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Non-pharmacological Interventions for the Management of Chronic Health Conditions and Non-communicable Diseases

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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Infectious Diseases, Chronic Diseases, and Disease Prevention".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2024) | Viewed by 12409

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Carmina Castellano-Tejedor

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1.Psynaptic, Psicología y Servicios Científicos y Tecnológicos S.L.P, Sant Quirze del Vallès, 08192 Barcelona, Spain
2.GIES Research Group, Basic Psychology Department, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08192 Bellaterra, Spain
3.Research Group on Aging, Frailty and Care Transitions in Barcelona, Parc Sanitari Pere Virgili & Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), 08023 Barcelona, Spain
4.Faculty of Psychology, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08192 Bellaterra, Spain
Interests: psychooncology; health psychology; rehabilitation psychology; neuropsychology; mental health; healthy lifestyles; cognitive-behavioural approaches; multidisciplinary
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Non-pharmacological interventions (NPIs) are science-based and non-invasive practices for human health aimed to prevent, treat, or cure different health problems by employing different biological and/or psychological processes identified by using the scientific method. The range of NPIs is continuously expanding in prevention and therapy, occupying a prominent place in the health sciences that have become personalised, integral, and integrative. By selecting and implementing the NPIs that have the most scientific evidence, it is possible to improve the health-related quality of life of individuals, to slow down deterioration, to relieve pain, or to restore health at a lower economic and environmental cost, meeting the Hippocratic maxim “first, do no harm”. However, several barriers to its implementation still exist. One barrier is the lack of knowledge and dissemination of the specific NPIs for each disease. Additionally, there is still a lack of research on some NPIs regarding their effectiveness and/or efficacy. Altogether, this could represent scepticism in prescribing and/or demanding NPIs. This Special Issue addresses some critical research questions, which can be summarised as follows:

1) Which NPIs are the most effective in improving risk factors for chronic and/or non-communicable diseases in the clinical and general population?

2) What is the degree of knowledge on NPIs and their effectiveness?

3) What are health professionals' main barriers and facilitators for prescribing NPIs?

4) What are patients’ main barriers and facilitators for demanding NPIs?

Dr. Carmina Castellano-Tejedor
Guest Editor

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Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

non-pharmacological interventions
non-pharmacological approach
chronic health conditions
non-communicable disease
risk factors
multidisciplinary approach
biopsychosocial
integrative medicine
health prevention
health promotion

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Editorial

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5 pages, 284 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Non-Pharmacological Interventions for the Management of Chronic Health Conditions and Non-Communicable Diseases

by Carmina Castellano-Tejedor

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(14), 8536; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19148536 - 13 Jul 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2867

Abstract

A chronic health condition has been defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a disease being of long duration, generally slow in progression and not passed from person to person; that is to say, a non-communicable disease (NCD) [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Non-pharmacological Interventions for the Management of Chronic Health Conditions and Non-communicable Diseases)

Research

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16 pages, 525 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Cognitive Profile and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment

by Julia Vázquez-de Sebastián, Angel M. Ortiz-Zuñiga, Andreea Ciudin, Joan Ars, Marco Inzitari, Rafael Simó, Cristina Hernández, Sergio Ariño-Blasco, María José Barahona, Maite Franco, Xavier Gironès, María Cruz Crespo-Maraver, Joan Carles Rovira, Carmina Castellano-Tejedor and The DIALCAT Consortium

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(4), 500; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21040500 - 18 Apr 2024

Viewed by 136

Abstract

The prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) in the older adults population and their specific impact on their cognitive profiles still requires further research. For this purpose, a cross-sectional study was carried out to describe the presence of CVRFs and their association with cognitive performance in a sample of older adults (65–85 years old) with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). Participants (n = 185) were divided into three groups concerning their cardiovascular risk level determined by the presence of different CVRFs, including Type 2 Diabetes (T2D), dyslipidemia, hypertension, and obesity. The primary outcome measures were the participant’s scores in the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS). Sociodemographic, clinical, and psychosocial data were collected. Non-parametrical statistical analyses and effect sizes were calculated. Findings revealed that a greater presence of CVRFs was not associated with a worse overall cognitive performance. High-risk patients were more likely to have significantly worse performance in the attentional domain compared to medium-risk (p = 0.029, r = 0.42) and compared to low-risk (p = 0.041, r = 0.35), specifically in the digits repetition subtest (p = 0.042). T2D alone was the CVRF associated with cognitive differences (p = 0.037, r = 0.32), possibly mediated by the duration of the condition. Consequently, a higher presence of CVRFs did not lead to a worse overall cognitive performance. However, high-risk individuals were more likely to experience cognitive impairment, particularly in the attentional domain. T2D played a significant role in these cognitive profile differences, possibly influenced by its duration. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Non-pharmacological Interventions for the Management of Chronic Health Conditions and Non-communicable Diseases)

