Students worldwide have been impacted by nationwide safety closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic, creating an environment with loss of interaction with colleagues, social isolation, boredom, and economic uncertainty. Since university students were considered uniquely vulnerable to mental health problems even before the pandemic, this study aimed to investigate lifestyle and behavioral changes experienced by this population due to the epidemiological situation and their effect on their mental health. Data were collected via an online survey conducted among university students across Poland. The survey addressed recent lifestyle changes that were a result of the pandemic as well as psychological distress, symptoms of insomnia and symptoms of post-traumatic stress. The results indicate that protective factors include maintaining a daily routine, staying physically active, following a usual eating pattern and taking care of sleep hygiene. Changes in behavior contributing to poorer mental health included giving up a daily routine, neglecting meals, tidiness, hygiene as well as social relationships, changes in food intake, sleeping schedule, a decrease in physical activity and the onset of sexual dysfunctions. A history of psychiatric treatment and an increase in self-harm as well as an increase in alcohol and tobacco consumption were also found to be associated with psychological distress. Experienced lifestyle and behavioral changes and their impact on mental health were apparent throughout the obtained data, highlighting the need for psychological support in the studied population. Based on the results we were able to establish a list of protective and risk factors influencing the everyday life and psychological wellbeing of students amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, which could also be translated into life skills.

Older people with dementia are particularly at risk of COVID-19; however, relatively little is known about the indirect impact of the pandemic on the lives of those living with, and/or caring for someone with, dementia. The aim of this study was to investigate the experiences of people with dementia and informal carers during the closure of available social and medical services in Poland during the COVID-19 pandemic. A qualitative thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with people with dementia (n = 5) and informal carers (n = 21) was performed between June and August 2020 after the first wave of COVID-19 in Poland. Three overarching themes were identified: (1) care re-organization; (2) psychological responses; (3) emerging needs. The factor underlying all these elements was reliance on other people. Social support and engagement are vital to the ongoing health and well-being of people living with dementia and their informal carers. Services need to be strengthened to provide ongoing provision to those living with dementia to reach pre-pandemic levels, if not better. Within the post-pandemic environment, people with dementia and their informal carers need reassurance that they can rely on external institutional and social support able to meet their needs.

Objectives: Considering the adverse outcomes of COVID-19, it is essential to provide adequate support and care for people with dementia and informal carers.Technology can reduce the distress associated with social distancing rules and the decreased access to in-person services. This study aimed to explore the use of technology and its perceived effects across different settings and countries. Methods:The sample was composed of 127 informal carers and 15 people with dementia from the UK, Italy, Australia and Poland. Semi-structured interviews explored participants' experiences of using technology and their perceived effects.Transcripts were analysed by researchers in each country using an inductive approach.Results: Three overarching themes were developed: (1) Technology kept us alive during COVID-19; (2) Remote care was anything but easy; (3) Perceived technology limitations. Many similarities emerged between countries supporting the role of technology for being socially engaged, having a routine, and staying active. However, the benefits of technology for health and psychosocial care were more limited.Across countries, barriers to the access and use of technology included lack of digital literacy, dementia severity, and lack of appropriate digital environments.Help and supervision from carers were also necessary and sometimes perceived as an additional burden. Conclusions:Technology can effectively reduce the shrinking world that may be amplified by the pandemic, thus preserving people with dementia's social skills and maintaining family connections. However, for more extensive and well-adapted use of technology in dementia care, actions should be taken to overcome the barriers to the access and use of technology by older and vulnerable people globally.

The paper assessed psychological response of LTCF personnel to the SARS-CoV-2 crisis. Results show that access to PPE, safety guidelines and psychological support at workplace may reduce psychological distress.

Since 25 March 2020, all schools, colleges, and universities in Poland have indefinitely closed and, where possible, have activated distance learning because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Considering that the undergraduate years are usually characterized by a high prevalence of emotional disorders and sleep problems, it can be expected that the current situation may have a remarkable impact on the student population. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of sleep problems among Polish university students as well as the relationship of insomnia symptoms severity with psychopathological symptoms, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, and behavioral factors, such as substance use, changes in the amount of sleep, and the level of physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected from 1111 Polish university students via an online survey conducted between IV and VI 2020. The survey included demographic variables, the level of psychopathological symptoms (General Health Questionnaire, GHQ-28), insomnia (Insomnia Severity Index, ISI), and symptoms of posttraumatic stress (Impact of Events Scale-Revised, IES-R). The results showed that over half of the studied group of students had some form of sleep disturbances during the period of data collection, with moderate-to-severe insomnia symptoms noted in 21.6%. At the same time, the majority of the sample declared they slept more during the pandemic. A significant positive correlation was observed between the severity of insomnia symptoms and PTSD symptoms, as well as GHQ scores, increased substance use, and decreased physical activity. An additional association between the presence of dreams related to the event and insomnia symptoms as well as GHQ scores has been found. The results suggest that sleep problems may be prevalent among university students during the pandemic. Moreover, although the symptoms of insomnia, as well as the severity of sleep disturbance, significantly correlated with all the investigated variables, the direction of those associations remains to be established.

