Healthcare最新文献

{"title":"Validation of the Spanish Version of the Body Awareness Questionnaire (BAQ) and an Exploration of Its Relationship to Meditation and Embodiment Variables.","authors":"Laura C Sánchez-Sánchez, Amanda Klysing, Ingela Steij Stålbrand, Tove Lundberg","doi":"10.3390/healthcare13060628","DOIUrl":"10.3390/healthcare13060628","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Purposes</b>: The Body Awareness Questionnaire (BAQ) has been considered the best available measure of body awareness, but it is not currently available in Spanish. <b>Methods</b>: To address this shortcoming, a sample of 281 Spanish participants completed a survey with a Spanish version of the BAQ, as well as the Body Appreciation Scale (BAS-2), the Self-Compassion Scale-Short (SCS-S) and the New Sexual Satisfaction Scale-Short (NSSS-S). <b>Results</b>: Analysis of the Spanish BAQ showed good reliability: α = 0.82. Positive correlations with the BAS-2 and the SCS-S, and no significant correlation with the NSSS-S, support the convergent and discriminant validity of the Spanish BAQ. In conceptual validity, the Spanish BAQ further successfully discriminated between meditators and non-meditators, showing additional support for the conceptual validity of the measure. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) supported a two-factor structure, rather than a one-factor or four-factor version, as proposed for the original English version. <b>Conclusions</b>: The Spanish version of the BAQ has shown adequate reliability and validity and would be a good scale to continue exploring in clinical Spanish population samples, e.g., in patients with chronic pain, and non-clinical ones, e.g., after interventions in sexuality or sport. It could be an interesting questionnaire to assess outcomes of mindfulness-based interventions.</p>","PeriodicalId":12977,"journal":{"name":"Healthcare","volume":"13 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-03-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11942399/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143729892","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of Integrating Pain Coping Strategies into Occupational Therapy After Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Parallel Mixed-Method Study.","authors":"Ryusei Hara, Yuki Hiraga, Yoshiyuki Hirakawa, Akira Babazono","doi":"10.3390/healthcare13060627","DOIUrl":"10.3390/healthcare13060627","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background/Objectives</b>: This study aimed to evaluate whether integrating coping strategies into occupational therapy (OT) enhances functional recovery and psychological adaptation after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). <b>Methods</b>: Twenty-eight patients who underwent TKA were equally assigned to an intervention and control group. Both groups received standard goal-oriented OT, while only the intervention group underwent structured training in pain coping strategies using the \"Coping List\". Treatment effects were assessed using Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM), pain, anxiety, depression, and pain-related disability scores. <b>Results</b>: A total of 210 coping strategies were identified, with the intervention group adopting an average of 15.1 additional strategies per patient. Strategies were categorized into six domains: physical, psychological and cognitive, social support, relaxation, daily activities, and medication management. The intervention group showed significantly greater improvements in COPM performance scores (7.6 ± 1.7 vs. 5.5 ± 2.6; <i>p</i> = 0.048) and COPM satisfaction scores (7.9 ± 2.0 vs. 5.6 ± 2.8; <i>p</i> = 0.049) compared to the control group. <b>Conclusions</b>: The findings suggest that individualized coping strategies integrated with physical rehabilitation can help patients achieve postoperative goals, enhance recovery, and improve overall well-being. Incorporating such strategies into OT appears to be effective in early-postoperative rehabilitation. <b>Clinical trial number:</b> This study's clinical trial registration information is available online at UMIN (UMIN000050536).</p>","PeriodicalId":12977,"journal":{"name":"Healthcare","volume":"13 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11941953/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143729831","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Modifiable Factors Underlying Caregivers' Psychological Support Needs in Pediatric Disability: Through the Lens of Psycho-Behavioral and Social-Environmental Interactions.","authors":"Hongying Zheng, Mei Sun, Anni Wang, Qi Tang, Yaping Zhang, Jun Lu, Gang Chen","doi":"10.3390/healthcare13060625","DOIUrl":"10.3390/healthcare13060625","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background/Objectives</b>: Childhood disability is a major stressor for caregivers. There are many problems and challenges in relation to satisfying the psychological support needs of