Randomized Controlled Trial of Group Exercise Intervention for Fall Risk Factors Reduction in Nursing Home Residents.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a multidimensional exercise intervention on improving fall risk deterrent factors, such as overall strength and flexibility in nursing home residents. METHODS: A multi-centre, randomized controlled trial was finally utilized in 40 older adults (>65 years) who were randomly allocated to the intervention or the control group (20 subjects in each). The intervention group attended an exercise program twice a week for eight weeks, to improve functional mobility. The control group did not receive any intervention. Measurements before and after intervention included the Hand Grip Strength (HGS) testing, the Sit-to-Stand test (SST), the Back Scratch Test (BST), and the Sit-and-Reach test (SRT). RESULTS: MANOVA revealed significant time effects, V = 0.336, F(6, 33) = 2.78, p = 0.027, partial η2 = 0.336; group effects, V = 0.599, F(6, 33) = 8.22, p < 0.001, partial η2 = 0.599; and group*time interaction, V = 0.908, F(6, 33) = 54.52, p < 0.001, partial η2 = 0.908. A subsequent univariate analysis did not reveal a significant time effect for any variable (p > 0.05). Significant group effects were observed only for SRT (p < 0.05). Significant group*time interactions were observed for all the examined variables (p < 0.05). Dependent t-tests showed that the older adults in the exercise group were significantly improved in all the examined parameters (p < 0.05). Except for SRT (p > 0.05), all the other parameters significantly deteriorated in the control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Significant improvements were demonstrated in strength and flexibility among nursing home residents following an eight-week group exercise training program.

[Evaluation of the effectiveness of a cognitive remediation program in anorexia nervosa using new neuropsychological tools: A case study]. / Évaluer un programme de remédiation cognitive dans l'anorexie : nouveaux outils.

The management of anorexia nervosa (AN) remains complex with insufficient success rates. Based on clinical and empirical observations implicating neuropsychological difficulties in AN, cognitive remediation (CR) therapy appears to show positive effects. Nevertheless, these results remain subject to debate as some studies do not show this improvement, or in the case of positive improvements, a smaller effect size on cognitive performance. A possible explanation could lie in the cognitive tests used to assess CR. The aim of this study is to propose a new protocol for the evaluation of cognitive remediation for patients suffering from ED through the presentation of a case study.

Birth, breastfeeding, psychological flexibility and self-compassion as predictors of mother-infant emotional availability in a cross-sectional study.

This study aimed to examine relationships between objective childbirth and breastfeeding events, subjective childbirth and breastfeeding experiences, and emotional availability in the mother-infant relationship. Further, it aimed to test two psychological variables, psychological flexibility and self-compassion, as predictors of emotional availability. A convenience sample of 396 mothers of infants (<2 years) from Australia and New Zealand completed an online cross-sectional survey. Objective breastfeeding events (difficulties), negative subjective birth/breastfeeding experiences, poorer psychological flexibility, and lower self-compassion correlated with poorer emotional availability. After controlling for objective birth and breastfeeding variables using multiple linear regressions, better subjective breastfeeding experiences, psychological flexibility, and self-compassion predicted the mutual attunement aspect of emotional availability, whereas better subjective birth experiences and psychological flexibility predicted the affect quality aspect of emotional availability. Mothers' subjective experiences of birth and breastfeeding are important in understanding the early mother-infant relationship. Psychological flexibility and self-compassion are important predictors of emotional availability and may be useful targets for psychological intervention aimed at optimising early mother-infant relationships.

