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Background: Yoga may pose a promising complementary therapy in the multimodal treatment of in-patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD). However, to date, no studies have qualitatively examined in-patients' with SSD experiences of Yoga as well as their perceptions of its limitations and benefits as a treatment component. This qualitative study aimed to explore for the first time the mechanisms and processes of Yoga-based Group Intervention (YoGI) for in-patients with SSD in Germany by asking for their subjective experiences. Findings could serve as a preliminary basis for developing an effective and evidence-based YoGI manual tailored to this patient group.Materials and Methods: In total, 25 semi-structured interviews were conducted directly after YoGI, for which responses were either noted down by hand or audio-recorded. The interview guide was pilot-tested and consisted of 14 questions to explore the personal articulated experiences of participation in YoGI from in-patients with SSD. Positive, negative, depressive, and anxiety symptoms were assessed during a diagnostic interview and through questionnaires. The interview data was transcribed, coded by two independent researchers, and analysed using an inductive thematic approach. The research team collaboratively discussed emerging categories to reduce redundancy and form meaningful themes and subthemes.Results: The analysis revealed seven main themes. YoGI was perceived as feasible and focusing on individual adaptation, captured by the theme inclusivity. Nevertheless, participants encountered challenges; thus, physical limitations need to be considered. While practising together, participants experienced interconnectedness and developed a mindful stance as they accepted their limitations and adapted exercises with self-compassion. Patients described that following the flow of the asanas required physical persistence, which ultimately led many participants to experience confidence and relaxation. YoGI affected symptom representation as heightened awareness led participants to notice impeding as well as improved symptoms.Conclusion: YoGI showed various promising effects on in-patients with SSD. Future research should examine to what extent these effects can be sustained and how the mindful approach during YoGI can be transferred to areas outside the Yoga class. Furthermore, a randomised controlled trial could investigate the effectiveness of a manualised YoGI.

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Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and thoracic radiography are routinely performed diagnostic procedures. We hypothesized that BAL increases the interstitial opacity of caudoventral and caudodorsal thoracic radiographs. Fifty-three horses, including 8 clinic owned and 45 from a referral hospital population, were classified as healthy controls (n = 12), severe equine asthma (recurrent airway obstruction, n = 12) or mild-to-moderate equine asthma (inflammatory airway disease, n = 21) based on the results of a clinical scoring system. Eight were excluded due to different diagnoses and poor image quality. Four randomized thoracic radiographs of each horse were scored by two blinded observers, who were also asked to identify the image as obtained before or after a BAL procedure. In severe equine asthma, the chance (adjusted odds) of misinterpretation of the correct imaging time was approximately 5 times higher than in controls (odds ratio [OR] = 5.373, p = 0.028). The chance of misinterpretation was approximately 4 times lower in caudodorsal images than in caudoventral projections (OR = 0.241, p = 0.004). Identification of the correct imaging time was highly correlated with an increase in interstitial opacity (OR = 9.976, p < 0.0001). In conclusion, we recommend performing BAL after thoracic radiography to avoid possible misinterpretation.

EinleitungWährend der phylogenetischen Entwicklung über 50 Millionen Jahre-vom wald-und sumpfbewohnenden Einzelgänger in Fuchsgröße (Eohyppus) zum rezenten Flucht-und Herdentier der Gattung Equus caballus-kam es zur erheblichen Modifikation an den Gliedmaßen (Budras et al. 2003 It is unclear why a hind limb insertional desmopathy of the suspensory ligament has a tendency to heal worse than a front limb suspensory desmitis. Also, the presence of a positive flexion test of the tarsus in a horse with high suspensory desmitis is of interest. The purpose of our study is to determine if the anatomical difference of the suspensory ligament between front and hind limb is the cause. Our material includes 21 hind limbs of horses of different ages, sex and breed. MRI and CT were used to identify and classify the findings which were then verified using anatomical and histological tissue sections. The results showed proof of a previously unknown long proximal tendon of origin of the suspensory ligament that starts at the calcaneus, has an intermediate attachment on the 4th tarsal bone and upon reaching the proximal plantar edge of the cannon bone overlies the lateral short tendon of origin with which it fuses. MRI and CT images showed half-moon-and Z-shaped inclusions within the origin and body of the suspensory ligament. Histologically those inclusions proved to be skeletal muscle tissue wrapped in fatty connective tissue which contained neurovascular structures. The results and discussion thereof cause us to believe that when the hock is bent, the long proximal tendon of origin exerts pressure on the short lateral tendon of origin at the 3rd metatarsal bone which could be a cause for the pain reaction and the delayed healing process of the high suspensory desmitis in the hind limb. The pressure of the long proximal tendon on the short lateral tendon could also be a reason for a positive flexion test of the tarsus as long as there are pathological changes with an insertional desmopathy of the lateral origin of the suspensory ligament at the 3rd metatarsal bone.

