scholarly journals Salivary cortisol levels: the importance of clown doctors to reduce stress

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Flávia G. Saliba ◽  
Natanael S. Adiwardana ◽  
Eliane U. Uehara ◽  
Renata N. Silvestre ◽  
Victor V. Leite ◽  
...  

This study was designed to correlate entertainment of clown-doctors (CD) activities on hospitalized children and aphysiological biomarker. For this purpose we collected saliva samples and verified children satisfaction with these activities by using a visual analog scale (VAS). Children from 6 to 7 years-old, with diagnosis of any acute pathology, interned in the Pediatric Ward of the Botucatu Medical School Hospital (São Paulo, Brazil) were interviewed. Two groups were taken into consideration: lunchCD and dinnerCD. The following protocol was applied in each group (lunch and dinner): collection of the first saliva sample and presentation of VAS prior to CD activities, followed by collection of a second saliva sample and another VAS assessment after CD activities. The salivary cortisol was reduced in both groups comparing the first saliva sample. The satisfaction of the intervention was evident for lunchCD. The CD intervention is effective in decreasing an important physiological biomarker of stress factor, cortisol, in hospitalized children, been effective for the healing process.

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. E202038
Author(s):  
Lyubov Leybyuk ◽  
Mykola Rozhko ◽  
Olena Rozhko

Diabetes mellitus is referred to as non-communicable epidemic of the 21st century and the fight against diabetes is one of medical and social challenges. One of its complications is damage to periodontal tissues that is accompanied by tooth loss. Any removable denture is a foreign body being a stress factor for the oral cavity. The objective of the research was to study dynamic changes in the activity of stress factor indicators, namely salivary cortisol, glucose and alpha-amylase levels in diabetic patients after prosthodontic treatment with complete removable laminar dentures. Materials and Methods. For this study, patients at the age of 45 to 74 years were divided into two groups: Group I included 52 edentulous patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who were treated with acrylic resin complete removable laminar dentures; Group II comprised 52 edentulous patients without endocrine pathology who were treated with acrylic resin complete removable laminar dentures as well. Saliva served as the study material. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine salivary cortisol levels. Glucose concentration in saliva was determined by a unified enzymatic method. Alpha-amylase activity was determined by the enzymatic colorimetric method. Results. According to the research results, before prosthodontic treatment, salivary cortisol levels of patients with diabetes mellitus were 2.4 times higher as compared to patients without somatic pathology. In phase I of adaptation to complete removable laminar dentures, in patients with diabetes mellitus, salivary cortisol concentration increased drastically by 1.4 times as compared to the indicator before prosthodontic treatment (5.61±0.83 ng/ml vs. 4.02±0.65 ng/ml, p<0.01), while in the group of patients without endocrine pathology, cortisol levels increased by 1.2 times; salivary glucose level of patients with diabetes mellitus increased by 1.3 times, while in patients without endocrine pathology, it increased by 1.1 times; in patients of Group I, salivary alpha-amylase levels increased by 1.2 times, while in patients of Group II, salivary alpha-amylase concentration increased by 1.05 times. Conclusions. In patients with diabetes mellitus, changes in saliva composition indicate a significant reduction in the adaptation mechanisms, that complicates and significantly prolongs the period of adaptation to complete removable laminar dentures.


2017 ◽  
Vol 34 (13) ◽  
pp. 1302-1305
Author(s):  
Katherine Wynne-Edwards ◽  
Parthiv Amin ◽  
Ruokun Zhou ◽  
Arun Sundaram ◽  
Tania Martinez-Soto ◽  
...  

