Experiences participating in a telehealth exercise program among older adults with cancer: a qualitative study.

PURPOSE: Telehealth delivery of exercise programs has rapidly increased in recent years; yet, little is known regarding older cancer survivors' (OCS) experiences participating in telehealth exercise. The purpose of this study was to determine OCS barriers and facilitators to participation in telehealth-delivered exercise. METHODS: OCS who participated in a 12-week, one-on-one telehealth exercise program were recruited to participate in one of three focus groups. Focus groups were conducted virtually using a semi-structured interview guide. Focus groups were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed utilizing thematic analysis with Atlas.ti. RESULTS: Fourteen OCS (age range 65-79 years) participated in the focus groups, five (35.7%) of which had not completed a telehealth follow-up assessment. The most common cancer type was breast (n = 6, 42.9%), and all cancer stages were represented. Three overall themes were identified: having adequate space to exercise, meeting OCS physical and psychosocial needs, and OCS learning throughout the exercise program. Within these themes, five facilitators and two barriers were identified. Facilitators included the individualization of the exercise program, no travel, accountability, learning to exercise, and support from staff and family. The barriers identified were having limited space to exercise and a learning curve with technology. CONCLUSION: OCS viewed telehealth exercise positively. Identified barriers aligned with those in younger cancer survivors (≥18 years), indicating that OCS are able to engage with telehealth exercise programs alongside their younger counterparts. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Telehealth exercise mitigates exercise barriers in OCS and should be used as a strategy to support exercise participation among cancer survivors, regardless of age.

Clinical and Demographic Factors Associated With Follow-Up in a Hospital-Based Exercise Oncology Program.

OBJECTIVE: Despite the numerous benefits of regular exercise participation for cancer survivors, nearly 60% of survivors do not meet current guidelines. Hospital-based exercise oncology programs may be one strategy to promote exercise engagement as survivors have expressed a preference for exercise programs associated with a cancer hospital. However, follow-up rates in hospital-based exercise oncology programs can be low. Follow-up assessments are a critical component of exercise oncology programs as they determine survivor progress, allow for revision of exercise prescriptions, and demonstrate the effectiveness of the exercise program. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify clinical and demographic factors associated with not attending a 12-week follow-up assessment in a hospital-based exercise oncology program. METHODS: We analyzed data collected from 2016 to 2019 (n = 849) from the Huntsman Cancer Institute's hospital-based exercise oncology program, the Personal Optimism with Exercise Recovery (POWER) program. Cancer survivors completed an assessment at the start of POWER and were encouraged to attend a 12-week follow-up assessment. Factors associated with not attending a 12-week follow-up assessment were identified using logistic regression. RESULTS: Multiple myeloma cancer survivors were more likely (OR 2.33; 95% CI 1.09, 4.98) to not attend a 12-week follow-up assessment, whereas endometrial cancer survivors were less likely (OR 0.39; 95% CI 0.18, 0.87). Greater travel time (OR 2.69; 95% CI: 1.83, 3.96) and distance (OR 2.37; 95% CI: 1.61, 3.49) were associated with not attending a 12-week follow-up assessment. Immunotherapy (OR 1.66; 95% CI 1.02, 2.72), waist circumference (OR 1.01; 95% CI 1.00, 1.02), overweight status per body mass index (OR 1.62; 95% CI 1.11, 2.38), and male sex (OR 1.70; 95% CI 1.23, 2.35) were associated with an increased likelihood of not attending a 12-week follow-up assessment. Survivors with a higher baseline quality of life (OR 0.96; 95% CI 0.93, 0.99) and peak oxygen consumption (OR 0.97; 95% CI 0.95, 0.99) were less likely not to attend a 12-week follow-up assessment. CONCLUSIONS: Both clinical and demographic factors were associated with not attending a 12-week follow-up assessment in a hospital-based exercise oncology program. Understanding factors related to follow-up assessment attendance in exercise oncology programs can inform the development of targeted interventions to improve follow-up rate thus maximizing exercise support for cancer survivors.

