Your browser doesn't support javascript.
loading
Show: 20 | 50 | 100
Results 1 - 20 de 25
Filter
1.
Ann Surg Oncol ; 30(2): 1029-1037, 2023 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36171531

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Cryoablation has been established as a minimally invasive alternative to resection of early-stage breast cancer; however, there are no data on the cost and impact on patients' financial, psychosocial, sexual, physical, and cosmetic outcomes utilizing this approach. This study compares cost-effectiveness and patient-reported quality-of-life factors in cryoablation versus resection. METHODS: Women with early-stage, low-risk infiltrating ductal carcinomas ≤ 1.5 cm underwent cryoablation or resection. Adjuvant therapy was provided according to tumor board recommendations. Direct and indirect costs were tracked for both groups. Financial toxicity and well-being outcome were measured by administering the Comprehensive Score of Financial Toxicity (COST) and BREAST-Q surveys, respectively, at 6-month follow-up. RESULTS: Of the 34 eligible patients, 14 (41.1%) consented for cryoablation and 20 (58.8%) underwent resection. The median (centile) (range) follow-up was 35.0 (21.3) (15-50) months for cryoablation vs. 25 (20.8) (17-50) months for resection [p = 0.6479]. Mean (standard deviation) cost of care for cryoablation versus resection was $2221.70 (615.70) versus $16,896.50 (1332.40) [p < 0.0001], and median financial well-being scores for the cryoablation versus resection groups were 38.0 (34.5, 40.0) versus 10 (5.3, 14.0) [p < 0.0001]. Poor financial well-being was directly correlated with the cost of care [p < 0.0001]. Median psychosocial well-being scores were similar across both groups, however the cryoablation group had higher scores for physical [100 (100, 100) vs. 89 (79, 100); p = 0.0141], sexual [100 (91, 100) vs. 91 (87.5, 91); p = 0.0079], and cosmetic [100 (100, 100) vs. 88 (88, 100); p = 0.0171] outcomes. CONCLUSION: Cryoablation offers a cost-effective and quality-of-life advantage compared with resection for early-stage, low-risk breast cancer.


Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms , Carcinoma, Ductal , Cryosurgery , Humans , Female , Breast Neoplasms/surgery , Breast Neoplasms/pathology , Carcinoma, Ductal/surgery , Quality of Life , Treatment Outcome
2.
Mindfulness (N Y) ; 11(3): 720-733, 2020 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33343761

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The use of mobile technology for smoking cessation holds promise for adolescents, who do not typically access traditional treatments, but most are not grounded in theory or mechanism. Operant conditioning theory suggests an addictive smoking loop is formed between nicotine use and affective states, leading to habitual cue-induced craving and automatic behavior; mindfulness training may bring automated smoking behavior into awareness, so smokers may work mindfully with cravings. Mindfulness training delivered via smartphone technology therefore has potential to help adolescent smokers break this addictive loop and quit smoking. This pair-matched cluster-randomized controlled school-based pilot study evaluated program feasibility and preliminary smoking outcomes in relation to intervention engagement. METHODS: Six high schools were pair matched and randomly assigned to one of three interventions: (1) mindfulness training delivered via mobile smoking cessation application (Craving to Quit, C2Q), (2) NCI's QuitSTART smoking cessation application (NCI), and (3) written cessation materials (Materials). Adolescents (n = 146) smoking 5 or more cigarettes per day were recruited. Interventions were implemented over four weeks and study assessments were collected at baseline and 3- and 6- month follow-up, including self-reported 7-day point prevalence abstinence, program usage, smoking-related measures, and psychosocial factors. RESULTS: Overall cotinine-validated abstinence at 6 months was 15.8% and was similar between conditions. Odds of abstinence increased with each quartile increase in app/materials use with no significant differences between conditions (OR=1.60 (C2Q), 1.66 (Materials), and 2.69 (NCI)). Of participants still smoking at 6 months, for each quartile increase in engagement the number of cigarettes smoked in the previous 7 days showed a significantly greater decline in the C2Q condition (-5.71) compared to the Materials (-0.95) and NCI (+7.73) condition (p=0.02 for differences between conditions). CONCLUSIONS: Cotinine-validated abstinence was similar between intervention conditions and tended to increase with greater engagement in each condition. Greater C2Q app engagement among continuing smokers was associated with a significantly greater decline in number of cigarettes smoked compared to the other conditions. The Craving to Quit (C2Q) mobile smoking cessation application with mindfulness training was feasible to use and has promise in assisting adolescents to quit or decrease cigarette smoking. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: Developing a Smartphone App with Mindfulness Training for Teen Smoking Cessation: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02218281.

