Depressive and Anxiety Symptoms and Their Relationships with Ego-Resiliency and Life Satisfaction among Well-Educated, Young Polish Citizens during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Ego-resiliency is a set of traits that promotes positive adaptation to life's vicissitudes. High ego-resiliency helps in upholding one's personality system when facing adversity and in adjusting it to new environmental demands. Our study aimed at evaluating the connections between ego-resiliency, the severity of anxiety and depressive symptoms as well as life satisfaction during the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland. A total of 604 Polish citizens aged 16 to 69 years participated in the online survey. Ego-resiliency was measured with the Ego Resiliency Scale (ER89-R12), anxiety and depression with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and life satisfaction with the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). Statistical analyses were performed using the Spearman rank correlation coefficient. The results revealed correlations between the intensity of depressive and anxiety symptoms, life satisfaction, and the intensity of ego-resiliency. Individuals with a high level of ego-resiliency tended to experience a lower intensity of anxiety and depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, individuals with a high level of ego-resiliency exhibited a higher level of life satisfaction. Our conclusions might assist in better understanding the close link between levels of ego-resiliency, the occurrence of depressive and anxiety symptoms, and satisfaction with life among Polish individuals experiencing crises.

The Dark Triad of Personality's Relationship with Compliance towards COVID-19 Pandemic Recommendations along with Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms in Polish Citizens.

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic forced everyone to comply with rules of a sanitary regime and social distancing on a daily basis. The aim of our research was to assess the differences in the levels of Dark Triad traits between people who obeyed and disobeyed the pandemic restrictions. Additionally, we considered the possible correlation between the Dark Triad and the intensity of symptoms of depression and anxiety. A total of 604 Polish participants, whose average age was 28.95 ± 11.27 years, completed an online survey which measured Dark Triad traits using the Polish version of the Dirty Dozen test. Anxiety and depression were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). The results revealed a possible relationship between personality traits and compliance with pandemic restrictions. Individuals with higher levels of psychopathy tended to disobey newly introduced rules. On the other hand, a higher level of subclinical narcissism might have contributed to a better civil compliance. The results showed a significant positive correlation between the intensity of the Dark Triad and the occurrence of depressive symptoms. Furthermore, narcissism was linked to anxiety symptoms. These results can contribute to a better understanding of behavioural patterns during the COVID-19 pandemic within the group of individuals who exhibit the Dark Triad traits. Our conclusions might help to identify individuals who are particularly vulnerable to mental health problems.

Influence of Chest and Diaphragm Manual Therapy on the Spirometry Parameters in Patients with Cerebral Palsy: A Pilot Study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of manual therapy of the chest and diaphragm on the spirometry parameters in patients with cerebral palsy (CP). METHOD: The study was carried out on 20 youths with CP. All participated in 6 sessions (3 sham and 3 actual), with measurements of spirometry at baseline, postsham therapies 1 and 3, before actual therapy, and postactual therapy sessions 1 and 3. Two manual techniques were included: soft tissue mobilization of the chest and the diaphragm. RESULTS: After the first actual therapy, there was a significant (p < 0.01) improvement in forced vital capacity (FVC) by 0.23 L (8% of the average predicted value) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) by 0.18 L (7% of the average predicted value) as compared to results before the therapy. Change in FVC parameter was clinically significant, whereas change in FEV1 was not clinically significant. After sham therapy, there was no improvement in spirometry parameters as compared to baseline results. CONCLUSION: Single-time manual therapy of the chest and diaphragm has a positive effect on FVC and FEV1.

Asymmetry of activation of lateral abdominal muscles during the neurodevelopmental traction technique.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the symmetry and pattern of activation of lateral abdominal muscles (LAM) in response to neurodevelopmental traction technique. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: Measurements of LAM thickness were performed in four experimental conditions: during traction with the force of 5% body weight (5% traction): 1) in neutral position, 2) in 20° posterior trunk inclination; during traction with the force of 15% body weight (15% traction): 3) in neutral position, 4) in 20° posterior trunk inclination. Thirty-seven healthy children participated in the study. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: To evaluate LAM activation level ultrasound technology was employed (two Mindray DP660 devices (Mindray, Shenzhen, China) with 75L38EA linear probes). An experiment with repeated measurements of the dependent variables was conducted. RESULTS: Side-to-side LAM activation asymmetry showed relatively high magnitude, however, significant difference was found only in case of the obliquus externus (OE) during stronger traction (P < 0.05). The magnitude of LAM thickness change formed a gradient, with the most profound transversus abdominis (TrA) showing the smallest change, and the most superficial OE - the greatest. The inter-muscle differences were most pronounced between the OE and TrA (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: During the neurodevelopmental traction technique there is a difference in individual LAM activation level, with deeper muscles showing less intense activation. In statistical terms, the only signs of side-to-side asymmetry of LAM activation are visible in case of the OE, however, the magnitude of asymmetry is relatively high. The results allow to identify patterns of activation of LAM in children showing typical development that will serve as a reference in future studies in children with neurological disorder.

