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The COVID-19 pandemic situation affected population health and lifestyle not only for a short period but also long period. Long COVID symptoms is a long-term illness after COVID condition. Long COVID symptoms greatly affected to quality of life of patients. Massage is a unique treatment form of alternative medicine that can promote health in various dimensions. From the previous studies, massage has affected to Long COVID mechanism via anti-inflammatory process, immune system enhancing process, and hormone level balancing that related to Long COVID symptoms as well as being able to reduce the symptoms of the long COVID symptoms. The study about the efficacy and safety of massage against Long COVID symptoms is the essential approach to increase the value of massage and develop health services in the future.
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Background: D-dimer and LDH are crucial biomarkers, particularly in view of the fact that they have been strongly linked to COVID-19 infection and have been linked to worse consequences in people who have severe viral infections. Objectives: To determine how D-dimer and LDH correlated with clinical effects in COVID-19 patients who were hospitalised and how they forecasted the severity of COVID-19 patients. Material and Methods: This was cross-sectional research conducted relatively early in the second wave of the pandemic. A total of 110 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 and admitted to the ICU from January 2021 to June 2021, were included in the study. The clinical outcome was evaluated in terms of discharge and death among patients requiring various forms of assisted ventilation. Results: The average age of patients was 53.16 years (+or- 18.47 years). 35.5% of the patients were with comorbidities of which diabetes, hypertension, and COPD were around 80%. D-dimer was deranged in 2.7% of the subjects and LDH was deranged in 60% of the study subjects at the time of admission. Coming on to the outcome, all patients were put on assisted ventilation with 71.8% on NIV, 20% on HFNO, 1% on CPAP, and 7.2% on MV. During their hospital stays, 6 (5.45%) patients died and the remaining patients were discharged. A higher D-dimer value (> 1.5 g/ml) during the hospital stay was found to be statistically significant with assisted ventilation and deaths of the admitted study subjects. Conclusion: In our investigation, the biomarker D-dimer value was more associated than LDH with mortality in patients with COVID-19 infection.
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The COVID-19 pandemic has had massive impacts across the globe. Children with developmental delays are an increasingly vulnerable population, highlighting the importance of ensuring they have access to high-quality virtual services during this time. The Early Discovery program currently provides therapeutic interventions for children with mild developmental delays. We sought to compare the outcomes of 2 cohorts within the Early Discovery program using different delivery approaches (n = 238 families): children who received services in person before the pandemic (n = 126) and children who received services via telehealth in the acute phase of the pandemic (n = 112). Both groups of children showed significant improvements in language skills posttreatment, and, with regard to auditory comprehension, both groups showed similar rates of improvement. However, children receiving in-person services before the pandemic showed greater improvements in expressive communication skills than children receiving telehealth services during the pandemic. Results indicate that the Early Discovery program was able to make adjustments during the pandemic that assisted families in maintaining progress in improving their child's language skills.
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Telepractice for people with aphasia (PWA) is gaining importance, not least because of the current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Many PWA are affected by a reduction of quality of life (QoL). Experts recommend focussing on psychosocial impacts more consistently, but the transfer to telepractice has been investigated in a limited number of studies so far. The aim of this paper is to examine the impact of different telepractice approaches on QoL in PWA. The evidence was identified through a broad literature research in five databases and other sources such as Google Scholar and referring papers or was searched by hand. In total, twelve studies met the eligibility criteria. Focus of the analysis was the association between therapeutic approaches and their effects on QoL. Half (n = 6) of the included studies clearly indicated positive effects of the applied methods on QoL. Further analysis showed no definable link between the therapeutic approaches and their impact on QoL. Nevertheless, decisive assumptions about QoL-enhancing telepractice can be derived from the literature. Telepractice in aphasia therapy can improve the patients' QoL. Benefits for QoL do not only depend on the utilised approach. Several factors (e.g., enhancing of communicative confidence) are significant in their impact on QoL and should be examined in future research.
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BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, is among the top global health crises. As confirmed by the Vietnam Ministry of Health on 25th January 2023, Vietnam had a cumulative total of more than 11.52 million COVID-19 patients, including 10.61 million recoveries and 43,186 deaths. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to describe the clinical and subclinical characteristics, treatment progress, and outcomes of 310 cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection. METHODS: A total of 310 patients with medical records of SARS-CoV-2 were admitted to Can Tho City Hospital of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases, Can Tho city, Vietnam, between July 2021 and December 2021. Demographic and clinical data, including laboratory examinations, of all the patients were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: The median duration of hospital stay was 16.4 ± 5.3 days. There were 243 (78.4%) patients with clinical symptoms of COVID-19 and 67 (21.6%) patients without clinical symptoms. The common symptoms included cough (71.6% of 310 patients), fever (35.4%), shortness of breath (22.6%), sore throat (21.4%), loss of smell/taste (15.6%), and diarrhea (14.4%). Regarding treatment outcomes, 92.3% of the patients were discharged from the hospital, 1.9% of the patients suffered a more severe illness and were transferred to a higher-level hospital, and 5.8% of the patients died. The RT-PCR results were negative in 55.2% of the patients, and 37.1% of the patients had positive RT-PCR results with Ct values of >30 on the discharge/transfer day. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that comorbidity and decreased blood pH were statistically significantly related to the treatment outcomes of the patients with COVID-19 (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides useful information (i.e., the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes) on the COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam during its biggest outbreak; the information may be used for reference and for making improvements in the handling of future health crises.
