Since the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the incidence of suicidal thoughts and attempts has increased because of the disease worldwide, as reported by previous literature (Ivbijaro et ...al. 2021). The reason for this is multi-factorial and can be attributed to mental illness (i.e., depression, anxiety, sleep deprivation), psycho-social stressors (i.e., social isolation and loneliness, social stigma, unemployment and financial problems, fear of death, and uncertainty of future), and neurobiological factors (i.e., ischemic attacks, headache) (Ivbijaro et al. 2021). Because of this, to plan effective suicide prevention strategies for COVID-19 survivors, which is a real challenge, a comprehensive and integrated multidisciplinary approach is required, as no single approach can have an impact on a complex issue like this. In this letter, the exercise-based approach for suicide prevention is highlighted, as other approaches are beyond the scope of this context.
In Egypt, type 2 diabetes is higher in females than in males. Moderate- intensity continuous training (MICT) has been the most widely used exercise form in type 2 diabetes. This study aims to compare ...the classical MICT to the newly popular high intensity interval training (HIIT) with regard to changes in glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and estimated average glucose (eAG) in female type 2 diabetics. Twenty-six female patients with type 2 diabetes were assigned into three groups: a control group (n= 9), a MICT group (n= 9), and a HIIT group (n= 8). Patients in both groups exercised on treadmill three days/ week for 8 weeks. Patients in MICT exercised continuously for about 40 min at 65%–75% of peak heart rate (HRpeak). Patients in HIIT exercised for 4× 4 min at 85%– 90% of HRpeak with 3-min recovery in between at 65%–75% of HRpeak. Results showed that HbA1c was reduced significantly from 8.2% (7.45%– 8.65%) to 6.9% (6.6%–7.15%) in MICT and from 8.23% (7.94%–8.85%) to 6.25% (6.1%–6.89%) in HIIT after interventions. Likewise, eAG was significantly reduced from 188.64 mg/dL (167.11–201.55 mg/dL) to 151.33 mg/dL (142.72–158.50 mg/dL) in MICT and from 189.64 mg/dL (181.18– 207.29 mg/dL) to 136.69 mg/dL (128.37–151.04 mg/dL) in HIIT. No significant difference was found between HIIT and MICT in the measured variables. It is concluded that the less physically demanding MICT is as good as HIIT for normalizing hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetic females. Therefore, recent interests surrounding HIIT should not overemphasize it compared to the traditional MICT for improving glycemic outcomes.
As social work under normal circumstances is already a stress‐laden helping profession, this study intended to examine the level of psychological distress among the frontline social workers during ...the COVID‐19 pandemic and whether resilience and organizational support played a part in mitigating their psychological distress. Frontline social workers from various social service sectors across Singapore were surveyed using two standardized measurements to assess resilience (Connor‐Davidson Resilience Scale 25) and psychological distress (Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale 21). A self‐designed questionnaire comprising 10 items measured “personal” and “work‐related” support at the organization. Sociodemographic data were captured using a structured questionnaire. The results showed that the frontline social workers, although resilient, were psychologically distressed in all the three areas of depression, anxiety and stress. The results indicated that those working in the Family Service Centers (FSC) were the most affected. Significant correlations were observed between psychological distress, resilience, and organizational support. Organizations must be mindful that support can help frontline staff who are usually younger and less experienced during challenging times such as the pandemic. Building the resilience of social workers will prepare them for their daily challenges and those that accompany unexpected situations.
COVID-19 infection in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) -a chronic illness in Lebanon-is not well described. This was a single-centre retrospective observational study of 491 patients, ...including 152 patients with T2DM, who were hospitalised for COVID-19 between 20 August 2020 and 21 April 2021. Data on clinical characteristics, laboratory and radiological findings and outcomes were collected from the electronic medical records. Clinical characteristics and in-hospital mortality between patients with and without T2DM infected with COVID-19 using multivariate analysis were compared. Among patients hospitalised for COVID-19, those with T2DM were older, presented with milder symptoms and had more comorbidities and higher troponin T levels compared with those without T2DM. Despite the worse clinical course, the patients with T2DM had lower odds of mortality than those without T2DM.
