Effects of isometric training and R.I.C.E. treatment on the arm muscle performance of swimmers with elbow pain.

The effects of IT and R.I.C.E. treatment on arm muscle performance in overhead athletes with elbow pain (EP) have been partially validated. However, there is a lack of research evidence regarding the efficacy of these two methods on arm muscle performance among swimmers with EP. The aim of this study was to investigate the trends and differences in the effects of IT and R.I.C.E. treatment on arm muscle performance among swimmers with EP. The main outcomes were the time effects and group effects of interventions on muscle voluntary contraction (MVC). Sixty elite freestyle swimmers from Tianjin, China, voluntarily participated in the study and completed a 10-week intervention program. Swimmers with EP in the IT group showed a positive trend in MVC, with an approximately 2% increase, whereas the MVC of subjects in the R.I.C.E. treatment group and control group decreased by approximately 4% and 5%, respectively. In comparison, the effects of the IT intervention on the MVC of the triceps and brachioradialis muscles in swimmers with EP were significant (p = 0.042 < 0.05, p = 0.027 < 0.05). The mean MVC value of the IT group (0.60) was greater than that of the other two groups (0.51, 0.50). IT has a beneficial impact on the MVC performance of the triceps and brachioradialis muscles in swimmers with EP. It is recommended that professionals consider incorporating IT into regular training routines to mitigate the risk of EP issues. Future research should examine the effectiveness of both interventions on hand-grip strength and completion time in 50-m freestyle swim drills in order for swimmers with EP to return to this sport.

Barriers to accessing mental health treatment for parents of children with intellectual disabilities: a preliminary study.

Purpose: Parents of children with intellectual disability often experience heightened levels of psychological distress compared to parents of typically developing children due to increased parenting demands. Given these demands, parents may also have difficulty accessing mental health treatment for themselves. This research investigated whether parents of children with intellectual disability experience barriers in accessing mental health treatment for themselves related to the increased parenting demands of having a child with an intellectual disability.Materials and methods: 80 parents of children with intellectual disability were surveyed about barriers to accessing mental health treatment for themselves and interest in an e-treatment.Results: Parents who experienced mental health difficulties were more likely to experience barriers in accessing treatment. For parents who had experienced mental health difficulties, cost, arranging childcare, and availability of providers were significant barriers to accessing treatment. Older participants were less likely to report cost as a barrier. Participants with higher incomes were less likely to report work scheduling as a barrier. Participants reported interest in an e-treatment, with younger participants more likely to express interest.Conclusions: These preliminary findings suggest that parents of children with intellectual disability experience barriers to accessing treatment. Research directions include developing e-treatments for these carers.Implications for rehabilitationHaving a child with an intellectual disability is associated with increased parenting demands, and significant stress for parentsThe results of this survey suggest that for parents who are experiencing mental health difficulties, cost, arranging childcare and availability of providers may act as barriers to accessing treatment for their own mental health concernsRehabilitation professionals can assist parents in addressing these barriers and encourage parents to seek treatment for themselves by offering flexibility in appointment times, reduced cost services and options for childcareAccessible and affordable treatment options, such as e-treatments may further assist these parents in accessing care for themselves.

A web-based intervention for carers of individuals with anorexia nervosa (We Can): Trial protocol of a randomised controlled trial investigating the effectiveness of different levels of support.

BACKGROUND: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a life-threatening mental disorder that is associated with substantial caregiver burden. Carers of individuals with AN report high levels of distress and self-blame, and insufficient knowledge to help their loved ones. However, carers can have a very important role to play in aiding recovery from AN, and are often highly motivated to assist in the treatment process. This manuscript presents the protocol for a randomised controlled trial (RCT) of We Can, a web-based intervention for carers for people with AN. The study aims to investigate the effectiveness of We Can delivered with different intensities of support. METHODS: The study takes the form of a multi-site, two-country, three group RCT, comparing We Can (a) with clinician messaging support (We Can-Ind), (b) with moderated carer chatroom support (We Can-Chat) and (c) with online forum only (We Can-Forum). Participants will be 303 carers of individuals with AN as well as, where possible, the individuals with AN themselves. Recruitment will be via specialist eating disorder services and carer support services in the UK and Germany. Randomisation of carers to one of the three intervention conditions in a 1:1:1 ratio will be stratified by whether or not the individual with AN has (a) agreed to participate in the study and (b) is a current inpatient. The We Can intervention will be provided to carers online over a period of 12 weeks. Participants will complete self-report questionnaires at pre-intervention (T1), mid-intervention (mediators only; 4-weeks post-randomisation), post-intervention (T2; 3-months post randomisation), and 6 months (T3) and 12 months (T4) after randomisation. The primary outcome variables are carer symptoms of depression and anxiety. Secondary outcome variables will be measured in both carers and individuals with AN. Secondary carer outcome variables will include alcohol and drug use and quality of life, caregiving behaviour, and the acceptability and use of We Can and associated supports. Secondary outcomes measured in individuals with AN will include eating disorder symptoms, and symptoms of depression and anxiety. The study will also evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the three We Can conditions, and test for mediators and moderators of the effects of We Can. The trial is registered at the International Standard Randomisation Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN) database, registration number: ISRCTN11399850. DISCUSSION: The study will provide insight into the effectiveness of We Can and its optimal method/s of delivery.