BackgroundIt has been proposed that in-brace correction is the best guideline for prediction of the results of brace treatment for patients with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS). However, bracing may be a stressful experience for patients and bracing non-compliance could be psychologically related. The purpose of this study was to assess the correlation between brace compliance, in-brace correction and QoL of patients with AIS.MethodsFifty-five patients with a diagnosis of AIS were recruited. All were female and aged 10 years or above when a brace was prescribed, none had undergone prior treatment, and all had a Risser sign of 0–2 and a Cobb angle of 25-40°. The patients were examined in three consecutive visits with 4 to 6 months between each visit. The Chinese translated Trunk Appearance Perception Scale (TAPS), the Chinese translated Brace Questionnaires (BrQ) and the Chinese translated SRS-22 Questionnaires were used in the study. The in-brace Cobb angle, vertebral rotation and trunk listing were also measured. Patients’ compliance, in-brace correction and patients’ QoL were assessed. To identify the relationship among these three areas, logistic regression model and generalized linear model were used.ResultFor the compliance measure, a significant difference (p = 0.008) was detected on TAPS mean score difference between Visit 1 and Visit 2 in the least compliant group (0–8 hours) and the most compliant group (17–23 hours). In addition, a significant difference (p = 0.000) was detected on BrQ mean score difference between Visit 2 and Visit 3 in the least compliant group (0–8 hours) and the most compliant group (17–23 hours). For the orthosis effectiveness measure, no significant difference was detected between the three groups of bracing hours (0–8 hours, 9–16 hours, 17–23 hours) on in-brace correction (below 40% and 40% or above). For the QoL measure, no significant difference was detected between the two different in-brace correction groups (below 40% and 40% or above) on QoL as reflected by the TAPS, BrQ and SRS-22r mean scores.ConclusionThe results showed a positive relationship between patients’ brace wear compliance and patients’ QoL. Poor compliance would cause a lower QoL.

This study explored the relationships among mental health, self-esteem and physical health in Hong Kong Chinese adolescents. Chinese students (N = 1945) between the ages of 12 and 19 from four secondary schools of different regions were invited to participate in the study. This study revealed that a significant number of adolescents in Hong Kong are experiencing depressive symptoms. The overall results indicated that self-esteem of adolescents was correlated to and a predictor of their physical and mental health. Health care professionals should take a more assertive role in promoting relevant health education to the community with emphasis on helping adolescents develop positive self-esteem.

Background The survival rates of advanced cancer patients remain low despite clinical therapy advancements. However, physical activity showed promising effects in improving cancer outcomes. This review aimed to systematically evaluate and synthesize the effects on overall mortality of post-diagnosis physical activity in advanced cancer patients. Methods A systematic search of six English databases (PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and SPORTDiscus) was conducted from their inception up to 3 February 2021. The association of physical activity with survival was evaluated by combining study-specific hazard ratios with random-effects meta-analysis models. Results Eleven studies were identified. Compared with the reference group, higher-level physical activity was not significantly associated with a lower risk of earlier mortality in advanced cancer patients (InHR = − 0.18, 95% CI, − 0.36 to 0.01). When separated by study type, a higher level of physical activity in non-randomised trials was significantly associated with reduced mortality risk (InHR = − 0.25, 95% CI: − 0.44, − 0.06). However, in randomised trials, engaging in exercise was not significantly associated with a lower mortality risk compared with the control group (InHR = 0.08, 95%CI: − 0.17, 0.32). Conclusions Discrepancies were uncovered in the effect of physical activity on overall survival in randomised and non-randomised trials. In non-randomised trials, a higher level of physical activity was significantly associated with a lower risk of mortality, whereas no significant effect on survival was observed during exercise interventions compared to the control in randomised trials. Considering the wider benefits of physical activity, exercise can still be recommended to improve outcomes for advanced cancer patients. Nevertheless, it might be too late for advanced cancer patients to start exercising for survival improvements, based on findings from randomised controlled trials.

Background The application of self-determination theory in explaining student achievement has been well-established in various contexts. However, its application to medical education, particularly in interprofessional education (IPE) remains underexplored. Understanding how students’ motivation plays a role in students’ engagement and achievement is essential to optimize efforts to improve learning and instruction. Objective This two-stage study aims to contextualize the SDT framework to IPE through the adaptation of the Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction to IPE (Study 1) and to demonstrate how SDT can be applied in IPE by examining a model of SDT constructs (Study 2) in predicting outcomes (behavioral engagement, team effectiveness, collective dedication, goal achievement). Design In Study 1 ( n =996), we adapted and validated BPNS-IPE using confirmatory factor analysis and multiple linear regression using data from 996 IPE students (Chinese Medicine, Medicine, Nursing, and Pharmacy). In Study 2 ( n =271), we implemented an IPE program where we integrated SDT approaches and examined the relationship of SDT constructs with IPE outcomes using multiple linear regression. Results Our data supported the three-factor structure (autonomy, competence, and relatedness) of BPNS-IPE, meeting the required model fit. Autonomy predicted team effectiveness (F=51.290, p <.05, R 2 =.580); competence predicted behavioral engagement (F=55.181, p <.05, R 2 =.598); while relatedness predicted significantly four IPE outcomes: behavioral engagement (F=55.181, p <.01, R 2 =.598), team effectiveness (F=51.290, p <.01, R 2 =.580), collective dedication (F=49.858, p <.01, R 2 =.573), goal achievement (F=68.713, p <.01, R 2 =.649). Conclusions The SDT motivational framework can be adapted and applied in the IPE context to understand and enhance student motivation in medical education. Potential studies with the use of the scale are provided to guide researchers.

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