The space between us: The effect of perceived threat on discomfort distance and perceived pleasantness of interpersonal vicarious touch.

The space we keep between ourselves and others allows us either to engage in close shared experiences or to distance ourselves for safety. Focusing primarily on the latter, previous studies have identified a link between interpersonal boundaries and perceived threat, perceptual discrimination including pain perception as well as how we move and behave as a result. Although interpersonal distancing has been studied in a range of contexts, a mechanistic way of how such spatial behaviour might alter how we perceive affective touch has yet to be investigated. Here we probe the effect of perceived threat of COVID-19 on interpersonal boundary preferences and perceived pleasantness of vicarious affective touch. Our results demonstrate that increased perceived threat from COVID-19 is associated with larger boundaries of discomfort distance. Moreover, we show a positive association between perceived threat and pleasantness of vicarious touch coming from a member of the household, but no association with outsider touch. Importantly, rather than focusing on the purely "positive" and prosocial functions of affective touch, these results bolster a novel perspective that socially-relevant cues guide both approach and avoidance behaviours.

Pilot study of musculoskeletal discomfort in Indonesian pregnant workers during COVID-19 pandemic era.

Objective: This pilot study aims to analyze the factors influencing musculoskeletal discomfort in pregnant workers in Indonesia from occupational aspects, especially during the pandemic, to recommend further interventions and policies for a safer and healthier workplace. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional study. It used an online questionnaire to collect data on individual, occupational, and work environmental factors and musculoskeletal discomfort. We used Chi-square and logistic regression analysis to determine associations between the risk factors and the musculoskeletal discomfort. Results: A total of 126 women from multiple employment sectors participated. About 59% of respondents reported discomfort, with the majority having pain in the lower back (62.2%). Chi-square analysis revealed that age, history of injury, subjective agility and speed, length of working days in a week, and subjective temperature conformity were associated with the prevalence of musculoskeletal discomfort. Logistic regression revealed that age (p = 0.018 and OR = 2.218) and temperature conformity (p = 0.049 and OR = 2.157) were the most significant independent predictors of musculoskeletal discomfort. Conclusion: This study shows that temperature conformity is a predictor of musculoskeletal discomfort. Employers should consider this when determining whether their workplace is suitable for pregnant women. The treatment of younger workers needs attention, especially during pregnancy, they may need extra accommodation during pregnancy.

Effect of prolonged wear and frame tightness of AR glasses on comfort.

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of frame tightness on the wearing comfort of augmented reality (AR) glasses during a prolonged video viewing task. A frame prototype of AR glasses with an adjustable frame width was adopted to accommodate variations in head size within the Chinese population, and two hundred participants were recruited to wear the glasses for an hour under five different tightness conditions. Local and overall discomfort ratings were obtained as outcome measures, and the ratings exhibited a significant increase with higher tightness levels. Furthermore, females and older people reported greater discomfort than other participants did, whereas previous spectacle use and body type had nonsignificant effects on wearing comfort. Consideration of approaches to alleviate frame tightness is crucial in the design of AR glasses targeting females and older people. These findings provide valuable ergonomic insights for AR glasses design and offer considerations applicable to the glasses-type wearable device industry.

Epidemiology of Penetrating Chest Injuries Presenting at a Tertiary Care Center in Peshawar: A Retrospective Study.

INTRODUCTION: Trauma is the leading cause of mortality globally. Penetrating chest trauma is a type of injury that occurs when an object pierces the skin and enters the chest wall. The incidence of penetrating chest trauma is high in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province of Pakistan, with firearm injuries being the most common cause. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to determine the epidemiology and outcome of non-cardiac penetrating chest injuries presented at a tertiary care center in Peshawar. MATERIAL AND METHODS:  This retrospective cohort study was conducted from January 2022 to January 2023 at Medical Teaching Institute, Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, KPK, Pakistan. Two hundred and three patients who suffered penetrating chest trauma in the Khyber Province of Pakistan between January 2022 and January 2023 were included in this retrospective cohort study. The epidemiology and outcomes were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 23 (Released 2015; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States). RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 30.25 ± 16.674 years. Males comprised 183 (90.1%) of the study sample whereas females comprised only one-tenth 20 (9.9%). Gunshot injuries were the predominant mode of penetrating thoracic trauma comprising 128 (63.05%) of all injuries. Injuries inflicted by knife constituted approximately one-fifth of the presentations 44 (21.67%). The remaining injuries labeled 'Others' comprised modes such as road traffic accidents and fall injuries where the predominant mechanism was penetrating injury. The latter comprised 31 (15.27%) of the injuries. CONCLUSION: Penetrating chest trauma is common in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province of Pakistan. Gunshot injury is the most common mode. Males are predominantly affected. Most non-cardiac penetrating chest trauma can be managed conservatively.

