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This article describes the case of two elderly patients suffering from COVID-19 and admitted to a geriatric ward. It refers to the physical but, above all, psychological suffering that affects both the patients and their geriatricians at their bedside. Based on international literature, we analyze the severity of COVID-19 consequences on mental health. Moreover, we also add recommendations to be implemented so as to limit the impact of this long-term suffering.Copyright © 2021, Louvain Medical asbl. All rights reserved.
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Aims: ENO Breathe is an online breathing and wellbeing programme for people with Long COVID focusing on breathing re-training using singing techniques. Aim(s): to assess whether ENO Breathe improves health related quality-of-life (HRQoL) in people with persistent breathlessness following COVID-19. Method(s): A parallel-group, single-blind, RCT, comparing ENO Breathe(6 weeks) with usual care in adults, with persisting breathlessness +/- anxiety, following assessment at an NHS Long COVID clinic. Primary Outcome: change in HRQoL using the RAND SF-36 Mental(MHC) and Physical(PHC) Health Composite Scores. Secondary Outcomes: CAT, VAS for breathlessness (rest, walking, stairs, and running), Dysp-12, GAD-7. Participant experience was assessed using focus groups and free-text responses. Result(s): 150 participants (mean(SD) 49(12)years, 81% female, 320(127) days symptomatic;ENO Breathe(n=74), Control(n=76). ENO Breathe was associated with improvement in MHC of 2.42 points (95%CI 0.03 to 4.80, p=0.045), but not PHC 0.6 (-1.33 to 2.52, p=0.541). VAS breathlessness (running) favoured ENO Breathe -10.48(-17.23 to -3.73, p=0.003). Three participant experience themes were identified 1) improvements in symptoms;2) feeling that the programme was complementary to standard care;3) the particular suitability of singing and music to address their needs. Conclusion(s): An online breathing and wellbeing programme can improve the mental component of HRQoL and elements of breathlessness in people with persisting symptoms after COVID-19. Mind-body and music-based approaches, including practical, enjoyable symptom-management techniques may have a role supporting recovery.
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Quality of life is a construct of significant relevance for the general population and must be studied in a multidimensional way particularly during a pandemic or endemic. The objective of this study was to assess quality of life levels and its relationship with anxiety, depression, and stress for a population living through the Covid-19 endemic. Methodologically, this is a descriptive and cross-sectional study evaluating 384 people over 18 years old. The study applied the WHOQOL-BREF and the abbreviated DASS-21 tests to assess quality of life and emotional symptoms. Result(s): participants reported an adequate perception of quality of life and mild emotional systems. Likewise, the study observed correlation between the variables analyzed (-0.72 and-0.95).Copyright © 2022, Venezuelan Society of Pharmacology and Clinical and Therapeutic Pharmacology. All rights reserved.
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Introduction: During the Covid-19 pandemic, isolation, fear of contagion, changes in care circumstances, and suspended or restricted visitor access impacted the psychological wellbeing of puerperae. As shown in literature [1,2], Covid-19 pandemic increased depressive and post-traumatic stress related symptoms in mothers in the postnatal period. Moreover, it could determine serious psychological challenges for pregnant and postpartum women, with potential "short" and "long" term consequences for the health of mothers and their children [2]. Healthcare providers should guarantee easy access to mental health services, as a primary strategy to support the health of both mothers and children [2]. After the worldwide spread of Covid-19 the organization of every hospital ward changed, including the obstetric and neonatal units. Compared to the pre-pandemic period, a reduction of the average length of stay in hospital for the new mothers was instituted [3]. This was the result of a reduction of the hospital beds, mostly because of the need to allocate mothers tested positive for Covid-19 in a separate area and to lower the risk of Covid-19 transmission in hospitals. The Obstetric Psychological Service of the Spedali Civili hospital in Brescia started a screening program for the wellbeing of the perinatal period in 2018, with a gradual development and improvement of the organization of this activity [4]. Screening was suspended during the first wave of Covid-19 pandemic from 6th of March to 4th of May 2020. Nevertheless, it was necessary to cope with the Covid-19 pandemic changing demands and methods in order to continue with the screening of women admitted in obstetrics ward. Method(s): A screening of psychological perinatal wellbeing was performed in puerperae admitted to the Second Department of Obstetrics at Spedali Civili hospital in Brescia. Screening consisted in a psychological consult, during which the psychologist illustrated the Obstetric Psychological Service to the woman and identified her psychological need, without using tests. This was eventually followed by