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Background and Aims: Guillain‐Barré syndrome (GBS) is an acute, self‐limited, immune‐mediated peripheral neuropathy. Current treatments for GBS include intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) and plasma exchange, which may not sufficiently benefit severely affected patients. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of eculizumab add‐on therapy to IVIg (standard‐of‐care treatment) in patients with severe GBS. Methods: This phase 3, multicenter, double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled clinical trial (NCT04752566), enrolled Japanese adults (age ≥ 18 years) with severe GBS (Hughes functional grade [FG] score FG3 or FG4/FG5 within 2 weeks of onset of GBS). Participants were randomized 2:1 to receive intravenous infusion of eculizumab or placebo (once weekly for 4 weeks) with IVIg treatment with 20 weeks of follow‐up. Primary efficacy endpoint was the time to first reach FG score ≤1 (able to run). Key secondary endpoints were proportion of participants achieving FG ≤1 at weeks 8 and 24 and FG improvement ≥3 at week 24. Pharmacodynamic analysis of serum free C5 concentration over time was performed. Safety was evaluated. Results: The analysis included 57 participants (eculizumab, n = 37; placebo, n = 20). Primary endpoint was not achieved (hazard ratio, 0.9; 95% CI, 0.45–1.97; p =.89). Key secondary endpoints did not reach statistical significance. Serum C5 concentration was reduced by 99.99% at 1 h postdose and sustained to week 5 but returned to baseline at the end of follow‐up period. No new safety signals for eculizumab were identified. Interpretation: Although well tolerated, eculizumab treatment did not show significant effects on motor function recovery compared to placebo in patients with GBS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Family‐centred care (FCC), while a core value of paediatric hospitals, has not been well‐studied in the paediatric cardiac intensive care unit (PCICU). Aim: To describe parents' perceptions of FCC provided by nurses in the PCICU during their infant's recovery from neonatal cardiac surgery and explore associations of perceptions of FCC on parent post‐traumatic stress (PTS) 4 months post‐discharge. Study Design: Data obtained from a previously conducted randomized clinical trial (RCT) on telehealth home monitoring after neonatal cardiac surgery at three free‐standing paediatric hospitals were analysed from a subset of 164 parents who completed the FCC Scale at hospital discharge, which measures a parent's experience of nursing care that embodies core principles of FCC. The RCT intervention was provided after hospital discharge, having no influence on parent's perception of FCC. The intervention also had no effect on PTS. Results: Perceived FCC was lowest for items 'nurses helped me feel welcomed' and 'nurses helped me feel important in my child's care'. Having 12%–19% points lower perception of FCC at hospital discharge was associated with parent experience of six or more PTS symptoms, at least moderate PTS symptom severity, or PTS disorder diagnosis at 4‐month follow‐up. Every 10% increase in parental perceptions of FCC was associated with less PTS symptoms (β = −0.29, SE = 0.12; p =.02) and lower PTS symptom cluster scores of arousal (β = −0.18, SE = 0.08; p =.02). Conclusions: Parents who perceived lower FCC during their infants' hospitalization were at increased risk for the development of PTS symptoms, more PTS symptom severity and PTS disorder diagnosis 4‐months post‐discharge. Relevance to Clinical Practice: Nurses have a prominent role to support the implementation of FCC for infants with cardiac defects and their parents. FCC may positively influence overall parent mental health and well‐being, reducing the trauma and distress of the PCICU experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Preoperative nursing care affects many factors such as reducing the length of hospital stay of the patients in the perioperative period, the rate of postoperative complications, the duration of the operation, decrease of postoperative pain level and early mobilization. Aim: We aimed to determine the effect of preoperative evidence‐based care education that given to cardiac surgery clinical nurses on the postoperative recovery of patients. Study Design: The research was planned as quasi‐experimental. Eighty‐six patients who underwent cardiovascular surgery were divided into control and intervention groups. First, the ongoing preoperative care practices and patient recovery outcomes of the clinic were recorded for the control group data. Second, education was provided for the clinical nurses about the preoperative evidence‐based care list, and a pilot application was implemented. Finally, the evidence‐based care list was applied by the nurses to the intervention group, and its effects on patient outcomes were evaluated. The data were collected using the preoperative evidence‐based care list, descriptive information form, intraoperative information form and postoperative patient evaluation form. Results: The evidence‐based care list was applied to the patients in the intervention group, with 100% adherence by the nurses. All pain level measurements in the intervention group were significantly lower in all measurements (p =.00). The body temperature measurements (two measurements) of the intervention group were higher (p =.00). The postoperative hospital stays of the control group and the intervention group were 11.21 ± 8.41 and 9.50 ± 3.61 days. Conclusion: The presented preoperative evidence‐based care list can be used safely in nursing practices for patients. It provides effective normothermia, reduces the level of pain, shortens the hospital stay and reduces the number of postoperative complications. Relevance to Clinical Practice: By applying a preoperative evidence‐based care to patients undergoing cardiac surgery, pain levels, hospital stays and the number of complications decrease, and it is possible to maintain normothermia. An evidence‐based care can be used to ensure rapid postoperative recovery for patients undergoing cardiac surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pneumonia has a high incidence in traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients and lacks effective treatments. Early mobilization (EM) may be a potentially effective treatment. Aim: To explore the impact of EM on TBI‐related pneumonia in the neurosurgical intensive care unit (NICU). Study Design: This study was a historical control study. 100 TBI patients who received EM intervention were prospectively included as the experimental group (EM cohort), and 250 TBI patients were retrospectively included as the control group. The propensity score matching (PSM) method was employed to balance baseline and minimize potential bias. The relationship between EM and TBI‐related pneumonia was investigated by univariate and multivariate logistic regression, then further determined by subgroup analysis. The influence of other variables was excluded by interaction analyses. Finally, the effect of EM on the prognosis of TBI patients was analysed by comparing the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and the hospital stay. Results: After screening, 86 patients were included in the EM cohort and 199 patients were included in the control cohort. There were obvious differences between the two cohorts at baseline, and these differences were eliminated after PSM, when the incidence of pneumonia was significantly lower in the EM cohort than in the control cohort (35.0% vs. 61.9%, p <.001). Multivariate logistic regression showed that EM was an independent risk factor for TBI‐related pneumonia and was significantly associated with a decreased incidence of pneumonia. This correlation was present in most subgroups and was not affected by other variables (p for interaction >.05). Patients in the EM cohort had shorter length of ICU stay (6 vs. 7 days, p =.017) and higher GCS at discharge (12 vs. 11, p =.010). Conclusion: EM is a safe and effective treatment for TBI patients in NICU, which can reduce the incidence of pneumonia, help to improve prognosis and shorten the length of ICU stay. Relevance to Clinical Practice: Although the utilization rate of EM is low in TBI patients for various reasons, EM is still an effective method to prevent complications. Our study confirms that a scientific and detailed EM strategy can effectively reduce the incidence of pneumonia while ensuring the safety of TBI patients, which is worthy of further research and clinical application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Use of food supplements (FS) by athletes is well characterised but there is little information on 'herbal' or 'botanical' FS beyond 'natural'. This study determined, by questionnaire, whether athletes' main self‐reported reason for using FS was reflective of what was written on product labels or, when these claims were unavailable, was in accordance with the scientific literature. In 217 elite (n = 55) and amateur (n = 162) athletes living on the island of Ireland, 71% (n = 153) consumed any kind of FS, with 16% (n = 34) of the entire cohort deemed botanical consumers. 'Protein' (21%, n = 46), 'vitamin D' (17%, n = 37) and 'vitamin C' (15% n = 32) were most consumed with the top reasons for use being 'to support health', 'to prevent illness/for immunity purposes' and 'recovery'. There was generally good agreement between approved nutrition and health claims for such products and athletes' main reported reasons for use. Only the amateur athletes in our pool described using botanical supplements, with reasons for use stated as 'sleep improvement' (21%), 'recovery' (14%), 'supporting health' (12%) and 'energy' (12%), resulting in poor agreement with either approved claims or scientific evidence. Only half of amateur athletes knew if their botanical FS were third‐party tested. Athletes and practitioners require guidance to avoid consuming supplements for which there is little scientific evidence, and which may risk being contaminated/fraudulent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The COVID‐19 pandemic has brought about disruptions in healthcare for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. There is a need to explore ways to promote proactive healthcare and better prepare individuals for healthcare encounters. Methods: A co‐designed tool, the COVID Check‐in Tool, was introduced as part of a virtual health education programme to encourage proactive healthcare. Implementation of this Health Check‐in was evaluated with 36 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and 96 family caregivers who completed the programme using surveys, structured interviews and focus groups. Findings: Forty‐four percent of participants engaged in the Health Check‐in process, resulting in many reported benefits for those who participated. However, there were also barriers to initiating the Check‐in, along with challenges using the COVID Check‐in Tool, according to both the adults with disabilities who were interviewed and the family caregivers. Conclusions: The study underscores the importance of considering ways to integrate tools into routine healthcare practices, to facilitate improved healthcare delivery for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities during pandemic recovery efforts. As well, involving people with lived experience in the development and implementation of healthcare resources is critical. Accessible Summary: Our team worked together to make a tool that would help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities talk to their doctor about health problems after not seeing them a lot because of the pandemic. We called this tool the 'COVID Check‐in'.Then people from our team taught online health courses about how to use the COVID Check‐in Tool and other health topics.After the courses were over, we asked 36 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and 96 family caregivers if they had a Health Check‐in with their doctor and how it went, or what problems they had with it.Almost half of the people who took the courses had a Health Check‐in and most of the people thought it was helpful. Some people did