Quality of life in people with spinal cordinjury

Abstract: The aim of this study was to examine the quality of life of people with spinal cord injury (SCI). A sample of 105 individuals with SCI completed a set of questionnaires to assess quality of life, daily stress, somatic symptoms, social support, and hardiness. Based on multiple regression analysis, we found that the quality of life of the participants was negatively associated with the severity of SCI (the most severity type [quadriplegia] showed the lowest quality of life), as well as with worse physical health and with an increase in weekly analgesic consumption. Conversely, there was a positive association between quality of life and hardiness, social support from friends, and a home adapted to spinal cord injury. Results suggest that people with a spinal cord injury have a lifestyle quite different from that of the rest of population, and their quality of life will be significantly diminished. Also, results show that the more complete and severe the SCI, the worse quality of life.Keywords: Quality of life; spinal cord injury; daily stress; well-being; health.Resumen: Calidad de vida en las personas con una lesión medular espinal. El objetivo del presente estudio consistió en examinar la calidad de vida en personas que sufren de lesión medular espinal (LME). Se aplicó un conjunto de cuestionarios a una muestra de 105 personas con LME con objeto de evaluar la calidad de vida, el estrés diario, la sintomatología somática, el apoyo social y el hardiness. Basándonos en análisis de regresión múltiple, encontramos que la calidad de vida de los participantes se asociaba negativamente con la gravedad de la LME (el tipo más grave [tetraplejia] presentaba la menor calidad de vida), así como también con peor salud física y con un incremento en el consumo semanal de analgésicos. Por el contrario, constatamos una relación positiva entre calidad de vida y hardiness, apoyo social de amigos y adaptación de la vivienda a su LME. Los resultados sugieren que las personas con LME presentan un estilo de vida distinto al del resto de la población, estando marcadamente reducida su calidad de vida. Así mismo, los resultados muestran que cuanto más grave sea la LME, más deteriorada está la calidad de vida de estas personas.Palabras clave: Calidad de vida; lesión medular espinal; estrés diario; bienestar; salud

Predicción de la sintomatología somática a partir del estres diario : un estudio prospectivo controlando el efecto del neuroticismo

 This study tests the hypothesis that the reported relationships between daily stress (hassles) and somatic symptoms are primarily a function of contamination by neuroticism. In this respect, a prospective study was conducted to investigate whether minor stressful life events predict subsequent somatic symptoms when pre-existing neuroticism is accounted for. Results of this research indicated that Daily Stress Questionnaire (CED-44) scores significantly predicted subsequent symptoms, after neuroticism were controlled statistically in hierarchical multiple regression analyses. En este estudio prospectivo se analiza el potencial explicativo-predictivo del estrés diario sobre la sintomatología somática posterior una vez que el neuroticismo ha sido controlado estadísticamente, eliminando así el supuesto papel contaminante que esta variable ejerce en dichas relaciones. Los resultados suponen un apoyo a la validez predictiva del Cuestionario de Estrés Diario (CED 44), un instrumento psicométrico dise-ñado para la evaluación de las contrariedades diarias (hassles). Aun considerando el criterio de exigencia de control del efecto del neuroticismo en las relaciones entre el predictor y el criterio, el CED-44 resulta eficaz para predecir, de forma significativa, la sintomatología somática posterior

Evaluación del bullying como victimización: Estructura, fiabilidad y validez del Cuestionario de Acoso entre Iguales (CAI)

