Implementing a new multidisciplinary, remote, dementia staff training program for Veterans affairs nursing homes.

Background: Preventing Loss of Independence through Exercise (PLIÉ) is a group program for people living with dementia that combines movements to support daily function with present moment body awareness and social engagement that has been found to have physical, emotional, social, and cognitive benefits. The goal of this study was to develop and refine a PLIÉ remote training program for interdisciplinary Veterans Affairs (VA) nursing home staff members also known as community living center (CLC) staff.

Methods: This pre-implementation study used iterative Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles.

Livestream, group movement program for people living with cognitive impairment and care partners: A randomized clinical trial.

Introduction: There are few widely-available, evidence-based options to support quality of life (QOL) for people living with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.

Methods: We performed a randomized, controlled trial with a Waitlist control group to determine whether an online, livestream, mind-body, group movement program (Moving Together, 1 hour, 2 days/week, 12 weeks) improves QOL in people with cognitive impairment (PWCI) or care partners (CPs) and explore mechanisms of action. The primary outcome for both participants was self-reported QOL.

Survivorship wellness: a multidisciplinary group program for cancer survivors.

Purpose: National mandates require cancer centers provide comprehensive survivorship care. We created an 8-session, group intervention, the Survivorship Wellness Group Program (SWGP), that covered 8 topics: nutrition, physical activity, stress, sleep/fatigue, sexuality/body image, emotional wellbeing/fear of cancer recurrence, spirituality/meaning, and health promotion/goal setting. This study examined the acceptability and preliminary outcomes of SWGP.

The cross-cultural adaptation and psychometric properties of the menstrual symptom questionnaire (MSQ) among Chinese women of reproductive age.

Objective: This study reports on a translation of the Menstrual Symptom Questionnaire (MSQ) into Chinese, a cross-cultural adaptation among Chinese women of reproductive age, and an assessment of its reliability and validity.

Methods: Previously published translation guidelines were followed to translate and cross-culturally adapt the English version of MSQ to produce a Chinese version. This Chinese version was then administered to 2800 Chinese women of reproductive age recruited by convenience sampling method.

Adaptation of an In-Person Mind-Body Movement Program for People with Cognitive Impairment or Dementia and Care Partners for Online Delivery: Feasibility, Satisfaction and Participant-Reported Outcomes.

Background: Preventing Loss of Independence through Exercise (PLIÉ) is an in-person group mind-body movement program for people across the spectrum of cognitive decline and care partners (CPs).

Objective: This study developed and refined an online version called Moving Together and tested feasibility and satisfaction with an online delivery.

Methods: In Phase 1, we used qualitative methods to determine which elements of the in-person program were essential to retain for the online version and adaptations that would be needed to support the user experience.

The relationship between coping self-efficacy and B cells in breast cancer patients.

Background: Breast cancer is the most common tumor among women throughout the world. Diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer are associated with stress and depression. Self-efficacy is one of the most important personal characteristics, studied in cancer, and is correlated with depression and immunity.

Rapid Conversion of a Group-Based Yoga Trial for Diverse Older Women to Home-Based Telehealth: Lessons Learned Using Zoom to Deliver Movement-Based Interventions.

This brief report describes the rapid conversion of a randomized trial of a Hatha-based yoga program for older women with urinary incontinence to a telehealth videoconference platform during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Interim results demonstrate the feasibility of recruiting and retaining participants across a wide range of ages and ethnic backgrounds, but also point to potential obstacles and safety concerns arising from telehealth-based instruction. The investigators present lessons learned about the benefits and challenges of using telehealth platforms to deliver movement-based interventions and consider strategies to promote accessible and well-tolerated telehealth-based yoga programs for older and diverse populations.

Capnometric feedback training decreases 24-h blood pressure in hypertensive postmenopausal women.

Background: High normal resting pCO is a risk factor for salt sensitivity of blood pressure (BP) in normotensive humans and has been associated with higher resting systolic BP in postmenopausal women. To date, however, no known studies have investigated the effects of regular practice of voluntary mild hypocapnic breathing on BP in hypertensive patients. The objective of the present research was to test the hypothesis that capnometric feedback training can decrease both resting pCO and 24-h BP in a series of mildly hypertensive postmenopausal women.

Preventing Loss of Independence through Exercise (PLIÉ): A Pilot Trial in Older Adults with Subjective Memory Decline and Mild Cognitive Impairment.

Background: Preventing Loss of Independence through Exercise (PLIÉ) is a group movement program initially developed for people with mild-to-moderate dementia that integrates principles from several well-established traditions to specifically address the needs of people with cognitive impairment.

Objective: To investigate whether PLIÉ would benefit cognitive and behavioral outcomes and functional brain connectivity in older adults with milder forms of cognitive impairment.

Methods: Participants (≥55 y) with subjective memory decline (SMD) or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) were assessed with tests of cognitive and physical function, self-report questionnaires, and resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) on a 3 Tesla scanner before and after participating in twice weekly PLIÉ classes for 12 weeks at the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Dyadic Group Exercises for Persons with Memory Deficits and Care Partners: Mixed-Method Findings from the Paired Preventing Loss of Independence through Exercise (PLIÉ) Randomized Trial.

Background: Non-pharmacological therapies for persons with dementia (PWD) are needed.

Objective: To develop and test the Paired Preventing Loss of Independence through Exercise (PLIÉ) program, an integrative group movement program for PWD and care partners (CPs).

Methods: Participants were randomized to immediate or delayed start to Paired PLIÉ in community-based classes (1 hour, 2 days/week, 12 weeks, 3 home visits).

