Relationships between alexisomia and the presence of latent trigger points in the upper trapezius of healthy volunteers

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Hideaki Hasuo ◽  
Mariko Shimazu ◽  
Ryo Sakamoto ◽  
Hisaharu Shizuma ◽  
Miki Nakura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Correlation Analysis ◽  
Healthy Volunteers ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Trigger Points ◽  
Spontaneous Pain ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Upper Trapezius ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Bodily Feelings

BACKGROUND: Alexisomia is characterized by difficulties in the awareness and expression of somatic feelings. Trigger points are classified into two types, active and latent, according to the presence or absence of identifying spontaneous pain. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to examine the association between alexisomia and the presence of latent trigger points (LTrPs) in the upper trapezius of healthy volunteers. METHODS: This study was designed as a cross-sectional survey. A correlation analysis between the Shitsu-Taikan-Sho Scale (STSS) and LTrPs was performed on 154 healthy volunteers. The LTrP odds ratio for healthy volunteers with alexisomia was selected as the primary endpoint. RESULTS: LTrPs were seen in the upper trapezius of 82 healthy volunteers (53.2%). There was no significant difference between the LTrP and non-LTrP groups in STSS total score (p= 0.11). However, there was a significant difference between them in STSS difficulty of identifying bodily feelings (DIB) score (p= 0.03). In the alexisomic versus non-alexisomic groups, the LTrP odds ratio for STSS total score was 2.30 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03–5.10) and for STSS DIB score, 2.08 (95% CI 1.05–4.11). CONCLUSIONS: In STSS DIB in particular, alexisomia was associated with the presence of LTrP in the upper trapezius of healthy volunteers.

Perceptions on the effect of physical activity on quality of life, overall survival, and fatigue in palliative cancer patients.

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (31_suppl) ◽  
pp. 198-198
Author(s):  
Karmugi Balaratnam ◽  
Graham McFarlane ◽  
Peter Selby ◽  
Shabbir Alibbhai ◽  
M. Catherine Brown ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Overall Survival ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Palliative Patients

198 Background: Physical activity is an important lifestyle recommendation for all patients’ wellbeing. With better cancer treatments and palliative patients living longer, maintaining physical activity is becoming an important survivorship goal, even in the palliative setting. We assessed cancer patient’s perception of the effect of physical activity on their quality of life, overall survival, and fatigue. Methods: In a cross-sectional survey across all cancer sites, patient perception of the effect of physical activity on three outcomes: quality of life, overall survival, and fatigue. Palliative status was determined by chart review and primary oncologist assessments. Regression-based estimates of the odds ratios and confidence intervals (CI) described any differences in perception between palliative and non-palliative patients. Results: Of 1283 patients recruited, 1080 completed the entire survey; median (range) age was 58 (18-98) years; 54% were female; 15% were palliative. Palliative patients were less likely than non-palliative patients to believe that physical activity improved overall survival, with an odds ratio of 0.53 (95%CI 0.34-0.83; P = 0.006). Palliative patients were less likely to perceive that physical activity improved fatigue, with odds ratio 0.68 (95%CI: 0.47-0.97; P = 0.04). Although not statistically significant, palliative patients also perceived less of a positive effect of physical activity on quality of life with an odds ratio of 0.65 (95% CI 0.47-0.97; P = 0.12). Results were similar regardless of whether patients were asked to perceive the effect of physical activity on themselves or in the general cancer patient. Conclusions: Palliative patients were more likely to believe that physical activity did not improve their overall survival and fatigue compared to the curative counterparts. Also, there was no significant difference in the perception of the effect of physical activity on the quality of life among the two groups of cancer survivors. Since palliative patients are living longer, future research can focus on implementing exercise recommendations and following up so the actual benefits can be seen.

scholarly journals Skin Resistivity Value of Upper Trapezius Latent Trigger Points