The impact of different recovery positions on the perfusion of the lower forearm and comfort: A cross-over randomized controlled trial.

Background: International guidelines recommend a side-lying recovery position for unresponsive individuals with normal breathing who do not require cardiopulmonary resuscitation. However, high-certainty evidence about an optimal recovery position is lacking. Recent guidelines recommend a position with the arm extended rather than bent, hypothesizing that venous drainage in the dependent lower arm might be compromised. This cross-over randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effect of recovery positions with bent or extended arm on perfusion of the lower forearm and comfort. Methods: Eight healthy volunteers were placed in each of the recovery positions for 15 min, in random order, with an interval of 15 min in supine position. Various perfusion indices of the dependent arm were assessed by radial artery tonometry, ulnar artery echo doppler, and venous congestion plethysmography, as well as participant discomfort, pain and skin discoloration. Differences in outcomes were analyzed with linear mixed models. Results: Our study found no statistically significant difference in systolic peripheral arterial pressure in the radial artery, peripheral venous pressure at the back of the hand, oxygen saturation, heart rate, subjective pain and discomfort, when comparing both postures. Participants slightly experienced more skin discoloration in the position with extended arm. Conclusions: We conclude that, since perfusion of the dependent arm was shown to be similar in both positions, both recovery positions can be used. These conclusions fill a gap in evidence and can further support the treatment recommendations regarding the recovery position in first aid settings.

Evaluating the Influence of Acute and Chronic Orofacial Pains on the Overall Comprehensive Quality of Life.

Background Orofacial discomfort refers to various disorders that affect the mouth, jaws, and face. These conditions may substantially influence a person's quality of life (QoL). This kind of pain may be categorised into two primary classifications: acute and chronic. Acute orofacial pain (OFP) usually occurs suddenly and lasts for a short period. It is commonly caused by specific factors such as dental treatments, traumas, or infections. Hence, this study aimed to assess the influence of acute and chronic orofacial discomfort on the overall QoL. Methodology This research used a convenience sample to gather data from the five groups. It was conducted as a cross-sectional study. Four categories of OFP syndromes were utilised: temporomandibular disorders (TMDs), atypical dental pain (ADP), trigeminal neuralgia (TN), and persistent dentoalveolar pain disorder (PDAP). In addition, a control group consisting of individuals who did not experience any discomfort was also included in the study. Participants received a standardised explanation of the questionnaires utilised, and in most instances, they completed them at the clinic under the supervision of one of the investigators. Results The correlations between each version of the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP) were statistically significant (p < 0.001), with correlation values ranging from 0.92 to 0.97. When comparing the occurrence of OHIP items across the four pain types, we identified 18 variations that exceeded the 35% prevalence threshold we established for identifying important items that frequently occur out of the 315 comparisons. The question "Have you had a painful aching in your mouth?" showed a low frequency in patients with TN, TMD, and ADP but a significant prevalence in patients with PDAP (90%). This difference in prevalence across pain types was the biggest seen. The question that seemed to distinguish between the pain categories most effectively was "Have you experienced a toothache?" This question had a high occurrence in PDAP (65%) and ADP (60%), perhaps allowing for differentiating these two diseases from TN and TMD. The highest prevalence differences, over 30%, were most often seen when PDAP was included as one of the disorders being compared. ADP had the fewest variances, over 30%, occurring just seven times. Conclusion Both acute and chronic OFPs have a major negative influence on QoL, but they affect it differently and to differing extents. Injury-related acute pain obviously poses rapid and severe restrictions on physical function and causes temporary psychological distress and temporary social exclusion. On the other hand, chronic pain for the patient always implies being locked in a physical world that does not allow him or her to bypass physical limitations, psychological disorders remain constant, and isolation from other people persists for life.

