RESUMO
OBJECTIVES: The COVID-19 pandemic has had unprecedented and deteriorating effects on the mental health of adolescents and young adults. Various studies have described changes regarding substance abuse, but findings are conflicting. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a cross-sectional online survey on nicotine, alcohol, and illicit drug use. METHODS: From March to May 2023, 502 participants aged 14-24 from a community-based sample completed the questionnaire. RESULTS: We found a general trend of declining or stable substance use during the first 2 years of the pandemic; however, in the third year (i.e., 2022), substance use returned to pre-pandemic levels or exceeded it. Compared with young adults (age 19-24), adolescents' (age 14-18) use increased more clearly. Participants who scored above the cut-off on screening measures for problematic substance use showed a more pronounced increase in the use of cigarettes and illicit drugs but not of alcohol. Higher alcohol consumption during lockdowns was associated with increased likelihood of current problematic alcohol (odds ratio [OR]: 3.03) and cannabis use (OR: 2.60). Furthermore, individuals who reported increased usage of one psychotropic substance during lockdowns were more likely to have increased their use of other substances as well (OR: 2.66-4.87). CONCLUSIONS: Although not optimally generalizable due to the retrospective online format and convenience sampling, our results support the notion that special attention ought to be paid to certain subgroups such as younger people and those who already exhibit problematic substance use during the pandemic. Following up on post-pandemic trends in substance use is crucial for developing prevention measures and targeted interventions.
RESUMO
The cold pressor test (CPT) is a commonly used method to induce pain and stress in experimental settings. Previous research has found that the temperature of the water used in the test significantly affects outcome measures such as pain tolerance. Variations in CPT protocols, specifically regarding temperature, have been criticized. Hence, our objective is to investigate water temperature and associated methodological factors through a scoping review of the CPT in adults. Among 331 included trials, the most commonly reported temperature was 1°C (33.8°F). Reporting of the water temperature was adequate (93% of all trials), but a precise range within which the temperature was maintained was reported only in 27% of all trials. Pain measurement was the primary focus for most studies (90%), predominantly utilizing pain tolerance as the main outcome (78%). Water circulation was reported in 44% of studies, and 10% reported manually agitating the water. The most common maximum immersion time (i.e., ceiling time) was 180 s; notably, 64% of trials lacked information on participant awareness of this limit specification. The limb most immersed was the hand (76%). Overall, multiple methodological factors significantly impacting outcome measures were inconsistently implemented or reported. For future studies, we advocate for precise standardization of the water temperature used during the CPT. We suggest using 1°C (33.8°F), especially when assessing pain tolerance. A cooling apparatus allowing precise temperature control and continuous water circulation is advised. At the bare minimum, the temperature should be monitored continuously. While other decisions regarding the implementation of the CPT may differ depending on the specific aims of the respective study, it remains essential to standardize the water temperature and to provide a comprehensive report of the experimental protocol.