Immediate effects of passion fruit juice supplementation on working ability and attention in healthy participants.

This study investigated the effects of a single consumption of passion fruit juice (PFJ) on working ability and attention. It included 14 healthy participants aged 20-30 years. Participants randomly consumed either placebo or 50% PFJ at 3.5 mL/kg body mass. Each intervention was divided into two phases (before and after consumption). Before consumption, the participants underwent blood glucose, blood pressure, and heart rate examinations. Then, working ability and attention were evaluated. Thereafter, the blood glucose, blood pressure, and heart rate were repeatedly examined. Next, the participants completed consumption. After consumption, the participants underwent the same experiments performed before consumption. The total working ability scores after consumption were significantly high in both interventions (P < 0.05). However, PFJ intervention had a significantly higher working ability at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 min than placebo intervention (P < 0.05). Moreover, PFJ intervention had greater increases in attention than placebo intervention. There were no significant differences in attention between two interventions. The blood glucose levels were significantly lower in PFJ intervention than in placebo intervention both before the working ability test and after the attention test (P < 0.05). A single consumption of PFJ improved working ability in healthy participants. This may be enhanced by improving attentional focus and maintaining postprandial blood glucose.

Effect of tablet tilt positioning on ergonomic risks and respiratory function.

The static posture associated with continuous tablet use can lead to musculoskeletal disorders of the neck and upper extremities as well as respiratory function disorders. We hypothesized that 0-degree tablet placement (flat on a table) would affect ergonomic risks and respiratory function. Eighteen undergraduate students were divided into two groups (n = 9 per group). In the first group, the tablet was placed at a 0-degree angle, whereas in the second group, it was placed at a 40- to 55-degree angle on a student learning chair. The tablet was used continuously for 2 h for writing and internet use. Rapid upper-limb assessment (RULA), craniovertebral angle, and respiratory function were assessed. There was no significant difference in respiratory function, including forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and FEV1/FVC, between the groups (p = 0.09) or within groups. However, there was a statistically significant between-group difference in RULA (p = 0.001), with the 0-degree group having a greater ergonomic risk. There were also significant within-group differences between pre- and posttest. The CV angle differed significantly between groups (p = 0.03), whereby the 0-degree group had poor posture, as well as within the 0-degree group (p = 0.039), though not within the 40- to 55-degree group (p = 0.067). Undergraduate students who place their tablets at a 0-degree angle face increased ergonomic risks and higher potential for developing musculoskeletal disorders and poor posture. Thus, elevating the tablet and instituting rest intervals may prevent or decrease the ergonomic risks among tablet users.

The short-term effect of gloving in combination with Traditional Thai Massage, heat, and stretching exercise to improve hand mobility in scleroderma patients.

BACKGROUND: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic, multisystem connective tissue disorder characterized by autoimmune activation, microvascular endothelium damage, and excessive collagen proliferation. The most affected hand presents claw hand deformity and microvascular disease. Deformed hands can cause functional disability and decrease the quality of life. A daily home program can improve mobility of scleroderma patients. OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine the effect of a daily home exercise program on hand mobility among scleroderma patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a randomized control trial. Twenty-eight participants were divided into two groups, both of which received the same daily home treatment: Group 1 with gloves (n = 14) and Group 2 without gloves (n = 14). The 2-week daily home program combined traditional Thai massage (TTM) with stretching exercises and heat. Hand mobility was assessed using hand mobility in scleroderma (HAMIS). The study was conducted in patients who were already on vasodilator drugs. RESULTS: Both groups showed a significant improvement in hand mobility after 2 weeks of daily home exercise program (P < 0.05). Wearing the glove, however, resulted in better thumb mobility. CONCLUSIONS: A daily home exercise program improved hand mobility among patients with scleroderma and wearing gloves may improve thumb mobility.