Patient and practitioner perspectives of psychological need support in physical therapy.

PURPOSE: To examine strategies utilized by physical therapists that contributed to patient perceptions of basic psychological needs support articulated within Self-Determination Theory (SDT). METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with physical therapists (n = 9) and physical therapy patients (n = 9) undergoing rehabilitation for a variety of musculoskeletal injuries. RESULTS: Both patients and practitioners articulated the value of specific competence (e.g. matching rehabilitation challenges with patient abilities) and autonomy support strategies (e.g. active decision-making). Interestingly, both patients and therapists emphasized the salience of relatedness need support, a finding indicative of the potential importance of this need in a rehabilitation environment. The possibility that relatedness need support may be of equal - or potentially greater - importance than the other two needs in a rehabilitation setting, is however, antithetical to SDT contentions. Whether the primacy of relatedness need support is an artifact of the sample used in the current study or a reflection of a broader rehabilitation trend, is uncertain and remains a topic for further investigation. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding the strategies physical therapists use to support patients' psychological needs may have substantial implications for patient motivation and rehabilitation adherence, such as, improved psychological well-being, enhanced function, and increased adherence to physical therapists' recommendations.

The basic psychological need support in physical therapy questionnaire.

Given the limitations of current inventories of basic psychological need measurement, and the importance of psychological need support within an injury rehabilitation context, there is an evident need to develop the present inventory. Utilizing Self-Determination Theory (SDT) as a theoretical framework, two studies were conducted to develop and psychometrically test a measure of patients' perceptions of basic psychological needs support in physical therapy: The Basic Psychological Needs Support in Physical Therapy Questionnaire (BPNS-PT). In study 1, a panel of Self-Determination Theory academics assessed a pool of items for content relevance, representativeness, and item clarity. In study 2, responses from 199 physical therapy patients were used to identify the best fitting model through confirmatory factor analysis. A 3-factor 10-item measure displayed good fit to the data and illustrated evidence of internal consistency. Findings from these studies provide initial psychometric support (i.e. internal consistency and evidence of construct validity) for the BPNSPT as a measure of patient perceptions of basic psychological needs support in a physical therapy context.

Perceived Competence, Achievement Goals, and Return-To-Sport Outcomes: A Mediation Analysis.

The purpose of this study was to explore the potential mediating effect of achievement goals on perceived competence and return-to-sport outcomes among college athletes sustaining a sport injury. Altogether, 75 male and female college athletes from the United States who returned to sport after having missed competition for an average of 3 weeks due to injury, completed valid and reliable inventories measuring perceived competence, achievement goals, and return-to-sport outcomes. Results indicated that task-approach goals significantly mediated the relationship between perceived competence and a renewed sport perspective. These data suggest the importance of promoting competence beliefs and a task-oriented focus among athletes returning to sport following athletic injury. From a practical standpoint, clinicians can foster competence perceptions by integrating progressive physical tests assessing functionality and sport-specific skills/abilities. Furthermore, these data suggest that coaches, physical therapists, and significant others may do well to use language that orients injured athletes towards attaining success as opposed to avoiding failure, to emphasize effort, task completion, and correct form, and to avoid comments that compare athletes to others or to their preinjury standards of performance. From a theoretical standpoint, our mediation findings extend previous achievement goal research into the sport injury domain, further highlighting the importance of task-approach goals.

Cognitive processing following acquired disability for para sport athletes: a serial mediation model.

