Role and Effects of Hippotherapy in the Treatment of Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Systematic Review of the Literature

We thank our medical translator Megan Berry for her services and comments that contributed to improving the manuscript for publication.Cerebral palsy is described as a group of permanent neuromotor-type disorders caused by non-progressive injuries in the developmental stages of the central nervous system, and which have serious repercussions on the quality of life of affected children due to the physical and psychological damage it entails for them. Today, it is the leading cause of physical disability in childhood. Since there is no cure for this disorder, treatment is based on the improvement of symptoms, which is not always achieved through conventional therapies. For this reason, the need arises to investigate other alternative therapies, such as hippotherapy, to determine the main effects of hippotherapy as a rehabilitation therapy in children with cerebral palsy. The review was performed in accordance with the criteria of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocol and was registered under the number CRD42021233003. The databases used were PubMed, Dialnet and the web browser Google Scholar. After applying the inclusion criteria, we included 11 articles. As a conclusion, we found that hippotherapy provides benefits at physical, psychological, cognitive and social levels in children with cerebral palsy, and thus it should be considered as a complementary rehabilitation therapy to conventional treatments

Deletion Syndrome 22q11.2: A Systematic Review

22q11.2 deletion syndrome (DS 22q11.2) is a rare disease of genetic origin, caused by the loss of the q11.2 region of chromosome 22. It affects one in 4000 live newborns, and among the clinical manifestations that can occur in this syndrome are abnormalities in the parathyroid glands (producing calcium deficits), the palate, the heart and the thymus. It is also known as DiGeorge syndrome or velocardiofacial syndrome, among other names, depending on the clinical presentation of each individual. The main objective of the review was to update information on DS 22q11.2 from publications in the scientific literature. The daily activities of these patients are seriously impaired, due to the impact of the clinical manifestations. Interventions can be performed to improve their social, cognitive and emotional skills, thus increasing their ability to perform different daily activities.Colegio Oficial de Enfermeria de Granada (CODEGRA

Water Exercise and Quality of Life in Pregnancy: A Randomised Clinical Trial

Background: Physical exercise helps to maintain a healthy lifestyle and its practice is recommended for women during pregnancy as a means of limiting the negative effects on the body that may take place and to optimise well-being, mood and sleep patterns, as well as encouraging daily physical activity, enhancing the ability to work and preventing pregnancy-related complications. Aim: To analyse the quality of life in pregnancy for women who complete a programme of moderate physical activity in water, following a designed method that the woman can perform physical exercise safely during pregnancy called the SWEP (study of water exercise during pregnancy) method. Materials and methods: A randomised clinical trial was performed. One hundred and twenty-nine pregnant women were randomly assigned either to an exercise class following the SWEP method (EG, n = 65) or to a control group (CG, n = 64). The trial began in week 20 of pregnancy (May 2016) and ended in week 37 (October 2016). Heath-related quality of life (HRQoL) was evaluated with the SF36v2 health questionnaire at weeks 12 and 35 of pregnancy. Results: The HRQoL score decreased significantly between weeks 12 and 35 of gestation, except for the mental health component, which in the CG fell by -3.28 points and in the EG increased slightly (p > 0.05). Among the CG, the score for the mental health component at week 35 was <42, indicating a positive screening risk of depression (39.20 +/- 4.16). Conclusions: Physical activity programmes in water, such as SWEP, enhance the HRQoL of pregnant women

Evolution of the COVID-19 Pandemic after the Introduction of School Referral Nurses in the Province of Granada—A Descriptive Study

