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Trial of the MIND Diet for Prevention of Cognitive Decline in Older Persons.
Barnes, LL, Dhana, K, Liu, X, Carey, VJ, Ventrelle, J, Johnson, K, Hollings, CS, Bishop, L, Laranjo, N, Stubbs, BJ, et al
The New England journal of medicine. 2023;389(7):602-611
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Lifestyle interventions targeting diet are a possible approach that could affect public health. Most clinical trials have investigated comprehensive diets, in contrast to dietary manipulation of single foods or nutrients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a 3-year dietary intervention on cognitive decline and brain-imaging markers of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease in older, cognitively unimpaired adults at risk for dementia because of family history. This study was a 3-year, two-site, randomised, controlled trial. The participants were randomly assigned to follow the MIND diet with mild caloric restriction for weight loss or their usual diet with the same mild caloric restriction for weight loss (control diet). Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio. Results showed that the participants who followed the MIND diet had small improvements in a global measure of cognition that were similar to those who followed a control diet with mild caloric restriction. Authors concluded that brain health, cognitive function and brain imaging outcomes (after 3 years) did not differ significantly between participants who followed the MIND diet and those who followed a control diet with a mild caloric restriction.
Abstract
BACKGROUND Findings from observational studies suggest that dietary patterns may offer protective benefits against cognitive decline, but data from clinical trials are limited. The Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay, known as the MIND diet, is a hybrid of the Mediterranean diet and the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet, with modifications to include foods that have been putatively associated with a decreased risk of dementia. METHODS We performed a two-site, randomized, controlled trial involving older adults without cognitive impairment but with a family history of dementia, a body-mass index (the weight in kilograms divided by the square of the height in meters) greater than 25, and a suboptimal diet, as determined by means of a 14-item questionnaire, to test the cognitive effects of the MIND diet with mild caloric restriction as compared with a control diet with mild caloric restriction. We assigned the participants in a 1:1 ratio to follow the intervention or the control diet for 3 years. All the participants received counseling regarding adherence to their assigned diet plus support to promote weight loss. The primary end point was the change from baseline in a global cognition score and four cognitive domain scores, all of which were derived from a 12-test battery. The raw scores from each test were converted to z scores, which were averaged across all tests to create the global cognition score and across component tests to create the four domain scores; higher scores indicate better cognitive performance. The secondary outcome was the change from baseline in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-derived measures of brain characteristics in a nonrandom sample of participants. RESULTS A total of 1929 persons underwent screening, and 604 were enrolled; 301 were assigned to the MIND-diet group and 303 to the control-diet group. The trial was completed by 93.4% of the participants. From baseline to year 3, improvements in global cognition scores were observed in both groups, with increases of 0.205 standardized units in the MIND-diet group and 0.170 standardized units in the control-diet group (mean difference, 0.035 standardized units; 95% confidence interval, -0.022 to 0.092; P = 0.23). Changes in white-matter hyperintensities, hippocampal volumes, and total gray- and white-matter volumes on MRI were similar in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS Among cognitively unimpaired participants with a family history of dementia, changes in cognition and brain MRI outcomes from baseline to year 3 did not differ significantly between those who followed the MIND diet and those who followed the control diet with mild caloric restriction. (Funded by the National Institute on Aging; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02817074.).
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Effectiveness of Mindfulness Meditation vs Headache Education for Adults With Migraine: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
Wells, RE, O'Connell, N, Pierce, CR, Estave, P, Penzien, DB, Loder, E, Zeidan, F, Houle, TT
JAMA internal medicine. 2021;181(3):317-328
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Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), a standardized mind-body treatment that teaches momentary awareness with decreased sensory percept judgment, is associated with improvements in many chronic pain conditions. Mindfulness may be particularly helpful for migraine, as it diminishes affective responses to stress, the most common migraine trigger. This study is a double-blinded, randomized clinical trial of MBSR vs headache education for adults with migraine. The study enrolled 96 participants out of which 89 participants attended at least 1 class and completed at least 1 headache log (MBSR, 45; headache education, 44) across 7 cohorts. Participants were randomly assigned to one of the two arms. Results indicate that participants in both groups demonstrated a reduction of migraine days per month from baseline at 12 weeks. Furthermore, both groups sustained reductions in frequency of migraine and headache without group differences. Compared with headache education, MBSR participants had improvements in headache-related disability, quality of life, depression scores, self-efficacy, pain catastrophizing, and decreased experimentally induced pain intensity and unpleasantness out to 36 weeks. Authors conclude that mindfulness may help treat the total burden of migraine. However, a larger, more definitive study is needed to understand the impact of mindfulness on migraine.