The aim of the present study was to provide preliminary evidence concerning validation of the Cuestionario de Acoso entre Iguales (CAI) [Peer Bullying Questionnaire] (Magaz, Chorot, Sandín, Santed, & Valiente, 2011). We examined the factor structure, reliability and convergent and discriminant validity of the Conductas de Acoso (CAI-CA) scale [Bullying Behaviors] in a sample of school-aged children and adolescents. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses provided support for a structure of seven uncorrelated factors which correspond to the following kinds of bullying: physical aggression, verbal aggression, direct social exclusion, indirect social exclusion, threats, cyberbullying, and aggression based on physical objects. Results provide support for factorial validity, internal consistency, and convergent and discriminant validity of the questionnaire. Data suggest that the CAI-CA is an appropriate assessment instrument of bullying victimization that may be a suitable tool for research and clinical purposes.El objetivo del presente estudio consistió en validar el Cuestionario de Acoso entre Iguales (CAI) (Magaz, Chorot, Sandín, Santed, y Valiente, 2011). Examinamos la estructura factorial, la fiabilidad y la validez convergente y discriminante de la escala de Conductas de Acoso (CAI-CA) en una muestra de niños y adolescentes. Los análisis factoriales exploratorios y confirmatorios constataron una estructura de siete factores no correlacionados que se corresponden con los siguientes tipos de bullying: maltrato físico, maltrato verbal, exclusión social directa, exclusión social indirecta, amenazas, ciberbullying, y agresión basada en objetos. Los resultados apoyan la validez factorial, la consistencia interna, y la validez convergente y discriminante del cuestionario. Los datos sugieren que el CAI-CA puede ser una herramienta apropiada para evaluar el bullying de victimización tanto en contextos de investigación como clínicos

Dimensiones de sensibilidad al asco y predicción diferencial de los síntomas fóbicos

The present study examines the association between disgust domains and phobic symptoms (i.e., fears and blood-injections symptoms) in a nonclinical sample (N = 580). Disgust was assessed by two self-report scales, i.e., the Disgust Scale—Revised (DS-R; Haidt et al., 1994) and the Multidimensional Disgust Scale (Escala Multidimensional de Sensibilidad al Asco, EMA; Sandín et al., 2013). The EMA is a new scale which assesses the following domains of disgust: hygiene, moral, sexual, body envelope violation, small-animals, and deterioration/disease. Regression analyses revealed that disgust significantly predicted overall phobic symptoms even controlling for DS-R, negative affect and anxiety sensitivity. Further and more significant, based on regression analyses we found differential patterns of specific predictions between domains of disgust and types of phobic symptoms. The possible implications of these findings concerning differential relationships between kinds of disgust and kinds of phobic symptoms are discussed. El presente estudio examina la asociación entre las dimensiones del asco y los síntomas fóbicos (i.e., miedos y síntomas sangre-inyecciones) en una muestra no clínica (N = 580). El asco fue evaluado mediante dos escalas de autoinforme, i.e., la Disgust Scale—Revised (DS-R; Haidt et al., 1994) y la Escala Multidimensional de Sensibilidad al Asco (EMA; Sandín et al., 2013). La EMA es una nueva escala que posibilita evaluar las siguientes dimensiones de sensibilidad al asco: higiene, moral, sexual, trasgresión corporal, pequeños animales, y deterioro/enfermedad. Los análisis de regresión revelan que el asco predice de forma significativa los síntomas fóbicos en general, incluso controlando el efecto de la DS-R, el afecto negativo y la sensibilidad a la ansiedad. Más aún, y más importante, basándonos en los análisis de regresión encontramos patrones diferenciales de predicciones específicas entre las dimensiones del asco y los tipos de síntomas fóbicos. Discutimos la posible implicación de estos resultados en lo que concierne a las relaciones diferenciales entre los tipos de asco y los tipos de síntomas fóbicos.

Estilos de apego y acoso entre iguales (bullying) en adolescentes

The aim of this work is twofold, (a) to validate the Spanish version of the Adolescent Relationship Scales Questionnaire (ARSQ) and (b) to examine associations between attachment and peer bullying (victimization). A total of 600 adolescents (aged 13-16 years) completed the ARSQ and the CAI-CA (a Spanish questionnaire of bullying victimization). Exploratory factor analyses of the ARSQ yield a structure of three uncorrelated factors which appear to correspond to the secure, fearful/preoccupied and dismissing kinds of attachment, respectively. Girls scored higher than boys on secure and fearful/preoccupied attachment. Thirty-four percent of the sample reported to have been victim of peer bullying. A hierarchical logistic regression analysis indicated that, after controlling for age and gender, fearful/preoccupied attachment significantly predicted the risk of being a victim of bullying. Results are discussed in respect of possible implications for the primary prevention of bullying.El objetivo del presente trabajo es doble: (a) validar la versión española del Adolescent Relationship Scales Questionnaire (ARSQ), y (b) examinar la asociación entre el apego y el acoso entre iguales (victimización). Un total de 600 adolescentes (entre 13 y 16 años de edad) cumplimentó el ARSQ y el CAI-CA (Cuestionario de Acoso entre Iguales—Conductas de Acoso). A través de análisis factoriales exploratorios del ARSQ obtuvimos una estructura de tres factores no correlacionados, los cuales correspondían a las formas de apego seguro, miedoso/preocupado y evitativo, respectivamente. Las chicas puntuaron más alto que los chicos en apego seguro y miedoso/ preocupado. El 34% de la muestra informó haber sido víctima de acoso entre iguales. El análisis de regresión logística jerárquica indicó que, tras controlar el efecto de la edad y el género, el apego miedoso/preocupado predecía el riesgo de ser víctima de acoso por los compañeros. Se discuten los resultados en relación con posibles implicaciones sobre la prevención primaria del bullying.