Purpose: To understand the cognitive processing that occurs in relation to a disabling life event among para sport athletes, as well as the role of para sport participation in shaping these cognitions, and subsequent perceptions of posttraumatic growth or distress.Methods: Participants were 75 para sport athletes with acquired disability. Serial multiple mediation analysis was conducted to identify the various pathways through which posttraumatic growth or distress is experienced.Results: Findings suggested that a disabling event initiated challenges to one's core beliefs which influenced subsequent perceptions of posttraumatic growth and distress through cognitive processing at two separate time frames. Moreover, the utility of deliberate rumination (at both time points) was evident in experiencing posttraumatic growth, while intrusive rumination only appeared beneficial if it prompted deliberate ruminations.Conclusions: As several unique paths to posttraumatic growth were found, results suggest that a multitude of paths to growth may be possible. Para sport participation may have utility in facilitating deliberate ruminations and subsequent posttraumatic growth for those unable to deliberately ruminate in the immediate disability aftermath.Implications for rehabilitationAs challenges to core beliefs triggered ruminative thoughts that ultimately facilitated PTG, practitioners are encouraged to explicitly ask patients about how the adverse event might have influenced patients' self-perceptions and views about the meaning of life. Such questions may be revisited from injury onset throughout recovery and rehabilitation.Rehabilitation specialists should inform patients that intrusive ruminations may be salient in the post-trauma aftermath, but that such rumination may be facilitative if it gives way to more deliberate forms of rumination.Attempts to understand the meaning of a traumatic event may be instrumental in alleviating distress.Health practitioners should encourage individuals suffering physically disabling events to engage in activities such as para sport, given its potential to facilitate deliberate rumination and subsequent posttraumatic growth.

Caring Rehabilitation Climate, the Tripartite Efficacy Framework, and Adherence to Rehabilitation Programs Among Individuals With Parkinson's Disease: A Multiple Mediation Analysis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Adherence to physical therapy (PT) and secondary prevention programs (SPPs) is particularly low for individuals with Parkinson's disease. Preliminary research has linked perceptions of caring climates as well as enhanced tripartite efficacy perceptions to adherence during rehabilitation programs. In light of such preliminary research, the purpose of this study was threefold: (1) to examine relationships between perceptions of a caring climate and the 3 efficacy constructs within the tripartite model, (2) to examine the relationship between the tripartite efficacy constructs and adherence to PT/SPP exercises, and (3) to determine whether tripartite efficacy beliefs mediated the relationship between caring climate perceptions and adherence. METHOD: A total of 77 individuals with Parkinson's disease who were currently or recently enrolled in PT or an SPP were recruited and surveyed about their perceptions of the caring climate of their rehabilitation clinic, their tripartite efficacy perceptions, and their adherence to rehabilitation. Correlations and a multiple mediation analysis were conducted to address the purposes of this study. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Results showed significant positive associations between all variables; however, all paths within the proposed mediation model were not significant. Specifically, the c paths linking the tripartite efficacy constructs with adherence were not significant. A follow-up analysis was undertaken to address potential suppression effects within the mediating variables, and this analysis revealed a statistically significant model with relation-inferred self-efficacy (RISE) as a sole mediator of the relationship between caring perceptions and adherence to rehabilitation. CONCLUSIONS: Several practical implications can be gleaned from the current study. First, practitioners should strive to enhance the caring climate of their clinic by employing techniques reported in previous literature, such as creating a supportive atmosphere, displaying benevolence, and paying attention. In addition, the results suggest that individuals' RISE perceptions, in particular, could be a viable target for enhancing adherence.

The Cognitive Structure of the Basketball Free Throw in Adolescent Physical Education Students.

In adult performers, research suggests that mental representations (MRs) mediate performance of skilled movement. During adolescence, cortical brain areas responsible for generating MRs develop rapidly along with limb size, which, together, may affect movement and movement representations. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between adolescent MRs and free-throw shooting expertise. Using structural dimensional analysis of MRs, skilled (n = 11) and less skilled (n = 11) participants sorted free-throw submovements according to their relatedness in movement execution. Data were analyzed using a hierarchical cluster analysis, factor analysis, and invariance test to examine between-group cluster comparisons. Cluster solutions for the skilled and less skilled participants were significantly variant (λ = 0.56). This method of measuring MRs distinguished expertise-related differences in MRs in an adolescent population. Findings may influence methods in which practitioners detect motor-planning faults, track development, and provide feedback to trainees.

From core belief challenge to posttraumatic growth in para sport athletes: moderated mediation by needs satisfaction and deliberate rumination.