not do it or did it but had problems with it.We end the paper with some ideas of how to make it easier to check in with the doctor and why it is important to include people with disabilities and family caregivers when making healthcare tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research has mainly focused on self‐harm among women, defining what it is, what functions it has, how to manage and prevent self‐harm, and how to recover from it. A recent review of the literature on self‐harm among men concluded that research need to consider both clinical and personal aspects of recovery and pointed out the need to explore recovery from men's point of view. This study aimed to describe men's experiences of recovery in self‐harm. Data were collected in Sweden in 2020 using semi‐structured interviews. Eleven men who had recovered in self‐harm were interviewed. Interviews were analysed using an abductive approach to qualitative content analysis. The analysis involved the application of an established framework for personal recovery in mental illness: connectedness, hope, identity, meaning, and empowerment (CHIME). The analysis identified one main theme: when the time is right, and five sub‐themes: finding support in others; trusting that change is possible; getting to know yourself; reaching a new understanding; and developing new strategies to manage life. While the cessation of self‐harm might both be a sign of and contribute to recovery, it is not the defining feature of recovery. Mental health professionals should be persistent in providing person‐centred, recovery‐oriented care for men who self‐harm. The CHIME framework can be applied in the context of men's recovery in self‐harm. This study is reported in accordance with the COREQ guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As part of mental health reform in Australia, new policies were introduced to support recovery‐oriented practice; however, little has changed in hospital settings focused on managing risk and remediating acute symptoms. Previous studies have indicated that patients' experiences of personal recovery, during a hospital admission, may not mirror that of people living in the community, with patients being more likely to experience disconnection, hopelessness and disempowerment. Using a Participatory Health Research approach, eight mental health professionals, a patient advocate and an external researcher formed a research partnership to answer the question: How can staff enhance recovery‐oriented practice in a hospital‐based mental health service? The COREQ checklist was used for reporting the methods, analysis and findings. The methods comprised patient focus groups (n = 16 participants), interviews with managers (n = 7) and an online survey for staff (n = 17). Researchers analysed the feedback from the consultations using inductive thematic analysis, identifying two themes: relational recovery and recovery interventions. The findings indicate that relational recovery is key to recovery during a hospital admission and interventions that increase connectedness or reduce the impact of symptoms enhance personal recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

North Korean refugees exposed to traumatic events often experience a high recurrence of post‐traumatic stress disorder symptoms. However, a post‐traumatic growth programme has the potential to transform these traumatic events into increasing post‐traumatic growth, reduced emotional stress and enhanced well‐being. This study investigated the effects of a post‐traumatic growth promotion programme on post‐traumatic stress disorder recovery among North Korean refugees. Using a non‐equivalent control group non‐synchronised pretest–posttest design, 60 North Korean refugees who have been in South Korea for 6–8 or 12–13 years were assigned to the experimental (post‐traumatic growth promotion programme; n = 30) or control group (post‐traumatic growth promotion education brochure; n = 30). The programme comprised group sessions and discussions, each lasting 120 min/session, conducted twice a week for 5 weeks. Mindfulness, anxiety, depression, blood cortisol and post‐traumatic growth were assessed at baseline, immediately after intervention and 4 weeks after intervention. The findings showed the programme was effective in significantly increasing post‐traumatic growth and decreasing anxiety, depression and cortisol level. The two‐way analysis of variance showed a significant interaction between groups and time. Consequently, this post‐traumatic growth promotion programme can be utilised as a non‐invasive, cost‐effective and safe intervention for promoting post‐traumatic growth and well‐being among North Korean refugees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High‐risk behaviours are sometimes encountered in Child and Adolescent inpatient mental health units and can prompt the use of coercive practices to maintain safety. Coercive practices may lead to re‐traumatisation of young people and deteriorating therapeutic relationships. Trauma‐informed practice (TIP) has successfully reduced coercive practices. While education is identified as foundational to implementation, evaluations of programmes remain minimal. The aim of this study was to explore mental health professionals' views and experiences of a trauma‐informed education programme and its likely impact on their approach to practice. Five mental health professionals agreed to participate, four contributed in a focus group and one in an individual interview. Data were analysed thematically using the Braun and Clarke Framework. Three main themes were identified. Firstly, shifting attitudes and perceptions of trauma‐informed practice. Participants believed they had developed more compassion towards clients and these attitudes were reflected in their clinical practice. Secondly, challenges associated with trauma‐informed practice educational intervention. Staffing issues and shift work made it difficult for participants to attend education sessions regularly. Participants identified barriers to practicing in a trauma‐informed manner in the current clinical environment. Finally, the need for interdisciplinary communication and support was identified. Participants saw the need for all professionals, not only nurses, to take responsibility for changing practice, and for stronger support at the organisational level. Trauma‐informed practice is crucial to recovery‐focused mental health nursing practice. These findings highlight the importance of TIP education and suggest areas for further improvement to enhance positive mental health outcomes for young people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patellar tendinopathy is more prevalent in males versus female athletes and commonly presents in the medial region of the tendon. Separate measures of patellar tendon strain in the medial, central, and lateral regions of the tendon, however, have not been quantified. The purpose was to investigate the differences in tendon strain between the medial, lateral, and central regions of the patellar tendon in healthy men and women. Strain in the medial and lateral regions of the patellar tendon in healthy participants (10 males, 10 females) was evaluated using ultrasound during isometric quadriceps contractions at 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100% of maximum voluntary contraction (MVIC) in 60° and 90° of knee flexion. Central strain was also measured at 60% MVIC in 90° of knee flexion. Mixed models were used to determine strain between tendon regions and sex at 60% MVIC in 90° of knee flexion. Sequential modeling was used to fit region, sex, %MVIC, and angle to predict strain. The central region had less strain compared with both medial and lateral regions. The lateral region had higher strain compared with the medial region regardless of sex. Females had higher strain compared with males, regardless of region. Knee position did not influence tendon strain. Patellar tendon strain differs by region and sex. The varying prevalence between sex and in location of patellar tendinopathy may in part be explained by the unbalanced strains. Differential assessment of regional patellar tendon strain may be of importance for understanding injury risk and recovery with exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Individuals with acetabular dysplasia often report hip joint instability, pain, and poor hip‐related function. Periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) is a surgical procedure that aims to reposition the acetabulum to improve joint congruency and improve pain and function. We aimed to examine the influence of presurgery clinical measures on functional recovery following PAO and the associations among clinical outcomes after PAO. Methods: We screened 49 potential participants, 28 were enrolled, and 23 completed both study visits (pre‐PAO and 6 months post‐PAO). We evaluated dynamometer‐measured hip and thigh strength, loading patterns during a squat and countermovement jump (CMJ), pain intensity, and device‐measured physical activity (PA) levels (light, moderate‐to‐vigorous PA [MVPA], and daily steps). We used linear regression models to examine the influence of muscle strength (peak torque; limb symmetry index [LSI]) and loading patterns before PAO on pain intensity and PA levels in individuals 6 months following PAO. Additionally, we used Pearson correlation coefficient to examine cross‐sectional associations among all variables 6 months following PAO. Results: Lower extremity muscle strength and loading patterns during the squat and CMJ before PAO did not predict pain intensity or device‐measured PA levels in individuals 6 months following PAO (p > 0.05). Six months following PAO, higher knee extensor LSI was associated with higher time spent in MVPA (r = 0.56; p = 0.016), higher hip abductor LSI was associated with both lower pain (r = 0.50; p = 0.036) and higher involved limb loading during the squat task (r = 0.59; p = 0.010). Lastly, higher hip flexor LSI was associated with higher CMJ takeoff involved limb loading (r = 0.52; p = 0.021) and higher involved hip extensor strength was associated with higher CMJ landing involved limb loading (r = 0.56; p = 0.012). Conclusion: Six months after PAO, higher hip and thigh muscle strength and strength symmetry were associated with lower pain, higher PA levels, and greater normalized limb loading during dynamic movement tasks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate sleep‐wake behavior and gain insights into perceived impairment (sleep, fatigue, and cognitive function) of athletes competing in two international multi‐day adventure races. Twenty‐four athletes took part across two independent adventure races: Queensland, Australia and Alaska, USA. Individual sleep periods were determined via actigraphy, and racers self‐reported their perceived sleep disturbances, sleep impairment, fatigue and cognitive function. Each of these indices was calculated for pre‐, during‐ and post‐race periods. Sleep was severely restricted during the race period compared to pre‐race (Queensland, 7:46 [0:29] vs. 2:50 [1:01]; Alaska, 7:39 [0:58] vs. 2:45 [2:05]; mean [SD], hh:mm). As a result, there was a large cumulative sleep debt at race completion, which was not 'reversed' in the post‐race period (up to 1 week). The deterioration in all four self‐reported scales of perceived impairment during the race period was largely restored in the post‐race period. This is the first study to document objective sleep‐wake behaviors and subjective impairment of adventure racers, in the context of two geographically diverse, multi‐day, international adventure races. Measures of sleep deprivation indicate that sleep debt was extreme and did not recover to pre‐race levels within 1 week following each race. Despite this objective debt continuing, perceived impairment returned to pre‐race levels quickly post‐race. Therefore, further examination of actual and perceived sleep recovery is warranted. Adventure racing presents a unique scenario to examine sleep, performance and recovery. Highlights: Adventure, or expedition, racing is an ultra‐endurance sport, carried out over multiple days, which presents an extreme test of athletic performance