techniques effectively enhance voluntary and involuntary concentration.

High-throughput proliferation and activation of NK-92MI cell spheroids via a homemade one-step closed bioreactor in pseudostatic cultures for immunocellular therapy.

The NK-92MI cell line has displayed significant promise in clinical trials for cancer treatment. However, challenges persist in obtaining sufficient cell quantities and achieving optimal cytotoxicity. The proliferation of natural killer (NK) cells involves the formation of cell aggregates, but excessively large aggregates can impede nutrient and waste transport, leading to reduced cell survival rates. In this study, a custom bioreactor was designed to mimic pseudostatic culture conditions by integrating brief mechanical rotation during a 6-h static culture period. This method aimed to achieve an optimal aggregate size while improving cell viability. The findings revealed a 144-fold expansion of 3D NK-92MI cell aggregates, reaching an ideal size of 80-150µm, significantly increasing both cell proliferation and survival rates. After 14days of culture, the NK-92MI cells maintained their phenotype during the subsequent phase of cell activation. Moreover, these cells presented elevated levels of IFN-γ expression after IL-18 activation, resulting in enhanced NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity against K562 cells. This innovative strategy, which uses a closed suspension-based culture system, presents a promising approach for improving cell expansion and activation techniques in immunocellular therapy.

Telemedicine for mental disorders: Presentation and initial results of a telephone-based care approach

A telephone-based health program for people with depressive and anxiety disorders as well as stress, already implemented in the standard care of a private health insurance company, as well as the initial evaluation results will be presented. The program, based on several months of telephone support for patients from medical professionals, focuses on teaching psychoeducational content, behavioral therapy techniques, and emotional support. In the current program, the German version of the DASS 21 questionnaire was used, which detects distress in the dimensions of depression, anxiety and stress as well as overall psychological stress. The demographic data and the questionnaire results of all participants from the first eleven months of the program, who completed questionnaires at two time points, are presented. The reductions in the DASS 21 (sub)scores after five months of coaching were defined as the primary endpoints. The basis for calculation was the t-test for dependent samples (α=0.05). Two completed questionnaires were available from 86 of 199 participants (43.2%). The population was on average 49.5 years old and predominantly female (61.6%). In total, coaching lasted 170 (SD=58) days and 200 (81) minutes. On average, these minutes were distributed over 5.6 (1.9) calls. At baseline, there were increased scores in all subcategories (depression: 7.13 [4.99]; anxiety: 4.49 [4.07]; stress: 9.85 [4.16]; total: 21.47 [11.54]). After five months, a reduction in each parameter was measured (depression: - 2.14 [3.99], Cohen's d=0.54; anxiety: - 1.65 [3.36], d=0.49; stress: - 2.24 [4.81], d=0.47; total: - 6.03 [10.70]; d=0.56; p < 0.001 for each). Broken down by severity of stress at the start of care, several subcategories showed an increase in score reduction with increasing severity, with medium to large effect sizes. The telephone program described is promising as an accompanying approach to treatment of mental illness. Due to the pre-post study design, the results presented do not allow a final statement to be made about the effectiveness of the program. However, based on the significant improvements in psychological stress shown over the course of the program, including relevant effect sizes, a further evaluation of this setting under controlled conditions is recommended.

SURG-56. TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR CELL LINEAGE DETERMINES AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR AMONG NONFUNCTIONAL PITUITARY ADENOMAS