Purpose: To examine how deliberate rumination and psychological need satisfaction interact to facilitate posttraumatic growth for para sport athletes with acquired disability. Methods: Utilizing a sample of 70 para sport athletes, the hypothesized mediating role of deliberate rumination was examined via a simple mediation model. The interaction between needs satisfaction and deliberate rumination and their effect on posttraumatic growth was examined utilizing a moderated mediation procedure. Results: Disruption to one's core beliefs was significantly associated with posttraumatic growth. This relationship, was in part, explained by the deliberate rumination engaged in soon after the trauma. Needs satisfaction, while a significant predictor of posttraumatic growth, did not moderate the indirect effect. Conclusions: Although deliberate rumination at both timeframes and needs satisfaction were independently associated with posttraumatic growth, they did not interact in the hypothesized manner to influence posttraumatic growth. There remains a need to better understand how the experience of posttraumatic growth is achieved amongst individuals with acquired disability, and the role that para sport may play in this process. Implications for rehabilitation The disruption to one's core beliefs caused by acquiring a physical disability is not only a natural experience but also a necessary antecedent to posttraumatic growth. As such, rehabilitation practitioners ought to normalize these types of challenges when working with individuals with acquired disability. Practitioners may help to facilitate growth outcomes by encouraging individuals to deliberately ruminate about their acquired disability. That is, practitioners can help those with acquired disability to seek meaning and understanding about their disability or the precipitating event. For those who struggle to deliberately ruminate in the immediate disability aftermath, practitioners may encourage para sport participation to potentially prompt constructive cognitive processing. Individuals with acquired disabilities would also be well served by rehabilitation practitioners and para sport organizations that provide opportunities for basic psychological needs satisfaction. Specifically, individuals with acquired disabilities should be given the opportunity to demonstrate physical competence, make meaningful relationships, and feel a sense of volitional control over their rehabilitation or para sport participation. For example, practitioners and para sport organizations could establish mentorship programs wherein individuals with more recent disabilities can be mentored by those with greater disability experience.

Understanding posttraumatic growth of paratriathletes with acquired disability.

PURPOSE: To examine the relevance of key components of Organismic Valuing Theory of Growth through Adversity in understanding posttraumatic growth amongst paratriathletes with acquired disability. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews informed by organismic valuing theory of growth through adversity were conducted with 14 elite paratriathletes (eight male, six female). To increase the likelihood that participants had experienced posttraumatic growth, a short form of the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory was completed prior to interview participation. Interview data were analyzed using directed content analysis. RESULTS: Although the initial response to disability was largely negative, paratriathlon experiences were reported to be a mechanism through which growth was facilitated. In particular, participants suggested that social, competence, empowerment, and identity development processes were instrumental in facilitating posttraumatic growth. CONCLUSIONS: Analysis identified themes largely consistent with the main tenets of organismic valuing theory of growth through adversity, supporting its utility in understanding response to a traumatic event and subsequent growth. These findings also suggest that para sport may be an efficacious means for promoting posttraumatic growth, especially for individuals with severe initial reactions to their disability. Lastly, findings suggest that fostering perceptions of competence, autonomy, and social connection may promote posttraumatic growth. Implications for Rehabilitation Acquiring a physical disability may have a detrimental impact on the satisfaction of an individual's fundamental psychological needs. In order to foster posttraumatic growth, the para sport environment should allow for participants to feel competent, autonomous, and to have meaningful interactions with fellow athletes and coaches. Para sport may be particularly beneficial for individuals with previous sporting backgrounds and for those with severe initial reactions to their disability.