Vicarious Dissonance: Pre-Registered Meta-Analysis.

The vicarious cognitive dissonance process predicts that observing an inconsistent act by a member of the ingroup causes uncomfortable arousal in the observer, inducing a motivation to reduce this discomfort. This meta-analysis examined the effect of vicarious cognitive dissonance based on 24 studies (N = 16,769). Our results indicated a small effect for the vicarious cognitive dissonance (g = 0.41 [0.27, 0.54], p <.001) with important variability between the outcomes. Our moderator analysis was limited by the low number of included studies. Publication bias analyses indicate a small true effect size (e.g., 3PSM: g = 0.22, p = .042), that was inflated by small sample sizes (R-index = 14.6%). We discussed theoretical issues concerning the psychological processes underlying vicarious cognitive dissonance, and methodological questions concerning operationalization. We proposed ways of improving the design and procedure to ensure that the effects found in the literature exist and are replicable.

The analysis of tear meniscus parameters during daily soft contact lens wear using optical coherence tomography.

PURPOSE: To evaluate tear meniscus parameters in soft contact lens wearers (SCL) using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and ImageJ software. METHODS: This prospective study included 50 soft contact lens wearers (group 1: 25 symptomatic SCL wearers (SCLW), group 2: 25 asymptomatic SCL wearers (ASCW)) and 25 healthy non-CL wearers (group 3 (NCLW)). SCLs were fitted on each eye of CL wearers, and the lower tear meniscus was imaged using OCT before CL insertion, immediately afterward, and reimaged 2, 5 and 10 h after insertion. Tear meniscus parameters, including tear meniscus height (TMH), depth (TMD), turbidity, and percentage area occupied by particles (PAOP) were measured in all groups. RESULTS: Turbidity and PAOP measurements at baseline in SCLW were significantly higher than in other groups (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between TMH, TMD, turbidity, and PAOP parameters calculated at baseline visit and two hours after SCL insertion in all groups (p > 0.05 for 2 comparisons). The symptomatic SCL users had a significant decrease in TMH and TMD in the fifth hour. The turbidity and PAOP measurements of SCLW and ASCW at the fifth and tenth hours were significantly higher than those of NCLW (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: TMD and height TMH decrease throughout the day in all participants; however, a significant decrease in these parameters was observed only in symptomatic SCL users at the fifth hour, at the earliest. As the duration of CL wear increases, turbidity and PAOP even in asymptomatic SCL wearers become significantly higher than those in healthy non-CL wearers. KEY MESSAGES: What Is Known • Contact lens wear is associated with an increased risk of dry eye. • Tear volume decreases gradually during contact lens wear. What Is New • Tear meniscus turbidity and particle area occupied by particles (PAOP) were higher in symptomatic contact lens wearers and they increase gradually during contact lens wear. • Tear meniscus turbidity and PAOP may be measures of how well the tear film and meniscus are functioning in contact lens wearers.

Time budgets and weight shifting as indicators of pain in hospitalized horses.

Introduction: Pain assessment in horses presents a significant challenge due to their nonverbal nature and their tendency to conceal signs of discomfort in the presence of potential threats, including humans. Therefore, this study aimed to identify pain-associated behaviors amenable to automated AI-based detection in video recordings. Additionally, it sought to determine correlations between pain intensity and behavioral and postural parameters by analyzing factors such as time budgets, weight shifting, and unstable resting. The ultimate goal is to facilitate the development of AI-based quantitative tools for pain assessment in horses. Materials and methods: A cohort of 20 horses (mean age 15 ± 8) admitted to a university equine hospital underwent 24-h video recording. Behaviors were manually scored and retrospectively analyzed using Loopy® software. Three pain groups were established based on the Pain Score Vetmeduni Vienna : pain-free (P0), mild to moderate pain (P1), and severe pain (P2). Results: Weight shifting emerged as a reliable indicator for discriminating between painful and pain-free horses, with significant differences observed between pain groups (p < 0.001) and before and after administration of analgesia. Additionally, severely painful horses (P2 group) exhibited lower frequencies of feeding and resting standing per hour compared to pain-free horses, while displaying a higher frequency of unstable resting per hour. Discussion: The significant differences observed in these parameters between pain groups offer promising prospects for AI-based analysis and automated pain assessment in equine medicine. Further investigation is imperative to establish precise thresholds. Leveraging such technology has the potential to enable more effective pain detection and management in horses, ultimately enhancing welfare and informing clinical decision-making in equine medicine.