3.
Explore (NY) ; 15(2): 160-164, 2019.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30309789

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Since impulsivity is associated with unhealthy behaviors in adolescents, interventions targeting impulsivity could positively affect such behaviors. Whether integrating mindfulness training (MT) into standard school-based health education could improve impulsivity is unknown. PURPOSE: To obtain preliminary estimates of effect of MT integrated in standard high school health education on impulsivity. METHODS: Two high schools in Massachusetts were randomized to school-based health education plus MT (HE-MT) or to health education plus attention control (HE-AC). The outcome was change in impulsivity at end of treatment (EOT) and 6 months after EOT. RESULTS: Students (n = 53; 30 HE-MT, 23 HE-AC) were on average 14.5 years old and 40% belonged to ethnic minorities. Compared to the control condition, HE-MT had significant effects on impulsivity at EOT (beta = -9.7; SE = 3.8, p = 0.01), while smaller, non-significant differences were seen 6 months after EOT. CONCLUSION: This rigorous pilot study suggests that MT could have a beneficial effect on impulsivity in adolescents. Improvements in impulsivity could have important implications should future larger studies show that such improvements result in healthier behaviors.


Subject(s)
Impulsive Behavior , Mindfulness/methods , Adolescent , Female , Health Education/methods , Humans , Male , Massachusetts , Pilot Projects , Schools , Students/psychology
4.
Prev Med Rep ; 9: 92-95, 2018 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29527459

ABSTRACT

Whether mindfulness training (MT) could improve healthy behaviors is unknown. This study sought to determine feasibility and acceptability of integrating MT into school-based health education (primary outcomes) and to explore its possible effects on healthy behaviors (exploratory outcomes). Two high schools in Massachusetts (2014-2015) were randomized to health education plus MT (HE-MT) (one session/week for 8 weeks) or to health education plus attention control (HE-AC). Dietary habits (24-h dietary recalls) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA/7-day recalls) were assessed at baseline, end of treatment (EOT), and 6 months thereafter. Quantile regression and linear mixed models were used, respectively, to estimate effects on MVPA and dietary outcomes adjusting for confounders. We recruited 53 9th graders (30 HEM, 23 HEAC; average age 14.5, 60% white, 59% female). Retention was 100% (EOT) and 96% (6 months); attendance was 96% (both conditions), with moderate-to-high satisfaction ratings. Among students with higher MVPA at baseline, MVPA was higher in HE-MT vs. HE-AC at both EOT (median difference = 81 min/week, p = 0.005) and at 6 months (p = 0.004). Among males, median MVPA was higher (median difference = 99 min/week) in HE-MT vs. HEAC at both EOT (p = 0.056) and at 6 months (p = 0.04). No differences were noted in dietary habits. In sum, integrating school-based MT into health education was feasible and acceptable and had promising effects on MVPA among male and more active adolescents. These findings suggest that MT may improve healthy behaviors in adolescents and deserve to be reproduced in larger, rigorous studies.

