The Infancia y Procesamiento Sensorial (InProS—Childhood and Sensory Processing) Project: Study Protocol for a Cross-Sectional Analysis of Parental and Children’s Sociodemographic and Lifestyle Features and Children’s Sensory Processing

Sensory processing difficulties may have potential detrimental consequences on the physical, social and intellectual development of children. It includes serious disturbances affecting emotional regulation, motor performance, social behavior and daily life functioning, among others factors. Since these symptoms are more frequent among children with disabilities, most research has been carried out in clinical populations. However, recent studies have suggested that sensory problems may be prevalent in around 20% of children without clinical conditions. To date, epidemiological research on sensory dysfunctions in normally developing children is lacking; therefore, it is unknown whether or not sensory processing difficulties are significant factors that affect child's development. Hence, this study has a double general purpose: (1) to determine the sensory profile of school-aged children; (2) to examine the associations between atypical sensory processing patterns and socio-demographic, health and lifestyle features of these children and their parents. The Infancia y Procesamiento Sensorial (InProS, Childhood and Sensory Processing in English) project is a population-based cross-sectional study of Spanish children aged 3-7 years. Data were gathered from different ad hoc questionnaires and several standardized tests. We propose an objective and reliable methodology using statistical and research procedures to describe and determine associations with sensory processing outcomes. We believe that this project will contribute to filling the gap in epidemiological research on sensory issues by providing more convincing evidence. Nevertheless, the potential results should be corroborated in other larger samples

New trends in ICT regarding education

In the 21st century and because of the exponential growth of the Internet and Information Communication Technologies (ICT), people lived in a technological age, in all areas and in all contexts, we have daily contact with technology, with access to information, linked to it, we have a constant update of technological services and tools that change the method we study, work, communicate and socialize on an unprecedented scale. These constant changes oblige everyone regardless the age, gender or profession to possess a range of functional and critical thinking skills, such as Information Literacy, Media Literacy and Technology Literacy. This evolution, forces, the promoters of education, to be always aware of changes that society is introducing outside of the classroom. Today students don’t have the same role that used to, independently of age, they are very active and no longer the same introverted child that studied a few years ago in the classrooms. Also the educational environments can be created anywhere and used everywhere. According to this, students are used to seeking different forms and ways of motivation in and out of the classroom, they need that the learning and teaching process move along with the society and ICT changes. In order to ensure the success of today’s students, it’s important to give them the technological skills to make the correct use of ICT, to perform essential tasks for their training such as research and information selection, problems solvers and decision makers, creative and effective users of productivity tools and communicators, collaborators, publishers and producers of contents. The main purpose of this communication is, to show a part of ICT tools that can be used in educational settings to support learners, helping them to develop key skills in their training process, it’s also relevant to show how these tools can help teachers to achieve these objectives on the daily activities.No século XXI e por causa do crescimento exponencial da Internet e das Tecnologias de Comunicação da Informação (TIC), as pessoas vivem numa era tecnológica, em todas as áreas e em todos os contextos. Temos contacto diário com tecnologia, com acesso à informação e associado a este fenómeno existe uma constante atualização de serviços tecnológicos e ferramentas que mudam os métodos de estudo, trabalho, comunicação e socialização numa escala sem precedentes. Essas mudanças constantes obrigam a todos, independentemente da idade, sexo ou profissão, a possuir uma gama de habilidades de pensamento funcional e crítico, como literacia para a informação, literacia para os media e literacia tecnológica. Essa evolução, força os responsáveis da educação, a estarem sempre conscientes das mudanças que a sociedade está introduzindo fora da sala de aula. Hoje, os alunos não têm o mesmo papel que há uns anos atrás. As crianças são muito ativas, não revelando os comportamentos introvertidos que anteriormente evidenciavam. Além disso, os ambientes educacionais podem ser criados em qualquer lugar e usados em todo o lado. Os alunos estão habituados a procurar diferentes formas de motivação dentro e fora da sala de aula, eles precisam que o processo de ensino-aprendizagem acompanhe as mudanças da sociedade e das TIC. A fim de garantir o sucesso dos estudantes de hoje, é importante dar-lhes as habilidades tecnológicas para fazer o uso correto das TIC, para executar tarefas essenciais para sua formação, como a pesquisa e seleção de informações, aprender a solucionar problemas e a tomar decisões a ser utilizadores efetivos das ferramentas de produtividade, comunicação e colaboração, bem como serem editores e produtores de conteúdos. O principal objetivo desta comunicação é mostrar uma parte das ferramentas de TIC que podem ser usadas em ambientes educacionais para apoiar os alunos, ajudando-os a desenvolver habilidades-chave no seu processo formativo. Pretendemos também mostrar como é que essas ferramentas podem ajudar os professores a alcançar os objetivos pedagógicos nas atividades diárias

El reporte del diseño de estudio en los títulos de la Revista Española de Nutrición Humana y Dietética

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Association between Body Mass Index and Sensory Processing in Childhood: InProS Study

