Objectives: To determine the effects of whole-body vibration (WBV) training on depression, anxiety, stress, and quality of life (QoL) in college students. Methods: The participants comprised college students who led physically inactive lifestyles as revealed by their Medical Outcomes Study Form 36 (SF-36) scores, and with elevated scores of Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS) test. They were randomly allocated to two groups of 15 each: (a) the WBV group (male = 3, female = 12) and (b) the exercise group (male = 6, female = 9). The participants in the WBV group performed prescribed exercises while they stood on a vibrating platform whereas those in the exercise group performed the same exercises but without the vibrating platform. After four weeks of twice-a-week training, DASS and SF-36 were measured. The pre- and post-scores were compared between the groups. Results: Depression (p < 0.001), anxiety (p < 0.001), and stress (p < 0.001) were found to reduce significantly for the WBV group compared to the exercise group. There was also significant within-group improvement in all the components of SF-36 (p < 0.040). Conclusions: Exercising on the WBV platform may reduce depression, anxiety, and stress in college students and improve their overall QoL.
Rectus sheath hematoma (RSH) is a rare complication that usually occurs in patients receiving anticoagulation therapy. It can mimic an acute abdomen and be life-threatening. RSH can develop even with prophylactic dose of heparin. Early recognition is necessary to decrease morbidity and mortality. RSH should be considered in anticoagulated patients who develop sudden onset of abdominal pain. RSH is usually managed conservatively, but sometimes requires surgery. Patients who are taking antiplatelet require careful monitoring with the use of anticoagulation (AC). It is important to identify them early. This is a case of 69-year-old female who presented with epigastric pain secondary to rectus sheath hematoma. She was receiving subcutaneous injections of heparin for left lower quadrant pain and swelling for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis. Ultrasound of abdomen revealed large rectus sheath hematoma.
A 43-year-old male had progressive pleuritic left-sided chest tightness with shortness of breath. He had dental caries and tenderness on palpation of the left lateral chest. Complete blood count showed leucocytosis. CT scan of the chest with pulmonary emboli protocol showed multiple pulmonary nodules and nodular pleural thickening at left posterior lateral pleura. Forty-eight hours post CTPE scan, CT scan of the chest, abdomen and pelvis displayed right lower lobe consolidation and left-sided pleural effusion with superimposed compressive atelectasis. Ceftaroline intravenous was initiated, with CT-guided pigtail chest tube insertion. Pleural fluid later grew group F beta-haemolytic Patient improved significantly and was discharged 11 days later with intravenous ertapenem. Patients with group F beta-haemolytic streptococci should be managed aggressively with early and accurate diagnosis, antibiotics, drainage and possible surgery.
Background
“Sit to stand” being a prerequisite for walking, the inability of patients to perform it can result in institutionalization, impaired functioning and mobility in activities of daily living. There was a need to find out whether “sit to stand” ability correlates with gait speed, dynamic balance, and quality of life in stroke patients. It is a pilot study in which sixteen sub-acute and chronic stroke (˃ 6 months) patients aged 45 to 65 years with the ability to walk at least 10 m, Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) score ˃ 27 were included. Patients with musculoskeletal impairments of lower extremity which would affect walking were excluded from the study. Each patient performed five times sit to stand (5TSTS) from a standard chair and time taken was recorded. Timed up and go (TUG) test and 10-m walk test (10MWT) were used to measure the dynamic balance and gait speed respectively. Stroke Adapted Sickness Impact Profile-30 (SASIP-30) scale was used to determine the quality of life of the patients.
Results
Correlation between the outcomes of the variables was analyzed using Pearson correlation co-efficient. The 5TSTS scores showed strong positive correlation to TUG (r = 0.823, P < .000) and SASIP-30 (r = 0.841, P < .000). However, moderately strong negative relationship was found between 5TSTS and gait speed (r = −0.639, P < .008).
Conclusion
The study concludes that change in the 5TSTS performance can affect motor functions like dynamic balance and gait as well as quality of life. Exercise training focusing on sit-to-stand ability may also influence activities of daily living (ADLs) after stroke.
A 59-year-old male with a medical history of abdominal aortic dissection underwent a follow-up computed tomography (CT) scan abdomen, which showed an incidental pleural-based mass in the left lung base. The patient underwent an ultrasound (US)-guided biopsy and the histology was consistent with spindle cell carcinoma (SpCC). Staging workup was concerning for a metastatic lesion on the adrenal gland. The patient refused surgery and was subsequently started on chemotherapy. SpCC is a rare histological variant of sarcomatoid carcinoma. The prognosis is generally poor and treatment is the same as for other non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC). The literature on disease progression and treatment is limited.
Background: Aerobic exercise and relaxing music induce parasympathetic activity over the heart. The combined effect of the two interventions was shown to reduce heart rate (HR), rate of perceived exertion (RPE), and anxiety levels. Objectives: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of aerobic exercise along with music vs. only aerobic exercise, on the autonomic function of the heart during recovery in collegiate overweight and obese individuals. Methods: Thirty-two collegiate overweight and obese individuals were recruited based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Random allocation of participants was done to the aerobic exercise group (n = 16) and aerobic exercise plus music group (n = 16). Each group performed 30 minutes/session, six times/week for four weeks. Pre and post measures of body composition, exercise HR, RPE, square root of mean squared difference between adjacent R-R intervals (RMSSD), interval differences between of adjacent R-R intervals > 50 ms derived from difference between consecutive RR intervals (NN50), low-frequency (LF), high frequency (HF), and LF/HF measures of heart rate variability (HRV) during recovery were recorded. Results: RMSSD (P = 0.003) and LF (P = 0.009) scores showed a significant difference at baseline. A significant time effect was found to be in HR (P < 0.001), RPE (< 0.001), NN50 (P = 0.001), HF (P = 0.016) and LF/HF score (P < 0.001) of HRV indicating difference between pre and post measures, while no difference was found in RMSSD and LF score. A significant group effect was found to be in HR (P = 0.016) and LF/HF score (P = 0.008), indicating the difference between the two groups. Conclusions: Regular aerobic exercise, in conjunction with relaxing music, appears to confer a beneficial effect on the autonomic modulation during the post-exercise recovery period.
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