The Top Study for the Month is definitely my all time favorite.
SMILE!
OPTIMISM LINKED WITH LOWER RISK OF DEATH
Optimism may prevent cardiovascular disease and risk of death from all causes in women, according to a report slated for publication in the journal Circulation.
The study followed 97,253 women, ages 50-79 years, for eight years. Compared with pessimists, optimists were 14% less likely to die over the study period. In addition, they were 9% less likely to develop coronary heart disease and 30% less likely to die of heart problems.
A positive, independent, association was also identified between risk of death and cynical, hostile, women.
Circulation – August 10;Epub.
circ.ahajournals.org
SOCIAL ACTIVITY PREVENTS MOTOR DECLINE
A study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, reveals that, among the elderly, less frequent participation in social activities is associated with a more rapid decline in motor function.
As part of the analysis, 906 older individuals completed a survey indicating their level of participation in a variety of activities involving social interactions, such as doing volunteer work, visiting friends or relatives, or attending church or sporting events.
Frequency of participation in these activities was measured using a five-point scale, with one indicating participation in a particular activity once a year or less; two, several times a year; three, several times a month; four, several times a week; and five, every day or almost every day.
The researchers then annually assessed the participants’ basic motor function, including muscle strength in the arms and legs, and motor performance, including walking and balance. Participants were followed for an average of five years.
The study found that motor decline was more rapid in those who less frequently participated in social activities, with each one-point decrease in a participant’s social activity associated with an approximate 33% more rapid rate of decline.
“Statistically, that amount of change translates into a more than 40% increased risk of death and a more than 65% increased risk of developing disability,” comments study author Dr. Aron Buchman..
Archives of Internal Medicine – June 2009;169:1139-46.
archinte.ama-assn.org
TIME INFLUENCES PATIENTS’ ASSESSMENT OF PAIN INTENSITY
How accurately do patients remember pain intensity? To find out, researchers followed 203 patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) over 29 days.
Findings revealed that evening recall of pain intensity for that day is accurate. On the other hand, “24 and 48 hours remembered pain intensity are not accurate measures.” In addition, “recalls of pain on the 7 or 28 last days were very dependant of the pain intensity of the day of the assessment.”
Health Services Research – July 2009;15:1604-9.
www.hsr.org
ACUPUNCTURE POINTS SAME LOCATIONS AS TRIGGER POINTS
New research appearing in The Journal of Pain demonstrates that ancient acupuncture meridians coincide with known myofacial trigger point regions, as described in the Trigger Point Manual, and may provide potential for novel approaches for treating chronic myofacial pain.
In the study, researchers from Mayo Clinic in
The study’s authors point out that trigger points are firmly anchored in the anatomy of the neural and muscular systems, while acupuncture points are based on the ancient concept of anatomically nonexistent meridians thought to carry energy and blood through the body in the healing process.
The investigators found that myofacial pain data from the Trigger Point Manual provides independent, physiologic evidence of acupuncture meridians described in the Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic more than 2,000 years ago.
The Journal of Pain – August 2009;Epub.
www.ampainsoc.org/pub/journal/
STUDY UNCOVERS PREDICTIVE FACTORS FOR WHIPLASH-RELATED CHRONIC HEADACHE
Certain factors influence the odds that a whiplash sufferer with develop chronic headache, say scientists in
The study tracked patients with mild to moderate whiplash. Specific predictive factors for chronic headache included pre-existing facial pain, pre-existing neck pain, lack of confidence to recover completely, sore throat, medication overuse, hopelessness, anxiety and depression.
However, the study’s authors note that “the lack of a control group limits the conclusions that can be drawn from this study. Identified predictors closely resemble those found in chronic primary headache disorders.”
Cephalgia – August 2009;Epub.
www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/117998533/home
Highlands Ranch Chiropractor, Dr. Rob Anderson, Doctor of Chiropractic, specializes in family health, sports performance, spine degeneration, disc injuries, disc herniation, children's health, ear infections, correction, traction, decompression, headaches, back, neck, and shoulder pain. He has served as the Chair for the Douglas County Health Advisory Committee, as Director of Sport Sensory Performance for HitStreak Baseball Academy, as Team Doctor for Highlands Ranch High School and Valor Christian High School and been honored to be a guest speaker for many local groups and businesses. He also owns and operates the Vitality Performance ZONE in Centennial which teaches elite athletes to dominate their sport with enhanced vision techniques, reaction time, hand-eye coordination, breathing enhancements, balance and coordination. He serves practice members from Castle Rock, Englewood, Littleton, Centennial, Denver, Lakewood, Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree. He is seen by his colleagues and practice members as the Best of the Best in Chiropractic in Colorado.
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