Smartphones aid the constant accessibility of social media (SM) applications, and these devices and platforms have become a key part of our everyday lives and needs. Previous research has focused on the psychological impact of social media use (SMU) and SM abstinence has only received limited attention. Therefore, employing a combination of an experimental within-subjects mixed methodology using surveys to obtain both quantitative and qualitative data, this study aimed to compare psychosocial factors of fear of missing out (FoMO), mental wellbeing (MWB), and social connectedness (SC) before and after seven days of SM abstinence. Results revealed that participants (N = 61) experienced a significant increase in MWB and SC, and a significant decrease in FoMO and smartphone use following SM abstinence. There was a significant positive relationship between MWB and SC change scores and a significant negative relationship between SC and FoMO change scores. There were no significant differences in levels of SMU before abstinence or across genders in FoMO, MWB, and SC change scores. Thematic analysis revealed coping, habit, and boredom as motivations for SMU, and notification distractions presenting a challenge for successful abstinence from SM. Participants indicated that abstinence resulted in the perceived need to fill their time with non-SM applications. Finally, thematic analysis revealed mixed experiences of perceived connectivity in the absence of SMU. Findings present implications for the importance of unplugging from SM for temporary periods because scrolling through SM to fill time is a key motivator of SMU, and notifications encourage SMU and trigger FoMO.

The 4SCPT shows scientific promise as a valid and reliable leg power measurement among community-dwelling older adults.

Supplemental digital content is available in the text.

No abstract

BackgroundMobility limitations among older adults increase the risk for disability and healthcare utilization. Rehabilitative care is identified as the most efficacious treatment for maintaining physical function. However, there is insufficient evidence identifying a healthcare model that targets prevention of mobility decline among older adults. The objective of this study is to evaluate the preliminary effectiveness of a physical therapy program, augmented with mobile tele-health technology, on mobility function and healthcare utilization among older adults.MethodsThis is a quasi-experimental 12-month clinical trial conducted within a metropolitan-based healthcare system in the northeastern United States. It is in parallel with an existing longitudinal cohort study evaluating mobility decline among community-dwelling older adult primary care patients over one year. Seventy-five older adults (≥ 65–95 years) are being recruited using identical inclusion/exclusion criteria to the cohort study. Three aims will be evaluated: the effect of our program on 1) physical function, 2) healthcare utilization, and 3) healthcare costs. Changes in patient-reported function over 1 year in those receiving the intervention (aim 1) will be compared to propensity score matched controls (N = 150) from the cohort study. For aims 2 and 3, propensity scores, derived from logistic regression model that includes demographic and diagnostic information available through claims and enrollment information, will be used to match treatment and control patients in a ratio of 1:2 or 1:3 from a Medicare Claims Registry derived from the same geographic region. The intervention consists of a one-year physical therapy program that is divided between a combination of outpatient and home visits (6–10 total visits) and is augmented on a computerized tablet using of a commercially available application to deliver a progressive home-based exercise program emphasizing lower-extremity function and a walking program.DiscussionIncorporating mobile health into current healthcare models of rehabilitative care has the potential to decrease hospital visits and provide a longer duration of care. If the hypotheses are supported and demonstrate improved mobility and reduced healthcare utilization, this innovative care model would be applicable for optimizing the maintenance of functional independence among community-dwelling older adults.Trial registrationClinicalTrial.gov Identifier: NCT02580409 (Date of registration October 14, 2015).

The effect of iontophoretic administration of vincristine in the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) was investigated in a prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Twenty patients with intercostal or lumbar PHN for more than 6 months that was unresponsive to conventional medical therapy were randomized to receive vincristine 0.01% (n = 11) or saline (n = 9), by iontophoresis over 1 hour daily for 20 days. Demographics and median duration of pain were similar in both groups. Pain scores decreased over the treatment period and were significantly lower on day 20 compared to baseline in both groups. Pain relief was described as moderate or greater in 40% of patients with vincristine and 55% of patients with placebo. There was no statistical difference an actual pain scores on day 20 between the two groups. Moderate or greater pain relief was maintained in 30% of patients with vincristine and 33% of patients with placebo at follow-up on day 90. We conclude that iontophoresed vincristine is no better than iontophoresed saline in the treatment of PHN. The maintained improvement in both groups at 3 months follow-up may reflect the natural history of PHN, or might possibly by related to a beneficial effect of iontophoresis.

No abstract