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Screening and Pharmacological Management of Neuropathic Pain
Published in Suvardhan Kanchi, Rajasekhar Chokkareddy, Mashallah Rezakazemi, Smart Nanodevices for Point-of-Care Applications, 2022
Manu Sharma, Ranju Soni, Kakarla Raghava Reddy, Veera Sadhu, Raghavendra V. Kulkarni
Central post-stroke pain (CPSP) has been referred to as thalamic pain. It is characterized by an intense spontaneous or evoked pain localized in the affected extremities and can affect the entire side of the body with an aching and burning quality. The sensory disturbance is a major component of CPSP, including abnormal temperature sensation, dysesthesia, and hypersensitivity to cutaneous stimuli. The pain appears to be alleviated with relaxation and worsened with emotional and physical stress. Commonly prescribed oral medications for use in post-stroke pain include antidepressants and anticonvulsants, while opioids are not felt to be effective.
What to do about it?
Published in Wilmar Schaufeli, Dirk Enzmann, The Burnout Companion to Study and Practice: A Critical Analysis, 2020
Wilmar Schaufeli, Dirk Enzmann
Relaxation is considered to be a universal antidote to stress. Therefore, it is the cornerstone of virtually every stress-management programme. According to Murphy (1996), roughly 75% of these programmes include relaxation, often in combination with cognitive-behavioural techniques. The goal of relaxation is to teach the aroused individual how to produce voluntarily a positive, alternative physiological response, a state in which (s)he deliberately eliminates the undesirable physiological effects of stress. Whereas the stress-reaction increases respiration rate, heart rate, blood pressure, and muscle tension, relaxation seeks to decrease it. And whereas the stress reaction decreases the galvanic skin response, and the alpha and theta brain waves, relaxation seeks their increase. In addition to these physiological effects, it is claimed that relaxation reduces psychological symptoms such as anxiety, depression, burnout, and job dissatisfaction. Generally speaking, the psychological effects of relaxation are more conclusive and consistent than are the physiological effects (Murphy, 1996).
Applications of Dielectric Analysis (DEA) to Multicomponent Polymeric Systems
Published in Jose James, K.P. Pramoda, Sabu Thomas, Polymers and Multicomponent Polymeric Systems, 2019
The terms “dielectric analysis” (DEA) and “broadband dielectric spectroscopy” (BDS) refer to the same materials science experimental technique that can measure several physical properties in polar materials, i.e., polarization, permittivity, conductivity, impedance, etc. DEA is an experimental technique analogous to dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) with the significant difference in the imposed externally oscillating field, which is electrical rather than mechanical. As in the case of DMA, experimental data depend on the frequency of the applied field and the imposed temperature. The externally applied electric field forces dipoles (permanent or induced) and unbounded charges to be oriented parallel to its direction. The oscillation of the applied field causes a reorientation of dipolar groups and charge carriers, which is related to their inertia, the interactions with their molecular environment, and the “viscosity” of the medium. The outcome is the occurrence of relaxation phenomena, since the time scale of the exciting field might be shorter than the substance’s response time. Dielectric relaxations are observed in many materials, such as glasses, polymers, ceramics, liquid crystals, composite materials, and disordered materials. Generally speaking, relaxation is the reversion of a system perturbed by an external stimulus to equilibrium. Each relaxation process is characterized by a relaxation time (τ).
Effects of Short-Term Exposure to Interactive vs. Non-Interactive Virtual Nature on Cognitive Performance and Mental Health in College Students
Published in International Journal of Human–Computer Interaction, 2023
Francisco de Asís Martínez Manchón, Ana Šimunić
Virtual reality can stimulate very realistic virtual environments and offers the opportunity to deliver health benefits through virtual nature (Li et al., 2021). Furthermore, virtual reality can duplicate the sense of immersion, which is difficult to achieve through two-dimensional visual representations. Different levels of exposure to both real and virtual nature could be observed: first, the observation of nature, second, the direct exposure, and third, the intervention with nature in activities such as gardening or camping (Han & Wang, 2018). Quite often, before and after exposure to nature in reality or through virtual reality, subjects undergo a series of tests to determine the effect of the exposure on certain constructs. Although it is a fairly recent technology, there has already been research about the potential benefits of virtual nature and its differences compared to real nature (Browning et al., 2020). Positive effects on relaxation, restorativeness, cognitive functions, and pain experiences are some of them (Léger & Mekari, 2022; Li et al., 2021). Li et al. (2021) points out that the key function of virtual nature is relaxation, and that virtual nature can contribute to recovery from attention fatigue as well as in real natural environments. The authors also state that virtual reality induces a sense of presence, which is linked to physiological arousal.
Outcomes of virtual reality technology in the management of generalised anxiety disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Published in Behaviour & Information Technology, 2022
Khadijah Alahmari, Henry Duh, Richard Skarbez
There are a lot of treatment modalities for GAD. This includes antidepressant medications, anticonvulsants and psychological therapies. These treatments offer various therapeutic options targeting beliefs around emotional disturbances and worry associated with GAD (Strawn et al. 2018; Barlow et al. 2017). The most promising therapies are cognitive treatment and relaxation therapy. The relaxation protocols positively impact anxiety reduction by accomplishing psychological benefits, including a sense of control over symptoms and distraction. However, high rates of drop-out during GAD treatment have been reported (Kim and Newman 2019; Hayes-Skelton et al. 2013). Cognitive–behavioural therapy (CBT) using exposure therapy, education, or cognitive restructuring is considered the traditional intervention for GAD (Revicki et al. 2012). However, access to CBT is limited due to insufficiently qualified therapists, incompatible scheduling, perceived stigma and long waiting lists (Comer and Barlow 2014). Digitally delivered cognitive therapy may mitigate these obstacles by delivering feasible and reliable services based on valid and effective cognitive interventions (Center, P. R. 2018; Stolz et al. 2018).
Effect of a wellness room with a physiotherapist in an intimate fashion company on ergonomics: stress level, quality of life and musculoskeletal symptoms
Published in Theoretical Issues in Ergonomics Science, 2021
Laura Santos, Fernanda Catelani, Sandra Mayworm, Herve Quinart, Christiano Bittencourt Machado, Redha Taïar
There were no significant effects regarding discomfort in the neck and cervical region, perhaps due to the weekly frequency of physiotherapy intervention. On the other hand, the SF-36 did not show significant differences in quality of life, which may have resulted from the small sample size and duration or frequency of the sessions. These questions may also have influenced the non-significant results for the QLW scale, referring to broad issues such as citizenship and opportunities for professional growth. Literature has shown that pain and quality of life tend to be improved by programmes of stretching, relaxation or gymnastics techniques. A frequency of twice a week was employed by Landgraf et al. (2002), with a significant reduction in pain (sessions of 50 to 60 minutes, for 2 months).