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The goal of this paper is to describe the baseline characteristics of Live Well (intervention to prevent weight gain in recent immigrant mother-child dyads from Brazil, Haiti, and Latin America) participants, and to explore self-reported changes in diet and physical activity post-immigration. Baseline data from 383 mothers were used for this study. Dyads attended a measurement day where they completed self-administered surveys collecting information about socio-demographics, diet, physical activity, other psychosocial variables, and height and weight. Haitian mothers' socio-demographic profile differed significantly from that of Brazilians' and Latinas': they have been in the US for a shorter period of time, have higher rates of unemployment, are less likely to be married, more likely to have ≥3 children, more likely to be obese, and have immigrated for family or other reasons. In multivariate models, self-reported changes in diet and physical activity since migrating to the US were significantly associated with BMI with non-linear relationships identified. Future research is needed to understand how diet and physical activity change while acculturating to the US and explore the adoption of both healthy and unhealthy dietary changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex autoimmune disease mediated by an immune response to central nervous system antigens. Modern immunomodulatory therapies, however, do not ameliorate many of the symptoms, such as pain and depression. Patients thus seek alternative treatments, such as acupuncture, although the benefits of such treatments have not been objectively evaluated. The present study was thus designed to evaluate the effect of the use of acupuncture in the alleviation of the symptoms of patients with MS. Methods: Thirty-one patients with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis undergoing treatment with immunomodulators were randomly distributed into sex-stratified experimental and placebo groups in a patient-and evaluator-blind design; they received either true or sham electroacupuncture during regular visits to the doctor in the university hospital outpatient clinic. Standardized questionnaires were used to evaluate the effect of electroacupuncture on the quality of life of these patients. Initial and follow-up assessment included the evaluation of clinical status (Expanded Disability Status Scale), pain (Visual Analogue Scale) and quality of life (Functional Assessment of multiple Sclerosis) to ascertain the impact of electroacupuncture on the quality of life of these patients. Results: Electroacupuncture improved various aspects of quality of life, including a reduction in pain and depression. The self-report scales were more sensitive to improvement than was the more objective clinical measure. Conclusion: This paper provides evidence that electroacupuncture can significantly improve the quality of life of such patients. The results suggest that the routine use of a self-report scale evaluating quality of life should be included in regular clinical evaluations in order to detect changes more rapidly. Trial Registration: RBR-58yq52 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: this paper reports the results of a nursing-administered theory-based intervention, the "Moving Heart Program", based on the implementation intention theory and pointed at improving physical activity adherence among coronary heart disease outpatients in Brazil. Methods: this experimental study applied assessments at baseline, 1 and 2 months after baseline. The Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials statement was followed. Participants were randomly assigned to intervention, comprising action and coping plans on how to deal with anticipated barriers (n=69), or a standard-care control group (n=67). Results: participants submitted to the intervention showed significant higher levels of physical activity 2 months after baseline and were significantly more active than the control group. Conclusions: the results indicate that the intervention is feasible for patients with coronary heart disease and can be a useful tool to facilitate intended lifestyle changes. This study brings relevant contributions to the Nursing field and other health-related areas, once the intervention presents low cost to health services and can be applied in cardiac rehabilitation programs, showing significant benefits to participants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of an inspiratory muscle training protocol on inspiratory muscle function, functional capacity, and quality of life in patients with asthma. Design: A single-blind, randomized controlled clinical trial. Setting: Community-based. Subjects: Patients with asthma, aged between 20 and 70 years old, non-smokers. Interventions: Participants were randomized into two groups: inspiratory muscle training group performed inspiratory muscle training 5 days a week for 8 weeks, consisting of six sets of 30 breaths per day with a training load ⩾50% of maximal inspiratory pressure, plus an educational program; the control group only received the educational program. Main measurements: Maximal inspiratory pressure, inspiratory muscle endurance, and the distance performed on the incremental shuttle walking test were assessed pre-intervention, post-intervention and at follow-up (3 months after the end of the intervention). The asthma quality of life questionnaire was applied pre and post-intervention. Results: Data from 39 participants were analyzed. Maximal inspiratory pressure in percentage of predicted and endurance test duration were significantly higher post-intervention in the inspiratory muscle training group (∆ post–pre: 50.8% vs 7.3% of predicted – P < 0.001 and ∆ post–pre: 207.9 seconds vs 2.7 seconds – P < 0.001, respectively). There was no significant difference in the incremental shuttle walking distance between groups (∆ post–pre: 30.9 m vs −8.1 m, P = 0.165). Quality of life was perceived as significantly better, without a difference between groups (P > 0.05). Conclusions: About 8 weeks of inspiratory muscle training in patients with controlled asthma significantly increased inspiratory muscle strength and endurance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the effects of individual and combination therapies (low-level laser therapy and physical exercises) on pain, stiffness, function, and spatiotemporal gait variables in subjects with bilateral knee osteoarthritis (OA). Methods: Subjects with knee OA (Grades 1–3) were evaluated and randomized into four groups: Control Group (CG), untreated; Laser Group (LG), treated with laser at 808 nm, 5.6 J; Exercise Group (EG), treated with exercise; and Laser + Exercise Group (LEG), treated with laser and exercises. The treatment was carried out twice a week for 2 months. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) questionnaire was applied for evaluation and reevaluation; evaluation of spatiotemporal gait variables was performed using GAITRite equipment. Results: The EG showed significant improvement in pain (p = 0.006) and function (p = 0.01) according to WOMAC. Regarding gait variables, in intergroup analysis after 8 weeks all groups receiving intervention showed a significant increase in gait speed: LG versus CG (p = 0.03); EG versus CG (p = 0.04) and LEG versus CG (p = 0.005). Only the group treated with laser + exercise showed a significant increase (p = 0.009) in the cadence and duration of single right limb support (p = 0.04), and only the groups treated with exercise and laser + exercise showed significant decreases in the duration of right limb support (p = 0.035 and p = 0.003, respectively), compared to the CG. Conclusions: The group treated only with exercise showed improvement in WOMAC questionnaire scores. Regarding the gait variables, all groups undergoing the interventions showed increases in the gait speed compared to the CG. The laser and exercise combination therapy provided the best results for the other gait variables (cadence and duration of right limb support and duration of single right limb support). There are differences in gait patterns in patients with knee OA, including decreased gait speed, cadence, and step length. The results shown in the present study provide additional information about the physical therapy approaches that should be chosen during clinical practical to improve gait performance in individuals with knee osteoarthritis. The improvement in gait performance is a relevant issue due to the fact that is associated to physical independence and better quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and objectives: To compare the efficacy of Chinese and French ear acupuncture in people with chronic back pain. Background: Chronic back pain is a common public health problem worldwide. An intervention for this condition is ear acupuncture. Several approaches are used for ear acupuncture, particularly the Chinese and French guidelines. Methods: An open, randomised and controlled clinical trial, followed the recommendations of the CONSORT Checklist. One hundred and eleven people were selected and randomised into three groups: Chinese ear acupuncture, French ear acupuncture and Control. Evaluations were performed before the first intervention session (initial), 1 week after the fifth session (final) and after a fifteen‐day follow‐up period (follow‐up), using the Brief Pain Inventory, Rolland Morris Disability Questionnaire, and a thermal imaging camera. For data analysis, the Generalized Estimating Equation Model was applied, with significance level set at 5%. Results: Pain severity was significantly decreased by Chinese ear acupuncture throughout intervention period. Both types of ear acupuncture affected pain interference with daily activities. However, in the comparison between initial and final evaluations, only Chinese ear acupuncture produced statistically significant results. A reduction in physical disability was observed in both ear acupuncture‐treated groups during the intervention period and, although Chinese ear acupuncture failed to induce significant changes in tissular temperature at individual time points, a significant increase in cutaneous temperature was detected after the follow‐up period in the dorsal region of individuals treated with Chinese ear acupuncture. Importantly, at this time point, the mean difference between Chinese and French ear acupuncture revealed a more benefic effect of Chinese procedure on this parameter. Conclusions: The individualised treatment based on the Chinese precepts showed, in an overall evaluation, better results for management of chronic back pain in the present study. Relevance to clinical practice: Ear acupuncture can be implemented in the nurse's clinical practice to assist the treatment of people with chronic back pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of intra-articular injection (IAI) with Botulinum toxin type A (BTA), triamcinolone hexacetonide (TH), and saline in primary knee osteoarthritis. Design: A randomized controlled trial, with blinded patients and assessor. Setting: Outpatient rheumatology service. Subjects: Patients with knee osteoarthritis grades II and III. Interventions: Patients received IAI with 100 IU BTA, 40 mg TH, or isotonic saline solution (SS) 0.9%. Main measures: Patients were assessed at baseline and at 4, 8, and 12 weeks with the following instruments: visual analog scale for pain during movement (VASm; primary outcome) and visual analog scale for pain at rest (VASr), Western Ontario & McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) questionnaire, 6-minute walk test, Timed Up and Go test, Short Form (SF)-36 questionnaire, range of motion of knee, and ultrasound (US) measurement of synovial hypertrophy. Results: In total, 105 patients were randomized, with 35 in each group; 96 were female (91.4%) and 9 were male (8.6%), with a mean age of 64.2 years (±6.9). At 