Background Newborn premature infants are susceptible to development of relative adrenal insufficiency following transition from fetal to extrauterine life. However, the best diagnostic test for adrenal insufficiency in neonates has yet to be developed. Objectives and Methods The aim of this study was (1) to assess the feasibility of obtaining sufficient saliva sample to allow measurement of cortisol by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry and (2) to assess the correlation, if any, between salivary and serum cortisol in preterm infants of ≤32 weeks' gestational age at birth. Results Samples for 230 paired serum and saliva cortisol levels from 90 preterm infants were analyzed. 87.5% of samples collected had sufficient salivary volumes for measurement. Despite being statistically significant (p < 0.0001), the correlation (Spearman r = 0.674) between serum and salivary cortisol was not strong. Conclusion Salivary free cortisol measurement is feasible but cannot be used to accurately reflect serum total cortisol. Further studies comparing salivary free cortisol to serum free cortisol and establishing normative data are needed before salivary cortisol can be used for diagnostic purposes.


2020 ◽  
Vol 55 (7) ◽  
pp. 682-690
Author(s):  
Stephanie L. Stephens ◽  
Noelle M. Selkow ◽  
Nicole L. Hoffman

Context Dry cupping therapy is a noninvasive treatment commonly used to reduce pain and promote the healing process in various populations, including those with nonspecific neck pain; however, no data are available to support most of this method's true physiological benefits. Objective To determine if dry cupping therapy decreased pain and increased subcutaneous blood flow compared with sham cupping and control conditions. Design Controlled laboratory study. Setting Laboratory. Patients or Other Participants A total of 32 participants (age = 22.5 ± 2.8 years, height = 173.3 ± 10.1 cm, mass = 76.6 ± 18.7 kg) with self-reported nonspecific neck pain. Intervention(s) We used dry cupping and sham cupping interventions and a control condition. For the dry cupping intervention, 1 stationary cup was placed directly over the most painful area for 8 minutes. The sham cupping intervention followed the same procedures as the dry cupping intervention except a sham cup was applied. For the control condition, participants received no treatment. Main Outcome Measure(s) Subjective pain intensity (visual analog scale); pain-pressure threshold; subcutaneous hemodynamics, including superficial and deep oxygenated, deoxygenated, and total hemoglobin levels; and tissue saturation index. Results We observed differences in the visual analog scale score and the superficial and deep oxygenated and total hemoglobin levels (P values ≤ .002) immediately postintervention compared with baseline. Post hoc tests revealed that the dry cupping group had less pain than the sham cupping and control groups and higher superficial and deep oxygenated and total hemoglobin levels (P values ≤ .008). No differences were found between baseline and 24 hours postintervention. Conclusions A single session of dry cupping therapy may be an effective short-term treatment method for immediately reducing pain and increasing oxygenated and total hemoglobin levels in patients with nonspecific neck pain.


2015 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 128-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
AM Abdulla ◽  
AM Hegde

The aim of the study was to estimate the diurnal variations of salivary cortisol in children with autism and healthy children and it's implication on behavior during non-invasive dental procedures. Study design: 50 children with autism and 50 healthy children in the age group between 6 to 12 years of both genders with the need for dental treatment were included in the study. Whole unstimulated saliva was collected from them during early hours of the day and during evenings for 2 consecutive days . The collected saliva was then subjected to electrochemiluminescence assay . Minimum invasive dental procedures like hand scaling, pit and fissure sealants and glass ionomer cement restorations were performed for the participants each time after the saliva sample collection and their behavior during the procedures was rated using Frankl's Behavior Rating Scale. Results:Significant correlation was seen between cortisol levels and behavior in children with autism. As cortisol levels increased in children with autism, behavior worsened and as the cortisol levels decreased they showed positive behaviour. Conclusion: Cortisol acts as a stress marker and studying the diurnal variations of salivary cortisol can help us in attaining better knowledge about the behavior pattern and thereby assist us in modifying the behavior modification procedures and treatment planning in this group of special children.


