Exploding Head Syndrome: A Systematic Scoping Review.

Exploding head syndrome (EHS) has historically been viewed as a disorder predominantly affecting older people and being more common in females. Through a comprehensive review of data since 2005, this scoping review provides updated evidence from 4082 participants reporting EHS across a variety of study designs on: how EHS presents; key information on comorbidity and correlates of EHS; how EHS is experienced in terms of symptoms and beliefs; causal theories arising from the research reviewed; and evidence-based information on how research has reported on the management of EHS. Since 2005, EHS has attracted increasing research interest; however, there are significant gaps in the research that are hindering a better understanding of EHS that might be helpful for clinicians.

'I Had It. I Don't Think I Have It But I Do Feel It Will Come Back Somewhere': A Qualitative Investigation of the Experience of People With Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer.

Very little is known about the impact of living with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). NMIBC patients' experiences of their illness-in terms of their perceptions, coping strategies and psychological wellbeing-were explored. This study describes an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) of individuals' accounts of living with NMIBC while on routine surveillance for cancer recurrence. Ten individuals took part in face-to-face semi-structured interviews. Three superordinate themes were derived from the data. The first theme, Being Diagnosed and Treated for NMIBC, concerned the observation that participants considered the physical implications, timeline and practicalities of their illness of primary importance and focused less on its psychological aspects. The second theme, Grappling with the Illness, outlined the impact of the doctor-patient relationship. The final theme, 'I don't treat it as a problem. I treat it as an issue', delineated how participants managed difficult emotions in the context of the illness. Findings from this study demonstrated that participants generally found effective ways to cope with their illness and experience of ongoing surveillance, though delay of emotional responses was common. Clinical implications for healthcare professionals are outlined including the importance of high-quality communication with the urology team.

'Like a ticking time bomb': A qualitative study exploring the illness experiences of adults with kidney stone disease.

OBJECTIVE: Kidney stone disease (KSD) is a common, complex and painful urological condition, but how patients make sense of and respond to the challenges of KSD is poorly understood. Using the common-sense model of illness self-regulation (CSM-SR), we aimed to explore the illness experiences of individuals with KSD. DESIGN: A qualitative design using individual semi-structured interviews. METHODS: Thirty-three patients with KSD attending outpatient urology services participated in interviews informed by the CSM-SR. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Themes were mapped onto the domains of the CSM-SR. RESULTS: Five main themes were generated, broadly echoing domains within the CSM-SR: (1) making sense of KSD, (2) normality paused, (3) the psychological burden of KSD, (4) the tensions of managing KSD, and (5) improving understanding of KSD. Additionally, findings suggested that partners' perceptions of KSD were an additional contextual factor that informed patients' own perceptions and management of KSD. Participants appraised initial KSD symptoms as indicative of a serious health threat. Diagnosis brought some relief, however, KSD wielded multi-dimensional impacts on patients' perceptions, self-management and well-being. Anxiety, including fear of KSD recurrence, and low mood were common psychological burdens across narratives. CONCLUSION: The majority of the themes identified were commensurate with an extended CSM-SR. This model has utility in informing how patients perceive and manage KSD. Examining patients' KSD representations and routinely assessing for psychological distress may be of benefit to improve health outcomes for this patient group.

Psychological Distress in Patients With Urolithiasis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Urolithiasis can be a painful condition associated with significant individual and health care burdens. Several studies have shown that anxiety and depression, termed psychological distress, may be associated with urolithiasis. However, there is little consensus on this relationship. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis on the relationship between urolithiasis and psychological distress and examined rates of psychological distress in this population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched online databases including MEDLINE (via PubMed), Embase (via Ovid), Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library with predefined search criteria up to March 2022 utilizing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analyses. Forty-nine peer-reviewed publications were included in this review. We performed a narrative synthesis on included studies, and a random-effects meta-analysis to obtain a single summary estimate for the relationship between urolithiasis and anxiety. RESULTS: Narrative synthesis found evidence for a relationship between urolithiasis and psychological distress, both anxiety and depression. Meta-analysis of 7 studies found a moderate pooled association between urolithiasis and state anxiety. Additionally, higher proportions of urolithiasis patients experienced psychological distress compared to nonurolithiasis samples across studies. Our findings are limited by the observed heterogeneity in assessment protocols within the data set. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest a moderate but significant association between anxiety and urolithiasis, as well as a greater than expected number of urolithiasis patients experiencing psychological distress. More high-quality research studies are required to better understand factors that may influence the relationship between urolithiasis and psychological distress.

