Enhancing Self-Esteem and Body Image of Breast Cancer Women through Interventions: A Systematic Review

Breast Cancer (BC) is the most common neoplasm in women worldwide, considered a global public health problem. Among BC women, some of the most common psychological symptoms in the adaptation to the disease are reduction in self-esteem and distorted body image (BI). Although there are numerous studies with the goal of promoting different psychological variables, BI and self-esteem are often separately observed despite their relationship and their importance in the process of the illness. Moreover, there have been no reviews that have synthesized the findings related to interventions aimed at enhancing both self-esteem and BI in BC women. Therefore, the objective of this review was to identify and examine the implemented interventions aimed at boosting both variables in this population. For this purpose, a systematic review was implemented following the PRISMA statement. A thorough search was performed on the following databases: Web of Science, PubMed, PsychInfo, PsychArticles, and Scopus. Among 287 records, only eight articles met the eligibility criteria. Interventions were grouped into three types according to their characteristics: Group therapies, Physical activity therapies, and Cosmetic and beauty treatments. The levels of effectiveness of the different interventions varied between them, and within each, in their impact on self-esteem and BI. More interventions focused on developing BI and self-esteem in this population are needed due to their ability to predict psychological functioning and quality of life of women with breast cancer.This research was funded by the Ministry of Health of the Junta de Andalucia by the financed Project PIN-0109-2018-INIBICA, by the Research Group HUM-843 Emotional Intelligence from the University of Cadiz (Spain), and the University Institute for Sustainable Social Development (INDESS). The funding body had no involvement in the study design, collection, analysis, or interpretation data, writing of the manuscript, and the decision to submit the manuscript for publication

A Randomized Trial to Evaluate the Impact of Exercise-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation for the Prevention of Chemotherapy-Induced Cardiotoxicity in Patients With Breast Cancer: ONCORE Study Protocol

[Abstract] Background. Anthracyclines and monoclonal antibodies against human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) are frequently used to treat breast cancer but they are associated with risk of developing cardiotoxicity. Implementation of cardioprotective strategies as part of breast cancer treatment are needed. To date, a limited number of studies have examined the effectiveness of cardiac rehabilitation programs or exercise programs in the prevention of cardiotoxicity through an integral assessment of cardiac function. The ONCORE study proposes an exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation program as a non-pharmacological tool for the management of chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity. Methods. The study protocol describes a prospective, randomized controlled trial aimed to determine whether an intervention through an exercise-based CR program can effectively prevent cardiotoxicity induced by anthracyclines and/or anti-HER2 antibodies in women with breast cancer. Three hundred and forty women with breast cancer at early stages scheduled to receive cardiotoxic chemotherapy will be randomly assigned (1:1) to participation in an exercise-based CR program (intervention group) or to usual care and physical activity recommendation (control group). Primary outcomes include changes in left ventricular ejection fraction and global longitudinal strain as markers of cardiac dysfunction assessed by transthoracic echocardiography. Secondary outcomes comprise levels of cardiovascular biomarkers and cardiopulmonary function through peak oxygen uptake determination, physical performance and psychosocial status. Supervised exercise program-related outcomes including safety, adherence/compliance, expectations and physical exercise in- and out-of-hospital are studied as exploratory outcomes. Transthoracic echocardiography, clinical test and questionnaires will be performed at the beginning and two weeks after completion of chemotherapy. Discussion. The growing incidence of breast cancer and the risk of cardiotoxicity derived from cancer treatments demand adjuvant cardioprotective strategies. The proposed study may determine if an exercise-based CR program is effective in minimizing chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity in this population of women with early-stage breast cancer. The proposed research question is concrete, with relevant clinical implications, transferable to clinical practice and achievable with low risk.Instituto de Salud Carlos III; PI17/0168

Thirty-Second Sit-To-Stand Test as an Alternative for Estimating Peak Oxygen Uptake and 6-Min Walking Distance in Women With Breast Cancer: A Cross-Sectional Study

