Effect of play activities on hospitalized children's stress: a randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: The use of unstructured play as an intervention to help children cope with the stress of a hospitalization period was tested in this randomized clinical trial. METHODS: Urinary cortisol (a stress marker) was examined in 53 pediatric patients hospitalized for respiratory diseases in a public hospital, divided into two groups that did or did not play. RESULTS: Boys and girls from the play group, 7-11 years old, showed a decrease in cortisol levels after participating in play activities. In younger participants (4-7 years old) the intervention did not seem as efficient, probably because in this group maturity levels may have influenced how children cognitively engaged in play as a coping strategy. CONCLUSIONS: The study showed the importance of using interventions that consider age ranges and gender in enhancing coping strategies, as well as the importance of such techniques that are employed by occupational therapists since they are professionals with expertise in the use of activities as therapeutic instruments.

Restless legs syndrome: a qualitative analysis of psychosocial suffering and interdisciplinary attention.

The aim of this study is to investigate psychosocial factors related to the diagnosis and treatment of patients with restless legs syndrome. Fifteen patients were interviewed at the Neuro-Sono Outpatient Clinic, Universidade Federal de São Paulo. The results were submitted to a qualitative analysis. We identified four content categories: illness description, illness history, illness experience, and relationships. Lack of control over the body and lack of recognition by professionals produce stigma and lead patients to suffering. The research underscores the relevance of psychosocial factors to the diagnosis and treatment of patients with restless legs syndrome and the importance of having interdisciplinary teams when attending patients with restless legs syndrome.

Prevalence of sleep disorders in children of a public hospital in São Paulo.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of sleep disorders in a sample of children from a public hospital in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. METHOD: 330 children, who came to the clinical laboratory, were consecutively investigated for sleep disorders, using the sleep disturbance scale for children. Gender, age, and social/economical classification were considered. RESULTS: Sleep disordered breathing (SDB) showed higher prevalence in our sample (55%) than in data found in the literature. Prevalence of sleep hyperhydrosis (SHY) was 27% considering the whole sample. Boys and children in age range 7.1 to 11 years old showed higher prevalence for SDB as well as children belonging to lower social/economic classifications who were also more prevalent for disorders in the transition of sleep-wakefulness. CONCLUSION: Sleep disorders were highly prevailing in our study, mostly SDB and SHY which were exceedingly more prevalent in boys in relation to international literature.

Prevalence of sleep disorders in children of a public hospital in São Paulo / Prevalência de distúrbios do sono em crianças de um hospital público em São Paulo

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of sleep disorders in a sample of children from a public hospital in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. METHOD: 330 children, who came to the clinical laboratory, were consecutively investigated for sleep disorders, using the sleep disturbance scale for children. Gender, age, and social/economical classification were considered. RESULTS: Sleep disordered breathing (SDB) showed higher prevalence in our sample (55 percent) than in data found in the literature. Prevalence of sleep hyperhydrosis (SHY) was 27 percent considering the whole sample. Boys and children in age range 7.1 to 11 years old showed higher prevalence for SDB as well as children belonging to lower social/economic classifications who were also more prevalent for disorders in the transition of sleep-wakefulness. CONCLUSION: Sleep disorders were highly prevailing in our study, mostly SDB and SHY which were exceedingly more prevalent in boys in relation to international literature.

OBJETIVO: Investigar a prevalência de distúrbios do sono numa amostra de crianças de um hospital público da cidade de São Paulo, Brasil. MÉTODO: 330 crianças que compareceram ao laboratório clínico foram consecutivamente investigadas para a presença de distúrbios do sono, usando-se a Escala de Distúrbios do Sono para crianças. Foram consideradas variáveis como sexo, idade e classificação sócio econômica. RESULTADOS: Os distúrbios respiratórios do sono (DRS) mostraram alta prevalência (55 por cento) em nossa amostra em relação aos dados encontrados na literatura. A prevalência de hiper hidrose do sono (HHS) foi de 27 por cento. Meninos e crianças da faixa etária compreendida entre 7,1 e 11 anos apresentaram prevalências mais altas para distúrbios respiratórios do sono assim como crianças pertencentes às classificações sócio econômicas mais baixas, que também foram mais prevalentes para desordens da transição sono-vigília. CONCLUSÃO: Os distúrbios do sono foram altamente presentes em nosso estudo, principalmente DRS e HHS, que foram mais prevalentes nos meninos, comparados com a literatura internacional.