an assessment consultation, specialist care and referral to the out-of-hospital psychological services, if required by the woman or considered necessary by the psychologist. It was made a comparison between data collected from October 2019 to January 2020 and from May 2020 to December 2021. Result(s): Compared to the pre-pandemic period, average length of stay in the Second Division of Obstetrics was reduced. In particular, starting from March 2020, the expected discharge of the puerpera was about 24 hours after vaginal birth and 48 hours after cesarean delivery, if no complications occurred for both mother and newborn. Previously, discharge was expected after about 48 hours and 72 hours, respectively. Discharge that occurs 24 hours after vaginal birth is named "Early discharge" and requires the activation of the out-of-hospital services, with home visits by an obstetrician. From October 2019 to January 2020, 470 admitted women were screened, of which 23 (4,9%) demanded a further psychological consultation[4]. Between May 2020 and December 2021, 5145 screening were performed. Among them 550 (10.7%) demanded a further psychological consultation. From those data we can affirm that there was an increase in psychological consultations (from 4.9% to 10.7%), after exhibiting a psychological need during the postnatal screening. Conclusion(s): Covid-19 pandemic changed the care conditions of the woman during the pregnancy and the immediate post-partum. The reduction of the average length of hospital stay of the women in the postpartum did not stop the Psychological Service prevention program. The Obstetric Psychological Service of the Spedali Civili hospital in Brescia implemented his activity increasing the pace of work, to be able to screen as many admitted women as possible. It was noticed that, after the Covid-19 first outbreak, the demand for psychological consultation after the screening consult was more than doubled in comparison to the pre-pandemic perio . This emphasized the benefit of an early interception of the psychological need of the women in the immediate post-partum period, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.
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Patients with psoriasis are at increased risk of depression. Furthermore, psoriasis is linked to social isolation, stress-related disorders and suicidality. The COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing represent potential stressors for patients, which may disproportionately affect the wellbeing of this vulnerable population. Our aim was to investigate whether the pandemic increased the affective burden of patients with psoriasis. We surveyed 194 patients with dermatologist-confirmed psoriasis attending our tertiary service. Ninety-three patients had completed questionnaires [Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS);Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology Self- Report (QIDS-SR);Sheehan Suicidality Tracking Scale;Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI)] before March 2020 in a pre-existing study. From May to October 2020, we recruited a different patient sample (n = 101) who completed the same questionnaires. We analysed separately data from 22 patients, who completed the survey both before and during the pandemic. Cases of depression and anxiety were defined as having a HADS subscale score of >= 8. Analysis was performed in R. Ninety-three patients completed the survey before the pandemic [49 5% female;mean (SD) age 42 (18) years] and 101 during the pandemic [38% female;mean (SD) age 52 (16) years;74% shielding]. Patient proportions across treatment groups did not differ before vs. during the pandemic (73 1% vs. 78 2% on biologics;P = 0 8). Depression, anxiety and suicidality were highly prevalent at both timepoints. However, there were no significant differences in depression [31% vs. 40%;adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1 2, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0 6-2 5], anxiety (39% vs. 47 5%;aOR 1 7, 95% CI 0 8-3 5) or suicidal ideation prevalence (13% vs. 20%;aOR 2 19, 95% CI 0 8-5 9] before vs during the pandemic. During the pandemic, depression was not associated with living alone (P = 0 45) or shielding (P = 0 13). In the paired analysis, depression scores did not differ during compared with before the pandemic (QIDS-SR 9 4 x 5 8 vs. 8 8 x 6 1;P = 0 56). DLQI changes did not correlate with changes in QIDS-SR (r = 0 08, P = 0 7). At follow-up, three patients (14%) reported 12-month passive suicidal ideation;no patient reported 12- month active suicidality. Depression and the prevalence of anxiety are high in patients with psoriasis. Suicidal ideation rates appear to be higher than the rates in the general population during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, we did not observe a significant increase in the psychological burden or shielding of our patients during the pandemic compared with previous levels. Our findings are consistent with recent research on psoriasis-related quality of life during the COVID- 19 pandemic and may reflect population-specific resilience mechanisms. They also highlight the importance of continued monitoring of psychiatric comorbidity in this population, independently of acute stressors. Future research should address the long-term pandemic impact on patients.