La meta de este estudio fue examinar las relaciones entre las objetivas actividades de dar a luz y amamantar, las experiencias subjetivas de dar a luz y amamantar, así como la disponibilidad emocional en la relación madre-infante. Es más, se propuso examinar dos variable sicológicas, la flexibilidad sicológica y la autocompasión, como factores de predicción de la disponibilidad emocional. Un grupo muestra de conveniencia de 396 madres de infantes (<2 años) de Australia y Nueva Zelandia completaron una encuesta transversal en línea. Las actividades objetivas de amamantar (dificultades), las experiencias negativas subjetivas de nacimiento/amamantar, una más débil flexibilidad sicológica y una más baja autocompasión se correlacionaron con una más débil disponibilidad emocional. Después de controlar las variables objetivas de nacimiento y de amamantar usando regresiones lineales múltiples, mejores experiencias subjetivas de amamantar, la flexibilidad sicológica y la autocompasión predijeron la mutua sintonía del aspecto de disponibilidad emocional, mientras que las mejores experiencias subjetivas del nacimiento y la flexibilidad sicológica predijeron el aspecto de calidad de efecto de la disponibilidad emocional. Las experiencias subjetivas de las madres de nacimiento y de amamantar son importantes para comprender la temprana relación madre-infante. La flexibilidad sicológica y la autocompasión son importantes factores de predicción de la disponibilidad emocional y pudieran ser metas útiles para intervenciones sicológicas enfocadas en optimizar las temprana relaciones madre-infante.

Cette étude s'est donné pour but d'examiner les relations entre l'accouchement objectif et les allaitements, l'accouchement subjectif et les allaitements, et la disponibilité émotionnelle dans la relation mère-nourrisson. De plus le but était de tester deux variables psychologiques, la flexibilité psychologique et l'autocompassion, en tant que prédicteurs de la disponibilité émotionnelle. Un échantillon de convenance de 396 mères de nourrissons (<2ans) d'Australie et de Nouvelle Zélande ont rempli un questionnaire en ligne pour une étude transversale. Des épisodes objectifs d'allaitement (difficultés), des expériences subjectives négatives à l'accouchement /à l'allaitement, une moindre flexibilité psychologique et une autocompassion plus basse corrélait avec une moindre disponibilité émotionnelle. Après avoir procédé au contrôle des variables de la naissance objective et de l'allaitement en utilisant des régressions linéaires multiples, de meilleures expériences subjectives de l'allaitement, une flexibilité psychologique et une autocompassion ont prédit l'aspect d'accordage affectif mutuel de la disponibilité émotionnelle, alors que de meilleures expériences subjectives de la naissance et une flexibilité psychologique prédisait l'aspect de la qualité de l'affect de la disponibilité émotionnelle. Les expériences subjectives de la naissance et de l'allaitement des mères sont importantes pour comprendre la relation précoce mère-nourrisson. La flexibilité psychologique et l'autocompassion sont des prédicteurs importants de la disponibilité émotionnelle et pourraient être des cibles utiles pour une intervention psychologique destinée à optimiser les relations précoces mère-nourrisson.

[Intervention focused on resources to reduce anxiety and depression disorders in cancer patients: A pilot study]. / Intervention centrée sur les ressources pour réduire les troubles anxieux et dépressifs chez les patients atteints de cancer : une étude pilote.