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Elżbieta Skorupska ◽  
Jarosław Zawadziński ◽  
Agata Bednarek ◽  
Włodzimierz Samborski
Keyword(s):  
Healthy Volunteers ◽  
Trigger Points ◽  
Referred Pain ◽  
Surrounding Tissue ◽  
Clinical Use ◽  
Twitch Response ◽  
Upper Trapezius ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Reactive Changes

Introduction. The skin resistivity (SkR) measurement is commonly recommended for acupoints measurement, but for trigger points (TrPs) only one study is available. The purpose of the study was to evaluate SkR for latent TrPs compared to non-TrPs and the surrounding tissue.Material and Methods. Forty-two healthy volunteers with unilateral latent upper trapezius TrPs (12 men, 30 women) aged 21–23 (mean age: 22.1 ± 0.6 y) participated in the study. Keithley electrometer 610B was used for measuring SkR (Ag/AgCl self-adhesive, disposable ground electrode: 30 mm diameter). SkR was measured for latent TrPs and compared to opposite non-TrPs sites and the surrounding tissue.Results. The SkR decrease of TrPs-positive sites as compared to TrPs-negative sites and the surrounding tissue was confirmed. However, no statistically significant difference in the SkR value occurred when all data were analyzed. The same was confirmed after gender division and for TrPs-positive subjects examined for referred pain and twitch response presence.Conclusion. SkR reactive changes at latent TrPs are possible but the results were not consistent with the previous study. Thus, caution in applying SkR to latent TrPs isolation is recommended and its clinical use should not be encouraged yet. Further studies, especially on active TrPs, are yet required.

AWARENESS ABOUT INDOOR AIR POLLUTION IN GENERAL POPULATION OF RAWALPINDI AND ISLAMABAD

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 80-83
Author(s):  
Nadia Tariq ◽  
Tamkeen Jaffry ◽  
Rahma Fiaz ◽  
Abdul Majid Rajput ◽  
Sadaf Khalid
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
General Population ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
Indoor Air Pollution ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Educational Status ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Significant Difference

Background: Indoor air pollutants are increasingly being associated with respiratory illnesses leading to high degree of morbidity and mortality. There are not sufficient epidemiological studies from Pakistan which assess level of awareness of indoor air pollution resulting in respiratory diseases in population. Methods: This cross sectional survey was carried out on general population of Rawalpindi/Islamabad. Sample size was 223 study subjects selected by non-probability convenient sampling. Knowledge of the study subjects was determined with regard to indoor air pollution, its effects on health and different sources of indoor air pollution with the help of a questionnaire. The influence of age, gender, educational status and socio economic status on the level of awareness was also analyzed. Results: Out of total 223 participants, 115 were males and108 females. Participants aware of indoor air pollution were 91.5% and adequate awareness about its sources was 80.7%. Those who knew indoor air pollution is detrimental to health were 95.1%. Awareness about building construction dust as source of indoor air pollution was maximum (84.8%). There was significant difference in awareness among participants with different monthly incomes and educational status and also between males and females. Conclusion: This study concludes that general population of Rawalpindi/Islamabad has fairly good awareness about sources of indoor air pollution. Use of harmful material causing indoor air pollution should be limited or substituted with better ones where possible.

Poor social support and loneliness in chronic headache: Prevalence and effect modifiers

Cephalalgia ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 033310242110203
Author(s):  
Maria Lurenda Westergaard ◽  
Cathrine Juel Lau ◽  
Karen Allesøe ◽  
Anne Helms Andreasen ◽  
Rigmor Højland Jensen
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Chronic Headache ◽  
Medication Overuse ◽  
Odds Ratios ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Self Rated Health ◽  
Poor Social Support ◽  
Very High