under conditions of severe sleep restriction and deprivation. However, limited research has been conducted to examine sleep and perceived impairment of athletes who choose this sport.Using actigraphy, the team‐based nature of adventure racing was evident with severe sleep restriction synchronized between team members during the race.There was significant sleep debt accumulated across the race and was not recovered by the end of the measurement period. Furthermore, perceived impairment returned to pre‐race levels quickly after race completion, despite the remaining sleep debt objectively observed.This study posits that adventure racing presents a unique context to study sleep, performance, and recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Outcome measurement instruments (OMIs) are used to gauge the effects of treatment. In post‐stroke aphasia rehabilitation, benchmarks for meaningful change are needed to support the interpretation of patient outcomes. This study is part of a research programme to establish minimal important change (MIC) values (the smallest change above which patients perceive themselves as importantly changed) for core OMIs. As a first step in this process, the views of people with aphasia and clinicians were explored, and consensus was sought on a threshold for clinically meaningful change. Methods: Sequential mixed‐methods design was employed. Participants included people with post‐stroke aphasia and speech pathologists. People with aphasia were purposively sampled based on time post‐stroke, age and gender, whereas speech pathologists were sampled according to their work setting (hospital or community). Each participant attended a focus group followed by a consensus workshop with a survey component. Within the focus groups, experiences and methods for measuring meaningful change during aphasia recovery were explored. Qualitative data were transcribed and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. In the consensus workshop, participants voted on thresholds for meaningful change in core outcome constructs of language, communication, emotional well‐being and quality of life, using a six‐point rating scale (much worse, slightly worse, no change, slightly improved, much improved and completely recovered). Consensus was defined a priori as 70% agreement. Voting results were reported using descriptive statistics. Results: Five people with aphasia (n = 4, > 6 months after stroke; n = 5, < 65 years; n = 3, males) and eight speech pathologists (n = 4, hospital setting; n = 4, community setting) participated in one of four focus groups (duration: 92–112 min). Four themes were identified describing meaningful change as follows: (1) different for every single person; (2) small continuous improvements; (3) measured by progress towards personally relevant goals; and (4) influenced by personal factors. 'Slightly improved' was agreed as the threshold of MIC on the anchor‐rating scale (75%–92%) within 6 months of stroke, whereas after 6 months there was a trend towards supporting 'much improved' (36%–66%). Conclusion: Our mixed‐methods research with people with aphasia and speech pathologists provides novel evidence to inform the definition of MIC in aphasia rehabilitation. Future research will aim to establish MIC values for core OMIs. Patient or Public Contribution: This work is the result of engagement between people with lived experience of post‐stroke aphasia, including people with aphasia, family members, clinicians and researchers. Engagement across the research cycle was sought to ensure that the research tasks were acceptable and easily understood by participants and that the outcomes of the study were relevant to the aphasia community. This engagement included the co‐development of a plain English summary of the results. Advisors were remunerated in accordance with Health Consumers Queensland guidelines. Interview guides for clinicians were piloted by speech pathologists working in aphasia rehabilitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: StrokeLine is a stroke‐specific helpline used by stroke survivors and their families in Australia to access professional support. There has been little research exploring stroke survivors' experiences of using helplines and their perceived impact on their stroke recovery. Aim: The aim of this study is to explore the reasons prompting stroke survivors to call StrokeLine and their experiences and to describe the perceived impact of calling StrokeLine on their recovery. Methods: An exploratory descriptive qualitative study was undertaken using thematic analysis of data collected through semi‐structured interviews of stroke survivors between December 2020 and May 2022. Participants were recruited using purposive sampling. Interviews were conducted via audio‐recorded Zoom conference calling and transcribed verbatim for thematic analysis. Results: A total of eight callers (four men and women women) participated, with the time since stroke ranging from 3.5 months to 5 years. Four major themes were identified, including 17 sub‐themes. Key themes included (1) factors prompting use of StrokeLine; (2) experience of using StrokeLine; (3) perceived impact of using StrokeLine; and (4) conceptualising StrokeLine service provision. Conclusions: Participants perceived their experience of contacting StrokeLine as having a positive impact on their stroke recovery, leaving them feeling empowered and motivated to self‐manage their condition. Patient or Public Contribution: Stroke survivors with lived experience influenced the conceptualisation of this study through conversations with consumers and the Stroke Foundation. Eight stroke survivors were involved as participants in the research study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Robotic‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery (RATS) can achieve traditional clinical outcomes comparable to those of video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). However, patient‐reported outcomes (PROs) during the early period after RATS and VATS remain unclear. This study aimed to utilize longitudinal electronic PRO (ePRO) assessments to evaluate symptom burden and functional status between these approaches from patients' perspective. Methods: This study comprised patients who underwent lobectomy via RATS or VATS for non‐small cell lung cancer. We collected multiple‐time‐point PROs data from the prospective longitudinal study via an ePRO system. Symptom severity and function status were assessed using the perioperative symptom assessment for patients undergoing lung surgery and were analyzed between groups using linear mixed‐effects models. Results: Of the 164 patients, 42 underwent RATS and 122 underwent VATS. After propensity score matching (PSM), 42 RATS and 84 VATS exhibited similar baseline characteristics. During the 7‐day postoperative period, participants underwent RATS reported milder pain (p = 0.014), coughing (p < 0.001), drowsiness (p = 0.001), and distress (p = 0.045) compared with those underwent VATS. Moreover, participants in RATS group showed less functional interference with walking (p < 0.001) and general activity (p < 0.001). RATS exhibited a shorter postoperative hospitalization (p = 0.021) but higher hospital cost (p < 0.001). Meanwhile, short‐term clinical outcomes of operative time, dissected lymph node stations, chest tube drainage, and postoperative complication rates were comparable. Conclusion: PROs are important metrics for assessing patients' recovery after lobectomy. Compared with VATS, RATS may induce less symptom burden and better functional status for patients in the early postoperative period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate early structural and mechanical predictors of plantarflexor muscle strength and the magnitude of Achilles tendon (AT) nonuniform displacement at 6 and 12 months after AT rupture. Methods: Thirty‐five participants (28 males and 7 females; mean ± SD age 41.7 ± 11.1 years) were assessed for isometric plantarflexion maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) and AT nonuniformity at 6 and 12 months after rupture. Structural and mechanical AT and plantarflexor muscle properties were measured at 2 months. Limb asymmetry index (LSI) was calculated for all variables. Multiple linear regression was used with the 6 and 12 month MVC LSI and 12 month AT nonuniformity LSI as dependent variables and AT and plantarflexor muscle properties at 2 months as independent variables. The level of pre‐ and post‐injury sports participation was inquired using Tegner score at 2 and 12 months (scale 0–10, 10 = best possible score). Subjective perception of recovery was assessed with Achilles tendon total rupture score (ATRS) at 12 months (scale 0–100, 100=best possible score). Results: Achilles tendon resting angle (ATRA) symmetry at 2 months predicted MVC symmetry at 6 and 12 months after rupture (β = 2.530, 95% CI 1.041–4.018, adjusted R2 = 0.416, p = 0.002; β = 1.659, 95% CI 0.330–2.988, adjusted R2 = 0.418, p = 0.016, respectively). At 12 months, participants had recovered their pre‐injury level of sports participation (Tegner 6 ± 2 points). The median (IQR) ATRS score was 92 (7) points at 12 months. Conclusion: Greater asymmetry of ATRA in the early recovery phase may be a predictor of plantarflexor muscle strength deficits up to 1 year after rupture. Trial Registration: This research is a part of "nonoperative treatment of Achilles tendon rupture in Central Finland: a prospective cohort study" that has been registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03704532) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Few studies have explored the kinetics of performance and perceived fatigability during high‐intensity interval training, despite its popularity. We aimed to characterize the kinetics of fatigability and recovery during an 8 × 4‐min HIIT protocol, hypothesizing that most muscle function impairment would occur during the initial four intervals. Fifteen healthy males and females (mean ± standard deviation; age = 26 ± 5 years, V̇O2max = 46.8 ± 6.1 mL·kg−1·min−1) completed eight, 4‐min intervals at 105% of critical power with 3 min of rest. Maximal voluntary knee extension contractions (MVCs) coupled with electrical nerve stimulation were performed at baseline and after the first, fourth, and eighth intervals. MVC, potentiated twitch force (Pt), and Db10:100 ratio all declined throughout HIIT (p < 0.05). MVC sharply declined after interval 1 (−15 ± 9% relative to baseline; p < 0.05) and had only further declined after interval 8 (−26 ± 11%; p < 0.05), but not interval 4 (−19 ± 13%; p > 0.05). Pt and Db10:100 also sharply declined after interval 1 (Pt: −18 ± 13%, Db10:100: −14 ± 20%; p < 0.05) and further declined after interval 4 (Pt: −35 ± 19%, Db10:100: −30 ± 20%; p < 0.05) but not interval 8 (Pt: −41 ± 19%; Db10:100: −32 ± 18%; p > 0.05). Voluntary activation did not significantly change across the HIIT protocol (p > 0.05). Evoked force recovery was significantly blunted as more intervals were completed: after interval 1, Pt recovered by 7 ± 11% compared to −6 ± 7% recovery after interval 8 (p < 0.05). Ratings of perceived effort, fatigue, and leg pain rose throughout the session (p < 0.05 for each) and were greater (effort and fatigue) for females (p < 0.05). Otherwise, males and females exhibited similar performance fatigability kinetics, with contractile function declines blunted in response to additional intervals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of this project was to compare in the field conditions two strategies of re‐nutrition of children with moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) aged from 6 to 24 months, targeting the microbiota in comparison with a standard regimen. A three‐arm, open‐label, pragmatic randomised trial was conducted in four countries (Niger, CAR, Senegal and Madagascar). Children received for 12 weeks either fortified blended flour (FBF control) = arm 1, or FBF + azithromycin (oral suspension of 20 mg/kg/day daily given with a syringe) for the first 3 days at inclusion = arm 2 or mix FBF with inulin/fructo‐oligosaccharides (6 g/day if age ≥12 months and 4 g if age <12 months) = arm 3. For each arm, children aged from 6 to 11 months received 100 g x 2 per day of flours and those aged from 12 to 24 months received 100 g × 3 per day of FBF. The primary endpoint was nutritional recovery, defined by reaching a weight‐for‐height z‐score (WHZ) ≥ −1.5 within 12 weeks. Overall, 881 children were randomised (297, 290 and 294 in arm 1, arm 2 and arm 3, respectively). Three hundred and forty‐four children were males (39%) and median/mean age were 14.6/14.4 months (SD = 4.9, IQR = 10.5–18.4). At inclusion, the three arms were comparable for all criteria, but differences were observed between countries. Overall, 44% (390/881) of the children recovered at week 12 from MAM, with no significant difference between the three arms (41.4%, 45.5% and 45.9%, in arm 1, arm 2 and arm 3, respectively, p = 0.47). This study did not support the true advantages of adding a prebiotic or antibiotic to flour. When using a threshold of WHZ ≥ −2 as an exploratory endpoint, significant differences were observed between the three arms, with higher success rates in arms with antibiotics or prebiotics compared to the control arm (66.9%, 66.0% and 55.2%, respectively, p = 0.005). Key messages: Re‐nutrition of children with MAM is still a concern as the duration of recovery is always long and recurrences are frequent.Literature suggests that prebiotics and antibiotics show potentially useful properties to speed this process of recovery.However, in this open‐label study, prebiotics and antibiotics did not lead to advantages on the recovery rates defined by reaching the WHZ (−1.5) cut‐off. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Age and sex influence the risk of childhood wasting. We aimed to determine if wasting treatment outcomes differ by age and sex in children under 5 years, enroled in therapeutic and supplementary feeding programmes. Utilising data from stage 1 of the ComPAS trial, we used logistic regression to assess the association between age, sex and wasting treatment outcomes (recovery, death, default, non‐response, and transfer), modelling the likelihood of recovery versus all other outcomes. We used linear regression to calculate differences in mean length of stay (LOS) and mean daily weight gain by age and sex. Data from 6929 children from Kenya, Chad, Yemen and South Sudan was analysed. Girls in therapeutic feeding programmes were less likely to recover than boys (pooled odds ratio [OR]: 0.84, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.72–0.97, p = 0.018). This association was statistically significant in Chad (OR: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.39–0.95, p = 0.030) and Yemen (OR: 0.47, 95% CI: 0.27–0.81, p = 0.006), but not in Kenya and South Sudan. Multinomial analysis, however, showed no difference in recovery between sexes. There was no difference between sexes for LOS, but older children (24–59 months) had a shorter mean LOS than younger children (6–23 months). Mean daily weight gain was consistently lower in boys compared with girls. We found few differences in wasting treatment outcomes by sex and age. The results do not indicate a need to change current programme inclusion requirements or treatment protocols on the basis of sex or age, but future research in other settings should continue to investigate the aetiology of differences in recovery and implications for treatment protocols. Key messages: There are few differences in recovery outcomes for wasting treatment by age and sex.Though differences are small, mean daily weight gain (g/kg/day) appears to be significantly lower in boys than girls. Likewise, though differences are small, younger children (6–23 months) often have a significantly longer mean length of stay compared with older children (24–59 months).The strength of our evidence does not indicate the need to change current inclusion criteria for wasting treatment programmes on the basis of age and sex but does suggest the need for further research to understand the effects of different confounders on treatment outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we present findings from a qualitative study examining how young women experience being long‐term bedridden with myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), during childhood and adolescence. The aim is to explore how young women who fell ill with ME/CFS during childhood and adolescence look back on their lived experience of being long‐term bedridden from the vantage point of being fully or partially recovered. Informed by a phenomenological theoretical perspective, the researchers applied a narrative methodological approach involving the analysis of interviews with 13 women, aged 16–29 years at the time of the interview. Attention was particularly paid to how participants structured their narratives and to the events (telling moments) they identified as important. Four major storylines were developed: Ambivalent responses to the presence of others; A body on the edge of life; An eternity in the dark; and Recasting painful memories of being bedridden and alone. Based on our findings, we argue that the experience of being long‐term bedridden with ME/CFS during childhood and adolescence can be understood and communicated as a plot in which individuals find themselves pushed to the extreme limit of suffering and loneliness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: No previous study has examined the direct effect of occupational fatigue, inter-shift recovery and compassion competence on caring behaviours, including assurance, knowledge-skill, respect and commitment in intensive care nurses. Aim: We studied the direct effect of participating nurses' occupational fatigue, inter-shift recovery and compassion competence levels on their caring behaviours and the relationship among these variables. Study Design: This was a descriptive correlational study. All nurses who were registered members of the Turkish Intensive Care Nurses Association were invited to participate in this online survey. This study was conducted with 315 intensive care nurses using convenience sampling between April and July 2022. The data were collected using the Occupational Fatigue Exhaustion/Recovery Scale, which consists of three subscales: acute fatigue, chronic fatigue and inter-shift recovery; the Compassion Competence Scale, including communication, sensitivity and insight subscales; and the Caring Behaviours Inventory-24. In addition, a structural equation model was established using variables correlating with caring behaviours. Independent variables were occupational fatigue, inter-ship recovery and compassion competence; and the dependent variable was caring behaviours in this hypothesized model. Results: Three hundred and fifteen nurses completed the survey (315/1000) with a response rate of 31.5%. The increase in the inter-shift recovery levels of participants was statistically and positively associated with caring behaviours (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.001-0.011, β = .154 [moderate effect size], p < .05). The sub-dimensions of the Compassion Competence Scale, that is, communication (95% CI: 0.110-0.443, β = .251 [moderate effect size]) and sensitivity (95% CI: 0.084-0.427, β =.241 [moderate effect size]), were statistically and positively associated with the caring behaviours of participants (p < .05). In addition, independent variables accounted for 35% (large effect size) of the total change in caring behaviours (R² = 0.350). Conclusions: This study suggests that the high inter-shift recovery and compassion competence levels of intensive care nurses are positively associated with their caring behaviours. Relevance to Clinical Practice: Nursing managers should consider the direct effect of occupational fatigue, inter-shift recovery and the compassion competence levels of intensive care nurses on their caring behaviours to provide high-quality care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: New research in the field of psychological trauma has emphasized (a) the heterogeneity of psychological reactions after traumatic events and (b) the existence of distinct symptom trajectories. Aims: In this study, existing data on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in 66 parent-child dyads were re-examined in the light of this literature in order to establish whether a similar pattern of symptom trajectories also applies to this population. Study Design: A prospective observational cohort study. Participants' PTSD symptoms were assessed 3 and 12 months after discharge from a paediatric intensive care unit (PICU), using a short form of the Davidson Trauma Scale with parents and the Child Revised Impact of Events Scale with children aged 7-17 years. Results: Results confirmed that the majority of children (58%) and parents (46%) exhibited a 'Resilient' PTSD trajectory over the year, in the sense that their scores remained in the non-clinical range at both timepoints. Children displaying a 'Resilient' trajectory were more likely to have a parent who also displayed a 'Resilient' trajectory (p = .018). However, there was also evidence of a 'Recovery' trajectory in a significant minority in this sample and over 1 in 4 children and parents exhibited a 'Chronic' or 'Delayed' symptom trajectory. Conclusions: Although average PTSD scores reduced over time in this sample and 'Resilient' trajectories were common, a significant proportion of children and parents exhibited 'Chronic' and 'Delayed' symptom trajectories. Relevance to Clinical Practice: These results suggest that, although the majority do well, a significant number of children and family members may develop chronic or delayed symptoms of PTSD in the year following PICU discharge. The monitoring of individual family members' symptoms beyond 3 months post-discharge may help to determine those who might most benefit from further support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Return to school supports are recommended to facilitate adolescents' re‐entry to school following a concussion. However, little is known as to what school stakeholders prefer for a return‐to‐school process. This study sought to describe the preferences of high school students, parents, and educators for a Return‐to‐School Framework for adolescents following a concussion. Methods: We conducted qualitative semi‐structured, 1‐on‐1 or group interviews with high school students (n = 6), parents (n = 5), and educators (n = 15) from Calgary, Canada. Interviews aimed to describe participants' preferences for a Return‐to‐School Framework for students following a concussion. Interviews were analyzed using conventional content analysis. Results: We organized the data into 4 main themes: (1) purpose of the Return‐to‐School Framework; (2) format and operation of the Return‐to‐School Framework; (3) communication about a student's concussion; and (4) necessity of concussion education for students and educators. Implications for School Health Policy, Practice, and Equity: A Return‐to‐School Framework following concussion should be developed in consultation with families, educators, and students and supports should be tailored to each student. Conclusions: Participants preferred a standardized and consistent Return‐to‐School Framework including ongoing communication between stakeholders as well as feasible and individualized school supports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integrating the dualistic model of passion in the recovery literature, the present study investigates how playing video games after work hours can facilitate recovery from work stress. We predicted that passion for gaming would relate to gaming more hours in the evening. Next, we hypothesized that playing video games in the evening would relate to (a) feeling recovered the next morning through psychological detachment and (b) feeling vigorous the next morning through mastery experiences while gaming. We further hypothesized that harmonious passion would strengthen, and obsessive passion would weaken the links between gaming hours and (a) psychological detachment and (b) mastery. In total, 65 employees filled in short questionnaires in the mornings and evenings of at least five workdays (total n = 502). Results of multilevel hierarchical regression analyses supported