The notion that chewing gum may relieve stress was investigated in a controlled setting. A multi-tasking framework which reliably evokes stress and also includes performance measures was used to induce acute stress in the laboratory. Using a randomised crossover design forty participants (mean age 21.98 years) performed on the multi-tasking framework at two intensities (on separate days) both while chewing and not chewing. Order of workload intensity and chewing conditions were counterbalanced. Before and after undergoing the platform participants completed the state portion of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Bond-Lader visual analogue mood scales, a single Stress Visual Analogue Scale and provided saliva samples for cortisol measurement. Baseline measures showed that both levels of the multi-tasking framework were effective in significantly reducing self-rated alertness, calmness and contentment while increasing self-rated stress and state anxiety. Cortisol levels fell during both levels of the stressor during the morning, reflecting the predominance of a.m. diurnal changes, but this effect was reversed in the afternoon which may reflect a measurable stress response. Pre-post stressor changes (Delta) for each measure at baseline were subtracted from Delta scores under chewing and no chewing conditions. During both levels of stress the chewing gum condition was associated with significantly better alertness and reduced state anxiety, stress and salivary cortisol. Overall performance on the framework was also significantly better in the chewing condition. The mechanisms underlying these effects are unknown but may involve improved cerebral blood flow and/or effects secondary to performance improvement during gum chewing.

AIM Our aim was to develop an outcome measure, called Focus on the Outcomes of Communication Under Six (FOCUS), that captures real-world changes in preschool children's communication. Conceptually grounded in the World Health Organization International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health framework, the FOCUS items were derived from observations of change provided by parents and clinicians after speech-language therapy.METHOD Participating families (n=165) were drawn from a convenience sample at partner institutions in Ontario, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Nova Scotia. All children had speech, language comprehension, and ⁄ or language production disorders and were receiving speech-language therapy. The age of the children ranged from 1 year 2 months to 5 years 6 months (mean=3.8y; SD=0.91y), and 119 children were male. Three test phases were completed. The measure was revised according to item analysis and parent ⁄ clinician feedback after phase 1 (n=74) and phase 2 (n=65). In phase 3 (n=26), the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL), a health-related quality of life measure, was added to establish construct validity. RESULTSIn phase 1, item analysis revealed high internal consistency for both parents (Cronbach's a=0.87) and clinicians (Cronbach a=0.97). These values indicated redundancy, so 31 items were cut. Five items for young children were added. In phase 2, internal consistency remained high for both parents (Cronbach a=0.98) and clinicians (Cronbach a=0.83), indicating redundancy of items. Twenty-seven items were removed. In phase 3, parents and clinicians reliably scored the FOCUS in 10 minutes. They stated that it provided an accurate snapshot of the child's communication.Internal consistency for parents remained high (Cronbach a=0.96). Children with higher FOCUS scores at the end of treatment had higher PedsQL total scores (r=0.466, p=0.029). INTERPRETATIONThe FOCUS is a usable measure of a child's ability to communicate and participate in his or her community. It demonstrates high internal consistency and construct validity.Approximately 6% of preschool children have significant communication disorders.1 By the age of 3 years, these children are being socially isolated and ignored by their peers.2-4 In later years, communication disorders are associated with social isolation, academic failure, and an increased incidence of psychiatric disorders and arrests. 5,6 Effective and early speechlanguage therapy is critical to preventing these problems. 7,8 Evaluating the outcomes of treatment is essential for improving services in an evidence-based manner. 10 This revised framework was multidirectional, acknowledging that interventions at all levels are important and interlinked. 11,12 The ICF for Children and Youth (ICF-CY), a paediatric version of the ICF, was published in 2007. 13 These frameworks facilitated a shift in health care paradigms, empowering clinicians to set treatment goals that focus on participation in life situations. [14][15][16][17][18] To capture the real-w...

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Extracts of sage (Salvia officinalis/lavandulaefolia) with terpenoid constituents have previously been shown to inhibit cholinesterase and improve cognitive function. The current study combined an in vitro investigation of the cholinesterase inhibitory properties and phytochemical constituents of a S. lavandulaefolia essential oil, with a double-blind, placebo-controlled, balanced crossover study assessing the effects of a single dose on cognitive performance and mood. In this latter investigation 36 healthy participants received capsules containing either 50 µL of the essential oil or placebo on separate occasions, 7 days apart. Cognitive function was assessed using a selection of computerized memory and attention tasks and the Cognitive Demand Battery before the treatment and 1-h and 4-h post-dose. The essential oil was a potent inhibitor of human acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and consisted almost exclusively of monoterpenoids. Oral consumption lead to improved performance of secondary memory and attention tasks, most notably at the 1-h post-dose testing session, and reduced mental fatigue and increased alertness which were more pronounced 4-h post-dose. These results extend previous observations of improved cognitive performance and mood following AChE inhibitory sage extracts and suggest that the ability of well-tolerated terpenoid-containing extracts to beneficially modulate cholinergic function and cognitive performance deserves further attention.