Recovering Coronavirus Disease Patients in the Active Duty Military Population: A Review of Current Evidence and Special Considerations for Uniformed Providers.
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SUBMITTER: Adams N
PROVIDER: S-EPMC8394827 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Project description:Due to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the unmet medical and psychological needs of military personnel are creating major challenges. Increasingly, active duty military personnel are seeking physical and mental health services from civilian professionals. The Civilian Medical Resources Network attempts to address these unmet needs. Participants in the Network include primary care and mental health practitioners in all regions of the country. Network professionals provide independent assessments, clinical interventions in acute situations, and documentation that assists GIs in obtaining reassignment or discharge. Most clients who use Network services come from low-income backgrounds and manifest psychological rather than physical disorders. Qualitative themes in professional-client encounters have focused on ethical conflicts, the impact of violence without meaning (especially violence against civilians), and perceived problems in military health and mental health policies. Unmet needs of active duty military personnel deserve more concerted attention from medical professionals and policy makers.
| S-EPMC3041942 | biostudies-literature
Project description:IntroductionTranscranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation method, popular due to its low cost, ease-of-application, and portability. As such, it has gained traction in examining its potential for cognitive enhancement in a diverse range of populations, including active-duty military. However, current literature presents mixed results regarding its efficacy and limited evaluations of possible undesirable side-effects (such as degradation to cognitive processes).MethodsTo further examine its potential for enhancing cognition, a double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled, within-subjects design, was used to evaluate both online active-anodal and -cathodal on several cognitive tasks administered. Potential undesirable side effects related to mood, sleepiness, and cognitive performance, were also assessed. Active tDCS was applied for 30 min, using 2 mA, to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex with an extracephalic reference placed on the contralateral arm of 27 (14 males) active-duty Soldiers.ResultsWe report mixed results. Specifically, we found improvements in sustained attention (active-anodal) for males in reaction time (p = 0.024, ηp 2 = 0.16) and for sensitivity index in females (p = 0.013, ηp 2 = 0.18). In addition, we found faster reaction time (p = 0.034, ηp 2 = 0.15) and increased accuracy (p = 0.029, ηp 2 = 0.16) associated with executive function (active-anodal and -cathodal), and worsened working memory performance (active-cathodal; p = 0.008, ηp 2 = 0.18). Additionally, we found increased risk-taking with active-anodal (p = 0.001, ηp 2 = 0.33).DiscussiontDCS may hold promise as a method for cognitive enhancement, as evidenced by our findings related to sustained attention and executive function. However, we caution that further study is required to better understand additional parameters and limitations that may explain results, as our study only focused on anode vs. cathode stimulation. Risk-taking was examined secondary to our main interests which warrants further experimental investigation isolating potential tradeoffs that may be associated with tDCS simulation.
| S-EPMC11310018 | biostudies-literature
Project description:ObjectiveTo provide a preliminary assessment of the current clinical practice for the treatment of post-traumatic headache following concussion in military primary health care settings.BackgroundHeadache is one of the most common symptoms post-concussion; however, little is known of the current clinical practices of primary care providers (on the treatment of post-traumatic headache), particularly in military settings.MethodsStudy participants were primary care providers (n = 65) who treated active duty Service members suffering from post-traumatic headache at two military installations. Qualitative data gathered via semi-structured interviews were used to describe provider practices and experience in treating patients with post-traumatic headache.ResultsSome patterns of care across primary care providers treating post-traumatic headache were consistent with the Department of Defense-recommended clinical recommendation (e.g., recommendation of both pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment [89.4%]; engaging in follow-up care [100%]). Differences existed in timing of follow-up from initial visit [16.9% reporting within 24 hours; 21.5% reporting within 48-72 hours; and 26.2% reporting more than 1 week], the factors contributing to the type of care given (e.g., symptomatology [33.0%], injury characteristic [24.2%], patient characteristic [13.2%]) and the need for referral to higher level of care (e.g., symptomatology [44.6%], treatment failure [25.0%]). These variations may be indicative of individualized treatment which would be compliant with best clinical practice.ConclusionThe results of this study demonstrate the current clinical practice in military primary care settings for the treatment of post-traumatic headache which can potentially inform and improve implementation of provider training and education.