the proposed mediation model, indicating that playing video games indeed helps replenish energy resources during leisure time. Findings additionally showed that gaming also predicted feeling recovered in the morning through mastery experiences. Players with a harmonious passion may benefit more from playing video games; harmonious (but not obsessive) passion strengthened the relationship between gaming and mastery experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates shifts in the modality of addiction recovery communities from person‐to‐person interactions to virtual platforms in the context of the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic. Our study involves members of the Oxford House recovery homes (n = 284), a major network of recovery‐supportive housing in the United States and abroad. Many residents participate in 12‐step meetings during their stay, traditionally conducted in‐person, but due to physical distancing regulations, many of these meetings transitioned to virtual platforms. We collected cross‐sectional survey data focusing on user perceptions of virtual 12‐step meetings in terms of accessibility, cost, convenience, support network strength and recovery network quality. Our study found significant differences in perceptions among different demographic groups, suggesting challenges in transitioning recovery support to online platforms. Notably, participants aged 46 and older showed a greater propensity to use online recovery forums and found online meetings convenient. Non‐White individuals and women demonstrated a more favourable perception of online meetings—a trend that also held true among those with at least some college education. Furthermore, the results show that those who initiated their recovery prior to the COVID‐19 lockdown viewed online methods more favourably, particularly in terms of accessibility and cost. Our data also revealed that participants who were categorically involved in 12‐step recovery (Alcoholics Anonymous/Narcotics Anonymous) demonstrated a more positive perception of online methods in terms of the strength of social networks and social support quality, despite some resistance to virtual transition and maintaining focus. Further research is needed to understand these nuanced impacts and develop strategies to enhance the effectiveness of online recovery meetings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Treatment of anorexia nervosa (AN) sometimes requires hospitalisation, which is often lengthy, with little ability to predict individual trajectory. Depicting specific profiles of treatment response and their clinical predictors could be beneficial to tailor inpatient management. The aim of this research was to identify clusters of weight recovery during inpatient treatment, and their clinical predictors. Methods: A sample of 181 inpatients who completed a treatment programme for AN was included in a retrospective study. A latent class mixed model approach was used to identify distinct weight‐gain trajectories. Clinical variables were introduced in a multinomial logistic regression model as predictors of the different classes. Results: A four‐class quadratic model was retained, able to correctly classify 63.7% of the cohort. It encompassed a late‐rising, flattening, moderate trajectory of body mass index (BMI) increase (class 1), a late‐rising, steady, high trajectory (class 2), an early‐rising, flattening, high trajectory (class 3) and an early‐rising, steady, high trajectory (class 4). Significant predictors of belonging to a class were baseline BMI (all classes), illness duration (class 2), and benzodiazepine prescription (class 3). Conclusion: Predicting different kinetics of weight recovery based on routinely collected clinical indicators could improve clinician awareness and patient engagement by enabling shared expectations of treatment response. Highlights: Treatment of anorexia nervosa lacks tailored strategies to optimise individual patients' management.Latent class mixed model approach is a promising strategy to analyse treatment response as a dynamic entity.Baseline body mass index, duration of illness and benzodiazepine prescription are significant indicators of distinct weight recovery profiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Persistent microvascular obstruction (MVO) after successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) has been well‐described. MVO predicts lack of recovery of left ventricular function and increased mortality. Sonothrombolysis utilizing diagnostic ultrasound induced cavitation of commercially available microbubble contrast has been effective at reducing infarct size and improving left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) when performed both pre‐ and post‐PCI. However, the effectiveness of post‐PCI sonothrombolysis alone after successful PCI has not been demonstrated. Methods: A prospective randomized controlled trial was performed in 50 consecutive consenting patients with anterior STEMI who underwent a continuous microbubble infusion immediately following successful PCI. Intermittent high mechanical index (MI) impulses were applied only in the sonthrombolysis group. Delayed enhancement magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed at 48 h and again at 6–8 weeks to assess for differences in infarct size, LVEF, and MVO. Results: There were no differences between groups in age, gender, and cardiovascular risk factors. Significant (> 2 segments) MVO following successful PCI was observed in 66% of patients. Although sonothrombolysis reduced the extent of MVO acutely, there were no differences in infarct size, LVEF, or extent of MVO by MRI at 48 h. Twenty‐eight patients returned for a follow up MRI at 6–8 weeks. LVEF improved only in the sonothrombolysis group (∆LVEF 7.81 ± 4.57% with sonothrombolysis vs. 1.77 ± 7.02% for low MI only, p =.011). Conclusion: Post‐PCI sonothrombolysis had minimal effect on reducing myocardial infarct size but improved left ventricular systolic function in patients with acute anterior wall STEMI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To develop and validate the Insomnia in Response to Sports‐related Stress Test (IRSST) questionnaire, a new specific instrument with the goal of sensitively measuring vulnerability to sport‐specific stressful situations among elite athletes. Five hundred and thirty‐one competitive elite athletes (mean age = 17.6 ± 4.4 years) completed the Ford Insomnia Response to Stress Test (FIRST) questionnaire and the IRSST, a six‐item questionnaire developed to assess the level of sleep disturbance in response to the commonly experienced sport‐specific stressful situations. A development and validation process including substantive, structural, and external stages was used in the present study. One eigenvalue of the exploratory factor analyses was greater than 1.0 (i.e., 2.91, 48.52% of explained variance) whereas the scree test provided evidence for a one‐factor solution, with all the six items achieving a loading of 0.40 or higher on the factor. Cronbach alpha was 0.77 and provided evidence for the reliability of the IRSST score. The correlation between IRSST and FIRST scores was 0.47 (p < 0.001, moderate effect size). These results provide strong evidence for construct validity, indicating that the IRSST is a promising scale for assessing the likelihood of sleep disruption due to sports‐related stressful situations. The results of reliability and correlational analyses provided further evidence of the promising psychometric properties of the IRSST. We believe that the IRSST could provide to the sport and sleep science communities a sleep screening tool for use in this unique population. Highlights: The Insomnia in Response to Sports‐related Stress Test (IRSST) questionnaire is a promising new specific instrument for assessing the likelihood of sleep disruption due to sports‐related stressful situationsThe IRSST could provide to the sport and sleep science communities a sleep screening tool for use in the unique population of competitive elite athletesThe IRSST can be used to identify athletes with sleep difficulties related to sports‐specific stressful situations (e.g., training, competition, injury) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This novel study sought to understand lived experience and carer perspectives on the use of adaptive trials to evaluate interventions for eating disorders, in addition to understanding the factors and outcomes of most importance in eating disorder research and treatments from a lived experience perspective. Method: A total of 73 people with either lived or carer experience consented, 70 started the questionnaire, and 36 (51%) completed all questions. Participants were asked Likert scale and open‐ended questions to understand what factors and outcomes of eating disorder interventions were most important to them and understand their pre‐existing knowledge of clinical trials. Two videos were then used to explain randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and adaptive trials and participants were asked their opinions, including perceived benefits and concerns, of each trial type. Results: The thematic analysis found two key themes regarding factors important in eating disorder treatment: Person‐centred care and Evidence‐based and effective treatment; and two key themes regarding outcomes of treatment: Sustained, full recovery and The bigger picture. Both RCTs and adaptive trials were viewed favorably, however, there was a slight preference for adaptive trials. Key themes for both demonstrated perceived benefits and ethical, practical, and scientific considerations unique to each. Discussion: Findings demonstrate the support of adaptive trials in eating disorder interventions from people with lived experience and their carers. It is recommended that researchers consider the use of adaptive designs and the incorporation of lived experience perspectives when designing future intervention trials. Public Significance: This novel study found that the use of adaptive trials in eating disorder intervention research is supported by people with lived experience and carers. Furthermore, the factors and outcomes of most importance to participants in this study are comparable to those previously identified in the emerging literature. The use of adaptive designs and the incorporation of lived experience are recommended in further clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The ability to self‐advocate or have a say in one's care is integral to personalised care after acquired brain injury (ABI). This study aimed to understand what constitutes self‐advocacy and associated barriers and facilitators throughout hospital transitions and into the community. Method: Qualitative methodology was employed with semistructured interviews conducted with 12 people with ABI and 13 family members. Interviews were conducted at predischarge (in‐person or via telephone) and 4 months postdischarge (via telephone) from the brain injury rehabilitation unit of a tertiary hospital. Data were thematically analysed using a hybrid deductive–inductive approach. Results: Self‐advocacy reflects the process of reclaiming agency or people's efforts to exert influence over care decisions after ABI. Agency varies along a continuum, often beginning with impaired processing of the self or environment (loss of agency) before individuals start to understand and question their care (emerging agency) and ultimately plan and direct their ongoing and future care (striving for agency). This process may vary across individuals and contexts. Barriers to self‐advocacy for individuals with ABI include neurocognitive deficits that limit capacity and desire for control over decisions, unfamiliar and highly structured environments and lack of family support. Facilitators include neurocognitive recovery, growing desire to self‐advocate and scaffolded support from family and clinicians. Conclusion: Self‐advocacy after ABI entails a process of reclaiming agency whereby individuals seek to understand, question and direct their ongoing care. This is facilitated by neurocognitive recovery, growing capacity and desire and scaffolded supports. Research evaluating approaches for embedding self‐advocacy skills early in brain injury rehabilitation is recommended. Patient or Public Contribution: Two caregivers with lived experience of supporting a family member with ABI were involved in the design and conduct of this study and contributed to and provided feedback on the manuscript. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Therapists have long observed a phenomenon referred to as the 'revolving door' of mental health services, in which individuals often develop, seek treatment for, and recover from multiple mental illnesses across their life. However, this has not been systematically examined. If this phenomenon is widespread, one would expect that the number of lifetime disorders would exceed that of current disorders. The aim of this meta- analysis was to test this hypothesis. Methods: A search was conducted of the following databases: MEDLINE, PsycINFO and Web of Science. In total, 38 studies were included in the current review; 27 of these contained sufficient quantitative data to be included in the meta- analysis, addressing the primary research aim. The remaining 11 studies were included in the systematic review only. Results: Meta- analyses of the 27 studies indicated that the average number of lifetime disorders was 1.84 times that of current disorders. Previous treatment significantly moderated this relationship, while the clinical nature of the sample did not. Examination of the remaining studies revealed common temporal sequences, indicating disorders which typically develop first or consequently to other disorders. Conclusions: These findings provide support for the revolving door of mental illness, suggesting a need for transdiagnostic treatments and broader conceptualisation of relapse prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Repolarization dispersion in the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) contributes to the type‐1 electrocardiographic (ECG) phenotype of Brugada syndrome (BrS), while data on the significance and feasibility of mapping repolarization dispersion in BrS patients are scarce. Moreover, the role of endocardial repolarization dispersion in BrS is poorly investigated. We aimed to assess endocardial repolarization patterns through an automated calculation of activation recovery interval (ARI) estimated on unipolar electrograms (UEGs) in spontaneous type‐1 BrS patients and controls; we also investigated the relation between ARI and right ventricle activation time (RVAT), and T‐wave peak‐to‐end interval (Tpe) in BrS patients. Methods: Patients underwent endocardial high‐density electroanatomical mapping (HDEAM); BrS showing an overt type‐1 ECG were defined as OType1, while those without (latent type‐1 ECG and LType1) received ajmaline infusion. BrS patients only underwent programmed ventricular stimulation (PVS). Data were elaborated to obtain ARI corrected with the Bazett formula (ARIc), while RVAT was derived from activation maps. Results: 39 BrS subjects (24 OType1 and 15 LTtype1) and 4 controls were enrolled. OType1 and post‐ajmaline LType1 showed longer mean ARIc than controls (306 ± 27.3 ms and 333.3 ± 16.3 ms vs. 281.7 ± 10.3 ms, p = .05 and p < .001, respectively). Ajmaline induced a significant prolongation of ARIc compared to pre‐ajmaline LTtype1 (333.3 ± 16.3 vs. 303.4 ± 20.7 ms, p < .001) and OType1 (306 ± 27.3 ms, p < .001). In patients with type‐1 ECG (OTtype1 and post‐ajmaline LType1) ARIc correlated with RVAT (r = .34, p = .04) and Tpec (r = .60, p < .001), especially in OType1 subjects (r = .55, p = .008 and r = .65 p < .001, respectively). Conclusion: ARIc mapping demonstrates increased endocardial repolarization dispersion in RVOT in BrS. Endocardial ARIc positively correlates with RVAT and Tpec, especially in OType1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Delayed structural and functional recovery after a 20 km graded running race was analyzed with respect to the sex effect. Method s : Thirteen female and 14 male recreational runners completed the race and three test sessions: one before (PRE) and two after, once on Day 1 or 2 (D1‐2) and then on Day 3 or 4 (D3‐4). Muscle damage was assessed indirectly using ultrasonography to quantify changes in cross‐sectional area (CSA) of 10 lower‐limb muscles. Delayed onset of muscle soreness (DOMS) was assessed for three muscle groups. Functional recovery was quantified by kinetic analysis of a squat jump (SJ) and a drop jump (DJ) test performed on a sledge ergometer. Linear mixed models were used to assess control group reproducibility and recovery patterns according to sex. Results: Regardless of sex, DOMS peaked at D1‐2 for all muscle groups and resolved at D3‐4. CSA was increased in each muscle group until D3‐4, especially in the semimembranosus muscle. A specific increase was found in the short head of the biceps femoris in women. Regardless of sex, SJ and DJ performances declined up to D3‐4. Depending on the muscle, positive and/or negative correlations were found between structural and functional changes. Some of these were sex‐specific. Conclusion: Structural and functional recovery was incomplete in both sexes up to D3‐4, although DOMS had disappeared. More emphasis should be placed on hamstring muscle recovery. Highlighting the intermuscular compensations that can occur during multi‐joint testing tasks, the structural‐functional relationships were either positive or negative, muscle‐ and sex‐dependent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research acknowledges Sports‐Related Concussion (SRC) is acutely deleterious to academic ability, but no tool has been validated to measure the effect of SRC on academic ability. The sutdy aimed to establish if the Revised Perceived Academic Impact Tool (PAIT2) is reliable and valid for assessing academic impairment following an SRC. Non‐concussed, healthy student‐athletes in higher education were recruited to the control group and completed the PAIT2 at day 0, 2, 4, 8, 14 and 19. The concussed group consisted of higher education student‐athletes participating in rugby union. The concussed group completed the PAIT2 at baseline screening during pre‐season, day 2, 4, 8 and 14 following an SRC and at return‐to‐play. The PAIT2 asks participants to rate their perceived ability on 23 academic tasks on a statement scored on a 0–6 Likert scale. Repeated measurements from the healthy group (n = 25) demonstrated PAIT2 has good internal validity (χ2(25) = 2.128 and p = 0.712) and reliability (0.880 [95% CI: 0.785–0.941]). A change of 4.631 (80% CI) can be used to indicate if academic impairment is present following an SRC. PAIT2 identified 96% of concussed student‐athletes with academic impairment at day 2, 92% at day 4, 85.71% at day 8 and 92% at day 14 and 19. PAIT2 has good reliability and internal validity for detecting those with academic impairment following SRC. The use of this tool may be of assistance to clinicians when managing student‐athletes return to learn. Highlights: No previous studies have used an assessment tool to measure perceived academic ability during the acute phase of a Sports‐Related Concussion (SRC). The Revised Perceived Academic Impairment Tool (PAIT2) may fill this void but has not been validated or its reliability established.The concussed group had significantly worse self‐perceived academic performance at day 2, but not by day 4, indicating perceived academic ability recovers by 4 days following an SRC.The PAIT2 had good validity and reliability and was able to detect 96.00%, 92.00% and 85.71% of concussed student‐athletes with academic impairment at day 2, 4, 8 and 14 days post‐SRC.Other measures, such as academic time loss or the Immediate Post Concussion Test, were not superior for detecting academic impairment, but the use of this with PAIT2 was superior for ruling out academic impairment rather than just the PAIT2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Poor sleep quality is associated with multiple factors in cardiac surgery patients. Aim: To examine the trajectory of sleep quality and its associated factors over 3 months in Taiwanese patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Study Design: A longitudinal study. This study enrolled 95 patients undergoing cardiac surgery in northern Taiwan. Sleep quality was measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Epworth Sleepiness Scale before surgery, at discharge, and at 1 month and 3 months postsurgery. Results: The majority of participants reported poor sleep quality before cardiac surgery (76.8%) and at discharge (81.6%), and they showed significant improvements in sleep quality at 1 month (B = −0.93, p =.023) and 3 months postsurgery (B = −1.50, p <.001). Significant daytime sleepiness was reported by 25.3% of patients before cardiac surgery, and this proportion significantly decreased at 3 months postsurgery (B = −2.59, p <.001). The significant predictors of sleep quality in cardiac surgery patients were symptom distress, sleep medications, occupation, left ventricular ejection fraction, ACE‐I drugs and potassium ions, which explained 53.7% of the total variance in sleep quality. Having a nap habit was an independent predictor of daytime sleepiness in cardiac surgery patients, which could explain 3.7% of the total variation. Conclusion: Poor sleep quality was common in patients undergoing cardiac surgery and was associated with multiple factors, including symptom distress, cardiac function, medications, and psychosocial and environmental factors. Relevance to Clinical Practice: Poor sleep quality was observed in cardiac surgical patients before surgery and at discharge postsurgery. Patient education on symptom management, medication adherence and sleep hygiene are suggested to improve sleep quality in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Hepatitis C virus (HCV)/HIV co‐infection has been identified as a risk for impaired CD4+ T‐cell recovery, possibly mediated by HCV‐induced liver fibrosis and/or immune activation. As HCV direct‐acting antivirals (DAAs) may partially reverse liver fibrosis and immune activation, sustained HCV virological response (SVR) may lead to improved CD4 recovery. We explored the effect of HCV DAA‐induced SVR on CD4 recovery among patients living with both HCV and HIV, including those with poor CD4 recovery on antiretroviral therapy (immunological non‐responders [INRs]). Methods: Subjects aged ≥18 years living with both HIV and HCV who achieved SVR with DAA were included. Pre‐DAA CD4 counts were included only after sustained HIV viral suppression and HIV viral suppression was maintained for the duration of the study. Segmented regression of interrupted time series analysis was used to evaluate changes in median CD4 count in the pre‐DAA period (−36 months) versus the post‐DAA period (+36 months). Results: In total, 156 patients were included. In the full cohort, median CD4 counts increased by 15% (p = 0.002) in the 6‐month period following DAA initiation, whereafter CD4 counts decreased by 2.7% per 6‐month period (p = 0.004). Among the 13 INRs, there was no immediate effect on median CD4 in the first 6 months after DAA initiation, whereafter there was a sustained CD4 increase (4.1% per 6‐month time interval [p = 0.02]). In total, 54% of INRs recorded a post‐DAA CD4 count of >350 cells/mm3. Conclusions: Successful DAA therapy induced a modest immediate CD4 immunological reconstitution among this cohort of patients living with both HIV and HCV, although this effect waned with time. By contrast, among INRs, achieving HCV SVR led to slower but sustained CD4 count recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Smartphone applications (i.e., apps) designed to target mental health symptoms have received increasing public and empirical attention, including in eating disorder|eating disorders (EDs) treatment. While some data have begun to characterise app users in non‐controlled settings, there is limited information on use of apps in higher levels of care (e.g., partial hospitalisation or residential treatment programs) for EDs. Method: This study aimed to explore metrics of use while in treatment for a commonly used ED‐focused mobile app (Recovery Record) among individuals enroled in intensive outpatient, partial hospitalisation, residential, or