The impact of core muscles training on the range of anterior pelvic tilt in subjects with increased stiffness of the hamstrings.

The aim of this study is to verify the hypotheses that muscular coordination training of the core region in subjects showing increased hamstring stiffness results in an increase in anterior pelvic tilt and that there is a correlation between hamstring stiffness and anterior pelvic tilt. The two-group, non-blinded experimental controlled trial with three repeated measurements of the dependent variables. The experimental group received muscular coordination training during a period of two weeks, control group - no training. Thirty generally healthy subjects (9 women) were randomly assigned to the two equal groups. Passive knee extension test (hamstring stiffness); the range of anterior pelvic tilt (as measured in neutral standing position and during forward bending of the trunk). A significant decrease in the level of hamstring stiffness was recorded in the experimental group accompanied by an increase in anterior pelvic tilt. No significant changes were observed in the control group. There was a significant, negative, and moderate correlation between hamstring stiffness and anterior pelvic tilt with forward bending of the trunk).

The impact of the neurodevelopmental traction technique on activation of lateral abdominal muscles in children aged 11-13 years.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to evaluate the activation of lateral abdominal muscles (LAM) in response to neurodevelopmental traction technique as assessed by ultrasounds as well as to compare the effects of different traction forces. OBJECTIVE: An experiment with repeated measurements of the dependent variables was conducted. Thirty-seven children (22 girls) participated. METHODS: Measurements of LAM thickness (indicating LAM activation) were performed bilaterally during traction of 5% body weight: 1) in neutral position, 2) in 20° posterior trunk inclination; during traction of 15% body weight: 3) in neutral position, 4) in 20° posterior trunk inclination. The ultrasound technology was employed. RESULTS: When applying the lighter traction the superficial LAM (external and internal oblique muscles) showed significant changes. The mean thickness of both muscles during traction increased (both p < 0.001). The deepest transversus abdominis showed no response (p > 0.05). Stronger traction elicited smaller changes. External and internal oblique muscles showed significant increases (p < 0.001, p < 0.01, respectively). Transversus abdominis became less thick during stronger traction (p < 0.01). CONCUSIONS: The neurodevelopmental traction technique elicits the changes in LAM thickness in children with typical development. The superficial LAM show more distinct responses than the profound LAM. Stronger traction induces smaller LAM thickness changes than lighter traction.

Ultrasound evaluation of the symmetry of abdominal muscles in mild adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

[Purpose] The objective of the study was to evaluate the symmetry of the thickness of the abdominal muscles at rest and while standing in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. [Subjects and Methods] An ultrasound assessment was performed of the side-to-side differences of the external oblique (EO), internal oblique (IO), and transversus abdominalis (TrA) muscles in the supine and standing positions in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and control groups. [Results] In the AIS group, 64.3% of the patients had left scoliosis with a mean Cobb angle of 10.7°, and 35.7% of the patients had right scoliosis with a mean Cobb angle of 10°. In the supine position, the thickness asymmetry of the TrA was greater in the AIS compared with the control group by an average of 14% (95% CI 3.9-24.2). [Conclusion] Among the abdominal muscles examined, patients with AIS exhibited more asymmetry only for the TrA. In the standing position, the TrA was as symmetric in the patients as in the control group. Mild scoliosis has no impact on the symmetry of the thickness of the OE and OI in the supine and standing positions. The direction of curvature had no effect on the symmetry of the abdominal muscles studied.

Development of low postural tone compensatory patterns in children - theoretical basis.