Abstract INTRODUCTION Pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs) are the second most common intracranial neoplasm. Silent or non-functional PitNETs represent a common neuro-oncological challenge due to their size and unpredictable invasion of parasellar structures. This makes their complete surgical resection difficult and puts patients at higher risk for recurrence. OBJECTIVE To characterize differences in tumor volume, cavernous sinus invasion, and recurrence in nonfunctional PitNETs. METHODS Out of 615 transsphenoidal surgeries from 2012 to 2024, there were 309 overall PitNETs and 181 nonfunctional PitNETs. Based on new WHO criteria for transcription factor profiling (PIT-1, TPIT, and SF-1), there were 98 silent gonadotroph adenomas (SGA), 31 silent corticotroph adenomas (SCA), 10 silent pleurihormonal tumors (PHT), and 2 null cell adenomas. Tumor volume was calculated using (AxBxC/2). Knosp grade was calculated. Cavernous sinus invasion was defined as Knosp ≥ 3. Residual disease at 3 months postoperative was recorded and surgical intervention for growing residual disease was captured. RESULTS Average tumor volume of PHT (18.08 cm3) was significantly higher than SGA (8.44 cm3, p=0.007) and similar to SCA (10.33 cm3, p=0.11). Percentage of cavernous sinus invasion was significantly different between SCA (31.82%) and SGA (10.20%, p=0.003), but not PHT (33.33%; p&amp;gt;0.05). There was a significantly higher residual rate in SCA compared to SGA (31.71% vs. 11.22%, p=0.006). There were significantly more reoperations in the SCA group compared to SGA and PHT. CONCLUSIONS Despite similar tumor volume between SCA and SGA, there was a significantly higher rate of cavernous sinus invasion and residual disease among SCA. This has important neuro-oncological implications regarding surgical technique, postoperative surveillance, and need for adjuvant therapy to mitigate aggressive recurrent disease.

Reproducibility and stability of voluntary deep inspiration breath hold and free breath in breast radiotherapy based on real-time 3-dimensional optical surface imaging system.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the inter-fraction reproducibility and intra-fraction stability of breast radiotherapy using voluntary deep-inspiration breath hold (DIBH) and free breathing (FB) based on an optical surface imaging system (OSIS). Seventeen patients (510 breath-hold sessions) treated using a field-in-field (FiF) technique and twenty patients (600 breath-free sessions) treated with a volume-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) technique were included in this retrospective study. All the patients were positioned with the guidance of CBCT and OSIS, and also monitored with OSIS throughout the whole treatment session. Eight setup variations in three directions were extracted from the treatment reports of OSIS for all sessions and were subsequently manually introduced to treatment plans, resulting in a total of 296 perturbed plans. All perturbed plans were recalculated, and the dose volume histograms (DVH) for the target and organs at risk (OAR) were analyzed. The OSIS and CBCT for both DIBH and FB treatments showed a good agreement of less than 0.30cm in each direction. The intra-fraction respiratory motion data during DIBH were -0.06 ± 0.07cm, 0.12 ± 0.15cm, and 0.12 ± 0.12cm in the lateral, longitudinal, and vertical directions, respectively; for FB, the respiratory motion data were -0.02 ± 0.12cm, 0.08 ± 0.18cm, and 0.14 ± 0.20cm, respectively. For the target, DIBH plans were more sensitive to setup errors; the mean deviations in D95 for CTV were 39.78Gy-40.17Gy for DIBH and 38.46Gy-40.52Gy for FB, respectively. For the OARs, the mean deviations of V10, V20, and Dmean to the heart; V5, V20, and Dmean to the ipsilateral lung; and Dmean to the breast were lower for the FB plan compared with the DIBH plan. Based on OSIS, our results indicate that both DIBH and FB can provide good reproducibility in the inter-fractions and stability in the intra-fractions. When the patient respiratory motion is large, the FB technology has greater possibility for the undercoverage of the target volume, while DIBH technology is more likely to result in increases in dose to OARs (the lung, heart, and contralateral breast).

Advancements in p53-Based Anti-Tumor Gene Therapy Research

The p53 gene is one of the genes most closely associated with human tumors and has become a popular target for tumor drug design. Currently, p53-based gene therapy techniques have been developed, but these therapies face challenges such as immaturity, high safety hazards, limited efficacy, and low patient acceptance. However, researchers are no less enthusiastic about the treatment because of its theoretical potential to treat cancer. In this paper, the advances in p53-based gene therapy and related nucleic acid delivery technologies were reviewed and prospected in order to support further development in this field.