5.
Prev Med Rep ; 3: 189-95, 2016 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27419014

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Burnout is highly prevalent among Emergency Medicine (EM) physicians and has significant impact on quality of care and workforce retention. The objective of this study was to determine whether higher religion/spirituality (R/S) is associated with a lower prevalence of burnout among EM physicians (primary outcome). A history of malpractice lawsuits and maladaptive behaviors were the secondary outcomes. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional, survey-based study conducted among a random sample of physicians from the Massachusetts College of Emergency Physicians mailing list. Burnout was measured using a validated 2-item version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Maladaptive behaviors (smoking, drinking, and substance use) and medical malpractice were self-reported. R/S measures included organized religiosity, religious affiliation, private R/S practice, self-rated spirituality, religious rest, and religious commitment. Logistic regression was used to model study outcomes as a function of R/S predictors. RESULTS: Of 422 EM physicians who received the invitation to participate, 138 completed the survey (32.7%). The prevalence of burnout was 27%. No significant associations were observed between burnout and R/S indicators. Maladaptive behaviors (adjusted OR = 0.42, CI: 0.19 to 0.96; p = 0.039) and history of medical malpractice (adjusted OR = 0.32; CI: 0.11 to 0.93; p = 0.037) were less likely among physicians reporting to be more involved in organized religious activity and to observe a day of rest for religious reasons, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study provides preliminary evidence for a possible protective association of certain dimensions of R/S on maladaptive behaviors and medical malpractice among EM physicians.

6.
Womens Health Issues ; 26(1): 87-99, 2016.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26586143

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Care during pregnancy is multifaceted and often goes beyond traditional prenatal care from an obstetrical care provider. Coordinating care between multiple providers can be challenging, but is beneficial for providers and patients. Care coordination is associated with decreased costs, greater patient satisfaction, and a reduction in medical errors. To our knowledge, no previous review has examined maternity care coordination (MCC) programs and their association with pregnancy outcomes. METHODS: Using a search algorithm comprised of relevant MCC terminology, studies were identified through a systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Google Scholar. Studies meeting eligibility criteria (e.g., defining the care coordination components and examining at least one quantitative outcome) were fully abstracted and quality rated using the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) checklist. MAIN FINDINGS: Thirty-three observational studies of MCC were included in this review. Quality scores ranged from 27% to 100%. Most studies included strategies with a team approach to decision making and/or individual case management. Social service referrals to outside organizations were also common. Twenty-seven studies reported infant birth weight as a main outcome; 12 found a significant improvement in birth weights among care coordination participants. CONCLUSIONS: Roughly one-third of the included studies reported improved birth weights among care coordination participants. However, it remains unknown what effect care coordination strategies have on patient and provider satisfaction in the prenatal care setting, two aspects of maternity care that may advance the quality and utilization of prenatal health services.


Subject(s)
Continuity of Patient Care , Delivery of Health Care, Integrated/organization & administration , Maternal Health Services/organization & administration , Pregnancy Outcome , Prenatal Care/statistics & numerical data , Female , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Medical Record Linkage , Pregnancy , Quality Improvement , United States
8.
Contemp Clin Trials ; 41: 248-58, 2015 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25687667

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Cardiovascular prevention is more effective if started early in life, but available interventions to promote healthy lifestyle habits among youth have been ineffective. Impulsivity in particular has proven to be an important barrier to the adoption of healthy behaviors in youth. Observational evidence suggests that mindfulness interventions may reduce impulsivity and improve diet and physical activity. We hypothesize that mindfulness training in adjunct to traditional health education will improve dietary habits and physical activity among teenagers by reducing impulsive behavior and improving planning skills. METHODS/DESIGN: The Commit to Get Fit study is a pilot cluster randomized controlled trial examining the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary efficacy of school-based mindfulness training in adjunct to traditional health education for promotion of a healthy diet and physical activity among adolescents. Two schools in central Massachusetts (30 students per school) will be randomized to receive mindfulness training plus standard health education (HE-M) or an attention-control intervention plus standard health education (HE-AC). Assessments will be conducted at baseline, intervention completion (2 months), and 8 months. Primary outcomes are feasibility and acceptability. Secondary outcomes include physical activity, diet, impulsivity, mood, body mass index, and quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: This study will provide important information about feasibility and preliminary estimates of efficacy of a school-delivered mindfulness and health education intervention to promote healthy dietary and physical activity behaviors among adolescents. Our findings will provide important insights about the possible mechanisms by which mindfulness training may contribute to behavioral change and inform future research in this important area.


