Researchers evaluate innovative treatments for common emotional problems after TBI, including videoconferencing technology and web-based interventions. Participants show significant improvements in emotional regulation, positive emotions, and problem-solving skills.
Advanced neuroimaging techniques provide a basis for studying circuit-level abnormalities in psychiatric disorders. Recent large-scale research projects, including the Human Connectome Project, have focused on defining and mapping brain functional connections.
A new study finds that an open gym format for cardiac rehabilitation shortens waiting times by an average of 14.9 days, compared to traditional scheduled appointments. The flexible scheduling model also showed no significant differences in outcomes, including exercise capacity and depressive symptoms.
A long-term follow-up study found that many patients who received instructions to stop smoking before cosmetic surgery were more likely to quit or reduce their cigarette use. The study suggests that targeted messaging with specific examples of the negative effects of smoking may be an effective way to encourage smokers to quit.
A two-stage approach to risk-reducing mastectomy, involving initial breast reduction and
A study published in The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery found that early surgery to repair supraspinatus tears leads to substantial improvement in clinical and radiographic outcomes at 10 years. The results suggest that preventing later rotator cuff muscle degeneration is key to long-term success.
A recent VA study presents original research and perspectives informing efforts to ensure high-quality patient-centered care for vulnerable veteran populations. The research highlights disparities in healthcare access and outcomes among racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ veterans, homeless veterans, and others.
Researchers found that batters follow different visual strategies when swinging versus taking a pitch, with more eye movement when not swinging and larger head movements when swinging. The study provides new insights into batting strategy at the plate.
A study published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery found that infants with positional plagiocephaly who receive helmet therapy at a younger age have higher treatment success rates. The study analyzed the effects of age and severity on the duration and effectiveness of helmet therapy.
Research from the VA TBI Model System reveals differences in characteristics and outcomes between military and civilian traumatic brain injury patients. These findings have important implications for treatment and long-term care of veterans with TBI.
Researchers found that patients with diabetes have lower levels of substance P in their tears, indicating corneal nerve damage. Substance P measurement may become a non-invasive test to assess the risk of diabetic neuropathy.
A clinical trial found that noninvasive brain stimulation and physical therapy alone or in combination improve some measures of walking ability in patients with Parkinson's disease. Walking speed increased by an average of 19 percent, with improvements lasting for at least eight weeks after treatment.
Activity monitors have moderate validity compared to other measures of daily energy expenditure and physical activity, leaving out important information such as intensity of effort. Current accelerometers perform well at moderate walking speeds but struggle under other conditions.
A study found that fatal overdose risk increases steadily with daily opioid dose among Medicaid patients, up to five times higher for moderate to high doses. Concurrent use of benzodiazepines or skeletal muscle relaxants further elevates the risk, even at low doses.
A study by H. Fisher Raymond found that MSM with known HIV infection who know their viral status tend to reduce sexual risk behaviors. The results suggest a link between undetectable viral load and safer sex practices, but more research is needed to confirm this association.
A study found that obese patients undergoing shoulder joint replacement surgery are at increased risk of complications, including the need for revision surgery and postoperative infections. The risk of revision surgery increases steadily with increasing body mass index (BMI) in obese patients.
A review of soft contact lens wear in children and adolescents found no higher incidence of adverse effects than in adults, suggesting they may be safer for younger patients. Greater parental supervision can help mitigate risks.
The Consensus Document from the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) offers practical guidance on drug testing in various clinical settings. It emphasizes that drug testing should be widely used to monitor adherence and abstinence, but also serves as a therapeutic tool rather than a punitive one.
A study published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery found that motorcycle helmet laws in Michigan doubled the rate of facial and head injuries, including skull fractures. The researchers analyzed data from 4,643 trauma patients and found that unhelmeted riders were twice as likely to sustain CMF injuries.
For patients undergoing intestinal or multi-organ transplantation, closing the abdominal wall poses a difficult surgical challenge. Total abdominal wall transplantation provides an alternative for abdominal closure in these complex cases, according to a state-of-the-art approach presented in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
A study published in The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery found that patients who previously took prescription opioids had a higher average pain score six months after knee replacement surgery. This suggests that preoperative opioid use may be problematic due to its negative effects on subsequent total knee arthroplasty outcomes.
A study published in the Journal of Addiction Medicine found that non-medical prescription opioid (NMPO) use is common among young adults with severe physical pain. Young men with high pain scores are at particularly high risk, while women who use benzodiazepines are also more likely to engage in frequent NMPO use.
The position paper advocates for 'alternative-to-discipline' approaches, incorporating specialized treatment and return-to-practice programs. ATD strategies aim to retain, rehabilitate, and reintegrate nurses into safe professional practice.
A study found that people with Down syndrome experienced nearly three times greater variability in autorefractor testing compared to a control group. This increased variability can lead to incorrect vision prescriptions and reduced chances of reaching the best possible refraction for those with Down syndrome.
Learning about key 'danger zones' can help plastic surgeons enhance the safety and effectiveness of facial filler procedures. The article emphasizes the importance of safe, predictable techniques to achieve optimal results with dermal fillers, particularly in areas commonly addressed by facial filler injection.
Adolescents involved in bullying exhibit increased desire for cosmetic surgery, with a focus on poor psychological functioning among victims. The study suggests that plastic surgeons should screen for psychological vulnerability and history of bullying when evaluating patients.