Ergonomics and health risk awareness of workers involved in manual material handling at Sabon Gari Market in Zaria, Nigeria.

This study assessed the manual handling of materials in a local market environment and evaluated workers' awareness of ergonomics and health risks. Of 315 workers surveyed, 308 responded. The findings revealed a high prevalence rate of 96.4% for injuries and musculoskeletal discomfort, attributed to a low ergonomics and health risk awareness rate of only 6.8%. Consequently, 75% of workers resorted to self-medication or drug abuse for relief. The study also explored barriers to using engineering equipment, finding that 26.3% of respondents cited cost as a barrier, while 51% believed that the introduction of engineering equipment would lead to job loss. This research is valuable for practitioners and researchers as it highlights the current state of ergonomics and health risk awareness among workers who handle heavy loads. The study also highlights the need for improved ergonomic practices and health risk awareness to reduce injury rates and promote safer work environments.

Effect of Lidocaine-prilocaine Cream on Using CPAP Mask Amongst Patients Undergone PAPtitration Study for Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Randomized Controlled Trial Study.

Background/objective: Despite the high efficacy of using Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in reversing upper airway obstruction in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the efficiency of this treatment is limited due to the low adherence. Mask pressure is suggested to play a significant role in adherence. In this study, we intend to investigate the effect of Lidocaine-prilocaine cream CPAP mask on pressure sensation. Methods: In this study, 75 patients referred to CPAP titration were divided into three groups. In groups one and two, Lidocaine-prilocaine cream and Petroleum jelly were used respectively. The third group had no intervention. Results: VAS discomfort immediately (VAS0), after 15 min (VAS15), and the next day (VAS all) in three groups were compared. VAS0, VAS15, and VAS all were not significantly different among the three groups (P > 0.05). Among participants with VAS0 above 5, VAS15 was significantly lower in intervention groups than the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: This study shows that both Petroleum jelly and Lidocaine-prilocaine cream can be used for decreasing pressure sensation during CPAP titration among patients who suffer excessive facial discomfort immediately after putting on a CPAP mask.

Comparison of the effects of submucosal hyaluronidase and dexamethasone on postoperative edema, pain, trismus, and infection following impacted third molar surgery.

BACKGROUND: Limiting postoperative edema, pain, trismus, and infection is crucial for smooth healing. This prospective, controlled clinical trial investigated and compared the effectiveness of dexamethasone and hyaluronidase in relieving these complications. METHODS: In groups Ia and IIa, 8 mg of dexamethasone and 150 IU of hyaluronidase were administered following the removal of impacted teeth, respectively. The contralateral sides (groups Ib and IIb) were determined as control groups. Edema, pain, trismus, and infection were clinically evaluated on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 7th postoperative days. RESULTS: 60 patients were enrolled in the study. Hyaluronidase provided significantly more edema relief than dexamethasone on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 7th postoperative days (P = 0.031, 0.002, 0.000, and 0.009, respectively). No statistical difference was found between dexamethasone and hyaluronidase in VAS and rescue analgesic intake amount values for all time points. Hyaluronidase was more effective in reducing trismus than dexamethasone on the 2nd and 3rd postoperative days (P = 0.029, 0.024, respectively). Neither of the agents significantly increased the postoperative infection rate. CONCLUSIONS: Hyaluronidase can be selected when postoperative excessive edema and trismus are anticipated. Dexamethasone may be a cost-effective option if postoperative pain control is merely targeted. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial was registered in the Clinical Trials Protocol Registration and Results System (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier number: NCT05466604) on 20/07/2022.

