Effect of including a dietary supplement of raisins, a food rich in polyphenols, on cognitive function in healthy older adults; a study protocol for a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Polyphenols have been shown to be effective against many chronic diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases. Specifically, the consumption of raisins, being a food rich in polyphenols, has been attributed with neuroprotective benefits. Therefore, our main objective is to evaluate the effect of including 50 g of raisins in the diet daily for 6 months, on the improvement of cognitive performance, cardiovascular risk factors and markers of inflammation in a population of older adults without cognitive impairment. METHODS: Design and intervention: This study will be a randomized controlled clinical trial of two parallel groups. Each subject included in the study will be randomly assigned to one of two study groups: control group (no supplement), intervention group (50 g of raisins daily during 6 months). STUDY POPULATION: The participants will be selected by consecutive sampling in the Primary Care consultations of urban health centers in Salamanca and Zamora (Spain), taking into account the selection criteria. STUDY VARIABLES: Two visits will be made, baseline and at 6 months. Cognitive performance will be evaluated (Mini-Mental State Examination test, Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test, verbal fluency and montreal cognitive assessment (Moca)). It will also be analyzed the level of physical activity, quality of life, activities of daily living, energy and nutritional composition of the diet, body composition, blood pressure, heart rate, markers of inflammation and other laboratory tests of clinical relevance (glycaemia, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides). In addition, sociodemographic data, personal and family history, medication use and alcohol and tobacco consumption will be collected. DISCUSSION: In this project, it is intended to contribute to minimize the problems derived from cognitive deterioration in older people. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClincalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04966455 Registration date: July 1, 2021.

A randomized controlled trial on the effects of "Global Postural Re-education" versus neck specific exercise on pain, disability, postural control, and neuromuscular features in women with chronic non-specific neck pain.

BACKGROUND: Neck pain is associated with decreased health-related quality of life, decreased work productivity, and increased visits to health care providers. AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of "Global Postural Re-education" (GPR) versus a neck specific exercise (SE) program on neck pain, disability, cervical range of movement, postural stability, and activity of the superficial cervical flexor muscles. DESIGN: A parallel-group and single-blinded clinical trial. SETTING: Community interventions. POPULATION: Fifty women with non-specific chronic neck pain (NSCNP). METHODS: Participants were randomly assigned to one of the two intervention groups (GPR [N.=25] or SE [N.=25]). Both interventions consisted of eight sessions of ~40 minutes duration, performed twice a week, for four weeks. Outcomes included neck pain intensity and disability, cervical range of motion (CROM), postural sway, and activity of the superficial neck flexor muscles during a cranio-cervical flexion test (CCFT). All outcomes were assessed twice before the intervention and immediately following eight treatment sessions over four weeks. RESULTS: Both interventions were equally effective in reducing neck pain (P<0.001, ŋp2=0.770) and disability (P<0.001, ŋp2=0.306), improving neck mobility (P<0.001, 0.385≤ŋp2≤0.623, for all measurements) and decreasing the activity of the superficial cervical flexor muscles (P>0.001). Neither intervention altered postural sway. CONCLUSIONS: Our results revealed that GPR and SE induced significant positive results in all measures apart from postural stability but with no difference between the interventions. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: "Global Postural Re-education" (GPR) and neck SE interventions are equally effective in reducing neck pain and disability, and improving neck mobility in women with NSCNP. Overall, this study indicates that GPR and SE interventions can be used to effectively manage patients with NSCNP.