Construcción y validación preliminar de la Escala Multidimensional de Sensibilidad al Asco (EMA)

In this study we developed a 30-item multidimensional scale of disgust (Escala Multidimensional de Sensibilidad al Asco, EMA) based on two Spanish samples (N = 1,610). The initial pool of 92 items was generated according to our previous results on the domains in which people experience disgust (Sandín et al., 2013). Exploratory factor analysis of selected items based on a calibration sample (n = 580) indicated the presence of six factors related to hygiene, morality, sexuality, body envelope violations, small-animals and deterioration/disease. Validity of the 6-factor structure was supported by confirmatory factor analysis of a replication sample (n = 1,030). Estimates of reliability (internal consistency and test-retest) were adequate for the six subscales. The EMA was also correlated with other measures of disgust and emotions, providing evidence of convergent and discriminant validity of this new scale of disgust.En el presente estudio desarrollamos una escala multidimensional sobre el asco de 30 items (Escala Multidimensional de Sensibilidad al Asco, EMA), basándonos en dos muestras de participantes de población española (N = 1.610). El conjunto inicial de 92 items fue generado basándonos en nuestro estudio sobre experiencias de asco (Sandín et al., 2013). El análisis factorial exploratorio de los items seleccionados, basado en la muestra de calibración (n = 580), indicó la presencia de seis factores relacionados con higiene, moralidad, sexualidad, trasgresión corporal, pequeños animales y deterioro/enfermedad. La validez de la estructura de seis factores fue apoyada por el análisis factorial confirmatorio efectuado con la muestra de replicación (n = 1.030). Los resultados sobre fiabilidad de la escala (consistencia interna y test-retest) fueron adecuados para las seis subescalas. Las correlaciones de la EMA con otras medidas del asco y emocionales proporcionan evidencia de validez convergente y discriminante de la escala.

A mindfulness and compassion-based program applied to pregnant women and their partners to decrease depression symptoms during pregnancy and postpartum: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background: Pregnancy and the postpartum period are times of great change for women and their partners, often bringing substantial challenges and stress. Approximately 10%-20% of women suffer from mood disorders such as depression in the perinatal period. There are risks involved in using psychopharmacological interventions to treat perinatal depression. Mindfulness and compassion-based educational programs could be efficacious and cost-effective options for the prevention and treatment of perinatal mood disorders. The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of an adapted Mindfulness-Based Childbirth and Parenting (MBCP) program that includes compassion training for pregnant women in primary care (PC) settings in the Spanish National Health System to decrease perinatal depression. Methods: A multicenter randomized controlled trial (RCT) will be conducted. Participants will be pregnant women (n = 122) and their partners who wish to participate. They will be enrolled and assessed in PC settings and randomly assigned to either: (1) an adapted MBCP educational program tailored to the Spanish National Health System + treatment as usual (TAU); or (2) TAU only. The main outcome to be assessed will be depression, evaluated with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Secondary outcomes will include self-reported measures of perceived stress, affects, mindfulness, self-compassion, maternal self-efficacy, and use of health and social services. Patients will be assessed at four timepoints: baseline; post-treatment; and at three and six months after childbirth. Intention-to-treat and per-protocol analyses will be carried out using linear regression mixed models. Effect sizes will be estimated using Cohen''s d. Discussion: Perinatal depression is a significant health problem. An effective and low-cost childbirth education program that incorporates mindfulness and compassion practices may be a beneficial preventive complementary healthcare modality for expectant women and their partners. This study will be the first multicenter RCT in Spanish PC settings using adapted MBCP and compassion practices to reduce symptoms of depression during pregnancy and the postpartum period