caregivers. This study aims to explore the modifiable psycho-behavioral and social-environmental factors of psychological support needs and need satisfaction, their interaction effects, and their configuration paths. <b>Methods</b>: This was a cross-sectional survey of 363 caregivers using instruments such as the psychological support needs subscale of the Care Needs Assessment Tool for Children with Disabilities. Multivariable logistic regression with interaction terms and crisp-set qualitative comparative analysis were performed. <b>Results</b>: The overall rate of psychological support needs was 78.29%, and the overall need satisfaction was 49.94%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the caregiver's need was mainly influenced by anxiety, while need satisfaction was primarily predicted by public policy support and social attitudes. There was an interaction effect between caregiver anxiety and social attitude on need satisfaction. Qualitative comparative analysis indicated that six paths were identified as potentially leading to high levels of psychological support need, while five paths were associated with low levels of need satisfaction. <b>Conclusions</b>: The psychological support need rate among caregivers was high, and the level of need satisfaction was low. There were significant differences in psychological support needs and need satisfaction among different psycho-behavioral and social-environmental characteristics. It is recommended that caregivers with negative emotions be given more attention. The enhancement of social attitudes and the adoption of more supportive policies will contribute to the improvement of need satisfaction.</p>","PeriodicalId":12977,"journal":{"name":"Healthcare","volume":"13 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11942237/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143729783","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Are Virtual Forests Just for Relaxation, or Can They Enhance the Benefits of Therapy?","authors":"You Zhi Hu, Max Beggs, Yu Xue, Sinuo Gao, Junyoung Seok, Yawen Xiao, Ziqi Zhou, Yifei Zhou, Alex Mariakakis, Mark Chignell","doi":"10.3390/healthcare13060621","DOIUrl":"10.3390/healthcare13060621","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Forest bathing (Shinrin-Yoku in Japanese) is used as an intervention for improving mental health, with VR being used to create virtual forests for relaxation.</p><p><strong>Background/objectives: </strong>In this research, we added therapeutic intent to a virtual forest with the goal of reducing social anxiety, with and without therapeutic instruction.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Fifty-eight first-year psychology students were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: virtual forest only, therapeutic exercises only, and both combined.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>All three conditions enhanced restorative effects equally. However, only the therapeutic exercise-only condition showed a tendency to reduce social anxiety. Participants in the combined condition reported more positive experiences and showed better comprehension of therapy content in the virtual forest.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>While the non-VR approach may offer immediate relaxation and possible anxiety reduction, combining the virtual forest with therapeutic exercises may yield better outcomes for sustained engagement and understanding over multiple therapeutic sessions.</p>","PeriodicalId":12977,"journal":{"name":"Healthcare","volume":"13 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11942069/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143728531","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Healthcare Sector Dynamics in Turkey (2002-2022): Trends, Breakpoints, and Policy Implications (Privatization in the Hospital Sector).","authors":"Erdinç Ünal, Salim Yılmaz","doi":"10.3390/healthcare13060622","DOIUrl":"10.3390/healthcare13060622","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background/Objectives:</b> This study examines the transformation of Turkey's hospital sector from 2002 to 2022, focusing on physical capacity, service utilization, and workforce distribution in the public and private sectors. <b>Methods:</b> Longitudinal data from the Ministry of Health were analyzed using trend and breakpoint methods to evaluate hospital beds, qualified beds, intensive care beds, service volumes (outpatient visits, inpatient admissions, surgeries, and hospitalization days), and staffing (physicians, nurses, and midwives). <b>Results:</b> Findings reveal a marked shift in the balance between public and private providers. Due to public regulations effectively controlling resource allocation, the private sector's share expanded to around one-fourth of the system. Private capacity in total beds rose from 7.53% to 21.00%, outpatient visits from 4.58% to 15.07%, and inpatient admissions from 10.10% to 30.63%. Breakpoint