Abstract
Importance: Migraine is the second leading cause of disability worldwide. Most patients with migraine discontinue medications due to inefficacy or adverse effects. Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) may provide benefit. Objective: To determine if MBSR improves migraine outcomes and affective/cognitive processes compared with headache education. Design, Setting, and Participants: This randomized clinical trial of MBSR vs headache education included 89 adults who experienced between 4 and 20 migraine days per month. There was blinding of participants (to active vs comparator group assignments) and principal investigators/data analysts (to group assignment). Interventions: Participants underwent MBSR (standardized training in mindfulness/yoga) or headache education (migraine information) delivered in groups that met for 2 hours each week for 8 weeks. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was change in migraine day frequency (baseline to 12 weeks). Secondary outcomes were changes in disability, quality of life, self-efficacy, pain catastrophizing, depression scores, and experimentally induced pain intensity and unpleasantness (baseline to 12, 24, and 36 weeks). Results: Most participants were female (n = 82, 92%), with a mean (SD) age of 43.9 (13.0) years, and had a mean (SD) of 7.3 (2.7) migraine days per month and high disability (Headache Impact Test-6: 63.5 [5.7]), attended class (median attendance, 7 of 8 classes), and followed up through 36 weeks (33 of 45 [73%] of the MBSR group and 32 of 44 [73%] of the headache education group). Participants in both groups had fewer migraine days at 12 weeks (MBSR: -1.6 migraine days per month; 95% CI, -0.7 to -2.5; headache education: -2.0 migraine days per month; 95% CI, -1.1 to -2.9), without group differences (P = .50). Compared with those who participated in headache education, those who participated in MBSR had improvements from baseline at all follow-up time points (reported in terms of point estimates of effect differences between groups) on measures of disability (5.92; 95% CI, 2.8-9.0; P < .001), quality of life (5.1; 95% CI, 1.2-8.9; P = .01), self-efficacy (8.2; 95% CI, 0.3-16.1; P = .04), pain catastrophizing (5.8; 95% CI, 2.9-8.8; P < .001), depression scores (1.6; 95% CI, 0.4-2.7; P = .008), and decreased experimentally induced pain intensity and unpleasantness (MBSR group: 36.3% [95% CI, 12.3% to 60.3%] decrease in intensity and 30.4% [95% CI, 9.9% to 49.4%] decrease in unpleasantness; headache education group: 13.5% [95% CI, -9.9% to 36.8%] increase in intensity and an 11.2% [95% CI, -8.9% to 31.2%] increase in unpleasantness; P = .004 for intensity and .005 for unpleasantness, at 36 weeks). One reported adverse event was deemed unrelated to study protocol. Conclusions and Relevance: Mindfulness-based stress reduction did not improve migraine frequency more than headache education, as both groups had similar decreases; however, MBSR improved disability, quality of life, self-efficacy, pain catastrophizing, and depression out to 36 weeks, with decreased experimentally induced pain suggesting a potential shift in pain appraisal. In conclusion, MBSR may help treat total migraine burden, but a larger, more definitive study is needed to further investigate these results. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02695498.
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6-month neurological and psychiatric outcomes in 236 379 survivors of COVID-19: a retrospective cohort study using electronic health records.
Taquet, M, Geddes, JR, Husain, M, Luciano, S, Harrison, PJ
The lancet. Psychiatry. 2021;8(5):416-427
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Recent literature shows that COVID-19 survivors might be at an increased risk of neurological and psychiatric disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of neurological and psychiatric diagnoses in survivors in the 6 months after documented clinical COVID-19 infection. This study is a retrospective cohort study with the primary cohort comprised of 236,379 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 and two propensity-score-matched control cohorts. The primary cohort was divided into one of the four subgroups. Results indicate that the severity of COVID-19 had a clear effect on subsequent neurological diagnoses. In fact, COVID-19 was associated with an increased risk of neurological and psychiatric outcomes. However, the incidences and hazard ratio of these were greater in patients who had required hospitalisation, and particularly those who required ITU admission or developed encephalopathy, even after extensive propensity score matching for other factors. Authors conclude that COVID-19 is followed by significant rates of neurological and psychiatric diagnoses over the subsequent 6 months.