12 weeks, the TH group showed better results only for VASm. At four weeks, the TH group showed better results than the BTA and SS groups for VASm (–68.9% (37.8) vs. –35.3% (40.3) vs. –35.9% (51.4)), WOMAC pain (–56.0% (30.7) vs. –30.8% (34.3) vs. –30.0% (39.9)), WOMAC stiffness (–53.4% (38.4) vs. –17.2% (59.3) vs. –17.3% (78.1)), WOMAC function (–48.2% (34.6) vs. 30.8% (33.6) vs. –13.6% (64.9)), WOMAC total score (–51.2% (31.0) vs. –30.9% (30.0) vs. –18.8% (54.8)), and US measurement of synovial hypertrophy (–11.6% (44.9) vs. –1.5% (47.9) vs. +28.6% (81.3)). Conclusion: IAI with TH had a higher effectiveness than that with TBA or SS in the short-term assessment (four weeks) for pain in movement, WOMAC, and US measurement of synovial hypertrophy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background and Purpose: It is important to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of water‐based training programs in order to prescribe it as an alternative in cardiac rehabilitation for patients who have coronary artery disease (CAD). In these patients, autonomic dysfunction is an important physiological change strongly associated with adverse outcomes, morbidity, and mortality. Given that the beneficial effects of physical training in CAD patients have been traditionally evidenced with programs involving land‐based aerobic exercises, this study aims to evaluate the effects of water aerobic exercise training (WAET) on the autonomic modulation of heart rate (HR) and body composition, in the rehabilitation of CAD patients. Methods: Twenty‐six male subjects with CAD were randomly divided into a training group (n = 14), submitted to the WAET, and a control group (n = 12). The WAET consisted of 3 weekly sessions on alternate days, totalling 48 sessions. The analysis of HR variability was used to evaluate the autonomic modulation of HR, from the recording of R‐R intervals for 15 min, at rest in the supine position, and the body composition was evaluated through the bioelectrical impedance analysis. Results: Only the training group participants had improvement in the HR variability indices; patterns without variation decreased (0V, p = .005) and an increase of patterns of two different variations (p < .001), Shannon entropy (p = .02), and normalized conditional entropy (p = .03), whereas the control group had an increase of 0V (p = .04) and a decrease of normalized conditional entropy (p = .01). All body composition variables remained unchanged. Conclusions: The WAET protocol improved the cardiac autonomic modulation of patients with CAD and can be considered as exercise training strategy in cardiac rehabilitation programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Non-adherence to oral antidiabetics drugs (OADs) has been a common problem and may contribute to poor glycemic control. Aim: To describe an experimental study protocol that aims at implementing and evaluating the effect of the "action planning and coping planning" interventions on medication adherence to OADs in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in follow-up at primary care services. Design: A randomized controlled trial. Methods: Two groups (intervention and control) will be followed over a period of 105 days. The intervention group will receive a combination of the "action planning" and "coping planning" intervention strategies. There will be in-person meetings and phone calls to reinforce the intervention. The control group will receive the usual care from the health unit. Conclusions: It is hoped that this study will help health professionals to improve their approach with patients who have T2DM in relation to medication adherence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. To compare a gel made with chamomile (Chamomilla recutita) with a cream of urea as an intervention to delay the time to occurrence of radiation dermatitis. Background. Radiation dermatitis is one of the most common adverse effects of radiotherapy in patients with head and neck cancer. It is characterized by erythema, itching, pain, skin breakage and burning sensation, and there is no consensus on how to prevent it. Design. The study is a randomized controlled clinical trial. Methods. We will recruit 48 individuals with head and neck cancer who will be starting their radiotherapy and randomize them to receive either gel of chamomile or cream of urea, as an intervention for prevention of radiation dermatitis. Social-demographic data will be collected at baseline, and clinical data will be collected before the initiation of radiotherapy. Participants will be followed weekly to assess development of radiation dermatitis. The protocol is funded by Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Cientıfico (Brazil). The study was approved by a research ethics committee. Discussion. Given the clinical relevance of preventing radiation dermatitis and the lack of evidence supporting specific preventive interventions, it is important to study new products that might be efficacious to prevent this complication. This article presents the protocol of a randomized controlled trial comparing a gel made with chamomile (intervention) with a cream of urea (control) to prevent radiation dermatitis in patients with head and neck cancer undergoing radiotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To relate the clinical effects of two different forms of non-surgical periodontal therapy -- scaling and root planing per quadrant (SRP-Q) and one-stage full-mouth disinfection (FMD) -- to patient-based outcomes such as fear, anxiety, and pain of moderate chronic periodontitis patients. Methods: Dental Fear Survey (DFS) and Dental Anxiety Scale (DAS) questionnaires and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were applied to 78 patients randomized into two groups: SRP-Q (n = 37) and FMD (n = 41). Periodontal clinical parameters: probing pocket depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), plaque index (PI), and gingival index (GI) were