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Madden S, Hill B, Hills AP, Skouteris H, Blewitt C, Ahuja KD. Environmental assessments in the workplace: an analysis of workplace wellbeing facilities for people of reproductive age. Public Health Res Pract 2024; 34:3412408. [PMID: 38569573 DOI: 10.17061/phrp3412408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the availability of resources at an Australian university workplace to support the health, wellbeing, and transition to parenthood of female employees working during the preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum periods. Type of program or service: Workplace health promotion for female employees of reproductive age. METHODS A survey of female employees aged 18-45 years evaluated participant health practices, availability of work and parenting supports, and access to health and wellbeing resources in the workplace. Additionally, an environmental assessment was completed by employees with a knowledge of local healthy lifestyle supports and a minimum of 2 years' employment. The assessment documented site characteristics and availability of wellbeing facilities across 10 campuses. RESULTS There were 241 valid survey responses. Of 221 respondents to a question about workplace support, 76% (n = 168) indicated that the workplace should play a role in supporting the transition to parenthood and in health promotion, with 64.1% of 223 participants disagreeing with the statement "my health is not the responsibility of the university". Both the survey and environmental assessment revealed that access to parenting resources to support employee health and wellbeing were suboptimal. LESSONS LEARNT There is a misalignment between the needs of female employees working during these health-defining life stages, and the availability of resources to support those needs. Regulatory guidance may be required to navigate resource gaps within the work environment and address factors impacting the health and wellbeing of employees of reproductive age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seonad Madden
- School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Australia; Health and Social Care Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Briony Hill
- Health and Social Care Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Andrew P Hills
- School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Australia
| | - Helen Skouteris
- Health and Social Care Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Warwick Business School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Claire Blewitt
- Health and Social Care Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kiran Dk Ahuja
- University of Tasmania School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine Launceston Australia;
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Sharma C, Ahuja KD, Kulkarni B, Byrne NM, Hills AP. Cardiovascular diseases in rural South Asia: the story of one billion people. J Epidemiol Community Health 2021; 75:927-928. [PMID: 34503980 DOI: 10.1136/jech-2021-216837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Chitra Sharma
- School of Health Sciences, University of Tasmania College of Health and Medicine, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Kiran Dk Ahuja
- School of Health Sciences, University of Tasmania College of Health and Medicine, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Bharati Kulkarni
- Clinical Division, National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Nuala M Byrne
- School of Health Sciences, University of Tasmania College of Health and Medicine, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Andrew P Hills
- School of Health Sciences, University of Tasmania College of Health and Medicine, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia
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Beckett JM, Bird ML, Pittaway JK, Ahuja KD. Diet and Multiple Sclerosis: Scoping Review of Web-Based Recommendations. Interact J Med Res 2019; 8:e10050. [PMID: 30626570 PMCID: PMC6329429 DOI: 10.2196/10050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2018] [Revised: 08/10/2018] [Accepted: 09/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background There is currently no scientific evidence supporting the use of specific diets in the management of multiple sclerosis (MS); the strongest dietary associations are observed with vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acid supplementation. Despite this, there are many websites that provide advice or suggestions about using various dietary approaches to control symptoms or disease progression. Objective The objective of this study was to assess the dietary advice for the symptomatic management of MS available on the internet. Methods This study was a systematic review of webpages that provided dietary advice for the management of MS. Webpages were selected from an internet search conducted in November 2016 using Google, Yahoo, and Bing search engines and the search term “MS diet.” The first two pages of results from each search engine were included for the initial assessment. Duplicates were removed. Data extracted from websites included specific advice relating to diet and its rationale and the citation of supporting scientific literature. Authorship and credential information were reviewed to assess webpage quality. Results We included 32 webpages in the final assessment. The webpages made a wide variety of specific recommendations regarding dietary patterns and individual foods to help manage MS. The most common dietary pattern advised on these webpages was the low-fat, high-fiber balanced diet, followed by the low-saturated fat diet, near-vegetarian Swank diet, and the Paleo diet. The main categories of individual foods or nutrients suggested for addition to the diet were: supplements (especially omega-3 and vitamin D), fruits, vegetables, and lean protein. In contrast, the most commonly recommended for removal were saturated fats, dairy, gluten-containing grains, and refined sugar. These recommendations were often accompanied by rationale relating to how the particular food or nutrient may affect the development, prevalence and symptoms of MS; however, very little of this information is supported by the current scientific evidence between diet and MS. Only 9 webpages provided full authorship including credential information. Conclusions There is a wide variety of Web-based dietary advice, which in some cases is contradictory. In most cases, this advice is the result of peoples’ individual experiences and has not been scientifically tested. How people living with MS use this information is not known. These findings highlight the important role health professionals can play in assisting people living with MS in their health information-seeking behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey M Beckett
