"ARVs is for HIV and cream is for HPV or precancer:" Women's Perceptions and Perceived Acceptability of Self-Administered Topical Therapies for Cervical Precancer Treatment: A Qualitative Study from Kenya.

Background: Women in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) bear a disproportionate burden of global incidence and deaths from cervical cancer, despite being a preventable disease. Prevention efforts in LMICs are hindered in part by lack of access to cervical precancer treatment, due to weak health infrastructure and a lack of adequate human resources to deliver current provider-administered precancer treatments. Innovative strategies are urgently needed to close the cervical precancer treatment gap in LMICs, including the use of self-administered topical therapies for which efficacy evidence is available from high-income settings. We investigated African women's perceptions and perceived acceptability of these therapies for cervical precancer treatment. Methods: Between November 2022 and April 2023, we conducted five focus group discussions (FGDs) with women ages 25-65 years undergoing cervical cancer screening or precancer treatment in Kisumu, Kenya. The FGDs explored women's experiences with screening and precancer treatment, their acceptability of topical therapies for precancer treatment, and perceived barriers and facilitators to uptake. The FGDs were moderated by local qualitative research assistants, conducted in local languages, transcribed, coded, and analyzed using qualitative description using NVIVO software. Results: Twenty-nine women participated, with a mean age of 35.4 years (SD 6.5). All had undergone cervical cancer screening, and 25 (83%) had a history of precancer treatment with ablation or excision. Multiple themes were identified related to women's perceptions of topical therapies. Participants were highly receptive of topical treatments, with many favoring the option of self-administration compared to provider-administration of such therapies. Self-administration of topical therapies was felt to help address challenges associated with current treatment methods, including difficulty in access, pain with procedures, cost, and lack of privacy with pelvic exams. Participants had a preference for topical therapies that are used less frequently compared to those used daily. Conclusions: Among Kenyan women with a history of cervical precancer treatment, self-administered topical therapies for precancer are acceptable and have the potential to address barriers, including access, privacy, and cost, that hinder precancer treatment in LMICs. If supported by efficacy studies in LMICs, self-administered topical therapies offer a scalable approach to closing the precancer treatment gap in LMICs. Trial registration: Not applicable.

Inquiry-based stress reduction: A systematic review of the empirical literature.

OBJECTIVE: This paper reviewed the empirical research on inquiry-based stress reduction (IBSR; also called "The Work"), which has similarities to third-wave cognitive behavioral approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Widely used as a self-help intervention, IBSR has only recently been subjected to empirical research. METHOD: We reviewed empirical studies (published and unpublished) that examined IBSR. RESULTS: We found 17 empirical studies (15 independent samples) that examined IBSR. Several studies reported positive changes on variables such as stress, anxiety, and well-being. However, only three studies evaluated IBSR using randomized clinical trials (RCTs). Concerns related to treatment feasibility and cost-effectiveness of IBSR are noted. CONCLUSIONS: There are some promising initial findings on IBSR. However, additional research employing high-quality research designs is necessary to explore the efficacy and effectiveness of IBSR in various contexts.

Contextual assessment: evaluating a novel self-guided online therapeutic assessment.

BACKGROUND: Paper introduces Conflict Analysis (CA), an online self-guided therapeutic assessment. CA combines a diagnostic self-report scale with narrative exercises and self-analytical tasks. CA automatically generates detailed diagnostic records and frameworks for changes. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate therapeutic and diagnostic benefits associated with CA over time. METHODS: This online study compared CA over 2 weeks on outcome measures predicting psychotherapy outcome. Novel scale measuring perceived diagnostic benefit and perceived therapeutic benefit was delivered at post and follow-up. Cohort (n = 59, average age = 35, 50% female) was either in therapy or interested to start therapy in near future. RESULTS: Repeated-measure ANOVAs suggest that scores significantly changed on measures predicting negative affect, depression, performance and appearance self-esteem, insight, and growth initiative. Agreement rates on items measuring perceived diagnostic and therapeutic benefits were at least 74.5% for both post and follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence supports further exploration of CA as a self-guided diagnostic and therapeutic resource.Key pointsResults demonstrate feasibility and utility of online self-guided therapeutic assessment.Described model is associated with increased perceived diagnostic and therapeutic benefits.Described model illustrates therapeutic benefits over time.Results demonstrate that even self-guided assessment can have therapeutic implications.

