Government initiatives have tried to ensure uniform computer access for young people; however a divide related to socioeconomic status (SES) may still exist in the nature of information technology (IT) use. This study aimed to investigate this relationship in 1,351 Western Australian children between 6 and 17 years of age. All participants had computer access at school and 98.9% at home. Neighbourhood SES was related to computer use, IT activities, playing musical instruments, and participating in vigorous physical activity. Participants from higher SES neighbourhoods were more exposed to school computers, reading, playing musical instruments, and vigorous physical activity. Participants from lower SES neighbourhoods were more exposed to TV, electronic games, mobile phones, and non-academic computer activities at home. These patterns may impact future economic, academic, and health outcomes. Better insight into neighbourhood SES influences will assist in understanding and managing the impact of computer use on young people’s health and development.
Background: Current guidelines suggest too little sleep, too little physical activity, and too much sedentary time are associated with poor health outcomes. These behaviours may also influence academic performance in school children. The primary purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between sleep, physical activity, or sedentary behaviours and academic performance in a school with a well-developed and integrated technology use and well-being program. Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey of students (n = 934, Grades 5-12) in an Australian school with a bring-yourown device (tablet or laptop computer) policy. Students reported sleep, physical activity, and sedentary (screen and nonscreen) behaviours. Academic performance was obtained from school records. Linear regressions were used to test the association between behaviours and academic performance outcomes. Results: Seventy-four percent of students met sleep guidelines (9 to 11 h for children 5-13 years and 8 to 10 h for 14-17 year olds), 21% met physical activity guidelines (60 min of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity every day), and 15% met screen time guidelines (no more than 2 h recreational screen time per day); only 2% met all three. There were no associations between meeting sleep guidelines and academic performance; however later weekend bedtimes were associated with poorer academic performance (− 3.4 points on the Average Academic Index, 95%CI: − 5.0, − 1.7, p < .001). There were no associations between meeting physical activity guidelines and academic performance. Meeting screen guidelines was associated with higher Average Academic Index (5.8, 95%CI: 3.6, 8.0, p < .001), Maths 7.9, 95%CI: 4.1, 11.6, p < .001) and English scores (3.8, 95%CI: 1.8, 5.8, p < .001) and higher time in sedentary behaviours was associated with poorer academic performance, including total sedentary behaviours in hrs/day (5.8 points on Average Academic Index, 95%CI: 3.6, 8.0, p < .001. Meeting at least two of the three behaviour guidelines was associated with better academic performance. Conclusions: Sleep and sedentary behaviours were linked to academic performance. School communities should emphasize comprehensive wellness strategies to address multiple behaviours to maximize student health and academic success.
Background: The purpose of this pilot trial was to determine the feasibility of a selfmanaged lymphedema randomized control trial to test the effectiveness of a head and neck-specific exercise protocol. Methods: Nine participants were randomized to receive usual treatment provided by an Australian metropolitan teaching hospital (n = 4) or usual treatment with an added head and neck exercise regime (n = 5). Feasibility was assessed through ease of recruitment, adherence, and safety. Lymphedema reduction and quality of life (QOL) data were assessed at baseline (0 week) and follow-up (6 weeks). Results: The study was feasible in terms of safety and participant retention. However, a slow recruitment rate and low adherence may impact future trials. There were no significant differences in lymphedema reduction or QOL between groups. Conclusion: This pilot feasibility study demonstrated that a self-management trial can be implemented, however, modifications will be required due to the slow recruitment and poor adherence rates. Level of evidence: 1b: Individualized randomized control trial. K E Y W O R D S head, lymphedema, neck, self-management, treatment 1 | INTRODUCTION Head and neck lymphedema is a significant issue for patients following head and neck cancer treatment 1 with a prevalence rate between 12% 2 and 90%. 3 Head and neck lymphedema may involve both external anatomical sites (eg, skin, face, neck, head) and internal structures (eg, oral cavity, pharynx), 4-6 resulting in symptom burden, functional impairments (speech 5 swallowing, 6,7 breathing 5), and decreased quality of life (QOL). 1,4-6,8 Due to cosmetic changes, this population experiences body image and psychological sequelae, such as anxiety and depression. 1 Head and neck lymphedema treatment guidelines are focused on a combination of complete decongestive therapy modalities including external compression, exercise, skin care, manual-lymphatic drainage, and patient education for self-management. 2 There is a lack of consensus on the combination of these therapy modalities, in particular, head and neck specific exercises and external compression. 9-11 Other treatment modalities, such as manual-lymphatic drainage, may be more applicable for head and neck lymphedema due to the low adherence and difficulty in applying compression to this body region. 10 Despite the suggested benefit, an added exercise protocol may increase treatment burden to this vulnerable population. 11 There is a
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