inpatient treatments (N = 2042). Results: Results indicated that older individuals and participants with binge eating disorder demonstrated more frequent app engagement compared to younger participants and other ED diagnoses, respectively. Individuals entering at intensive outpatient and partial hospitalisation levels of care, as well as those with routine discharges engaged more frequently with RR compared to individuals entering in inpatient or residential treatment, and those with non‐routine discharges. Conclusions: Our data provide initial descriptions of how RR may be used within higher levels of care for adults with EDs. Further work is needed to establish the benefit of these apps in clinical settings for EDs over and above standard treatment, better characterise for whom these apps provide benefit, and identify how best to tailor the experience to promote engagement across the full spectrum of ED patients. Key points: We characterised naturalistic use of a mobile app in a sample of adults seeing treatment at higher levels of care.Older individuals and those with binge eating disorder (BED) demonstrated more app engagement.Those entering at more intensive levels of care and those discharged administratively had less app engagement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Risk management which assesses and mitigates risks such as suicide and violence is under scrutiny, particularly within psychiatric inpatient settings. Restrictive practices, which result from risk assessment, such as observations, physical restraint and ward seclusion can impact negatively on patient recovery, hindering abilities to develop a meaningful life that emphasizes purpose, hope and autonomy, despite experiencing mental distress. Yet, less is known about the impact from the patient's perspective when first admitted to hospital, a period which among other reasons may come with increasing risk management practices owing to the clinical uncertainties about patient risks. In this grounded theory study, we explore the impact on recovery, interviewing 15 adult participants with patient experiences of being in an acute hospital. The main theme of the study, termed a core category with a grounded theory, was identified as "ontological insecurity of inattentiveness". This highlighted a staff inattentiveness with involving patients with risk management and explaining the purposes of the practice, which raised insecurities about what was happening to the patients when admitted to hospital. Four subcategories support the core category; discounting the patients' experiences to gain a meaningful grasp of risk management, ambiguity about risk management rules, particularly the reasons around their use, forebodingness to the hospital environment and, management from afar, with patients feeling scrutinized from observations without a voice to offer different views. It is hoped these findings will add to the field of patient involvement in psychiatric inpatient settings, proposing attempts to raise understanding and inclusivity of risk management, starting when first admitted to hospital. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In Football, the high‐intensity running bouts during matches are considered decisive. Interestingly, recent studies showed that peak fat oxidation rates (PFO) are higher in football players than other athletes. This study aimed to investigate whether PFO increases following a pre‐season. Secondarily, and due to COVID‐19, we investigated whether PFO is related to the physical performance in a subgroup of semi‐professional male football players. Methods: Before and after 8 weeks of pre‐season training, 42 sub‐elite male football players (18 semi‐professionals and 24 non‐professionals) had a dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry scan and performed a graded exercise test on a treadmill for the determination of PFO, the exercise intensity eliciting PFO (Fatmax) and peak oxygen uptake (V̇O2peak). Additionally, the semi‐professional players performed a Yo‐Yo Intermittent Recovery Test level 2 (YYIR2) before and after pre‐season training to determine football‐specific running performance. Results: PFO increased by 11 ± 10% (mean ± 95% CI), p = 0.031, and V̇O2peak increased by 5 ± 1%, p < 0.001, whereas Fatmax was unchanged (+12 ± 9%, p = 0.057), following pre‐season training. PFO increments were not associated with increments in V̇O2peak (Pearson's r2 = 0.00, p = 0.948) or fat‐free mass (FFM) (r2 = 0.00, p = 0.969). Concomitantly, YYIR2 performance increased in the semi‐professional players by 39 ± 17%, p < 0.001, which was associated with changes in V̇O2peak (r2 = 0.35, p = 0.034) but not PFO (r2 = 0.13, p = 0.244). Conclusions: PFO, V̇O2peak, and FFM increased following pre‐season training in sub‐elite football players. However, in a subgroup of semi‐professional players, increments in PFO were not associated with improvements in YYIR2 performance nor with increments in V̇O2peak and FFM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: There is a lack of consensus in defining "significant weight loss" when diagnosing atypical anorexia nervosa (atypical AN) and no guidelines exist for setting target weight (TW). The current study aimed to identify community providers' practices related to the diagnosis of atypical AN and the determination of TW. A secondary aim was to evaluate whether professional discipline impacted "significant weight loss" definitions. Method: A variety of providers (N = 141; 96.4% female) completed an online survey pertaining to diagnostic and treatment practices with atypical AN. Descriptive statistics were computed to characterize provider‐based practices and Fisher's exact tests were used to test for differences in diagnostic practices by professional discipline. Thematic analysis was used to examine open‐ended questions. Results: Most (63.97%) providers diagnosed atypical AN in the absence of any weight loss if other AN criteria were met, but doctoral‐level psychologists and medical professionals were less likely to do so compared to nutritional or other mental health professionals. Most providers found weight gain was only sometimes necessary for atypical AN recovery. Qualitative responses revealed providers found atypical AN to be a stigmatizing label that was not taken seriously. Providers preferred to use an individualized approach focused on behaviors, rather than weight when diagnosing and treating atypical AN. Discussion: Lack of diagnostic clarity and concrete treatment guidelines for atypical AN may result in substantial deviations from the DSM‐5‐TR criteria in real‐world practice. Clinically useful diagnostic definitions for restrictive eating disorders and evidence‐based treatment guidelines for TW and/or other relevant recovery metrics are needed. Public Significance: The current study found variability in how community providers diagnose and determine target recovery weight for atypical anorexia nervosa (atypical AN). Many providers viewed the diagnosis of atypical AN as stigmatizing and preferred to focus on behaviors, rather than weight. This study underscores the importance of creating a clinically useful diagnostic definition and guidelines for recovery for atypical AN backed by empirical evidence that providers may implement in practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Best practice guidelines for the recovery and return to work (RTW) of people with mental disorders recommend access to the services of an interdisciplinary team combining pharmacological, psychological and work rehabilitation interventions. In the Canadian context, primary healthcare services are responsible for providing these services for people with common mental disorders, such as depressive or anxiety disorders. However, not everyone has easy access to these recommended primary healthcare services, and previous studies suggest that multiple personal, practice‐related and organizational factors can influence the patient's journey. Moreover, previous studies documented that family physicians often work in silos and lack the knowledge and time needed to effectively manage by themselves patients' occupational health. Thus, the care and service trajectories of these patients are often suboptimal and can have important consequences on the person's recovery and RTW. Objective and Population Studied: Our study aimed to gain a better understanding of the patient journeys and the factors influencing their access to and experience with primary healthcare services while they were on sick leave due to a common mental disorder. Methods: A descriptive qualitative research design was used to understand and describe these factors. Conventional content analysis was used to analyze the verbatim. Results: Five themes describe the main factors that influenced the patient's journey of the 14 participants of this study: (1) the fragmented interventions provided by family physicians; (2) patients' autonomy in managing their own care; (3) the attitude and case management provided by the insurer, (4) the employer's openness and understanding and (5) the match between the person's needs and their access to psychosocial and rehabilitation services. Conclusions: Our findings highlight important gaps in the collaborative practices surrounding the management of mental health‐related sick leave, the coordination of primary healthcare services and the access to work rehabilitation services. Occupational therapists and other professionals can support family physicians in managing sick leaves, strengthen interprofessional and intersectoral collaboration and ensure that patients receive needed services in a timelier manner no matter their insurance coverage or financial needs. Patients of Public Contribution: This study aimed at looking into the perspective of people who have lived or are currently experiencing a sick leave related to a mental health disorder to highlight the factors which they feel hindered their recovery and RTW. Additionally, two patient partners were involved in this study and are now engaged in the dissemination of the research results and the pursuit of our team research programme to improve services delivered to this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Following stroke, a sense of well‐being is critical for quality of life. However, people living with stroke, and health professionals, suggest that well‐being is not sufficiently addressed within stroke services, contributing to persistent unmet needs. Knowing that systems and structures shape clinical practice, this study sought to understand how health professionals address well‐being, and to examine how the practice context influences care practice. Methods: Underpinned by Interpretive Description methodology, we interviewed 28 health professionals across multiple disciplines working in stroke services (acute and rehabilitation) throughout New Zealand. Data were analysed using applied tension analysis. Results: Health professionals are managing multiple lines of work in stroke care: biomedical work of investigation, intervention and prevention; clinical work of assessment, monitoring and treatment; and moving people through service. While participants reported working to support well‐being, this could be deprioritised amidst the time‐oriented pressures of the other lines of work that were privileged within services, rendering it unsupported and invisible. Conclusion: Stroke care is shaped by biomedical and organisational imperatives that privilege physical recovery and patient throughput. Health professionals are not provided with the knowledge, skills, time or culture of care that enable them to privilege well‐being within their work. This has implications for the well‐being of people with stroke, and the well‐being of health professionals. In making these discourses and culture visible, and tracing how these impact on clinical practice, we hope to provide insight into why well‐being work remains other to the 'core' work of stroke, and what needs to be considered if stroke services are to better support people's well‐being. Patient or Public Contributions: People with stroke, family members and people who provide support to people with stroke, and health professionals set priorities