Caring Interactions in Secondary Prevention Programs: A Qualitative Inquiry of Individuals With Parkinson's Disease.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: With Parkinson's disease (PD) prevalence rates steadily increasing and long-term adherence to regular physical activity and exercise often difficult to achieve, it is imperative to investigate factors promoting adherence to secondary prevention programs (SPP) that help limit the progression of motor and nonmotor signs and symptoms of the disease. Caring interactions between patients and their rehabilitation team may be particularly germane to individuals with PD, given the physical and psychosocial issues that often accompany this disease (eg, loss of physical function, depression, apathy, and cognitive impairments). Considering this reasoning, the purpose of the present study was twofold: (1) to gain a better understanding of the nature of caring in an SPP setting from a patient perspective and (2) to discover what implications, if any, caring has on relevant patient-centered behaviors such as effort and adherence to SPPs. METHOD: Ten individuals with PD were recruited. In-depth, qualitative interviews were performed using a semistructured interview guide. Inductive content analysis was used to identify themes representing participants' experiences of caring in the SPP setting. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Six themes emerged from the data analysis. The first 4 themes described how rehabilitation providers fostered caring in the SPP setting: showing interest, creating a supportive atmosphere, benevolence, and paying attention. Participants described instances when rehabilitation providers (physical therapy assistants, physical therapy students, and exercise specialists) showed interest by asking personal questions and remembering personal information. A supportive environment was facilitated by making participants feel supported, welcomed, and valued. Benevolence was apparent when rehabilitation providers demonstrated kindness and approached their work as "more than just a job." Finally, the importance of feeling that rehabilitation providers "paid attention" to patients by giving them undivided consideration and by aiding with exercises was emphasized. This latter finding is akin to Nodding's concept of "engrossment," a key component of caring, which may be an important issue in the face of increasing use of technological devices (eg, laptop computers and i-pads) that may unintentionally direct rehabilitation providers' attention away from their patients. The final 2 themes-rehabilitation attendance and rehabilitation effort-pertaining to aim 2 of the study, are novel in underscoring the importance of caring with respect to patient behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: Several practical implications can be gleaned from the current study including (but not limited to) remembering personal information about the patient, providing patients with undivided attention, providing support for patients, and making patients feel welcome. These findings underscore the importance of addressing affective skills in training future rehabilitation practitioners. Findings also reveal salient implications associated with caring, namely enhanced rehabilitation attendance and effort. Finally, results highlight the need to examine the generalizability of caring elements identified in the current study and to quantitatively assess caring antecedents and outcomes in SPP settings.

Fit "N" Cool Kids: The Effects of Character Modeling and Goal Setting on Children's Physical Activity and Fruit and Vegetable Consumption.

Efforts to decrease the risk of overweight and obesity should focus on children's physical activity (PA) and fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption. Within school-based interventions, there is insufficient evidence on the effectiveness of the use of character modeling and goal setting to determine changes in step counts, MVPA, and FV consumption. Study participants were 187 students in grades 4 and 5 from 2 Title 1 elementary schools in the Southwest United States. The intervention was a quasi-experimental character modeling and goal setting program. New Lifestyles NL-1000 activity monitors were used to assess number of steps taken and MVPA by the participants. Fruit and vegetable consumption was measured by direct observation. School day steps, MVPA, and FV consumption were recorded at baseline, intervention, and during a 10-week follow-up. There were not differences between groups at baseline. Steps and MVPA were statistically significantly (P < .05; Δ = ~2500 steps and ~5 minutes of MVPA) greater in the intervention compared with the control group over time. Fruit and vegetable consumption was not significantly (P = .308) greater in the intervention compared with the control group over time. Students in the intervention school were significantly more active than students in the control school during the intervention phase and at follow-up. The findings reported here would suggest that character modeling and goal setting can increase PA among elementary aged children but did not increase FV consumption.

Impact of Ocular Compatible Lipoids and Castor Oil in Fabrication of Brimonidine Tartrate Nanoemulsions by 33 Full Factorial Design.