Objectives: Subjective Cognitive Decline (SCD) and Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) are common in elderly population, and constitute a high-risk group for progression to dementia. Innovative, complex, and engaging non-pharmacological methods of cognitive stimulation, implementable at this stage, are needed. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of Computerized Cognitive Training (CCT) combined with Whole Body Stimulation (WBC) on cognitive functions of older adults with SCD and MCI.Methods: A 9-week single-blind pre/post case control trial was conducted. The study enrolled 84 adults aged 60 or older, allocated to one of two intervention groups: EG; CCT with psychoeducation, EG2; CCT with psychoeducation and 10 WBC sessions, or the control group (CG), which comprised patients receiving usual care. The primary outcome measures were cognitive functions evaluated with MoCA scale and several other neuropsychological tools. Depressive symptoms assessed with the GDS scale constituted the secondary outcome measures.Results: The results show evidence for increased performance in the assessment of general cognitive functioning in both EGs (p ≤ 0.05). Significant improvement was also visible in several cognitive domains, such as verbal fluency (EG1 & EG2), learning ability and immediate memory (EG1 & EG2), delayed memory (EG2), attentional control (EG1), and information processing (EG2) (p ≤ 0.05). However, only in the group with combined interventions (CCT + WBC) the participants presented significantly less depressive symptoms (p ≤ 0.05).Conclusions: The results of the study suggest that CCT, especially in combination with WBC, might be a practical and effective method of improving cognitive performance. Moreover, this combination leads to a reduction of depressive symptoms.

Background Emerging evidence shows an impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people living with dementia and informal carers, without any evidence-based global comparison to date. The aim of this international study was to explore and compare the perceived impact of COVID-19 and associated public health restrictions on the lives of people living with dementia and informal carers and access to dementia care across five countries. Methods Informal carers and people living with dementia who were residing in the community in the UK, Australia, Italy, India, and Poland were interviewed remotely between April and December 2020. Participants were asked about their experiences of the pandemic and how restrictions have impacted on their lives and care. Transcripts were analysed by researchers in each country using inductive thematic analysis. Results Fifteen people living with dementia and 111 informal carers participated across the five countries. Four themes emerged: (1) Limited access and support; (2) Technology and issues accessing remote support; (3) Emotional impact; and (4) Decline of cognitive and physical health reported by carers. Whilst variations were noted, the pandemic has indirectly affected people with dementia and carers across all five countries. The pandemic removed access to social support services and thus increased carer burden. Remote services were not always provided and were very limited in benefit and usability for those with dementia. As a result, carers appeared to notice reduced cognitive and physical health in people with dementia. Particular differences were noted between India and Poland vs. the UK, Italy, and Australia, with less impact on care provision in the former due to limited uptake of support services pre-pandemic based on cultural settings. Conclusions The pandemic has amplified dementia as a global public health problem, and people affected by the condition need support to better access vital support services to live well.

Psycho- i farmakoterapia zaburzeń psychicznych mają niewątpliwie swoje ograniczenia. Dzięki rozwojowi nauk podstawowych oraz klinicznych w medycynie, metody stymulacji mózgu znajdują coraz szersze zastosowanie terapeutyczne w leczeniu wielu zaburzeń centralnego układu nerwowego, zarówno o charakterze neurologicznym, jak i psychiatrycznym. Niniejszy przegląd ma za zadanie przybliżyć obecny stan wiedzy dotyczący praktycznego aspektu jednej z tych nowych metod terapeutycznych - przezczaszkowej stymulacji magnetycznej (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, TMS). Praca powstała w oparciu o najnowszą literaturę obejmującą tematykę wykorzystania TMS w różnych jednostkach chorobowych, z uwzględnieniem przede wszystkim aktualnych wytycznych i rekomendacji oraz przeglądów systematycznych, publikowanych po roku 2000. TMS jest nowoczesną, nieinwazyjną metodą stymulacji CUN, bardzo dobrze tolerowaną przez pacjentów, obarczoną niewielką liczbą przemijających działań niepożądanych i powikłań. Dzięki dokonującemu się postępowi w zakresie opracowywania nowych protokołów terapeutycznych TMS znajduje zastosowanie kliniczne w coraz szerszym spektrum zaburzeń psychicznych takich jak depresja nawracająca, choroba afektywna dwubiegunowa, schizofrenia, ale również zaburzenia funkcji poznawczych czy zespół stresu pourazowego. W przypadku depresji weszła do standardów leczenia. W Polsce jej dostępność jest nadal ograniczona, jednak przybywa ośrodków dysponujących odpowiednim sprzętem i wyszkolonym personelem.