The aim of this research is to describe the evolution of the pandemic in a school context, following the introduction of school nurses into the educational setting. Background: The first wave of COVID-19 in Spain prevented social interaction by imposing lockdowns on the population. All non-essential activities, including face-to-face education, were interrupted, affecting the school-aged population during the second and third trimester of the 2019/2020 school year. Schools are places where prevention, identification and case management measures should be rapidly implemented. Methods: This is a prospective and descriptive study using a quantitative method to study the school population of Granada and its province during the school year 2020/2021, from September 2020 to May 2021. The study participants were all schools under the jurisdiction of the Territorial Delegation of Education of Granada, whether public, private, state-subsidised or charter schools, including all educational stages. Results: The confirmation rate in Granada city (11.2%), in contrast to the Andalusian average (6.9%), places Granada as the province with the highest incidence rate. The infection rates among teachers show the same confirmation rate as the general population of Granada (9%); however, among students this rate is lower (7%). There is a higher incidence of outbreaks taking place outside school and a lower incidence of outbreaks occurring within the school environment. Both partial and total outbreaks are more frequent in early childhood education. Conclusion: The early identification and management of reported suspected cases of COVID-19 in schools is proving effective in preventing infection in the school population, achieving good pandemic control in schools, and reducing the number of outbreaks and people affected. Schools have been confirmed to be safe. Establishing screening for asymptomatic schoolchildren could be a tool to improve control in schools.Colegio Oficial de Enfermeria de Granada (CODEGRA

Quality of Life in the Postpartum Recovery ofWomen Who Practice Hypopressive Exercise: Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: Practicing physical exercise is a way of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and it has been demonstrated to provide benefits and improve quality of life after labour. Aim: The objective of this study is to determine if performing a moderate hypopressive exercise program after childbirth improves the HRQoL of women. Materials and Methods: A 12-week randomized clinical trial was carried out. The women in the exercise group followed a training program based on the hypopressive method, which comprises postural and respiratory exercises of moderate intensity. We used the SF-36v2 questionnaire to assess the Health-Related Quality of Life in women. Results: We found statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) in general health components, vitality, emotional role, and mental health in the sample group of exercise group of women, who obtained a higher score. We found statistically significant differences in all aspects between the groups. The interaction between time and group affect in general health components, vitality, emotional role and the score of mental components. In all of them, the score was higher at the end of the programme and in the exercise group. Conclusions: The training program with hypopressive physical exercise improves the quality of life after childbirth. According to the guidelines recommended by the ACOG, the hypopressive method is valid for the improvement of HRQoL in women who perform this method at 16 weeks of delivery. Further studies are recommended to start such exercises one week after delivery in postpartum women.Colegio Oficial de Enfermeria de Granada (CODEGRA