16 pages, 3735 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of Postural Stability Following the Application of Myofascial Release Techniques for Low Back Pain—A Randomized-Controlled Trial

by Piotr Ożóg, Magdalena Weber-Rajek, Agnieszka Radzimińska and Aleksander Goch

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(3), 2198; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20032198 - 26 Jan 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1973

Abstract

Introduction: Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most frequently observed disorders of the musculoskeletal system in the modern population. It is suggested that myofascial disorders in the highly innervated thoracolumbar fascia (TLF), reported in patients with LBP, may be an underlying cause of the ailment. Research also confirms that patients with LBP demonstrate poorer postural stability compared with individuals without the condition. Myofascial release techniques (MFR) are additional therapeutic options that complement existing therapies and help provide a more holistic treatment for chronic LBP (CLBP). Objective: Evaluation of changes in postural stability following one MFR intervention applied to CLBP subjects immediately after manual therapy and after a month. It was hypothesized that postural stability is going to aggravate immediately after the MFR intervention and improve one month after treatment compared with the baseline results before the treatment. Methods: 113 patients with CLBP participated in a randomized-controlled trial. The experimental group (n = 59) received one MFR intervention, whereas the control group (n = 54) did not receive any therapeutic intervention. Posturography was performed to determine experimental group’s immediate response to the therapy and to evaluate the experimental and control groups’ responses to the therapy one month after the intervention. Results: Only 2 out of 12 comparisons of stabilometric parameters demonstrated reliable effects that are in line with our research hypotheses. Even though both comparisons were observed for therapy outcomes within the experimental group, no reliable differences between the groups were found. Conclusions: A single MFR treatment in the TLF did not affect postural stability in CLBP patients in the experimental group. Further studies are needed to extend the findings by performing a series of holistic MFR treatments applied to a larger area of the body surface that would induce more general tissue changes and thus having a greater impact on postural stability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Non-pharmacological Interventions for the Management of Chronic Health Conditions and Non-communicable Diseases)

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17 pages, 683 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Translation and Cross-Cultural Adaptation of the International Questionnaire to Measure the Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (I-CAM-Q) for the Polish and Cross-Sectional Study

by Aneta Brygida Jędrzejewska, Barbara Janina Ślusarska, Krzysztof Jurek and Grzegorz Józef Nowicki

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(1), 124; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20010124 - 22 Dec 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2203

Abstract

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) encompasses a broad set of health care practices that are not part of a country’s traditional or conventional medicine and are not fully integrated into the prevailing health care system. The aim of this study is the linguistic and cross-cultural adaptation of the Polish version of the International Questionnaire to Measure Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (I-CAM-Q) and the assessment of the occurrence and factors related to CAM among patients in Poland. A methodological model of translation and cross-cultural adaptation of research tools according to Beaton et al. with a Delphi—Technique was used for the linguistic and cultural adaptation of the Polish version of I-CAM-Q. The Delphi consensus was achieved in the scale assessment between the experts in two rounds (with a score of above 80% of expert agreement). Data was collected using an online survey within 38 thematically different groups on Facebook, among 524 participants. Over half (59.7%, n = 313) of the respondents used the services of at least one CAM practitioner. On the other hand, 50.8% (n = 266) of the respondents declared using physician’s advice. The use of herbs and plant products was reported by 84.7% (n = 444), and vitamins and minerals by 88.4% (n = 463) of respondents. The most commonly used self-help practices among the respondents were relaxation techniques (49.6%), praying for one’s health (43.3%) and meditation (41.2%). The consensual methodology of validating the Polish version of the I-CAM-Q scale allowed for creation of a conceptually and linguistically equivalent tool with the original international instrument. A high frequency of CAM use was found among the respondents. Therefore, strategies should be implemented to improve patient-physician communication on the use of CAM in Poland. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Non-pharmacological Interventions for the Management of Chronic Health Conditions and Non-communicable Diseases)

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10 pages, 797 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Benefits of Cycling Wheelchair Training for Elderly with Physical Disability: A Prospective Cohort Study

by Jimmy Chun-Ming Fu, Pin-Kuei Fu and Yuan-Yang Cheng

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(24), 16773; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192416773 - 14 Dec 2022