- School of Health Sciences, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Australia
| | - Marie-Louise Bird
- GF Strong Rehabilitation Research Program, Department of Physical Therapy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Jane K Pittaway
- School of Health Sciences, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Australia
| | - Kiran Dk Ahuja
- School of Health Sciences, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Australia
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Cannell J, Jovic E, Rathjen A, Lane K, Tyson AM, Callisaya ML, Smith ST, Ahuja KD, Bird ML. The efficacy of interactive, motion capture-based rehabilitation on functional outcomes in an inpatient stroke population: a randomized controlled trial. Clin Rehabil 2017; 32:191-200. [PMID: 28719977 PMCID: PMC5777543 DOI: 10.1177/0269215517720790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Objective: To compare the efficacy of novel interactive, motion capture-rehabilitation software to usual care stroke rehabilitation on physical function. Design: Randomized controlled clinical trial. Setting: Two subacute hospital rehabilitation units in Australia. Participants: In all, 73 people less than six months after stroke with reduced mobility and clinician determined capacity to improve. Interventions: Both groups received functional retraining and individualized programs for up to an hour, on weekdays for 8–40 sessions (dose matched). For the intervention group, this individualized program used motivating virtual reality rehabilitation and novel gesture controlled interactive motion capture software. For usual care, the individualized program was delivered in a group class on one unit and by rehabilitation assistant 1:1 on the other. Main measures: Primary outcome was standing balance (functional reach). Secondary outcomes were lateral reach, step test, sitting balance, arm function, and walking. Results: Participants (mean 22 days post-stroke) attended mean 14 sessions. Both groups improved (mean (95% confidence interval)) on primary outcome functional reach (usual care 3.3 (0.6 to 5.9), intervention 4.1 (−3.0 to 5.0) cm) with no difference between groups (P = 0.69) on this or any secondary measures. No differences between the rehabilitation units were seen except in lateral reach (less affected side) (P = 0.04). No adverse events were recorded during therapy. Conclusion: Interactive, motion capture rehabilitation for inpatients post stroke produced functional improvements that were similar to those achieved by usual care stroke rehabilitation, safely delivered by either a physical therapist or a rehabilitation assistant.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Cannell
- 1 Faculty of Health, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia.,2 Tasmanian Health Service, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Emelyn Jovic
- 1 Faculty of Health, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia.,2 Tasmanian Health Service, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Amy Rathjen
- 1 Faculty of Health, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia.,2 Tasmanian Health Service, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Kylie Lane
- 1 Faculty of Health, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia.,2 Tasmanian Health Service, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Anna M Tyson
- 1 Faculty of Health, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia.,2 Tasmanian Health Service, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Michele L Callisaya
- 3 Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | | | - Kiran Dk Ahuja
- 1 Faculty of Health, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Marie-Louise Bird
- 1 Faculty of Health, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia.,5 Faculty of Medicine, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,6 GF Strong Research Rehabilitation Laboratory, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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Raj R, Ahuja KD, Frandsen M, Jose M. Symptoms and their recognition in adult haemodialysis patients: Interactions with quality of life. Nephrology (Carlton) 2017; 22:228-233. [PMID: 26891151 DOI: 10.1111/nep.12754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2015] [Revised: 02/14/2016] [Accepted: 02/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