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neurological and psychiatric sequelae of COVID-19 have been reported, but more data are needed to adequately assess the effects of COVID-19 on brain health. We aimed to provide robust estimates of incidence rates and relative risks of neurological and psychiatric diagnoses in patients in the 6 months following a COVID-19 diagnosis. METHODS For this retrospective cohort study and time-to-event analysis, we used data obtained from the TriNetX electronic health records network (with over 81 million patients). Our primary cohort comprised patients who had a COVID-19 diagnosis; one matched control cohort included patients diagnosed with influenza, and the other matched control cohort included patients diagnosed with any respiratory tract infection including influenza in the same period. Patients with a diagnosis of COVID-19 or a positive test for SARS-CoV-2 were excluded from the control cohorts. All cohorts included patients older than 10 years who had an index event on or after Jan 20, 2020, and who were still alive on Dec 13, 2020. We estimated the incidence of 14 neurological and psychiatric outcomes in the 6 months after a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19: intracranial haemorrhage; ischaemic stroke; parkinsonism; Guillain-Barré syndrome; nerve, nerve root, and plexus disorders; myoneural junction and muscle disease; encephalitis; dementia; psychotic, mood, and anxiety disorders (grouped and separately); substance use disorder; and insomnia. Using a Cox model, we compared incidences with those in propensity score-matched cohorts of patients with influenza or other respiratory tract infections. We investigated how these estimates were affected by COVID-19 severity, as proxied by hospitalisation, intensive therapy unit (ITU) admission, and encephalopathy (delirium and related disorders). We assessed the robustness of the differences in outcomes between cohorts by repeating the analysis in different scenarios. To provide benchmarking for the incidence and risk of neurological and psychiatric sequelae, we compared our primary cohort with four cohorts of patients diagnosed in the same period with additional index events: skin infection, urolithiasis, fracture of a large bone, and pulmonary embolism. FINDINGS Among 236 379 patients diagnosed with COVID-19, the estimated incidence of a neurological or psychiatric diagnosis in the following 6 months was 33·62% (95% CI 33·17-34·07), with 12·84% (12·36-13·33) receiving their first such diagnosis. For patients who had been admitted to an ITU, the estimated incidence of a diagnosis was 46·42% (44·78-48·09) and for a first diagnosis was 25·79% (23·50-28·25). Regarding individual diagnoses of the study outcomes, the whole COVID-19 cohort had estimated incidences of 0·56% (0·50-0·63) for intracranial haemorrhage, 2·10% (1·97-2·23) for ischaemic stroke, 0·11% (0·08-0·14) for parkinsonism, 0·67% (0·59-0·75) for dementia, 17·39% (17·04-17·74) for anxiety disorder, and 1·40% (1·30-1·51) for psychotic disorder, among others. In the group with ITU admission, estimated incidences were 2·66% (2·24-3·16) for intracranial haemorrhage, 6·92% (6·17-7·76) for ischaemic stroke, 0·26% (0·15-0·45) for parkinsonism, 1·74% (1·31-2·30) for dementia, 19·15% (17·90-20·48) for anxiety disorder, and 2·77% (2·31-3·33) for psychotic disorder. Most diagnostic categories were more common in patients who had COVID-19 than in those who had influenza (hazard ratio [HR] 1·44, 95% CI 1·40-1·47, for any diagnosis; 1·78, 1·68-1·89, for any first diagnosis) and those who had other respiratory tract infections (1·16, 1·14-1·17, for any diagnosis; 1·32, 1·27-1·36, for any first diagnosis). As with incidences, HRs were higher in patients who had more severe COVID-19 (eg, those admitted to ITU compared with those who were not: 1·58, 1·50-1·67, for any diagnosis; 2·87, 2·45-3·35, for any first diagnosis). Results were robust to various sensitivity analyses and benchmarking against the four additional index health events. INTERPRETATION Our study provides evidence for substantial neurological and psychiatric morbidity in the 6 months after COVID-19 infection. Risks were greatest in, but not limited to, patients who had severe COVID-19. This information could help in service planning and identification of research priorities. Complementary study designs, including prospective cohorts, are needed to corroborate and explain these findings. FUNDING National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre.
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Referral to Slimming World in UK Stop Smoking Services (SWISSS) versus stop smoking support alone on body weight in quitters: results of a randomised controlled trial.