Outcomes and implementation challenges of using daily treatment regimens with an innovative adherence support tool among HIV-infected tuberculosis patients in Karnataka, India: a mixed-methods study.

BACKGROUND: In India, a new care package consisting of (i) daily regimen with fixed-dose combination drugs, collected once-a-month and self-administered by the patient, (ii) 'one stop service' at antiretroviral treatment (ART) centre for both HIV and tuberculosis (TB) treatment and (iii) technology-enabled adherence support (99DOTS, which required patients to give a missed phone call after consuming drugs) was piloted for treatment of TB among HIV-infected TB patients. Conventional care included intermittent regimen (drugs consumed thrice-weekly) delivered under direct observation of treatment supporter and the patients needing to visit TB and HIV care facilities, separately for treatment. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of new care package on TB treatment outcomes among HIV-TB patients registered during January-December 2016, as compared to conventional care and explore the implementation challenges. METHODS: A mixed-methods study was conducted in four districts of Karnataka, India where new care package was piloted in few ART centres while the rest provided conventional care. Quantitative component involved a secondary cohort analysis of routine programme data. Adjusted relative risk(aRR) was calculated using Poisson regression to measure association between new care package and unsuccessful treatment outcome. We conducted in-depth interviews with healthcare providers and patients to understand the challenges. RESULTS: Unsuccessful TB treatment outcomes (death, loss to follow-up and failure) were higher in new care package (n = 871) compared to conventional care (n = 961) (30.5% vs 23.4%; P value<0.001) and aRR was 1.3(95% CI: 1.1-1.7). Key challenges included patients' inability to give missed call, increased work load for ART staff, reduced patient-provider interaction, deficiencies in training and lack of role clarity among providers and reduced involvement of TB program staff. CONCLUSION: With new care package, TB treatment outcomes did not improve as expected and conversely declined compared to conventional care. TB and HIV programs need to address the operational challenges to improve the outcomes.

Comparative Effectiveness of Plantar-Massage Techniques on Postural Control in Those With Chronic Ankle Instability.

CONTEXT: One of the major concerns after an acute lateral ankle sprain is the potential for development of chronic ankle instability (CAI). The existing research has determined that clinician-delivered plantar massage improves postural control in those with CAI. However, the effectiveness of self-administered treatments and the underlying cause of any improvements remain unclear. OBJECTIVES: To determine (1) the effectiveness of a self-administered plantar-massage treatment in those with CAI and (2) whether the postural-control improvements were due to the stimulation of the plantar cutaneous receptors. DESIGN: Crossover study. SETTING: University setting. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: A total of 20 physically active individuals (6 men and 14 women) with self-reported CAI. INTERVENTION(S): All participants completed 3 test sessions involving 3 treatments: a clinician-delivered manual plantar massage, a patient-delivered self-massage with a ball, and a clinician-delivered sensory brush massage. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Postural control was assessed using single-legged balance with eyes open and the Star Excursion Balance Test. RESULTS: Static postural control improved (P ≤ .014) after each of the interventions. However, no changes in dynamic postural control after any of the interventions were observed (P > .05). No differences were observed between a clinician-delivered manual plantar massage and either a patient-delivered self-massage with a ball or a clinician-delivered sensory brush massage in any postural-control outcome. CONCLUSIONS: In those with CAI, single 5-minute sessions of traditional plantar massage, self-administered massage, and sensory brush massage each resulted in comparable static postural-control improvements. The results also provide empirical evidence suggesting that the mechanism for the postural-control improvements is the stimulation of the plantar cutaneous receptors.