Subject(s)
Feeding Behavior , Health Promotion/methods , Mindfulness/methods , Motor Activity , Adolescent , Diet , Feasibility Studies , Health Education/methods , Humans , Pilot Projects , School Health Services
9.
Ann Behav Med ; 46(2): 243-50, 2013 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23605175

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The reduction in adrenergic activity and anxiety associated with meditation may be beneficial for patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators. PURPOSE: This study aims to determine the feasibility of a phone-delivered mindfulness intervention in patients with defibrillators and to obtain preliminary indications of efficacy on mindfulness and anxiety. METHODS: Clinically stable outpatients were randomized to a mindfulness intervention (eight weekly individual phone sessions) or to a scripted follow-up phone call. We used the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Five Facets of Mindfulness to measure anxiety and mindfulness, and multivariate linear regression to estimate the intervention effect on pre-post-intervention changes in these variables. RESULTS: We enrolled 45 patients (23 mindfulness and 22 control; age, 43-83; 30 % women). Retention was 93 %; attendance was 94 %. Mindfulness (beta = 3.31; p = 0.04) and anxiety (beta = -1.15; p = 0.059) improved in the mindfulness group. CONCLUSIONS: Mindfulness training can be effectively phone-delivered and may improve mindfulness and anxiety in cardiac defibrillator outpatients.


Subject(s)
Anxiety/therapy , Defibrillators, Implantable/psychology , Mindfulness , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Patient Compliance , Pilot Projects , Telephone
10.
Ann Epidemiol ; 23(5): 239-45, 2013 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23621989

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Spirituality has been associated with better cardiac autonomic balance, but its association with cardiovascular risk is not well studied. We examined whether more frequent private spiritual activity was associated with reduced cardiovascular risk in postmenopausal women enrolled in the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study. METHODS: Frequency of private spiritual activity (prayer, Bible reading, and meditation) was self-reported at year 5 of follow-up. Cardiovascular outcomes were centrally adjudicated, and cardiovascular risk was estimated from proportional hazards models. RESULTS: Final models included 43,708 women (mean age, 68.9 ± 7.3 years; median follow-up, 7.0 years) free of cardiac disease through year 5 of follow-up. In age-adjusted models, private spiritual activity was associated with increased cardiovascular risk (hazard ratio [HR], 1.16; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02-1.31 for weekly vs. never; HR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.11-1.40 for daily vs. never). In multivariate models adjusted for demographics, lifestyle, risk factors, and psychosocial factors, such association remained significant only in the group with daily activity (HR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.03-1.30). Subgroup analyses indicate this association may be driven by the presence of severe chronic diseases. CONCLUSIONS: Among aging women, higher frequency of private spiritual activity was associated with increased cardiovascular risk, likely reflecting a mobilization of spiritual resources to cope with aging and illness.


Subject(s)
Cardiovascular Diseases/prevention & control , Postmenopause/psychology , Spirituality , Women's Health , Aged , Cardiovascular Diseases/epidemiology , Confidence Intervals , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Incidence , Meditation , Middle Aged , Proportional Hazards Models , Psychophysiology , Risk Assessment , Risk Factors , Self Report , Socioeconomic Factors , Surveys and Questionnaires
11.
Menopause ; 20(9): 936-45, 2013 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23511704