monitored at baseline and 6 months after treatment. Data were statistically analysed by chi-square, Fisher's exact, Mann-Whitney, Wilcoxon tests, Pearson's correlation, and Cluster analysis. Results: All periodontal clinical parameters improved from baseline to 6 months. Patients with higher fear and anxiety showed a worse clinical periodontal status before and after treatment (mean CAL, PI, and GI). After both types of treatment, fear and anxiety decreased (FMD: p = 0.019; SRP-Q: p = 0.043) with no differences between the groups. Pain did not differ between groups (FMD: 20.6 ± 19.0 and SRP: 20.7 ± 20.0; p = 0.930). Conclusions: In moderate chronic periodontitis patients, SRP-Q and FMD provided periodontal clinical improvements and similar experiences of fear, anxiety, and pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of dental caries treatment on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among schoolchildren and the responsiveness of the Child Perceptions Questionnaire (CPQ8-10) instrument. Brazilian schoolchildren, 8-10 yr of age, were randomly selected and assigned to two groups - dental caries treatment (DCT) and caries-free (CF) - according to their caries experience [decayed, missing, or filled primary teeth (dmft) and decayed, missing or filled secondary teeth (DMFT) values of ≥0]. The CPQ8-10 instrument was administered at baseline and at 4 wk of follow-up (i.e. 4 wk after completion of dental treatment). In the DCT group, increases in CPQ8-10 scores were observed between the baseline and follow-up results. However, longitudinal evaluation of the CF group demonstrated no statistically significant difference in CPQ8-10 scores. Responsiveness of the CPQ8-10 instrument (magnitude of change in CPQ8-10 scores) in the DCT group was greater (effect size >0.7) than in the CF group. The findings of this study show that dental caries treatment has an important impact on OHRQoL of children. The CPQ8-10 was considered an acceptable instrument for longitudinal measurement of changes in OHRQoL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To examine the effect of action and coping planning strategies in the adherence to medication among outpatients with coronary artery disease. Background Action and coping planning strategies are based on implementation intention, which requires self-regulation by the individual, to prioritize intentionally planned responses over learned or habitual ones, from daily routines to stressful situations. Design Randomized controlled trial. Methods Participants ( n = 115) were randomized into intervention (use of action and coping planning strategies, n = 59) or control (usual care, n = 56) groups. The study was conducted between June 2010-May 2011 in two in-person visits: baseline and 2-month follow-up. Participants in the intervention group received telephone reinforcement between baseline and 2-month follow-up. Adherence to medication for cardioprotection and symptoms relief was evaluated by proportion of adherence, global measure of adherence evaluation and Morisky Self-Reported Measure of Medication Adherence Scale at both baseline and 2-month follow-up. Findings When using the measure of global measure of adherence, participants in the intervention group reported adherence to therapy more often than controls (odds ratio = 5·3), but no statistically significant change was observed in the other two outcome measures. Conclusion This study has shown that individuals who use action and coping planning report higher adherence to drug treatment, when measured by the global adherence evaluation. Further studies with longer follow-ups are needed to assess if the effect of planning strategies has long-term duration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of AIDS & Behavior is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of AIDS & Behavior is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

ABSTRACT Aims This study evaluated the effectiveness of a brief intervention (BI) for illicit drugs (cannabis, cocaine, amphetamine-type stimulants and opioids) linked to the World Health Organization (WHO) Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST). The ASSIST screens for problem or risky use of 10 psychoactive substances, producing a score for each substance that falls into either a low-, moderate- or high-risk category. Design Prospective, randomized controlled trial in which participants were either assigned to a 3-month waiting-list control condition or received brief motivational counselling lasting an average of 13.8 minutes for the drug receiving the highest ASSIST score. Setting Primary health-care settings in four countries: Australia, Brazil, India and the United States. Participants A total of 731 males and females scoring within the moderate-risk range of the ASSIST for cannabis, cocaine, amphetamine-type stimulants or opioids. Measurements ASSIST-specific substance involvement scores for cannabis, stimulants or opioids and ASSIST total illicit substance involvement score at baseline and 3 months post-randomization. Findings Omnibus analyses indicated that those receiving the BI had significantly reduced scores for all measures, compared with control participants. Country-specific analyses showed that, with the exception of the site in the United States, BI participants had significantly lower ASSIST total illicit substance involvement scores at follow-up compared with the control participants. The sites in India and Brazil demonstrated a very strong brief intervention effect for cannabis scores ( P < 0.005 for both sites), as did the sites in Australia ( P < 0.005) and Brazil ( P < 0.01) for stimulant scores and the Indian site for opioid scores ( P < 0.01). Conclusions The Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test-linked brief intervention aimed at reducing illicit substance use and related risks is effective, at least in the short term, and the effect generalizes across countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]