Early intervention for psychosomatic symptoms of adolescents in school checkup.

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of early medical intervention for psychosocial problems detected in adolescents in a school health checkup, with the broader goal of prevention of these problems in adolescents.

Methods: The Questionnaire for Triage and Assessment with 30 items score and scores for five subscales (physical symptoms, depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms, self-efficacy, and family function), and an investigation of lifestyle were determined in a school health checkup for 5th grade elementary to 3rd grade junior high school students. Forty-three children were found to be at high risk for psychosomatic disorder, of whom 18 then received a medical intervention (early intervention group) and 25 did not (non-intervention group).

Wheezing Characteristics and Predicting Reactivity to Inhaled β2-Agonist in Children for Home Medical Care.

Given that wheezing is treated with inhaled β2-agonists, their effect should be reviewed before the condition becomes severe; however, few methods can currently predict reactivity to inhaled β2-agonists. We investigated whether preinhalation wheezing characteristics identified by lung sound analysis can predict reactivity to inhaled β2-agonists. In 202 children aged 10-153 months, wheezing was identified by auscultation.

Wheeze Recognition Algorithm for Remote Medical Care Device in Children: Validation Study.

Background: Since 2020, peoples' lifestyles have been largely changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide. In the medical field, although many patients prefer remote medical care, this prevents the physician from examining the patient directly; thus, it is important for patients to accurately convey their condition to the physician. Accordingly, remote medical care should be implemented and adaptable home medical devices are required.

Late bedtime reflects QTA30 anxiety symptoms in adolescents in a school checkup.

Background: In adolescence, physical symptoms may develop due to psychosocial problems but such problems are not fully evaluated in school medical checkups. The aim of this study was to compare lifestyle factors with psychosomatic symptoms in adolescents using the subscales of the Questionnaire for Triage and Assessment with 30 items (QTA30) in school health checkups.

Methods: The QTA30 was used in checkups for 3,414 students from the fifth grade of primary school to the third grade of junior high school in south Wakayama prefecture.

A wheeze recognition algorithm for practical implementation in children.

Background: The detection of wheezes as an exacerbation sign is important in certain respiratory diseases. However, few highly accurate clinical methods are available for automatic detection of wheezes in children. This study aimed to develop a wheeze detection algorithm for practical implementation in children.

Wheeze sound characteristics are associated with nighttime sleep disturbances in younger children.

Background: Wheezing is a typical symptom of respiratory conditions. Few objective methods are available for predicting sleep disturbance in young children with wheezing.

Objective: We investigated whether wheezing characteristics, detected by lung-sound analysis, were associated with risk of sleep disturbance.

Utility of the QTA30 in a school medical checkup for adolescent students.

Background: In adolescence, physical symptoms may develop due to psychosocial problems, but such problems are not fully evaluated in school medical checkups. The aim of the study was to compare the characteristics of students with high and low scores on the Questionnaire for Triage and Assessment with 30 items (QTA30) in a school health checkup.

Methods: The QTA30 (a self-completed questionnaire) was used in checkups for 3,414 students from the 5th grade of primary schools to the 3rd grade of junior high schools in south Wakayama Prefecture.

Treatment evaluation using lung sound analysis in asthmatic children.

Background And Objective: Non-invasive assessment of treatment and prediction of attacks in asthmatic children do not yet exist. Lung sound analysis can non-invasively evaluate airway obstruction. We used a recently developed technology for analysing lung sounds using ic700 (index of the chest wall at 700 Hz, sound intensity at 700 Hz) to evaluate response to inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) in asthmatic children.

Changes in lung sounds during asthma progression in a guinea pig model.

Background: Lung sound analysis is useful for objectively evaluating airways even in children with asymptomatic asthma. However, the relationship between lung sounds and morphological changes in the airways has not been elucidated. We examined the relationship between lung sounds and chronic morphological changes in the airways during the progression of asthma from onset in guinea pigs.

Evaluation of airflow limitation using a new modality of lung sound analysis in asthmatic children.

Background: Reliable assessment of not only symptoms but also lung function is essential in asthma management. We developed a new technology for analyzing lung sounds and assessed its clinical usefulness in asthmatic children.

Methods: Forty-four children underwent lung sound recording with simultaneous airflow measurement using a sensor on the upper right anterior chest.

Evaluation of airway responsiveness using colored three-dimensional analyses of a new forced oscillation technique in controlled asthmatic and nonasthmatic children.

Background: Bronchodilator response (BDR) is routinely used in asthma management. A new forced oscillation technique (FOT) is able to quickly measure respiratory system resistance (Rrs) and reactance (Xrs) at each tidal breath phase. The present study evaluated bronchial changes by using the new FOT.

A New Modality Using Breath Sound Analysis to Evaluate the Control Level of Asthma.

Background: Reliable symptom assessment is essential in asthma management. We developed new technology for analyzing breath sounds and assessed its clinical usefulness for monitoring asthmatic children.

Methods: Eighty asthmatic children and 59 non-asthmatic children underwent breath sound analysis in an asymptomatic state.

A new modality using breath sound analysis to evaluate the control level of asthma.

Background: Reliable symptom assessment is essential in asthma management. We developed new technology for analyzing breath sounds and assessed its clinical usefulness for monitoring asthmatic children.

Methods: Eighty asthmatic children and 59 non-asthmatic children underwent breath sound analysis in an asymptomatic state.

The effect of Lactobacillus brevis KB290 against irritable bowel syndrome: a placebo-controlled double-blind crossover trial.

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional disorder of the digestive tract that causes chronic abdominal symptoms. We evaluated the effects of Lactobacillus brevis KB290 (KB290), which has been demonstrated to be effective at improving bowel movements and the composition of intestinal microflora, on IBS symptoms.

Methods: We performed a placebo control double-blind cross matched trial.

Japanese clinical guidelines for chronic pain in children and adolescents.

Chronic pain is a common problem in pediatric practice. The prevalence of chronic pain in children is >30%. Because pain indicates emotional expression as well as the physiological reaction toward infection, injury, and inflammation, both physiological and psychological assessments are essential to determine primary interventions for chronic pain.

Changes in the highest frequency of breath sounds without wheezing during methacholine inhalation challenge in children.

Background And Objective: It is difficult for clinicians to identify changes in breath sounds caused by bronchoconstriction when wheezing is not audible. A breath sound analyser can identify changes in the frequency of breath sounds caused by bronchoconstriction. The present study aimed to identify the changes in the frequency of breath sounds during bronchoconstriction and bronchodilatation using a breath sound analyser.

High-pitched breath sounds indicate airflow limitation in asymptomatic asthmatic children.

Background And Objective: Asthmatic children may have airway dysfunction even when asymptomatic, indicating that their long-term treatment is less than optimal. Although airway dysfunction can be identified on lung function testing, performing these tests can be difficult in infants. We studied whether breath sounds reflect subtle airway dysfunction in asthmatic children.