Results obtained by using a self-administered treatment for tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) has a higher incidence in populations with socio-economic deficits and requires prolonged antibiotic therapy to heal, which hinders adherence to the treatment, with an abandonment rate ranging between 15 and 30% in those with self-administered treatment. Objectives: to assess the rate of abandonment and to identify predisposing factors in patients monitored at the hospital with self-administered treatment, implemented with weekly controls during the attack phase, and then monthly controls (consolidation phase) until completing the planned schedule. Materials and methods: all the patients who started treatment between January 1st and December 31st, 2015 were included. A descriptive analysis of the results obtained up to December 31st, 2016 was performed. An interruption ≥ 14 days during the attack phase and ≥ 2 months during the consolidation phase was defined as abandonment by comparing the characteristics of this group with the compliant group using the chi-square test. Results: 73 patients (38 males) aged 34±15 years were included, 32 were Argentine (44%), and the rest was comprised of: 33 Bolivians, 5 Paraguayans, 2 Peruvians and 1 Chilean. In 47 cases (64%), TB was pulmonary. The extrapulmonary damage included: 11 pleural, 5 nodal, 3 bone (one with a concomitant impact on the psoas and another one on the lung), 2 laryngeal and pulmonary, 2 peritoneal, 2 meningeal and 1 intestinal. In all the cases (except for one that started treatment empirically), the disease was confirmed by direct AFB smear or culture, or by finding granulomas in biopsies performed in a compatible clinical context. Fifty-two patients completed the treatment (71.2%), 1 patient passed away and 20 abandoned it (27.4%); of the latter, 4 restarted and completed the treatment. The most frequent comorbidities were alcoholism (n = 7), diabetes (n = 6), and HIV positives (n = 6). Compared to the group that completed the treatment, alcoholism was a significant predictive factor for abandonment (2 in 52 vs. 5 in 20; p < .01). There were no significant differences regarding HIV positives (4 in 52 vs. 2 in 20) or gender (9 out of 38 males abandoned treatment vs. 11 out of 34 females). Likewise, there were no differences regarding age, nationality or education level. Conclusion: with the self-administered treatment system, we obtained an abandonment rate no higher than the expected one at our hospital. Alcoholism was associated with a higher risk of abandonment. Identifying other predisposing factors will help to improve adherence to the treatment by defining specific follow-up strategies.

Comparative Effectiveness of Plantar-Massage Techniques on Postural Control in Those With Chronic Ankle Instability.

CONTEXT: One of the major concerns after an acute lateral ankle sprain is the potential for development of chronic ankle instability (CAI). The existing research has determined that clinician-delivered plantar massage improves postural control in those with CAI. However, the effectiveness of self-administered treatments and the underlying cause of any improvements remain unclear. OBJECTIVES: To determine (1) the effectiveness of a self-administered plantar-massage treatment in those with CAI as well and (2) whether the postural-control improvements were due to the stimulation of the plantar cutaneous receptors. DESIGN: Crossover study. SETTING: University setting. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: A total of 20 physically active individuals (6 men and 14 women) with self-reported CAI. INTERVENTION(S): All participants completed 3 test sessions involving 3 treatments: a clinician-delivered manual plantar massage, a patient-delivered self-massage with a ball, and a clinician-delivered sensory brush massage. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Postural control was assessed using single-legged balance with eyes open and the Star Excursion Balance Test. RESULTS: Static postural control improved (P ≤ .014) after each of the interventions. However, no changes in dynamic postural control after any of the interventions were observed (P > .05). No differences were observed between a clinician-delivered manual plantar massage and either a patient-delivered self-massage with a ball or a clinician-delivered sensory brush massage in any postural-control outcome. CONCLUSIONS: In those with CAI, single 5-minute sessions of traditional plantar massage, self-administered massage, and sensory brush massage each resulted in comparable static postural-control improvements. The results also provide empirical evidence suggesting that the mechanism for the postural-control improvements is the stimulation of the plantar cutaneous receptors.

