Publications by authors named "Aliki Karkala"
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to compare the impacts of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) and Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome (OHS) on physical activity, mental health, and quality of life among obese patients, the first of its kind in literature.
- A total of 76 obese patients (48 with OSAS and 26 with OHS) underwent various assessments, including physical activity and mental health questionnaires, revealing that both groups experienced similar mental health outcomes but differed significantly in physical activity levels.
- Findings indicated that while both conditions impair quality of life, patients with OHS faced a greater reduction in daily physical activity compared to those with OSAS, potentially linked to complications like daytime hypercapnia.
Article Synopsis
- Tobacco smoking increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and is linked to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), both of which contribute to significant health issues.
- There is limited research on how pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation, like nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), bupropion, and varenicline, impacts OSA and cardiovascular health, with some studies showing mixed results.
- Personalized treatment is crucial for smokers with OSA during cessation attempts, and more research is needed to assess the effectiveness and safety of smoking cessation medications in this population.
The ongoing global health crisis due to the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has significantly impacted all aspects of life. While the majority of early research following the coronavirus disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) has focused on the physiological effects of the virus, a substantial body of subsequent studies has shown that the psychological burden of the infection is also considerable. Patients, even without mental illness history, were at increased susceptibility to developing mental health and sleep disturbances during or after the COVID-19 infection.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: The aim of this study was to assess the mental health and sleep quality of aviation workers in Greece during the pandemic.
Methods: A cross-sectional study of aviation workers in Greece was conducted.
Results: Sleep disturbances were observed in 25.
Article Synopsis
- Short-arm human centrifugation (SAHC) is suggested as a new treatment to help individuals with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis by using artificial gravity for physical rehabilitation.* -
- A 4-week training program with SAHC showed improvements in cardiovascular health, muscle oxygen use, and brain wave activity, indicating positive physical and neurological changes.* -
- The study's findings support the idea that SAHC could reduce disability and enhance balance in multiple sclerosis patients, paving the way for more rigorous future research.*
Arterial Stiffness Alterations in Simulated Microgravity and Reactive Sledge as a Countermeasure.
High Blood Press Cardiovasc Prev
January 2022
Introduction: Experiments during spaceflight and simulated microgravity as head-down tilt bedrest, demonstrated the role of arterial stiffness among others, in microgravity induced cardiovascular pathologies and emphasized the need for a robust countermeasure.
Aim: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the use of a new countermeasure, consisting of a high intensity Reactive Sledge (RSL) jumps training protocol, to counteract changes in arterial stiffness during long term head down tilt bedrest (LTBR).
Methods: The participants enrolled in the study were 23 male, healthy volunteers, aged between 20 and 45 years, subjected to LTBR for 60 days and randomly assigned either to a control (11) or to a training sledge (12) group using RSL 3-4 times per week, as a countermeasure.
Article Synopsis
- This review examines how physiological changes in the central nervous system (CNS) during inter-planetary missions affect sensorimotor processing and sleep disorders.
- It highlights the negative impacts of isolation, confinement, and stress on cognitive function, which could jeopardize the success of space missions.
- The study suggests that while current countermeasures target cardiovascular and musculoskeletal issues, future research should focus on advanced neuroscientific methods to monitor cognitive health and improve mission effectiveness.