2005 ◽  
Vol 24 (07) ◽  
pp. 626-639 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Pfaffenrath ◽  
L. Pageler ◽  
H. Peil ◽  
B. Aicher ◽  
H. C. Diener

ZusammenfassungDie Wirksamkeit, Sicherheit und Verträglichkeit einer Einzelgabe von zwei Tabletten der fixen Dreierkombination mit 250 mg Azetylsalizylsäure (ASS) plus 200 mg Paracetamol plus 50 mg Koffein (Thomapyrin®) gegenüber zwei Tabletten mit 500 mg ASS, oder zwei Tabletten mit 500 mg Paracetamol, oder zwei Tabletten mit 50 mg Koffein beziehungsweise Plazebo wurde in einer klinischen Studie an 1 743 Patienten geprüft, die ihre episodischen Kopfschmerzen vom Spannungstyp oder ihre Migräne mit und ohne Aura üblicherweise erfolgreich mit verschreibungsfreien Analgetika behandeln. Die Dreierkombination war im a priori definierten primären Endpunkt “Zeit bis zu 50% Schmerzreduktion” sowohl der Zweierkombination aus ASS plus Paracetamol (p = 0,0181), als auch den Monoanalgetika ASS (p = 0,0398) und Paracetamol (p = 0,0016), sowie auch der Monotherapie mit Koffein (p < 0,0001) und Plazebo (p < 0,0001) überlegen. Alle Behandlungen außer der Koffein-Monotherapie waren der Plazebobehandlung überlegen (p < 0,0001). Die überlegene Wirksamkeit der Dreierkombination gilt auch für alle sekundären Endpunkte wie beispielsweise der “Verringerung der Kopfschmerzen auf 10 mm VAS (visual analog scale = visuelle Analogskala zur Schmerzmessung), dem gewichteten % SPID (sum of pain intensity difference = aufsummierte Schmerzintensitätsdifferenz gegenüber dem Ausgangsschmerz in Prozent), dem Ausmaß der Beeinträchtigung der alltäglichen Aktivitäten und der globalen Beurteilung der Wirksamkeit durch die Patienten. Alle Behandlungen waren gut verträglich, die Inzidenz von unerwünschten Begleiterscheinungen war gering.


2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 298-322 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Costa ◽  
Mattia Nese

Perceived valence, tension, and movement of harmonic musical intervals (from the unison to the octave presented in a low- and high-register) and standard noises (brown, pink, white, blue, purple) were assessed in two studies that differed in the crossmodal procedure by which tension and movement were rated: proprioceptive device or visual analog scale. Valence was evaluated in both studies with the visual analog scale. In a preliminary study, the proprioceptive device was calibrated with a psychophysical procedure. Roughness of the stimuli was included as covariate. Tension was perceived higher in dissonant intervals and in intervals presented in the high register. The higher the high-pitch energy content in the standard noise, the higher the perceived tension. The visual analog scale resulted in higher tension ratings than the proprioceptive device. Perception of movement was higher in dissonant intervals, in intervals in the high register, and in standard noises than in musical intervals. High-pitch spectrum noises were associated with more sense of movement than low-pitch spectrum noises. Consonant intervals and low-register intervals were evaluated as more pleasant than dissonant and high-register intervals. High-pitch spectrum purple and blue noises were evaluated as more unpleasant than low-pitch spectrum noises.


2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed Shawky Ammar ◽  
Mohamed Ahmed El Tabl ◽  
Dalia Salah Saif

Abstract Background Various surgical options are used for the treatment of ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow. In this study, anterior trans-muscular transposition of the ulnar nerve was used for the treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome. Objectives To evaluate the surgical results of anterior trans-muscular transposition technique for the treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome with particular emphasis on clinical outcome. Methods Forty patients with cubital tunnel syndrome were operated using anterior trans-muscular transposition technique. Patients were classified into post-operative clinical outcome grades according to the Wilson & Krout criteria, and they were followed up by visual analog scale (VAS), the Disability of Arm Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire, electrophysiological study, and post-operative clinical evaluation. Results Forty patients with cubital tunnel syndrome who underwent anterior trans-muscular transposition of the ulnar nerve show a significant clinical improvement at 24 months post-surgery regarding visual analog scale (VAS), the Disability of Arm Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire, electrophysiological study, and the Wilson & Krout grading as 87.5% of the patients recorded excellent and good outcome. Conclusion Anterior transmuscular transposition of the ulnar nerve is a safe and effective treatment for ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Levente Kovács ◽  
Fruzsina Luca Kézér ◽  
Szilárd Bodó ◽  
Ferenc Ruff ◽  
Rupert Palme ◽  
...  