AIM We investigated the symptom burden in adults on haemodialysis, the recognition of symptoms by nurses and nephrologists, and the relationship between symptoms and quality of life. METHODS In this cross-sectional observational study, symptoms and quality of life in haemodialysis patients were determined using validated surveys. Nurses and nephrologists independently estimated their patients' symptoms, and these estimates were compared with patient responses (sensitivity; kappa values for interrater agreement). Associations between symptoms and quality of life were assessed using multi-level regression. RESULTS Forty-three patients, 18 nurses and 3 nephrologists participated. The commonest symptoms (95%CI) reported by patients were weakness, 69% (53 to 82); poor mobility, 44% (29 to 60); and drowsiness, 44% (29 to 60). Sensitivity less than 50% was seen towards 11 of 17 symptoms in nurse ratings compared with 15 of 17 in nephrologist ratings. Agreement with patient symptom ratings was mostly 'fair' (0.21-0.4), with nurses' scores showing greater agreement than nephrologists'. Physical, mental and kidney disease component summary scores of quality of life were negatively associated with total symptom score and the number of 'major' symptoms (r2 values 0.3-0.36); while with multivariate regression, 50% to 60% of the variance in these scores was accounted for by parsimonious models containing symptoms such as pain and poor mobility. CONCLUSION Symptom burden worsened quality of life scores in haemodialysis patients. Clinician recognition of symptom burden was inaccurate, although nurses were more accurate than nephrologists. Using patient-completed surveys or including dialysis nurse feedback in routine outpatient settings may help improve symptom recognition by nephrologists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajesh Raj
- School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Kiran Dk Ahuja
- School of Health Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Mai Frandsen
- School of Health Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Matthew Jose
- School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
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Bird ML, Callisaya ML, Cannell J, Gibbons T, Smith ST, Ahuja KD. Accuracy, Validity, and Reliability of an Electronic Visual Analog Scale for Pain on a Touch Screen Tablet in Healthy Older Adults: A Clinical Trial. Interact J Med Res 2016; 5:e3. [PMID: 26769149 PMCID: PMC4731681 DOI: 10.2196/ijmr.4910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2015] [Revised: 09/07/2015] [Accepted: 09/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background New technology for clinical data collection is rapidly evolving and may be useful for both researchers and clinicians; however, this new technology has not been tested for accuracy, reliability, or validity. Objective This study aims to test the accuracy of visual analog scale (VAS) for pain on a newly designed application on the iPad (iPadVAS) and measure the reliability and validity of iPadVAS compared to a paper copy (paperVAS). Methods Accuracy was determined by physically measuring an iPad scale on screen and comparing it to the results from the program, with a researcher collecting 101 data points. A total of 22 healthy community dwelling older adults were then recruited to test reliability and validity. Each participant completed 8 VAS (4 using each tool) in a randomized order. Reliability was measured using interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and validity measured using Bland-Altman graphs and correlations. Results Of the measurements for accuracy, 64 results were identical, 2 results were manually measured as being 1 mm higher than the program, and 35 as 1 mm lower. Reliability for the iPadVAS was excellent with individual ICC 0.90 (95% CI 0.82-0.95) and averaged ICC 0.97 (95% CI 0.95-1.0) observed. Linear regression demonstrated a strong relationship with a small negative bias towards the iPad (−2.6, SD 5.0) with limits of agreement from −12.4 to 7.1. Conclusions The iPadVAS provides a convenient, user-friendly, and efficient way of collecting data from participants in measuring their current pain levels. It has potential use in documentation management and may encourage participatory healthcare. Trial Registration Australia New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR): 367297; https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=367297&isReview=true (Archived by Webcite at http://www.webcitation.org/6d9xYoUbD).
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Louise Bird
- School of Health Sciences, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Australia
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Animal and some human studies have indicated that the consumption of chili-containing meals increases energy expenditure and fat oxidation, which may help to reduce obesity and related disorders. Because habitual diets affect the activity and responsiveness of receptors involved in regulating and transporting nutrients, the effects of regular consumption of chili on metabolic responses to meals require investigation. OBJECTIVE The objective was to investigate the metabolic effects of a chili-containing meal after the consumption of a bland diet and a chili-blend (30 g/d; 55% cayenne chili) supplemented diet. DESIGN Thirty-six subjects with a mean (+/-SD) age of 46 +/- 12 y and a body mass index (in kg/m2) of 26.3 +/- 4.6 participated in a randomized, crossover, intervention study with 2 dietary periods (chili and bland) of 4 wk each. The postprandial effects of a bland meal after a bland diet (BAB), a chili meal after a bland diet (CAB), and a chili meal after a chili-containing diet (CAC) were evaluated. Serum insulin, C-peptide, and glucose concentrations and energy expenditure (EE) were measured at fasting and up to 120 min postprandially. RESULTS Significant heterogeneity was observed between the meals for the maximum increase in insulin and the incremental area under the curve (iAUC) for insulin (P = 0.0002); the highest concentrations were with the BAB meal and the lowest with the CAC meal. When separated at the median BMI (26.3), the subjects with a BMI > or = 26.3 also showed heterogeneity in C-peptide, iAUC C-peptide, and net AUC EE (P < 0.02 for all); the highest values occurred after the BAB meal and the lowest after the CAC meal. Conversely, the C-peptide/insulin quotient (an indicator of hepatic insulin clearance) was highest after the CAC meal (P = 0.002). CONCLUSION Regular consumption of chili may attenuate postprandial hyperinsulinemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiran Dk Ahuja
- School of Human Life Sciences, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Australia
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