Annals of medicine
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
A multicenter feasibility randomized controlled trial using a virtual reality application of pain neuroscience education for adults with chronic low back pain.
Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a highly prevalent condition among adults and is correlated to high levels of pain, high disability, and lower quality of life. Pain neuroscience education (PNE) helps to explain the pain experience and can affect psychosocial factors, such as fear of movement, anxiety, socioeconomic status, work life satisfaction, etc. More recently, virtual reality (VR) programs have emerged allowing for immersive PNE experiences. ⋯ The results of the trial suggest that VR-PNE may be acceptable and feasible for patients with CLBP. Study procedures and PT delivery modifications should be considered for the next iteration of this study to improve follow-up assessment rates.
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Early antimicrobial therapy is crucial regarding the prognosis of vertebral osteomyelitis, but early pathogen diagnosis remains challenging. ⋯ The results of this study hold promise in providing valuable guidance to clinical practitioners for the differential diagnosis and early antimicrobial treatment of vertebral osteomyelitis.
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The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index, a novel reliable biomarker for IR that incorporates blood glucose and triglyceride, is linked to intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS). In this study, we aimed to further investigate the association between the TyG index and the outcomes of ICAS patients following extracranial-to-intracranial (EC-IC) bypass grafting. ⋯ Higher TyG levels were associated with poorer outcomes in ICAS patients after EC-IC bypass. TyG could be a key factor in managing ICAS risk and standardizing the indications for EC-IC bypass.
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This study intended to evaluate the medium-term effectiveness of a community-based medical education (CBME) program and to determine the program's influence on the application rates of regional-quota students seeking to become residents in Tamba, Japan. ⋯ There was a statistically significant application rate for residency programs among medical students who participated in the CBME program in their senior years compared with those who did not. This is the first study to confirm the medium-term effects of CBME after several years in short-term CBME programs of three days and two nights.
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Postoperative recovery in patients with cancer is a complex process that influences quality of life, functional recovery, and mental well-being. Smartphone app-based interventions have emerged as potential tools for improving various aspects of health and well-being in cancer patients. However, the existing literature lacks a consensus on the efficacy of these interventions, leading to conflicting outcomes. ⋯ Our findings suggest that mobile health apps hold promise in improving the well-being of cancer patients after surgery by enhancing their quality of life, health status, and self-efficacy, while also reducing anxiety and depression.