Mindfulness-Based Yoga for Youth With Persistent Concussion: A Pilot Study.

OBJECTIVE: We explored the potential impact of mindfulness-based yoga (MBY) for youth with persistent concussion by examining occupation-based and neurophysiological outcomes. METHOD: In this case series design study, 6 youths ages 13-17 yr with concussion symptoms for >4 wk participated in an 8-wk MBY intervention, 1×/wk for 45 min. Participation, self-efficacy, and heart rate variability (24 hr) were collected before, after, and 3 mo after the intervention. Heart rate variability was also measured during each session. RESULTS: Trends of increased self-efficacy in academic, social, and emotional domains were found after MBY and maintained at 3-mo follow-up. Trends of increasing heart rate variability were also found pre- to postintervention and within the eight MBY sessions. CONCLUSION: Preliminary results reveal positive trends after a novel, safe intervention for youth with persistent concussion symptoms and the value of exploring both occupation-based and neurophysiological measures. Future research with a larger sample and control group is warranted.

The association of body image dissatisfaction and pain with reduced sexual function in women with systemic sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: Pain and body image distress are common among women with SSc, but their relative associations with reduced sexual function have not been assessed. The objective of this study was to assess the independent associations of pain and body image distress with reduced sexual function in women with SSc. METHODS: Female SSc patients completed measures of sexual function (sexual relationships subscale of the Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale-Self-Report), body image dissatisfaction (Satisfaction with Appearance Scale) and pain (visual analogue scale). Multiple regression analysis was used to assess the associations of body image dissatisfaction and pain with reduced sexual function, controlling for sociodemographic and disease variables. RESULTS: The sample included 117 female SSc patients [33 (28.2%) diffuse; mean age 51.4 (11.9) years; mean time since diagnosis 9.1 (8.5) years]. Unadjusted analyses found that reduced sexual function was associated with pain (r = 0.44, P < 0.001), body image dissatisfaction (r = 0.35, P < 0.001) and being married (r = 0.34, P < 0.001). In multivariate linear regression, disease duration (ß = 0.17, P = 0.046), pain (ß = 0.29, P = 0.001) and unmarried status (ß = -0.23, P = 0.006) were independently associated with reduced sexual function. Dissatisfaction with appearance was not significantly associated with reduced sexual function (ß = 0.16, P = 0.067). CONCLUSION: Pain is an important indicator of sexual function among women with SSc. Body image dissatisfaction was not independently associated with sexual impairment and appears to be less important factor than pain in determining sexual function. Future research should focus on isolating specific sources of pain that may be amenable to intervention in order to improve sexual function.

(Not) talking about sex: a systematic comparison of sexual impairment in women with systemic sclerosis and other chronic disease samples.

OBJECTIVE: Sexual impairment in women with SSc has received little attention. The objective of this study was to compare levels of sexual impairment in women with SSc with samples of women with medical illnesses for which sexual impairment has been researched more extensively. METHODS: SSc patients completed the Sexual Relationships subscale of the Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale-Self-Report (PAIS-SR). A systematic review was conducted to select comparison samples. Sexual Relationships subscale scores from SSc patients were compared with scores from comparison samples (breast or gynaecological cancer and HIV) using t-tests and Hedges's g to calculate effect sizes. RESULTS: Samples from 138 female SSc patients were analysed (28.3% diffuse; mean age 52.1 +/- 12.3 years; mean time since diagnosis 9.0 +/- 8.3 years). Women with dcSSc (6.1 +/- 4.2) reported significantly greater sexual impairment (P < 0.05) than those with lcSSc (4.4 +/- 4.2), three breast cancer samples (1.8 +/- 0.1, 3.4 +/- 3.9, 1.6 +/- 0.6) and two samples of HIV-positive female patients (4.4 +/- 3.8, 4.5 +/- 3.9). Scores in dcSSc were similar to one sample of HIV-positive women (5.8 +/- 4.1) and gynaecological cancer patients (7.3 +/- 4.3). Scores in lcSSc were significantly higher than two breast cancer samples, similar to one breast cancer sample and two HIV-positive samples, and significantly lower (P < 0.05) than in one HIV sample and gynaecological cancer. CONCLUSION: Women with SSc, particularly those with dcSSc, have high levels of sexual impairment compared with women with other chronic diseases, where sexual function has received greater attention. Further research is needed on sexual function among women with SSc.

Rates and correlates of sexual activity and impairment among women with systemic sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess 1) the rates of sexual activity and impairment, 2) clinical correlates of sexual activity/impairment, and 3) common sources of pain during and after sex in a large sample of female patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc; scleroderma). METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional multicenter study of female SSc patients from the Canadian Scleroderma Research Group Registry. Patients underwent medical examinations and clinical histories and were asked whether they had engaged in sexual activities with their partner in the past 4 weeks. Sexually active patients completed a 9-item version of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and items related to problems that may be linked to sexual dysfunction in SSc. Multivariate logistic regressions assessed independent predictors of activity/inactivity and sexual dysfunction. RESULTS: A total of 226 (41%) of 547 patients, including 215 (54%) of the 401 patients currently in relationships, reported having engaged in sexual activities with a partner in the past 4 weeks. Among 165 sexually active patients with complete data for all variables, 102 (62%) had FSFI total scores ≤22.5, indicating impaired function. Seventeen percent of the patients were sexually active and not impaired. Independent predictors (P < 0.05) of sexual activity were younger age, fewer gastrointestinal symptoms, and less severe Raynaud's phenomenon symptoms. Sexual impairment was independently associated with older age, higher skin scores, and more severe breathing problems. Vaginal pain was 8 times more likely among women with impairment. CONCLUSION: Research is needed to compare the extent of activity and impairment in SSc compared to women without SSc and to develop interventions to address impaired sexual function in women with SSc.