Association of OPRM1 rs1799971, HTR1B rs6296 and COMT rs4680 polymorphisms with clinical phenotype among women with fibromyalgia.

To investigate the association between three selected pain polymorphisms and clinical, functional, sensory-related, psychophysical, psychological or cognitive variables in a sample of women with fibromyalgia (FMS). One hundred twenty-three (n = 123) women with FMS completed demographic (age, height, weight), clinical (years with pain, intensity of pain at rest and during daily living activities), functional (quality of life, physical function), sensory-related (sensitization-associated and neuropathic-associated symptoms), psychophysical (pressure pain thresholds), psychological (sleep quality, depressive and anxiety level) and cognitive (pain catastrophizing, kinesiophobia) variables. Those three genotypes of the OPRM1 rs1799971, HTR1B rs6296 and COMT rs4680 single nucleotide polymorphisms were obtained by polymerase chain reactions from no-stimulated whole saliva collection. No significant differences in demographic, clinical, functional, sensory-related, psychophysical, psychological and cognitive variables according to OPRM1 rs1799971, HTR1B rs6296 or COMT rs4680 genotype were identified in our sample of women with FMS. A multilevel analysis did not either reveal any significant gene-to-gene interaction between OPRM1 rs1799971 x HTR1B rs6296, OPRM1 rs1799971 x COMT rs4680 and HTR1B rs6296 x COMT rs4680 for any of the investigated outcomes. This study revealed that three single nucleotide polymorphisms, OPRM1 rs1799971, HTR1B rs6296 or COMT rs4680, mostly associated with chronic pain were not involved in phenotyping features of FMS. Potential gene-to-gene interaction and their association with clinical phenotype in women with FMS should be further investigated in future studies including large sample sizes.

Leisure Attitude, Self-Rated Health, and Psychological Well-Being in Older Adults: A Moderated Mediation Model.

Purpose: A positive leisure attitude among older adults may have a beneficial effect on psychological well-being, both directly and indirectly by fostering a more positive perception of one's health. This paper presents a correlational design that explores associations among leisure attitude, self-rated health, and psychological well-being, and analyzes the potential moderating role of gender in these relationships. Patients and Methods: The sample was selected using simple random probability sampling (N= 409; 61.9% female; Mean age = 72.9; SD = 8.43¸ Range of age 53 to 93 years). Diverse sociodemographic information was collected, and leisure attitudes, self-perceived health, and psychological well-being (positive affect and emotional ties) were assessed. Results: The results revealed a positive effect of leisure attitude on self-rated health and psychological well-being, with self-rated health fully mediating the association between the behavioral component of leisure attitude and psychological well-being. Furthermore, the moderating effect of gender on the relationship between self-rated health and psychological well-being was stronger among men. Conclusion: Positive cognitive and emotional perceptions of leisure among older adults seem to benefit psychological well-being and improve self-rated health, thereby contributing to healthy ageing.

Effectiveness of cognitive reappraisal and distraction for induced acute pain: A laboratory study.

OBJECTIVE: Cognitive reappraisal and distraction modulate pain; however, little is known about their effectiveness at different levels of pain intensity. Thus, the aim of this study has been to analyze the differential efficacy of both strategies to reduce perceived pain intensity and pain unpleasantness in low and moderate pain levels. METHOD: 3 (emotion regulation strategy: cognitive reappraisal, distraction, and control) × 2 (intensity of the painful stimuli: low and moderate intensity) × 2 (time: pretest and posttest) mixed factorial design. Ninety healthy adults were randomly assigned to one of six experimental conditions. Pain-heat stimuli were administered with an advanced thermal stimulator. All participants completed the experimental pretest and posttest phases; in each phase, 12 pain stimuli were administered. Participants received brief training on how to apply cognitive reappraisal, distraction, and the control condition for the posttest phase. Data were collected from May 2022 to November 2022. RESULTS: Analyses of repeated-measure analysis of variance showed that at posttest cognitive reappraisal and distraction were equally effective in reducing perceived pain intensity in low pain levels, while distraction was more effective than cognitive reappraisal in decreasing perceived pain intensity in moderate pain levels. Both distraction and cognitive reappraisal were effective in decreasing pain unpleasantness regardless of the intensity of the painful stimuli. CONCLUSION: These findings highlighted the beneficial use of both strategies in the short term for pain relief, distraction being more effective in moderate pain levels. Applying both strategies to everyday situations that may cause short-term acute pain could be of great clinical relevance. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Uso de um jogo de tabuleiro na reabilitação dos membros superiores de idosos institucionalizados em Portugal: um estudo piloto quase-experimental / Board game for the upper limbs rehabilitation in institutionalised elderly from Portugal: a quasiexperimental pilot study