Resilience among health care workers while working during a pandemic: A systematic review and meta synthesis of qualitative studies.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced the need to attend to Health Care Workers (HCWs) mental health. What promotes resilience in HCWs during pandemics is largely unknown. AIM: To appraise and synthesize studies investigating resilience among HCWs during COVID-19, H1N1, MERS, EBOLA and SARS pandemics. METHOD: A systematic review of studies from 2002 to 11th March 2022 was conducted. PsychInfo, CINAHL, Medline, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus and the Cochrane Library databases were searched for qualitative and mixed-methods studies investigating the well-being of HCWs working in hospital settings during a pandemic. Data was extracted, imported into NVivo and analyzed by means of thematic synthesis. Reporting followed PRISMA and ENTREQ guidelines. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-one eligible studies (N = 11,907) were identified. The results revealed six main themes underpinning HCWs resilience: moral purpose and duty, connections, collaboration, organizational culture, character and potential for growth. CONCLUSION: The studies reviewed indicated that HCWs resilience is mainly born out of their professional identity, collegial support, effective communication from supportive leaders along with flexibility to engage in self-care and experiences of growth.

Healthcare workers use of psychological support resources during COVID-19; a mixed methods approach utilising Pillar Integration Analysis.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to examine healthcare workers (HCWs) utilisation of formal and informal psychological support resources in the workplace during the first and third waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ireland. METHODS: A convergent mixed methods approach was undertaken. Four hundred and thirty HCWs in the Mid West and South of Ireland responded to an online survey in terms of their use of psychological support resources during Wave 1 (April/May 2020) of COVID-19. Thirty-nine HCWs undertook in depth interviews at Wave 3 (January/February 2021), and a further quantitative survey was distributed and completed by 278 HCWs at this time. Quantitative data arising at Wave 1 and Wave 3, were synthesised with Qualitative data collected at Wave 3. A Pillar Integration Process (PIP) was utilised in the analysis of the quantitative and qualitative data. RESULTS: Five pillars were identified from the integration of results. These were: a) the primacy of peer support, b) the importance of psychologically informed management, c) a need to develop the organisational well-being ethos, d) support for all HCWs, and e) HCWs ideas for developing the well-being path. These pillars encapsulated a strong emphasis on collegial support, an emphasis on the need to support managers, a questioning of the current supports provided within the healthcare organisations and critical reflections on what HCWs viewed as most helpful for their future support needs. CONCLUSIONS: HCWs who utilised supportive resources indicated 'in house' supports, primarily collegial resources, were the most frequently used and perceived as most helpful. While formal psychological supports were important, the mechanism by which such psychological support is made available, through utilising peer support structures and moving towards psychologically informed supervisors and workplaces is likely to be more sustainable and perceived more positively by HCWs.

Patient reported factors influencing the decision-making process of men with localised prostate cancer when considering Active Surveillance-A systematic review and thematic synthesis.

OBJECTIVES: Outcomes for men with localised prostate cancer managed with Active Surveillance (AS) are similar to outcomes for men who have received Active Treatment. This review explore men's perceptions of the factors that influence their decision-making process when considering AS. METHOD: A systematic review of studies was conducted up to May 2021, including qualitative studies which explored the decision making of men with localised prostate cancer when considering AS. Evidence was analysed using thematic synthesis. RESULTS: Thirteen papers, including 426 men, met inclusion criteria and were analysed in the review. Approximately half of the men had chosen AS and half had chosen Active Treatment. The choice of AS was not a one-off decision but rather an ongoing behaviour. Four themes were identified and considered within a temporal model: pre-diagnosis representations of cancer and treatment; experience of testing and diagnosis; patient decision making; and emotional adjustment to AS. Key barriers and facilitators to men choosing AS were identified. In deciding whether or not to choose AS, men balanced a desire for quality of life against fear of cancer progression. CONCLUSIONS: Both cognitive representations and emotional arousal influence how men decided whether or not to opt for AS. Interventions tailored to elicit and address emotional appraisals of risk, and increase trust in AS protocols, may be of value in helping men to make decisions around treatment for localised prostate cancer.