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The relatively modest benefit of vasomotor symptom relief in clinical trials of isoflavones may reflect once-daily dosing and low percentages of participants who are able to metabolize daidzein into equol, a potentially more biologically active isoflavone. This pilot study examined whether symptom reduction was greater with more frequent administration and with higher daily doses. In addition, we explored possible effect modification by equol producer status. METHODS: We randomized 130 perimenopausal (no menses in the past 3 mo) and postmenopausal (≥12 mo of amenorrhea) women with a mean of five or more moderate/severe hot flashes per day to treatment arms with varying total daily isoflavone doses and dosing frequency, separately for equol producers and nonproducers. Participants recorded the daily frequency and severity of hot flashes. Analyses compared mean daily hot flash intensity scores (sum of hot flashes weighted by severity) by total daily dose and by dosing frequency. Dose- and frequency-related differences were also compared for equol producers and nonproducers. RESULTS: Hot flash intensity scores were lowest in women randomized to the highest total daily dose (100-200 mg) and in women randomized to the highest dosing frequency (twice daily to thrice daily), with greater benefits on nighttime scores than on daytime scores. Dose- and frequency-related differences were somewhat larger in equol producers than in nonproducers. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that a twice-daily to thrice-daily dosing frequency may improve the benefit of isoflavones for vasomotor symptom relief, particularly in equol producers and for nighttime symptoms. Larger studies are needed to confirm these findings.


Subject(s)
Equol/administration & dosage , Equol/biosynthesis , Hot Flashes/drug therapy , Isoflavones/pharmacology , Menopause/drug effects , Phytoestrogens/administration & dosage , Adult , Dietary Supplements , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Drug Administration Schedule , Female , Hot Flashes/metabolism , Humans , Menopause/metabolism , Middle Aged , Pilot Projects , Quality of Life , Treatment Outcome , Women's Health
12.
Menopause ; 20(3): 305-14, 2013 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23435028

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Although reduction of vasomotor symptoms (VMS; hot flashes and night sweats) has been reported in postmenopausal women who used isoflavones, a clear dose response has not been shown, has largely not been reported for perimenopausal women, and has largely only been reported for reducing prevalent VMS, not preventing newly developing VMS. We analyzed longitudinal data from the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation for the relation of dietary phytoestrogen and fiber intake to incident VMS in this multiracial/ethnic cohort. METHODS: The Study of Women's Health Across the Nation included 3,302 premenopausal and early perimenopausal women, 1,651 of whom reported no VMS at baseline and were followed with annual visits for 10 years. Dietary intakes of isoflavones, coumestrol, lignans, and fiber were assessed by a food frequency questionnaire at baseline and in annual visits 5 and 9 and interpolated for intervening years. The number of days experiencing VMS in the past 2 weeks was self-reported annually. Using multinomial logistic regression with generalized estimating equations, we modeled incident VMS in relation to isoflavones, lignans, fiber, coumestrol, or total phytoestrogen intake and covariates. RESULTS: No consistent monotonic relations were observed between any dietary phytoestrogen or fiber and incident VMS, although adjusted odds ratios for some individual quartiles were statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: For certainty of any effect of dietary phytoestrogens or fiber on the prevention of incident VMS, a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-masked trial with sufficient numbers of women in different racial/ethnic, menopausal status, and metabolic groups over years of follow-up is required, but our results suggest that a clinically significant or large effect is improbable.


Subject(s)
Dietary Fiber/administration & dosage , Hot Flashes/drug therapy , Phytoestrogens/administration & dosage , Sweating/drug effects , Women's Health , Adult , Coumestrol/administration & dosage , Diet , Ethnicity , Female , Humans , Isoflavones/administration & dosage , Lignans/administration & dosage , Logistic Models , Longitudinal Studies , Middle Aged , Perimenopause , Premenopause , Racial Groups , Surveys and Questionnaires
13.
Menopause ; 20(4): 428-36, 2013 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23096248