Lycett, D, Aveyard, P, Farmer, A, Lewis, A, Munafò, M
BMJ open. 2020;10(1):e032271
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Weight gain is a well-known consequence of smoking cessation. The aim of this study was to compare standard stop smoking behavioural support with an intervention that, in addition to providing standard stop smoking support, included personalised weight management support, provided by Slimming World. This study is a parallel group, individually randomised controlled trial. Participants were randomised (1:1) to usual care or Slimming World with usual care. Stop smoking advisors were unaware of the randomisation sequence. Results showed that referral to the Slimming World programme plus usual stop smoking support achieved significantly less weight gain than usual stop smoking support alone. Furthermore, percentage quit was no worse in the treatment than the control group. Authors conclude that referral to a behavioural weight loss programme may be a pragmatic option within stop smoking clinics.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Most people who stop smoking gain weight. Dietary modification may seem an obvious solution, but food restriction may increase cigarette craving and smoking relapse. TRIAL DESIGN An unblinded parallel randomised controlled trial. METHODS Participants were adult smokers with a body mass index greater or equal to 23 kg/m2. Setting was National Health Service commissioned Stop Smoking Services, interventions were referral to a commercial weight management programme, plus stop smoking support (treatment group), compared with stop smoking support alone (control group). Objective was to compare weight change between interventions in smoking abstainers and not abstinent rates in all. Primary outcome was change in weight (kg) at 12 weeks. Randomisation sequence was computer generated and concealed until allocation. RESULTS Seventy-six participants were recruited, 37 were randomised to the treatment group and 39 to the control group. Change in weight was analysed in long-term abstainers (13 treatment, 14 control) only because the aim was to prevent weight gain associated with smoking cessation. Abstinence was analysed on an intention-to-treat basis (37 treatment, 39 control). At 12 weeks weight gain was less in the treatment than the control group with an adjusted mean difference of -2.3 kg 95% CI (-4.4 to -0.1). Craving scores were lower (Mood and Physical Symptoms Scale craving domain -1.6 (-2.7 to -0.5)) and quit rates were higher in the treatment than the control group (32% vs 21%), although the trial was not powered to superiority in cravings and quit rates. No adverse events or side effects were reported. CONCLUSION In people who are obese and want to quit smoking, these data provide modest encouragement that providing weight management at the time of quitting may be helpful. Those who are not obese, but who are informed about potential weight gain during their quit attempt, were uninterested in a weight management programme. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER ISRCTN65705512.
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Gut feelings: A randomised, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial of probiotics for depressive symptoms.
Chahwan, B, Kwan, S, Isik, A, van Hemert, S, Burke, C, Roberts, L
Journal of affective disorders. 2019;253:317-326
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Depression is a debilitating psychiatric disorder that is the leading cause of disability world-wide. Multiple causes of depression have been identified, including genetic, neurological, inflammatory, personality, cognitive, and environmental factors. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of the multispecies probiotic Ecologic® Barrier for reducing symptoms in adults with mild to severe levels of depression. The study was a triple-blinded parallel, placebo-controlled randomised clinical trial. Participants were randomly allocated into two groups; probiotic and placebo. 71 participants with depressive symptoms were recruited and allocated sequentially over 12 months. Results indicate that all participants across both probiotic and placebo groups exhibited a reduction in depressive symptoms over the time-period of the trial. Thus, the routine involved with daily preparation and consumption of the probiotic and scheduled appointments, as well as involvement in these behaviours with the aim of seeking improvement in depressive symptoms had positive impacts on mood, irrespective of whether the probiotic or placebo was consumed. Authors conclude that their findings offer evidence to indicate that probiotic consumption can exert change on cognitive patterns associated with depression.
Expert Review
Conflicts of interest:
None
Take Home Message:
- This study offers evidence to indicate that probiotic consumption can exert change on cognitive patterns associated with depression.
- The study suggests that probiotics, rather than having a direct effect on depressive symptoms, potentially act on immune system activity, inflammation and gut barrier integrity which contribute to the expression of depression.
- Probiotics may be a useful adjunct to potentiate the effects of other therapies, such as CBT.
- This study points to the validity of managing physical health as part of mental health treatment.
Evidence Category:
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A: Meta-analyses, position-stands, randomized-controlled trials (RCTs)
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B: Systematic reviews including RCTs of limited number
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C: Non-randomized trials, observational studies, narrative reviews
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D: Case-reports, evidence-based clinical findings
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E: Opinion piece, other
Summary Review:
With evidence suggesting that decreased gut barrier function and inflammation are correlated with depression, this study set out to determine the effect of consumption of probiotic supplements on depressive symptoms from a sample of 71 participants with depression. The study was a triple-blinded parallel, placebo-controlled randomised clinical trial conducted over 8 weeks in Australia. Pre and post intervention measures of symptoms and vulnerability markers of depression as well as gut microbiota were compared alongside psychological variables and gut microbiota composition to non-depressed, placebo and probiotic groups. All the clinical trial participants demonstrated an improvement in symptoms – participants in the probiotic group demonstrated a significantly greater reduction in cognitive reactivity compared with the placebo group. Probiotics did not significantly alter the microbiota of depressed individuals, however a significant correlation was found between Ruminococcus gnavus and one of the metrics for depression.