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Background Changes to paediatric services during the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic potentially challenged children's fundamental right to health. As COVID-19 has presented with greater morbidity and mortality in adults than in children healthcare resources including staff were diverted from paediatric services to support adult care. Infection- control measures were also implemented including hospital visiting restrictions and reduced face-to-face paediatric care. Objectives We investigated paediatricians' perceptions around the impact of changes to paediatric services during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic on children and young people (CYP) to develop recommendations for maintaining their care during subsequent pandemics. Methods A multi-centre service evaluation was conducted through surveying consultant paediatricians working within the North Thames Paediatric Network a cohort of paediatric services in London. Results Forty-seven consultant paediatricians across six National Health Service trusts completed the survey. Lower quality of paediatric care due to redeployment was reported (61%;n=28) alongside consequences of visiting restrictions for CYP's mental health (79%;n=37). Fewer hospital attendances of CYP were linked to caregivers' fear of COVID-19 infection-risks (96%;n=45) and government 'stay at home' messages (89%;n=42). Although 52% (n= 24) relayed that care accessibility had improved with virtual formats inequities for those with reduced technological access or skills were noted (83%;n=38). Risk of harm to children with complex needs disabilities and safeguarding concerns was reported due to reductions in face-to-face care. Paediatricians largely perceived that the prioritisation of adults during the pandemic had compromised children's right to health (81%;n=33). Conclusion Consultant paediatricians raised concern around poorer quality and accessibility of paediatric care during the pandemic's first wave and resulting harm occurring to children. In future pandemics children's welfare must receive greater consideration and support. Recommendations for future practice are provided based upon our findings including maintaining face-to-face consultations with vulnerable and disadvantaged children.
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Introduction Kidney transplantation is often seen as the optimal form of kidney replacement therapy for children and young people (CYP) with stage 5 Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD5). Psychosocial factors have been cited to delay their access to a kidney transplant, however it is unclear what these factors are. We undertook a multi-centre qualitative study that explored the range of psychological and social factors that CYP, their carers and their paediatric nephrology multi-disciplinary team (MDT) perceived to influence how soon a CYP with CKD5 accesses a kidney transplant. This included factors that were perceived to influence kidney transplantation outcomes or deemed important to patients and their families in terms of their quality of life (QoL). Material and methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with CYP, their carers and their paediatric nephrology MDT across 7 tertiary paediatric nephrology units in the United Kingdom. These interviews were reviewed for pertinent themes using Thematic Analysis following the approach of Braun and Clarke. Results A total of 36 interviews were conducted with 13 families and 16 members of the paediatric nephrology MDT. The majority of participating families identified as White (57%), followed by Black (22%) or Asian (21%). The following themes were deemed important to accessing kidney transplantation and post-transplant outcomes: health beliefs;relationship with and trust in healthcare;support networks;family relationships;socioeconomic circumstances;culture and race;and mental health and coping strategies. Specific challenges from living with CKD5 and living through the COVID-19 pandemic were also discussed due to their impact on QoL and accessing a kidney transplant. Conclusions There are a wide range of psychosocial factors that are perceived to influence a CYP's access to kidney transplantation. Longitudinal and prospective studies are needed to fully assess the relationship between these psychosocial factors and a CYP's access to, and outcomes of, kidney transplantation.