Comparative Analysis of Suboccipital Muscle Inhibition Technique and Static Hamstring Stretching in Normal Healthy Individuals with Hamstring Tightness: A Randomised Clinical Trial

BACKGROUNDHamstring tightness is a major contributing factor for lower back pain, lumbar spine disorders and sports related injuries. Many studies has been done to improve the flexibility of hamstring muscle by various techniques such as different stretching techniques myofascial Release Therapy, neuro-muscular therapy and Muscle Energy Technique etc. All of these technique mentioned act at the hamstring muscle level to provide its effectiveness. In a present study we aimed at to find out the effectiveness of suboccipital muscle inhibition technique for improving tightness in hamstring muscle. Hence this study is done to find out the effectiveness of applying suboccipital muscle inhibition technique on distant muscle flexibility in turn to prove the distant muscle relationship. Study is done with the aim to find whether suboccipital muscle inhibition technique can be used along with conventional methods for improving tightness of hamstring muscle.AIMTo compare the effectiveness of suboccipital muscle inhibition technique and static hamstring stretching in normal individuals with hamstring tightness.MethodsIn this comparative study total 165 individuals were screened for tightness of hamstring. Individuals who satisfied the inclusion criteria were selected from the normal healthy population. A total of 100 healthy subjects of both genders between the age of 18 and 25 were recruited in this trial. After doing block randomization subjects were assigned to two groups ,in Group A 50 subjects were given suboccipital muscle inhibition technique for 5 sessions for 5 consecutive days. Another group 50 subjects were given static stretching to both the lower limbs for 30 seconds followed by 15 seconds relaxation, for 5 sessions for 5 consecutive days.RESULTSActive knee extension test using Mann Whitney U test in both suboccipital muscle inhibition technique and static hamstring stretching group shows no difference(p=0.623) for pretreatment, while significant result immediately post treatment (0.002) and statistically significant result in baseline parameters after 5 sessions of treatment (0.000)Forward flexion distance test using Mann Whitney U test in both suboccipital muscle inhibition technique and static hamstring stretching group shows no significant difference(p=0.088) for pretreatment and also for immediately post treatment (0.893) but shows statistically significant result in baseline parameters after 5 sessions of treatment (0.009)CONCLUSIONSuboccipital muscle inhibition technique and static hamstring stretching are both effective in improving the flexibility of hamstring muscle. The Suboccipital muscle inhibition technique is more effective compared to static hamstring stretching in normal healthy individuals with hamstring tightness.

Observations of the effectiveness, dosage, and prognosis of intensity-modulated radiation therapy under ultrasonic guidance for cervical cancer patients.

Volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) guided by ultrasound is a novel radiation therapy technique that facilitates the delineation of the tumor target area under image guidance, enhancing the precision of radiation therapy and maximizing the protection of surrounding tissues. The objective of this paper is to investigate the effectiveness of VMAT under ultrasonic guidance for cervical cancer patients and its impact on radiotherapy dosage and prognosis. A retrospective analysis encompassed 128 instances of cervical cancer patients who were admitted to our medical facility between April 2019 and April 2021. The patients were categorized into an observation cohort and a control cohort, depending on variations in treatment modalities post-admission. The control group underwent conventional radiotherapy, whereas the observation group received VMAT guided by ultrasound. Clinical efficacy, average radiation dosages (in the radiotherapy target area, rectum, and bladder), radiotherapy-related toxicities during treatment, and one-year survival rates were compared between the two groups. Additionally, variances in pre- and post-treatment serum levels of squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC-Ag), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and carbohydrate antigen 724 (CA724) were subjected to assessment. When compared to the control group (64.52%), the observation cohort's comprehensive effectiveness rate was considerably greater (80.30%). The observation group saw lower average radiation exposures and a reduction in the post-treatment concentrations of CEA, SCC-Ag, and CA724. The overall incidence of adverse effects from radiation treatment also declined. The observation group had a greater one-year survival rate (90.48%) than the control group (73.33%). When comparing the observation cohort to the control group, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed a significantly higher one-year survival rate (Log-Rank = 6.530, P= 0.011). VMAT guided by ultrasound for patients with cervical cancer demonstrates promising short- and long-term treatment outcomes. It also leads to improvements in serum CEA, SCC-Ag, and CA724 levels, as well as reductions in the average radiation dosages to the radiotherapy target area, rectum, and bladder. This approach warrants attention from clinicians in clinical practice.

A COMPARATIVE STUDY ON THE IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVENESS OF MULLIGAN BENT LEG RAISE TECHNIQUE VS PNF HOLD-RELAX WITH AGONIST CONTRACTION IN IMPROVING HAMSTRING RANGE OF MOTION AND MUSCLE PERFORMANCE: A LITERATURE REVIEW.