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Background & Aims: The coronavirus pandemic has caused a rapid surge in patients requiring intensive care unit (ICU) admission. The mainstay of treatment is supplemental oxygen therapy by an oxygen mask, nonrebreathing mask, high flow nasal oxygen therapy (HFNOT), non-invasive and invasive mechanical ventilation. HFNOT is a relatively newer, easy-to-use technique with better patient compliance. This study aimed to assess the outcome of HFNOT in Corona Virus disease (COVID) patients in ICU. Methods: This record based;retrospective study included 43 reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RTPCR) confirmed COVID patients whose respiratory support was initiated on HFNOT as per the inclusion criteria. The primary outcome of this study was to assess the number of patients requiring mechanical ventilation (HFNOT failure). The secondary outcome was to assess the association of HFNOT failure with age, co-morbidity index, and severity of illness. Results: Out of forty-three patients, twenty-five patients (58%) required conversion to mechanical ventilation. Eighteen patients (42%) were managed with HFNOT alone. HFNOT failure was more with increasing age and higher comorbidity score (p value<0.05). Conclusion: We concluded that HFNOT can be successfully used in COVID patients in ICU without the need for mechanical ventilation. However, it should be used cautiously in patients with higher 4C mortality scores.
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Background: COVID-19 has spread rapidly throughout the world with high morbidity and mortality estimated up to 20%. This number will increase with the presence of comorbidities. Comorbidities were associated with complex clinical management and impacted on COVID-19 disease outcomes. This study aims to determine the association between comorbidities and the outcome of COVID-19 patients at Dr. M. Djamil Hospital. Method: We conducted an observational study with a retrospective cohort design on COVID-19 patients treated at Dr. M. Djamil Hospital. Data were taken from medical records from January to March 2021. Association between comorbidities and the outcome of COVID-19 patients was analyzed by Chi-Square or Fisher Exact Test. Results: The majority patientss were female (56.4%) and ages above 50 years old (64.3%) were the majority of patients. The most common was hypertension (36.56%). The longest length of stay of COVID-19 patients was more than 21 days (52.9%). The outcomes of COVID-19 patients were recovered (59.5%), recovered with sequelae (5.7%), and died (34.8%). Diabetes mellitus affected the end of treatment outcome. There was no relationship of type of comorbidity with length of stay. The more co-morbidities a patient suffers, the condition when infected with COVID-19 will get worse. Conclusion: The number of comorbidities affects the outcome of COVID-19 patients. Diabetes mellitus is most common that affects the end of treatment outcome for COVID-19 patients at Dr. M. Djamil Hospital.
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Introduction: Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is among the most painful disorders of the orofacial region. Although TN has many possible etiologies, such as nerve compression, recently published evidence suggests that TN, or its exacerbations, may be the result of viral infections in the head and neck. This case presents clinical findings from a TN patient experiencing virally-induced exacerbations treated with intravenous (IV) magnesium sulfate and oral anti-inflammatories who was previously non-responsive to first-line pharmaceuticals. Methods: AM is a 51-year-old cis-female with a four-year history of TN caused by vascular encroachment of the trigeminal nerve and exacerbated by episodes of viral sinusitis and COVID-19. AM presented to the National University of Natural Medicine clinic in May 2019 and again in April 2022. After screening for contraindications, she was started on an IV Myer's push with an elevated dose of magnesium sulfate and oral anti-inflammatories: curcumin and omega-3. Results: Since her second presentation to our clinic in April 2022, the patient has undergone 11 treatments and reports significant benefit in pain and quality of life. Despite the initial MRI revealing vascular encroachment on her trigeminal nerve she experienced benefit from her treatment regimen and denied a neurosurgical consultation and repeat MRI. Conclusion: This study contributes to a growing body of literature suggesting that cranial neuralgias may be exacerbated by orofacial or upper-respiratory viral infections and that TN specifically may be well managed with IV nutrient therapy and oral anti-inflammatories. Given the paucity of successful treatment strategies, exploring cost-effective treatments with low side effect profiles is a worthwhile approach to improving clinical outcomes in patients with TN.