A study published in The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery found that women are more likely to experience hypersensitivity to metals used in joint replacements, leading to increased pain and complications. Women accounted for 60% of patients with unexplained pain after joint replacement, with higher average pain scores than men.
A research review and update suggests that medication for addiction treatment (MAT) is an appropriate treatment for pregnant women with opioid use disorder (OUD), reducing opioid use, promoting abstinence, and aiding recovery. Comprehensive care programs supporting mothers and infants are crucial for sustained recovery.
A study published in Medical Care found that vertical integration of primary and hospital care led to a lower rate of hospital readmissions. The analysis included nearly 1.2 million hospital admissions between 2004 and 2013, resulting in a relative ten percent decrease in the probability of unplanned readmission.
A worldwide survey found 16% of critically ill children have acute neurological conditions with brain damage, highlighting the need for transformational ideas to improve outcomes. The study revealed that cardiac arrest was the most common cause of these conditions, followed by traumatic brain injury and central nervous system infection.
Researchers found that patients with early mucin deposits had a higher rate of corneal infiltrates, but those with repeat deposits were less likely to experience problems. Mucin deposits may act as a protective barrier between the lens and ocular surface.
Researchers developed the Behavior Pain Assessment Tool (BPAT) to evaluate pain in critically ill patients unable to communicate verbally. The tool, based on eight observable behaviors, was validated in 28 countries and found to be reliable and valid for use in clinical practice.
A study analyzing data from three national databases found significant racial gaps in immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) after mastectomy, with white patients having the highest rate of IBR. The disparities were similar among women with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), and were up to 50% in California.
The article reviews workplace policies that affect breastfeeding and recommends key elements of a successful policy, including breaks for pumping, storage facilities, and education. Nurse practitioners play a crucial role in promoting continued breastfeeding after returning to work.
A study found that Medicaid expansion in 26 states led to a 70% increase in buprenorphine prescriptions and a 50% increase in Medicaid spending on the medication. The growth was largely driven by increased physician prescribing capacity, with each additional approved prescriber associated with a 45% boost in prescriptions.
A recent study published in The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery found that patients undergoing total hip replacement surgery experience significant improvements in quality of life (QOL) through at least five years after the procedure. The SF-6D score, a widely used measure of patient-perceived QOL, showed lasting improvements in scores.
Childhood bullying may lead to an increased risk of chronic stress exposure, which can contribute to the development of diseases such as depression, diabetes, and heart disease. Early-life stress exposure can also affect physiological systems' response to future stressors through epigenetic changes.
Researchers assessed the connection between stress and progressive vision loss from AMD using the Perceived Stress Scale. The study found that stress-reduction approaches may improve outcomes in AMD patients, and future studies could investigate the relationship between perceived stress levels and disease progression.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of horseback riding interventions found significant improvements in balance, motor function, and quality of life for children and adults with neuromotor disabilities. The studies also showed benefits for patients with cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, and stroke.
Researchers found that the EarWell system is highly successful in eliminating or reducing the need for surgery in most congenital ear malformations, with 97% of ears showing good to excellent results. Treatment must begin early, ideally within three weeks after birth, and should be performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon.
A study published in PAIN found that physically active older adults have lower pain perception and better ability to block responses to painful stimuli. This suggests that low levels of sedentary behavior and greater light physical activity may be critical in maintaining effective endogenous pain inhibitory function.
A study published in the Journal of Patient Safety found that video testimonials improve physicians' agreement on patients' treatment choices. The addition of a video testimonial led to statistically significant changes in responses, with doctors more likely to choose full aggressive treatment in five scenarios.
Current smokers have a significantly higher rate of septic reoperation compared to nonsmokers, with each additional pack-year contributing to total reoperations. Smoking history affects the risk of hospital readmissions among patients undergoing total joint replacement.
Patient advocates estimate that up to 200,000 US hospital patients die annually from preventable medical errors. They argue that the healthcare industry must invest in safety measures such as adequate nursing levels and a culture of safety to reduce adverse events.
A study reveals that many people mistakenly believe cosmetic surgeons require special credentials and training, when in fact they need at least six years of residency training. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons has launched a campaign to educate the public on how to identify qualified providers.
A survey study found that cosmetic professionals are often unaware of the true prevalence of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) in patients seeking cosmetic procedures. Most respondents were familiar with BDD and its criteria, but only a small percentage routinely addressed body image problems or collaborated with psychologists.
Researchers found that using red-channel images improved the detection of diabetic macular edema, a complication of diabetes leading to blindness. The study suggests that this method could offer a clear-cut advantage in under-served groups with high rates of diabetic eye disease.
A study found that brain responses to rewards are a significant predictor of pain symptoms in adolescents, with patterns of reward processing at age 14-15 predicting pain complaints at age 16-17. Genetic variants affecting pain sensitivity may also play a role.
A study found that telepsychiatry provides similar clinical outcomes as face-to-face group sessions for patients with opioid use disorder receiving medication treatment with buprenorphine. The pilot study suggests that telepsychiatry may help extend access to medication-assisted treatment, particularly in rural areas.
A collaborative effort to improve CFD methodologies for evaluating medical devices has developed two benchmark models with robust experimental data. The study shows that 57% of simulation predictions were within one standard deviation of measured values, but more work is needed to develop widely-acceptable hemolysis solvers.