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OBJECTIVES: It is necessary to objectively assess the stress state of workers, from the standpoint of holistic palliative care, in order to determine how the rapid change in work styles in the "live with coronavirus era"-in which people will coexist and live with the coronavirus (COVID-19)-will affect their physical and mental health. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of rapid changes in work patterns during the COVID-19 pandemic on the neuroendocrine stress response of workers. DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of sixteen subjects, 9 telecommuters (2 males, 7 females;age, 37.1+/-2.6 years) and 7 office workers (3 males, 4 females;age, 37.3+/-3.0 years) who provided their informed consent were enrolled in this prospective observational study. Saliva was collected four times a day (after waking, noon, evening, and before bedtime) and three times a week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) during May and June 2020. The saliva samples were stored at -20degreeC until measurement. Saliva components were analyzed by ELISA for cortisol, melatonin, s-IgA, and oxytocin. RESULT(S): The diurnal variation of salivary components between telecommuting and office work groups was investigated. Cortisol showed diurnal variation with higher secretion during waking hours and lower secretion toward nighttime in both groups, and no modulation was observed. In the office work group Melatonin showed diurnal variation, with increased secretion at night. In contrast, the telecommuting group showed modulation, with higher secretion at waking and lower secretion at night. s-IgA showed diurnal variation with a high level at waking and a low level thereafter in both groups, and no modulation was observed. The telecommuting group showed higher oxytocin levels in comparison to the office work group. CONCLUSION(S): These results suggest that the absence of commuting in the telecommuting group reduces anxiety due to infection, and that the diurnal variation of melatonin may be due to the alteration of circadian rhythm caused by being at home all day.
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Introduction: Pandemic, being unprecedented, leads to several mental health problems, especially among the front-line healthcare professionals (HCP). Front-line HCPs often suffer from anxiety, depression, burnout, insomnia and stress-related disorders. This is mediated by different biopsychological vulnerabilities of the individuals;socio-environmental factors such as the risk of exposure to infection, availability of personal protective equipment, psychological impact of the isolation/quarantine and interpersonal distancing also play the major roles. Aim(s): This study aimed to investigate the Psychiatric Morbidity in different Healthcare professionals (HCPs) and to observe any changes that occurred in this COVID pandemic situation. Material(s) and Method(s): The present study was a Hospital based Cross-sectional observational study, conducted over 1.5 years at College of Medicine and Sagore Dutta Hospital, Kamarhati. 126 HCPs (Consultants, Senior Resident, junior residents, Interns, Nurses, Paramedical Staffs, Non-Clinical staffs) were included in this study. Bengali version of Self Rated Questionnaire (SRQ-24) was used to assess the psychiatric morbidity. Result(s): In our study 61.9% HCPs were having Psychiatric Morbidity and 38.1% were not having Psychiatric morbidity. Among Consultants 30.2% had psychiatric morbidity, among Senior Residents 40%, in Junior Residents 52.9%, among Interns 50%, among Nurse 77.8% and in Non-Clinical Stuffs 69.6% and in Paramedical Stuffs 75% had psychiatric morbidity. Conclusion(s): Healthcare professionals had to do their duty in many adverse situations in COVID pandemic. They had to face tremendous mental and physical pressure and frequently they became exhausted. In spite this they did duty properly and saved millions of lives. So, their mental health should be assessed and proper intervention should be taken.
