According to a new study published online April 13, 2021 in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, people who exercised regularly and then tested positive for Covid-19 were less likely to experience more severe outcomes.
Patients with Covid-19 who were "consistently inactive" were 226% more likely to be hospitalized, 173% more likely to be admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU), and 149% more likely to die in the study when compared to the most active people in the study - those who exercised 150 minutes or more every week. Importantly, even those who do not meet the 150 minutes or more per week threshold still experienced significant benefits compared to those who said they exercise 10 minutes or less per day.
"We strongly believe the results of this study represent a clear and actionable guideline that can be used by populations around the world to reduce the risk for severe Covid-19 outcomes, including death," said study author Deborah Rohm Young, PhD.
To read the study, see: https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/early/2021/04/07/bjsports-2021-104080
Pacific College of Health and Science now offers MS in Holistic Nursing
Pacific College of Health and Science, founded in 1986 in San Diego, CA, recently announced its new Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree program, the first graduate degree program in the United States specializing in holistic nursing. The 100% online program focuses on holistic and integrative healthcare and will offer tracks in nurse-coach and nurse educator with courses like psychoneuroimmunology, advanced holistic pharmacology and a medical cannabis specialization option.
The program was created in part to respond to a growing crisis in healthcare: nursing professionals’ burnout and a shrinking workforce due to harsh working conditions. The program will prepare its graduates to lead the healing of healthcare from the inside-out, starting with self-care and expanding to care of colleagues, patients and families as well as entire communities.
Many hospitals are expanding to Integrative Healthcare due to patient demand for complementary healthcare services and this curriculum teaches students to use evidence-based scientific and holistic knowledge as a foundation for their roles in nursing education and coaching.
"Pacific College of Health and Science has always been at the forefront of holistic and integrative nursing education, and our new MSN program continues in that tradition," said Malcolm Youngren, Interim CEO at Pacific College of Health and Science.
To learn more, visit http://www.pacificcollege.edu/nursing/msn
Chronic pain increasing for all US adults
According to a new study published online April 1, 2021 in the journal Demography, chronic pain has significantly increased for all US adult demographics and that people at lower socioeconomic levels had the most significant increase. Additionally, reports of chronic pain in at least one of the most common sites (lower back, neck, face and jaw, joints, and head) increased by 10% during the study period, representing an additional 10.5 million people.
Researchers drew on data from the National Health Interview Survey from US adults aged 25-84 covering the years 2002–2018. Each year, the survey received responses from 19,040–32,149 people, with a total of 441,707 individuals taking part. The survey provided extensive demographic data on the participants, as well as information on their health and well-being including their experiences with chronic pain.
Researchers found an increasing disparity in who experiences pain. People whose household income was four times the poverty level saw a 14% increase in the risk of experiencing chronic pain, however, those whose income was only twice the poverty level saw a 42% increase.
The study also found age differences in the important factors that may account for the increased prevalence of chronic pain. For those between 65 and 84 years of age, physical health issues, like high body mass index, diabetes, kidney issues, and hypertension, were associated with chronic pain prevalence. For younger and middle-aged people, mental health issues like distress and alcohol use were more prominent.
While there has been an increase in research on the topic of chronic pain, it's received relatively little recognition as a public health issue. Researchers have noted that chronic pain can have a significant negative effect on individuals’ well-being as well as on the population as a whole. Without details on the prevalence of chronic pain, policymakers cannot respond appropriately to the severity of the issue.
To read the study, see: https://doi.org/10.1215/00703370-8977691
Hackensack Meridian Health offers innovative treatment at new addiction treatment center
New Jersey's largest and most integrated health system announced the opening of the first phase of The Retreat & Recovery at Ramapo Valley, a state-of-the-art treatment center that will offer a full range of behavioral health services.
"Our care model focuses on the integration of traditional therapy, evidence-based practice and integrative medicine to provide a modern, comprehensive approach to individualized care," said Donald J. Parker, president of Hackensack Meridian Carrier Clinic and behavioral health services for the network.
Hackensack Meridian Health is committed to expanding access to treatment and providing more innovative treatment and are working to dramatically improve behavioral health care because:
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One in five adults experiences a mental health issue in the U.S.
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An estimated 50 percent of patients today who are seen in primary care offices, urgent care settings and emergency departments have a behavioral health need.
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Among those conditions, depression is the leading cause of disability in the United States among those 18 to 44 years old.
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60 percent of people with mental health issues did not receive care in the prior year.
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A Gallup poll published in December 2020 found that Americans' self-reported mental health is at the lowest point it has been in 20 years.
In addition to the human toll, the impact of substance abuse and mental health diagnoses dramatically drives up health care costs. "We are committed to providing high-quality and accessible behavioral health care and we do not believe people should have to leave New Jersey to receive these vital services,'' said Robert C. Garrett, CEO of Hackensack Meridian Health.