for this research. They advised on study conduct and have provided feedback on wider findings from the research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Atrioventricular block (AVB) secondary to transient causes can recover with its correction. However, studies assessing predictors of recovery and long‐term recurrence are lacking. Methods: Patients with advanced or complete AVB who had a reversible cause admitted in a single expert center were retrospectively studied. Patients with AVB secondary to acute coronary syndromes were excluded from analysis. Results: In a population of 162 patients, the main factors associated with recovery of rhythm without a permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation were the presence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) on dialysis (OR 7.6; CI 95% 1.2–47.5 (p =.03)); greater serum potassium levels (OR 2.3; CI 95% 1.28–4.0 (p <.01)), higher dosage of bradycardic drugs (OR 2.2; CI 95% 1.13–4.4 (p =.02)), the association between different bradycardic drugs (OR 9.0; CI 95% 2.02–40.3 (p <.01)) and between drug therapy and hyperkaliemia (OR 5.2; CI 95% 1.8–15.1 (p <.01)). There was an overall high burden of conductions abnormalities which did not correlate with recovery of rhythm (OR 0.5; CI 95% 0.19–1.5 (p =.23)). In 29 patients (17.9%) there was a correction of the AVB. During a maximum follow‐up of 130 months, 24 patients (82.8%) had a recurrence which warranted a PPM. In the overall cohort only five patients (3%) had sustained recovery of rhythm. Conclusions: Recovery of AVB was mainly observed with higher doses of drug therapy, higher serum potassium levels or a combination of factors and regardless of baseline conduction abnormalities. The high rate of recurrence during follow‐up warrants a close follow‐up or PPM implantation at index admission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People who inject drugs (PWID) are at an increased risk of multimorbid mental health and chronic diseases, which are frequently underdiagnosed and under‐treated due to systemic barriers and ongoing substance use. Healthcare engagement is essential to address these conditions and prevent excess morbidity and mortality. The goal of this study was to understand how PWID engage in care for their chronic health conditions and substance use treatment given the known historic and pervasive barriers. We conducted 24 semistructured qualitative interviews informed by the Behavioral Model for Vulnerable Populations between July–September 2019. Participants were sampled across a range of comorbidities, including co‐occurring mental health disorders. Thematic analysis was conducted to explore experiences of healthcare engagement for multimorbid chronic diseases, mental health, and treatment for substance use disorder. Mean age for participants was 58 years; 63% reported male sex and 83% reported Black race. Interviews yielded themes regarding healthcare access and wraparound services, positive patient–provider relationships, service integration for substance use treatment and mental health, healthcare needs alignment, medication of opioid use disorder stigma, and acceptance of healthcare. Taken together, participants described how these themes enabled healthcare engagement. Engagement in care is crucial to support health and recovery. Clinical implications include the importance of strengthening patient–provider relationships, encouraging integration of medical and mental health services, and counseling on substance use treatment options in a non‐ stigmatizing manner. Additionally, policy to reimburse wrap‐around support for substance use recovery can improve care engagement and outcomes related to chronic diseases, mental health, and substance use among PWID. No Patient or Public Contribution: While we acknowledge and thank ALIVE participants for their time for data collection and sharing their perspectives, no ALIVE participants, other people who use drugs, and service users were involved in data collection, analysis or interpretation of data, or in preparation of the manuscript. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the high risks of postoperative complications brought on by gastric cancer, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as a commonly used therapy, has exerted its vital role in postoperative recovery care. In this sense, this meta‐analysis was conducted to explore the related documents about TCM's impact on gastric cancer postoperative recovery. During the research, we explored a total of 1549 results from databases PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Embase, Cochrane Library and Web of Science (WoS). Thirty‐two clinical randomized trials (RCTs) were then selected and analysed for this meta‐analysis by using the software RevMan 5.4 (under PRISMA 2020 regulations), with a population of 3178 patients. Data prove that TCM therapy reduced the risks for postoperative complications exposure by an estimated average of 19% (95% CI). Among the complications, TCM therapy suppressed the risks of wound infection and incisional infections by 53% and 48% respectively. Meanwhile, the patient's wound healing duration exhibited a significant reduction compared to those without TCM treatment, with a difference at around 0.74 days (95% CI). TCM also exerted its potential to strengthen the patient's immune and health conditions, leading to a significantly promoted gastrointestinal function in the patients with a shorter duration to release first exhaustion and defecation compared to those with no TCM therapy. In addition, similar promoted phenomena also exist in those patients with TCM therapy in terms of their immunity and nutritional conditions. These facts all indicate a positive impact of TCM therapy in clinical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The most prevalent form of cardiac arrhythmia is atrial fibrillation (AF), which is typically managed through catheter ablation or anti‐arrhythmic drug therapy. We compared the incidence and outcomes of wound complications in patients with atrial fibrillation who were treated with catheter ablation as opposed to anti‐arrhythmic drug therapy. From May to November 2023, 240 adult AF patients who were treated with catheter ablation or anti‐arrhythmic medications participated in a 6‐month retrospective cohort study at Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital in Hangzhou, China. An observation was made regarding 29 wound complications out of 240 patients. In comparison to drug therapy group, incidence of minor (8 vs. 11) and total complications (18 vs. 11) was greater in catheter ablation group. Significant adverse events occurred at higher rate in the catheter ablation group (6 versus 1) (p < 0.05). However, despite these patterns, there was no statistically significant difference in the rates of complications (total: p = 0.245; minor: p = 0.217; major: p = 0.128). Comparable treatment efficacy was observed across groups. In contrast to drug therapy, catheter ablation was associated with decreased probability of complications (odds ratio: 0.86), as determined by logistic regression; cardiac failure was a significant predictor of adverse outcomes. The study concluded that the risks of wound complications associated with catheter ablation and anti‐arrhythmic drug therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation are comparable. Notwithstanding an elevated propensity for complications in ablation group, the statistical analysis indicated comparable safety profiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Echocardiographic guidance in left atrial appendage (LAA) closure procedures is increasingly recognized for its potential to enhance patient outcomes in atrial fibrillation (AF). This retrospective study assesses its impact on hospital stay duration, readmission rates and surgical site wound complications in 200 AF patients. Divided equally into an echocardiographically guided group (Group E) and a non‐guided group (Group N), the analysis focused on detailed patient data encompassing hospital stay, 30‐day readmission and wound complications. Findings revealed that Group E experienced a significantly shorter average hospital stay of 3.5 days, compared with 6.5 days in Group N, along with a lower 30‐day readmission rate (5% vs. 18% in Group N). Furthermore, Group E showed a considerable reduction in surgical site wound complications, such as infections and hematomas. The study concludes that echocardiographic guidance in LAA closure procedures markedly improves postoperative wound outcomes, underscoring its potential as a standard practice in cardiac surgeries for AF patients. This approach not only optimizes patient safety and postoperative recovery but also enhances healthcare resource utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study comprehensively compared the effects of laparoscopic and open radical cystectomies on postoperative wound infections and complications in patients with bladder cancer. We conducted a systematic search for relevant studies in PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang databases, from database inception to October 2023. Two researchers independently screened the literature, extracted data, and assessed the quality based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data analysis was performed using Stata 17.0 software. Overall, 16 studies involving 1427 patients with bladder cancer were included. The analysis revealed that, compared with open radical cystectomy, laparoscopic radical cystectomy significantly reduced the incidence of wound infections (odds ratio [OR] = 0.38, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.23–0.64, p < 0.001) and complications (OR = 0.35, 95%CI: 0.26–0.47, p < 0.001) and significantly shortened the hospital stay duration (standardised mean difference [SMD] = −1.85, 95%CI: −2.34 to −1.36, p < 0.001). Thus, this study determined that laparoscopic radical cystectomy for the treatment of bladder cancer effectively reduced the occurrence of wound infections and complications, and significantly shortened the patient's hospital stay, demonstrating notable therapeutic effectiveness worthy of clinical application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This systematic review and meta‐analysis evaluate the impact of ultrasound‐guided subsheath versus extrasheath sciatic nerve blocks on postoperative wound pain in tibial and foot surgeries, crucial for effective pain management and patient recovery. Adhering to PRISMA guidelines, this study used a PICO framework, focusing on patients undergoing tibial and foot surgeries and comparing the efficacy and safety of subsheath and extrasheath sciatic nerve blocks. The literature search spanned four databases without time restrictions, assessing various outcomes like success rate, onset time, duration of analgesia and complication rates. Quality assessment employed the Cochrane Collaboration's risk of bias tool, and statistical analyses included heterogeneity assessment, fixed‐effect and random‐effects models, sensitivity analysis and publication bias evaluation using funnel plots and Egger's linear regression test. From an initial pool of 1213 articles, six met the inclusion criteria. The subsheath group showed a significantly higher success rate of complete sensory blockade within 30 min compared with the extrasheath group (OR = 5.39; 95% CI: 2.82–10.28; p < 0.01). No significant differences were found in procedure duration or incidence of nerve‐related complications between the two techniques. The subsheath approach also demonstrated a quicker onset time of sensory blockade (MD = −8.57; 95% CI: −11.27 to −5.88; p < 0.01). Sensitivity analysis confirmed the stability of the results, and no significant publication bias was detected. Ultrasound‐guided subsheath sciatic nerve blocks are more effective than extrasheath blocks in achieving rapid and complete sensory blockade for tibial and foot surgeries, with a quicker onset time and comparable safety profile. Subsheath injections are thus recommended as a preferred method for anaesthesia and postoperative pain management in these surgical procedures, enhancing overall patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]