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Due to the physical and social limitations brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the intervention team for US Study to Protect Brain Health through Lifestyle Intervention to Reduce Risk (U.S. POINTER), found that delivering a lifestyle intervention faced many more challenges than studies from previous experience. Funded by the Alzheimer's Association, U.S. POINTER, a Phase 3, multicenter, randomized clinical trial testing whether random assignment to 2 years of a Self-Guided versus a Structured lifestyle intervention results in different cognitive trajectories in 2000 older adults at increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia, has faced many challenges during this time, especially with regard to the delivery of the intervention. U.S. POINTER randomized participants to one of two intervention groups. Participants in the selfguided group attend 2-3 team sessions per year and are provided with a rich menu of resources providing the participant with information needed to manage his or her own lifestyle change, whereas participants in the structured group follow a rigorous structure designed to facilitate lifestyle changes, including direct access to a Navigator, an Interventionist, regular group sessions (38 sessions over 2 years), and access to numerous tools for physical fitness training, diet, cognitive training, and health monitoring. Both interventions were designed to be conducted in person and in groups of 10-15 older adults who have cardiovascular disease risk factors. The pandemic made in-person delivery of our intervention unsafe for our high-risk cohort. Therefore, our intervention committee adapted the protocol to allow our group-based interventions to be conducted via a virtual format during the main COVID-19 era and then back to an in-person format as COVID-19 restrictions became more fluid and participants became more comfortable with in person contact. Shifting to a virtual-only format presented challenges for some of our older adult participants who were not familiar with video conferencing or technology in general. In addition, the Coordinating Center's Intervention Oversight Committee made modifications to the participant contact schedule in order to provide ample support for successful behavior change during this isolating time. New participant facing adherence reports were created to help provide feedback on intervention goals. These reports were used in meetings with individual participants as well as group sessions to help motivate our participants and maintain adherence. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic introduced an opportunity for us to add two additional participant surveys: (1) one specifically on the impact of COVID on mental health, including attitudes about safety precautions, and (2) an exit survey for participants who were enrolled prior to the COVID-19 era (March 2020). Both of these surveys will be extremely useful as the intervention committee and the study as a whole begins to think about the differing intervention delivery experiences that ranged from ''usual'' to ''completely remote'' to ''hybrid.''.
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Preventing psychopathology and promoting well-being have always been objecting of concern in many fields of psychology and psychiatry. Prevention is a form of intervention aimed at preventing the onset of a symptom, disorder, and psychological and/or social distress. The symposium intends to compare prevention in various contexts and different developmental stages of life, through the presentation of 4 contributions: (a) "Coping strategies and mental health during the covid-19 pandemic: an Italian survey". The study aims to evaluate mental health starting from individual characteristics and to explore which coping strategies are effective in enhancing the Italian population's well-being in dealing with covid-19;(b) "The role of several aspects of personality in the construction of transversal competencies in a sample of young adults". The study aims to assess the role that self-criticism, dependency and efficacy play in enhancing the young adult's transversal skills to facilitate more adaptive and satisfying life trajectories;(c) "Mentalization and attachment representation in mother-child and teacher-student relationships". The study has two aims: the first is to evaluate the relationship between the mentalization abilities and the attachment representation of both mother and her child and the teacher and her/his pupils. The second is to verify whether the adult's (mother and teacher) mentalization abilities impact the child's mentalization abilities;(d) 'Psychopathological symptoms and mentalizing capabilities in adolescents with anorexia nervosa before and during COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to compare Covid-Period vs. NON-Covid Period adolescent patients affected by Anorexia Nervosa (AN) considering their psychopathological symptoms and their mentalizing capabilities. In the symposium, three types of prevention are focused: primary, secondary, and tertiary. The primary aim is to avoid or minimise the risk of occurrence. Secondary prevention intervenes early on the problem to reduce its negative effects. A clear example is an early diagnosis, which is even more important when dealing with childhood disorders as it increases treatment opportunities, effectiveness, and positive outcomes. Tertiary prevention relates to preventing complications and reducing the risk of relapse. The symposium's objective is to compare various typologies of prevention in different contexts focusing on specific samples. The four contributions illustrate once again the greatest importance of prevention and how it can be broadly applied, in clinical, social, and developmental contexts.