We assessed the association between body mass index (BMI) and sensory processing in 445 Spanish children aged 3-7 from the InProS project. Child sensory processing was measured using the short sensory profile (SSP); an atypical sensory performance was defined as an SSP total score <155 and scores of tactile sensitivity <30; taste/smell sensitivity <15; movement sensitivity <13; under-responsive/seeks sensation <27; auditory filtering <23; low energy/weak <26; and visual/auditory sensitivity <19. The BMI was calculated according to the cutoffs by the World Health Organization for children aged 0-5 and 5-19 years. We used multiple Poisson regression models with robust variance to obtain prevalence ratios (PR). No associations between children's overweight and obesity and the prevalence of atypical sensory outcomes were observed. A one-point increase in BMI was significantly associated with a higher prevalence of atypical tactile sensitivity (PR = 1.07, 95% CI: 1.02; 1.12). A statistically marginal association was also observed for atypical total SSP (PR = 1.03, 95% CI: 1.00; 1.07) and atypical movement sensitivity (PR = 1.05, 95% CI: 1.00; 1.10). To our knowledge, this is the first time the association between children's BMI and sensory processing has been reported. Our findings suggest that sensory processing issues may play a part in the complex context of childhood obesity. Further research is required to confirm these findings

Sleep duration and quality and sensory reactivity in school -aged children. The Spanis cross-sectional InProS study

Background: The relationship between children’s sleep and health has been widely examined; however, research focused on the link between sleep and sensory reactivity in children without medical conditions is relatively new and based on studies with small samples. Hence, we aimed at exploring the association between sleep duration and quality and prevalence of sensory reactivity in a population-based sample of children aged 3–7. Methods: We examined data on 579 school-age children from the InProS project, a cross-sectional population-based study. Children’s sleep duration was classified as <10 vs. ≥10 h/day, and sleep quality was measured using the Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire, defining poor quality sleep as a score of ≥0.33. The Short Sensory Profile (SSP) was used to classify children with or without sensory reactivity using the cut-off points proposed by W. Dunn for SSP total score and each SSP subscale. Prevalence ratios (PR) using Poisson multiple regression models with robust variance were estimated to examine main associations. Results: Around a third (32.6%; n = 189) slept <10 h/day and 10.4% presented poor sleep quality. The prevalence of sensory reactivity was 29.5%for total SSP (<155), 11.4% for tactile sensitivity (<30), 15% for taste/smell sensitivity (<15), 22.5% for movement sensitivity (<13), 49.1% for under-responsive/seeks sensation (<27), 44.4% for auditory filtering (<23), 12.4%for low energy/weak (<26), and 25.4%for visual/auditory sensitivity (<19). Main findings indicated that poor sleep quality was significantly associated with a greater prevalence of sensory reactivity for SSP total score (PR = 1.27; IC 95%: 1.18; 1.38), tactile sensitivity (PR = 1.09, IC95%: 1.00–1.19), taste/smell sensitivity (PR = 1.18, IC95%: 1.08–1.30), under-responsive/seeks sensation (PR = 1.28, IC95%: 1.20–1.37), auditory filtering (PR = 1.31, IC95%: 1.23–1.39), low energy/weak (PR = 1.14, IC95%: 1.04–1.25) and audiovisual sensitivity (PR = 1.15, IC95%: 1.05–1.26) scores after adjusting for potential confounders. Conclusions: In this study, we observed that poor sleep quality was statistically significantly associated with a higher prevalence of sensory reactivity as measured by the total SSP and almost all SSP subscales. To our knowledge, this is the first time that this association has been explored and reported. Further research from prospective studies is required to confirm these findings

The ATENción Plena en Enfermedad de Alzheimer (ATENEA-Mindfulness in Alzheimer's Disease) Program for Caregivers : Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

A person affected by Alzheimer's disease (AD) gradually loses the ability to perform activities of daily living and becomes dependent on caregivers, thereby having a negative impact on the caregivers' quality of life. There is evidence that suggests that interventions aimed at caregivers, such as mindfulness, may be effective at reducing this burden and emotional issues, such as depression and anxiety, and improving their quality of life. However, there is a lack of consistency in the findings and conclusions remain tentative. In addition, as neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPSs) of AD are major determinants of the caregiver's burden, these interventions should examine the relationship between these symptoms and caregiver outcomes. Importantly, to improve the design of therapeutic interventions for caregivers and complement the treatment of AD, aspects related to occupational performance and the participation of people with AD and their caregivers should also be considered. Therefore, this study will aim to examine first, the effects of a mindfulness-based program designed for caregivers on NPSs of AD and caregivers' anxiety and depression; second, the effects of this program on patients' functional capacity, cognitive performance, executive functions, and quality of life, and on caregivers' burden, quality of life, occupational balance, executive functions, psychological wellbeing, and self-compassion. We believe that the findings of this study will have significant implications for future healthcare strategies focused on improving the quality of life and wellbeing of caregivers

Reporting Quality in Abstracts of Randomized Controlled Trials Published in High-Impact Occupational Therapy Journals