analyses indicate crucial turning points around 2005, 2008, and 2011, when policy changes restricted public capacity but facilitated private investment. Although the public sector's share in total beds declined, its proportion of qualified and intensive care beds, as well as dialysis machines, increased, suggesting a strategic shift toward complex, high-quality services. <b>Conclusions:</b> Over the past 20 years, Turkey's hospital sector exemplifies privatization without ownership transfer. Although delayed, private hospital expansion aligned with global neoliberal trends. Policy regulations played a key role in both promoting and limiting sector growth. A constant conflict exists between market-driven resource allocation and public health needs, which must be considered in restructuring efforts alongside private sector motivations.</p>","PeriodicalId":12977,"journal":{"name":"Healthcare","volume":"13 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11942332/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143729799","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Physical Activity, Nutritional Behaviours and Depressive Symptoms in Women with Hashimoto's Disease.","authors":"Maria Gacek, Agnieszka Wojtowicz, Jolanta Kędzior","doi":"10.3390/healthcare13060620","DOIUrl":"10.3390/healthcare13060620","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>An important element of supporting pharmacotherapy in hypothyroidism is a pro-health lifestyle, with rational nutrition and recreational physical activity playing important roles. <b>Objectives</b>: The aim of this study was to analyse selected behavioural determinants of depressive states in women with Hashimoto's disease. <b>Methods</b>: This study was conducted among 219 women aged 20-50 using the following: (i) the author's questionnaire of nutritional behaviours for people with hypothyroidism (QNB); (ii) the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ); and (iii) the Beck Depression Scale (SDB). Statistical analysis was performed in Statistica 13.1 and JASP programmes, using Spearman's R correlation analysis, the Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance and regression analysis at a significance level of α = 0.05. <b>Results:</b> It was found that depressive symptoms were weakly negatively associated with moderate physical activity. At the same time, women with low levels of depressive symptoms demonstrated higher levels of vigorous physical activity than women with moderate and high levels of depression. Depression symptoms decreased with the implementation of some dietary recommendations, including the consumption of products rich in iodine, iron, zinc, selenium, vitamin D, vitamin A and polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids. The occurrence of constipation, requiring a high-fibre diet, was positively associated with symptoms of depression. Regression analysis showed that the model consisting of all QNB items explained 18% of depression symptoms. <b>Conclusions</b>: In summary, among women with Hashimoto's disease, moderate physical activity and some rational dietary choices were associated with a lower intensity of depressive symptoms. Promoting a healthy lifestyle may help improve the mental state of patients with Hashimoto's disease.</p>","PeriodicalId":12977,"journal":{"name":"Healthcare","volume":"13 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11942261/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143729877","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Design, Implementation, and Evaluation of Healthcare Visual Map Tool for Health Workers to Improve Quality of Life of Home Care Patients: Study Protocol.","authors":"Núria Hernández-Vidal, Marta Pujol-Vidal, Yolanda Mengíbar-García, David Ayala-Villuendas, Joan-Carlos Contel-Segura, Sara Martínez-Torres, Anna Bordas, Eulalia Oriol-Colominas, Nuria Martín-Vergara, Francisco Martín-Lujan, Maria-Pilar Astier-Peña, Montserrat Gens-Barberà","doi":"10.3390/healthcare13060626","DOIUrl":"10.3390/healthcare13060626","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> Home care programs in primary healthcare aim to address the health needs of elderly and frail populations, but ensuring safety in home environments can be challenging due to factors like limited supervision, environmental hazards, and the complexity of managing multiple health conditions. Fragmented information further complicates healthcare professionals' ability to identify critical health risks and manage them effectively. <b>Objective:</b> This study aims to design and evaluate the effectiveness of a visual map integrated into the electronic medical record of home care patients. The goal will be to implement this tool and enhance healthcare professionals' interventions, improving patient safety and quality of life. <b>Methods:</b> The study will be conducted in three phases: (1) the design of a visual map for the home care program by identifying health areas and