[Abstract] Purpose: To determine whether the 30-s sit-to-stand (30STS) test can be a valid tool for estimating and stratifying peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) and 6-min walking distance (6MWD) in women with breast cancer. Methods: This cross-sectional study uses data from the ONCORE randomized controlled trial, including 120 women aged 18-70 years with early-stage breast cancer under treatment with anthracycline and/or anti-HER2 antibodies. Participant characteristics were collected at baseline and pooled data from functional assessment (30STS test, relative and absolute VO2peak, and 6MWD) were collected at baseline and post-intervention (comprehensive cardio-oncology rehabilitation program vs. usual care). Bivariate correlations and multivariate linear regression analyses were performed to study the relationship between functional test variables. Results: The number of repetitions in the 30STS test showed (i) a moderate correlation with relative VO2peak (ml/kg/min) (r = 0.419; p < 0.001; n = 126), (ii) a weak correlation with absolute VO2peak (ml/min) (r = 0.241; p = 0.008; n = 120), and (iii) a moderate correlation with the 6MWD (r = 0.440; p < 0.001; n = 85). The ONCORE equations obtained from the multivariate regression models allowed the estimation of VO2peak and 6MWD (r2 = 0.390; r2 = 0.261, respectively) based on the 30STS test, and its stratification into tertiles (low, moderate, and high). Conclusion: The 30STS test was found to be a useful tool to estimate VO2peak and/or 6MWD in women with early-stage breast cancer. Its use may facilitate the assessment and stratification of functional capacity in this population for the implementation of therapeutic exercise programs if cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) or 6MWT are not available.Open Access funding provided thanks to the CRUE-CSIC agreement with Springer Nature. This work was supported by a competitive grant from the Asociación Española Contra el Cáncer (AECC) Scientific Foundation — PRDLC21480DÍAZ — and by a competitive grant of the Spanish Health Research Fund of the Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII) — PI17/01687, co-funded FEDER, through Strategic Action in Healthcare, 2017. The ISCIII is the national and international reference in biomedical research and public health in Spain. The AECC Scientific Foundation and the ISCIII had no role in study design, data collection, data analysis, data interpretation, or writing of the report. Funding for open access charge will be supported by Universidade da Coruña/CISUGFundación Científica Asociación Española Contra el Cáncer; PRDLC21480DÍA

Exercise-based cardio-oncology rehabilitation for cardiotoxicity prevention during breast cancer chemotherapy: the ONCORE randomized controlled trial

[Abstract] Background: Breast cancer (BC) treatment with anthracyclines and/or anti-human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) antibodies is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease complications, including cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD). While Cardio-Oncology Rehabilitation (CORe) programs including exercise have emerged to minimize these risks, its role in preventing CTRCD is unclear. Objectives: We investigated the effectiveness of an exercise-based CORe program in preventing CTRCD [left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) drop ≥10% to a value 15% in global longitudinal strain (GLS)]. Secondary outcomes examined changes in cardiac biomarkers, physical performance including peak oxygen consumption, psychometric and lifestyle outcomes. Safety, adherence, and patient satisfaction were also assessed. Methods: This is a randomized controlled trial including 122 early-stage BC women receiving anthracyclines and/or anti-HER2 antibodies, randomized to CORe (n = 60) or usual care with exercise recommendation (n = 62). Comprehensive assessments were performed at baseline and after cardiotoxic treatment completion. The average duration of the intervention was 5.8 months. Results: No cases of CTRCD were identified during the study. LVEF decreased in both groups, but was significantly attenuated in the CORe group [-1.5% (-2.9, -0.1); p = 0.006], with no changes detected in GLS or cardiac biomarkers. The CORe intervention led to significant body mass index (BMI) reduction (p = 0.037), especially in obese patients [3.1 kg/m2 (1.3, 4.8)]. Physical performance and quality-of-life remained stable, while physical activity level increased in both groups. No adverse events were detected. Conclusions: This study suggests that CORe programs are safe and may help attenuate LVEF decline in BC women receiving cardiotoxic therapy and reduce BMI in obese patients.This work was supported by a competitive grant from the Spanish Association Against Cancer Scientific Foundation (grant number PRDLC21480DÍAZ) and a competitive grant from the Spanish Health Research Fund of the Carlos III Health Institute (grant number PI17/01687), co-funded by FEDER, through Strategic Action in Healthcare, 2017. Funding for open access charge will be supported by Universidade da Coruña/CISUG. None of the funding sources were involved in the study design, data collection, data analysis, data interpretation or report writing.Asociación Española contra el Cáncer; PRDLC21480DÍAZinfo:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ISCIII/Programa Estatal de Fomento de la Investigación Científica y Técnica de Excelencia/PI17%2F01687/PROGRAMAS INTEGRADOS DE REHABILITACION CARDIACA CON EJERCICIO FISICO EN LA PREVENCION DE LA TOXICIDAD CARDIOVASCULAR MEDIADA POR ANTRACICLINAS Y/O ANTICUERPOS ANTI-HER-2. ESTUDIO ONCOR