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Because exogenous estrogen treatment has been associated with a higher risk of urinary incontinence, our objective was to evaluate the longitudinal relationships of dietary phytoestrogen intakes (isoflavones, coumestans, and lignans) and the development of incontinence in midlife women transitioning through menopause. METHODS: The Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN) Phytoestrogen Study was developed within SWAN, a community-based, multisite, multiracial/ethnic, prospective cohort study. SWAN interviewers administered a food consumption assessment at baseline and on follow-up visits 5 and 9. The SWAN Phytoestrogen Study created a phytonutrient database that allowed estimation of the usual daily intakes of four isoflavones, four lignans, and coumestrol. On an annual self-administered questionnaire, participants reported on the frequency and type of incontinence. We used discrete proportional hazards models to evaluate whether the estimated daily intake of each phytoestrogen class on the visit previous to the first report of incontinence was associated with the development of monthly or more incontinence versus remaining continent. RESULTS: We found no association or patterns of association between developing any, stress, or urge incontinence and the reported daily dietary intake of isoflavones, coumestrol, and lignans on the visit previous to the onset of incontinence. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this longitudinal study provide important information to better understand estrogenlike substances in the continence mechanism of midlife women. Our study shows that neither high nor low dietary intakes of isoflavones, coumestrol, and lignans prevent stress or urge incontinence. Future studies should evaluate whether serum levels of phytoestrogens or their metabolites impact incontinence symptoms.


Subject(s)
Diet , Menopause , Phytoestrogens/administration & dosage , Urinary Incontinence/epidemiology , Adult , Cohort Studies , Coumestrol/administration & dosage , Ethnicity , Female , Humans , Isoflavones/administration & dosage , Lignans/administration & dosage , Longitudinal Studies , Middle Aged , Prospective Studies , Surveys and Questionnaires , Urinary Incontinence/ethnology , Women's Health
14.
J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med ; 17(3): 148-154, 2012 Oct 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23050210

ABSTRACT

Psychological distress is common in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) and has been associated with a worse prognosis. The authors examined whether spiritual wellbeing is associated with reduced psychological distress in patients with ICDs. The Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Wellbeing (FACIT-SWB) questionnare and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were used to measure spiritual wellbeing and overall psychological distress. Multivariate linear regression was used to explore the relationship between these variables.The study sample included 46 ICD outpatients (32 M, 14 F; age range 43-83). An inverse association between HADS and FACIT-SWB scores was found, persisting after adjustment for demographics, anxiety/depression, medications, therapist support, and functional status (F = 0.001; ß= -0.31, CI: -0.44, -0.19). In conclusion, spiritual wellbeing was independently associated with lower psychological distress in ICD outpatients. Spiritual wellbeing could act as a protective factor against psychological distress in these high-risk patients.

15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22536294

ABSTRACT

Background. Meditation practices are associated with a reduction in adrenergic activity that may benefit patients with severe cardiac arrhythmias. This paper describes the design and methods of a pilot study testing the feasibility of a phone-delivered mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) for treatment of anxiety in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs). Design and Methods. Consecutive, clinically stable outpatients (n = 52) will be screened for study eligibility within a month of an ICD-related procedure or ICD shock and will be randomly assigned to MBI or to usual care. MBI patients will receive eight weekly individual phone sessions based on two mindfulness practices (awareness of breath and body scan) plus home practice with a CD for 20 minutes daily. Patients assigned to usual care will be offered the standard care planned by the hospital. Assessments will occur at baseline and at the completion of the intervention (between 9 and 12 weeks after randomization). The primary study outcome is feasibility; secondary outcomes include anxiety, mindfulness, and number of administered shocks during the intervention period. Conclusions. If proven feasible and effective, phone-delivered mindfulness-based interventions could improve psychological distress in ICD outpatients with serious cardiovascular conditions.