contributing factors; (2) a cluster-randomized clinical trial across primary care centers to assess whether the visual map reduces hospital admissions, falls, and injuries while improving quality of life; and (3) a qualitative study to evaluate the impact of the visual map on the home care program. <b>Results:</b> It is anticipated that the visual map will reduce hospital admissions, falls, and injuries among home care patients while improving quality of life by facilitating targeted and effective professional interventions. <b>Discussion:</b> This visual map aims to enhance the safety of vulnerable home care patients by integrating critical health information into a practical, easy-to-implement tool. Its feasibility and potential for integration into routine primary care within the Catalan Institute of Health make it a valuable innovation with broader applicability. Trial registration: NCT04399616. Registered on 8 May 2024.</p>","PeriodicalId":12977,"journal":{"name":"Healthcare","volume":"13 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11942254/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143729774","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Economic and Occupational Impact of Mental Health-Related Temporary Work Disabilities in Spanish Workers During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Longitudinal Study.","authors":"Eva María Gutiérrez Naharro, José Antonio Ponce Blandón, Amalia Sillero Sillero, José Fernández Sáez","doi":"10.3390/healthcare13060618","DOIUrl":"10.3390/healthcare13060618","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The COVID-19 pandemic has affected mental health worldwide, exposing gaps in managing work-related disabilities. In Spain, Mutual Collaborators with Social Security play a pivotal role in managing temporary work disabilities associated with mental health conditions.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study aimed to describe and analyze the prevalence, characteristics, and economic burden of mental health-related temporary work disabilities in Spain during the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery (2020-2022).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A prospective longitudinal design was used, drawing on data from CHAMAN, a secure and nationally representative database managed by Asepeyo Mutual Insurance and maintained by Mutual Collaborators with Social Security (MCSSs). The study included workers who experienced temporary work disabilities due to mental health disorders diagnosed according to the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, during the COVID-19 state of alarm (14 March-21 June 2020) and in the following two years (2021-2022). The key variables were demographics, absence duration, cost per case, and relapse rates. The analyses included descriptive statistics and the Mann-Whitney U, Chi-square, and logistic regression tests.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In 2020, 5135 cases were recorded, with an aggregate cost of approximately EUR 44.8 million. Regional analysis showed that Catalonia, Castile-La Mancha, and Castile-León accounted for over half the expenditure, whereas costs were lower in other regions. Marked declines in incidence and costs were observed in 2021-2022, suggesting adaptation to post-pandemic conditions. However, significant gender disparities persisted, with women experiencing higher relapse rates and prolonged absences. Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder were the most common diagnoses, particularly in sectors such as retail, elderly care, and call centers.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Although the incidence and cost of temporary work disabilities declined, persistent gender inequalities, regional disparities, and sector-specific risks highlight the need for targeted mental health interventions. Enhancing psychosocial support, adopting gender-sensitive workplace policies, and improving regional healthcare infrastructure are essential to promote workforce well-being and ensure economic sustainability.</p>","PeriodicalId":12977,"journal":{"name":"Healthcare","volume":"13 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11941874/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143729777","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Losses Related to Breast Cancer Diagnosis: The Impact on Grief and Depression Symptomatology Within the Context of Hispanic/Latina Patients with Breast Cancer.","authors":"Cristina Peña-Vargas, Paola Del Río-Rodriguez, Lianel P Rosario, Guillermo Laporte-Estela, Normarie Torres-Blasco, Zindie Rodriguez-Castro, Nelmit Tollinchi-Natali, Willa I Guerrero, Patsy Torres, Guillermo N Armaiz-Pena, Eida M Castro-Figueroa","doi":"10.3390/healthcare13060624","DOIUrl":"10.3390/healthcare13060624","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Objective</b>: The present study explored the association between the losses incurred due to breast cancer