INTRODUÇÃO: A utilização do jogo como estratégia de reabilitação tem revelado um especial impacto nas variáveis cognitivas no idoso, não sendo consensual o seu impacto em indicadores físicos. OBJETIVO: Medir o efeito do treino com um jogo de tabuleiro na melhoria da coordenação dos membros superiores e na força de preensão palmar em idosos institucionalizados. Foi também caracterizada a percepção dos idosos sobre o jogo como estratégia de reabilitação. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Foi conduzido um estudo quase-experimental, longitudinal, incluindo 10 idosos institucionalizados sem alterações significativas na cognição (6CIT 0-7) e na mobilidade dos membros superiores. Este grupo foi inicialmente avaliado (T0) quanto à Força de preensão manual (FPM) e quanto à coordenação dos membros superiores (Bateria de testes EUROFIT), repetindo a avaliação após 2 semanas de terapias convencionais (T1), tendo sido novamente reavaliados 2 semanas após frequentarem as terapias convencionais mais 2 horas adicionais de um programa com um jogo de tabuleiro (T2). Foi ainda coletada a perceção dos idosos sobre a experiência com o jogo. Foi comparada a evolução entre T0-T1 e T1-T2 usando o teste de Wilcoxon. RESULTADOS: Apenas entre T1 e T2 ocorreram mudanças significativas na EUROFIT (p=0.005) e na FPM para ambos os membros (p=0.005; p= 0.007). Os idosos destacaram uma maior relevância do jogo no trabalho em equipe, no estímulo de raciocínio e de agilidade dos membros superiores. CONCLUSÃO: O jogo de tabuleiro é uma potencial ferramenta para completar a terapia convencional, sendo a experiência considerada muito positiva pelos idosos participantes (ClinicalTrials.gov IDIPL10062019).

INTRODUCTION: Using games as a rehabilitation strategy has significantly impacted cognitive variables in the elderly; however, its impact on physical indicators is not consensual. OBJECTIVE: To measure the effect of a training program with a board game on upper limb coordination and handgrip strength of institutionalized elderly. The elderly's perception of playing a board game as a rehabilitation strategy was also characterised. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A longitudinal quasi-experimental study was carried out, including 10 institutionalized elderly people without significant changes in cognition (6CIT 0-7) and upper limb mobility. This group was initially evaluated (T0) for handgrip strength (HGS) and coordination of the upper limbs (EUROFIT test battery), repeating the assessment after 2 weeks of conventional therapies (T1), and also again 2 weeks after attending conventional therapies plus an additional 2 hours of a board game program (T2). The perception of the elderly about their experience with the game was also collected. The evolution between T0-T1 and T1-T2 was compared using the Wilcoxon test. RESULTS: Only between T1 and T2 were significant changes in EUROFIT (p=0.005) and HGS for both members (p=0.005; p= 0.007). A greater relevance of game-based program for teamwork, stimulating reasoning, and agility of the upper limbs was perceived. CONCLUSION: The board game is a potential tool to complement conventional therapy, and the experience is well perceived by the elderly participants (ClinicalTrials.gov IDIPL10062019).

Relationship Between Mental Health and the Education Level in Elderly People: Mediation of Leisure Attitude.

PURPOSE: The present study intends to explore the influence of education on the mental health of retired people and the mediating role of a leisure attitude in this relationship. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY: The sample was simple random, and a confidentiality agreement was established. The sample was composed of 403 Portuguese participants (37.2% male; 62.8% female). The participants completed the MHI and the LAS. FINDINGS: The hypothesized mediation model showed that a leisure attitude mediated the association between education and well-being. In addition, higher levels of distress were found in participants with higher levels of education. SCIENTIFIC CONTRIBUTION: Our results suggest that old-aged people with high education and a more positive leisure attitude have a better psychological adjustment concerning well-being. Also, a higher level of education can lead to a better perception of aging changes (physical, life, profession).