AMP-activated kinase in human spermatozoa: Identification, intracellular localization, and key function in the regulation of sperm motility

AMP‑activated kinase (AMPK), a protein that regulates energy balance and metabolism, has recently been identified in boar spermatozoa where regulates key functional sperm processes essential for fertilization. This work’s aims are AMPK identification, intracellular localization, and their role in human spermatozoa function. Semen was obtained from healthy human donors. Sperm AMPK and phospho‑Thr172‑AMPK were analyzed by Western blotting and indirect immunofluorescence. High‑ and low‑quality sperm populations were separated by a 40%–80% density gradient. Human spermatozoa motility was evaluated by an Integrated Semen Analysis System (ISAS) in the presence or absence of the AMPK inhibitor compound C (CC). AMPK is localized along the human spermatozoa, at the entire acrosome, midpiece and tail with variable intensity, whereas its active form, phospho‑Thr172‑AMPK, shows a prominent staining at the acrosome and sperm tail with a weaker staining in the midpiece and the postacrosomal region. Interestingly, spermatozoa bearing an excess residual cytoplasm show strong AMPK staining in this subcellular compartment. Both AMPK and phospho‑Thr172‑AMPK human spermatozoa contents exhibit important individual variations. Moreover, active AMPK is predominant in the high motility sperm population, where shows a stronger intensity compared with the low motility sperm population. Inhibition of AMPK activity in human spermatozoa by CC treatment leads to a significant reduction in any sperm motility parameter analyzed: percent of motile sperm, sperm velocities, progressivity, and other motility coefficients. This work identifies and points out AMPK as a new molecular mechanism involved in human spermatozoa motility. Further AMPK implications in the clinical efficiency of assisted reproduction and in other reproductive areas need to be studied.Trabajo patrocinado por: Mutua Madrileña. Beca Junta de Extremadura y Fondos FEDER. Ayudas JUEX‑IBI13121, PCJ1008, GR10125, y GR10156 Fundación Tatiana Pérez Guzmán el Bueno. Beca para Violeta Calle Guisado Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia. Beca Predoctoral FPU para Violeta Calle GuisadopeerReviewe

Programa del Congreso: La Psicología Social LLevada a la Vida Cotidiana

Este texto es Programa del Congreso "La Psicología Social Llevada a la Vida Cotidiana", celebrado en el marco de un proyecto de innovación docente financiado por la Unidad de Innovación Docente de la UCA. El congreso estaba dirigido, fundamentalmente, al alumnado que cursa, o ha cursado, alguna de las asignaturas del Área de Psicología Social. Se justifica la pertinencia de celebrar el mencionado congreso, se recoge la organización del mismo, y se muestra el contenido de la conferencia inaugural y un resumen de todas las aportaciones realizadas por el alumnado.Unidad de Innovación Docente de la Universidad de Cádiz.Número de páginas: 51. Editado exclusivamente en formato electrónico. Tamaño A4

