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- Jensen, Martin, et al.
(författare)
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Neurofeedback for tinnitus : study protocol for a randomised controlled trial assessing the specificity of an alpha/delta neurofeedback training protocol in alleviating both sound perception and psychological distress in a cohort of chronic tinnitus sufferers
- 2020
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Ingår i: Trials. - : BioMed Central. - 1745-6215. ; 21:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BackgroundTinnitus is a particularly common condition and can have debilitating psychological consequences for certain people. Although several interventions have been helpful in teaching individuals to better cope with tinnitus, no cure exists at present. Neurofeedback is an emerging treatment modality in tinnitus. Previous studies, utilising an alpha/delta training protocol, have shown promise. However, they were characterised by small sample sizes and a lack of neurofeedback control conditions. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate whether an alpha/delta neurofeedback training protocol, compared to beta/theta neurofeedback or a diary control group, is effective in reducing not only the tinnitus sound perception but also the psychological symptoms associated with the condition.MethodsThe study is designed as a three-armed randomised controlled trial. Participants are randomly assigned to a) an established neurofeedback protocol for tinnitus (alpha/delta training), b) an active control group (beta/theta training) or c) a diary control group. In the 4-week intervention period, participants in both neurofeedback groups undergo 10 sessions, whereas participants in the diary control group complete a bi-weekly diary. The primary outcomes are between group differences in tinnitus sound perception change, as measured with the Tinnitus Magnitude Index (TMI), and changes in tinnitus distress, measured with the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), 4 weeks after the start of the intervention. Secondary outcome measures include changes in tinnitus distress, sleep quality, depressive symptoms and whether neurofeedback leads to specific power changes in the trained frequency bands.DiscussionThis is the first randomised controlled trial examining the efficacy of an alpha/delta neurofeedback training protocol in reducing tinnitus sound perception and the distress associated with the condition. Compared to former studies, the present study is designed to assess both the specificity of an alpha/delta neurofeedback training protocol by including an active comparator and beta/theta neurofeedback training, in addition to controlling for placebo effects by the inclusion of a diary control group. This study aims to contribute to an understanding of the influences of both specific and non-specific effects in neurofeedback treatment for tinnitus.
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| 2. |
- Forsell, Karl, 1975-
(författare)
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Health hazards and cancer in relation to occupational exposures among Swedish seafarers
- 2018
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- This thesis explores health hazards for seafarers in the Swedish merchant fleet, and occupational risks for lung cancer, mesothelioma and hematologic malignancy (HM). A special focus has been exposure to benzene and biomarker levels for work on product or chemical tankers during the mid-1990’ies.In a case report, we describe two cases of mesothelioma and two cases of lung cancer having worked in the engine room. Cumulative exposure to asbestos were up to 5 fibreyears. Other exposures were carcinogenic PAHs and nitroarenes. A web-based survey to active seafarers in the Swedish merchant fleet revealed noise, the risk of accidents, whole-body vibrations and ergonomic strain as main work environment problems. General health, work ability and safety climate were all rated high. Associations were found between lower airway symptoms and soot (PR 2.4, 95% CI 1.1-5.1) and between hearing impairment and noise exposure (PR 1.5; 95% CI 1.3–1.7). Iso-strain was especially common in the service department. Twenty-two percent of men and 45% of women had been subjected to harassments. The tanker study showed a geometric mean for benzene exposure of 0.45 mg/m3 (4hTWA) during a work shift, with a wide range (0.02-143 mg/m3). Correlations were found between exposure and benzene in alveolar air (p<0.0001), unmetabolised benzene in urine (p<0.0001) and ttMA in urine (p=0.0011). All biomarkers increased significantly during work (p<0.002). In a case-referent study with the observation period 1985 to 2014, the OR for HM was 1.32 (95% CI 0.86-2.02) if work on tankers had started before 1985 and with a cumulated tanker service of at least five years. If work on tankers had started after 1985, the OR was 0.85 (95% CI 0.51-1.43).In conclusion, health hazards in today’s seafaring relate to physical, chemical and psychosocial factors. Work on tankers with mixed open and closed cargo systems might have led to important benzene up-take. Possibly, the risk for HM for seafarers on tankers has decreased during the last decades.
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| 3. |
- Granlund, Lena, 1960-
(författare)
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Vitamin D deficiency in Northern Sweden : a cross-sectional study of an immigrant population at latitude 63° N, including an open partially randomized, controlled trial studying the effect of supplementation with different doses of cholecalciferol
- 2018
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background: Vitamin D is a prohormone that plays a key role in the calcium and phosphate balance and has physiological functions throughout the entire body. Vitamin D is supplied by exposure to ultraviolet light or by food. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in immigrants in Northern Sweden was unknown. There was no consensus on how to define or treat vitamin D deficiency and no pure preparations of cholecalciferol available in Sweden.Aims: To study the prevalence and determinants of vitamin D deficiency in immigrants of African and Middle Eastern origin, to examine associations between vitamin D status and muscle strength, anxiety, depression and quality of life, and to determine the effect of supplementation with cholecalciferol on 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 [25(OH)D] and vitamin D status.Methods: 1. A cross-sectional, population-based study. Immigrants ages 25-65 from Africa and the Middle East (n=1306) living in Umeå, Sweden, were invited to participate. A total of 111 men and 106 women (16.5%) participated. 25(OH)D was measured by LC-MsMs. Anthropometry, medical, socioeconomic and lifestyle data was registered. Examinations: lower limb muscle strength, grip strength, HAD, health-related quality of life (QoL) 2. An open, partially randomized, controlled trial including immigrants from Africa or the Middle East, 192 subjects screened, 160 included and 147 completed the study. Intervention: cholecalciferol 12±2 weeks, 4 parallel groups; Group 1: 25(OH)D <25nmol/L: 10000 IU/d, Groups 2a and 2b: 25(OH)D 25-49 nmol/L: 2000 IU/d or 2000 IU/w, Group 3: 25(OH)D 50-74 nmol/L: 2000 IU/d.Results: Twelve percent of the immigrants showed a vitamin D deficiency (25(OH)D ˂25 nmol/L) and 73 % showed 25(OH)D ˂50 nmol/L. Vitamin D deficiency was twice as common in African immigrants as in the Middle Eastern group. Vitamin D deficiency was associated with intake of fatty fish less than once a week, absence of travel abroad and use of long-sleeved clothing in summer. Lower limb muscle strength was associated with 25(OH)D levels and weaker grip strength was associated with vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency was not associated with anxiety, depression or QoL in the total immigrant population. In Middle Eastern women, in whom prevalence of anxiety was higher, anxiety was associated with 25(OH)D ≤49 nmol/L. Oral cholecalciferol was effective in increasing 25(OH)D. At study end, 100% in Group 1, 89% in Group 2a, 55% in Group 2b and 96% in Group 3 reached adequate vitamin D status (25(OH)D ˃50 nmol/L). In Group 1; 62 % reached 25(OH)D ≥125 nmol/L.Conclusions: Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency was common in the immigrant group and no difference was shown between men and women. A diet including a high intake of fatty fish was most important in avoiding vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D status was associated with muscle strength in all immigrants. Vitamin D deficiency was not associated with anxiety, depression or QoL in the immigrants. In female immigrants from the Middle East, anxiety was associated with 25(OH)D levels ≤49 nmol/L. Supplementation with cholecalciferol 2000 IU/day for three months was safe in healthy individuals with initial 25(OH)D 25-49 nmol/L, but monitoring is warranted since 11 % did not attain sufficient vitamin D status. The dose 10 000 IU/day in patients with initial 25(OH)D <25 nmol/L was unnecessarily high.
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