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Background: An unprecedented and unexpected COVID-19 pandemic resulted appalled lock-downs limiting movement of the entire population of the country and also across the globe. Downtime due to COVID-19 pandemic, led to adjournment of schools, colleges, different institutions, industries and business. This shutdown of work affected physical, mental and behavioral health of mankind from different age groups of different sectors. Methods- In this cross-sectional study, prevalidated questionnaire using the quick mode of communications like Whatsapp and emails through Google form was used. It was among the quick and inexpensive method to collect data from a wide cross-section of the general public. After ethical committee approval, link was distributed among health care trainee, employees and health care workers (HCWs) of various educational institutes and hospitals. Participants read informed consent for voluntary participation in the survey, which was administered in two parts: The first part asked participants basic demographic characteristics including age, gender, place of residence and in second part questions were asked to determine participation in specific behaviors related to their physical, mental and behavioral health. Result(s): Physical-Significant change in exercise habits was found in 45.3% participants who exercised daily and 32.7% participants did 2 to 3times exercise in a week but 22% participants did not follow any exercise routine. Mental-This study reveals profound impact of lockdown on mental fitness variables as well. Lockdown induced lack of regular work schedules changed sleep habits of 45.8% participants. Behavioral-As precautionary measure 76% of the participants washed their hands mostly 5-7times throughout the day and 84.2% among them followed 6-steps of hand hygiene. 95.5% of participants used mask compulsorily. Conclusion(s): This survey is an attempt to study knowledge and behaviors of people in face of current pandemic where more than 1.3 billion people are inside their homes since lockdown. Although lockdown is effective measure to reduce the spread of COVID-19 there are reasons to be concerned. Prolonged home confinement and shutdown of work affects physical, mental and behavioral health of people. People feel socially isolated due to lockdown however social media platforms offer an opportunity to ameliorate social isolation. The effect on lockdown on physical, mental and behavioral routine habits can give inside of how people are living under impact of lockdown and the findings can reveals the impact of these never seen restrictions on life of people.Copyright © 2022 Ubiquity Press. All rights reserved.
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Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the management of the health care system, including the delivery of physical therapy (PT) services. In Thailand, physical therapists (PTs) encounter challenges in providing PT care during the pandemic. Aim(s): To survey PTs' opinions about the challenges encountered during the pandemic and the adapted management applied. Method(s): A questionnaire was developed to gather opinions of PTs in government and private hospitals over the effect of the pandemic on PT services, personals, patients, management of the department, care management for COVID-19 patients. Items of the questionnaire were evaluated by 3 experts using the Item-Objective Congruence (IOC) based on the score range -1 to +1. The items' IOC scores lower than 0.5 were removed or adjusted. 5 PTs tested the questionnaire. After the final adjustment, it was distributed to Thai PTs via letters and social media. Result(s): 59 PTs responded to the questionnaire, 73% were females, age 20-50 yr, 6 mo-22 yr of experience, 12 of 59 PTs have treated COVID-19 patients. Table 1 shows preliminary results. Conclusion(s): During the pandemic, several PT services were temporarily paused. The PTs reported effects on their mental health and thought that patients did not receive adequate treatment. Dept management was adapted to provide suitable care. (Figure Presented).
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Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has influenced the whole world, thus also affecting the high school graduates in Croatia. Aim(s): The purpose of the study was to examine the psychological distress high school graduates experienced during the COVID-19 social distancing measures, more precisely to investigate gender and school type differences and to examine the relationship between psychological distress and self-regulated learning. Method(s): In this cross-sectional study, an online questionnaire was administered to 13,037 high school graduates across Croatia. Result(s): The results show that girls exhibit higher levels of psychological distress compared to the boys, while the art school graduates show the highest distress, followed by gymnasium (i.e., secondary grammar school, prep school) graduates, and lastly vocational school graduates. Furthermore, a moderate negative correlation was found between self-efficacy and psychological distress, and significant, but small correlations were found between regulation of effort, management of work, time and environment, self-handicapping as well as elaboration and psychological distress. These results show that higher levels of self-regulation are connected to lower levels of psychological distress. Conclusion(s): These findings demonstrate that a need exists for greater accessibility of mental health care for adolescents.Copyright © 2022 The Authors. Published by Semmelweis University, Institute of Mental Health, Budapest.