Clinical practice applications:
This study was small and carried out over a short period of time. While significant results were found, which signify potential considerations for clinical practice, the results from this study do not offer evidence that the probiotics used had a direct effect on depressive symptoms – they suggest that probiotics potentially act on cognitive processes contributing to depression which may include immune system activity, inflammation, and gut barrier integrity. Overall, this study offers evidence to indicate that probiotic consumption can exert change on cognitive patterns associated with depression. In clinical practice, probiotics may be a useful adjunct to potentiate the effects of therapies, such as CBT. Finally, the use of probiotics promotes the concept of managing physical health as part of mental health treatment.
Considerations for future research:
These preliminary results are promising and offer a number of future research and clinical avenues to build upon. The results do however, indicate that a longer trial may be needed to fully assess the effects of probiotics on mood and the mechanisms by which probiotics may be influencing this. The study also suggests that further research using a range of concentrations in a dose response study may be warranted to determine the optimal dose; a greater dose over a longer period may produce detectable changes in microbiota as well as further differences in psychological data.
Abstract
BACKGROUND Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide; with evidence suggesting that decreased gut barrier function and inflammation are correlated with depressive symptoms. We conducted a clinical trial to determine the effect of consumption of probiotic supplements (Winclove's Ecologic® Barrier) on depressive symptoms in a sample of participants with mild to severe depression. METHOD 71 participants were randomly allocated to either probiotic or placebo, which was, consumed daily over eight weeks. Pre- and post-intervention measures of symptoms and vulnerability markers of depression as well as gut microbiota composition were compared. Clinical trial participants were also compared on psychological variables and gut microbiota composition to a non-depressed group (n = 20). RESULTS All clinical trial participants demonstrated improvement in symptoms, suggesting non-specific therapeutic effects associated with weekly monitoring visits. Participants in the probiotic group demonstrated a significantly greater reduction in cognitive reactivity compared with the placebo group, particularly in the mild/moderate subgroup. Probiotics did not significantly alter the microbiota of depressed individuals, however, a significant correlation was found between Ruminococcus gnavus and one depression metric. LIMITATIONS There was a high attrition rate, which may be attributed to weekly monitoring visits. Additionally, modulation of the gut microbiota may need more specific testing to distinguish subtle changes. CONCLUSIONS While microbiota composition was similar between all groups, probiotics did affect a psychological variable associated with susceptibility to depression. Further research is needed to investigate how probiotics can be utilised to modify mental wellbeing, and whether they can act as an adjunct to existing treatments.
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A Randomized Double-Blind, Cross-Over Trial of very Low-Calorie Diet in Overweight Migraine Patients: A Possible Role for Ketones?
Di Lorenzo, C, Pinto, A, Ienca, R, Coppola, G, Sirianni, G, Di Lorenzo, G, Parisi, V, Serrao, M, Spagnoli, A, Vestri, A, et al
Nutrients. 2019;11(8)
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The ketogenic diet (KD) constitutes high-fat, adequate protein, and low-carbohydrate, and has been proven to be efficacious for the treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy. Recently, KD showed promising results for treating other neurological conditions. The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of very low-calorie ketogenic diets (VLCKDs) in overweight episodic migraine patients during a weight-loss intervention. This study is a double-blind cross-over design randomised trial (of five phases). Participants eligible for trial participation were overweight/obese adults, aged 18 to 65 years, who had at least 12 months’ history of migraines with or without aura. Subjects alternated randomly between a very low-calorie ketogenic diet and a very low-calorie non-ketogenic diet (VLCnKD) each for one month. Results indicate that a 4-week period VLCKD, despite inducing similar weight loss and glycaemic profile, was significantly more effective than VLCnKD in preventing migraine attacks, as evidenced by a decrease in the frequency of migraine days and attacks, and a greater than 50% response rate. Authors conclude that VLCKD is effective for rapid, short-term improvement of migraines in overweight patients, while VLCnKD is not.
