Stress and prevalence of hearing problems in the Swedish working population

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Current human and experimental studies are indicating an association between stress and hearing problems; however potential risk factors have not been established. Hearing problems are projected to become among the top ten disabilities according to the WHO in the near future. Therefore a better understanding of the relationships between stress and hearing is warranted. Here we describe the prevalence of two common hearing problems, i.e. hearing complaints and tinnitus, in relation to different work-and health-related stressors.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A total of 18,734 individuals were invited to participate in the study, out of which 9,756 (52%) enrolled.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The results demonstrate a clear and mostly linear relationship between higher prevalence of hearing problems (tinnitus or hearing loss or both) and different stressors, e.g. occupational, poorer self-rated health, long-term illness, poorer sleep quality, and higher burnout scores.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The present study unambiguously demonstrates associations between hearing problems and various stressors that have not been previously described for the auditory system. These findings will open new avenues for future investigations.</p

Generated cut points per walking speed intervals.

<p>Sensitivity, specificity, AUC, and cut points (per 15 s) in the y-axis (vertical) and vector magnitude (VM) for the defined walking speeds.</p><p>^aWalking speed in m/s.</p><p>^bArea under the curve; CI = confidence interval.</p><p>^cCounts/15 sec.</p><p>Generated cut points per walking speed intervals.</p

Participant characteristics.

<p>Characteristics of the participants presenting mean ± SD, median (25th–75th percentile) if data are non-normally distributed or ordinal, or number of cases (%).</p><p>^aBMI = Body mass index. H & Y score = Hoehn and Yahr score. LED = daily Levodopa equivalent dose. FOGQ = Freezing of Gait Questionnaire.</p><p>† = Non-normally distributed.</p><p>Participant characteristics.</p

Counts and walking speed per speed intervals.

<p>Mean counts / 15 sec ± SD in y-axis and vector magnitude (VM), and mean walking speed per speed interval.</p><p>^aVertical axis counts per 15 seconds.</p><p>^bVector magnitude counts per 15 seconds.</p><p>Counts and walking speed per speed intervals.</p

Percentiles of participant-defined speeds used for restructuring.

<p>The upper dotted line represents the 25th percentile of brisk walking, and the lower dotted line marks the 75th percentile of slow walking.</p

The EXPANd trial : effects of exercise and exploring neuroplastic changes in people with Parkinson's disease

BACKGROUND: Parkinson's disease (PD) affects many physiological systems essential for balance control. Recent studies suggest that intensive and cognitively demanding physical exercise programs are capable of inducing plastic brain changes in PD. We have developed a highly challenging balance training (the HiBalance) program that emphasizes critical aspects of balance control through progressively introducing more challenging exercises which incorporates dual-tasking. Earlier studies have shown it to be effective in improving balance, gait and dual-tasking. The study design has thereafter been adjusted to link intervention-induced behavioral changes to brain morphology and function. Specifically, in this randomized controlled trial, we will determine the effects of the HiBalance program on balance, gait and cognition and relate this to task-evoked functional MRI (fMRI), as well as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in participants with mild-moderate PD. METHODS: One hundred participants with idiopathic PD, Hoehn &amp; Yahr stage 2 or 3, ≥ 60 years of age, ≥ 21 on Montreal Cognitive Assessment will be recruited in successive waves and randomized into either the HiBalance program or to an active control group (the HiCommunication program, targeting speech and communication). Both interventions will be performed in small groups, twice a week with 1 h sessions for 10 weeks. In addition, a 1 h, once a week, home exercise program will also be performed. A double-blinded design will be used. At the pre- and post-assessments, participants will be assessed on balance (main outcome), gait, cognitive functions, physical activity, voice/speech function, BDNF in serum and fMRI (3 T Philips) during performance of motor-cognitive tasks. DISCUSSION: Since there is currently no cure for PD, findings of neuroplastic brain changes in response to exercise would revolutionize the way we treat PD, and, in turn, provide new hope to patients for a life with better health, greater independence and improved quality of life. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClincalTrials.gov: NCT03213873, first posted July 11, 2017

Autonomic function and inflammation in pregnant women participating in a randomized controlled study of mindfulness based childbirth and parenting

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy and childbirth are significant events in many women's lives, and the prevalence of depressive symptoms increases during this vulnerable period. Apart from well documented cognitive, affective, and somatic symptoms, stress and depression are associated with physiological changes, such as reduced heart-rate variability (HRV) and activation of the inflammatory response system. Mindfulness Based Interventions may potentially have an effect on both HRV, inflammatory biomarkers, and self-assessed mental health. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the effects of a Mindfulness Childbirth and Parenting (MBCP) intervention on HRV, serum inflammatory marker levels, through an RCT study design with an active control group. METHODS: This study is a sub-study of a larger RCT, where significant intervention effects were found on perinatal depression (PND) and perceived stress. Participants were recruited through eight maternity health clinics in Stockholm, Sweden. In this sub-study, we included altogether 80 women with increased risk for PND, and blood samples and HRV measures were available from 60 of the participants (26 in the intervention and 34 in the control group). RESULTS: Participants who received MBCP reported a significantly larger reduction in perceived stress and a significantly larger increase in mindfulness, compared to participants who received the active control treatment. However, in this sub-study, the intervention had no significant effect on PND, inflammatory serum markers or measures of HRV. CONCLUSIONS: No significant differences were found regarding changes in HRV measures and biomarkers of inflammation, larger studies may be needed in the future