Background: Hamstring tightness is a common issue that can hinder athletic performance and increase the risk of injury. Effective interventions are needed to enhance hamstring range of motion (ROM) and muscle performance. This study aims to compare two manual therapy techniques: the Mulligan Bent Leg Raise technique and the PNF Hold-Relax with Agonist Contraction technique. Objective: The primary objective is to compare the immediate effects of these two techniques on hamstring ROM and muscle performance. Secondary objectives include evaluating participants’ perceived comfort during the interventions and exploring the practical application of both techniques in clinical settings. Methods: A review of literature, focusing on randomized controlled trials involving participants aged 18–35 years, was conducted. Participants were divided into two groups: one receiving the Mulligan Bent Leg Raise technique and the other undergoing PNF Hold-Relax with Agonist Contraction. Pre- and post-intervention measurements of hamstring ROM and muscle performance were collected. Immediate effects were recorded and analyzed to compare outcomes between the two techniques. Results: Preliminary results indicate significant immediate improvements in hamstring flexibility and muscle performance for both techniques. Literature supports the effectiveness of both the Mulligan and PNF techniques in enhancing hamstring function. Conclusion: Evidence suggests that both the Mulligan Bent Leg Raise and PNF Hold-Relax with Agonist Contraction techniques effectively improve hamstring flexibility and muscle performance. Implications: This study provides valuable insights for physiotherapy practice, equipping clinicians with evidence-based strategies to address hamstring tightness and dysfunction. By integrating these techniques, physiotherapists can achieve rapid improvements and enhance overall treatment outcomes.

Nanotechnology in retinal diseases: From disease diagnosis to therapeutic applications.

Nanotechnology has demonstrated tremendous promise in the realm of ocular illnesses, with applications for disease detection and therapeutic interventions. The nanoscale features of nanoparticles enable their precise interactions with retinal tissues, allowing for more efficient and effective treatments. Because biological organs are compatible with diverse nanomaterials, such as nanoparticles, nanowires, nanoscaffolds, and hybrid nanostructures, their usage in biomedical applications, particularly in retinal illnesses, has increased. The use of nanotechnology in medicine is advancing rapidly, and recent advances in nanomedicine-based diagnosis and therapy techniques may provide considerable benefits in addressing the primary causes of blindness related to retinal illnesses. The current state, prospects, and challenges of nanotechnology in monitoring nanostructures or cells in the eye and their application to regenerative ophthalmology have been discussed and thoroughly reviewed. In this review, we build on our previously published review article in 2021, where we discussed the impact of nano-biomaterials in retinal regeneration. However, in this review, we extended our focus to incorporate and discuss the application of nano-biomaterials on all retinal diseases, with a highlight on nanomedicine-based diagnostic and therapeutic research studies.

PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDERS IN BURN PATIENTS: A META-ANALYSIS OF DISORDERS AND TREATMENTS

The main subject of this paper is the psychological disorders experienced by burn patients, with a particular emphasis on the necessity of psychological intervention in their treatment. The research seeks to investigate prevalent mental health conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety, and assess the efficacy of various therapeutic approaches.The method relied on a comprehensive review of prior literature and a thorough evaluation of the outcomes from relevant studies. The findings indicated that a significant portion of burn victims experience various psychological disorders. This includes post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression impacting, and anxiety affecting. The research also highlighted the significance of providing psychosocial support to enhance treatment results, as well as the effectiveness of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Virtual Reality (VR) techniques in addressing these conditions.To ensure comprehensive and effective patient care, it is recommended to integrate psychological interventions into burn treatment protocols, as stated in the paper's conclusion.

Living Therapeutics for Synergistic Hydrogen-Photothermal Cancer Treatment by Photosynthetic Bacteria.

Hydrogen gas (H2) therapy, recognized for its inherent biosafety, holds significant promise as an anti-cancer strategy. However, the efficacy of H2 treatment modalities is compromised by their reliance on systemic gas administration or chemical reactions generation, which suffers from low efficiency, poor targeting, and suboptimal utilization. In this study, living therapeutics are employed using photosynthetic bacteria Rhodobacter sphaeroides for in situ H2 production combined with near-infrared (NIR) mediated photothermal therapy. Living R. sphaeroides exhibits strong absorption in the NIR spectrum, effectively converting light energy into thermal energy while concurrently generating H2. This dual functionality facilitates the targeted induction of tumor cell death and substantially reduces collateral damage to adjacent normal tissues. The findings reveal that integrating hydrogen therapy with photothermal effects, mediated through photosynthetic bacteria, provides a robust, dual-modality approach that enhances the overall efficacy of tumor treatments. This living therapeutic strategy not only leverages the therapeutic potential of both hydrogen and photothermal therapeutic modalities but also protects healthy tissues, marking a significant advancement in cancer therapy techniques.

