ABSTRACT
Background: Vestibular stimulation was reported to inhibit the stress axis and brings individual stress to lower levels. This is very beneficial as the management of psychological factors is equivalently important in the management of peptic ulcers. Aims and Objectives: The present study was undertaken to observe the effectiveness of vestibular exercises in the management of depression, anxiety, and stress in gastric ulcer patients. Materials and Methods: A total of 20 gastric ulcer patients without severe complications were part of the study after obtaining written informed consent. After recruiting, the participants were randomly assigned into two groups with ten participants in each group. Standard vestibular exercises mentioned in the literature were adopted. Each session of exercises comprises 45 min. Two sessions per week were administered to the participants for a period of 1 month. Results: Depression, anxiety, and stress scores were not significantly different between the control and intervention groups before the intervention. There was a significant decrease in depression, anxiety, and stress in the intervention group followed by the intervention. Conclusion: The present study results showed the beneficial effects of vestibular exercises in the management of negative psychological emotions such as depression, anxiety, and stress in patients with gastric ulcers. There is a need for large-scale studies in this area to recommend the adoption of vestibular stimulation in the management of gastric ulcers.
ABSTRACT
Background: Regular practice of heartfulness meditation causes a balanced mental state and releases stress. Due to this action, meditation can improve the cognitive functions of individuals. Aims and Objectives: The study determines the effectiveness of 12 weeks of practice of heartfulness meditation on depression, anxiety, stress, and cognitive functions in Type 2 diabetic patients. Materials and Methods: The study involved 40 patients with Type 2 diabetes including both males and females and age groups from 30 to 60 years. After recruiting, the participants were randomly divided into two groups with 20 participants in each group. All the participants of Group 1 were given training about practicing heartfulness meditation for initial 3 days. From then, they started practicing meditation under the supervision of experts from 6:30 to 7:30 am in the morning. Outcome measures were recorded by standard tools. Results: Significant decrease was observed in the depression, anxiety, and stress scores and significant improvement in spatial and verbal memory was observed. Conclusion: Heartfulness meditation practice has a positive impact on the management of psychological disorders and improving cognitive functions. There is a need for a detailed study.
ABSTRACT
Background: Published reports on the possible changes in the various immune cell populations; especially the total lymphocyte and CD4 cell counts; during the menstrual cycle in Nigerian female subjects are relatively scarce. Aim: To determine possible changes in the total and differential white blood cell [WBC] counts; total lymphocyte count [TLC] and CD4 cell count during the menstrual cycle in apparently healthy reproductive aged female undergraduate students in Port Harcourt; Nigeria. Methods: A total of 61 apparently healthy HIV sero-negative female undergraduate students of the University of Port Harcourt; Nigeria aged between 17 and 30 years; were recruited into the study. Subjects were allowed their normal daily routines but restricted from excessive physical activities for the duration of the study. After a menstrual history; blood was collected from each subject at the different phases of the menstrual cycle: menstrual; follicular; ovulatory and luteal. Total WBC and differential counts were determined manually; TLC was obtained by multiplying the percentage lymphocytes by the total WBC count; CD4 cell counts were determined by flow cytometry. Results: Single factor analysis of variance showed significant differences only in the values of total WBC; and differential neutrophils; lymphocytes; and eosinophil counts [p0.05]; no significant differences were observed in the values of monocytes; basophils; TLC and CD4 cell count during the phases of the menstrual cycle.Conclusion: The present study confirms previous reports of significant physiological variations in the leukocyte counts during the phases of the normal menstrual cycle. However; our results suggest that apparently TLC and CD4 cell count do not undergo a similar physiological variation