The impact of invasive prenatal testing on anxiety and sleep quality in pregnant women with a screen-positive result for aneuploidy.

PURPOSE: Prenatal anxiety has negative effects on pregnancy and neonate. Both screening tests and invasive diagnostic tests are associated with elevated anxiety level. But a normal fetal karyotype result could improve the anxiety level in high-risk patients. We hypothesized that patients who prefer follow-up without karyotyping may experience increased anxiety and sleep impairment until delivery. Our aim was to determine the effect of invasive diagnostic test decision on anxiety and sleep quality in women with a positive screening result. METHODS: 132 women were included for the study and three groups were described. The invasive group consisted of women who underwent invasive procedure after a screen-positive test result, the follow-up group consisted of women who preferred non-invasive follow-up after a screen-positive result and the control group consisted of women with screen-negative test results. Participants were evaluated with the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) after genetic counseling. They were asked for completing the same questionnaires in the third trimester to establish the course of anxiety and sleep quality throughout pregnancy. RESULTS: STAI scores were significantly higher in both screen-positive groups than in the control group in the first evaluation (p < 0.001). STAI scores decreased in the invasive group and controls while PSQI scores did not significantly change during the course of the pregnancy. However, the anxiety level and sleep quality were worsened over time in the follow-up group. CONCLUSION: Screen-positive women who preferred to follow up had higher anxiety level and worse sleep quality in the later stages of pregnancy. We concluded that invasive prenatal diagnostic tests could improve anxiety and sleep quality in pregnant women with a screen-positive result for aneuploidy.

Evaluation of Plantar Foot Sensation, Balance, Physical Performance, and Fear of Movement in Substance Use Disorders.

BACKGROUND: Neuropathologic changes may occur in the nervous system due to long-term substance use, leading to functional disability with altering of balance. We know little about substance-related mechanisms that can cause movement disorders. This study investigated the effects of plantar foot sensation and balance on physical performance as an effect of substance use in detoxified patients. METHODS: Twenty-three users of cannabis, volatile agents, or narcotic/stimulant agents alone or in combination for at least 1 year (mean age, 27.6 years) and 20 healthy volunteers (mean age, 24.6 years) were included. Participant evaluations were implemented immediately after the detoxification process with psychiatrist approval. Depression, state-trait anxiety, and fear of movement levels were evaluated with the Beck Depression Inventory, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia, respectively. Plantar foot sensations were evaluated with light touch, two-point discrimination, and vibration examinations. Balance was assessed with balance software and a balance board and force platform. Balance path, balance path distance, and center of pressure were recorded. Physical performance was evaluated with the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test in the final step. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in two-point discrimination of patients versus controls (P < .05). Significant differences were also found in balance values, particularly in the sagittal direction (P < .05). TUG test results of patients compared with controls showed a negative influence on physical function (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Detailed examination should be performed to understand movement disorders in substance users. Herein, substance users had impaired two-point discrimination and sagittal balance reciprocally. Thus, customized physiotherapy approaches to substance users should be considered to improve their movement disorders.