Effects of music therapy as an alternative treatment on depression in children and adolescents with ADHD by activating serotonin and improving stress coping ability.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the effect of music therapy as an alternative treatment on depression in children and adolescents with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) by activating serotonin (5-HT) and improving stress coping ability. METHODS: This study is designed based on randomization method. A total of 36 subjects participated in the experiment, consisting of an ADHD control group (n = 18) and ADHD music therapy group (n = 18). The ADHD control group received standard care, while the ADHD music therapy group received music therapy and standard care. The ADHD music therapy group received both active music therapy (improvisation) and receptive music therapy (music listening) for 50 minutes, twice a week, for 3 months: a total of 24 times. From a neurophysiological perspective, changes in depression and stress were tracked by measuring 5-HT secretion, cortisol expression, blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and CDI and DHQ psychological scales. RESULTS: The ADHD music therapy group's 5-HT secretion increased (p < 0.001), whereas cortisol expression (p < 0.001), BP (p < 0.001) and HR (p < 0.001) decreased. The CDI and DHQ psychological scales also showed positive changes (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001, respectively). However, the ADHD Con G's (who did not receive music therapy) 5-HT secretion did not increase, whereas cortisol expression, BP, and HR did not decrease. In addition, the CDI and DHQ psychological scales did not display positive changes. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the application of music therapy as an alternative treatment for ADHD children and adolescents showed positive neurophysiological and psychological effects. Therefore, this study would like to propose a new alternative to medicine for preventing and treating depression through various uses of music therapy.

The acclimatization of Haenyeo to a cold environment and occupational characteristics evaluated by orexin and irisin levels.

Background: Haenyeo is a woman who has the job of collecting seafood in the Jeju Sea at an average temperature of 13°C-14°C. The purpose of this study was to examine the cold acclimatization and occupational characteristics of Haenyeo through biomarkers such as orexin and irisin related to heat generation in the body. Methods: Twenty-one Haenyeo and 25 people with similar age, body type, and body mass index were selected as the control group (Control G). In the cold exposure experiment, a climate chamber was set to 5°C and both feet were immersed in a 15°C water tank for 30 minutes. Tympanic temperature (Tty) and skin temperature (Tsk) were measured, and the mean body temperature (mTb) was calculated. Blood samples were collected before and immediately after the examination. Orexin and irisin levels were analyzed. Results: Orexin levels were elevated after cold stimulation from 12.17 ± 4.44 to 12.95 ± 4.53 ng/mL (Haenyeo group [Haenyeo G], p < 0.01) and 10.37 ± 3.84 to 11.25 ± 4.02 ng/mL (Control G, p < 0.001). Irisin levels were elevated after cold stimulation from 4.83 ± 2.28 to 5.36 ± 2.23 ng/mL (Haenyeo G, p < 0.001) and 3.73 ± 1.59 to 4.18 ± 2.04 ng/mL (Control G, p < 0.001). The difference between Haenyeo G and Control G values in orexin and irisin appears not only in pre-exposure but also in post-exposure (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Our experimental results suggest that Haenyeo G were relatively superior in cold tolerance to Control G under cold exposure conditions. Haenyeo's cold acclimatization is due to the basic differences in pyrogens regarding body temperature control such as orexin and irisin. This means that Haenyeo are advantageous for cold survival.

Coffee intake may promote sudomotor function activation via the contribution of caffeine.

Objectives: To determine whether drinking coffee with caffeine accelerates the sympathetic response to acetylcholine (ACh). Methods: Tests were performed twice at 1-week intervals following the intake of coffee. Subjects were randomly divided into two groups: Group A was administered 16 fluid oz of water (CON), while Group B was given 16 fluid oz of coffee (Coffee). After 1 week, Group A was administered 16 fluid oz of coffee (Coffee), while Group B was given 16 fluid oz of water (CON). The quantitative sudomotor axon reflex test (QSART) was performed after intake of coffee and water and a 40 min break. QSART with iontophoresis and 10% ACh was performed to determine axon reflex (AXR) mediated with and without iontophoresis [AXR (1) and AXR (2), respectively], and directly activated sweating (DIR). Results: The sweat onset time of the AXR was shorter in the Coffee compared with the CON (p < 0.05). The sweat rates in AXR (1) AXR (2) and DIR were significantly higher in the Coffee than in the CON (p < 0.05, p < 0.05, p < 0.01, respectively). In addition, the Coffee showed significantly higher density of activated sweat glands and activated sweat gland output than the CON (p < 0.05, p < 0.01, respectively). The overall results of this study showed that coffee intake could stimulate higher activation in both AXR and DIR sweat responses. Conclusion: Coffee intake can improve sweating sensitivity in both the AXR and DIR by the contribution of caffeine contained in coffee. This suggests that other compounds in coffee may not inhibit the sympathetic response to ACh. Therefore, coffee may be clinically worth considering as a supplement for the activation of the cholinergic and sudomotor function.

Effects of caffeine ingestion and thermotherapy on blood orexin circulation in humans.

Caffeine and orexin can affect awakening, neuroendocrine, and sympathetic nerve function. Our previous study has reported that caffeine intake can increase human body temperature. However, little is known about the combined effects of thermotherapy and caffeine intake on human serum orexin concentrations. Forty-two healthy male subjects with age of 26.72 ± 5.05 years, height of 174.10 ± 7.09 cm, and body weight of 74.68 ± 8.91 kg participated in this study. They were randomly assigned to a control (CON) group (n = 21) and a caffeine (CAFF) group (n = 21). After thermotherapy (half-body immersion in a hot water bath at 42 ± 0.5 °C, circulating orexin level increased more (p < 0.05) in the CAFF group than in the CON group. Positive relationships between mean body temperature and orexin were observed before and after heat stimulation (p < 0.001). Caffeine intake boosted the upregulation of serum orexin concentrations in subjects undergoing thermotherapy.