BACKGROUND: Brimonidine Tartrate (BRT) is used in the treatment of glaucoma. Brimonidine tartrate nanoemulsion was fabricated in this research work to enhance the permeability through barriers and faster onset of action and therapeutic effect. OBJECTIVE: To fabricate an ocular compatible nanoemulsion of brimonidine tartrate by using surfactant and co-surfactants. METHODS: The experimental work involved compatibility studies by using FTIR, DSC and crystallinity study by XRD. The prepared nanoemulsion was studied by photon correlation spectroscopy by Malvern S90 for the particle size analysis and characterized for Z average value (d.nm.) and PDI. Further studies were conducted by laser light scattering technique by delsanano common and TEM. RESULTS: The study demonstrated that the formulations BN2, BN3, BN10 demonstrated the z average value of 19.48, 22.14,26.50 d.nm. With 0.337, 0.270, 0.289 PDI respectively, the formulae BN2, BN3, BN10 demonstrated the distribution average diameter (nm) of 376.8 + 258.4, 542.8 + 494.4, 398.8 + 263.9 with the diameter of 267.5, 298.5, 272.7, respectively. The zeta potential of BN10 was -21.26 mV and other parameters such as TEM and drug release studies were also reported. CONCLUSION: The nanoemulsion of brimonidine tartrate was prepared successfully by using castor oil, Lipoid S75 (Fat free soybean phospholipids with 70% phosphatidylcholine), Lipoid E80 (Egg phospholipids with 80% phosphatidylcholine) and PF- 68. The optimised formula demonstrated the lower droplet size, satisfactory zeta potential, and high drug loading and reproducible drug release profile. Brimonididne taratarate is reported in various recent patents for various applications and is the potential candidate for future therapy. Nanoemulsion is widely explored as potential alternatives for conventional ophthalmic formulation based approaches. It enhances the ocular bioavailability by reducing the drug protein binding, increasing the corneal resident time, enhancing the drug permeability and providing a sustained drug release.It reported a significant increase in therapeutic efficacy for various chronic ocular disease states of both the anterior and posterior ocular segments.

Acyclovir Solid Lipid Nanoparticles for Skin Drug Delivery: Fabrication, Characterization and In vitro Study.

OBJECTIVE: The fractionated coconut oil based Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLNs) of Acyclovir (ACV) were fabricated in two batches by using Glyceryl mono stearate (GMS) and Lipoid S75 (Fat free soybean phospholipids with 70% phosphatidylcholine-Lipoid GmbH, Germany). The research was focused on developing ACV-SLN by using high pressure hot-homogenization technique. The ingredients were used in different concentrations and ratios to identify the best formulation design. METHODS: The GMS with Fractionated coconut oil and Lipoid S75 with Fractionated coconut oil were used in various concentrations in formulation design to assess the impact on the fabrication and evaluation of SLNs. The SLNs were subjected to various characterization techniques such as XRD (X-Ray Diffraction), FTIR (Fourier transform infrared study), master sizer analysis and zeta potential. The mean particle size was determined by master sizer and zeta sizer. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) was used as a tool to analyze the morphology and other features. The zeta potential and drug Entrapment Efficiency (EE%) were also determined. The drug release time profile was studied in vitro study with the utilization of dialysis membrane technique as well as by wistar rat skin. The most recent patents related to the current research topic were also discussed. RESULTS: The Zeta potential of the best formulation from GMS batch GNE5 was found to be -2.62mV as the preparation was very viscous with low zeta potential. The better results of Lipoid S75 batch LS4 were found to be 23.23mV which was within the recommended range. The formulations prepared with Lipoid S75, LS4 showed narrow distribution size of 53.46nm and the uniformity was found to be 14.1. The formulation LS4 demonstrated the lowest distribution with of 6.8, 14.5, 139.1nm respectively amongst all the formulations. CONCLUSION: SLN dispersions exhibited the average size in nano range. SLNs with small particle size found to have predetermined encapsulation efficiency and relatively high loading capacity and predetermined in vitro drugrelease profile. The lipoid S and Pluronic F68 nanoparticles are found to be superior to Conventional GMSand tween 80 nanoparticles in terms of particles size, stability and zetapotential.

Fabrication, Characterization, In vitro Evaluation of Solid Lipid Nanoemulsion of Flunarizine dihydrochloride for Nasal Delivery.