Depression and Anxiety in Patients with Rare Diseases during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The research group behind this project wishes to thank the following associations for their collaboration in the distribution of the study questionnaire: Asogaf–Asociación Granadina de la Ataxia de Friedreich. Asociación de Enfermos Musculares de Granada. AGRADA Asociación de Ataxias de Granada. Asociación española de afectados por Epilepsia Grave. Phelan Mcdermid. 22q13. Asociación Síndrome Shy Drager–Atrofia Multisistémica. Adisen–Asociación Nacional de Addison y Otras Enfermedades Endocrinas. ASENCO, Asociación de Enfermedades Neuromusculares de Córdoba. Asociación 22 q Andalucía. Asociación Andaluza de Esclerosis Lateral Amiotrófica. Asociación Andaluza de Fibrosis Quística. Asociación Andaluza de Hemofilia. Asociación Cordobesa para la Investigación de Corea de Huntington. Asociación de Enfermedades Neuromusculares de Andalucía. Asociación de Enfermos con Neurodegeneración por Acumulación Cerebral de Hierro. Asociación de Familiares y Afectados Síndrome de Coffin-Lowry España. Asociación de Retinosis Pigmentaria de Andalucía. Asociación del Síndrome de Prader Willi de Andalucía. Asociación Española de Enfermos por Pseudoxantoma Elástico. Asociación Española de Familiares y Enfermos de Wilson. Asociación Española para la Investigación y Ayuda al Síndrome de Wolfram. Asociación Síndrome de Turner de Andalucía. Asociación Sindrome de Williams de Andalucía. Asociación Valverdeña de la Enfermedad de Andrade. DEBRA Piel de Mariposa (Asociación de Epidermólisis Bullosa de España). Federación Andaluza de Asociaciones de Ataxias. Asociación de Atrofia del Nervio Óptico de Léber. Acción y Cura para Tay Sachs. ACTAYS. Asociación 11q España. Asociación AMC–Artrogriposis Múltiple Congénita–España. Asociación de Afectados de Neurofibromatosis. Asociación de Afectados Síndrome Landau –Kleffner. Asociación de Apoyo e Investigación del Síndrome de 5p-. Asociación de Corea de Huntington Española. Asociación de Enfermedades Raras de Alcalá de Henares. Asociación de Enfermos de Patología Mitocondrial. Asociacion de Familias con Perthes. Asociación Española de Porfiria. Asociación Española del Síndrome de Beckwith– Wiedemann. Asociación Española del Síndrome de Joubert. Asociación Huesos de Cristal de España. Asociación Nacional Síndrome de Apert y otras Craneosinostosis Sindrómicas. Asociación de Enfermedades Raras D’Genes. FEGEREC–Federación Gallega de enfermedades raras. Asociación Chiari y Siringomielia del Principado de Asturias (CHySPA). Asociación Asturiana contra la Fibrosis Quística (F.Q.). Asociación Ataxias de Extremadura. Asociación de Retinosis Pigmentaria Extremeña. Asociación ELA Extremadura. Asociación Española de Cavernomas. Asociación Española de Lucha contra las Hemoglobinopatias y Talasemias. Asociación Española de Stickler. Asociación Extremeña contra la Fibrosis Quística. Asociación Extremeña de Enfermos de Huntington. Asociación La Vida con Hernia Diafragmática Congénita. Asociación PrincesaRett. Asociación Síndrome X Frágil de Extremadura. Alba, Asociación de Ayuda a Personas con Albinismo. Asociación “Síndrome de Microdeleción 5q14.3–MEF2C”. Asociación ADIBI. Asociación de Discapacitados y Enfermedades Raras de IBI. Asociación Afectados CDKL5. Asociación Conquistando Escalones. Asociación de Enfermedades Minoritarias de la Comunidad Valenciana. Asociación de Enfermedades Raras de Benidorm y Comarca. Asociación de enfermedades raras y discapacidad Sense Barreres de Petrer. Asociación de enfermos de FMF y síndromes autoinflamatorios de España. Asociación de Esclerodermia Castellón. Asociación de Fibrosis Quística de la Comunidad Valenciana. Asociación de lucha contra la Distonía Mioclónica de Valencia. Asociación de Microsomia Hemifacial. Asociación de Padres de Niños y Jóvenes con Enfermedades Reumáticas de la Comunidad Valenciana. Asociación CADASIL España. Asociación Catalana de Espina Bífida e Hidrocefalia. Asociación Duchenne Somriures Valents. Asociación Española de Enfermos del Síndrome de Camurati–Engelmann. Asociación Española del Síndrome de Cornelia de Lange. Asociación Microtia España. Asociación Síndrome STXBP1. Associació Catalana de la Síndrome de Rett. Associació Catalana de Malaltia de Huntington.Scientific knowledge on depression and anxiety in patients with rare diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic is scarce; however, it is essential to perform comprehensive management of these patients. The aim of this study was to research how the situation caused by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has influenced the lives of patients with rare diseases regarding depression and anxiety. This Spanish study considered a heterogeneous population sample of 86 patients with confirmed diagnosis of different rare diseases. Participants took part in a cross-sectional online study by completing specific questionnaires on the study topic. Depression was measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), and the General Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) was used for evaluating anxiety. Data collection through an online questionnaire allowed for a greater population scope and therefore the inclusion patients of other nationalities in the study sample. Finally, as a general result, this study found that, in the face of the pandemic, anxiety and depression remained at a higher level in this group than in the general population, making these patients a vulnerable population group

Current Understanding of the Physiopathology, Diagnosis and Therapeutic Approach to Alzheimer’s Disease

L.M.-R. and J.J.R.-R. are funded by P20-01293 from Junta de Andalucia, Spain. J.J.R.-R. is additionally funded by PECART-0096-2020 from Junta de Andalucia, Spain and PID2020-117544RB-100 from the Ministry of Science and Innovation, Spain.Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia. It is characterized by cognitive decline and progressive memory loss. The aim of this review was to update the state of knowledge on the pathophysiological mechanisms, diagnostic methods and therapeutic approach to AD. Currently, the amyloid cascade hypothesis remains the leading theory in the pathophysiology of AD. This hypothesis states that amyloid-beta (A beta) deposition triggers a chemical cascade of events leading to the development of AD dementia. The antemortem diagnosis of AD is still based on clinical parameters. Diagnostic procedures in AD include fluid-based biomarkers such as those present in cerebrospinal fluid and plasma or diagnostic imaging methods. Currently, the therapeutic armory available focuses on symptom control and is based on four pillars: pharmacological treatment where acetylcholinesterase inhibitors stand out; pharmacological treatment under investigation which includes drugs focused on the control of A beta pathology and tau hyperphosphorylation; treatment focusing on risk factors such as diabetes; or nonpharmacological treatments aimed at preventing development of the disease or treating symptoms through occupational therapy or psychological help. AD remains a largely unknown disease. Further research is needed to identify new biomarkers and therapies that can prevent progression of the pathology.Junta de Andalucia European Commission P20-01293 PECART-0096-2020Spanish Government European Commission PID2020-117544RB-10