| S-EPMC7380628 | biostudies-literature
Project description:IntroductionMental health conditions (i.e. depression or anxiety) are the most common complication of pregnancy and childbirth in the United States (U.S.) and are associated with increased maternal and infant morbidity and mortality. Research has demonstrated a relationship between stress and mental health diagnoses in pregnancy; therefore, it is concerning that military families face unique challenges which contribute to additional stressors among spouses of active-duty (AD) military personnel during the perinatal period. The objective of this scoping review was to understand the current state of research on perinatal stress or perinatal mental health among American spouses of AD military personnel.MethodsThe Boolean phrase was created in consultation with 2 health science librarians and the following databases searched in October 2023: PubMed, Embase, Military and Government Collection, CINAHL, and PsychINFO. 2 reviewers identified 481 studies for screening once duplicates were removed. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 21 studies remained for data extraction and analysis.ResultsMost of the studies were quantitative, took place in the southern U.S., and the most represented military branch was Air Force. Most of the studies included both AD military members and AD spouses; 28% focused solely on AD spouses. Samples were not racially diverse, and findings identified racial disparities in perinatal mental health conditions. There was a wide variety in outcome measures, including the following general categories: (1) stress, anxiety, and/or depression, (2) maternal-infant attachment, (3) group prenatal care, and (4) deployment focus. Our review identified the following concepts: spouses most at risk for perinatal mental health conditions, the need for perinatal mental health screening, and the need for social support.ConclusionsFindings from the identified studies indicate a need for additional research in this area. Additionally, findings highlight circumstances unique to this population that result in an increased risk of stress and/or mental health conditions during the perinatal period. Such challenges demand improved mental health screening and additional resources for this population. Meeting the needs of this unique population also requires significant funding and policy change to allow for increased access to mental health resources and to ensure the health of the birthing person and infant.
| S-EPMC11348676 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundMusculoskeletal injuries are one of the most prevalent battle and non-battle related injuries in the active duty military. In some countries, chiropractic services are accessed to manage such injuries within and outside military healthcare systems; however, there is no recent description of such access nor outcomes. This scoping review aimed to synthesize published literature exploring the nature, models, and outcomes of chiropractic services provided to active duty military globally.MethodWe employed scoping review methodology. Systematic searches of relevant databases, including military collections and hand searches were conducted from inception to October 22, 2018. We included peer-reviewed English literature with qualitative and quantitative designs, describing chiropractic practice and services delivered to active duty military worldwide. Paired reviewers independently reviewed all citations and articles using a two-phase screening process. Data from relevant articles were extracted into evidence tables and sorted by study type. Results were descriptively analyzed.ResultsWe screened 497 articles and 20 met inclusion criteria. Chiropractic services were commonly provided on-base only in the US. Services were accessed by physician referral and commonly after initiation or non-response to other care. Use of scope of practice was determined by the system/facility, varying from intervention specific to comprehensive services. Back pain with and without radiculopathy accounted for most complaints. Treatment outcomes were reported primarily by case reports. However, two recent randomized trials reported improved pain, disability, and satisfaction when adding chiropractic care to usual medical care compared to usual medical care alone in management of low back pain. Specific reaction time measures in special operation forces military did not improve after chiropractic care compared to wait-list control.ConclusionsOur scoping review found the majority of published articles described chiropractic services in the active duty military in the US setting. Recent RCTs suggest a benefit of including chiropractic care to usual medical care in managing back pain in active duty military. Yet despite reported benefits in Australia, Canada, and the US, there is a need for further qualitative, descriptive, and clinical trial data worldwide to inform the role of chiropractic services in active duty military.
| S-EPMC6628474 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BACKGROUND:Among active duty service members and veterans with PTSD, depression is the most commonly diagnosed comorbid psychiatric condition. More research is warranted to investigate the relationship between PTSD and depression to improve treatment approaches. Byllesby et al. (2017) used confirmatory factor analyses in a sample of trauma-exposed combat veterans with PTSD and found that only the general distress factor, and not any specific symptom cluster of PTSD, predicted depression. This study seeks to replicate Byllesby et al. (2017) in a sample of treatment-seeking active duty soldiers. METHODS:Confirmatory factor analyses, bifactor modeling, and structural equation modeling (SEM) were used with data gathered at pretreatment and posttreatment as part of a large randomized clinical trial. RESULTS:Confirmatory factor analyses and bifactor modeling demonstrated that PTSD symptom clusters, Negative Alterations in Cognition and Mood (NACM) and Alterations in Arousal and Reactivity (AAR), as well as the general distress factor significantly predicted depression at pretreatment and posttreatment. LIMITATIONS:The current study was predominantly male, limiting the generalizability to female service members with PTSD. Also, self-report measures were used, which may introduce response-bias. CONCLUSIONS:The current study did not replicate Byllesby et al. (2017). Results demonstrated that the relationship between PTSD and depression among active duty service members can be explained by both transdiagnostic factors and disorder-specific symptoms.
