The Psychological Science Accelerator's COVID-19 rapid-response dataset.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Psychological Science Accelerator coordinated three large-scale psychological studies to examine the effects of loss-gain framing, cognitive reappraisals, and autonomy framing manipulations on behavioral intentions and affective measures. The data collected (April to October 2020) included specific measures for each experimental study, a general questionnaire examining health prevention behaviors and COVID-19 experience, geographical and cultural context characterization, and demographic information for each participant. Each participant started the study with the same general questions and then was randomized to complete either one longer experiment or two shorter experiments.

In COVID-19 Health Messaging, Loss Framing Increases Anxiety with Little-to-No Concomitant Benefits: Experimental Evidence from 84 Countries.

The COVID-19 pandemic (and its aftermath) highlights a critical need to communicate health information effectively to the global public. Given that subtle differences in information framing can have meaningful effects on behavior, behavioral science research highlights a pressing question: Is it more effective to frame COVID-19 health messages in terms of potential losses (e.g.

Refining the Definition of Polypharmacy and Its Link to Disability in Older Adults: Conceptualizing Necessary Polypharmacy, Unnecessary Polypharmacy, and Polypharmacy of Unclear Benefit.

The term polypharmacy in older adults is generally used in a pejorative context in the medical literature. Because of its link to geriatric syndromes and disability, the avoidance of polypharmacy is usually recommended in older adults as a strategy to optimize functional status. However, there are many polypharmacy regimens based on high-quality trials that clearly reduce the risk of disability in older adults.

The Risk of Pneumonia in Older Adults Using Nonbenzodiazepine Hypnotics.

Background: Previous studies have shown an increased risk of pneumonia with benzodiazepines (BZD) and an increased risk of any infection with non-BZD hypnotics, but no analysis has specifically investigated the risk of pneumonia with non-BZD hypnotic use.

Objective: To evaluate the risk of pneumonia associated with non-BZD hypnotic use in the elderly.

Methods: This was a retrospective case-control study of members aged 65 years and older enrolled in an integrated health care system.

Improving Care in Older Patients with Diabetes: A Focus on Glycemic Control.

Diabetes affects more than 25% of Americans older than age 65 years. The medical care of older patients must differ from the care of their younger counterparts. Older patients are at high risk of drug toxicity.

Risk of Injury in Older Adults Using Gastrointestinal Antispasmodic and Anticholinergic Medications.

Objectives: To determine the risk of injury associated with gastrointestinal (GI) antispasmodic and anticholinergic use in elderly adults.

Design: Retrospective case-control study.

Setting: Integrated healthcare system.

Risk of injury associated with skeletal muscle relaxant use in older adults.

Background: The use of skeletal muscle relaxants (SMRs) among older adults is associated with sedation and confusion, which may lead to an increased risk of falls and injuries. SMRs continue to be used among older adults, although they are on the Beers list as drugs to avoid in the elderly.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between SMR use and subsequent risk of injury.

From hospital to home: a brief nurse practitioner intervention for vulnerable older adults.

A randomized controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the impact of a brief nurse practitioner (NP) intervention on care transitions among older hospitalized adults discharged to home (N = 199). Immediately following discharge, participants randomly assigned to the intervention received up to three home visits and two telephone calls from a registered NP that included medication review, care coordination, assessment of medical care needs, and brief coaching in self-management skills. Usual care participants received all standard medical care, including access to case management services.

Life and death.

Advances in science are altering what it means to be human. So why aren't the candidates talking about it?