Viewed by 1477

Abstract

Aim: In order to investigate the effect of cycling wheelchair training as an exercise for aged 65+ disabled patients on cognitive function, quality of life, aerobic capacity and physiological parameters. Methods: Participants in nursing home performed cycling wheelchair training for 30 min a day, 5 days a week, for a total of 4 weeks. The main outcome measure was the short form 12 survey (SF-12). Other outcome measures included the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), aero bike work rate test, resting blood pressure, and heart rate. Results: In this study, 41 volunteers were recruited and no participants dropped out of the study voluntarily during training, and no serious adverse effect was identified. Physical and mental component summary total scores of SF-12 were significantly higher after training with statistical significance (p = 0.001). 8 subscales also showed significant improvements after training (p = 0.025 ~ <0.001). Total MMSE score has no difference before and after training. Attention/calculation (p = 0.018), short term memory (p = 0.041), and aerobic capacity (p < 0.001) as measured by subscales of MMSE and aero bike test showed marked improvements, while resting systolic blood pressure (p = 0.931) and heart rate (p = 0.793) did not change. Conclusions: Cycling wheelchair is practical for the disabled elderly to exercise, and a 4-week exercise program enhanced their quality of life and aerobic capacity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Non-pharmacological Interventions for the Management of Chronic Health Conditions and Non-communicable Diseases)

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8 pages, 334 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Patients’ Desire for Psychological Support When Receiving a Cancer Diagnostic

by Tomás Blasco, Esther Jovell, Rosanna Mirapeix and Concha Leon

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(21), 14474; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192114474 - 04 Nov 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1101

Abstract

Background: Factors related to the desire of receiving psychological help in cancer patients are not well known. The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of patients who would ask for psychological assistance in the first weeks following diagnosis, and to identify their psychosocial and disease-related profile. Method: This cross-sectional study assessed 229 consecutive cancer outpatients at a visit with their oncologist to be informed about the treatment they will receive. Disease-related and medical characteristics were assessed, and patients were asked about their mood states, levels of self-efficacy, and difficulties coping with the disease. Finally, patients were asked about their desire to receive psychological assistance. Results: Only 20% of patients expressed a desire for psychological help. These patients were lower in age and had previous history of mood disorders and reported higher discouragement and coping difficulties. These variables explained 30.6% of variance. Conclusions: Although psycho-oncologists can provide helpful interventions, the percentage of patients interested in receiving psychological assistance in this study is low. Although further studies are needed, results from this study suggest methods that could easily be used by oncologists and nurses to identify patients who would like to receive psychological support. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Non-pharmacological Interventions for the Management of Chronic Health Conditions and Non-communicable Diseases)

9 pages, 301 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Correlational Study of Emotional Stress, Pain, and the Presence of Inpatient Companions for Cancer Inpatients during the COVID-19 Pandemic

by Ya-Huei Chen, Shu-Ling Chen, Chia-Hui Chang, Pi-O Wu, Hsiu-Hui Yu, Sou-Jen Shih and Mei-Yu Chang

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(12), 7004; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19127004 - 08 Jun 2022

Viewed by 1313

Abstract

The outbreak of COVID-19 poses an immense global threat. Visitors to hospitalized patients during a pandemic might themselves be carriers, and so hospitals strictly control patients and inpatient companions. However, it is not easy for cancer patients to adjust the times of their medical treatment or to suspend treatment, and the impact of the pandemic on cancer inpatients and inpatient companions is relatively high. The objectives for this investigation are to study the correlations among emotional stress, pain, and the presence of inpatient companions in cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study was a retrospective descriptive study. The participants were cancer inpatients and inpatient companions in a medical center in Taiwan. The data for this study were extracted from cross-platform structured and normalized electronic medical record databases. Microsoft Excel 2016 and SPSS version 22.0 were used for analysis of the data. In all, 75.15% of the cancer inpatients were accompanied by family, and the number of hospitalization days were 7.87 ± 10.77 days, decreasing year by year, with statistical significance of p < 0.001. The daily nursing hours were 12.94 ± 10.76, and the nursing hours decreased year by year, p < 0.001. There was no significant difference in gender among those who accompanied the patients, but there were statistical differences in the length of hospitalization, nursing hours, and pain scores between those with and without inpatient companions, with p < 0.001. The inpatient companions were mostly family members (78%). The findings of this study on cancer patient care and inpatient companions should serve as an important basis for the transformation and reform of the inpatient companion culture and for epidemic prevention care in hospitals. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Non-pharmacological Interventions for the Management of Chronic Health Conditions and Non-communicable Diseases)

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