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Depression continues to be one of the most prevalent and impactful mental health disorders for adolescents and has only increased during the COVID-19 pandemic (Glowinski & DAmelio, 2016;Mojtabai et al., 2016;Radhakrishnan et al., 2022). The effectiveness and efficacy of psychotherapy and pharmacological treatment of adolescent depression is well researched, but with mixed conclusions on comorbid anxiety's influence on depression treatment (Cummings et al., 2014;Garber & Weersing, 2010;Melton et al., 2016). The current study focuses on the impact of anxiety through physical symptoms, humiliation and rejection, and perfectionism as identified by the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children (MASC) in depression treatment. Treatment of Adolescent Depression Study archival data is used (N = 439) (TADS Team, 2004). The following hypotheses were proposed: (1) a significant positive correlation exists between the MASC physical symptoms scores and the Physical Symptoms Checklist scores, (2) a significant negative correlation exists between the MASC humiliation and rejection scores and scores of items reflecting Social Anxiety on the Cognitive Triad Inventory for Children, (3) a significant positive correlation exists between the MASC perfectionism scores and DAS perfectionism scores, (4) these factors will moderate treatment such that those with higher factor scores will show poorer treatment outcomes than those with lower factor scores at weeks 12, 24, and 36, and (5) these subfactors will predict less improvement at week 12, 24, and36. Bivariate Pearson correlation coefficient analyses were conducted to identify relationships between the MASC factors and assessments. Children's Depression Rating Scale-Revised (CDRS-R) scores for all 439 participants were predicted at week 12, 24, and 36, emulating previous research (Curry et al., 2006). General linear models were used for analyses of predictor and moderators. Findings indicate that the MASC factors are significantly correlated with other assessments measuring similar constructs. Physiological hyperarousal as measured by the MASC is indicated to be a predictor of higher CDRS-R scores at week 12, 24, and 36. Implications of this study call for use of the MASC in screening and increased awareness of physical symptoms at the beginning of treatment. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)
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In this regular feature, aesthetic nurse Claudia McGloin presents a brief synopsis of a range of recently published articles on medical aesthetics. Research roundup aims to provide an overview, rather than a detailed summary and critique, of the papers selected. Should you wish to look at any of the papers in more detail, a full reference is provided at the end of each study summary
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This study aimed to understand the usefulness of the Basic Adlerian Scales for Interpersonal Success - Adult Form (BASIS-A) profile scores in the risk assessment of individuals convicted of a sexual criminal offense. Specifically, this study attempted to determine if a correlation existed between an individual's level of social interest and the difference in that individual's level of risk over time as measured by the STABLE-2007 and the Sex Offender Treatment Intervention and Progress Scale (SOTIPS) dynamic risk assessments. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the study was adapted to a hybrid of both in-person and virtual participation involving six total participants recruited from a private practice in suburban Illinois. Results of the partial correlation were not significant and deemed inconclusive due to low study participation. The impact of the pandemic on the study's outcome and the study's contribution to practice-oriented research as well as recommendations for future research regarding the BASIS-A, risk assessment, and practice-oriented research are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)
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Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many economic problems worldwide, in Iran as well, causing Hospitals to face many financial problems. Objectives: Based on documented data on pharmacotherapy, costs, and its effectiveness, this study aimed to analyze the costs and outcomes of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 under pharmacotherapy in Iran. Methods: This research was a retrospective analytical descriptive study. Relevant data of the COVID-19 hospitalized patients' were extracted from the Hospital's Medical Records Department. All items of direct medical costs, such as visits, nursing services, consuming materials, laboratories, imaging, medical operations, medications, and beds, were extracted by reviewing COVID-19 hospitalized patients' files in different wards of the Shohada Ashayer Hospital in Khorramabad city in 2021. Results: A total of 399 patients were examined in this study. The total direct medical costs per patient was 338.63 US$. Of note, the highest cost was related to medicine (32.56%), more than the cost of bed (22.77%). The most commonly used drugs were Lopinavir (95%) and Azithromycin (90%), and the highest medicine cost per patient was related to Immunoglobulin (64.32 US$) and Remdesivir (46.91 US$). Conclusion: Medicine and hospitalization costs accounted for the largest share of the total treatment costs of patients. Therefore, reducing bed costs requires home treatments and outpatient injections. Furthermore, due to rising drug costs, prescriptions should be based on standard treatment protocols.