Web- vs. telehealth-based delivery of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of our study was to evaluate and compare two methods of service delivery (web-based and telehealth-based) for chronic insomnia with regard to patient preference, clinical effectiveness, and patient satisfaction. METHODS: Our study was a randomized controlled trial with manualized telehealth- and web-based delivery conditions (nonblinded). The sample comprised 73 adults with chronic insomnia. Participants received web-based delivery from their homes or telehealth-based delivery from a nearby clinic. Both interventions consisted of identical psychoeducation, sleep hygiene and stimulus control instruction, sleep restriction treatment, relaxation training, cognitive therapy, mindfulness meditation, and medication-tapering assistance. RESULTS: Using a linear mixed model analysis, results showed that both delivery methods produced equivalent changes in insomnia severity, with large effect sizes. Attendance patterns favored telehealth, whereas homework adherence and preference data favored web-based delivery. CONCLUSIONS: Web- and telehealth-based delivery are both helpful in treating chronic insomnia in rural-dwelling adults.

A implantação da estratégia DOTS na cidade do Rio de Janeiro / Implementation of the DOTS strategy in the city of Rio de Janeiro

Introdução: o objetivo deste estudo foi descrever a implementação da estratégia DOTS (Estratégia de Tratamento Diretamente Observado de Curta duração) nos centros de saúde na cidade do Rio de Janeiro, apresentando os resultados obtidos após dois anos de desenvolvimento de projetos-piloto. Métodos: análise dos dados contidos nos "Livros de Registro e Controle do Tratamento", regularmente notificados à Secretaria Municipal de Saúde do Rio de Janeiro, visando avaliar o impacto do tratamento diretamente observado (DOT) nos índices de cura e o efeito da implementação da estratégia DOTS na qualidade do programa de controle da tuberculose (PCT). Resultados: De Janeiro de 1999 a Dezembro de 2001, 3657 casos de TB foram registrados nas áreas onde a estratégia DOTS foi implantada. Destes, 1730 receberam DOT e 1927 receberam tratamento auto-administrado (TAA). Entre os caos novos, 81% dos que receberam DOT e 71% dos que receberam TAA foram tratados com sucesso (OR 1,66, IC 95%: 1,3 -1,8), p<0,01. As taxas de negativação da baciloscopia do escarro após 2 e 3 meses de tratamento foram de 84% e 91% respectivamente para aqueles que receberam DOT e 75% e 83% para o grupo em TAA. Nos centros de saúde onde a estratégia DOTS foi implantada houve, em 3 anos, melhora geral dos índices de cura e de abandono, assim como dos percentuais de baciloscopias realizadas para acompanhamento do tratamento. Conclusão: Pacientes que receberam DOTS tiveram maior chance de cura do que aqueles que receberam TAA. A implantação da estratégia DOTS melhorou a qualidade do PCT.

Introduction: The objective of this study is to describe the implementation of DOTS (Directly Observed Treatment, Short course) strategy in health centers in the city of the Rio de Janeiro presenting the results 2 years after teh development of pilot projects. Methods: analysis of data recorded on the "TB treatment and outcome registration books", regularly reported to the City Health Secretariat, to evaluate the results of the directly observed therapy (DOT) on the treatment success rates and the effect of DOTS implementation on the equality of the TB control program. Results: From January 1999 to December 2001, 3,657 TB cases were registered in the areas where the DOTS strategy was implemented. Of these, 1,730 received directly observed treatment (DOT) and 1,927 received self-administered treatment (SAT). In the DOT group 81% of the new cases were treated successfully, whereas in the SAT 71% of the new cases were treated successfully (OR1,66, 95% CI:1,3 -1,8, p <0,01). The sputum smear conversion rates for the new cases after 2 and 3 months' treatment were respectively 84% and 91% for the group on DOT and 75% and 83% for those on SAT. In the health centers where the DOTS strategy was implemented there was a general improvement on the cure and default rates, and also on the proportion of patients monitored bacteriologically during treatment. Conclusion: patients receiving DOT were much more likely to complete treatment than those receiving SAT. The implementation of the DOTS strategy improved the quality of the TB control program.