INTRODUCTION: Cancer, a widespread chronic disease, represented 400,000 diagnoses in France in 2017. The diagnoses as well as the treatments are a major source of stress for most patients concerned. Secondary effects may be painful and disturbing (pain, nausea, fatigue, loss of social and/or professional status, anxiety of death), and may lead to maladaptive coping strategies (avoidant coping), psychological inflexibility, anxiety, depression, and suicide risks which are twice as important as in the general population. Research in the field of psychotherapy for cancer patients represents an important international target, in particular in what concerns enhanced patient quality of life during and after treatment. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, as well as adapted physical activity have shown promising results to enhance patients' quality of life at different stages of the process. However, results mainly show significant short-term effects and usually only for patients with high levels of anxiety and depression symptoms. With the development of third wave Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, more global interventions (not just aimed at anxiety and depression symptoms) have emerged. Research has underlined their efficacy on both symptom reduction (anxiety and depression) and quality of life enhancement through the development of more varied and adaptive responses to stressful situations. Positive psychology interventions, mindfulness, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy have inspired third wave Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Emotional acceptance, mindful awareness of thoughts and emotions, and engaging in actions that are coherent with one's values all form part of the means by which these interventions may help patients to find ways to better adjust to their stressful situation. The results of the efficacy trials carried out using these approaches were mixed, and effects were mainly modest. Furthermore, most of the studies only tested one approach at a time, while each approach activated mechanisms, which can be useful for these patients. Hence, the aim of the current study was to test an integrative program based on classical second wave Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as well as on practices from the third wave of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. We aimed at carrying out a preliminary study assessing the potential effects of the program on cancer patients' anxiety, depression symptoms, well-being and psychological flexibility. METHOD: Sixteen cancer patients were enrolled in a second and third wave Cognitive Behavioral Therapy workshop composed of six sessions. In-session practices were based on validated practices. Participants completed the following questionnaires before the first workshop (T1) and at the end of the sessions (T2) in order to assess anxiety, depression symptoms, well-being and psychological flexibility: HAD, WEMWBS, MPFI, AAQ-2. Qualitative data regarding acceptability were also collected at the end of the last session. RESULTS: Among the sixteen participants, nine women (mean age=56.1years old) completed the questionnaires seven of whom had breast cancer. The results of this preliminary study showed a significant pre-to-post reduction in anxiety and depression symptoms (P=0.017) as well as on certain dimensions of psychological flexibility: reduced "self as content" (P=0.011), and enhanced cognitive diffusion (P=0.018). Only marginal differences were found on other dimensions: reduced inaction (P=0.074) and experiential avoidance (P=0.089), and enhanced "self as context" (P=0.062). Content analysis showed (1) increased positive perceptions about experiences with more serenity, (2) positive attitudes towards self (self-compassion), (3) enhanced positive relationships, and (4) ability to accept negative affect. CONCLUSION: Patients' qualitative feedback highlighted the potential feasibility and adaptability of the program for this population. The results of this preliminary study show promising avenues for research in the field of cancer patients' adaptive coping enhancement as well as reduce anxiety and depression symptoms. This type of workshop can be considered as complementary to individual psychotherapies as they may tap into different mechanisms that help foster psychological flexibility as the group format enhances decentering processes. Further research avenues are proposed in order to assess the efficacy of such interventions in cancer patients compared to other types of interventions. Further research should also look into individual differences in order to orient patients towards practices that fit them best.

A low-calorie diet with or without interval exercise training improves adiposopathy in obese women.

The objective of this study was to test if a low-calorie diet plus interval exercise (LCD+INT) improves adiposopathy, an endocrine dysfunction, when compared with an energy-deficit-matched LCD in obese women. Subjects (age: 48.2 ± 2.4 years, body mass index: 37.8 ± 1.3 kg/m2) were randomized to a 13-day LCD (n = 12; mixed meals of ∼1200 kcal/day) or LCD+INT (n = 12; 12 sessions of 60 min/day alternating 3 min at 50% and 90% peak heart rate). Exercise was estimated to expend 350 kcal per oxygen uptake-heart rate regression analysis and individuals were refed calories expended to match energy availability between groups. Absolute (post - pre caloric intake) and relative (total daily and exercise energy expenditure relative to calorie intake) energy deficits were calculated. Fitness (peak oxygen uptake) and body composition (BodPod; Cosmed USA Inc.) were measured and a 120-min, 75g oral glucose tolerance test was performed at pre- and post-intervention to assess adiposopathy (i.e., ratio of high molecular weight-adiponectin to leptin) and estimate insulin sensitivity. LCD and LCD+INT had similar absolute (P = 0.55) and relative (P = 0.76) energy deficits. LCD and LCD+INT had similar reductions in fat mass (both P < 0.001), despite LCD inducing greater weight loss (P = 0.02) than LCD+INT. Both treatments improved adiposopathy (P = 0.003) and peripheral insulin sensitivity (P = 0.02). Absolute energy deficit correlated to improved adiposopathy (r = -0.41, P = 0.05), and absolute and relative energy deficits were associated with increased insulin sensitivity (r = -0.47, P = 0.02; and r = -0.40, P = 0.05, respectively), independent of body composition changes and increased peak oxygen uptake. Taken together, LCD, with or without INT, improves adiposopathy in relation to insulin sensitivity in obese women, suggesting that a short-term energy deficit is key for reducing risk of type 2 diabetes.

