130 research outputs found
Obsessive passion: a dependency associated with injury-related risky behaviour in dancers
Grounded in self-determination theory, obsessive passion for an activity has been associated with increased risky behaviour and rigid persistence, both symptomatic of dependence. However, it is unknown whether obsessive passion may predict the development of dependence, and furthermore, theoretically important relationships between basic need satisfaction, passion, exercise dependence and subsequent risky behaviour have not been fully explored. A sample of 100 professional dancers (50fs; 50ms; Mage = 20.88; SD = 2.69) completed self-ratings of risk-related behaviours (doctor visits; following treatment, and warming up), passion for dance and dance dependence. Findings supported the maladaptive nature of obsessive passion in relation to risky behaviour and as predicted dance dependence mediated this relationship. Interestingly, need satisfaction was positively related to both obsessive passion and harmonious passion. Results are discussed in the light of self-determination theory and dysfunctions of obsessive passion, suggesting that professional dancers are at risk of employing maladaptive behaviours if high in obsessive passion, which may be detectable via symptoms of dance dependence
Associations of sarcopenia components with physical activity and nutrition in Australian older adults performing exercise training
BACKGROUND: The risk of progressive declines in skeletal muscle mass and strength, termed sarcopenia, increases with age, physical inactivity and poor diet. The purpose of this study was to explore and compare associations of sarcopenia components with self-reported physical activity and nutrition in older adults participating in resistance training at Helsinki University Research [HUR] and conventional gyms for over a year, once a week, on average. METHODS: The study looked at differences between HUR (n = 3) and conventional (n = 1) gyms. Muscle strength (via handgrip strength and chair stands), appendicular lean mass (ALM; via dual energy X-ray absorptiometry) and physical performance (via gait speed over a 4-m distance, short physical performance battery, timed up and go and 400-m walk tests) were evaluated in 80 community-dwelling older adults (mean ± SD 76.5 ± 6.5 years). Pearson correlations explored associations for sarcopenia components with self-reported physical activity (via Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly [PASE]) and nutrition (via Australian Eating Survey). RESULTS: No differences in PASE and the Australian Recommended Food Score (ARFS) were observed between HUR and conventional gyms, however HUR gym participants had a significantly higher self-reported protein intake (108 ± 39 g vs 88 ± 27 g; p = 0.029) and a trend to have higher energy intake (9698 ± 3006 kJ vs 8266 ± 2904 kJ; p = 0.055). In both gym groups, gait speed was positively associated with self-reported physical activity (r = 0.275; p = 0.039 and r = 0.423; p = 0.044 for HUR and conventional gyms, respectively). ALM was positively associated with protein (p = 0.047, r = 0.418) and energy (p = 0.038, r = 0.435) intake in the conventional gym group. Similar associations were observed for ALM/h2 in the HUR group. None of the sarcopenia components were associated with ARFS in either gym group. CONCLUSION: Older adults attending HUR and conventional gyms had similar self-reported function and nutrition (but not protein intake). Inadequate physical activity was associated with low gait speed and inadequate nutrition and low protein ingestion associated with low lean mas, even in older adults participating in exercise programs. Optimal physical activity and nutrition are important for maintaining muscle mass and function in older adults
Randomized clinical study: Partially hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG) versus placebo in the treatment of patients with irritable bowel syndrome
Comparison of medical costs generated by IBS patients in primary and secondary care in the Netherlands
The Law of International Responsibility and Multilayered Institutional Veils: The Case of Authorized Regional Peace-Enforcement Operations
Cost effectiveness of endovascular ultrasound renal denervation in patients with resistant hypertension
Background
Resistant hypertension (rHTN) is defined as blood pressure (BP) of ≥ 140/90 mmHg despite treatment with at least three antihypertensive medications, including a diuretic. Endovascular ultrasound renal denervation (uRDN) aims to control BP alongside conventional BP treatment with antihypertensive medication. This analysis assesses the cost effectiveness of the addition of the Paradise uRDN System compared with standard of care alone in patients with rHTN from the perspective of the United Kingdom (UK) health care system.
Methods
Using RADIANCE-HTN TRIO trial data, we developed a state-transition model. Baseline risk was calculated using Framingham and Prospective Cardiovascular Münster (PROCAM) risk equations to estimate the long-term cardiovascular risks in patients treated with the Paradise uRDN System, based on the observed systolic BP (SBP) reduction following uRDN. Relative risks sourced from a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials were then used to project cardiovascular events in patients with baseline SBP (‘control’ patients); utility and mortality inputs and costs were derived from UK data. Costs and outcomes were discounted at 3.5% per annum. Modelled outcomes were validated against trial meta-analyses and the QRISK3 algorithm and real-world evidence of RDN effectiveness. One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess the uncertainty surrounding the model inputs and sensitivity of the model results to changes in parameter inputs. Results were reported as incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs).