16.
Menopause ; 19(8): 894-903, 2012 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22415567

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Phytoestrogens, which consist mainly of isoflavones, lignans, and coumestans have estrogenic and anti-inflammatory properties. Previous research suggests that higher dietary or supplemental intakes of isoflavones and lignans are related to better cognitive performance in middle-aged and older women. METHODS: We conducted longitudinal analysis of dietary phytoestrogens and cognitive performance in a cohort of African American, white, Chinese, and Japanese women undergoing the menopausal transition. The tests were Symbol Digit Modalities, East Boston Memory, and Digits Span Backward. Phytoestrogens were assessed using the Food Frequency Questionnaire. We modeled each cognitive score as a function of concurrent value of the primary predictors (highest tertile of isoflavones, lignans, or coumestrol) and covariates including the menopausal transition stage. RESULTS: Coumestrol and isoflavone intakes were 10 and 25 times greater, respectively, in Asian than in non-Asian participants. During late perimenopause and postmenopause, Asian women with high isoflavone intakes did better on processing speed, but during early perimenopause and postmenopause, high-isoflavone Asian consumers performed worse on verbal memory. The highest isoflavone consumers among non-Asians likewise posted lower verbal memory scores during early perimenopause. A verbal memory benefit of higher dietary lignan consumption was apparent only during late perimenopause, when women from all ethnic/racial groups who were in the highest tertile of intake demonstrated a small advantage. Coumestrol was unrelated to cognitive performance. CONCLUSIONS: The cognitive effects of dietary phytoestrogens are small, seem to be class-specific, vary by menopause stage and cognitive domain, and differ among ethnic/racial groups (but whether this is related to dose or to host factors cannot be discerned).


Subject(s)
Cognition/physiology , Diet , Memory/drug effects , Menopause/physiology , Phytoestrogens/administration & dosage , Women's Health , Adult , Asian , Black People , Coumestrol/administration & dosage , Diet/ethnology , Female , Humans , Isoflavones/administration & dosage , Lignans/administration & dosage , Longitudinal Studies , Memory/physiology , Menopause/ethnology , Middle Aged , White People , Women's Health/ethnology
17.
Nutr Cancer ; 64(2): 228-44, 2012.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22211850

ABSTRACT

Phytoestrogens, heterocyclic phenols found in plants, may benefit several health outcomes. However, epidemiologic studies of the health effects of dietary phytoestrogens have yielded mixed results, in part due to challenges inherent in estimating dietary intakes. The goal of this study was to improve the estimates of dietary phytoestrogen consumption using a modified Block Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), a 137-item FFQ created for the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN) in 1994. To expand the database of sources from which phytonutrient intakes were computed, we conducted a comprehensive PubMed/Medline search covering January 1994 through September 2008. The expanded database included 4 isoflavones, coumestrol, and 4 lignans. The new database estimated isoflavone content of 105 food items (76.6%) vs. 14 (10.2%) in the 1994 version and computed coumestrol content of 52 food items (38.0%), compared to 1 (0.7%) in the original version. Newly added were lignans; values for 104 FFQ food items (75.9%) were calculated. In addition, we report here the phytonutrient intakes for each racial and language group in the SWAN sample and present major food sources from which the phytonutrients came. This enhanced ascertainment of phytoestrogens will permit improved studies of their health effects.


Subject(s)
Databases, Factual , Diet/ethnology , Food , Phytoestrogens/analysis , Surveys and Questionnaires , Adult , Cohort Studies , Coumestrol/administration & dosage , Coumestrol/analysis , Female , Food Analysis , Humans , Isoflavones/administration & dosage , Isoflavones/analysis , Lignans/administration & dosage , Lignans/analysis , Longitudinal Studies , MEDLINE , Middle Aged , Phytoestrogens/administration & dosage , Residence Characteristics , United States , Women's Health
18.
J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med ; 16(3): 218-225, 2011 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22116792

ABSTRACT

The characteristics of dispositional mindfulness have rarely been explored in unhealthy populations. We sought to evaluate its association(s) with psychological morbidity and disease severity in 30 outpatients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators naïve to mindfulness training. We used the Five Facets of Mindfulness and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale to measure dispositional mindfulness and anxiety/depression, respectively. Associations were estimated using linear regression models. Higher dispositional mindfulness was observed in patients with lower anxiety scores (ß = - 1.10, CI: -1.71, -0.49) and no history of depression (ß = - 7.95; CI: -14.31, -1.6) by univariate analysis. No associations were observed with disease severity or other covariates. In conclusion, psychological well-being and psychological morbidity, and not disease severity, appear to be associated with dispositional mindfulness in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators. Further research is needed to confirm these findings.