| S-EPMC6750963 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Purpose Due to hazards in the contemporary operating environment, U.S. military service members are at increased risk for tinnitus. Previous research has characterized tinnitus prevalence in military veterans, but no population-based study of tinnitus has been conducted in active duty military service members. This study evaluated the incidence of tinnitus diagnoses in military electronic health records based on International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision (ICD-9) codes for active duty service members between 2001 and 2015. Method Data on 85,438 active duty military service members who served between 2001 and 2015 were drawn from the Defense Medical Epidemiological Database and stratified by race, age, sex, marital status, service branch, and military pay grade. Results The incidence rate of tinnitus in U.S. military service members (per 1,000) rose consistently from 1.84 in 2001 to 6.33 in 2015. Service members most often diagnosed with tinnitus were White (72%), married (72%), males (88%), in the enlisted pay grade of E-5 to E-9 (55%), in the Army (37%), and were 35 years of age or older (50%). Statistically significant differences (p < .001) were found between observed and expected counts across all 6 demographic variables. Conclusions This is the first study to assess the incidence rates of tinnitus in active duty service members. Although there are many risk factors for auditory damage in the contemporary military operating environment, the extant literature on tinnitus in active duty military service members is limited. Future studies should consider the relationship between tinnitus-related psychological comorbidity and objective health-related quality of life, as it impacts operational readiness in active duty military service members.
| S-EPMC7210435 | biostudies-literature
Project description:IntroductionVitamin D is critical for bone health and its deficiency has been linked to increased incidence and severity of multiple diseases. Even so, vitamin D inadequacy is a major public health problem worldwide. The main source of vitamin D is endogenous cutaneous synthesis through exposure to solar ultraviolet B radiation, which is influenced by several factors, including occupational. The active duty Navy military personnel may be prone to vitamin D inadequacy, but a worldwide overview of vitamin D status in this specific population is still lacking.Methods and analysisThe CoCoPop mnemonic will be used for determining the inclusion criteria. Scopus, Web of Science and PubMed/Medline will be searched for all studies including 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations of the active duty Navy military personnel. Data extraction and quality assessment (Joanna Briggs Institute's and Downs and Black checklists) will be performed by two reviewers and data will be synthesised in narrative, tabular and map formats.Ethics and disseminationThis study will not involve human or animal subjects and, thus, does not require ethics approval. The outcomes will be disseminated via publication in a peer-reviewed scientific journal and presentation at a scientific conference.Prospero registration numberCRD42022287057.
| S-EPMC9174767 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundResearch has been conducted to assess the effectiveness of weight management, dietary and physical activity interventions in military settings. However, a recent and comprehensive overview is lacking. The aim of this systematic review is to examine the evidence and describe key components of effective interventions in terms of improving body composition, dietary behaviors, and physical activity among active-duty military personnel.MethodsPubMed, PsycInfo, and CINAHL were searched on the 17th of November 2017 to identify interventions that promoted diet and/or physical activity among active-duty military personnel. Studies were included if they assessed outcomes related to anthropometric measurements, dietary behaviors, or fitness/physical activity levels. There were no restrictions regarding publication date, follow-up duration, and sex. After screening, a total of 136 studies were eligible. Of these studies, 38 included an educational and/or behavioral change component, and 98 had only physical or fitness training as part of basic military training. Only studies that included an educational and/or behavioral change component were assessed for quality using the Effective Public Health Practice Project tool and included in the qualitative synthesis of the results.ResultsBased on consistent evidence from studies that were rated as moderate or strong, there is good evidence that military weight management interventions are effective in improving body composition for durations of up to 12 months. Effective interventions are more likely to be high intensity (have a greater number of sessions), are more often delivered by specialists, and use theoretical base/behavioral change techniques and a standardized guideline. Dietary interventions can potentially reduce total fat and saturated fat intake. Dietary interventions that target the kitchen staff and/or increase the availability of healthy food are more likely to be effective in the short term. The results regarding military physical fitness interventions were inconclusive.ConclusionDespite limitations such as the diversity and heterogeneity of the included interventions, outcome measurements, and follow-up duration, this systematic review found good evidence that weight management interventions are effective, especially in terms of weight loss. More studies are needed to acquire solid evidence for effectiveness for durations longer than 12 months and to identify key components of the effective dietary and physical activity educational and/or behavioral change interventions, especially in countries outside Europe and the US.
| S-EPMC6309065 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Women in the US military report a high prevalence of sexual risk behaviours, such as binge drinking and new or multiple sexual partnerships. However, demographical differences pose challenges to making comparisons with civilians. Two public-use datasets were used to compare prevalence of sexual risk behaviours between sexually active military and civilian women, after adjusting for demographic factors. It was found that women in the military reported a higher prevalence of binge drinking and new/multiple sexual partners as compared with civilians, which suggests that military women are a high-risk group and the military environment may at least partially facilitate these risk behaviours.
| S-EPMC4596744 | biostudies-literature