Effect of Reiki Therapy on Blood Pressure and Alcohol Consumption in Young Adults: A Clinical Trial.

Introduction: The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes Reiki therapy as a form of therapy within the classification of alternative therapies. Recently, a growing interest regarding the implementation of Reiki therapy in patient care relating to the field of nursing has been detected; however, there are few scientifically rigorous studies that support this. Objective: To determine the effect of Reiki therapy on blood pressure (BP) and alcohol consumption in young adults with hypertension, in two urban communities in northern of Mexico. Methodology: A randomized and controlled clinical trial, with an equivalent experimental group (EG) and a control group (CG). Longitudinal design of repeated parallel measurements and triple-blind masking. Results: The averages of the Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) of EG. vs. CG in the test vs. retest were: 109.91 ± 2.3 vs. 111.19 ± 3.3 (P = .140) and retest: 97.00 ± 4.9 vs. 110.94 ± 2.9 (P = .001). In alcohol consumption at test: 11.00 ± 2.9 vs. 11.54 ± 2.8 (P = .527) and at retest: 8.83 ± 1.02 vs. 11.83 ± 1.92 (P = .001). In the ANOVA analysis for the EG, the MAP decrease between measurements 1 and 2; and 1 and 3 (P = .001). Regarding alcohol consumption, there was no difference between measurements 1 and 2 nor in measurements 2 and 3. There was only a significant difference between measurements 1 and 3 (P = .015). Conclusion: The results obtained confirmed our hypothesis of the research, since the EG had a significant effect on the decrease of the MAP and alcohol consumption after 21 sessions of Reiki therapy intervention.

Efectividad de los programas de educación sexual y reproductiva en los adolescentes / Effectiveness of programs in sexual and reproductive education in adolescents

Resumen: Objetivo: Identificar y analizar publicaciones científicas sobre salud sexual y reproductiva, desde la perspectiva del grupo educativo, mediante una revisión de trabajos publicados. Materiales y Métodos: Revisión integradora de la literatura científica en inglés y español, en la base de datos nacional de la Biblioteca Virtual en Salud durante 2016-2019, basada en artículos que centraron la aplicación de programas educativos en salud sexual y reproductiva en los adolescentes. Se realizó una búsqueda utilizando los siguientes descriptores en ciencias de salud:(1) Sex Education, (2) Reproductive Health; (3) Adolescent. Resultados: Los hallazgos en la investigación, confirman la importancia de los programas educativos en salud reproductiva, como base en la mejora del conocimiento de los adolescentes y les da herramientas para sentirse preparados, tomar mejores decisiones y afrontar situaciones importantes relacionadas con su salud sexual y reproductiva. De los artículos identificados con criterios de inclusión y exclusión, se seleccionaron 8. Conclusiones: Los ámbitos de aplicación de la consejería de salud en enfermería son amplios dentro de la atención primaria de salud, tanto para la promoción de la salud, como para el autocuidado de personas con diversas patologías; en cuanto a limitaciones es necesario contar con personal de enfermería capacitado.

Abstract: Objective: To identify and analyze scientific publications on sexual and reproductive health from the perspective of the educational group, through a review of published works. Materials and Methods: An integrative review of the scientific literature in English and Spanish in the national database of the Virtual Health Library during 2016-2019, based on articles that focused on the application of educational programs on sexual and reproductive health in adolescents. A search was performed using the following descriptors in health sciences: (1) Sex Education, (2) Reproductive Health; (3) Adolescent. Results: The research findings confirm the importance of educational programs in reproductive health as a basis for improving the knowledge of adolescents and giving them tools to feel prepared, make better decisions and face important situations related to their sexual and reproductive health. Of the articles identified with inclusion and exclusion criteria, 8 were selected. Conclusions: The educational program allows adolescents to increase their knowledge of sexual and reproductive health issues, therefore, its effectiveness is corroborated. The need for more research on sexual and reproductive health is evident where male participation is seen more, and educational programs are evaluated in the long term.

[CONSUMPTION OF OMEGA- 3 FATTY ACIDS AND DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS IN COLLEGE STUDENTS FROM SONORA, MEXICO]. / CONSUMO DE ÁCIDOS GRASOS OMEGA-3 Y SÍNTOMAS DEPRESIVOS EN UNIVERSITARIOS DE SONORA, MÉXICO.

INTRODUCTION: recent studies suggest that low serum levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids omega-3 are associated with a higher prevalence of depression. OBJECTIVE: to evaluate whether low consumption of Omega-3 fatty acids is associated with a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms in a sample of college students from the Northwest of Mexico, and to assess the potential effect modification by alcohol consumption. METHODS: we conducted a cross-sectional study in a sample of 706 college students (males and females) aged 18 to 24. The presence of depressive symptoms was identified with the Depression Scale of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies (CES-D), using a cutoff point of ≥ 24. The intake of omega-3 was obtained by a food frequency questionnaire validated for Mexican population. We estimated the weekly intake of alpha-linolenic fatty acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) derived from the diet in mg/g of food. The association between omega-3 from diet and the presence of depressive symptoms was assessed using logistic regression models adjusted for potential confounders. RESULTS: 67% of the participants were females; 16.6% were classified as having depressive symptoms. A low intake of ALA and EPA + DHA was not associated with depressive symptoms before and after adjusting for confounders. Median levels of ALA (from nuts only) were significantly lower among those with depressive symptoms compared to those without these symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: in this population of Mexican college students, a low intake of omega-3 fatty acids was not associated with depressive symptoms. The potential association between nut consumption and depressive symptoms deserve more attention.