PAWS for Veterans Therapy Act passes House
The Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers (PAWS) for Veterans Therapy Act, H.R. 1448, was passed by the House of Representatives on May 12, 2021. The bipartisan legislation will allow the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to connect service dogs with veterans dealing with post-deployment mental health needs by awarding grants to nonprofit organizations that would provide veterans with therapeutic service dogs. Additionally, the bill will amend title 38, United States Code, and authorize the Secretary of the VA to create a pilot program on dog training therapy and provide service dogs to veterans with mental illnesses regardless of whether or not they have mobility issues.
According to a report from the VA called Suicide among Veterans and Other Americans 2001-2014, an average of 20 Veterans died by suicide each day in 2014 and accounted for 18 percent of all deaths by suicide among US adults. The VA is committed to identifying and reaching all Veterans who may be at risk for suicide and continues to enhance programs designed to reduce this risk.
According to the VA, pairing veterans with service dogs, instead of emotional support dogs, resulted in less symptoms of post-traumatic stress and depression, lead to better interpersonal relationships, lower risk of substance abuse, overall better mental health and less risk of suicide. This evidence builds upon the widely accepted studies previously published on the subject.
Through this pilot program, veterans are expected to experience an improved quality of life and ability to re-enter society as well as increased chances of survival.
Psilocybin effective for treating depressive symptoms
A small study of adults with major depressive disorder found that a treatment featuring the hallucinogen psilocybin worked better than the usual antidepressant medications. The study, published in JAMA Psychiatry on November 4, 2020, was conducted at Johns Hopkins University.
In the study, patients received two doses of psilocybin on different days and also received about 11 hours of psychotherapy. At the conclusion of the study, around 67% of participants experienced a 50% reduction in symptoms and the effects appear to be lasting. Four weeks after treatment, 54% of the participants who had psilocybin treatment were in remission.
The study had limitations that could challenge its usefulness as it did not address the long-term effects of psilocybin treatment and failed to have a placebo group. In addition, there was insufficient minority representation which is important as Black and Hispanic Americans are more likely to experience depression for more extended periods and the researchers acknowledge the need for future investigation.
Dr. Charles F. Reynolds III, distinguished professor emeritus of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh's School of Medicine authored an editorial that accompanied the research and stated that the study is notable for its scientific rigor.
To read the study, see: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2020.3285
T'ai Chi alleviates chronic lower back pain in older adults
A randomized controlled trial published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine on March 11, 2020, evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of using T'ai Chi to improve chronic low back pain in adults over 65 compared to health education and usual care.
Participants were randomly assigned to 12 weeks of T'ai Chi, a 12-week health education intervention, or usual care. Findings indicate that the study was feasible, had acceptable recruitment, high follow-up rates for questionnaire outcomes, good adherence by instructors to the class protocols, few dropouts, and an excellent safety profile.
Sixty-two percent of the T'ai Chi participants attended at least 70% of the classes during the 12-week initial intervention period, compared to 50% of the health education participants. Weekly rates of home T'ai Chi practice were high among class attendees (median of 4.2 days) at 12 weeks, however fewer people continued practicing at 26 and 52 weeks. By week 52, 70% of the T'ai Chi participants reported practicing the week before, with a median of 3 days per week. T'ai Chi participants rated the helpfulness of their classes significantly higher than did health education participants, but the groups were similarly likely to recommend the classes.
Researchers conclude that modified T'ai Chi and health education interventions are worth testing in a full-scale trial, however improved recruitment processes and refined intervention methods should be implemented.
To read the study, see: https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/acm.2019.0438
Effects of short-term inhalation of Patchouli Oil in emergency nurses
A recent study published online November 16, 2020 in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine investigated the effects of Patchouli oil inhalation in emergency nurses. The study focused on the outcome measures of blood pressure, heart rate, stress levels, compassion satisfaction, compassion fatigue and burnout.
The randomized controlled trial was conducted in 2018 at a university hospital in Incheon, Korea using fifty emergency nurses. The intervention consisted of smelling Patchouli Oil twice for around 20 minutes each time.
Results showed no significant differences in blood pressure, heart rate, compassion fatigue or burnout. Levels of stress, however, were significantly lower and compassion satisfaction significantly higher in the group that inhaled patchouli as compared to the control group. According to researchers, this finding suggests that inhalation of patchouli oil may improve the professional quality of life of emergency nurses.
To read the paper, see: https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/acm.2020.0206
AUTHOR BIO
Matters of Note is written and compiled bySusie Demarinis, MSEditorial Director for EXPLORE: The Journal of Science and Healing.