Brain imaging in patients with COVID-19: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: There is increasing evidence that SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) not only affects the respiratory tract but also influence the central nervous system (CNS), resulting in neurological symptoms such as loss of smell and taste. Growing literature indicates largely distributed brain alterations encompassing subcortical micro- and macro-bleeds, cerebral swelling and haemorrhage in gray and white matter tissue. A systematic review was performed to synthesise the potential evidence of the brain correlates of SARS-CoV-2. METHODS: A literature search was conducted using electronic databases for studies reporting neuroimaging abnormalities in SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals. Identified case series, cohort studies, and case control studies on SARS-CoV-2 effects on the brain were critically appraised for methodological quality. A narrative synthesis of the findings from the included studies is presented. RESULTS: Twenty-seven studies were included in the review, including 5 case series, 8 cohort studies and 14 case control studies. The findings revealed predominant involvement of the olfactory system with disruptions across four olfactory structures. Abnormalities also extended to the corpus callosum, cingulate cortex, and insula, jointly implicating the olfactory brain network. CONCLUSION: Alterations in olfactory areas, along with neighbouring brain regions, including prefrontal and limbic regions were associated to contraction of SARS-CoV-2. Viral infection could either trigger systemic reactions, or use the olfactory's unique anatomical organisation as an environmental entry zone to directly impact on the CNS.

An investigation of psychological responses to COVID-19 in Irish healthcare workers: longitudinal quantitative and nested qualitative study.

COVID-19 is an unprecedent occurrence in modern times and individuals who work within healthcare settings, face a broad array of challenges in responding to this worldwide event. Key information on the psychosocial responses of such healthcare workers (HCWs) in the context of COVID-19 is limited and in particular there is a need for studies that utilise longitudinal methods, an overarching theoretical model, and use of a cohort of participants within a defined geographical area across acute and community settings. The work packages making up the current research project use quantitative and qualitative methods to examine the psychological sequelae for HCWs in the context of COVID-19 in geographically adjacent healthcare areas (South and Mid-West of Ireland) across four time points (induction, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year follow-up). The quantitative arm of the project (WP 1) utilises the Common-Sense Model of Self-Regulation (CSM-SR) and examines a number of key psychological factors pertinent to this model including perceptions about COVID-19 and infection more generally, coping, formal and informal support and a number of impact variables including mood, sleep quality, and perceptions of stigma. The qualitative study (WP 2) will address HCWs experiences of working during the pandemic, ascertain any additional areas of psychological functioning, environmental and workplace factors and resources that may be utilised by HCWs and that are not assessed by the quantitative study protocol, focusing particularly on those staff groups typically underrepresented in previous studies.

Facilitating a return to productive roles following acquired brain injury: The impact of pre-injury work level, current abilities, and neuropsychological performance.

The primary aim of this study was to examine predictors of Return to Productive Roles (RTPR) in individuals with ABI following participation in a community-based RTPR intervention. One hundred and thirty participants were inducted to an ABI-specific RTPR programme. At induction, information on clinical and social demographics, previous education and employment roles were collected. Participants underwent a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment at baseline and completed assessments of disability, mental health and community integration. Participants were followed up at the end of their programme to assess RTPR. Three out of four participants who entered the RTPR programme returned to productive roles. Despite the relatively high levels of anxiety and depression in the sample, people who returned to productive roles were not significantly less anxious or depressed than those who did not. Logistic regression suggested that participants who returned to productive roles following the programme had higher levels of pre-ABI work engagement, less disability and performed better on neuropsychological assessment in terms of their language skills. Results suggest that these factors which cut across specific prior experience, cognitive performance, and social and disability areas of functioning represent barriers to an effective return to productive roles for people with ABI accessing RTPR intervention.

Assessing Cognitive Estimation and Its Effects on Community Integration in People with Acquired Brain Injury Undergoing Rehabilitation.

The purpose of the present study was to examine the convergent and divergent validity of the Biber Cognitive Estimation Test (BCET) in individuals with ABI undergoing postacute rehabilitation and to assess the measure's ability to account for unique variance in community integration following rehabilitation. Participants with ABI referred for postacute rehabilitation (N = 201) were assessed on the BCET and a number of other neuropsychological tests that have been demonstrated to rely on aspects of executive processing (Trail-Making Test, Modified Six Elements Test, and verbal fluency measures) and the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS). Internal consistency of the total BCET was good; however, interpretable solutions for existing subscales were not discerned. The BCET total score demonstrated positive associations with tests of executive functioning; however, it was also significantly associated with more general aspects of neuropsychological functioning suggesting that it does not solely assess executive processes in ABI patients undergoing rehabilitation. Hierarchical multiple regression suggested that the BCET accounted for significant additional variance in community integration after severity of disability, executive functioning, and more general aspects of neuropsychological status were statistically controlled. While the subscale structure of the BCET may be somewhat inconsistent, the total scale score accounts for some unique variance in pragmatic rehabilitation outcome and may be a useful tool in postacute rehabilitation assessment protocols.

