1.A Neurofeedback Protocol for Executive Function to Reduce Depression and Rumination: A Controlled Study
Sheng-Hsiang YU ; Chao-Yuan TSENG ; Wei-Lun LIN
Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience 2020;18(3):375-385
Objective:
Rumination is a maladaptive emotional-regulation strategy that is strongly associated with depression. Impaired executive function can lead to difficulties in disengaging from rumination, thus exacerbating depression. In this study, we inspect an electroencephalograph neurofeedback protocol that enhance the target peak alpha frequency (PAF) activation in the prefrontal region. We examine the protocol’s effects on depression and rumination.
Methods:
We randomly assigned 30 dysphoric participants into either the neurofeedback training group or the control group. We then evaluated their depression, rumination, and executive function at pre- and posttraining so as to examine the effects of the neurofeedback.
Results:
The results show that this neurofeedback protocol can specifically enhance participants’ target PAF. The participants’ executive function performances significantly improved after undergoing 20 neurofeedback sessions. Compared with those in the control group, those in the neurofeedback group had significantly fewer depressive symptoms and significantly reduced rumination. Moreover, as target PAF and executive function improved, depression and rumination both declined.
Conclusion
Our data are in line with those of previous studies that indicated a relationship between upper-band alpha activity and executive function. This PAF neurofeedback can effectively enhance participants’ executive function, which can reduce rumination and ameliorate depression. This neurofeedback training is based on basic cognitive neuroscience, so it sheds light on depression’s pathological factors and etiology.
2.The clinical efficacy of combining extracorporeal shock wave therapy with local anesthesia in treating chronic plantar fasciitis: A meta-analysis
Yinan ZHOU ; Yilan SHENG ; Qiang QU ; Zixing WEN
Chinese Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 2020;42(9):824-829
Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of combining extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) with local anesthesia in treating chronic plantar fasciitis.Methods:Reports of randomized and controlled trials about treating plantar fasciitis using ESWT were sought in the CNKI, Wanfang, Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane Library and Web of Science databases from their inception until October 2018. Each report found was screened by two independent researchers and the characteristics were abstracted. The risk of bias was assessed according to the methods recommended in the Cochrane Handbook. Version 5.3 of the RevMan software was used for the meta-analysis.Results:Eight reports of randomized and controlled trials were identified covering 779 patients treated with shock wave therapy and 710 controls. The meta-analysis showed that ESWT could significantly relieve the pain and improve functioning. Local anesthesia did not affect the outcome. Focued and radial shock wave were both significantly more effective than placebo stimulation, so as the medium and high-intensity.Conclusions:ESWT can significantly relieve the pain and improve the walking ability of patients with chronic plantar fasciitis. The use of local anesthesia during the intervention and different ESWT modes and intensities will not affect its efficacy.
3.Predictors for Failed Removal of Nasogastric Tube in Patients With Brain Insult
Shih-Ting HUANG ; Tyng-Guey WANG ; Mei-Chih PENG ; Wan-Ming CHEN ; An-Tzu JAO ; Fuk Tan TANG ; Yu-Ting HSIEH ; Chun Sheng HO ; Shu-Ming YEH
Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine 2024;48(3):220-227
Objective:
To construct a prognostic model for unsuccessful removal of nasogastric tube (NGT) was the aim of our study.
Methods:
This study examined patients with swallowing disorders receiving NGT feeding due to stroke or traumatic brain injury in a regional hospital. Clinical data was collected, such as age, sex, body mass index (BMI), level of activities of daily living (ADLs) dependence. Additionally, gather information regarding the enhancement in Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS) levels and the increase in food types according to the International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative (IDDSI) after one month of swallowing training. A stepwise logistic regression analysis model was employed to predict NGT removal failure using these parameters.
Results:
Out of 203 patients, 53 patients (26.1%) had experienced a failed removal of NGT after six months of follow-up. The strongest predictors for failed removal were age over 60 years, underweight BMI, total dependence in ADLs, and ischemic stroke. The admission prediction model categorized patients into high, moderate, and low-risk groups for removal failure. The failure rate of NGT removal was high not only in the high-risk group but also in the moderate-risk groups when there was no improvement in FOIS levels and IDDSI food types.
Conclusion
Our predictive model categorizes patients with brain insults into risk groups for swallowing disorders, enabling advanced interventions such as percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy for high-risk patients struggling with NGT removal, while follow-up assessments using FOIS and IDDSI aid in guiding rehabilitation decisions for those at moderate risk.