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Objective: In systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients, fatigue is the highest ranked symptom affecting quality of life (QoL), followed by Raynaud phenomenon (RP). We report results from a pilot study (NCT04854850) of the Apollo wearable device in SSc patients., Methods: Twenty-five adult participants with SSc, moderate fatigue and RP were enrolled. Participants completed a 4-week intervention, during which they wore the Apollo device daily for a minimum of 15 minutes. The primary outcome was change on the PROMIS-Fatigue 13a (PROMIS-Fatigue) scale at 4 weeks. (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04854850) RESULTS: After 4 weeks of using the Apollo wearable, participants reported less fatigue on the PROMIS-Fatigue (p <0.001) scale. The average daily number of RP attacks declined (p < 0.01), as did the Raynaud condition score (p<0.001) after 4 weeks of use. Average device usage (2.87 hours per day) far exceeded the requested time, and no adverse events occurred. The PROMIS-29 sub scores assessment demonstrated quality of life (QoL) improvement in physical function (p <0.01), sleep disturbance (p = 0.001), and ability to participate in social roles and activities (p < 0.001). Significant improvements were also noted for depression (p < 0.01) and disability (p < 0.05) measures., Conclusion: Use of the Apollo wearable for four weeks was associated with improvement in fatigue and RP symptom in SSc patients, with improved QoL measures and lower depression scores. Future studies should further test the efficacy of the Apollo wearable in these domains and SSc patient QoL.

Objective : The purpose of this research was to evaluate the impact of a mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) on university students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods and participants: There were 53 participants who voluntarily enrolled in a mindfulness course at a regional state university (24 virtual and 29 in-person) and 56 in the control group. Participants completed surveys at the beginning and end of the course on mindfulness, life satisfaction, and resilience. Results : Results revealed that the in-person group showed significantly higher mindfulness, life satisfaction, and resilience over the course of the semester. The virtual group showed increases across all three variables as well, but only significantly improved on resilience. Conclusion: Results indicate that the inclusion of MBIs in university courses may be a cost-effective and proactive means to support the mental health and well-being of college students, and that in-person delivery may be a more effective modality.

Background: The opioid crisis continues in full force, as physicians and caregivers are desperate for resources to help patients with opioid use and chronic pain disorders find safer and more accessible non-opioid tools., Main Body: The purpose of this article is to review the current state of the opioid epidemic; the shifting picture of cannabinoids; and the research, policy, and current events that make opioid risk reduction an urgent public health challenge. The provided table contains an evidence-based clinical framework for the utilization of cannabinoids to treat patients with chronic pain who are dependent on opioids, seeking alternatives to opioids, and tapering opioids., Conclusion: Based on a comprehensive review of the literature and epidemiological evidence to date, cannabinoids stand to be one of the most interesting, safe, and accessible tools available to attenuate the devastation resulting from the misuse and abuse of opioid narcotics. Considering the urgency of the opioid epidemic and broadening of cannabinoid accessibility amidst absent prescribing guidelines, the authors recommend use of this clinical framework in the contexts of both clinical research continuity and patient care., (© 2023. BioMed Central Ltd., part of Springer Nature.)