Effect of 7 days of exercise on exogenous carbohydrate oxidation and insulin resistance in children with obesity.

The capacity to match carbohydrate (CHO) oxidation with CHO availability (deemed metabolic flexibility (MetFlex)) may be important for type 2 diabetes prevention. In adults, impaired MetFlex is associated with insulin resistance (IR), which can be improved with as little as 7 days of exercise. Whether this occurs similarly in children is unknown. We hypothesized that 7 consecutive days of exercise would improve MetFlex and IR in children with obesity. Twelve children (8 boys, 4 girls) completed 2 study visits before (PRE) and 2 study visits after (POST) exercise training. At visit 1, fasting blood was collected, and anthropometry and maximal oxygen uptake were assessed. At visit 2, a 13C-enriched CHO drink was ingested before exercise (3 × 20 min) at ∼59% maximal oxygen uptake. Exogenous CHO oxidative efficiency, used as a surrogate measurement of MetFlex, was calculated from breath samples. During training, participants alternated between continuous and high-intensity interval cycling sessions at home under supervision. In spite of good training adherence, there was no improvement in MetFlex (PRE: 20.7% ± 1.8%, POST: 18.9% ± 4.9%, p = 0.22) or homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (PRE: 8.7 ± 4.6, POST: 8.1 ± 6.0, p = 0.51). Future research should investigate exercise volume, sex, and pubertal effects on the early responsiveness of MetFlex to exercise therapy.

Whey protein hydrolysate supplementation accelerates recovery from exercise-induced muscle damage in females.

A number of different forms of protein and their analogues have been investigated for their efficacy in ameliorating exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) and recovery. Preliminary data regarding whey protein hydrolysate (WPH) supplementation are promising. However, its efficacy beyond acute eccentric/resistance exercise bouts or longer term training programmes are limited and all investigations have been conducted in male or mixed-sex groups. This study sought to elucidate whether the benefits of WPH previously reported can be demonstrated in females following repeated-sprint exercise. Twenty physically active females were assigned to consume 2 doses of 70 mL WPH or isoenergetic carbohydrate (CHO) for 4 days post-EIMD. Measures of muscle soreness, limb girth, flexibility, muscle function, and creatine kinase were collected before, immediately after, and 24, 48, and 72 h postexercise. Time effects were observed for all variables (p < 0.05) except limb girth, which is indicative of EIMD. Flexibility improved beyond baseline measures following WPH by 72 h, but had failed to recover in the CHO group (p = 0.011). Reactive strength index was higher throughout recovery in the WPH group compared with CHO (p = 0.016). Reductions in creatine kinase were greater following WPH compared with CHO at 48 h post-EIMD (p = 0.031). The findings suggest that 4-day supplementation of WPH is beneficial for reducing symptoms of EIMD and improving recovery of muscle function in physically active females.

A face qualificada-especializada do trabalho imigrante no Brasil: temporalidade e flexibilidade / The qualified-specialized face of immigrant labor in Brazil: temporality and flexibility / La face qualifiée-specialisée du travail des immigrants au Brésil: temporalité et flexibilité

O objeto deste artigo é a face qualificada-especializada do trabalho imigrante, relacionada com o circuito legalizado da imigração. Examina-se a bibliografia e os diferentes tratamentos teóricos do tema, enfatizando a pertinência do prisma do “mercado global dos recursos humanos qualificados”. A manifestação desses fluxos no Brasil (2007-2014) é analisada a partir das estatísticas do Ministério da Saúde e do Ministério do Trabalho e Emprego sobre o regime de visto, a composição de sexo e de nacionalidade. Uma seção é dedicada aos “marítimos globais” e aos médicos cubanos, por representarem um caso emblemático das novas bases sócio-históricas de desenvolvimento do fenômeno da imigração no país. Por fim, será feito um balanço sobre a ligação desses fluxos com movimentos de precarização do trabalho, em particular no que se refere à temporalidade e à flexibilidade.