BACKGROUND: Flunarizine dihydrochloride (FHC) is used for the prophylaxis to migraine. Flunarizine has solubility problems which is practically insoluble in water and alcohol. Nanoemulsion is the approach to increase the solubility of the insoluble drugs. Nanoemulsions of FHC was prepared which can be given through the alternate route such as nasal drug delivery for migraine. OBJECTIVE: In this research work the solubility of the poorly soluble FHC was successfully improved by preparing it as a nano emulsion. Nanoemulsions can pass through the biological membrane easily so it can be delivered through nasal mucosa by which it may provide a quicker onset of action. The currently available dosage forms are in the form of tablet. METHODS: The formulations were prepared by using Glycerl Monostearate (GMS), Tween 80 as surfactant and PEG 400: Ethanol as co-surfactant in the distilled water. Nanoemulsions were prepared by step by step procedure. The prepared nanoemulsions were analyzed preliminarily by Master Sizer followed by Zeta Sizer by using the technique Dynamic Photon Correlation Spectroscopy. The best nanoemulsion was subjected to Zeta Potential study. The TEM analysis was carried out on the best formulation to gain the detailed information about the formulation. RESULTS: The best formulation was selected based on the physical appearance, homogenecity of the preparation, Preliminary Master Sizer analysis report, Secondary Zeta Sizer analysis report with Zeta Potential and TEM. The best formulation demonstrated the size in nano range with improved solubility. CONCLUSION: The FHC nano emulsion was prepared successfully which improved the solubility of the drug. The drug release study on simulated nasal fluid revealed that the preparation is suitable to be delivered through the nasal route.

Impact of Pluronic F-68 vs Tween 80 on Fabrication and Evaluation of Acyclovir SLNs for Skin Delivery.

INTRODUCTION: The solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) of Acyclovir (ACV) were fabricated with Soya lecithin and Fractionated Coconut oil (medium chain glyceride) as a first time combination. METHODS: The research was focused on developing ACV-SLN by using high pressure hot-homogenization technique. The ingredients were used in different concentrations and ratios to identify the best formulation design. The tween 80 and Pluronic F-68 were used in various concentrations in formulation design to assess the impact on the fabrication and evaluation of SLNs. The impact of nanotechnology gain to play a vital role in the topical pharmaceutical products and the related patents will play a significant role in related industries. RESULTS: The SLNs were subjected to various characterization techniques such as XRD, FTIR, Master sizer analysis and zeta potential. The mean particle size was determined by master sizer and zeta sizer. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used as a tool to analyze the morphology and other features. The zeta potential and drug entrapment efficiency (EE%) were also determined for the prepared ACV-SLNs. The efficiency of drug release from prepared formulations was studied by using in vitro study with the utilization of dialysis membrane technique. SLN dispersions exhibited the average size in nano range. CONCLUSION: SLNs with small particle size found to have predetermined encapsulation efficiency, and relatively high loading capacity and predetermined in vitro drug release profile.

Effects of a TAKE 10! Classroom-Based Physical Activity Intervention on Third- to Fifth-Grade Children's On-task Behavior.

BACKGROUND: Prolonged sitting at desks during the school day without a break may result in off-task behavior in students. This study was designed to examine the effects of a classroom physical activity intervention, using TAKE 10!, on elementary school students' on-task behavior. Nine classes (3rd to 5th grades) from 1 elementary school participated in the program (4-week baseline and 8-week intervention). METHODS: The students' on-task behavior was measured using systematic direct observation. Observations occurred once a week during weeks 1 to 4 (baseline) and weeks 8 to 12 (intervention). A two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to compare on-task behavior between observation periods. RESULTS: There was a significant decrease (P = .001) in mean percentage on-task behavior from preno TAKE 10! (91.2 ± 3.4) to postno TAKE 10! (83.5 ± 4.0) during the baseline period, whereas there was a significant increase (P = .001) in mean percentage on-task behavior from pre-TAKE 10! (82.3 ± 4.5) to post-TAKE 10! (89.5 ± 2.7) during the intervention period. CONCLUSIONS: Furthermore, students who received more daily TAKE 10! were found to be more on-task than students who received less TAKE 10!. The TAKE 10! program is effective in improving students' on-task behavior in the classroom.