Laryngeal and Global Somatosensation in Primary Muscle Tension Dysphonia.

INTRODUCTION: Primary muscle tension dysphonia (pMTD) is a functional voice disorder that reduces communicative abilities and adversely impacts occupational productivity and quality of life. Patients with pMTD report increased vocal effort, fatigue, discomfort, and odynophonia. Although laryngeal and paralaryngeal muscle tension and hyperfunction are the most commonly proposed mechanisms underlying these symptoms, recent studies suggest pMTD may have more to do with the somatosensory system. However, relationships between voice symptoms and somatosensory mechanisms are poorly understood, creating challenges for mechanistic-based pMTD management. The first objective was to compare laryngeal, paralaryngeal, and global somatosensation between subjects with and without pMTD. The second was to determine relationships between pMTD symptoms and somatosensation. METHODS: Fifty-two (20 pMTD and 32 control) subjects underwent laryngeal sensory testing with aesthesiometers, as well as peripheral mechanosensory and dynamic temporal summation testing to paralaryngeal and limb regions. Voice symptom severities (vocal effort, fatigue, discomfort, and odynophonia) were collected on 100-mm visual analog scales before and after laryngeal sensory testing. Participants also completed the Central Sensitization Inventory. RESULTS: Patients with pMTD reported significantly higher laryngeal sensations (P = 0.0072) and voice symptom severities (P < 0.001) compared with the control group, and had significantly more vocal tract discomfort postlaryngeal sensory testing compared with the prelaryngeal sensory testing timepoint (P = 0.0023). However, there were no significant group differences in laryngeal airway protection responses suggestive of peripheral laryngeal hypersensitivities (P = 0.444). There were also no significant group differences on paralaryngeal or global sensitivities (P > 0.05), and no correlations between severity of voice symptoms and perceptual laryngeal sensations or hypersensitivities (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Patients with pMTD perceive more sensitivities in the larynx and feel more sensations related to the voice (vocal effort, fatigue, discomfort, and pain). However, in general, patients with pMTD do not have abnormal peripheral laryngeal hypersensitivities, increased global somatosensation, or heightened central sensitivity. The lack of significant correlations between peripheral laryngeal hypersensitivities and voice symptom severity ratings suggests these outcome variables target distinct mechanistic constructs.

Efficacy and Safety of Urethral Catheter with Continuous Infusion of Ropivacaine after Urologic Surgery: A Pilot Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Catheter-related bladder discomfort (CRBD) has been found in many patients with urologic surgery. The authors investigated the effect of analgesic-eluting urethral catheters on postoperative CRBD. METHODS: 60 subjects scheduled for urologic surgery requiring urethral catheterization were randomized prospectively to one of three groups (control arm, 0.5% ropivacaine 1 mL/h arm [Study 1 arm] and 0.5% ropivacaine 2 mL/h arm [Study 2 arm]; n = 20 each). The incidence and severity of CRBD were evaluated postoperatively at 24 h as primary outcomes. The incidence of adverse events regarding urethral catheter utilization was assessed as a secondary outcome. RESULTS: The CRBD incidence at 24 h postoperatively in the control, study 1 and study 2 arms was 50.0%, 10.0%, and 15.0%, respectively (p = 0.002). The CRBD severity at 24 h postoperatively showed that patients in the study 1 and study 2 arms had significantly less postoperative CRBD than those in the control arm (visual analog score [VAS]; the mean VAS of the control, study 1, and study 2 arms: 2.1 vs. 1.6 vs. 0.9, p = 0.045). Urethral pain regarding catheter was significantly less severe in the study arms than in the control (VAS score: 6.2 vs. 1.5 vs. 1.4, p < 0.001). The severity and incidence of adverse events did not differ significantly among groups (p = 0.287). Peri-catheter leakage was more frequent in the study 2 arm (p = 0.057). CONCLUSION: The proper usage of a ropivacaine-eluting catheter can not only alleviate CRBD but reduce catheter-related urethral pain in patients with urologic surgery followed by catheterization, without major adverse events.