The object of this article is the qualified-specialized characteristic of immigrant work related to the legalized circuit of immigration. The references and the different theoretical backgrounds are evaluated highlighting the relevance of the “global market for qualified human resources”. The manifestation of these fluxes in Brazil (2007-2014) is analyzed based on the statistics of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Labor and Employment about the visa regime, the composition of gender and nationality. A section is dedicated to “global maritimes”, and Cuban doctors, because they represent an emblematic case in the new sociohistorical bases of development of the immigration phenomenon in the country. Finally, a balance will be made about the link between these issues and the movements of labor precariousness, in particular those regarding temporality and flexibility.

L’objet de cet article est la face qualifiée du travail immigré, lié au circuit d’immigration légalisé. La bibliographie et les différentes aproches théoriques du theme seront examinées, en particulier le prisme du «marché mondial des ressources humaines qualifiées.” La manifestation de ces flux au Brésil (2007-2014) est analysée à partir des statistiques du Ministère de la Santé et du Ministère du Travail et de L’emploi sur le régime des visas et la composition de sexe et nationalité. Une section est consacrée au travail des «maritimes globaux¼ et des médecins cubains, parce qu’ils représentent des cas emblématiques de la nouvelle base socio-historique du développement du phénomène de l’immigration au Brésil. Enfin, la connexion de ces flux avec les mouvements de précarisation du travail sera consideré, en particulier en ce qui concerne la temporalité et la flexibilité.

Acute effects of muscle stretching on physical performance, range of motion, and injury incidence in healthy active individuals: a systematic review.

Recently, there has been a shift from static stretching (SS) or proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching within a warm-up to a greater emphasis on dynamic stretching (DS). The objective of this review was to compare the effects of SS, DS, and PNF on performance, range of motion (ROM), and injury prevention. The data indicated that SS- (-3.7%), DS- (+1.3%), and PNF- (-4.4%) induced performance changes were small to moderate with testing performed immediately after stretching, possibly because of reduced muscle activation after SS and PNF. A dose-response relationship illustrated greater performance deficits with ≥60 s (-4.6%) than with <60 s (-1.1%) SS per muscle group. Conversely, SS demonstrated a moderate (2.2%) performance benefit at longer muscle lengths. Testing was performed on average 3-5 min after stretching, and most studies did not include poststretching dynamic activities; when these activities were included, no clear performance effect was observed. DS produced small-to-moderate performance improvements when completed within minutes of physical activity. SS and PNF stretching had no clear effect on all-cause or overuse injuries; no data are available for DS. All forms of training induced ROM improvements, typically lasting <30 min. Changes may result from acute reductions in muscle and tendon stiffness or from neural adaptations causing an improved stretch tolerance. Considering the small-to-moderate changes immediately after stretching and the study limitations, stretching within a warm-up that includes additional poststretching dynamic activity is recommended for reducing muscle injuries and increasing joint ROM with inconsequential effects on subsequent athletic performance.

[Acceptance and commitment therapy]. / La thérapie d'acceptation et d'engagement.