The Effects of Frontal- and Sagittal-Plane Plyometrics on Change-of-Direction Speed and Power in Adolescent Female Basketball Players.

UNLABELLED: Plyometrics is a popular training modality for basketball players to improve power and change-of-direction speed. Most plyometric training has used sagittal-plane exercises, but improvements in change-of-direction speed have been greater in multi-direction programs. PURPOSE: To determine the benefits of a 6-wk frontal-plane plyometric (FPP) training program compared with a 6-wk sagittal-plane plyometric (SPP) training program with regard to power and change-of-direction speed. METHODS: Fourteen female varsity high school basketball players participated in the study. Multiple 2 × 2 repeated-measures ANOVAs were used to determine differences for the FPP and SPP groups from preintervention to postintervention on 4 tests of power and 2 tests of change-of-direction speed. RESULTS: There was a group main effect for time in all 6 tests. There was a significant group × time interaction effect in 3 of the 6 tests. The SPP improved performance of the countermovement vertical jump more than the FPP, whereas the FPP improved performance of the lateral hop (left) and lateral-shuffle test (left) more than the SPP. The standing long jump, lateral hop (right), and lateral-shuffle test (right) did not show a significant interaction effect. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that basketball players should incorporate plyometric training in all planes to improve power and change-of-direction speed.

Injury rehabilitation overadherence: preliminary scale validation and relationships with athletic identity and self-presentation concerns.

CONTEXT: Evidence suggests that nonadherence to rehabilitation protocols may be associated with worse clinical and functional rehabilitation outcomes. Recently, it has been recognized that nonadherence may not only reflect a lack of rehabilitation engagement but that some athletes may "overadhere" to their injury-rehabilitation regimen or risk a premature return to sport. Presently, no measure of overadherence exists, and correlates of overadherence and risking a premature return to sport remain uncertain. OBJECTIVE: To provide initial validation of a novel injury-rehabilitation overadherence measure (study 1) and to examine correlates of overadherence and risking a premature return to sport (study 2). DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: High school athletes (study 1) and collegiate athletes (study 2). PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: In study 1, 118 currently injured US adolescent athletes competing in a range of high school sports participated. In study 2, 105 currently injured collegiate athletes (National Collegiate Athletic Association Divisions I-III) volunteered. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The Rehabilitation Overadherence Questionnaire was a novel instrument developed to assess injured athletes' tendency toward overadherence behaviors and beliefs. We used an adapted version of the Injury Psychological Readiness to Return to Sport Scale to assess the tendency to risk a premature return to sport. RESULTS: In study 1, the construct validity of the overadherence measure was supported using principal axis factoring. Moreover, bivariate correlation and regression analyses indicated that self-presentation concerns and athletic identity were positive predictors of adolescent rehabilitation overadherence and a premature return to sport. Study 2 provided support for the 2-factor structure of the overadherence measure found in study 1 via confirmatory factor analysis. Further support for the relationship among self-presentation concerns, athletic identity, and rehabilitation overadherence was also noted. CONCLUSIONS: The Rehabilitation Overadherence Questionnaire is a valid and reliable measure of overadherence.

Influence of a health-related physical fitness model on students' physical activity, perceived competence, and enjoyment.

This study was designed to explore the effects of a health-related physical fitness physical education model on students' physical activity, perceived competence, and enjoyment. 61 students (25 boys, 36 girls; M age = 12.6 yr., SD = 0.6) were assigned to two groups (health-related physical fitness physical education group, and traditional physical education group), and participated in one 50-min. weekly basketball class for 6 wk. Students' in-class physical activity was assessed using NL-1000 pedometers. The physical subscale of the Perceived Competence Scale for Children was employed to assess perceived competence, and children's enjoyment was measured using the Sport Enjoyment Scale. The findings suggest that students in the intervention group increased their perceived competence, enjoyment, and physical activity over a 6-wk. intervention, while the comparison group simply increased physical activity over time. Children in the intervention group had significantly greater enjoyment.