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Introduction Covid has had a devastating effect on the Elderly, resulting in deconditioning, increased falls and loneliness. Tailored exercises can reduce falls in people aged over 65 by 54% and participation in physical activity reduces the risk of hip fractures by 50%, currently costing the NHS 1.7 billion per year in England. This 8-week intervention delivered by trained volunteers in patient's homes, aims to reduce deconditioning, loneliness and the risk, incidence and fear of falling (FOF) amongst frail patients post-discharge from hospital. Method A gap in service was identified in Frail patients discharged from hospital, at risk of falling and awaiting community physiotherapy. A steering group was set up including acute and community therapists, volunteers and carers to design a collaborative intervention to bridge the gap. At risk patients were identified and referred by ward therapists supported by the hospital volunteering team. Volunteers were trained to deliver an 8 weeks programme of progressive exercises in patients' homes with additional signposting to appropriate statutory and voluntary services. Qualitative and quantitative outcome measures were taken at week 1 and week 8 of the intervention Results 91.5% total health outcomes improved or maintained by average: - FOF reduced by 22.5% - 180 degree turn improved by 43% - 60 sec Sit to Stand improved by 14.75% - Timed Up And Go improved by 15.5% - Confidence to cope at home improved by 15% - Pain / discomfort (self-reported) improved by 18.75% - Overall health (self-reported) improved by 8.5% Conclusion(s) Targeted exercise at home with skilled volunteers can improve functional fitness and health outcomes in a frail elderly population at risk of falls when discharged home from hospital. The programme increases patients' connectivity to local voluntary and community sector services. Volunteers' mental health improves by engaging in meaningful service.
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BACKGROUND: The learning system carried out online during the COVID-19 pandemic increasingly supports students to delay working on assignments. AIM: The purpose of this study was to explore the academic procrastination of students during a pandemic. METHOD(S): This research using a cross-sectional study research method with 399 nursing students as respondents, data were collected using Google Forms which was circulated online, data were processed using descriptive, Pearson, and linear regression methods. RESULT(S): Pearson's results show that there is a positive correlation for age, fear of failure, aversiveness of task, difficulty making decisions, dependency, lack of assertion, risk taking, and rebellion against control. The results of the linear regression test showed that aversiveness of task, dependency, and lack of assertion were the strongest predictors of students' reasons for procrastinating. CONCLUSION(S): Academic procrastination by students, if carried out continuously and repeatedly, will have an impact on academic performance, grades, and mental health.Copyright © 2022 Syiddatul Budury, Diah Jerita Eka Sari, Widiharti Widiharti, Theresia Anita Pramesti, Siti Nur Hasina.
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Aims: This study aims to assess the state of mental health of nursing students in Kosovo and their willingness to provide professional health services for individuals at risk during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method(s): In this cross-sectional survey, undergraduate nursing students from three higher education institutions in Kosovo participate from May 25, 2020, to June 5, 2020. Data was collected through a structured, anonymous, self-directed questionnaire via the online platform-google forms. Questions about nursing knowledge, skills and competencies, and willingness to work, if necessary, in healthcare facilities in Kosovo before graduation during the COVID-19 pandemic, were organised according to the Likert scale. Result(s): Four hundred and seventy-two nursing students (82% female;and mean age 20.3+/-1.8 years) participated in the study. 18.2% of students required further evaluation for depression, 48.3% for anxiety, and 30.7% for stress. 77.8% of students agreed that they had acquired sufficient knowledge, 80.6% that they had sufficient skills, and 75.9% that they had sufficient competencies, during their studies, to work as nurses. Female students had higher stress (8.55+/-4.06) and anxiety scores (6.65+/-4.08) compared to their male counterparts (7.46+/-4.35;and 5.02+/-4.07;respectively) (p<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference among categories of stress, anxiety and depression, and nursing student's willingness to work or not during COVID-19 pandemic (p>0.05). Conclusion(s): Most nursing students in Kosovo appear ready and willing to join qualified nurses in healthcare institutions in delivering health services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Highlights: Most nursing students are willing to provide health services during the pandemic. The female students had higher stress and anxiety scores than their counterparts. This study discovered that students needed psychological support during the pandemic. Serving during the pandemic will put into practice problem-solving skills.Copyright © 2023 Tahirbegolli et al.