Longitudinal Associations between Food Parenting Practices and Dietary Intake in Children: The Feel4Diabetes Study

Food parenting practices (FPPs) have an important role in shaping children’s dietary behaviors. This study aimed to investigate cross-sectional and longitudinal associations over a twoyear follow-up between FPP and dietary intake and compliance with current recommendations in 6- to 11-year-old European children. A total of 2967 parent-child dyads from the Feel4Diabetes study, a randomized controlled trial of a school and community-based intervention, (50.4% girls and 93.5% mothers) were included. FPPs assessed were: (1) home food availability; (2) parental role modeling of fruit intake; (3) permissiveness; (4) using food as a reward. Children’s dietary intake was assessed through a parent-reported food frequency questionnaire. In regression analyses, the strongest cross-sectional associations were observed between home availability of 100% fruit juice and corresponding intake (β = 0.492 in girls and β = 0.506 in boys, p < 0.001), and between parental role modeling of fruit intake and children’s fruit intake (β = 0.431 in girls and β = 0.448 in boys, p < 0.001). In multilevel logistic regression models, results indicated that improvements in positive FPPs over time were mainly associated with higher odds of compliance with healthy food recommendations, whereas a decrease in negative FPP over time was associated with higher odds of complying with energy-dense/nutrient-poor food recommendations. Improving FPPs could be an effective way to improve children’s dietary intake.European Union’s Horizon 2020Aragón’s Regional Government (Diputación General de Aragón, DGA

Effective strategies for childhood obesity prevention via school based, family involved interventions: a critical review for the development of the Feel4Diabetesstudy school based component

Background: Although there are many interventions targeting childhood obesity prevention, only few have demonstrated positive results. The current review aimed to gather and evaluate available school-based intervention studies with family involvement targeting dietary, physical activity and sedentary behaviors among primary schoolchildren and their families, in order to identify the most effective strategies. Methods: Studies published between 2000 and January 2015 were retrieved from scientific electronic databases and grey literature. The databases used included MEDLINE/PubMed, Web-of-Science, CINAHL and Scopus. Included studies had to be experimental controlled studies and had duration over 1 school year, had family involvement, combined PA and dietary behaviors and were implemented in school setting. A complementary search was executed to update the review to cover the period from February 2015 to January 2019. Results: From the studies examined (n = 425), 27 intervention programs (33 publications) fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Among these, 15 presented significant effect on weight status and/ or overweight/ obesity or clinical indices, 3 presented significant effect on most energy balance-related behaviors (EBRBs) while 9 presented significant effect on some/few EBRBs or determinants. Strategies implemented in effective interventions were: teachers acting as role-models and being actively involved in the delivery of the intervention, school policies supporting the availability of healthy food and beverage choices and limiting unhealthy snacks, changes in the schoolyard, in the recess rules and in the physical education classes to increase physical activity, and involving parents in the intervention via assignments, meetings, informative material and encouraging them to improve the home environment. Use of incentives for children, social marketing techniques, collaboration with local stakeholders were found to increase effectiveness. Programs that focused only on educational sessions and material for parents, without promoting relevant environmental and policy changes, were found to be less effective. Cultural adaptations have been suggested to increase the intervention’s acceptance in specific or vulnerable population groups. Conclusions: Several effective strategies were identified in the reviewed programs. Outcomes of the current review were taken into account in developing the Feel4Diabetes-intervention and summed up as recommendations in the current work in order to facilitate other researchers designing similar childhood obesity prevention initiatives. Keywords: Obesity prevention, Type 2 diabetes prevention, Primary school children, Families, School based intervention.The Feel4Diabetes-study has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme [Grant Agreement: n degrees 643708]. The content of this article reflects only the authors' views and the European Community is not liable for any use that may be made of the information contained therein

Development and reliability of questionnaires for the assessment of diet and physical activity behaviors in a multi-country sample in Europe the Feel4Diabetes Study

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