AbstractThe intensity and the magnitude of saliva cortisol responses were investigated during the first 48 h following birth in newborn dairy calves which underwent normal (eutocic, EUT, n = 88) and difficult (dystocic, DYS, n = 70) calvings. The effects of parity and body condition of the dam, the duration of parturition, the time spent licking the calf, the sex and birth weight of the calf were also analyzed. Neonatal salivary cortisol concentrations were influenced neither by factors related to the dam (parity, body condition) nor the calf (sex, birth weight). The duration of parturition and the time spent licking the calf also had no effect on salivary cortisol levels. Salivary cortisol concentrations increased rapidly after delivery in both groups to reach their peak levels at 45 and 60 min after delivery in EUT and DYS calves, respectively supporting that the birth process means considerable stress for calves and the immediate postnatal period also appears to be stressful for newborn calves. DYS calves exhibited higher salivary cortisol concentrations compared to EUT ones for 0 (P = 0.022), 15 (P = 0.016), 30 (P = 0.007), 45 (P = 0.003), 60 (P = 0.001) and 120 min (P = 0.001), and for 24 h (P = 0.040), respectively. Peak levels of salivary cortisol and the cortisol release into saliva calculated as AUC were higher in DYS than in EUT calves for the 48-h of the sampling period (P = 0.009 and P = 0.003, respectively). The greater magnitude of saliva cortisol levels in DYS calves compared to EUT ones suggest that difficult parturition means severe stress for bovine neonates and salivary cortisol could be an opportunity for non-invasive assessment of stress during the early neonatal period in cattle.


2021 ◽  
pp. neurintsurg-2020-017238
Author(s):  
Henri Salle ◽  
Alexandre Meynard ◽  
Emilie Auditeau ◽  
Clément Gantois ◽  
Aymeric Rouchaud ◽  
...  

BackgroundThere is no consensus on the treatment for spinal injuries resulting in thoracolumbar fractures without neurological impairment. Many trauma centers are opting for open surgery rather than a neurointerventional approach combining posterior percutaneous short fixation (PPSF) plus balloon kyphoplasty (BK).ObjectiveTo assess the safety and efficacy of PPSF+BK and to estimate the expected improvement by clarifying the factors that influence improvement.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent PPSF+BK for the treatment of single traumatic thoracolumbar fractures from 2007 to 2019. Kyphosis, loss of vertebral body height (VBH), clinical and functional outcomes including visual analog scale and Oswestry disability index were assessed. We examined the overall effects in all patients by constructing a linear statistical model, and then examined whether efficacy was dependent on the characteristics of the patients or the fractures.ResultsA total of 102 patients were included. No patient experienced neurological worsening or wound infections. The average rates of change were 74.4% (95% CI 72.6% to 76.1%) for kyphosis and 85.5% (95% CI 84.4% to 86.6%) for VBH (both p<0.0001). The kyphosis treatment was more effective on Magerl A3 and B2 fractures than on those classified as A2.3, as well as for fractures with slight posterior wall protrusion on the spinal canal. A higher postoperative visual analog scale score was predictive of poorer outcome at 1 year.ConclusionsThis is the largest series reported to date and confirms and validates this surgical treatment. All patients exhibited improved kyphosis and restoration of VBH. We advise opting for this technique rather than open surgery.


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