Strategies for evaluating self-efficacy and observed success in the practice of yoga postures for therapeutic indications: methods from a yoga intervention for urinary incontinence among middle-aged and older women.

Background: Most clinical investigations involving yoga lack adequate description of the specific yoga elements, including physical postures. Few studies have measured self-efficacy regarding the performance of yoga postures or assessed observed success in performing postures.

Methods: We developed and piloted several tools to evaluate self-efficacy and observed success in practicing yoga in the context of a randomized feasibility trial of an Iyengar-based yoga intervention for urinary incontinence in ambulatory women ≥50 years.

Perceived stress is associated with a higher symptom burden in cancer survivors.

Background: Although multiple co-occurring symptoms are a significant problem for cancer survivors, to the authors' knowledge little is known regarding the phenotypic characteristics associated with a higher symptom burden. The objectives of the current study were to evaluate the occurrence, severity, and distress associated with 32 symptoms and examine the phenotypic and stress characteristics associated with a higher symptom burden.

Methods: A total of 623 cancer survivors completed a demographic questionnaire, as well as measures of functional status, comorbidity, and global (Perceived Stress Scale) and cancer-related (Impact of Event Scale-Revised) stress.

Deleterious Effects of Higher Body Mass Index on Subjective and Objective Measures of Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Cancer Survivors.

Context: Recent, albeit, limited evidence suggests that body mass index (BMI) may be a modifiable risk factor to reduce the deleterious effects of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) in cancer survivors.

Objectives: To evaluate for differences in demographic, clinical, pain, sensation, and balance characteristics among three BMI groups. We hypothesized that as BMI increased, survivors would report higher pain intensity scores and have significant decrements in measures of sensation and balance.

Age-related differences in patient-reported and objective measures of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy among cancer survivors.

Purpose: While older adults with cancer are more likely to develop chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), the study aimed to determine if patient-reported and objective measures of CIPN differ by age among cancer survivors.

Methods: Cancer survivors with persistent CIPN after completion of platinum and/or taxane chemotherapy completed CIPN questionnaires (severity, interference with activities, sensory, and motor symptoms) and objective testing (light touch, vibration, pain, cold sensation). CIPN measures were compared by age group (< 65 n = 260 versus ≥ 65 n = 165) using parametric and nonparametric tests.

A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing Three Brief Group Interventions for Individuals With Tinnitus.

Background: Tinnitus (ie, ear or head noises not caused by external sounds) is common among the general population and is the most prevalent service-connected disability in the United States' Department of Veterans Affairs system. While numerous clinical interventions have been created to systematically address the range of issues caused by tinnitus, only a few tinnitus interventions have focused on both teaching and assessing coping strategies. The present pilot study involved a randomized clinical trial comparing 3 brief group interventions to a usual-care (UC) group (ie, a wait-list control group): the first intervention based on acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), a second based on cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and a third based on coping effectiveness training (CET).

Performance of the BioPlex 2200 HIV Ag-Ab assay for identifying acute HIV infection.

Background: Assays that detect HIV antigen (Ag) and antibody (Ab) can be used to screen for HIV infection.

Objectives: To compare the performance of the BioPlex 2200 HIV Ag-Ab assay and two other Ag/Ab combination assays for detection of acute HIV infection.

Study Design: Samples were obtained from 24 individuals (18 from the US, 6 from South Africa); these individuals were classified as having acute infection based on the following criteria: positive qualitative RNA assay; two negative rapid tests; negative discriminatory test.

Veterans Group Exercise: A randomized pilot trial of an Integrative Exercise program for veterans with posttraumatic stress.

Background: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is prevalent among military veterans and is associated with significant negative health outcomes. However, stigma and other barriers to care prevent many veterans from pursuing traditional mental health treatment. We developed a group-based Integrative Exercise (IE) program combining aerobic and resistance exercise, which is familiar to veterans, with mindfulness-based practices suited to veterans with PTSD.

A 12-week integrative exercise program improves self-reported mindfulness and interoceptive awareness in war veterans with posttraumatic stress symptoms.

Objective: Innovative approaches to the treatment of war-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are needed. We report on secondary psychological outcomes of a randomized controlled trial of integrative exercise (IE) using aerobic and resistance exercise with mindfulness-based principles and yoga. We expected-in parallel to observed improvements in PTSD intensity and quality of life-improvements in mindfulness, interoceptive bodily awareness, and positive states of mind.

The Effect of Yoga on Arm Volume, Strength, and Range of Motion in Women at Risk for Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema.

Objectives: To assess the feasibility, safety, and initial estimates of efficacy of a yoga program in postoperative care for women at high risk for breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL).

Design: Single-group pretest-post-test design.

Settings/location: Patients were recruited from the University of California, San Francisco Carol Franc Buck Breast Care Center.

Feasibility and Preliminary Efficacy of a Novel RDoC-Based Treatment Program for Adolescent Depression: "Training for Awareness Resilience and Action" (TARA)-A Pilot Study.

Background: The novel group treatment program Training for Awareness, Resilience, and Action (TARA) was developed to target specific mechanisms based on neuroscience findings in adolescent depression and framed within the National Institute of Mental Health Research Domain Criteria. TARA contains training of autonomic and emotional self-regulation, interoceptive awareness, relational skills, and value-based committed action.

Methods: We performed a single-arm trial to test the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of TARA in reducing depression and anxiety levels and assessed whether the specific targeted domains of function reflected the hypothesized symptom change.