Nonpharmacological Intervention (nonpharmacological + intervention)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Dietary restriction and aging, 2009

AGING CELL, Issue 2 2010
Subhash D. Katewa
Summary Dietary restriction (DR) is a robust nongenetic, nonpharmacological intervention that is known to increase active and healthy lifespan in a variety of species. Despite a variety of differences in the protocols and the way DR is carried out in different species, conserved relationships are emerging among multiple species. 2009 saw the field of DR mature with important mechanistic insights from multiple species. A report of lifespan extension in rapamycin-treated mice suggested that the TOR pathway, a conserved mediator of DR in invertebrates, may also be critical to DR effects in mammals. 2009 also saw exciting discoveries related to DR in various organisms including yeast, worms, flies, mice, monkeys and humans. These studies complement each other and together aim to deliver the promise of postponing aging and age-related diseases by revealing the underlying mechanisms of the protective effects of DR. Here, we summarize a few of the reports published in 2009 that we believe provide novel directions and an improved understanding of dietary restriction. [source]


Latest news and product developments

PRESCRIBER, Issue 18 2008
Article first published online: 3 OCT 200
Inhaled steroids for all children with asthma? Some children with mild well-controlled asthma may not need a daily inhaled steroid, a Scandinavian study suggests (Arch Dis Child 2008;93:654-9). A total of 176 children aged 5-10 years were randomised to treatment with cromoglicate (Intal) or budesonide. Initially high doses of budesonide (400,g twice daily) were reduced after one month to 200,g twice daily for four months; subsequent treatment for a further year was 100,g twice daily as required for exacerbations or 100,g twice daily regularly. Budesonide was associated with greater improvement in lung function and fewer exacerbations compared with cromoglicate, but after 18 months lung function improvements did not differ. Regular budesonide was associated with fewer exacerbations than as-required administration (0.97 vs 1.69 per patient in months 7-18) but no difference in asthma-free days or use of rescue medication. Growth suppression was slightly greater with continuous budesonide. Interventions to reduce atypicals weight gain A systematic review has found that techniques such as cognitive behaviour therapy and nutritional counselling can reduce weight gain associated with atypical antipsychotics (Br J Psychiatry 2008;193:101-7). Analysis of 10 randomised trials lasting eight weeks to six months found that nonpharmacological intervention increased mean weight loss by about 2.5kg compared with usual care. Check flu vaccine delivery Production of flu vaccine is proceeding according to plan, the Director of Immunisation has told GPs. Practices should now contact their suppliers to confirm a delivery schedule so that clinics can be arranged. New BNF for Children The fourth BNF for Children has been published, containing new sections on HPV vaccination, contraception, treatment of pelvic inflammatory disease and the use of continuous iv infusions in neonates. BNFC 2008 is available online at bnfc.org/bnfc. MMR catch-up ,urgent' The DoH has called for urgent action to reduce the risk of a measles epidemic. Following years of relatively low uptake of MMR vaccine, the pool of unprotected children is now large enough to raise the prospect of 30 000-100 000 measles cases in England. A catch-up campaign will now target children and young people who have never been vaccinated, followed by those who have not completed their course of immunisation. Resource materials are available at www.immunisation.nhs.uk. , A new brand of MMR vaccine is now available. Sanofi Pasteur MSD has replaced MMRII with a new formulation and presentation, MMRvaxPro. The new vaccine is equivalent to its predecessor and interchangeable with Priorix. Early primary prevention with low-dose aspirin? GPs should consider prescribing low-dose aspirin for primary prevention for men aged 48 and women aged 57, say UK researchers (Heart 2008; published online 15 August 2008. doi:10.1136/hrt.2008.150698). Using data from the THIN network of electronic patient records, they modelled the age at which 10-year coronary risk changed from <10 per cent to >10 per cent in men and women without diabetes, not taking lipid-lowering therapy and with no history of cardiovascular disease. Does COPD therapy slow progression? Treatment with an inhaled steroid and long-acting beta-agonist may slow progression of COPD, according to a new analysis of the TORCH study (Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2008;178:332-8). TORCH was designed to determine the effects of COPD treatment on mortality; the primary analysis found no significant difference between fluticasone/salmeterol (Seretide) and placebo (N Engl J Med 2007;356:775-89). This analysis found that the rate of decline in FEV1 (a marker of disease progression) was significantly greater with placebo (55ml per year) than with salmeterol or fluticasone monotherapy (both 42ml per year) or their combination (39ml per year). Faster decline in FEV1 was associated with current smoking, lower BMI and more frequent exacerbations. Copyright © 2008 Wiley Interface Ltd [source]


Effects of therapeutic suggestion in children undergoing general anesthesia: a randomized controlled trial

PEDIATRIC ANESTHESIA, Issue 1 2010
MICHELLE A. FORTIER PhD
Summary Objectives and aim:, The goal of this randomized controlled trial was to examine the effect of intraoperative positive therapeutic suggestion on postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in children undergoing general anesthesia and otolaryngological surgery. Background:, Because of the high incidence of PONV following otolaryngological surgery and its negative impact on recovery, researchers have examined various nonpharmacological interventions to target this phenomenon. To date, the effectiveness of therapeutic suggestion has not been studied in children. Methods:, Participants were 67 children undergoing tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy and their mothers. Children received a standardized anesthetic procedure and were randomly assigned to one of three interventions administered under general anesthesia: therapeutic suggestion, story (prosody control), or standard operating room noise. Children, parents, and healthcare personnel were blinded to group assignment. Nausea and vomiting were recorded in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) and for the first 3 days at home. Results:, Results demonstrated a decrease in nausea severity across the first 3 days, F2,49 = 10.37, P < 0.001, but no group differences in nausea severity in the PACU (F2,49 = 0.87, P = 0.43) or at home (F2,49 = 0.80, P = 0.46). There were also no group differences in vomiting episodes in the PACU (,2 (2) = 1.25, P > 0.05) or at home (F2,49 = 1.59, P = 0.21). Conclusions:, In this blinded controlled trial, therapeutic suggestion delivered intraoperatively did not impact children's PONV. However, because this is the first study of this kind, replication may be needed. [source]


Functioning and disability in bipolar disorders: a systematic review of literature using the ICF as a reference

BIPOLAR DISORDERS, Issue 5 2010
Carolina C Ávila
Ávila CC, Cabello M, Cieza A, Vieta E, Ayuso-Mateos JL. Functioning and disability in bipolar disorders: a systematic review of literature using the ICF as a reference. Bipolar Disord 2010: 12: 473,482. © 2010 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Objectives:, To systematically identify and examine the frequency of use of concepts contained in outcome variables across bipolar disorder (BD) studies using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) as a reference. Methods:, Original studies published between 2000 and 2006 were located on the MEDLINE and PsycINFO databases and selected according to predetermined criteria. Outcome variables were extracted, and concepts contained therein were linked to the ICF. Results:, A total of 109 final studies were included. The concepts contained in these studies were linked to 145 different ICF categories. ICF category b152, emotional functions, was the most frequently represented category, appearing in 94% of the publications, followed by b126, temperament and personality functions (73%). E110, products or substances for personal consumption, and e580, health services, systems, and policies, appeared in 68% of the studies. Conclusions:, The present systematic review reflects the research focus of the literature on BD in recent years. Most of the studies performed concentrate on body functions rather than activities and participation domains. Experimental studies are mostly pharmacological, reflecting the need to study nonpharmacological interventions. Furthermore, our study shows that outcome variables used in studies with persons with BD can, to a large extent, be mapped to the ICF. [source]