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The aim of this interdisciplinary study was to establish relationship between detailed lung function(LF) as well as cardiac measurements shortly after COVID-19 pneumonia and standardized psychological inventories assessing: anxiety(GAD), fatigue(FAS), depression symptoms(BDI), quality of life(EQD-5D-5L) and life orientation(SOC-29). Material(s) and Method(s): Detailed LF and cardiac measurements were conducted up to 1 month after hospitalization in a group of 113 patients recovered from moderate to severe COVID-19 pneumonia. Standardized psychological inventories were administered 6 months after the hospitalization. Stepwise logistic regression, linear regression and clustering were employed to respectively find risk factors for psychological distress as well as reduced quality of life, and to group individuals by courses of illness. Result(s): Self-reported substantial fatigue was present in majority of the consecutive sample. Female sex, myocarditis, age, lower number of pack-years and low FVC observed shortly after termination of infection were risk factors for reporting substantial fatigue. Depression and anxiety levels signalising distress were only dependant on sex and pack-years of patients. Only sex turned out to be significant predictor of EQD score. SOC scores were comparatively low in the examined sample. Conclusion(s): For some individuals COVID-19 may result in prolonged fatigue. Considerable sex differences in standardized measurements concerning mental health and quality of life suggest differences in experiencing psychological distress between men and women after COVID-19, however based on objectified medical measures we argue that men may be underreporting some complications.
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Introduction: Although many patients recover from a COVID-19 infection, a relevant proportion experiences long term symptoms from 'Post-COVID'. Several questions remain about the cause and duration of Post-COVID. This study assesses the long term burden of patients with COVID-19 during the first wave of the pandemic in the Netherlands from February 2020 until July 2020. The secondary aim was to find potential risk factors for long term symptoms. Method(s): In this prospective cohort study, all participants self-registered and filled in the Assessment of the Burden of COVID-19 (ABCoV) tool (van Noort E, et al. JMIR Form Res 2021;5(3):e22603) directly after their infection and one year later. Curavista kindly provided access to the ABCoV tool and their database. The dataset contained 161 patients at T0 (first time registration) and T1 (one year after registration). We categorized demographics (sex, smoking status, age, weight, BMI, and exercise level), ABCoV overall score, and ABCoV scores per domain (symptom status, mental status and functional status). Risk factors for Post-COVID were explored through linear regression analysis. Result(s): A subgroup of patients (12%) reported substantial symptoms at T1 and is therefore categorized as suffering from persistent Post-COVID. A majority of this group (60%) reported an overall increase in complaints: 89% in mental status, 35% in functional status, and 39% in pulmonary status. Secondary, results show that smoking, high BMI and lack of exercise at baseline are risk factors for developing long term symptoms. No correlations were found between sex or age. Conclusion(s): Due to these specific risk factors, it might imply that behavioral aspects are pivotal in primary prevention of Post-Covid.
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Introduction: There are few reports of the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, and subsequent lockdown, on the everyday lives of people affected by stroke. Method(s): We present a narrative of experiences of people participating in the Rates, Risks and Routes to Reduce Vascular Dementia (R4VaD) stroke study, an ongoing UK-wide, observational study of cognitive, physical and neuropsychiatric complications after stroke. Participants were recruited up to a year prior to or during the outbreak, and were in follow-up during introduction of the UK social distancing measures. During participants' 1- year follow-up we performed standardized assessments, including free text responses regarding experiences of the pandemic, encompassing many aspects of healthcare including cognition, mood and anxiety. Result(s): In our study of over 2000 stroke survivors from across the UK, we found that the COVID-19 pandemic has had an adverse effect on health, including poorer mental health and wellbeing, feelings of loneliness, poorer health related behaviours and disengagement with, or lack of access to, health services, including rehabilitation. This was most evident between March and May 2020, during which time 1 in 3 patients spontaneously reported negative effects of the pandemic during telephone followups. After the national roll out of the vaccine, participants reported barriers to resuming community activities and hesitancy and anxiety regarding the transition from self-isolation to "normal life". Conclusion(s): The pandemic has caused significant challenges for stroke survivors and their families, which, unless addressed, are likely to have substantial physical and mental health consequences, which will impact significantly on stroke survivors' recovery.