Cognitive reserve and preinjury educational attainment: effects on outcome of community-based rehabilitation for longer-term individuals with acquired brain injury.

The cognitive reserve hypothesis has been proposed to account for the mismatch between brain pathology and its clinical expression. The aim of the current research was to explore, in a longitudinal data set, the effects of level of educational attainment before brain injury (cognitive reserve) and clinical factors on the level of rehabilitation-induced changes in disability and community integration. Participants in receipt of postacute rehabilitation were assessed at induction to the service and again at between 14 and 18 months of follow-up while still in service on changes in aspects of their abilities, adjustment and participation (Mayo Portland Adaptability Indices) and community integration (Community Integration Questionnaire). Controlling for type and severity of injury, age at onset of injury and duration of time since injury, participants with higher previous educational attainment showed significantly greater changes over the course of rehabilitation on adjustment to their injury and participation, but not on abilities, or community integration following postacute rehabilitation. Level of education would appear to be an important element of cognitive reserve in brain injury that serves to aid responses to postacute rehabilitation in terms of an individual's adjustment to disability and participation.

A structured multicomponent group programme for carers of people with acquired brain injury: Effects on perceived criticism, strain, and psychological distress.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to examine whether a brief structured multicomponent group programme for carers of people with acquired brain injury (ABI) was effective in reducing carer distress, strain, and critical comments between carer and person with an ABI compared to a waiting list control condition. DESIGN: Waiting list controlled study. Pre- and post-test design with outcomes measured at induction, at the end of the intervention, and at the 3-month follow-up. METHODS: One hundred and thirteen carers took part in the study: 75 carers in the intervention group and 38 in the waiting list control group (2:1 ratio). All participants completed assessments of caregiver strain (Caregiver Strain Index), perceived criticism towards and from the person with an ABI (Perceived Criticism Scale), and psychological distress (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale). The person with an ABI was also assessed on the Functional Independence Measure/Functional Assessment Measure. RESULTS: Using an intention to treat analysis, there were significant effects of group (intervention vs. waiting list control) at the 3-month follow-up on carers' perceptions of stress and strain resulting from caring, and perceptions of criticism received by the carer from the person with an ABI. A subsequent per-protocol analysis showed an additional reduction at 3 months in levels of criticism expressed towards the person with an ABI by the carer. There was no significant effect of the intervention on psychological distress. CONCLUSIONS: The structured multicomponent carers programme showed beneficial effects in terms of reducing carer strain and in the reduction of elements of perceived criticism at the 3-month follow-up; however, it did not significantly affect psychological distress in carers, suggesting the need for additional support for this group of carers. STATEMENT OF CONTRIBUTION: What is already known on this subject? A number of studies have suggested that carers of people with acquired brain injury (ABI) experience greater levels of carer burden and mental health difficulties than carers of other patient groups. Previous interventional studies on ABI are few, and such studies have diverged in the extent to which they have been oriented towards education, psychological support, or management of behavioural difficulties, making results somewhat difficult to apply in community health settings with this potential client group. What does this study add? We develop, describe, and evaluate a brief structured multicomponent carers' training and support programme for carers of people with ABI. Not all outcomes were affected positively by the intervention. While the intervention successfully reduced carer strain and critical comments, distress did not significantly reduce compared to people in a waiting list control group. Carers who were spouses/partners and carers who were parents exhibited comparable levels of strain, distress, and perceived criticism. Younger carers reported significantly higher levels of distress and carer strain at induction to the programme. The positive effects of the programme were maintained for at least 3 months, suggesting that it may have initial validity for improving some of the negative aspects of the carer experience.

A pilot study of body image dissatisfaction and the psychological impact of systemic sclerosis-related telangiectases.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the extent of body image dissatisfaction (BID) in patients with self-reported systemic sclerosis (SSc)-related telangiectases and to identify the demographic, psychological and disease-related correlates of BID within a cross-sectional study. METHODS: Patients with SSc were invited to participate in a questionnaire survey. Each completed the Adjusted Satisfaction with Appearance Scale (ASWAP), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and an open-ended telangiectases questionnaire. Thematic analysis was utilised to describe the qualitative data. RESULTS: 141 patients with SSc participated (83% female, 70% limited cutaneous SSc, median age 62 years). Telangiectases were reported by 113 (80%). ASWAP 'dissatisfaction with appearance' scores were significantly higher in those reporting telangiectases (p=0.02). Anxiety and depression scores were similar in those with and without telangiectases. Those reporting telangiectases were more likely to be anticentromere positive (40% vs. 18%, p=0.02) and to have a history of severe digital ischaemia (38% vs. 18%, p=0.04) than those not. Qualitative analysis revealed four themes: changes in behaviour as a result of telangiectases, public and private self-image, negative emotional impact of telangiectases and appreciation of life. CONCLUSIONS: BID, as measured by the ASWAP 'dissatisfaction with appearance' subscale, was significantly higher in patients with telangiectases. Telangiectases were associated with anticentromere positivity and digital ischaemia, lending further support for telangiectases as a potential marker for vascular involvement. Qualitative analysis provided new insights into the thoughts and feelings of patients with telangiectases. Our findings highlight the impact of telangiectases and the need to address and manage related concerns.