Abstract
Here we aimed at determining the therapeutic effect of a very low-calorie diet in overweight episodic migraine patients during a weight-loss intervention in which subjects alternated randomly between a very low-calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD) and a very low-calorie non-ketogenic diet (VLCnKD) each for one month. In a nutritional program, 35 overweight obese migraine sufferers were allocated blindly to 1-month successive VLCKD or VLCnKD in random order (VLCKD-VLCnKD or VLCnKD-VLCD). The primary outcome measure was the reduction of migraine days each month compared to a 1-month pre-diet baseline. Secondary outcome measures were 50% responder rate for migraine days, reduction of monthly migraine attacks, abortive drug intake and body mass index (BMI) change. Only data from the intention-to-treat cohort (n = 35) will be presented. Patients who dropped out (n = 6) were considered as treatment failures. Regarding the primary outcome, during the VLCKD patients experienced -3.73 (95% CI: -5.31, -2.15) migraine days respect to VLCnKD (p < 0.0001). The 50% responder rate for migraine days was 74.28% (26/35 patients) during the VLCKD period, but only 8.57% (3/35 patients) during VLCnKD. Migraine attacks decreased by -3.02 (95% CI: -4.15, -1.88) during VLCKD respect to VLCnKD (p < 0.00001). There were no differences in the change of acute anti-migraine drug consumption (p = 0.112) and BMI (p = 0.354) between the 2 diets. A VLCKD has a preventive effect in overweight episodic migraine patients that appears within 1 month, suggesting that ketogenesis may be a useful therapeutic strategy for migraines.
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Exploring Associations between Interindividual Differences in Taste Perception, Oral Microbiota Composition, and Reported Food Intake.
Cattaneo, C, Riso, P, Laureati, M, Gargari, G, Pagliarini, E
Nutrients. 2019;11(5)
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There are many known drivers of food choice and habits, however, taste is considered one of the main predictors. Each taste quality is associated with different nutritional or physiological requirements or indicates a potential dietary risk. The main aim of this study was to explore whether variation in gustatory functions among individuals could be related to different dietary patterns and intake. A secondary aim was to examine the relationship between gustatory functions and dietary patterns in relation to oral microbiota composition. The study recruited 59 (27 male and 32 female) healthy, normal-weight volunteers aged between 18 and 30 years of age. Seven concentrations for each taste stimulus were prepared to determine the recognition thresholds. Results indicate that: (i) recognition thresholds for the basic tastes were associated with each other, even though in different ways, (ii) interindividual differences in taste perception may influence habitual food consumption and intake, and (iii) there are gender-related differences in food consumption frequency and intake. Authors conclude that nongenetic factors, such as the oral bacteria lining the tongue, should be adequately considered in order to gain new insights into taste-related eating habits that may influence long-term health outcomes.
Abstract
The role of taste perception, its relationship with oral microbiota composition, and their putative link with eating habits and food intake were the focus of the present study. A sample of 59 reportedly healthy adults (27 male, 32 female; age: 23.3 ± 2.6 years) were recruited for the study and taste thresholds for basic tastes, food intake, and oral microbiota composition were evaluated. Differences in taste perception were associated with different habitual food consumption (i.e., frequency) and actual intake. Subjects who were orally hyposensitive to salty taste reported consuming more bakery and salty baked products, saturated-fat-rich products, and soft drinks than hypersensitive subjects. Subjects hyposensitive to sweet taste reported consuming more frequently sweets and desserts than the hypersensitive group. Moreover, subjects hypersensitive to bitter taste showed higher total energy and carbohydrate intakes compared to those who perceived the solution as less bitter. Some bacterial taxa on tongue dorsum were associated with gustatory functions and with vegetable-rich (e.g., Prevotella) or protein/fat-rich diets (e.g., Clostridia). Future studies will be pivotal to confirm the hypothesis and the potential exploitation of oral microbiome as biomarker of long-term consumption of healthy or unhealthy diets.
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Effect of tai chi versus aerobic exercise for fibromyalgia: comparative effectiveness randomized controlled trial.