Measuring the Effect of an Ergonomic Lecture on the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment Scores of Dental Assistant Students Using Inertial Sensor-Based Motion Capture-A Randomized Controlled Study.

Individuals working in the field of dentistry have a high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) owing to monotonous and one-sided physical exertion. Inertial measurement units (IMU) are increasingly shifting into focus for assessing postural risk at work. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the effects of an ergonomic lecture and training intervention on postural risk and MSDs in dental assistant students using inertial sensor-based motion capture (MoCap). Eighteen female dental assistant students (age: 19.44 ± 6.83 years; height: 164.59 ± 5.32 cm; weight: 64.88 ± 16.52 kg; BMI: 19.70 ± 4.89 kg/m2), randomly divided into intervention (n = 9) and control (n = 9) groups, participated in the present study. The participants completed the Nordic Questionnaire on MSD prevalence, after which a 90 s MoCap with Xsens IMU was performed. A lecture on ergonomics was provided, followed by a five-week intervention for the intervention group. Follow-up assessments were performed, and 5- and 18-week follow-up MSD questionnaires were administered. Mixed analysis of variance (MANOVA) showed a significant difference in the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) and part-scores of the upper arm and wrist. Despite a reduction in MSDs, no significant differences in the time of measurement and groups were detected after the five-week training intervention and the 18-week follow-up questionnaire. A targeted ergonomics lecture was effective for dental assistant students, and technologies such as IMU improved workplace ergonomics in dentists. Further studies with a longer measurement periods, follow-up, and larger sample sizes are recommended.

Evaluation of Postoperative Discomfort After Strabismus Surgery Under General Anesthesia in Children: A Prospective Observational Study.

Purpose: Strabismus surgery is most commonly performed on children under general anesthesia. However, few studies have focused on the postoperative discomfort in children after strabismus surgery. This study aimed to evaluate postoperative discomfort and the associated risk factors in children who underwent strabismus surgery under general anesthesia. Patients and Methods: A single-center prospective observational study including 300 children who underwent strabismus surgery after general anesthesia was conducted. Patients' characteristics, preoperative anxiety, surgical and anesthesia data, discomfort within 24 hours after postanesthesia care unit were recorded. The primary outcome was the incidence of postoperative discomfort. Results: Approximately 51.33% of the children complained of at least one of the following types of postoperative discomfort: postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) (23.00%), headache (4.33%), dizziness (20.33%) and emergence agitation (EA) (5.33%). Multivariate analysis indicated that history of motion sickness (P<0.001, odds ratio [OR]=3.72), and surgery in the dominant eye (P=0.010, OR=2.00) were independent predictors of postoperative discomfort; age was an independent predictor of EA (P<0.001, OR=0.36); prism diopter≥40 was an independent predictor of headache (P=0.005, OR=5.53); age (P=0.020, OR=1.12) and history of motion sickness (P=0.001, OR=2.80) were independent predictors of dizziness; history of motion sickness (P=0.001, OR=2.63) and surgery of inferior oblique anterior transposition (IOAT) (P=0.004, OR=3.10) were independent predictors of PONV. Conclusion: The most frequent postoperative symptoms in children after undergoing strabismus surgery under general anesthesia are PONV, dizziness, EA, and headache. Younger age, larger angle of strabismus, history of motion sickness, surgery on the dominant eye, and surgery of IOAT may be additional risk factors for postoperative discomfort.

Safety Footwear Impact on Workers' Gait and Foot Problems: A Comparative Study.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we hypothesized that safety footwear (SF) impacts gait patterns, potentially contributing to the podiatric symptoms reported by workers. The purpose of this work was to compare the gait analyses of workers wearing SF and sneakers using inertial sensors while also examining the occurrence of foot problems. METHODS: A consecutive cohort of workers from different occupational sectors who wore SF during their work shifts were prospectively assessed through a gait analysis. The gait analysis was conducted under two conditions: first, while wearing SF, and second, while wearing sneakers. In both conditions, inertial sensors were used (Wiva® MOB). Participants also underwent a podiatric physical examination to evaluate foot problems. RESULTS: This study shows that SF resulted in a worsening gait pattern compared to sneakers in both genders. The impact was particularly pronounced in female participants, resulting in a significant decline in walking speed and cadence. Discomfort was reported by 83.3% of participants, with a higher prevalence in females (46.6% vs. 36.6%). The SF group exhibited an elevated prevalence of foot problems, with no significant gender variations. It seems that foot problems are more likely to occur when a foot deformity, such as flat or cavus foot or hallux valgus, is present. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that SF may contribute to the reported podiatric symptoms among workers. Certain footwear characteristics, including weight, mis-fit, and inadequate design, may be factors associated with footwear discomfort and adverse gait patterns, potentially leading to increased foot problems among workers.

