RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of caffeinated chewing gum on female softball pitching and hitting performance in trained female softball fielders and pitchers. METHODS: Twenty-four trained female softball players (10 pitchers and 14 fielders) were divided into a caffeine chewing gum trial (CAF) or a placebo trial (PLA) in a single-blind, randomized, crossover experimental design. Two pieces of gum containing 100 mg of caffeine (CAF) or without caffeine (PLA) were chewed for 10 minutes and then spit out, followed by a 15-minute warm-up. The physical tests included grip strength and countermovement jump (CMJ). The softball-specific tests included pitching or hitting. The two trials were separated by seven days. RESULTS: The CAF trial had significantly higher grip strength than the PAL trial in fielder (P=0.032, Cohen's d=0.29) and pitcher (P=0.016, Cohen's d=0.33). The height of CMJ in fielders was significantly higher in the CAF trial than in the PLA trial (P=0.015, Cohen's d=0.65) but not in pitchers (P=0.596, Cohen's d=0.15). The fielder's average and maximum batting exit speeds were significantly higher in the CAF trial than in the PLA trial (P<0.05). The average and max fastball speeds of the CAF trial were significantly higher than that of the PLA trial in pitchers (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The study showed that chewing gum containing two pieces of gum containing 100 mg of caffeine effectively improved female softball fielder's batting performance and pitcher's pitching performance.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) were developed for primary and secondary prevention of sudden cardiac death. However, ICD recipients' mortality is significantly predicted by their quality of life (QOL). The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the effects of psycho-educational interventions on QOL in patients with ICDs. METHODS: We systematically searched PubMed, Medline, Cochrane Library, and CINAHL through April 2015 and references of relevant articles. Studies were reviewed if they met following criteria: (1) randomized controlled trial, (2) participants were adults with an ICD, and (3) data were sufficient to evaluate the effect of psychological or educational interventions on QOL measured by the SF-36 or SF-12. Studies were independently selected and their data were extracted by two reviewers. Study quality was evaluated using a modified Jadad scale. The meta-analysis was conducted using the Cochrane Collaboration's Review Manager Software Package (RevMan 5). Study heterogeneity was assessed by Q statistics and I 2 statistic. Depending on heterogeneity, data were pooled across trials using fixed-effect or random-effect modeling. RESULTS: Seven randomized controlled trials fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and included 1017 participants. The psycho-educational interventions improved physical component summary (PCS) scores in the intervention groups more than in control groups (mean difference 2.08, 95 % CI 0.86 to 3.29, p < 0.001), but did not significantly affect mental component summary (MCS) scores (mean difference 0.84, 95 % CI -1.68 to 3.35, p = 0.52). CONCLUSION: Our meta-analysis demonstrates that psycho-educational interventions improved the physical component, but not the mental component of QOL in patients with ICDs.
Asunto(s)
Desfibriladores Implantables/psicología , Educación del Paciente como Asunto , Psicoterapia , Calidad de Vida/psicología , Adulto , Muerte Súbita Cardíaca/prevención & control , Indicadores de Salud , Humanos , Modelos Estadísticos , Evaluación de Resultado en la Atención de Salud , Educación del Paciente como Asunto/métodos , Psicoterapia/métodos , Ensayos Clínicos Controlados Aleatorios como AsuntoRESUMEN
Health technology dependence is a widely recognized concept that refers to the utilization of technology, including drugs, equipment, instruments, and related devices, to compensate for a physical disability or to prevent the progression of a disability. Although technology may significantly prolong the life of a patient, technology may also increase the psychological pressure of these patients and the burdens of their caregivers. There is a current dearth of related research and discussions related to the concept of "health technology dependency". Therefore, the present paper uses the strategies of concept analysis described by Walker & Avant (2010) to analyze this concept. The characteristic definition of health technology dependence addresses individuals who: (1) currently live with health technology, (2) may perceive physical or psychological burdens due to health technology, and (3) feel physical and psychological well-being when coping positively with their health technology dependency and, further, regard health technology as a part of their body. Further, the present paper uses case examples to help analyze the general concept. It is hoped that nurses may better understand the concept of "health technology dependency", consider the concerns of health-technology-dependent patients and their families, and develop relevant interventions to promote the well-being of these patients and their families.