Psychometric properties and factor structure of the Satisfaction with Life Scale in an elderly Portuguese retirees students sample / Propiedades psicométricas y estructura de los factores de la escala de Satisfacción con la Vida en una muestra de estudiantes mayores portugueses jubilados

The main purpose of this study is to analyse the psychometric properties of the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) in a 363 retirees students sample from several Portuguese universities. The 70% were female (253) and 30% were male (110) with an average age of 67 years (SD = 7.59) and a range from 48 to 90 years. R Commander was used for Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Amos 18.0 module for Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). One factor solution was the best-fitting model. The internal consistency of the SWLS was .777. Correlational analysis showed negative relationships with loneliness (UCLA Scale) and symptoms of depression (GDS-15), supporting concurrent validity. The SWLS can be used with confidence in future research among elderly students to measure their life satisfaction. Some limitations of the results and its applications in other samples are discussed (AU)

El objetivo principal de este estudio ha sido analizar las propiedades psicométricas de la escala de Satisfacción con la Vida (SWLS) en una muestra de 363 estudiantes jubilados pertenecientes a varias universidades portuguesas. El 70% de los participantes eran mujeres frente a un 30% de hombres, con una media de edad de 67 años (SD = 7.59) y un rango de edad comprendido entre 48 y 90 años. Se realizó un Análisis Factorial Exploratorio con R Commander y un Análisis Factorial Confirmatorio con Amos 18.0. El modelo que obtuvo un mejor ajuste estaba compuesto por un único factor. El índice de consistencia interna de la escala en su conjunto fue de .777. En cuanto a la validez concurrente, los análisis correlacionales mostraron una correlación negativa y significativa con la escala de soledad de UCLA y con la de depresión (GDS-15). El SWLS es una escala aplicable en futuras investigaciones sobre población mayor para medir su satisfacción con la vida. Algunas limitaciones y resultados de sus aplicaciones en otras muestras son discutidos (AU)

Identification of Subgroups of Women with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome with Central Sensitization.

OBJECTIVE: Identification of subjects with different sensitization mechanisms can help to identify better therapeutic strategies for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). The aim of the current study was to identify subgroups of women with CTS with different levels of sensitization. METHODS: A total of 223 women with CTS were recruited. Self-reported variables included pain intensity, function, disability, and depression. Pressure pain thresholds (PPT) were assessed bilaterally over median, ulnar, and radial nerves, C5-C6 joint, carpal tunnel, and tibialis anterior to assess widespread pressure pain hyperalgesia. Heat (HPT) and cold (CPT) pain thresholds were also bilaterally assessed over the carpal tunnel and the thenar eminence to determine thermal pain hyperalgesia. Pinch grip force between the thumb and the remaining fingers was calculated to determine motor assessment. Subgroups were determined according to the status on a previous clinical prediction rule: PPT over the affected C5-C6 joint < 137 kPa, HPT on affected carpal tunnel <39.6ºC, and general health >66 points. RESULTS: The ANOVA showed that women within group 1 (positive rule, n = 60) exhibited bilateral widespread pressure hyperalgesia (P < 0.001) and bilateral thermal thresholds (P < 0.001) than those within group 2 (negative rule, n = 162). Women in group 1 also exhibited higher depression than those in group 2 (P = 0.023). No differences in self-reported variables were observed. CONCLUSION: This study showed that a clinical prediction rule originally developed for identifying women with CTS who are likely to respond favorably to manual physical therapy was able to identify women exhibiting higher widespread pressure hyper-sensitivity and thermal hyperalgesia. This subgroup of women with CTS exhibiting higher sensitization may need specific therapeutic programs.

Serious games for elderly continuous monitoring.

Information technology (IT) and serious games allow older population to remain independent for longer. Hence, when designing technology for this population, developmental changes, such as attention and/or perception, should be considered. For instance, a crucial developmental change has been related to cognitive speed in terms of reaction time (RT). However, this variable presents a skewed distribution that difficult data analysis. An alternative strategy is to characterize the data to an ex-Gaussian function. Furthermore, this procedure provides different parameters that have been related to underlying cognitive processes in the literature. Another issue to be considered is the optimal data recording, storing and processing. For that purpose mobile devices (smart phones and tablets) are a good option for targeting serious games where valuable information can be stored (time spent in the application, reaction time, frequency of use, and a long etcetera). The data stored inside the smartphones and tablets can be sent to a central computer (cloud storage) in order to store the data collected to not only fill the distribution of reaction times to mathematical functions, but also to estimate parameters which may reflect cognitive processes underlying language, aging, and decisional process.