Open-Face Masks in Radiotherapy: Enhancing Therapeutic Strategies for Head and Neck and Brain Cancer Patients-A Comprehensive Scoping Review.

Introduction: The main goal of radiotherapy (RT) is to deliver a precise dose to the target while sparing the surrounding normal tissue and minimizing side effects. Appropriate patient immobilization is crucial, especially for head and neck cancer (HNC) and Brain Cancer (BC). Conventional closed-face masks (CFMs), while effective in minimizing head motion, can cause significant discomfort, anxiety, and claustrophobia. Open-face masks (OFMs) have been developed to increase patient comfort while providing precise immobilization. Methods: Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) extension for scoping reviews and the Arskey and O'Malley framework, an electronic search of EMBASE, PubMed, SCOPUS, and Web of Science was conducted to identify original studies reporting the use and description of OFMs in clinical practice up to April 2024. The inclusion criteria were English-language articles focusing on OFMs for HNC and BC patients undergoing RT. Results: Of 618 titles, 19 articles fulfilled the selection criteria. Most studies were comparative (n = 13) or observational (n = 6). The articles were categorized by treatment site, resulting in three groups: BC (n = 14, 68.4%), HNC (n = 4, 21.4%), and mixed (n = 2, 10.5%), which includes both BC and HNC. Of note, 82.4% (n = 16) of the included studies were published from 2020 onwards, emphasizing the recent adoption of OFM in clinical practice. Conclusions: The reviewed studies show that OFMs, in combination with SGRT, offer significant advantages in terms of patient comfort and positioning accuracy in HNC and BC treatments. Reproducibility in the sub-millimeter and sub-degree range can be achieved, which supports the use of OFMs in clinical practice. Future research should explore innovative combinations of immobilization and monitoring to further improve RT outcomes and ensure precise treatment while increasing patient comfort.

[The syndrome of psycho-sensory-anatomical-functional auto-desadaptation in patients with malignant tumors of the maxillofacial region]. / Sindrom psikho-sensorno-anatomo-funktsional'noi autodezadaptatsii u bol'nykh so zlokachestvennymi opukholyami chelyustno-litsevoi oblasti.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to evaluate the syndrome of PSAF-autoadaptation in patients with tumors of maxillofacial localization based on the analysis of the results of a survey of the patient's Voluntary Confidential Information Sheet (DDIV Sheet). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The object of the study was 110 patients (39 men and 71 women (average age 58 years) with malignant neoplasms of the skin, tongue, bottom of the oral cavity, parotid salivary gland, upper jaw, submandibular salivary gland (stage II-IV of the disease). Rapid diagnostics of psycho-sensory-anatomical-functional-autoadaptation (PSAF) was performed by analyzing self-filled patient lists of DDIV with its self-assessment of the main complaints. After distributing complaints and manifestations of the disease into 4 clusters, the severity and structure of autoadaptation were calculated in points. RESULTS: It was found that in the majority of cancer patients in the preoperative period, complaints related to mental and functional clusters prevailed. At the same time, 80% of patients rated the degree of concern for their health as extremely alarming, and 20% as very anxious. In the postoperative period, the number of psychological complaints decreased and the number of complaints corresponding to anatomical, sensory and functional clusters increased. CONCLUSION: The study of personal response to the disease according to PSAF-autoadaptation of cancer patients showed that the presence of a tumor lesion not only affects the internal picture of the disease, adversely affects the physical, mental and social well-being of patients, but also requires the involvement of psychologists, psychotherapists, clinical pharmacologists in the treatment of cognitive behavioral psychotherapy.