Introducción: estudios recientes sugieren que los niveles bajos de acidos grasos poliinsaturados omega-3 se relacionan con una mayor prevalencia de depresion; sin embargo, los resultados no son concluyentes. Objetivo: evaluar la asociacion entre el bajo consumo de acidos grasos omega-3 y la presencia de sintomas depresivos en jovenes universitarios del noroeste de Mexico. Métodos: se realizo un estudio transversal en una muestra de 706 universitarios de 18 a 24 anos de edad de ambos sexos. La presencia de sintomatologia depresiva se estimo con la escala de Depresion del Centro de Estudios Epidemiologicos (CES-D) empleando un punto de corte ≥ 24. El consumo semanal de acidos grasos alfalinolenico (ALA) y de eicosapentaenoico (EPA) mas docosahexaenoico (DHA) en mg/g de alimento se estimo por medio de un cuestionario de frecuencia de consumo de alimentos validado para la poblacion mexicana. La asociacion del consumo de omega-3 con la presencia de sintomas depresivos se evaluo con modelos de regresion logistica. Resultados: el 67% de los participantes fueron mujeres; en general, el 16,6% presentaron sintomatologia depresiva. El consumo bajo de ALA y EPA + DHA no se asocio con mayor prevalencia de sintomatologia depresiva antes y despues de ajustar por confusores. En aquellos casos con sintomatologia depresiva, los niveles ALA derivados solo de las nueces fueron significativamente menores. Conclusiones: en esta poblacion no se observo asociacion entre el bajo consumo de acidos grasos omega-3 y la sintomatologia depresiva. La posible asociacion entre el consumo de nueces y la sintomatologia depresiva requiere de mas estudios.

Negative studies are helpful to compute the specificity of diagnostic tests: measuring Trypanosoma cruzi seroprevalence in Guanajuato, Mexico.

BACKGROUND: Publishing negative seroprevalence studies not only helps to have more accurate seroprevalence estimates but also allows calculating the specificity of the diagnostic tests used. We performed a population-based Trypanosoma cruzi seroprevalence survey in a community in central Mexico. RESULTS: We surveyed 204 women and children and collected blood by finger prick. We performed rapid tests (Stat-Pak, Chembio, Inc., Medford, New York) and recombinant Chagas ELISA tests v3.0 (Wiener, Rosario, Argentina). All rapid tests and all ELISA tests were negative. CONCLUSION: The rapid test had 100 % of specificity compared to the ELISA.

Do People with Type 2 Diabetes Think They are Unhealthy?: A Cross-Sectional Study in Celaya, Mexico.

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease that presents a significant burden on health care systems in many countries. With the rise of obesity, the incidence of Type 2 diabetes has also been steadily increasing. A healthy lifestyle and understanding of diabetes management are important factors for delaying the onset of comorbidities associated with Type 2 diabetes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the self-perception of health in individuals with Type 2 diabetes as it relates to BMI status, which has important implications for the implementation of preventive programs. METHODS: A cross-sectional lifestyle survey was implemented in the region of Celaya, Guanajuato, Mexico, targeting 100 participants diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. Anthropometric measurements and participant characteristics were also obtained. Fisher's exact test was used to determine if the proportions of lifestyles perceptions differed by BMI status. RESULTS: Participants had a mean age of 56.12 ± 10.26, a mean BMI of 29.13 ± 5.48 kg/m2, were mostly married (67.0%), and female (70.0%). None of the normal weight participants perceived themselves as unhealthy. 95% of overweight/obese participants perceived themselves to be healthy, despite a diagnosis of diabetes and being overweight/obese, while only 5% perceived themselves to be unhealthy. However, these differences in the perceptions of health classified by BMI status were not statistically significant (p = 0.42). CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that overweight and obese persons with Type 2 diabetes in Celaya, Mexico may have misperceptions about their own health, even though these findings were not statistically significant. These preliminary data highlight the importance of implementing prevention and educational programs among those with diabetes, in order to combat health misperceptions and raise awareness about the dangers of diabetes and obesity. Furthermore, more research with larger sample sizes is needed in order to fully understand the effects of perception of health on actual health.

Lifestyle intervention as a treatment for obesity among school-age-children in Celaya, Guanajuato: An experimental study.

INTRODUCTION: Obesity is a risk factor in chronic diseases, and its frequency among children in Mexico is increasing. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of lifestyle intervention as a treatment for obesity in school-age-children from Celaya, Mexico. METHODOLOGY: For this experimental study, four schools were randomly selected. Children and parents participated voluntarily and signed consent forms. Two schools were chosen as the experimental group and the other two formed the control group. Age, gender, weight, height, BMI and blood pressure were recorded for each participant. INTERVENTION: Children and parents were asked to walk in their schools for 30 minutes a day Monday through Friday and to attend 8 instructional sessions over a period of four months dedicated to the selection and preparation of meals. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The OR and 95% CI were calculated to determine the effect of the intervention; a Z-test for two proportions for overweight and obesity in the control and experimental groups were carried out for comparison. RESULTS: 157 children were included in the experimental group and 144 in the control group. To compare the proportions of the overweight and the obese between the groups, a Z-test = -0.36 (p-value 0.72) were obtained showing no effect of the intervention in lifestyle; OR =1.09, 95% CI (0.67, 1.77). It was adjusted according to the attendance to the sessions resulting in an OR = 2.00, 95% CI (0.69, 5.77), demonstrating that not attending the sessions was a confounder. CONCLUSIONS: Intervention in lifestyle should be measured over a longer period of time in order to determine what effects it may have on changes in body mass index.