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ABSTRACT: Background: Mind-body treatments have the potential to manage pain, yet their effectiveness when delivered online for the treatment of low back pain (LBP) is unknown. We sought to evaluate whether a virtually delivered mind-body program integrating tai chi, qigong, and meditation (VDTQM) is effective for treating LBP. Methods: This randomized controlled trial compared VDTQM (n=175) to waitlist control (n=175). Eligible participants were at least 18 years old, had LBP for at least 6 weeks, were not pregnant, had not previously taken tai chi classes, and had not undergone spine surgery within 6 months. The treatment group received a 12-week VDTQM program in live online 60-minute twice-weekly group classes from September 2022 to December 2022. All participants continued their usual activities and care. Primary outcome was pain-related disability assessed by the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score. Secondary outcomes included pain intensity, sleep quality, and quality of life (QOL). Intent-to-treat analyses were conducted. Results: Of the 350 participants 278 (79%) were female, mean age was 58.8 years (range: 21–92), 244 (69.7%) completed the 8-week survey, 248 (70.9%) the 12-week, and 238 (68%) the 16 -week. No participants withdrew due to adverse treatment effects. Compared with control group, treatment group experienced statistically and clinically significant improvement in ODI score by −4.7 (95% CI: −6.24 to −3.16, p

Abstract We calculate the soft function using lattice QCD in the framework of large momentum effective theory incorporating the one-loop perturbative contributions. The soft function is a crucial ingredient in the lattice determination of light cone objects using transverse-momentum-dependent (TMD) factorization. It consists of a rapidity-independent part called intrinsic soft function and a rapidity-dependent part called Collins-Soper kernel. We have adopted appropriate normalization when constructing the pseudoscalar meson form factor that is needed in the determination of the intrinsic part and applied Fierz rearrangement to suppress the higher-twist effects. In the calculation of CS kernel we consider a CLS ensemble other than the MILC ensemble used in a previous study. We have also compared the applicability of determining the CS kernel using quasi TMDWFs and quasi TMDPDFs. As an example, the determined soft function is used to obtain the physical TMD wave functions (WFs) of pion and unpolarized iso-vector TMD parton distribution functions (PDFs) of proton.

Levels of family functioning are an important consideration in determining appropriate clinical and educational intervention approaches for families and older adults. Theoretical and applied approaches are reviewed with the emphasis on specific interventions that support different levels of family functioning and caregiving. Additionally, different dynamics within the family and their relations with aging family members are examined. This paper updates and expands discussions on levels of family functioning considerations by Sterns et al. using Blocher’s theory of level of human effectiveness. Further levels of family functioning include the theories developed by Bowen’s family systems theory. A present-day consideration is important for counseling, case management, caregiving, and treatment planning to assist families and their aging family member.

Individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) continually fall short of treatment targets using standard drug therapies alone. There is growing evidence that emphasizing physical and mental wellness is equally crucial for improving functioning among people with RA. The purpose of this formative study is to examine the feasibility of offering the wellness-based intervention (“KickStart30”) in patients with RA. Thirteen individuals with RA on targeted immune modulators (a biologic or JAK inhibitor) enrolled in the KickStart30 program. Participants completed self-report measures of RA-specific disability (eg, pain) and other functional areas (eg, mood) in a pre- versus post- intervention design. Paired samples t- tests (and Related-Samples Wilcoxon Signed Rank Tests for non-normal distributions) detected statistically significant results for 10 of 12 measures, including reductions in pain ( M = 4.54 to M = 3.54; p = .025; BPI ), functional disability ( M = 0.94 to M = 0.73, p = .032 ; HAQ-II ), cognitive and physical dysfunction ( M = 25.46 to M = 13.54, p

A cancer diagnosis can be extremely stressful and life-altering for patients. Chronically high levels of stress can increase inflammation and affect the progression of the cancer. Psychosocial interventions could reduce stress and address cancer patients’ emotional, psychological, and spiritual needs. This mixed-methods pilot study compared 2 single-session arts-based approaches for patients in active radiation treatment in a large urban hospital. Participants were assigned to either the active control of independent coloring or the therapeutic intervention of open studio art therapy. Participants completed pre-session and post-session saliva samples and standardized psychosocial measures of stress, affect, anxiety, self-efficacy, and creative agency. Both conditions significantly increased participants’ positive affect, self-efficacy, and creative agency, and decreased negative affect, perceived stress, and anxiety. No changes of note were seen in the salivary measures. Participants’ narrative responses corroborated the quantitative findings and highlighted additional benefits such as supporting meaning-making and spiritual insights. Both arts-based interventions can support the emotional, psychological, and spiritual needs of cancer patients while each has features that may be more suited to the needs of certain patients. Further replication of these findings could support our initial findings that suggest that patients could benefit from having art studio spaces with art therapists and choices of art materials available on the oncology unit.

