Coping, Mood, Quality of Life, and Outcomes in Recipients of Left Ventricular Assist Devices: A Cluster Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are increasingly used for temporary circulatory support until transplant or as destination therapy for patients with end-stage heart failure. Understanding patients' attitudes and resources is crucial to support them. METHODS: Sixty-one LVAD recipients (55 [10] years, 10% women, 15% destination therapy) participating in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) postimplant underwent assessment of coping styles (Coping Orientation for Problem Experiences), quality of life (Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 36, Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire), and mood (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale). RESULTS: Cluster analysis identified two homogeneous groups: C1 (n = 18) patients had higher anxiety (9.6 [5.0] versus 4.0 [2.7], p < .001), depression (10 [3.0] versus 4 [2.7], p < .001), and avoidant coping (29 [5.2] versus 21.2 [3.8], p < .001) scores and worse quality of life (Short-Form 36 of the Medical Outcomes Study Physical Component Scale 31 [5.3] versus 35.6 [6.9], p < .001; Mental Component Scale 34.3 [6.8] versus 50.3 [8], p < .001; MLHFQ physical 26 [7.2] versus 13.9 [8.2], p < .001; emotional 17.7 [3.4] versus 3.86 [3.2], p < .001) than C2 participants (n = 43). During 31 (15-54) months, 20 patients (33%) died. By Cox multivariable analysis, after adjustment for age, sex, Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support level at surgery, and meters walked during 6 minutes at CR discharge, C1 was associated with mortality (hazard ratio = 2.858; 95% confidence interval = 1.102-7.408, p = .031; model χ = 7.286, df = 5, p = .20). Survival was 44% in C1 and 77% in C2 (log-rank p = .033). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients discharged from CR after LVAD implant, one third show a profile characterized by worse perceived quality of life, mood disorders, and dysfunctional coping that is associated with long-term mortality, and these factors are potential targets for post-LVAD intensive support.

Depression, anxiety and chronic pain in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: the influence of breath.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major public health problems, causing significant mortality and morbidity in the world. It is a complex and progressive disease, characterized by chronic inflammation and dysfunction of the respiratory airways. The article reviews the available information on the potential role of the diaphragm in this disease. The purpose is to identify a potential correlation between symptoms such as depression, anxiety and chronic pain, frequently observed in COPD, with the activity of the diaphragm. The morphology and metabolism of the diaphragm are usually modified in the presence of COPD: a correlation between this symptoms and a pathological adaptation of breathing can be hypothesized. The management of these conditions should always be multidisciplinary, in order to have a global vision of the patient.

Motor Dysfunctions in Fibromyalgia Patients: The Importance of Breathing.

The classification of fibromyalgia (FM) is not always immediate and simple, with the time from the first diagnosis, compared to the onset of symptoms, of a few years. Currently, we do not have instrumental or biochemical tests considered as gold standards; the clinician will make a diagnosis of FM based on the patient's medical history and subjective assessment. The symptoms can involve physical, cognitive and psychological disorders, with the presence of pain of different origins and classifications: nociplastic, nociceptive and neuropathic pain. Among the symptoms highlighted, postural disorders and neuromotor uncoordination emerge, whose functional dysfunctions can increase the mortality and morbidity rate. An alteration of the diaphragm muscle could generate such functional motor problems. Considering that the current literature underestimates the importance of breathing in FM, the article aims to highlight the relationship between motor and diaphragmatic difficulties in the patient, soliciting new points of view for the clinical and therapeutic framework.

The Future of Osteopathy.

Every clinician has the duty to keep clinical and scientific knowledge updated, with the aim of improving clinical practice. Many homeostatic reactions of the organism are not yet well understood and framed by medicine or classical physics. Quantum physics offers new and multiple information to understand how the human body works, starting from the assumption that the macroscopic is managed by nanoscopic quantum coherence. The future of osteopathy should be to integrate the educational path with quantum physics.

The Sentient Cell: Implications for Osteopathic Medicine.