Objective To explore the prevalence of poor social support and loneliness among people with chronic headache, and how these might be effect modifiers in the relationships between chronic headache and stress, medication overuse, and self-rated health. Background Poor social support and loneliness are consistently linked to worse health outcomes. There are few epidemiologic studies on their effect on headache. Methods The Danish Capital Region Health Survey, a cross-sectional survey, was conducted in 2017. Participants were asked about headache, pain medication use, social support, loneliness, perceived stress, and self-rated health. Data were accessed from sociodemographic registers. Logistic regression analyses were performed to test for effect modification. Results The response rate was 52.6% (55,185 respondents) and was representative of the target population. People with chronic headache were more likely to report poor social support and loneliness compared to those without chronic headache ( p < 0.0001 for both). Odds ratios for the combination of chronic headache and poor social support were very high for stress (odds ratio 8.1), medication overuse (odds ratio 21.9), and poor self-rated health (odds ratio 10.2) compared to those without chronic headache and with good social support. Those who reported both chronic headache and loneliness had a very high odds ratio for stress (odds ratio 14.4), medication overuse (odds ratio 20.1), and poor self-rated health (odds ratio 15.9) compared to those without chronic headache and low loneliness score. When adjusted for sociodemographic factors, poor social support and loneliness were not significant effect modifiers in almost all these associations. Loneliness was a significant effect modifier in the association between chronic headache and medication overuse, but exerted greater effect among those who did not report they were lonely. Conclusion Poor social support and loneliness were prevalent among people with chronic headache. The combination of chronic headache and poor social support or loneliness showed higher odds ratios for stress, medication overuse, and poor self-rated health compared to those with good social support and low loneliness scores. The effect of loneliness in the relationship between chronic headache and medication overuse warrants further study.

Determinants of Anthropometric Failure Among Tribal Children Younger than 5 Years of Age in Palghar, Maharashtra, India

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-64
Author(s):  
Angeline Jeyakumar ◽  
Swapnil Godbharle ◽  
Bibek Raj Giri
Keyword(s):  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Composite Index ◽  
Z Score ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Crude Odds Ratio ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Independent Variables ◽  
Child Undernutrition

Background: Measuring undernutrition using composite index of anthropometric failure (CIAF) and identifying its determinants in tribal regions is essential to recognize the true burden of undernutrition in these settings. Objective: To determine anthropometric failure and its determinants among tribal children younger than 5 years in Palghar, Maharashtra, India. Methods: A cross-sectional survey employing CIAF was performed in children <5 years to estimate undernutrition in the tribal district of Palghar in Maharashtra, India. Anthropometric measurements, maternal and child characteristics were recorded from 577 mother–child pairs in 9 villages. Results: As per Z score, prevalence of stunting, wasting, and underweight were 48%, 13%, and 43%, respectively. According to CIAF, 66% of children had at least one manifestation of undernutrition and 40% had more than one manifestation of undernutrition. Odds of anthropometric failure were 1.5 times higher among children of mothers who were illiterate (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] =1.57, 95% CI: 1.0-2.3), children who had birth weight >2.5 kg had lesser odds (AOR: 0.63, 95% CI: 0.4-0.9) of anthropometric failure, and children who had initiated early breastfeeding had 1.5 times higher odds of anthropometric failure (crude odds ratio: 1.5, 95% CI: 1.0-2.1). However, when adjusted for other independent variables, the results were not significant. Conclusion: The alarming proportion of anthropometric failure among tribal children calls for urgent short-term interventions to correct undernutrition and long-term interventions to improve maternal literacy and awareness to prevent and manage child undernutrition.

scholarly journals The Frequency of Use and Harm Perception of Heated Tobacco Products (HTPs): The 2019 Cross-Sectional Survey among Medical Students from Poland

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (7) ◽  
pp. 3381
Author(s):  
Paulina Majek ◽  
Mateusz Jankowski ◽  
Bartłomiej Nowak ◽  
Maksymilian Macherski ◽  
Maciej Nowak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Cigarette Smokers ◽  
Tobacco Products ◽  
Frequency Of Use ◽  
Medical University