19.
Menopause ; 18(6): 611-20, 2011 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21372745

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of participation in a mindfulness training program (mindfulness-based stress reduction, [MBSR]) on the degree of bother from hot flashes and night sweats. METHODS: This study was a randomized trial of 110 late perimenopausal and early postmenopausal women experiencing an average of 5 or more moderate or severe hot flashes (including night sweats)/day. A wait-list control (WLC) was used with 3-month postintervention follow-up. The main outcome was the degree of bother from hot flashes and night sweats in the previous 24 hours. Secondary measures were hot flash intensity, quality of life, insomnia, anxiety, and perceived stress. RESULTS: Baseline average (SD) hot flash frequency was 7.87 (3.44) and 2.81 (1.76) night sweats/day. Mean (SD) bothersomeness score was 3.18 (0.55; "moderately bothered/extremely bothered"). All analyses were intention to treat and were controlled for baseline values. Within-woman changes in bother from hot flashes differed significantly by treatment arm (week × treatment arm interaction, P = 0.042). At completion of the intervention, bother in the MBSR arm decreased on average by 14.77% versus 6.79% for WLC. At 20 weeks, total reduction in bother for MBSR was 21.62% and 10.50% for WLC. Baseline-adjusted changes in hot flash intensity did not differ between treatment arms (week × treatment arm interaction, P = 0.692). The MBSR arm made clinically significant improvements in quality of life (P = 0.022), subjective sleep quality (P = 0.009), anxiety (P = 0.005), and perceived stress (P = 0.001). Improvements were maintained 3 months postintervention. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that MBSR may be a clinically significant resource in reducing the degree of bother and distress women experience from hot flashes and night sweats.


Subject(s)
Hot Flashes/psychology , Hot Flashes/rehabilitation , Meditation/methods , Patient Satisfaction , Relaxation Therapy/methods , Women's Health , Adaptation, Psychological , Female , Humans , Meditation/psychology , Middle Aged , Quality of Life , Surveys and Questionnaires , Treatment Outcome
20.
J Am Geriatr Soc ; 57(9): 1569-79, 2009 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19682114

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To assess whether a specifically designed yoga intervention can reduce hyperkyphosis. DESIGN: A 6-month, two-group, randomized, controlled, single-masked trial. SETTING: Community research unit. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred eighteen women and men aged 60 and older with a kyphosis angle of 40 degrees or greater. Major exclusions were serious medical comorbidity, use of assistive device, inability to hear or see adequately for participation, and inability to pass a physical safety screen. INTERVENTION: The active treatment group attended hour-long yoga classes 3 days per week for 24 weeks. The control group attended a monthly luncheon and seminar and received mailings. MEASUREMENTS: Primary outcomes were change (baseline to 6 months) in Debrunner kyphometer-assessed kyphosis angle, standing height, timed chair stands, functional reach, and walking speed. Secondary outcomes were change in kyphosis index, flexicurve kyphosis angle, Rancho Bernardo Blocks posture assessment, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). RESULTS: Compared with control participants, participants randomized to yoga experienced a 4.4% improvement in flexicurve kyphosis angle (P=.006) and a 5% improvement in kyphosis index (P=.004). The intervention did not result in statistically significant improvement in Debrunner kyphometer angle, measured physical performance, or self-assessed HRQOL (each P>.1). CONCLUSION: The decrease in flexicurve kyphosis angle in the yoga treatment group shows that hyperkyphosis is remediable, a critical first step in the pathway to treating or preventing this condition. Larger, more-definitive studies of yoga or other interventions for hyperkyphosis should be considered. Targeting individuals with more-malleable spines and using longitudinally precise measures of kyphosis could strengthen the treatment effect.


Subject(s)
Kyphosis/rehabilitation , Yoga , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Comorbidity , Disability Evaluation , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Geriatric Assessment , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Posture , Quality of Life , Single-Blind Method
SELECTION OF CITATIONS
SEARCH DETAIL