Im Niederfeld-Magnetresonanztomographen (MRT) wurden beide Vordergliedmaßen von 120 Pferden untersucht. In einer ersten Veröffentlichung wurden vorgefundene Veränderungen in vier Grade eingeteilt und beschrieben. Diese Pferde wiesen 171 lahme und 69 nicht lahme Gliedmaßen auf. Die MRT-Befunde wurden hinsichtlich ihrer Häufigkeit, des Zusammmenhangs zwischen Lahmheit und Lahmfreiheit sowie ihrer Verteilung bei einseitig oder beidseitig lahmen Pferden untersucht. Strahlbeinbefunde traten insgesamt am häufigsten auf (69,2 %) und wurden signifikant vermehrt mit dem höchsten Ausprägungsgrad aller Befunde bei beidseitig lahmen Gliedmaßen festgestellt (39, 3 %). Läsionen der tiefen Beugesehne (TBS) traten etwas seltener (42,9 %) und vermehrt als stärkster Befund bei einseitig lahmen Gliedmaßen auf (22,2 %). Befunde an den Gelenkflächen des Hufgelenks waren ebenfalls häufig (47,5 %). Es ließ sich kein signifikant vermehrtes Auftreten bei ein-oder beidseitig lahmen Pferden feststellen. Deutliche Veränderungen der Bursa podotrochlearis standen in den meisten Fällen in Zusammenhang mit Veränderungen der umliegenden Strukturen wie Sehne oder Strahlbein. Deutlichere Veränderungen (Grad 3 und 4) korrelierten hierbei signifikant mit Lahmheit, wobei geringe Abweichungen in vielen Fällen auch bei lahmfreien Gliedmaßen zu finden waren. Die Ausweitung der Bursa podotrochlearis und des Hufgelenks ließen sich nicht signifikant mit den lahmen Gliedmaßen in Verbindung bringen. Weitere Strukturen wie das Strahlbein-Hufbeinband (Ligamentum sesamoideum distale impar LSDI) oder die Fesselbein-Strahlbein-Hufbeinbänder (Ligamentum sesamoideum collaterale mediale et laterale LSC) des Strahlbeins zeigten tendenziell vermehrt pathologische Veränderungen bei lahmen Pferden. Die vorliegende Arbeit wies statistisch gesicherte Zusammenhänge zwischen den im Niederfeld-MRT erhobenen Befunden und dem Auftreten uni-oder bilateraler Lahmheiten nach. Signifikante Korrelationen können hierbei Hinweise auf die klinische Bedeutung geben. Einige Signalabweichungen hingegen zeigten eine geringe bis keine Korrelation und sollten daher vorsichtiger bewertet werden. Schlüsselwörter: Huf / Pferd / Hufrollenerkrankung / Sehne / palmar foot pain / Magnetresonanztomographie / Equines Palmares Fußsyndrom / bildgebende Diagnostik / Orthopädie Distribution of findings of bilateral magnetic resonance examinations of lame and sound forelimb hoof regions Both front limbs of 120 horses were investigated with a low-field-strength MRI unit. The findings were classified into grades 1-4. The examined limbs were sound or lame. In this study it was then considered how the distribution of the findings was, taking into account lameness and comparing this to the contralateral limb. Navicular bone findings occurred frequently (69.2 %) and were significantly more common in bilateral lameness. Tendon findings were less frequent (42.9 %), being significantly more common in unilaterally lame horses. Findings of the articular surfaces of the distal interphalangeal joint were also frequen...

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BackgroundResearch exploring the effects of yoga therapy (YT) on individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) is scarce. Therefore, the current study aimed to explore possible mechanisms of actions and processes, as well as adverse effects of a novel yoga-based group intervention (YoGI) for in-patients with SSD in a German university hospital setting.Material and methodsA longitudinal qualitative study was integrated into a rater-blinded randomized controlled trial, exploring the impact of a 4-week YoGI as add-on treatment. In-depth interviews were conducted with participants receiving YoGI (n = 19) in addition to treatment as usual (TAU) and a control group (n = 14) which only received TAU. Interviews were conducted at baseline (n = 33) and 4 weeks post-intervention (N = 28) to assess the participant’s experiences and how they changed over time. The interviews (N = 61) were audio-taped, translated, coded, and analyzed by means of inductive thematic analysis. Separate case summaries were prepared for each participant to analyze longitudinal changes within subjects. The research team members collaboratively discussed the final list of themes and subcodes. Rater-based questionnaires, such as the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS), and Personal and Social Performance Scale (PSP) were administered at baseline to assess clinical outcomes.ResultsAt baseline, participants reported a desire to improve their stress- and symptom management. A minority of participants expressed reservations toward yoga, and several psychosocial barriers were named, including worries about symptom exacerbation. At post-intervention, four mechanisms of change became evident from the interviews: (1) acquiring competence in relaxation, (2) increased interoceptive awareness, (3) feeling connected, and (4) a sense of spiritual wellbeing. A small number of participants reported difficulties with YoGI.ConclusionGenerally, YoGI positively influenced participants’ experiences of their inpatient stay, regarding distress, self- and body awareness, social connectedness, and spiritual wellbeing. However, participants also illuminated necessary adjustments to improve the intervention. YoGI will therefore be adapted and further developed in an iterative process based on a participant involvement approach. The efficacy regarding outcomes and processes needs to be investigated in a future larger-scaled randomized controlled trial.