Heated tobacco products (HTPs) are devices for generating a nicotine aerosol by heating the tobacco sticks. This study aimed to assess (1) the prevalence of HTP and tobacco cigarette usage among medical students, (2) to characterize smoking habits and (3) to assess students’ awareness and opinions about HTPs. A cross-sectional survey on the frequency and attitudes toward cigarettes, e-cigarettes and HTP use was performed between 2019–2020 at the Medical University of Silesia in Katowice (Poland). The data were obtained from 1344 students aged 21.8 ± 1.9 years (response rate: 66.9%). Current traditional tobacco use was 13.2%, e-cigarettes use 3.5%, and HTP use 2.8% of students. Duration of use was shorter among HTPs users comparing to cigarette smokers (p < 0.001) although the number of tobacco sticks used daily was similar (p = 0.1). Almost 30% of respondents have ever tried HTPs. HTPs were considered safe by 5.3% of respondents (43.2% of HTP users vs. 3.9% of non-HTP users, p < 0.001). HTP users were more likely to report that heating tobacco is not addictive (odds ratio (OR) = 8.9, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.8–45.8) and disagreed with a public ban on HTP use (OR = 4.9, 95%CI: 2.5–9.8). Among students, HTP use was less popular than cigarette smoking, but awareness of their presence is widespread.

scholarly journals Prevalence of thinness, overweight and obesity among Tibetan adolescents aged 12-17 years

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Yunfei Zhang ◽  
Jiahong Sun ◽  
Min Zhao ◽  
Costan G. Magnussen ◽  
Xi Bo
Keyword(s):  
Sampling Method ◽  
Total Sample ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Cluster Sampling ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Clear Trend ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Prevalence Of Obesity ◽  
Study Participants

Abstract Objective: To estimate the prevalence of thinness, overweight and obesity among Tibetan adolescents aged 12-17 years. Design: Cross-sectional survey. Setting: Shigatse city of Tibet municipality, with an average altitude of more than 4000 m. Subjects: Study participants included 2,642 adolescents aged 12-17 years selected from 6 schools using a convenient cluster sampling method. Results: The prevalence of thinness/overweight/obesity among Tibetan adolescents was 9.4%/5.4%/1.4% (China definition), 14.7%/4.4%/0.7% (IOTF definition), and 2.8%/5.7%/0.9% (WHO definition). The prevalence of thinness and overweight was significantly different between both sexes based on each of three BMI classification criteria (P <0.001). There was no significant difference in the prevalence of obesity between both sexes according to each of three BMI criteria. There was no clear trend in the prevalence of thinness across ages according to the China or IOTF definition (both P >0.05), whereas an upward trend was observed for thinness in boys according to the IOTF definition (P for trend <0.05). In contrast, the prevalence of thinness tended to decrease with increasing age in girls according to the IOTF definition, and in total sample according to the WHO definition (P for trend <0.05). Conclusions: Among Tibetan adolescents, the prevalence of overweight and obesity is relatively low, while the prevalence of thinness is high, especially in boys. These data suggest urgent attention is needed to control adolescent thinness in Tibet.

scholarly journals Does a Comparison View Improve the Reliability of Staging Wrist Osteoarthritis?

Hand ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 439-445 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul W. L. ten Berg ◽  
Tessa Drijkoningen ◽  
Thierry G. Guitton ◽  
David Ring
Keyword(s):  
Survey Study ◽  
Kappa Statistics ◽  
Scaphoid Nonunion ◽  
Educational Training ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Improve Reliability ◽  
Comparison View

