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Individuals with chronic low back pain (cLBP) frequently report sleep disturbances. Living in a neighborhood characterized by low-socioeconomic status (SES) is associated with a variety of negative health outcomes, including poor sleep. Whether low-neighborhood SES exacerbates sleep disturbances of people with cLBP, relative to pain-free individuals, has not previously been observed. This study compared associations between neighborhood-level SES, pain-status (cLBP vs. pain-free), and daily sleep metrics in 117 adults (cLBP = 82, pain-free = 35). Neighborhood-level SES was gathered from Neighborhood Atlas, which provides a composite measurement of overall neighborhood deprivation (e.g. area deprivation index). Individuals completed home sleep monitoring for 7-consecutive days/nights. Neighborhood SES and pain-status were tested as predictors of actigraphic sleep variables (e.g., sleep efficiency). Analyses revealed neighborhood-level SES and neighborhood-level SES*pain-status interaction significantly impacted objective sleep quality. These findings provide initial support for the negative impact of low neighborhood-level SES and chronic pain on sleep quality., Author(s): Deanna D. Rumble [sup.1] , Katherine O'Neal [sup.2] , Demario S. Overstreet [sup.1] , Terence M. Penn [sup.1] , Pamela Jackson [sup.3] , Edwin N. Aroke [sup.3] , Andrew [...]

Background: Interest in how the neighborhood environment impacts age-related health conditions has been increasing for decades. Epigenetic changes are environmentally derived modifications to the genome that alter the way genes function—thus altering health status. Epigenetic age, a biomarker for biological age, has been shown to be a useful predictor of several age-related health conditions. Consequently, its relation to the neighborhood environment has been the focus of a growing body of literature. Objective: We aimed to describe the scope of the evidence on the relationship between neighborhood environmental characteristics and epigenetic age. Methods: Using scoping review following methods established by Arksey and O'Malley, we first defined our research questions and searched the literature in PubMed, PsycINFO, and EMBASE. Next, we selected the literature to be included, and finally, we analyzed and summarized the information. Results: Nine articles met the inclusion criteria. Most studies examined deprivation as the neighborhood characteristic of interest. While all studies were observational in design, the articles included diverse participants, including men and women, adults and children, and multiple ethnicities. Results demonstrated a relationship between the neighborhood environment and epigenetic age, whether the characteristic of interest is socioeconomic or physical. Conclusions: Overall, studies concluded there was a relationship between neighborhood characteristics and epigenetic age, whether the characteristic of interest was socioeconomic or physical. However, findings varied based on how the neighborhood characteristic and/or epigenetic age was measured. Furthermore, a paucity of investigations on physical characteristics was noticeable and warrants increased attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cryoneurolysis is a term used to describe the application of extreme cold to targeted nerve tissue. The primary goal of the application of a thermal neurolytic technique is to disrupt the conduction of pain signals from the periphery to the central nervous system and eliminate or diminish the experience of pain. Recent advancements in ultrasound technology coupled with the development and approval of handheld devices specifically designed to deliver cryoneurolysis has expanded the use of this modality in the perioperative setting. Application: Surgical procedures including total knee arthroplasties, shoulder arthroplasties, thoracotomies, and mastectomies have all demonstrated long‐term pain relief benefits when cryoneurolysis has been administered days to weeks prior to the planned procedure. In addition, the newly designed handheld device allows for office‐based clinical use and has been utilized for various chronic pain conditions including neuropathic and phantom limb pain. Conclusion: The evidence clearly demonstrates that cryoneurolysis has a low risk profile and when administered appropriately, provides prolonged analgesia without promoting motor blockade. This narrative review article describes the unique mechanism of action of cryoneurolysis for prolonged pain relief and provides emerging evidence to support its applications in both acute and chronic pain management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose : How the Area Deprivation Index (ADI) performs compared to other measures of socioeconomic status (SES) is unknown. The study purpose is to compare the ADI and other measures of SES in their ability to predict pain severity/interference. Methods : Four measures of SES were compared—ADI, income, education, and subjective social status (SSS). Results : Pain severity/interference correlated positively with ADI (r =.396/ r =.33), and negatively with income (r = –.507/ r = –.428) and education (r = –.271/ r = –.102). Criterion scores of the pain severity model suggest income performs best (AIC = 428.29/BIC = 436.22), followed by ADI (AIC = 437.24/BIC = 445.17), with education performing least well (AIC = 446.35/BIC = 454.29). Similar results were seen for the pain interference model. Conclusions : Neighborhood-level factors warrant consideration along with individual-level factors when attempting to understand the impact of SES on chronic low back pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Racial and ethnic minorities disproportionately suffer the burden of adverse health outcomes in the United States. Increasing the diversity of healthcare providers may help decrease disparities in outcomes. Unfortunately, language barriers may affect performance in nursing school and credentialing examinations. The purpose of this exploratory study was to identify current practices and trends affecting the translation of credentialing examinations. Commissioned by the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists, a survey was sent to the credentialing organizations soliciting information about their exam translation practices and considerations. Among the 27 credentialing organizations (two licensure and 25 certification organizations) that completed the survey, 63% were from healthcare. All the organizations offered their credentialing examinations in English. Some offered their examination in Chinese/Mandarin (15%), Spanish (11%), French (7%), and Arabic (7%). The majority (78%) do not translate their examinations into another language. Among the six credentialing organizations translating their examinations, 67% translate one, and 17% translate two examinations. Most use the forward and back-translation techniques. For organizations embarking on a multilingual credentialing program, it is imperative to ensure psychometric equivalence of their examinations. Translation can help ensure that candidates are tested on their intended competencies, not their language proficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]