Relation of perceived nasal and bronchial hyperresponsiveness to FEV1, basophil counts, and methacholine response.

Perceived nasal and bronchial hyperresponsiveness to tobacco smoke and cold air were assessed in 912 working men in the Paris area. Baseline lung function measurements and peripheral leucocyte counts with standard differential counts were performed. At least one perceived nasal or bronchial hyperresponsiveness symptom was reported by 15.7%. Current smoking was significantly less frequent among those with cough induced by tobacco smoke. Rhinitis induced by cold air was associated with lower FEV1 (p less than 0.01) and the association remained after adjustment for smoking, asthma, and wheezing (p = 0.06). Symptoms induced by cold air were related to circulating basophils. Neither perceived nasal nor perceived bronchial hyperresponsiveness was significantly related to the airway response to methacholine in a sample of the group (n = 324) surveyed again five years later. The result suggest that the symptom of rhinitis provoked by cold air is a possible "new" risk factor or marker for chronic airflow limitation.     

The relation between snoring and smoking, body mass index, age, alcohol consumption and respiratory symptoms

Potential risk factors for snoring were studied in a population of 457 middle-aged men. Eversnoring was reported by 60% of the men and snoring with an age of onset before or equal to 20 years by 13%. Eversnoring was significantly related to older age, higher body mass index and smoking habits. Alcohol consumption, estimated by questionnaire and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase was unrelated to a history of snoring. Logistic regression showed that snoring was independently associated with age, body mass index and smoking habits. An exposure-effect relationship clearly appeared between tobacco consumption and snoring. After adjustment for smoking habits, none of the upper or lower respiratory symptoms was significantly related to snoring.     

Externalizing and internalizing behavioural problems related to asthma in school children

We investigated the relationships of behavioural problems as assessed using the standardized Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) to asthma in view of improving asthma management. Six thousand eight hundred and eighty children (mean age 10.4 years, male: 49%) were recruited in the French 6 Cities Study. Children with abnormal or borderline emotional symptoms (internalizing problems) or conduct problems (externalizing problems) were more asthmatic than others (P < 0.01). Compared to being normal, abnormal emotional symptoms or conduct problems were found to be related to mild‐to‐moderate persistent asthma (logistic model adjusted odds ratio = 1.55 (95% CI = 1.26–1.90) and 1.42 (95% CI = 1.17–1.71), respectively) and to early‐onset asthma (Cox's model Adjusted Hazard Risk = 1.60 (95% CI = 1.27–2.01) and 1.34 (95% CI = 1.05–1.70). Borderline conduct problems were found to be negatively related to parents' knowledge on how to prevent asthma attacks, compared to normal conduct problems [adjusted OR = 0.51 (95% CI = 0.31–0.85)]. Further data are needed to better understand the involvement of behavioural problems in childhood asthma according to phenotypes.     

Effects of a Cognitive–Behaviorally Based Physical Activity Treatment for 4- and 5-Year-Old Children Attending US Preschools

Background

Inadequate volumes of physical activity may be associated with the increases in inappropriately high weight in children of 5 years of age and younger. Preschools have typically lacked sufficient time in daily physical activity.

Purpose

A preschool-administered physical activity treatment based on social cognitive and self-efficacy theory (Start For Life) was tested for its association with increased physical activity and reduced body mass index (BMI).

Methods

Data from accelerometer and BMI assessments over a 9-month preschool year (18 treatment and 8 control classes of 17 to 20 children each; mean age?=?4.4 years) were used to contrast the behaviorally based treatment of 30 min per day with a usual care condition of the same duration. The sample was primarily African-American. Preschool teachers administered all processes.

Results

The Start For Life treatment was associated with a significantly greater percentage of the preschool day in moderate-to-vigorous and vigorous physical activity (approximately 30 min per week more), with sedentary time unaffected. The treatment was also associated with a significant reduction in BMI, with effect sizes greatest in overweight and obese children.

Conclusions

Although results were positive in contrast to usual care and other related interventions, the specific sample requires that the Start For Life treatment undergo sufficient replication to increase confidence in generalizability of the findings to others. Although reduction in sedentary time may require a different strategy, the practical application of the present treatment suggests possibilities for addressing overweight through increasing moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in preschool settings.     

Physical therapy and anesthetic blockage for treating temporomandibular disorders: A clinical trial

Purpose: the aim of this study was to evaluate the use of physical therapy and anesthetic blockage of the auriculotemporal nerve as a treatment for temporomandibular joint disorders. Methods: the sample comprised of twenty patients with a diagnosis of disc displacement with/ without reduction and arthralgia according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD Axis I Group IIa, IIb and IIIa). Ten patients (group 1) underwent a cycle of eight anesthetic blockages of the auriculotemporal nerve with injections (1 per week) of 1 ml of bupivacaine 0.5% without vasoconstrictor for 8 weeks. The other 10 patients (group 2) received anesthetic blockage and physical therapy (massage and muscular stretching exercises). After the end of treatment all patients were evaluated at baseline, 1st week, 4th week and 2 months. The t-Student and F (ANOVA) tests were used for statistical analysis, with a significance rate of 5%. Results: there was a significant difference when both groups were compared according to VAS score (p=0.027). There was no significant difference for the other variables: MMO and jaw protrusion. Conclusion: the anesthetic blockage and physical therapy, when used together, are effective in the reduction of pain in patients with TMD. Key words:Temporomandibular joint disorders, physical therapy, physiotherapy and nerve block, local anesthetic, bupivacaine.     

Dose-Response and Self-Efficacy Effects of an Exercise Program on Vigor Change in Obese Women

BackgroundThe causative factors of exercise-induced mood change remain unclear. The objective of this study was to clarify the relationship of exercise with change in vigor (energy level).MethodsObese women in an exercise support treatment (n = 122) or control condition (n = 70) were assessed on vigor, exercise barriers self-efficacy, and physical self-concept at baseline and at month 6. Exercise session attendance was also assessed in the treatment group. The relationship between exercise attendance and vigor change was tested. Multiple regression analyses also tested whether change in vigor was predicted by exercise barriers self-efficacy and physical selfconcept scores, both at baseline and change over 6 months.ResultsVigor, exercise barriers self-efficacy, and physical self-concept were significantly improved in the treatment group only. Exercise session attendance was not significantly related to change in vigor. Multiple regression analyses indicated that exercise barriers self-efficacy and physical self-concept scores, both at baseline and change from baseline to month 6, explained a significant portion of the variance in changes in vigor (R²_adj = 0.13 and 0.21, respectively). In post hoc analyses, entry of depressed mood (indicated by a cut point on depression score) into the regression equations increased the variance accounted for to R²_adj = 0.15 and 0.25, respectively.ConclusionsFindings supported behavioral explanations of the exercise-mood change relationship emanating from social cognitive and self-efficacy theory. The use of manageable amounts of exercise early in the weight loss intervention process was suggested.