Background: Radiological grading of wrist osteoarthritis associated with scaphoid nonunion advanced collapse (SNAC) can be difficult. A comparison radiograph of the contralateral healthy wrist and an educational training in the various SNAC stages may improve reliability. Our purposes were to evaluate the difference in the reliability: (1) between observers who rate SNAC wrists with and without a comparison radiograph; and (2) between observers who receive training prior to ratings and those who do not. Methods: In this cross-sectional survey study, 82 fully trained orthopedic or hand surgeons rated anteroposterior radiographs of 19 patient wrists following a scaphoid nonunion based on SNAC stages 0 to 4. Observers were randomized online in 4 groups: one group rated unilateral views without training, a second group unilateral views with training, a third group bilateral views without training, and a fourth group bilateral views with training. Training included a 1-page clarification of the SNAC stages. Interobserver agreement was calculated using kappa statistics. Results: There was no significant difference between agreement between observers who rated unilateral radiographs (κ = 0.55) and who rated bilateral radiographs (κ = 0.58) ( P = .14), nor between agreement between observers who received training (κ = 0.59) and who did not (κ = 0.54) ( P = .058). Conclusions: The use of an additional comparison view and/or training does not seem to be clinically relevant in SNAC staging. There is room for improvement in the way we assess patients with SNAC wrists.

scholarly journals Fathering Agency Staff Members’ Perspectives on Domestic Violence Perpetration

2010 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-56
Author(s):  
Peter F. Cronholm ◽  
Willie Ellison ◽  
Silvana Mazzella ◽  
Marcy Witherspoon ◽  
Joy Bowman Lim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Domestic Violence ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Agency Staff ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Training Interventions ◽  
Violence Perpetration ◽  
Low Prevalence ◽  
Routine Inquiry

Purpose: To describe the perspectives of fathering staff regarding domestic violence (DV) perpetration. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional survey of 85 fathering staff members was conducted to identify behaviors and barriers regarding inquiry about DV perpetration. Results: Almost half (47.1%) of the surveyed staff reported never having identified DV perpetration. Routine inquiry was less likely if staff perceived low prevalence rates among their clients (odds ratio [OR] = 0.11, p = .001), did not have standard ways of asking (OR = 0.11, p < .001), or if they had never identified family violence before (OR = 0.07, p < .001). Increased years as a provider (OR = 6.62, p = .001) and DV training (OR = 7.29, p = .003) increased rates of DV perpetration inquiry. Conclusions: Staff of fathering agencies do not routinely screen for DV perpetration likely due to the interplay between individual and agency-level barriers. Appropriate training interventions can address identified barriers.

scholarly journals Cost awareness of radiological studies among doctors at Universitas Academic Hospital in Bloemfontein, South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Khanyisa N. Mrwetyana ◽  
Jacques Janse van Rensburg ◽  
Gina Joubert
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Cost Estimation ◽  
Academic Hospital ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Education Training ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Cost Awareness ◽  
Radiological Studies

Background: South Africa has high healthcare expenses. Improving cost-consciousness could decrease government expenditure on healthcare.Objectives: To determine cost awareness of radiological studies among doctors at a tertiary hospital. The objective was met by assessing the accuracy of cost estimation according to the level of training and speciality, whether participants had received prior education/training related to cost awareness and if they had a desire to learn more about the cost of radiological imaging.Method: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in six clinical departments at Universitas Academic Hospital using an anonymous questionnaire that determined doctors’ cost awareness of five radiological studies. Each radiological study was answered using six different cost ranges, with one correct option. Costs were based on the Department of Health’s 2019 Uniform Patients Fee Schedule (UPFS).Results: In total, 131 (67.2%) of 195 questionnaires distributed to registrars and consultants were returned. Overall, low accuracy of cost estimation was observed, with 45.2% of the participants choosing only incorrect options. No participant estimated all five costs correctly. Only the Internal Medicine clinicians demonstrated a significant difference between registrars and consultants for the number of correct answers (median 0 and 1, respectively) (p = 0.04). No significant differences were found between specialities stratified by registrars/consultants. Most participants (88.6%) would like to learn about imaging costs. Only 2.3% of the participants had received prior education/training related to cost awareness of radiological studies.Conclusion: Doctors were consistently inaccurate in estimating the cost of radiological studies. Educating doctors about the cost of radiological imaging could have a positive effect on healthcare expenditure.

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