Neurological literature indicates the existence of children with low postural tone without association with central nervous system damage. This fact induces to think about mechanisms, which allow these children to maintain upright posture. There is a suspicion that compensatory mechanism included in this process, enables to achieve upright posture, but at expense of body posture quality. Observations of children's developmental stages caused determination of some postural tone area, which comprise both children with normotonia and with low postural tone without characteristics of central nervous system (CNS) damage. Set of specific qualities allows determination of two types of low postural tone: spastoidal and atetoidal type. Spastoidal type is characterized by deep trunk muscles (local) low postural tone compensated by excessive tension of superficial muscles (global). Atetoidal type includes children with low postural tone in both deep and superficial muscles. At inefficient active subsystem, verticalization proceeds at excessive use of passive subsystem qualities, that is meniscus, ligament, bone shape, and muscles passive features. From neurodevelopmental point of view compensatory mechanisms can be used in children with low postural tone in order to achieve upright posture, but at expense of body posture quality.

Development of low postural tone compensatory patterns - predicted dysfunction patterns in upper part of the body.

Lower postural tone is not always associated with central nervous system structures damage. There is a such kind of tone that stays within the broadly defined normal range, but is characterized by distinct decrease of tone of the deep muscles responsible for stabilization. External syndromes are features of active or passive compensation observed in the postural and motor patterns. Active compensation of the lower muscle tone is associated with excessive use of the superficial muscles for stabilization that leads to limitation of motion in the joints and to functional shortening of some muscles. Active compensation mechanisms in the upper part of the body cause translation of the head before the line of the shoulders, high alignment of the shoulder girdle and increase of the thoracic kyphosis (spastoidal type). Passive compensation is initiated in case of decreased tone of both deep and superficial muscles. Stabilization is kept with considerable participation of the spatial shape of bones, ligaments, meniscus and passive properties of the muscles. Tendency to hypermobility of the periarthritis elements is observed, which is manifested by the increase of the physiological range of motion in the joints. As a result in the upper part of the body postural faults develop, which are characterized by decreased thoracic kyphosis and sunken chest (atetoidal type). These observations indicate that lower tone of the muscles responsible for stabilization triggers off the sequence of compensatory mechanisms that ultimately lead to specific postural faults.

Development of low postural tone compensatory patterns - predicted dysfunction patterns in lower part of the body.

Lower postural tone is not always associated with central nervous system structural damage. There is such kind of tone that stays within the broadly defined normal range, but is characterized by distinct decrease of tone of the deep muscles responsible for stabilization. External syndromes are features of active or passive compensation observed in the postural and motor patterns. Active compensation of the lower muscle tone is associated with excessive use of the superficial muscles for stabilization that leads to limitation of motion in the joints and to functional shortening of some muscles. Active compensation mechanisms in the lower part of the body cause decreased anterior pelvic tilt, functional shortening of the hamstring muscles and pes cavus (spastoidal type). Passive compensation is initiated in case of decreased tone of both deep and superficial muscles. Stabilization is kept with considerable participation of the spatial shape of bones, ligaments, meniscus and passive properties of the muscles. Tendency to hypermobility of the periarthritis elements is observed, which is manifested by increase of the physiological range of motion in the joints. As a result in the lower part of the body postural faults develop, which are characterized by increased lumbar lordosis, anterior pelvic tilt, valgus knee and feet (atetoidal type). Observations indicate that lower tone of the muscles responsible for stabilization triggers off the sequence of compensatory mechanisms that ultimately lead to specific postural faults.

Assessment of connection between the bite plane and body posture in children and teenagers.

AIM: Attempt to compare the occlusion condition in groups of children with different body posture. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 336 children aged from 8 to 14 years were investigated. The subjects were selected in orthodontic clinics (237 children) and at schools (98 children). All participants were divided into groups with different body posture according to Kasperczyk's point method. The comparison of the occlusion quality was performed with the use of a scale developed by Emmerich-Poplatek. RESULTS: The studied group comprised following number of persons: 12 (3.56%) with no malocclusion, 37 (10.98%) with mild, 162 (48.37%) with moderate and 124 (37.09%) with severe malocclusion. In relation to the body posture, 52.67% of the participants had correct posture, 45.53 % had a faulty posture of mild degree and 1.78% of severe degree. A considerable differentiation of the occlusion condition was discovered within the three groups. In view of a small number of participants with a faulty posture of considerable degree (n=6) the comparative analysis of the occlusion condition was performed between the group with a correct body posture and group with faulty posture (created by combining group 2 and 3). The result of the analysis suggests a significant differentiation of the occlusion condition between the groups mentioned above (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Children with faulty postures present more intense malocclusions than children with a correct body posture. Results of this type suggest the need for interdisciplinary look at people with malocclusions whose therapy should involve body posture correction.