Importance: Adequate reporting in the abstracts of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) is essential to enable occupational therapy practitioners to critically appraise the validity of findings. Objective: To evaluate the reporting quality and characteristics of RCT abstracts published between 2008 and 2018 in the occupational therapy journals with the five highest impact factors in 2018. Design: A descriptive cross-sectional study. Data sources: The American Journal of Occupational Therapy (AJOT), Australian Occupational Therapy Journal (AOTJ), Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy (CJOT), Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy (SJOT), and Physical and Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics (POTP) were identified using a Web of Science search. Study selection and data collection: We searched Scopus for abstracts in the five included journals. We used a 17-point scale based on the CONSORT for Abstracts (CONSORT-A) checklist to assess reporting quality. We also identified characteristics of the abstracts. Findings: Seventy-eight RCT abstracts were assessed and showed moderate to low adherence to the CONSORT-A checklist (Mdn = 8, interquartile range = 7-9). Abstracts of articles with authors from a higher number of institutions, European first authors, and >200 words had higher CONSORT-A scores. The most underreported CONSORT-A items were trial design, blinding, numbers analyzed, outcome (results), harms, trial registration, and funding. Conclusions and relevance: Between 2008 and 2018, the reporting quality in RCT abstracts from the five highest impact occupational therapy journals was moderate to low. Inadequate reporting in RCT abstracts raises the risk that occupational therapy practitioners will make ineffective clinical decisions based on misinterpretation of findings. What This Article Adds: Reporting quality in RCT abstracts in occupational therapy journals is moderate to low. Journal editors should require authors of RCTs to use the CONSORT-A checklist to promote optimal reporting and transparency in abstract

Active edible films: Current state and future trends

Active edible films represent one of the current and future trends in the development of new polymers for selected applications, particularly food packaging. Some biopolymers show excellent performance as carriers for active compounds extracted from natural sources and are able to be released at a controlled rate to packaged food. In this review we aim to present, in a comprehensive way, the most recent advances and updates in this subject, where much research is currently ongoing and new studies are reported very often. This review focuses on innovative biopolymer matrices, their processing to obtain edible active films, and present and future applications

Precariedad, exclusión social y diversidad funcional (discapacidad): lógicas y efectos subjetivos del sufrimiento social contemporáneo (II). Innovación docente en Filosofía

El PIMCD "Precariedad, exclusión social y diversidad funcional (discapacidad): lógicas y efectos subjetivos del sufrimiento social contemporáneo (II). Innovación docente en Filosofía" se ocupa de conceptos generalmente eludidos por la tradición teórica (contando como núcleos aglutinantes los de la precariedad laboral, la exclusión social y diversidad funcional o discapacidad), cuyo análisis propicia nuevas prácticas en la enseñanza universitaria de filosofía, adoptando como meta principal el aprendizaje centrado en el estudiantado, el diseño de nuevas herramientas de enseñanza y el fomento de una universidad inclusiva. El proyecto cuenta con 26 docentes de la UCM y otros 28 docentes de otras 17 universidades españolas (UV, UNED, UGR, UNIZAR, UAH, UC3M, UCA, UNIOVI, ULL, EHU/UPV, UA, UAM, Deusto, IFS/CSIC, UCJC, URJC y Univ. Pontificia de Comillas), que permitirán dotar a las actividades programadas de un alcance idóneo para consolidar la adquisición de competencias argumentativas y dialécticas por parte de lxs estudiantes implicados en el marco de los seminarios previstos. Se integrarán en el PIMCD, aparte de PDI, al menos 26 estudiantes de máster y doctorado de la Facultad de Filosofía, a lxs que acompañarán durante el desarrollo del PIMCD 4 Alumni de la Facultad de Filosofía de la UCM, actualmente investigadores post-doc y profesorxs de IES, cuya experiencia será beneficiosa para su introducción en la investigación. Asimismo, el equipo cuenta con el apoyo de varixs profesorxs asociadxs, que en algunos casos son también profesores de IES. Varixs docentes externos a la UCM participantes en el PIMCD poseen una dilatada experiencia en la coordinación de proyectos de innovación de otras universidades, lo que redundará en beneficio de las actividades a desarrollar. La coordinadora y otrxs miembros del PIMCD pertenecen a la Red de Innovación Docente en Filosofia (RIEF), puesta en marcha desde la Universitat de València (http://rief.blogs.uv.es/encuentros-de-la-rief/), a la que mantendremos informada de las actividades realizadas en el proyecto. Asimismo, lxs 6 miembros del PAS permitirán difundir debidamente las actividades realizadas en el PIMCD entre lxs estudiantes Erasmus IN del curso 2019/20 en la Facultad de Filosofía, de la misma manera que orientar en las tareas de maquetación y edición que puedan ser necesarias de cara a la publicación de lxs resultados del PIMCD y en las tareas de pesquisa bibliográfica necesarias para el desarrollo de los objetivos propuestos. Han manifestado su interés en los resultados derivados del PIMCD editoriales especializadas en la difusión de investigaciones predoctorales como Ápeiron y CTK E-Books