Anna Claudia Mombrini Silva Barbosa,1 Laryssa Pinheiro Costa Silva,1,2 Carolina Magri Ferraz,1 Fernando Luiz Tobias,1 Jackson Victor de Araújo,3 Barbara Loureiro,1 Gracilene Maria Almeida Muniz Braga,4 Francielle Bosi Rodrigues Veloso,4 Filippe Elias de Freitas Soares,3 Marcio Fronza,4 Fabio Ribeiro Braga1 1Parasitology and Biological Control Laboratory, Universidade Vila Velha, Vila Velha, Brazil; 2Morphology Department, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil; 3Department of Veterinary Medicine, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Brazil; 4Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universidade Vila Velha, Brazil Background: Helminth parasites cause morbidity and mortality in both humans and animals. Most anthelmintic drugs used in the treatment of parasitic nematode infections act on target proteins or regulate the electrical activity of neurons and muscles. In this way, it can lead to paralysis, starvation, immune attack, and expulsion of the worm. However, current anthelmintics have some limitations that include a limited spectrum of activity across species and the threat of drug resistance, which highlights the need for new drugs for human and veterinary medicine.Purpose: Present study has been conducted to determine the anthelmintic activity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized from the extract of nematophagous fungus, Duddingtonia flagrans, on the infecting larvae of Ancylostoma caninum (L3). Methods: The nanoparticles were characterized by visual, ultraviolet, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis, and X-ray diffraction. The in vitro study was based on experiments to inhibit the motility of infective larvae (L3), and the ultrastructural analysis of the nematode was performed by images obtained by TEM. Results: The XRD studies revealed the crystalline nature of the nanoparticles, and FTIR results implied that AgNPs were successfully synthesized and capped with compounds present in the extract. The results showed that the green synthesis of AgNPs exhibited nematicidal activity, being the only ones capable of penetrating the cuticle of the larvae, causing changes in the tegmentum, and consequently, the death of the nematode. Conclusion: The extract of the fungus D. flagrans is able to synthesize AgNP and these have a nematicidal action. Keywords: nanotechnology, biomedicine, nanoparticles, helminths, biological control

African Americans (AAs) are 20% more likely to develop serious psychological distress compared to Whites but are less likely to use mental health services. The study objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of recruitment strategies to engage AA fathers in a mental health intervention. Using the community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach, a community-academic partnership (CAP) developed and implemented direct and indirect referral strategies to engage AA fathers in a mental health intervention. Direct referral strategies focused on community partner identification of potentially eligible participants, providing information about the study (i.e., study flyer), and referring potential participants to the study. Indirect referrals included posting flyers in local businesses frequented by AA men, radio advertisements, and social media posts from community organizations. From January to October 2019, 50 direct and 1388 indirect referrals were documented, yielding 24 participants screened and 15 enrolled. Of all participants screened, 58% were referred through indirect referral, 38% were referred directly by community partners, and 4% of the participants were referred through both direct and indirect referrals. Twenty percent of those exposed to the direct referral methods and 1% of those exposed to the indirect referral methods were enrolled. The indirect referrals accounted for 60% of enrollment, whereas the direct referrals accounted for 33.3% of enrollment. Collaborating with the community partners to engage hard-to-reach populations in mental health studies allowed for broad dissemination of recruitment methods, but still resulted in low participant accrual. Additional focus on increasing direct referral methods appears to be a fruitful area of CBPR.

As a core curricular standard that applies to all Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP, 2015) accredited programs, human growth and development can present unique challenges for the teaching professional. In this article, we present an in-class activity grounded in problem-based learning that uniquely lends itself to the task of supporting medium-to-large classrooms in learning about human growth and development.

This article considers the practice of collaborative documentation (CD) for behavioral healthcare providers; the legislative, technological, and philosophical milieu in which it developed; the attributed benefits for providers and clients; and the peer-reviewed research supporting its use. Collaborative documentation has emerged following significant legislative and technological changes in healthcare delivery and shifts toward client-centered healthcare practices including more shared decision-making between clients and practitioners.