The Foundation of Osteopathic Research and Clinical Endorsement (FORCE) is an organization that includes various figures involved in clinical and non-profit research and does not depend on any private or government body. To better understand how the human body behaves, we need to observe cellular behavior. Considering the human body as layers, districts, and regions, or just as a machine, is severely limiting to understanding the systemic mechanisms that are implemented to maintain bodily health. For some years, FORCE has contributed several articles to the literature to support the view of a human body as a unit, a fascial continuum (solid and fluid fascia) capable of interacting consciously, and not as a passive mirror, with respect to external stresses. The article reviews the tensegrity theory applied to the cell, trying to bring to light that the mechanistic vision on which this theory is based does not meet biological reality. We review some concepts related to biology, the science that studies life, and quantum physics, the science that studies the invisible physical phenomena that underlie life. Understanding that the cells and tissues are aware of the therapeutic approaches they receive could better guide the decisions of the osteopathic clinician.

Symptoms Arising From the Diaphragm Muscle: Function and Dysfunction.

There can be many reasons that damage the function of the diaphragm, either transiently or permanently, involving one hemilate or both muscle portions. The diaphragm is associated only with breathing, but many other functions are related to it. The patient is not always aware of the presence of diaphragmatic dysfunction, and it is not always immediate to identify non-respiratory diaphragmatic symptoms. Pseudoanginal pain, night sweats, difficulty memorizing, or muscular and visceral problems of the pelvic floor are just some of the disorders linked to reduced diaphragmatic contractility. A decline in respiratory contractile force can be the basis for further pathological conditions that can increase the rate of mortality and morbidity. The article reviews the possible symptoms that may be presented by the patient, which are not necessarily related to lung function.

Proposal for Manual Osteopathic Treatment of the Phrenic Nerve.

The article reviews the anatomical path of the phrenic nerve and its anastomoses, with the most up-to-date knowledge reported in the literature. We have briefly reviewed the possible phrenic dysfunctions, with the final aim of presenting an osteopathic manual approach for the treatment of the most superficial portion of the nerve, using a gentle technique. The approach we propose is, therefore, a theory based on clinical experience and the rationale that we can extrapolate from the literature. We hope that the article will be a stimulus for further experimental investigations using the technique illustrated in the article. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first article that takes into consideration the hypothesis of an osteopathic treatment with gentle techniques for the phrenic nerve.

Fascial Nomenclature: Update 2024.

The fascial system is the focus of multiple scientific disciplines, and its nomenclature is debated. What tissue should fall under the definition of fascia? Considering university anatomy books where what is considered connective tissue is described as a fact, and through the science of embryology, which allows us to identify the origin of different body tissues, the article reviews and updates the fascial nomenclature. The text is not a point of arrival but rather a basis from which to start again, with the aim of understanding the function of the fascial continuum in the living. The history of fascial nomenclature in historical and modern contexts is reviewed, including the scientific perspective of the Foundation of Osteopathic Research and Clinical Endorsement (FORCE) organization. The latter has no profit-making purposes and does not hold any copyright.

Post-Myocardial Infarction Rehabilitation: The Absence in the Rehabilitation Process of the Diaphragm Muscle.

Myocardial infarction (MI) is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. There can be many reasons that cause MI, such as a sedentary lifestyle, a disordered diet, harmful habits such as smoking and alcoholism, concomitant congenital or acquired systemic pathologies. Patients who survive the acute event suffer a functional alteration of multiple body systems. The various cardiology associations recommend starting a rehabilitation process, pursuing the main objective of improving the patient's health status. A negative consequence that can be linked to MI is the dysfunction of the main breathing muscle, the diaphragm. The diaphragm is essential not only for respiratory mechanisms but also for adequate production of cardiac pressures. Post-MI patients present a reduction in the performance of the diaphragm muscle, and this condition can become a risk factor for further relapses or for the onset of heart failure. The article reviews the rehabilitation path for post-MI patients, to highlight the absence given to the diaphragm in the recovery of the patient's health status. The text reviews the post-MI diaphragmatic adaptation to highlight the importance of including targeted training for the diaphragm muscle in the rehabilitation process.

Evaluation of a textile-based wearable system for the electrocardiogram monitoring in cardiac patients.