Results
A mean reduction in office SBP of 8.5 mmHg with uRDN resulted in an average improvement in both absolute life-years (LYs) and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) gained compared with standard of care alone (0.73 LYs and 0.67 QALYs). The overall base-case ICER with uRDN was estimated at £5600 (€6500) per QALY gained (95% confidence interval £5463–£5739 [€6341–€6661]); modelling demonstrated > 99% probability that the ICER is below the £20,000–£30,000 (€23,214–€34,821) per QALYs gained willingness-to-pay threshold in the UK. Results were consistent across sensitivity analyses and validation checks.
Conclusions
Endovascular ultrasound RDN with the Paradise system offers patients with rHTN, clinicians, and healthcare systems a cost-effective treatment option alongside antihypertensive medication
Barriers to women entrepreneurship. Different methods, different results?
Building on research by Akehurst et al. (Serv Ind J 32:2489-2505, 2012), this study analysed internal and external factors in women entrepreneurship and linked these factors to the barriers that women face when starting businesses. To do so, two contrasting statistical techniques were used: PLS and QCA. After analysing results from each of these techniques, we observed that family duties and difficulties in obtaining financing (both internal and external) were the main factors related to barriers faced by women entrepreneurs
A protocol for a trial of homeopathic treatment for irritable bowel syndrome
Background
Irritable bowel syndrome is a chronic condition with no known cure. Many sufferers seek complementary and alternative medicine including homeopathic treatment. However there is much controversy as to the effectiveness of homeopathic treatment. This three-armed study seeks to explore the effectiveness of individualised homeopathic treatment plus usual care compared to both an attention control plus usual care and usual care alone, for patients with irritable bowel syndrome.
Methods/design
This is a three-armed pragmatic randomised controlled trial using the cohort multiple randomised trial methodology. Patients are recruited to an irritable bowel syndrome cohort from primary and secondary care using GP databases and consultants lists respectively. From this cohort patients are randomly selected to be offered, 5 sessions of homeopathic treatment plus usual care, 5 sessions of supportive listening plus usual care or usual care alone. The primary clinical outcome is the Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptom Severity at 26 weeks.
From a power calculation, it is estimated that 33 people will be needed for the homeopathic treatment arm and 132 for the usual care arm, to detect a minimal clinical difference at 80 percent power and 5 percent significance allowing for loss to follow up. An unequal group size has been used for reasons of cost. Analysis will be by intention to treat and will compare homeopathic treatment with usual care at 26 weeks as the primary analysis, and homeopathic treatment with supportive listening as an additional analysis.
Discussion
This trial has received NHS approval and results are expected in 2013.
Trial registration
Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN9065114
GP perspectives of irritable bowel syndrome – an accepted illness, but management deviates from guidelines: a qualitative study
Green consumer segmentation: managerial and environmental implications from the perspective of business strategies and practices
With the new millennium, environmental concern entered a new phase,
with stricter governmental regulations and incentives. Currently, within environmental
issues, there is a broader challenge to commitment with economic and social
goals. This is motivating companies and organizations to participate in transformation
processes with the aim of minimizing the negative impacts of their activities.
Within this context, new business philosophies, emerged empowering organizations
to consider sustainability issues that have come to be viewed as an innovative and
differentiating factor, providing competitive advantages (Fraj-Andres, MartinezSalinas,
& Matute-Vallejo. Journal of Business Ethics, 88,263-286, 2009; Leipziger.
The corporate responsibility code book. Greenleaf Publishing Limited, 2016;
Leipziger. The corporate responsibility code book. Greenleaf Publishing Limited,
2016). Therefore, organizations have begun incorporating these concerns in their
processes, adopting green management policies, and including green marketing
strategies in order to remain competitive (Straughan & Roberts. Journal of Consumer
Marketing, 16(6), 558-575, 1999; Rivera-Camino. European Journal of Marketing,
41, 1328-1358, 2007). From the marketing perspective, the importance of understanding
green consumer behaviour in order to develop better segmentation and
targeting strategies is highlighted. Green consumers are changing significantly.
Consumers, although with some reluctance, are moving to greener products. The
Mintel organization reported that the number of consumers buying green has tripled in recent years. Furthermore, it found that the number of consumers that never
bought green products have decreased. These results show that widespread environmental
awareness had an important role in purchasing behaviour, with more consumers
considering the environmental impact of their buying decisions and looking
for a greener alternative to their conventional purchasing options. The existing literature suggests that previous research regarding the green consumer profile has
different perspectives. The first group of researchers attempted to characterize green
consumer profile using sociodemographic variables such as age, gender, education,
income and occupation. In tum, the second group of researchers used psychographic
variables instead of sociodemographic ones (Mainieri, Barnett, Valdero, Unipan, &
Oskamp. Journal of Social Psychology, 137(2), 189-204, 1997). This chapter aims
to better explore the importance of green consumer segmentation and its implications
from a management point of view. More specifically, the aim is to analyze
which variables better characterize green consumers (sociodemographic and psychographic).
At the end, a theoretical framework is proposed to enable and support
organizations to better understand green consumer profile. It also enables managers
and marketers to target and develop better marketing strategies for these segments.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
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