Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of electroencephalogram (EEG) biofeedback training for emotion regulation and brain homeostasis on anxiety about COVID-19 infection, impulsivity, anger rumination, meta-mood, and self-regulation ability of late adolescents in the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic situation. Methods: A non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest design was used. The participants included 55 late adolescents in the experimental and control groups. The variables were evaluated using quantitative EEG at pre-post time points in the experimental group. The experimental groups received 10 sessions using the three-band protocol for five weeks. The collected data were analyzed using the Shapiro-Wilk test, Wilcoxon rank sum test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, t-test and paired t-test using the SAS 9.3 program. The collected EEG data used a frequency series power spectrum analysis method through fast Fourier transform. Results: Significant differences in emotion regulation between the two groups were observed in the anxiety about COVID-19 infection (W = 585.50, p = .002), mood repair of meta-mood (W = 889.50, p = .024), self-regulation ability (t = - 5.02, p < .001), self-regulation mode (t = - 4.74, p < .001), and volitional inhibition mode (t = - 2.61, p = .012). Neurofeedback training for brain homeostasis was effected on enhanced sensory-motor rhythm (S = 177.00, p < .001) and inhibited theta (S = - 166.00, p < .001). Conclusion The results demonstrate the potential of EEG biofeedback training as an independent nursing intervention that can markedly improve anxiety, mood-repair, and self-regulation ability for emotional distress during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine the results of a meta-analysis of impulsivity variables related to self-destructive behavior of South Korean adolescents. Methods: A meta-analysis was carried out according to the Cochrane guidelines criteria and the quality of the studies was evaluated using the JBI checklist. 2,333 studies were collected through the databases of RISS, KISS, and DBpia on ‘impulsivity’ published from 2000 to 2020.Self-destructive behavior-related variables were largely categorized into three areas (addiction, violence, and delinquency), and six subgroups. Results: Using the correlations with impulsivity in the final 53 papers, 231 self-destructive behavior-related variables were identified. The social delinquency showed the closest relationship with impulsivity (ES=0.34, 95% CI: 0.23~0.43, p<.001), followed by addictive behavior (ES=0.28, 95% CI: 0.24~0.32, p<.001), personal delinquency (ES=0.28, 95% CI: 0.23~0.32, p<.001), violence against others, violence against self, and substance addiction. These effects were identified as ranging from magnitudes of 0.23 to 0.27 based on the criteria of Cohen. Conclusion To improve the reliability of the results of meta-analysis, more studies on the impulsivity of adolescents should be carried o

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of niacin on the progression of carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in patients with high level of lipoprotein (Lp) (a). METHODS: Patients at low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol goal but with Lp (a) >25 mg/dL and mean carotid IMT >0.75 mm were included. Eligible patients were randomized at a 1:2 ratio into one of two groups for 24 months: control or 1,500 mg extended release niacin. The primary study outcomes were the percentage changes in mean and maximal carotid IMT. The percentage change in lipid profiles including Lp (a) was analyzed as a secondary study outcome. RESULTS: Among 96 randomized patients, 31 completed the study (mean age: 65 years; male: 44%). At follow-up, the percentage change in mean carotid IMT was not significantly different between the two groups (−1.4%±15.5% and −1.1%±7.3% in the control and niacin groups, respectively, p=0.95). The percentage change in maximal carotid IMT was also similar in the two groups (0.7%±16.5% and −4.4%±11.6%, respectively, p=0.35). Elevation of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol tended to be higher in the niacin group (p=0.07), and there was a significant difference in the percentage change in hemoglobin A1c between the two groups (−1.9%±2.2% and 3.3%±6.7%, respectively, p=0.02). Reduction of Lp (a) was greater in the niacin-treated group compared to placebo, but the difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Treatment with niacin for two years did not inhibit the progression of carotid intima-media thickening in patients with high Lp (a) level. However, this study may have been underpowered to evaluate the primary study outcome.
Arteries ; Carotid Artery Diseases ; Carotid Intima-Media Thickness ; Drug Therapy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lipoprotein(a) ; Lipoproteins ; Male ; Niacin