AIMS: We developed a textile-based wearable system, named MagIC, for the unobtrusive monitoring of one electrocardiogram (ECG) lead, respiratory frequency and motion. In the present study, we investigated the ability of this system to monitor cardiac rhythm and arrhythmic events in cardiac patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study was carried out by comparing ECG tracings simultaneously recorded by MagIC and traditional ECG devices (Trad-ECG) in 40 cardiac patients at rest and during physical exercise. Data were manually scored by two cardiologists. At rest the artefact rates observed with MagIC and Trad-ECG were virtually identical (1.4% of the registered signal); while during physical exercise the artefact rate observed with MagIC was much lower than with Trad-ECG (4.07 vs. 17.31%). Recordings from MagIC allowed a correct identification of the type of rhythm in the vast majority of patients (92.5%) and an estimation of PQ interval and QRS duration similar to Trad-ECG (<0.016 s). MagIC displayed a good performance in detecting arrhythmias, with only 14 misclassified events out of 3618, and both specificity and sensitivity being above 99%. No practical difference was observed in the estimation of the beat-by-beat RR interval by the two methods. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that in static condition MagIC has a capability of monitoring cardiac rhythm and arrhythmic events which is comparable with what obtainable by a traditional one-lead ECG recorder. During movement MagIC provides an ECG signal of better quality.

Pericardial Adhesion and Chronic Non-Specific Neck Pain following Thoracentesis: An Osteopathic Approach.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death globally. Morbidity and disability related to non-fatal events are increasing exponentially. There are several symptoms that may arise after invasive therapeutic approaches such as coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), including chronic pain in anatomical areas connected to the mediastinum; these pains can be found not only initially after surgery but also years later. We present a case where non-specific neck pain (NNP), in a patient undergoing CABG five years earlier, was resolved with an osteopathic technique, working the pericardial area. To the knowledge of the authors, it is the first article illustrating an osteopathic approach with resolution of NNP, with a manual technique used on the pericardial area.

The Osteopath's Imprint: Osteopathic Medicine Under the Nanoscopic Lens.

Scientific literature demonstrates how osteopathic manipulative treatments (OMT) are able to improve various somatic functional parameters, change somato-visceral and viscero-somatic reflexes toward a more physiological mechano-metabolic environment and, consequently, bring benefits to patients. These benefits can be long-lasting or short-lived. Multiple reasons can be found to explain the positive responses to OMT, ranging from neurological, vascular, lymphatic, and endocrine explanations. Not only the techniques, but the touch of the clinician prove to be important factors for a favorable adaptation by the patient. Another science capable of explaining the change in cellular status and from which reflections that pave the way for observing the human body in a different light can be extrapolated is quantum physics. The latter is rarely taken into consideration to obtain possible explanations of the physical events that occur between the clinician and the patient. The article tries to put the effects of OMT under the light of a new lens: the nanoscopic.

The Importance of Diaphragmatic Function in Neuromuscular Expression in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure.

Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a set of symptoms and physical manifestations caused by the inability of the heart to perform its normal contractile function and satisfy the blood needs of all organs. This dysfunction leads to a non-physiological adaptation of all body systems, including the skeletal muscles and the diaphragm. The myopathy found in patients brings symptoms such as fatigue and intolerance to exercise, with an entity not always attributable to cardiac function. Neuromuscular incoordination is one of the symptoms related to CHF, causing an increased risk of mortality and hospitalization. The article reviews diaphragmatic adaptation in the presence of CHF and seeks to emphasize the importance of the diaphragm in understanding skeletal muscle incoordination in patients.

Rethinking the Origin of the Primary Respiratory Mechanism.

Spheno-occipital synchondrosis (SOS) is the joint regarded as the most important foundation for understanding cranial osteopathy and craniosacral therapy. SOS is the origin of the primary respiratory mechanism (PRM), a movement between the posterior surface of the body of the sphenoid bone and the anterior surface of the base of the occipital bone. From the PRM perspective, an alteration of the position between the two bone surfaces would create cranial and/or craniosacral dysfunction. These positional alterations of the SOS (in adults and children) would determine specific and schematical movements of the bones of the entire skull, whose movements are recognizable by palpation by trained operators. PRM expression is influenced by other elements, such as movement of the cranial bones, inherent movement of the central nervous system, cyclic movement of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), mechanical tension of the cranial meninges, and passive movement of the sacral bone between the iliac bones. The article reviews the most up-to-date information on the evolution of cranial sutures/joints and meninges in adulthood, the fluctuations of the CSF, brain, and spinal mass movements. Research should reconsider the motivations that induce the operator to discriminate the palpable cranial rhythmic impulse, and probably, to rethink new cranial dysfunctional patterns.

Hyoid Bone Syndrome in a Patient Undergoing Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation.

