RESUMO
ABSTRACT. Increased depressive severity has been linked to neurocognitive impairment. Aerobic exercise (AE) is an efficient technique for improving cognitive function. However, studies indicating the importance of AE to neurophysiological and neuropsychological functions in the depressed elderly using event-related potentials (ERPs) are scarce. Objectives: This study aimed to identify the potential benefits of AE on neurophysiological and neuropsychological functions. Methods: A total of 30 depressed older adults (AE group: n=15; control group (CG): n=14) were recruited based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The AE group was subjected to an 8-week-period AE program (3 times/week for 30 min per session) at moderate intensity, determined using heart rate maximum (HRmax). The training intensity was set at 50% HRmax and increased by 5% in subsequent weeks. Pre- and post-training measures for neurophysiological function were tested using ERP-P300 (amplitude-μV and latency-ms) and also for neuropsychological functions using the trail making test (TMT), mini mental status examination (MMSE), and everyday cognition questionnaire (ECog). Results: In the experimental group, statistically significant improvements were observed when analyzed for all 3 (group-by-time interaction effect, main effect of time, and main effect of group), in both neurophysiological functions (*p<0.001) and neuropsychological functions (*p<0.001), except for ECog scores, where the results were insignificant for the main effect of a group. Correlation analysis demonstrated no association between neurophysiological and neuropsychological functions (*p>0.05). Conclusion: Findings showed that 8 weeks of AE training may be a promising approach to improve cognitive functions in depressed older adults. However, considering relatively small number of patients, the question arises for effectiveness in other populations.
RESUMO. O aumento da gravidade de quadros de depressão tem sido associado a comprometimento neurocognitivo. O exercício aeróbico (EA) é uma técnica eficiente para melhorar a função cognitiva. No entanto, estudos sugerindo a importância de EA para funções neurofisiológicas e neuropsicológicas usando potenciais relacionados a eventos (PRE) em idosos deprimidos são escassos. Objetivo: Identificar os potenciais benefícios do EA nas funções neurofisiológicas e neuropsicológicas. Métodos: Vinte e nove idosos deprimidos (grupo EA: n=15; grupo controle: GC: n=14) foram recrutados segundo critérios de inclusão e exclusão. O grupo EA foi submetido a um programa de EA de oito semanas (3 vezes/semana em sessões de 30 minutos cada) em intensidade moderada, determinada pela frequência cardíaca máxima (FCmáx). A intensidade do treinamento foi fixada em 50% da FCmax e aumentada em 5% nas semanas subsequentes. As medidas pré- e pós-treinamento para a função neurofisiológica foram testadas pelo ERP-P300 (amplitude-μV e latência-ms) e também para as funções neuropsicológicas usando o Trail Making Test (TMT), o Mini Mental Status Examination (MMSE) e o Everyday Cognition Questionnaire (ECog). Resultados: No grupo experimental, melhorias estatisticamente significativas foram observadas quando analisadas para todos os 3 (efeito de interação grupo por tempo, efeito principal do tempo e efeito principal do grupo), em ambas as funções neurofisiológicas (*p<0,001) e funções neuropsicológicas (*p<0,001), exceto para escores ECog, onde os resultados foram insignificantes para o efeito principal de um grupo. A análise de correlação não demonstrou nenhuma associação entre funções neurofisiológicas e neuropsicológicas (*p>0,05). Conclusão: Os achados mostraram que 8 semanas de treinamento de EA podem ser uma abordagem promissora para melhorar as funções cognitivas em idosos deprimidos. No entanto, considerando um número relativamente pequeno de pacientes, surge a questão da eficácia em outra população.
Assuntos
Humanos , Idoso , Transtornos MentaisRESUMO
Effective pain relief is one of the important components of management of normal labor. Adequate pain relief is associated with reduction in maternal sympathetic activity and considerably decreased maternal anxiety level. Epidural analgesia is being increasingly used for this purpose. Many local anesthetic drugs are being used for providing epidural analgesia. We conducted this study to compare Ropivacaine and Levobupivacaine in terms of onset and duration of analgesia, motor involvement, hemodynamic effects and neonatal outcome. Methods: This was a prospective comparative study in which 100 patients presenting in spontaneous labour were included in this study on the basis of a predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Patients were divided into 2 groups on the basis of drug used. Group A patients received Ropivacaine along with fentanyl whereas group B patients received Levobupivacaine along with fentanyl. VAS score, Sensory and motor block and vital parameters were recorded before giving epidural and 5,15, 30 and 60 minutes and thereafter every hourly till delivery took place. Sensory block was assessed by pin prick sensation whereas motor block was assessed by modified bromage scale. Statistical analysis was done using SSPS 21 software and p value less than 0.05 was taken as statistically significant. Results: Parameters such as height, weight, body mass index, ASA grades, gravidity and duration of labor were found to be comparable in both the groups with no statistically significant difference in between 2 groups (P>0.05). Mode of delivery and conversion to LSCS was also similar in both the groups. Mean time for onset of analgesia was comparable in both the groups. The mean VAS scores in group A were found to be less as compared to group B during initial 1 hour after the bolus dose and the difference was found to be statistically significant (P<0.0001). After 1 hour the VAS scores were found to be comparable in both the groups with no statistically significant difference in the mean VAS scores of patients in both the groups (P>0.05). The need for top-up analgesia was found to be statistically significantly higher in group B as compared to group A (P=0.0277). The motor sparing was better in group A as compared to group B and the difference was found to be statistically significant (P=0.0026). Hemodynamics and neonatal outcome were found to be comparable in both the groups (P>0.05). Conclusion: Ropivacaine is a better local anesthetic drug as compared to Bupivacaine for labor analgesia. Its use is associated with better analgesic effect, superior motor sparing and less need for top up analgesic doses.
RESUMO
Background: There is inadequate information on menstrual hygiene management practices and socio-cultural restrictions among adolescent girls in developing countries. The objective of the present study was to assess the menstrual hygiene management practices and associated socio-cultural restrictions among adolescent school girls.Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among adolescent school girls 10 to 19 years of age, who had attained menarche, in a rural area of district Barabanki. Total 640 adolescent girls were included in the study, and information was recorded on a predesigned and pretested interview schedule. Relevant statistical analysis was done and significant associations were found.Results: 60.5% of the girls were using sanitary pads, and 71.4% took bath during their periods. 41.3% of the girls used to change pads during schools. Unsatisfactory menstrual hygiene management practices were significantly high among girls who were from lower socioeconomic class (p<0.001) and had illiterate mothers (p<0.001). 82.8% of the girls faced religious restriction.Conclusions: Significant associations were found between menstrual hygiene management practices of adolescent school girls with their mother’s education level and socio economic status. A proper menstrual hygiene management practice is very important for every young girl to lead a healthy life and should be achieved at the beginning of their menarche by enhanced information education and communication (IEC) programmes.