Wang, C, Schmid, CH, Fielding, RA, Harvey, WF, Reid, KF, Price, LL, Driban, JB, Kalish, R, Rones, R, McAlindon, T
BMJ (Clinical research ed.). 2018;360:k851
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Fibromyalgia is a complex disorder, characterised by chronic widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep problems and depression. Conventional treatment is multidisciplinary, including medication, exercise and CBT. This randomised, single-blinded trial aimed to determine the effectiveness of regular Tai Chi practice when compared to the standard recommended exercise, aerobic training. 226 adults diagnosed with fibromyalgia were randomly assigned to either 24 weeks of supervised aerobic exercise or 12 or 24 weeks of Tai Chi classes. A standard fibromyalgia impact questionnaire was used to assess changes in pain and quality of life measures, along with patient perception of various aspects of their condition. The study found that Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire scores improved across all treatment groups, however the 24-week Tai Chi group saw a statistically significant greater improvement than the aerobic group. In addition, those patients on the 24-week Tai Chi programme experienced greater improvement than those on the 12-week Tai Chi programme. There was also higher attendance and fewer drop-outs in the Tai Chi groups in comparison to the aerobic exercise group. Tai Chi could therefore be considered as an alternative to aerobic exercise in a multi-disciplinary approach to fibromyalgia treatment.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To determine the effectiveness of tai chi interventions compared with aerobic exercise, a current core standard treatment in patients with fibromyalgia, and to test whether the effectiveness of tai chi depends on its dosage or duration. DESIGN Prospective, randomized, 52 week, single blind comparative effectiveness trial. SETTING Urban tertiary care academic hospital in the United States between March 2012 and September 2016. PARTICIPANTS 226 adults with fibromyalgia (as defined by the American College of Rheumatology 1990 and 2010 criteria) were included in the intention to treat analyses: 151 were assigned to one of four tai chi groups and 75 to an aerobic exercise group. INTERVENTIONS Participants were randomly assigned to either supervised aerobic exercise (24 weeks, twice weekly) or one of four classic Yang style supervised tai chi interventions (12 or 24 weeks, once or twice weekly). Participants were followed for 52 weeks. Adherence was rigorously encouraged in person and by telephone. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The primary outcome was change in the revised fibromyalgia impact questionnaire (FIQR) scores at 24 weeks compared with baseline. Secondary outcomes included changes of scores in patient's global assessment, anxiety, depression, self efficacy, coping strategies, physical functional performance, functional limitation, sleep, and health related quality of life. RESULTS FIQR scores improved in all five treatment groups, but the combined tai chi groups improved statistically significantly more than the aerobic exercise group in FIQR scores at 24 weeks (difference between groups=5.5 points, 95% confidence interval 0.6 to 10.4, P=0.03) and several secondary outcomes (patient's global assessment=0.9 points, 0.3 to 1.4, P=0.005; anxiety=1.2 points, 0.3 to 2.1, P=0.006; self efficacy=1.0 points, 0.5 to 1.6, P=0.0004; and coping strategies, 2.6 points, 0.8 to 4.3, P=0.005). Tai chi treatment compared with aerobic exercise administered with the same intensity and duration (24 weeks, twice weekly) had greater benefit (between group difference in FIQR scores=16.2 points, 8.7 to 23.6, P<0.001). The groups who received tai chi for 24 weeks showed greater improvements than those who received it for 12 weeks (difference in FIQR scores=9.6 points, 2.6 to 16.6, P=0.007). There was no significant increase in benefit for groups who received tai chi twice weekly compared with once weekly. Participants attended the tai chi training sessions more often than participants attended aerobic exercise. The effects of tai chi were consistent across all instructors. No serious adverse events related to the interventions were reported. CONCLUSION Tai chi mind-body treatment results in similar or greater improvement in symptoms than aerobic exercise, the current most commonly prescribed non-drug treatment, for a variety of outcomes for patients with fibromyalgia. Longer duration of tai chi showed greater improvement. This mind-body approach may be considered a therapeutic option in the multidisciplinary management of fibromyalgia. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01420640.
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Effect of intermittent vs. daily calorie restriction on changes in weight and patient-reported outcomes in people with multiple sclerosis.
Fitzgerald, KC, Vizthum, D, Henry-Barron, B, Schweitzer, A, Cassard, SD, Kossoff, E, Hartman, AL, Kapogiannis, D, Sullivan, P, Baer, DJ, et al
Multiple sclerosis and related disorders. 2018;23:33-39
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Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the central nervous system. Dietary modification is emerging as a safe intervention to potentially modify disease course. The main aim of this study was to assess the safety and feasibility of an intermittent fasting diet in people with MS. Secondary outcomes explored the effects of calorie restriction (CR) diets on body weight and anthropometric characteristics as well as on patient-reported outcomes including fatigue, sleep and mood. The study is a pilot randomised controlled feeding study of three different types of diets. Each participant (n=36) was randomized to 1 of 3 diets: a control diet (placebo), a daily CR diet and intermittent CR diet. Results indicate that daily CR diet was associated with marginally greater weight loss than the intermittent CR diet. Both CR diets were associated with trends toward improvements in cardiometabolic outcomes. Furthermore, CR diets were associated with in improvements in emotional well-being. Authors conclude that CR and weight loss represent interventions for clinically relevant symptoms due to MS, such as emotional well-being, without adding meaningful risks or adverse outcomes.