Background: Evidence supports the clinical benefits of isolated inspiratory muscle training (IMT) in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF); however, the rationale of IMT in combination with ...exercise training in cardiac rehabilitation settings for CHF has yet to be confirmed. Objective: This study aimed to assess the effect of the addition of IMT in combination with aerobic/resistance training (AT/RT) on maximal inspiratory pressure (PImax), peak oxygen consumption (VO_(2peak)), selected hemodynamic variables, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) compared to sham-IMT combined with AT/RT in patients with CHF. Methods: Twenty-five male patients with CHF completed a 6-month cardiac rehabilitation program of either a sham-IMT/AT/RT program (control group, 51.84 ± 4.56 years old, n_1 = 13), or a real-IMT/AT/RT program (study group, 51.75 ± 4.73 years old, n_2 = 12). Inclusion criteria were ischemic heart failure, New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II-III, and reduced ejection fraction. Outcome measures were PImax, VO_(2peak), resting heart rate (RHR), heart rate (HR) reserve, rate pressure product (RPP), left-ventricular ejection fraction, and Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLwHFQ). Absolute mean changes from baseline (△) in the outcome measures were statistically analyzed as independent outcomes. Results: △PImax, △RHR, △HR reserve, and △MLwHFQ total score were significantly greater in the study group than in the control group (p ＜ 0.05). In addition, △RPP showed an observed difference in favor of the study group with a tendency towards statistical significance (p = 0.07). Conclusions: IMT could be a successful complementary intervention to exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation programs comprising AT/RT, yielding greater improvements in PImax, RHR, HR reserve, and HRQoL in male patients with ischemic heart failure (NYHA class II-III).
Background: Peripheral artery disease (PAD) receives little attention despite its clinical consequences. Intermittent claudication is the most disturbing symptom of the disease resulting in marked ...limitations to functional walking performance. Treadmill walking exercise is the first-line non-pharmacological treatment in PAD; however, older patients may be unable to exercise because of the functional disability of the disease itself or deconditioning.
Objective: In an attempt to seek an alternative intervention, this study aimed to assess the effect of laser acupuncture on patient-reported claudication symptoms and walk performance in PAD.
Methods: Thirty male patients with PAD were assigned randomly to a control group (
n
1
=
1
5
,
6
4
.
5
±
3
.
5
years old,
2
5
.
9
±
2
.
6
kg/m2) or a study group (
n
2
=
1
5
,
6
5
.
6
±
3
.
3
years old,
2
5
.
4
4
±
3
.
1
kg/m2). Inclusion criteria were mild-to-moderate PAD, Fontaine stage II, unilateral or bilateral claudications, and older men. Exclusion criteria were asymptomatic PAD, resting pain, severe or critical limb ischemia, ischemic ulcers, and patients contraindicated for laser therapy. Both groups received pharmacological treatment, but only the study group received gallium aluminum arsenide (GaAlAs) laser therapy at nine acupuncture points, namely, Liver 2 (LV2), Stomach 41 (ST41), Urinary bladder 40 (UB40), UB60, UB61, Gall bladder 30 (GB30), GB34, GB38, and GB40 for 2 days/week and five consecutive weeks. A pen-type laser device was used at a wavelength of
6
5
4
.
7
±
2
nm, with a power output of
4
1
±
3
.
6
5
mW, a spot size of 0.08
cm2, and an energy density of 2
J/cm2, for 60
s/point. The Edinburgh Claudication Questionnaire (ECQ) and the 6-min walk distance (6-MWD) were the endpoints of the study. The McNemar–Bowker Test and Generalized Estimating Equations Ordinal Logistic Regression Model were used for the within- and between-group statistical analyses of the categorical data of ECQ, respectively; and a mixed model MANOVA was used for the within- and between-group analyses of the 6-MWD data.
Results: There was a significant improvement in patients’ response to ECQ only in the study group compared to the baseline (
p
=
0
.
0
0
2
) and the controls (
p
<
0
.
0
0
1
) after the intervention. The 6-MWD increased significantly in the study group compared to the baseline (
3
1
8
±
7
7
m versus
2
1
4
±
6
0
m,
p
<
0
.
0
0
1
).
Conclusion: The GaAlAs laser acupuncture applied at selected acupoints may be a promising intervention complementary to drug therapy that could help relieve claudication symptoms and improve physical functional performance in older men with PAD (Fontaine stage II). Trials were conducted under the Trial Registration No. PACTR201912698539774.
Chlorine dioxide is a powerful disinfectant with strong antibacterial properties. We conducted a study at different sites of the Lebanese American University Medical Center-Rizk Hospital to determine ...the efficacy of the ECOM air mask in decreasing the particle load. Air cultures were obtained from three different locations, namely the patients' elevator, visitors' elevator and mobile clinic and the number of colonies grown on each type of agar was determined. We also measured particle counts at the three sites both at baseline and after placement of the ECOM air mask. After 7 days of ECOM air mask use, the numbers of colonies grown on all types of media was decreased by 20-100% versus the baseline values. The counts of particles of different diameters (0.3, 0.5 and 5 µm) were decreased at all three sampled sites. This study highlighted the efficacy of the ECOM air mask. The utility of the gaseous form of ClO
as an antiseptic in the hospital setting appears promising.
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