Interventions to Improve the Occupational Performance of Youth With Persistent Postconcussion Symptoms: A Systematic Review.

Persistent postconcussion symptoms (PPCS) may negatively affect youth's occupational performance in activities of daily living, education, play and leisure, social participation, and rest and sleep. This review provides occupational therapists with evidence related to interventions for youth with PPCS. Searches were performed in Embase, PubMed, SportDiscus, CINAHL, and Web of Science. Inclusion criteria were as follows: studies published in English from January 1, 2013, to February 7, 2023; youth ages 3 to 18 yr old; PPCS for at least 2 wk after injury; interventions within the scope of occupational therapy; and outcomes related to areas of occupation. All levels of evidence (1-5) were included and graded for quality using the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine (2009) levels of evidence. This review followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Twenty articles met inclusion criteria (7 randomized controlled trials, 1 nonrandomized controlled group design, 3 single-group designs, 5 case series, and 4 single-subject designs). Interventions reviewed were active rehabilitation, vision-related interventions, psychoeducation, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques, the Cognitive Orientation to daily Occupational Performance (CO-OP), and music therapy. Strong evidence supports CBT, with significant clinical outcomes in sleep and education. Moderate strength of evidence supports psychoeducation and active rehabilitation for improving functional outcomes. More evidence is needed to make clinical recommendations regarding vision-related interventions, the CO-OP, and music therapy. Occupational therapists should consider CBT, psychoeducation, and active rehabilitation to improve occupational performance among youth with PPCS. Plain-Language Summary: Some youth will have persistent symptoms that do not resolve within 2 weeks after a concussion. Because of these persistent symptoms, they may have difficulty completing everyday activities. This review evaluated evidence addressing the ability of youth with persistent postconcussion symptoms (PPCS) to complete everyday activities. The authors found that cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychoeducation (aimed at helping youth understand and cope with their concussion symptoms), and active rehabilitation (aerobic and coordination exercises, such as jumping jacks and ball skills) should be considered when working with youth (ages 3-18 years) with PPCS. Using these interventions in occupational therapy sessions may improve the ability of youth to complete their everyday activities after a concussion.

Development of a compact and portable diamond-based detection system for dosimetry and microdosimetry in ion beam therapy.

Ion beam therapy techniques have advanced significantly in the past two decades. However, the development of dosimetric verification methods has lagged. Traditional dosimetry, which offers a macroscopic view of the absorbed dose, fails to address the micrometric-scale stochastic effects crucial for understanding biological responses. To bridge this gap, microdosimeters are used to assess physical quantities correlated with radiation effects. This work reports on the design and testing of a novel detection system based on synthetic single crystal diamond. The system is capable of simultaneously performing dosimetric and microdosimetric characterizations of clinical ion beams. The detector incorporates two active components configured as diamond Schottky diodes, both integrated on a single crystal diamond substrate. In particular, one very small element (sensitive area 0.0078 mm2) was designed to evaluate microdosimetric metrics, while the other large one (sensitive area 4.2 mm2) was designed to measure the absorbed dose to water. Diamond detectors were characterized using the ion beam induced charge (IBIC) technique, employing a 1MeV protons microbeam. The IBIC map of the diamond detector shows two distinct sensitive areas with quite uniform sensitivity, well contained within the metallic contact regions. Dedicated front-end electronic circuits were designed and implemented for both the dosimetric and microdosimetric signals. These circuits, along with the integrated diamond detector, were embedded in an aluminum waterproof housing to minimize electronic interference. This configuration enables a compact, portable setup compatible with water phantoms. Laboratory tests with alpha particles yielded promising results, demonstrating stable and reproducible responses with a good signal-to-noise ratio.