Abstract
An intermittent fasting or calorie restriction diet has favorable effects in the mouse forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) and may provide additional anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective advantages beyond benefits obtained from weight loss alone. We conducted a pilot randomized controlled feeding study in 36 people with MS to assess safety and feasibility of different types of calorie restriction (CR) diets and assess their effects on weight and patient reported outcomes in people with MS. Patients were randomized to receive 1 of 3 diets for 8 weeks: daily CR diet (22% daily reduction in energy needs), intermittent CR diet (75% reduction in energy needs, 2 days/week; 0% reduction, 5 days/week), or a weight-stable diet (0% reduction in energy needs, 7 days/week). Of the 36 patients enrolled, 31 (86%) completed the trial; no significant adverse events occurred. Participants randomized to CR diets lost a median 3.4 kg (interquartile range [IQR]: -2.4, -4.0). Changes in weight did not differ significantly by type of CR diet, although participants randomized to daily CR tended to have greater weight loss (daily CR: -3.6 kg [IQR: -3.0, -4.1] vs. intermittent CR: -3.0 kg [IQR: -1.95, -4.1]; P = 0.15). Adherence to study diets differed significantly between intermittent CR vs. daily CR, with lesser adherence observed for intermittent CR (P = 0.002). Randomization to either CR diet was associated with significant improvements in emotional well-being/depression scores relative to control, with an average 8-week increase of 1.69 points (95% CI: 0.72, 2.66). CR diets are a safe/feasible way to achieve weight loss in people with MS and may be associated with improved emotional health.
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Postural sensorimotor training versus sham exercise in physiotherapy of patients with chronic non-specific low back pain: An exploratory randomised controlled trial.
McCaskey, MA, Wirth, B, Schuster-Amft, C, de Bruin, ED
PloS one. 2018;13(3):e0193358
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Free full text
Plain language summary
Chronic low back pain is a leading cause of years lived with disability. Sensorimotor training (SMT) involves exercises that retrain the musculo-skeletal system to reduce muscular imbalance and improve proprioception. SMT has become a popular method for low back pain rehabilitation, however no study has looked into its effectiveness when supplemented with physiotherapy. The aim of this exploratory randomised trial was to investigate the effects of SMT in rehabilitation of chronic low back pain in 22 patients. Two trial arms received 9x30 minute physiotherapy sessions supplemented with either 15 minutes SMT or 15 minutes low-intensity training as control. Pain level and functional status were assessed at baseline, pre-intervention, post-intervention and 4-week follow-up. This trial found that in patients with chronic low back pain, SMT provided no added benefit to pain reduction and functional improvement compared with control. Based on these findings the authors suggest potential benefits of SMT for long-term functional status but further larger trials with increased SMT sessions are needed to better understand this association.
Abstract
Sensorimotor training (SMT) is popularly applied as exercise in rehabilitation settings, particularly for musculoskeletal pain. With insufficient evidence on its effect on pain and function, this exploratory randomised controlled trial investigated the potential effects of SMT in rehabilitation of chronic non-specific low back pain. Two arms received 9x30 minutes physiotherapy with added interventions: The experimental arm received 15 minutes of postural SMT while the comparator arm performed 15 minutes of added sub-effective low-intensity training. A treatment blinded tester assessed outcomes at baseline 2-4 days prior to intervention, pre- and post-intervention, and at 4-week follow-up. Main outcomes were pain and functional status assessed with a 0-100mm visual analogue scale and the Oswestry Disability Questionnaire. Additionally, postural control was analysed using a video-based tracking system and a pressure plate during perturbed stance. Robust, nonparametric multivariate hypothesis testing was performed. 22 patients (11 females, aged 32 to 75 years) with mild to moderate chronic pain and functional limitations were included for analysis (11 per arm). At post-intervention, average values of primary outcomes improved slightly, but not to a clinically relevant or statistically significant extent. At 4-week follow-up, there was a significant improvement by 12 percentage points (pp) on the functional status questionnaire in the SMT-group (95% confidence intervall (CI) = 5.3pp to 17.7pp, p < 0.001) but not in the control group (4 pp improvement, CI = 11.8pp to 19.2pp). However, group-by-time interaction effects for functional status (Q = 3.3, 19 p = 0.07) and pain (Q = 0.84, p = 0.51) were non-significant. Secondary kinematic outcomes did not change over time in either of the groups. Despite significant improvement of functional status after SMT, overall findings of this exploratory study suggest that SMT provides no added benefit for pain reduction or functional improvement in patients with moderate chronic non-specific low back pain. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02304120 and related study protocol, DOI: 10.1186/1471-2474-15-382.