Impact of photosensitivity disorders on the life quality of children.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Abnormal cutaneous sensitivity to the ultraviolet and/or visible radiation in sunlight characterizes photosensitivity disorders. Little is known regarding their impact in childhood. Our objective was to characterize childhood photosensitivity disorders presenting to a photoinvestigation unit, evaluating their impact on quality of life (QoL). METHODS: Photoinvestigation records of children attending from 2000 to 2007 were evaluated for diagnosis, clinical, demographic and phototest parameters. These children were subsequently contacted during summertime to evaluate the impact of photosensitivity on QoL, utilizing the children's dermatology life quality index (CDLQI). RESULTS: 83 children underwent photoinvestigation; 62 (74.7%) were diagnosed photosensitive (mean age 8.6 years, range 2-16; 33 female), with abnormal phototest findings in 35 children. 38/55 questionnaires (69.1%) were returned. Mean (± standard deviation) CDLQI score (all diagnoses) was 10.2 ± 7.3 with very high scores in xeroderma pigmentosum (20.7 ± 5.7; n = 3) and actinic prurigo (18.2 ± 7.1; n = 6) and moderate scores in photoaggravated eczema (7.9 ± 4.2; n = 8) and polymorphic light eruption (6.2 ± 4.4 n = 18). CDLQI correlated with number of months affected per year (r = 0.595, P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Photosensitivity disorders have a substantial impact, ranging from moderate to extremely large, on QoL in childhood, and the psychological consequences should be considered in their management.

Does satisfaction with information equate to better anticoagulant control?

OBJECTIVES: This study examined how satisfaction with information about warfarin related to demographic and clinical factors including therapeutic outcome. SETTING: This study took place in the Outpatient clinic of the Mercy University Hospital, Cork, Rep. of Ireland. METHOD: Patients attending an anticoagulation clinic completed the Satisfaction with Information about Medicines (SIMS) Scale. This was examined in line with clinical and demographic information including: age, gender, diagnosis, number of weeks taking warfarin, and INR control. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The level of satisfaction with information was measured and in addition the association between anticoagulation control and satisfaction level was examined. RESULTS: One hundred and nineteen patients (61.3% male), participated in the study. The majority of patients were prescribed warfarin for atrial fibrillation (53.8%). Satisfaction with information about warfarin was inversely related to age (ρ = -0.33, P < 0.01). Patient-reported satisfaction with information pertaining to the question "what is your medicine for?" was significantly associated with anticoagulation control (χ(2) = 7.27, P < 0.01).

Influence of childhood scleroderma on physical function and quality of life.

OBJECTIVE: there have been few studies of quality of life in childhood scleroderma and these focused predominantly on self-perception and the influence of skin lesions. Our cross-sectional study aimed to describe the influence of childhood scleroderma on physical function and quality of life in relation to clinical and demographic measures. METHODS: children with either localized scleroderma or systemic sclerosis (SSc) attending pediatric rheumatology clinics, together with their parents or guardians, were asked to complete a set of 4 validated measures. Clinical and demographic data were provided by consultant pediatric rheumatologists. RESULTS: in total, 28 children and their parents/guardians participated in the study (68% female, median age 13 yrs; 86% localized scleroderma, 14% SSc). The median Child Health Assessment Questionnaire (CHAQ) score was 0.1 (range 0-3, 0 indicating no impairment), the median Child Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI) score was 5 (range 0-30, 0 indicating no impairment), and the median Child Quality of Life Questionnaire (CQOL) function score was 26 (range 0-105, 0 indicating no impairment). Family activity, measured by the Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ-PF50), was also moderately impaired by scleroderma, with a median score of 83 (0-100, 100 indicating no impairment). CONCLUSION: scleroderma had only a moderate effect on quality of life and physical function as measured by the 4 validated instruments. Although a small number of children reported greater impairment, this is an encouraging finding, given its potential disfiguring and debilitating effects.