USO DA TERAPIA FOTODINÂMICA E DA CRIOTERAPIA NO CONTROLE DA DOR APÓS O TRATAMENTO ENDODÔNTICO: RELATO DE CASO CLÍNICO

Patients may undergo endodontic treatment for many reasons, including the presence of extensive decay that exposes pulp tissue and tooth fractures. The treatment, in turn, can generate, in some cases, the presence of painful symptoms, due to numerous reasons, such as incorrect removal of the smear layer and chemical injuries from the irrigating material. To reduce patient discomfort, alternative technical applications can be used to control post-operative pain, such as cryotherapy and laser therapy. The objective of this work, in the form of a case report, was to show the importance of controlling postoperative pain after endodontic treatment using laser therapy and cryotherapy techniques. Searches were carried out in electronic databases: Virtual Health Library (VHL), Scientifc Electronic Library Online (Scielo) and PubMed for the last 7 years (2017 to 2024), in addition to patient care where cryotherapy was used using serum physiological cold and laser therapy was performed. The results presented were satisfactory, as after 4 sessions, pain was assessed through telephone contact with the patient over periods of 24h, 72h and 7 days, where the patient’s pain-free response was verified and without need of analgesic use. The present study can conclude that performing cryotherapy concomitantly with the use of laser therapy presents a significant reduction in the postoperative pain response.

Functional outcomes in children and adolescents with neurodisability accessing music therapy: A scoping review.

To determine the evidence for functional outcomes experienced by a population with paediatric neurodisability (such as acquired brain injury, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, and other neurological disorders), who access music therapy through neurorehabilitation services across the rehabilitation spectrum. Using scoping review methodology of the JBI and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR), a systematic search was conducted across eight databases and expert knowledge users were consulted. Articles were screened by title and abstract, and data from eligible studies were categorized using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health: Children and Youth version (ICF-CY). From 1726 records identified, 53 eligible primary sources were included in the synthesis. Most literature (n = 30) related to children and adolescents with an acquired or traumatic brain injury. Physical functionwas the most frequently reported outcome across sources(n = 27), followed by communication (n = 25), social (n = 22), cognitive (n = 17), emotional (n = 13), psychological (n = 13), behavioural (n = 8), and sensory (n = 5). Evidence for functional outcomes experienced by children and adolescents accessing music therapy as part of their neurorehabilitation is limited. More than half of the included sources were clinical descriptions with small samples. High-quality studies involving children, adolescents, families, and interprofessional teams are needed to identify the most effective music therapy methods and techniques for functional outcomes in paediatric neurodisability.

Feasibility, acceptability, and initial outcomes of a psychological adjustment and reintegration program for transitioned military veterans

BackgroundReintegration and adjustment to civilian life after military service is crucial for veterans’ mental and physical health. However, there is a lack of evidence-based interventions in Australia that specifically address the psychological and cultural factors associated with improved adjustment and mental health in this group. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and initial outcomes of a novel group intervention program, developed to address this gap in supports and services for Australian veterans.MethodsA non-controlled, within-subjects longitudinal design was employed with a feasibility framework including assessment of demand, implementation, integration, experience, perceived effectiveness, and burden or discomfort. The program included eight weekly 2.5-hour group sessions using cognitive-behavioural and acceptance and commitment therapy techniques. Participants included 24 transitioned veterans who completed the Military-Civilian Adjustment and Reintegration Measure, Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire–Short Form, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21, and PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and three-month follow-up.ResultsHigh participant ratings of engagement, experience and usefulness of the program were found, as well as perceived improvement in adjustment to civilian life as a result of the program. Sound program retention (82.8%), completion (87.5%), and manual adherence rates (89.6%) were also found. Significant improvements were found in adjustment and reintegration scores from pre-intervention to post-intervention (p = < 0.001) and from pre-intervention to follow-up (p = < 0.05), with large effect size (ηp2 = 0.344). All participants who completed the program reported they would recommend the program to another veteran.ConclusionThis study demonstrated the feasibility and acceptability of a novel group intervention program designed for military veterans in Australia. The program showed promising initial evidence of effectiveness in improving adjustment and reintegration to civilian life and provides an essential first step towards addressing a substantial gap in services for veterans struggling to adjust to civilian life. A randomised controlled trial may be an appropriate next step.ANZCTR registration numberACTRN12622000172707.Date of registration02/02/2022.Type of registrationRetrospectively registered.