The clinical case describes the presence of hyoid bone syndrome (HBS) in a patient with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation, and the resolution of painful symptoms through an osteopathic manual technique (unwinding) applied to the tongue. To the knowledge of the authors, it is the first case report involving an LVAD patient with HBS treated with an osteopathic approach. The article briefly reviews the data relating to surgical therapy for patients with a clinical history of end-stage heart failure and symptoms related to HBS and posits some hypotheses on the presence of pain radiating from the hyoid bone to other areas of the body. The text reminds us to place greater clinical emphasis on the palpatory evaluation of the hyoid in the presence of non-specific painful symptoms.

The Cognitive and Emotional Aspect in Fibromyalgia: The Importance of the Orofacial Sphere.

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a systemic and multifactorial disease of unknown etiology. There are many co-morbidities that the patient presents, making the clinical picture not immediate. Cognitive decline and emotional alteration (anxiety and depression) are found in fibromyalgic patients, as well as temporomandibular joint arthrokinematic disorders, dental malocclusion, and periodontitis. There seems to be a biunivocal relationship between oral and psychiatric dysfunctions in fibromyalgia. The article reviews the information regarding oral health alterations with respect to the patient's cognitive and emotional response, as the most recent information we have raises new hypotheses about the diagnosis of FMS.

Practice of Peritoneal Adhesions in Osteopathic Medicine: Part 2.

Peritoneal adhesions are an unwanted and frequent event following abdominal surgery, with a response rate that can reach 100%. The adhesions can be symptomatic, becoming a source of pain and discomfort for the patient, or asymptomatic, with possible chronic or acute visceral dysfunction. The article reviews what the diagnostic strategies are and discusses what could be the causes that lead to chronic pain in the presence of adhesions. The text reports the knowledge of the literature on the manual treatment of adhesions and illustrates possible symptoms that are not easily recognized by the clinician. To conclude, the article proposes osteopathic manual approaches derived from clinical experience and from what has been explained about the formation of peritoneal adhesions. Research must make further efforts to identify not only the causes triggering the formation of peritoneal neogenesis but also seek the most appropriate non-invasive treatments to help the patient.

The Effect of Craniosacral Therapy on Blood Levels of Stress Hormones in Male Firefighter Cadets: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

(1) Background: Fire department cadets preparing to become firefighters and paramedics experience high levels of stress when participating in incidents like traffic accidents and fires. Stress adversely affects health, and coping with it proves difficult. Unfortunately, there is no single method that reduces stress completely in humans. One non-invasive method for lowering stress hormone levels is craniosacral therapy. (2) Methods: Fifty-seven firefighting cadets aged 18-24 years (21.63 ± 1.41) participated in the study. They were randomly assigned to either a test group or a control group. Participants' blood levels of cortisol and CRH (corticotropin-releasing hormone) were assessed before and after the study. The study group underwent 5-week craniosacral therapy (1× per week). (3) Results: The Kruskal-Wallis test showed that the therapy group's results were statistically significant for CRH values (p-value = 0.00067) and for cortisol values (p-value ≤ 0.0001). Wilxocon and Dunn tests showed statistical significance for cortisol after CS therapy between the control and study groups (p = 0.0377), and for CRH between the control and study groups before (p = 0.00634) and after the study (p = 0.000887), and in the study group before and after the study (p = 0.0101). (4) Conclusions: The application of craniosacral therapy reduced stress hormone levels in male firefighter cadets. The results indicate that craniosacral therapy (five sessions, one per week) has an effect on the reduction of stress hormones.

Peritoneal Adhesions in Osteopathic Medicine: Theory, Part 1.

Peritoneal adhesions form as a result of trauma to the abdomen, injuries resulting from surgery, and infections. These tissutal neoformations are innervated and vascularized, and with lymphatic vessels, adherence becomes a new and independent structure, capable of negatively influencing visceral functions. Adherent neogenesis can be asymptomatic or can be a source of pain, limiting the patient's quality of life. Although adhesiolysis remains the elective approach to eliminate adhesions, this therapeutic route prepares the peritoneal anatomical area to recur. The article reviews information on adhesion formation and peritoneal anatomy, probable subjective predispositions, and pathways that carry nociception. The text aims to be a theoretical basis for making new treatment suggestions for non-invasive osteopathic medicine, through a second part will be discussed in another article.