Pharmacological Treatments against COVID-19 in Pregnant Women

The recent respiratory virus known as SARS-CoV-2 has caused millions of deaths world-wide, causing great uncertainty due to the lack of a specific treatment, which has been mitigated by the use of various drugs traditionally used against other types of pathologies. Pregnancy presents special physiological conditions that expose the pregnant woman and the foetus to greater risk. Pregnant women are often excluded from trials due to possible risk of toxicity or side effects, resulting in a lack of knowledge about the use of drugs and treatments during pregnancy. The main objective of this review was to compile existing knowledge about currently available drug treatments for COVID-19 in pregnant women. The review report met the criteria of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) review protocol and was registered with the registration number CRD42021251036. The electronic databases searched were Scopus, PubMed, CINAHL and SciELO. Finally, 22 articles were included, resulting in an analysis of drugs with an acceptable safety profile in the treatment of pregnant women with COVID-19

Educational Intervention in the Postural Hygiene of School-Age Children

Introduction: Healthy lifestyle habits formed in childhood provide the foundation for a healthy adult life; therefore, it is important to encourage healthy habits and to correct poor habits from an early age. Aim: In this study, we aim to evaluate the influence of educational intervention in order to modify postural hygiene habits in school-age children. Materials and methods: We randomly selected three public primary education schools in the Galician provinces of Orense and Pontevedra based on stratified multistage sampling. A sample of 479 students was obtained, representing 2% of all 6- to 12-year-old children registered during the 2015/2016 academic year in those provinces. Results: Following the intervention, the students’ postural hygiene improved. We found statistically significant differences regarding a reduction in the number of hours spent watching television (0.531 h/day); the way school books and supplies were carried, with an increase in the use of backpacks with wheels (from 58.5% to 64.1%); and an improvement in postural hygiene when watching television, with an increase from 63.7% to 80.8% of those surveyed opting to watch television whilst seated on a chair instead of lying down. Conclusions: Educational intervention by inculcating healthy postural hygiene habits in children at an early age can improve and correct unhealthy behaviours

Water Exercise and Quality of Life in Pregnancy: A Randomised Clinical Trial.

Background: Physical exercise helps to maintain a healthy lifestyle and its practice is recommended for women during pregnancy as a means of limiting the negative effects on the body that may take place and to optimise well-being, mood and sleep patterns, as well as encouraging daily physical activity, enhancing the ability to work and preventing pregnancy-related complications. Aim: To analyse the quality of life in pregnancy for women who complete a programme of moderate physical activity in water, following a designed method that the woman can perform physical exercise safely during pregnancy called the SWEP (study of water exercise during pregnancy) method. Materialsand methods: A randomised clinical trial was performed. One hundred and twenty-nine pregnant women were randomly assigned either to an exercise class following the SWEP method (EG, n = 65) or to a control group (CG, n = 64). The trial began in week 20 of pregnancy (May 2016) and ended in week 37 (October 2016). Heath-related quality of life (HRQoL) was evaluated with the SF36v2 health questionnaire at weeks 12 and 35 of pregnancy. Results: The HRQoL score decreased significantly between weeks 12 and 35 of gestation, except for the mental health component, which in the CG fell by -3.28 points and in the EG increased slightly (p > 0.05). Among the CG, the score for the mental health component at week 35 was ≤42, indicating a positive screening risk of depression (39.20 ± 4.16). Conclusions: Physical activity programmes in water, such as SWEP, enhance the HRQoL of pregnant women