diagnosis, symptoms of depression, PANIC/GRIEF, and contextual factors within the context of Hispanic/Latina (H/L) patients diagnosed with breast cancer (BC). <b>Methods</b>: This study was a cross-sectional study of adult H/L BC patients (n = 129). The participants were H/L women diagnosed with breast cancer (stages 0-4) in the past five years. Sociodemographic variables were assessed, as well as depression symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9; Spanish version), grief (The Affective Neuroscience Personality Scales, Grief subscale; Spanish version), and general losses (Grief diagnostic instrument for general practice, loss categories section). <b>Results</b>: The mean age for the sample was 55.37 (SD = 11.57). The most frequent non-death-related losses were loss of liberty (f = 63, <i>p</i> = 48.8%), followed by fear of own death (f = 67, <i>p</i> = 51.9%) and loss of quality of life (f = 65, <i>p</i> = 50.4%). A higher mean rank was observed in depressive symptomatology scores for those who experienced loss of liberty (U = 73.91, <i>p</i> < 0.008), quality of life (U = 77.30, <i>p</i> < 0.001), and fear of their own death (U = 74.88, <i>p</i> < 0.002). The results indicate a significant positive relationship between the number of reported losses and depressive symptomatology (r = 0.340, <i>p</i> < 0.001). In terms of contextual factors, the participants who reported their income not being enough to cover their expenses reported a greater number of losses related to diagnosis (U = 74.67, <i>p</i> < 0.001) and more depressive symptomatology (U = 69.84, <i>p</i> = 0.041). Moreover, a relationship was observed between grief and academic levels (r = -0.234, <i>p</i> = 0.008). Likewise, a relationship was observed between age and the number of losses (r = -0.461, <i>p</i> < 0.001). <b>Conclusions</b>: Our results provide new evidence on how primary non-death-related losses due to a breast cancer diagnosis impact the mental health of H/L BC patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":12977,"journal":{"name":"Healthcare","volume":"13 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11942569/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143729781","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of Trehalose on Halitosis: A Randomized Cross-Over Clinical Trial.","authors":"Hisataka Miyai, Takaaki Tomofuji, Hirofumi Mizuno, Manabu Morita, Momoko Nakahara, Kota Kataoka, Ichiro Sumita, Yurika Uchida, Naoki Toyama, Aya Yokoi, Reiko Yamanaka-Kohno, Noriko Takeuchi, Takayuki Maruyama, Daisuke Ekuni","doi":"10.3390/healthcare13060619","DOIUrl":"10.3390/healthcare13060619","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background/Objectives:</b> Halitosis is a condition characterized by an unpleasant malodor. Intra-oral halitosis is caused by volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) and can be associated with oral dryness. Trehalose is one of the materials used to relieve oral dryness. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of trehalose on halitosis. <b>Methods:</b> This prospective, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, cross-over study enrolled volunteers from Okayama University Hospital. The participants were randomly divided into two groups, with one group receiving trehalose (a 10% trehalose solution) and the other receiving a placebo (distilled water) in a 1:1 allocation. The primary study outcome was the subjective organoleptic test. The secondary outcomes were the concentrations of the VSCs, which were measured using a portable gas chromatography device, and the oral moisture status, which was measured using an oral moisture meter. The planned sample size was 10 participants based on the previous study. <b>Results:</b> The final intention-to-treat analysis was performed using the data from 9 participants. After applying 10% trehalose as an oral spray, the organoleptic score decreased in a time-dependent manner. However, no significant differences were seen between the trehalose and placebo groups. In terms of secondary outcomes, the oral moisture levels increased immediately after the trehalose spray application, and significant differences in the amount of change from the baseline were seen between the trehalose and placebo groups (<i>p</i> = 0.047). No significant differences were seen in any of the other variables (<i>p</i> > 0.05). <b>Conclusions:</b> We could not identify any positive effects on halitosis from a one-time 10% trehalose application as an oral spray in this prospective, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, cross-over study. However, the trehalose application immediately improved the oral moisture levels and was useful for treating oral dryness.</p>","PeriodicalId":12977,"journal":{"name":"Healthcare","volume":"13 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11941807/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143729846","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}