INTRODUCTION: Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is a third generation of cognitive-behavioral therapies. The point is to help patients to improve their psychological flexibility in order to accept unavoidable private events. Thus, they have the opportunity to invest energy in committed actions rather than struggle against their psychological events. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY: (i) To present the ACT basic concepts and (ii) to propose a systematic review of the literature about effectiveness of this kind of psychotherapy. METHOD: (i) The core concepts of ACT come from Monestès (2011), Schoendorff (2011), and Harris (2012); (ii) we conducted a systematic review of the literature using the PRISMA's criteria. The research paradigm was « acceptance and commitment therapy AND randomized controlled trial ¼. The bases of the MEDLINE, Cochrane and Web of science have been checked. RESULTS: Overall, 61 articles have been found, of which, after reading the abstracts, 40 corresponded to the subject of our study. (I) Psychological flexibility is established through six core ACT processes (cognitive defusion, acceptance, being present, values, committed action, self as context), while the therapist emphasizes on experiential approach. (II) Emerging research shows that ACT is efficacious in the psychological treatment of a wide range of psychiatric problems, including psychosis, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, trichotillomania, generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, borderline personality disorder, eating disorders. ACT has also shown a utility in other areas of medicine: the management chronic pain, drug-dependence, smoking cessation, the management of epilepsy, diabetic self-management, the management of work stress, the management of tinnitus, and the management of multiple sclerosis. Meta-analysis of controlled outcome studies reported an average effect size (Cohen's d) of 0.66 at post-treatment (n=704) and 0.65 (n=580) at follow-up (on average 19.2 weeks later). In studies involving comparison between ACT and active well-specified treatments, the effect size was 0.48 at post (n=456) and 0.62 at follow-up (n=404). In comparisons with waist list, treatment as usual, or placebo treatment, the effect sizes were 0.99 at post (n=248) and 0.71 at follow-up (n=176). Furthermore, ACT studies pointed out learning specific skills, such as decreasing experiential avoidance, increasing cognitive defusion, acceptance and contact with the present moment. Finally, all ACT studies showed an improved quality of life. DISCUSSION: The loss of psychological flexibility is the origin of the pain caused by psychiatric disorders and chronic diseases. This is why other studies are needed to investigate ACT's full potential.

Empresariando o trabalho: os agentes econômicos da intermediação de empregos, esses ilustres desconhecidos / Labor as enterprise: employment agencies as obscurely familiar economic middlemen / Gérer le Travail: les agents économiques médiateurs d'emploi, ces illustres inconnus

A new economic sector has burgeoned in the wake of labor deregulation, especially in large metropolises: services specializing in the intermediation of work opportunities. Employment agencies, outsourcing and "temp" companies, and human resources consulting firms have formed a veritable market within the overall labor market. The article aims to analyze this market. The first section draws on the relevant international literature, systematizing the various analytical approaches. The second part conducts a historical analysis of how the job agency market was first established in Brazil. The third section analyzes how this market currently operates, based on the case of São Paulo, Brazil's largest metropolitan labor market in general and largest job agency market in particular. Micro-data for 2001 and 2004 from the RAIS (the official Annual Survey of Information and Salaries) and ethnographic observation in the largest cluster of job agencies provide the basis for the conclusions in the fourth and last section of the article.

À la suite de la flexibilité des relations dans l'emploi et surtout dans les grandes métropoles, un nouveau sécteur économique se développe, celui des services d'entremise des opportunités de travail. Il s'agit d'agences d'emplois, entreprises de sous-traitance et de traval temporaire, conseils en ressources humaines, qui forment un vrai marché dans le marché du travail. Dans cet article, on cherche à en faire l'analyse. Dans la première partie, on examine la littérature internationale sur le sujet, en traçant des voies pour l'analyse. Dans la deuxième, on remonte dans le temps pour voir comment s'est constitué au Brésil un marché de médiation de l'emploi. Dans la troisième, on examine comment opère ce marché, à la lumière du cas de São Paulo, le plus grand marché métropolitain du travail et de la médiation. Des micro-données de la RAIS, résultats de deux surveys (en 2001 et 2004) et de l'observation ethnographique menée dans leur plus grand groupe de médiateurs, contribuent aux conclusions de la quatrième et dernière partie du texte.