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Purpose: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has emerged as a serious threat to public health;anticancer-repositioning treatment strategy has been formulated to treat the disease. However, evidence supporting the efficacy and safety of repositioned anticancer treatment in treating COVID-19-infected non-cancer patients (CINPs) is limited. Therefore, this study analyzed published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the impact of anticancer drugs compared to current standards of care (SOCs) on CINP treatment. Materials and methods: The PubMed and Embase databases were searched to identify eligible RCTs. Outcome measures included mortality, the use of mechanical ventilation (MV), and serious adverse events (SAEs). Results: 25 RCTs were reviewed in our study. Compared to SOCs, repositioned anticancer therapy for treating CINPs was associated with mortality reduction (odds ratio (OR) = 0.78, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.65 - 0.94, p = 0.01). Using the repositioned anticancer treatment exhibited statistically significant reduction, in both the number of CINPs using MV (OR = 0.67, 95% CI = 0.51 - 0.88, p = 0.004) and experiencing SAEs (OR = 0.79, 95% CI = 0.69 - 0.91, p = 0.0009). Conclusion: Conclusively, repositioned anticancer treatment was shown significant differences from SOCs in treating CINPs, which appears to be more associated with mortality, MV use, and SAE development reduction in CINPs.
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Adolescent substance use is a growing challenge for treatment providers in the United States. To understand important factors surrounding adolescent substance use and improve treatment outcomes, this study was conducted with 23 licensed providers from different regions of the United States. A qualitative, phenomenological research design was employed using an online survey of 10 questions and a Zoom/phone follow-up interview to gather data about adolescent clients (ages 13-18) being treated for Substance Use Disorder. Thematic analysis was used to code, organize, and group data into emerging themes. The study produced 13 emerging themes: substance use motivations;intervention/modality effectiveness;co-occurring treatment course plan;traumatic history presentations;impact of family in treatment;cross addictions;peer or social influence;therapeutic alliance;medical/biological presentations;after-care;impact of Covid 19 pandemic;industry effectiveness;and treatment outcome improvement suggestions. The study found conditions during the Covid 19 pandemic have resulted in significant increases in mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, family conflict and dysfunction, and other maladaptive behaviors amongst teens. Adolescents begin using substances due to peer pressure and mental health reasons and quit using substances because negative legal consequences and major life disruptions. Most providers support using MI and CBT interventions when treating adolescents with SUD. Industry professionals offer treatment suggestions for improving treatment outcomes and emphasize the importance of peer and social groups, therapeutic alliance, access to care, and family engagement in the treatment process. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)
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The novel coronavirus infection COVID-19, caused by SARS-COV-2, has been a global health problem for three years now. A new challenge is virus mutations that change clinical manifestations and response to therapy. Aim. The aim of the workwas to assess the condition of patients with COVID-19 treated in a temporary infectious diseases hospital deployed in a non-infectious multidisciplinary hospital and to identify factors influencing the outcomes of this disease through a retrospective analysis of clinical observations. Material and methods. An analysis of the condition of 92 patients with COVID-19 (ICD-10 codes U07.1 and U07.2) treated in a temporary infectious diseases hospital deployed on the basis of a multidisciplinary hospital is presented. To collect information, the COVIZ program was designed with subsequent export of depersonalized data to the SPSS-18 statistical package. 64 patients recovered and 28 had a fatal outcome. Results and discussion. The work results showed a change in the routing of patients, with a predominance of only patients with a severe course in the hospital. The more frequent prescription of glucocorticosteroids and anti-cytokine drugs also changed the data processing results due to the small number of "control" groups that did not receive these drugs in the hospital. The use of anti-cytokine therapy (levilimab or olokizumab) was more effective in patients younger than 60 years, but in general, 89.1% of those who recovered received these drugs, and 75% of those who died. The data obtained confirmed the high efficiency of early use of subcutaneous anticoagulants and the low efficiency of antibiotic therapy at the stages before the intensive care unit. The frequency of prescribing antibacterial drugs in the dead was 76.8%, and in those who recovered - 57.8%, while later than 8 days from the onset of the disease they were prescribed in 81.8% and 45.9% of cases, respectively (X2=7.357;d.f.=1, p < 0.01, TcF=0.006, OR=5.294 CI 1.499-18.695). Conclusion. It was concluded that the clinical picture and the effectiveness of ongoing therapy require constant monitoring and analysis to optimize the updated treatment regimens for COVID-19.
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Purpose: During the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an increase in cases of intimate partner violence (IPV) related to stay-at-home orders, as well as the financial and emotional stress many individuals are experiencing. With limitations on group gatherings, typical in-person prevention and intervention resources, such as anger management groups or batterer intervention programs, may be inaccessible to people in need of resources. Method: In order to understand effective options for reducing risk when face-to-face interventions are not feasible, we conducted a meta-analysis to examine the effects of online programs aimed at improving participants' well-being and reducing IPV risk. Six studies were identified in databases using key search terms. Results: Change score comparisons revealed that online programs reduced participants' anger, depression, emotional IPV perpetration, and physical IPV perpetration significantly more than control groups. Discussion: Findings suggest that online resources can help motivated individuals struggling with anger and/or at risk for IPV perpetration. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)