Determinants of menopause-related symptoms in women during the transition to menopause and the postmenopausal period-A systematic literature review

Introduction: Menopause is a complex physiological, self-perceived health condition caused by the reduction and termination of ovarian function, a process that results in a range of both psychological and physiological symptoms. The aim of this literature review was to synthesize the results of published studies on factors associated with menopausal symptoms in women during the transition to menopause and the postmenopausal period. Methods: This systematic review was carried out according to the PRISMA statement. Primary studies published between 2007 and 2017 were identified through the following databases: PUBMED, SCOPUS, and CINAHL. In total, 3301 studies were identified and 279 were screened in full text. Of these, 54 studies were included for quality assessment using checklists from the Norwegian Institute for Public Health. A total of 22 studies were ultimately selected for inclusion in the results. These were thematically reviewed. Results: A wide range of determinants was sorted as socio-demographic predictors, reproductive factors, clinical characteristics, behavioral, and lifestyle characteristics, and their association with the following outcomes was examined: The prevalence and severity of menopausal symptoms; sexual functioning; health indicators and health behaviors; health-related quality of life; physical performance; cognitive changes and attitudes; and the prevalence and age of natural menopause. Conclusions: The current state of knowledge regarding menopause indicates that a wide array of instruments and variables have been employed and assessed to further understanding about menopause-related symptoms. This systematic review provides information on factors that should be considered in the treatment of menopause-related changes that may be bothersome for menopausal women.publishedVersio

An analysis of independent living elderly’s views on robots: A descriptive study from the norwegian context

ACHI 2020 : The Thirteenth International Conference on Advances in Computer-Human Interactions November 21 – 25, 2020This study illustrates the independent living elderly’s (≥65 years) views on robots. The data was documented through audio recordings of interviews, photos, and written logs. The analysis was done through qualitative manifest and latent content analysis. The results of the analysis were sorted into three categories: aging during the technological renaissance, domestic robots, and the elderly’s expectations of robots. The overall resulted theme was: integrating robots in the elderly’s everyday life. The results were discussed through the lenses of the Sense-of-Coherence (SOC) theoretical construct and its belonging elements: comprehensibility, manageability, and meaningfulness. The relevance of this paper contributes to giving an understanding of the domestic robots’ requirements specifications and the elderly’s expectation of human-robot interaction.publishedVersio

The experience of motivation and adherence to group-based exercise of Norwegians aged 80 and more: a qualitative study

Background: Physical activity is crucial for public health; worldwide, across all age groups, exercise has been recognised as a factor that leads to improved health. However, many people do not engage in regular physical activity and hence miss the opportunity to achieve these significant physical and mental health benefits. With the benefits of exercise in mind, the aim of the present study is to describe the experiences of older people’s motivation for participating in and adhering to a group-based exercise intervention in a local community setting. Methods: A qualitative design was used in which semistructured interviews of three men and four women of an advanced age (81–92) were conducted; the participants described their experiences with their participation in and adherence to a long-term group exercise intervention programme in a community setting. Data were analysed using systematic text condensation and discussed in light of the salutogenetic theory. Results: Four main themes emerged from the data collection: (1) Experience of health challenges: A meaningful starting point; (2) Adherence motivated by increased life-manageability; (3) Comprehensibility through skilled instruction and (4) Social and professional support enhancing motivation. The participants; who had experienced negative changes to their health and function, as well as to their life situation, chose to sign up for the exercise groups and continued to participate throughout the entire intervention. Attending group exercise sessions meant positive changes to physical, mental and social functions enhancing the participants’ motivation to sustain their attendance and leading to positive behavioural changes that were important to their everyday lives. Conclusion: Essential factors for these participants’ decision to sign up for the exercise groups were the following: having important life areas connected to physical activity in their history and having belief in exercise as an effective way to restore function and coping; as well as having current experience of health challenges. Adherence to the group exercise was associated with better coping and the ability to fulfil roles and keep up with important life areas. Support from family, friends and professionals also contributed, both to the process of signing up, and adhering to this longterm intervention. The professionals’ skills and the way the instructor tailored group instruction were emphasized as very important to the participants’ adherence. Understanding of motivational factors for participation in and adherence to, exercise programmes is of great importance to older people, health professionals and society.publishedVersio

Maternal plasma levels of oxytocin during breastfeeding-A systematic review

Introduction Oxytocin is a key hormone in breastfeeding. No recent review on plasma levels of oxytocin in response to breastfeeding is available. Materials and methods Systematic literature searches on breastfeeding induced oxytocin levels were conducted 2017 and 2019 in PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, and PsycINFO. Data on oxytocin linked effects and effects of medical interventions were included if available. Results We found 29 articles that met the inclusion criteria. All studies had an exploratory design and included 601 women. Data were extracted from the articles and summarised in tables. Breastfeeding induced an immediate and short lasting (20 minutes) release of oxytocin. The release was pulsatile early postpartum (5 pulses/10 minutes) and coalesced into a more protracted rise as lactation proceeded. Oxytocin levels were higher in multiparous versus primiparous women. The number of oxytocin pulses during early breastfeeding was associated with greater milk yield and longer duration of lactation and was reduced by stress. Breastfeeding-induced oxytocin release was associated with elevated prolactin levels; lowered ACTH and cortisol (stress hormones) and somatostatin (a gastrointestinal hormone) levels; enhanced sociability; and reduced anxiety, suggesting that oxytocin induces physiological and psychological adaptations in the mother. Mechanical breast pumping, but not bottle-feeding was associated with oxytocin and prolactin release and decreased stress levels. Emergency caesarean section reduced oxytocin and prolactin release in response to breastfeeding and also maternal mental adaptations. Epidural analgesia reduced prolactin and mental adaptation, whereas infusions of synthetic oxytocin increased prolactin and mental adaptation. Oxytocin infusion also restored negative effects induced by caesarean section and epidural analgesia. Conclusions Oxytocin is released in response to breastfeeding to cause milk ejection, and to induce physiological changes to promote milk production and psychological adaptations to facilitate motherhood. Stress and medical interventions during birth may influence these effects and thereby adversely affect the initiation of breastfeeding

Determinants of menopause-related symptoms in women during the transition to menopause and the postmenopausal period-A systematic literature review

Introduction: Menopause is a complex physiological, self-perceived health condition caused by the reduction and termination of ovarian function, a process that results in a range of both psychological and physiological symptoms. The aim of this literature review was to synthesize the results of published studies on factors associated with menopausal symptoms in women during the transition to menopause and the postmenopausal period. Methods: This systematic review was carried out according to the PRISMA statement. Primary studies published between 2007 and 2017 were identified through the following databases: PUBMED, SCOPUS, and CINAHL. In total, 3301 studies were identified and 279 were screened in full text. Of these, 54 studies were included for quality assessment using checklists from the Norwegian Institute for Public Health. A total of 22 studies were ultimately selected for inclusion in the results. These were thematically reviewed. Results: A wide range of determinants was sorted as socio-demographic predictors, reproductive factors, clinical characteristics, behavioral, and lifestyle characteristics, and their association with the following outcomes was examined: The prevalence and severity of menopausal symptoms; sexual functioning; health indicators and health behaviors; health-related quality of life; physical performance; cognitive changes and attitudes; and the prevalence and age of natural menopause. Conclusions: The current state of knowledge regarding menopause indicates that a wide array of instruments and variables have been employed and assessed to further understanding about menopause-related symptoms. This systematic review provides information on factors that should be considered in the treatment of menopause-related changes that may be bothersome for menopausal women