Efficacy of binaural auditory beats in cognition, anxiety, and pain perception: a meta-analysis

Binaural auditory beats are a perceptual phenomenon that occurs when presenting separately to each ear two tones that slightly differ in their frequency. It has been suggested that binaural beats can influence cognition and mental states among others. The objective of this meta-analysis was to study the effect of binaural beats on memory, attention, anxiety, and analgesia. Twenty-two studies met our inclusion criteria for this meta-analysis. The results, based on 35 effect sizes, showed an overall medium, significant, consistent effect size (g = 0.45). Meta-regression results indicated that it does not seem to be necessary to mask binaural beats with white noise or pink noise in terms of effectiveness, obtaining similar effects with unmasked binaural beats. Moreover, the findings suggest that binaural-beat exposure before, and before and during the task produces superior results than exposure during the task. Time under exposure contributed significantly to the model indicating that longer periods are advisable to ensure maximum effectiveness. Our meta-analysis adds to the growing evidence that binaural-beat exposure is an effective way to affect cognition over and above reducing anxiety levels and the perception of pain without prior training, and that the direction and the magnitude of the effect depends upon the frequency used, time under exposure, and the moment in which the exposure takes place

Binaural auditory beats affect long-term memory

The presentation of two pure tones to each ear separately with a slight difference in their frequency results in the perception of a single tone that fluctuates in amplitude at a frequency that equals the difference of interaural frequencies. This perceptual phenomenon is known as binaural auditory beats, and it is thought to entrain electrocortical activity and enhance cognition functions such as attention and memory. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of binaural auditory beats on long-term memory. Participants (n = 32) were kept blind to the goal of the study and performed both the free recall and recognition tasks after being exposed to binaural auditory beats, either in the beta (20 Hz) or theta (5 Hz) frequency bands and white noise as a control condition. Exposure to beta-frequency binaural beats yielded a greater proportion of correctly recalled words and a higher sensitivity index dʹ in recognition tasks, while theta-frequency binaural-beat presentation lessened the number of correctly remembered words and the sensitivity index. On the other hand, we could not find differences in the conditional probability for recall given recognition between beta and theta frequencies and white noise, suggesting that the observed changes in recognition were due to the recollection component. These findings indicate that the presentation of binaural auditory beats can affect long-term memory both positively and negatively, depending on the frequency used

COVID-19 Symptom-Related Google Searches and Local COVID-19 Incidence in Spain: Correlational Study.

COVID-19 is one of the biggest pandemics in human history, along with other disease pandemics, such as the H1N1 influenza A, bubonic plague, and smallpox pandemics. This study is a small contribution that tries to find contrasted formulas to alleviate global suffering and guarantee a more manageable future. In this study, a statistical approach was proposed to study the correlation between the incidence of COVID-19 in Spain and search data provided by Google Trends. We assessed the linear correlation between Google Trends search data and the data provided by the National Center of Epidemiology in Spain-which is dependent on the Instituto de Salud Carlos III-regarding the number of COVID-19 cases reported with a certain time lag. These data enabled the identification of anticipatory patterns. In response to the ongoing outbreak, our results demonstrate that by using our correlation test, the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic can be predicted in Spain up to 11 days in advance. During the epidemic, Google Trends offers the possibility to preempt health care decisions in real time by tracking people's concerns through their search patterns. This can be of great help given the critical, if not dramatic need for complementary monitoring approaches that work on a population level and inform public health decisions in real time. This study of Google search patterns, which was motivated by the fears of individuals in the face of a pandemic, can be useful in anticipating the development of the pandemic.This work was supported in part by the project PI19CIII/00056 – TMPY 508/19, funding fromSub-Directorate-General for Research Assessment and Health Promotion in Spain (Instituto de Salud Carlos III). The statementsmade in this study are solely the responsibility of the authorsS