Paweł Jemioło

Background: There is an increasing interest in the impact of social capital (SC) on health of older people. However, the development of communication and information technologies (ICTs) made the tools used to measure offline SC ineffective. We aimed to provide an overview of theory-based comprehensive online SC measurements among the general adult population and compare their assessed aspects and psychometric properties. Methods: We performed a PRISMA-ScR-compliant scoping review in Medline, Embase, Web of Science, ProQuest, and CINAHL databases and included studies published between January 2000 and September 2024 concerning the development or validation of the questionnaire methods assessing online SC. We included studies conducted in the adult population from any country focused on health or directed to general population. Reference to an explicit theory of SC was used to stratify the eligible studies into those analysed in the present analysis and those reported elsewhere. Results: The search identified 13,072 records, of which 8042 unique records remained after duplicate removal and underwent title and abstract screening. Following full-text assessment of 425 articles, 86 studies met the inclusion criteria and 27 were analysed in the scoping review. Most of scales are adaptation of the measures for assessing SC as a whole. There is a lack of scales directed specifically to the older populations. A few tools are directed to general population, but none of them was validated in the health context. Conclusions: The results indicate the need for development of the measurement tool to assess online SC which will be useful for population studies in public health and epidemiology, especially directed to older adults. The review protocol was registered at Open Science Framework on August 25, 2023 ( https://osf.io/t385d ).

This study introduces an innovative multimodal system designed to support the assessment of Parkinson’s disease, atypical Parkinsonian syndromes, and Huntington’s disease by integrating mixed-reality (MR) technology, specifically using augmented reality goggles. The system captures symptoms related to neurodegenerative disorders through detailed sensor data, including hand movements, gait, and gaze patterns. Central to our methodology is an interactive, game-like experience lasting 30 min, comprising 17 tasks that evaluate motor skills, speech, memory, cognitive functions, gait, and gaze. These tasks were developed in collaboration with neurologists and draw upon established clinical paradigms. This engaging experience, combined with traditional clinical tests, provides a comprehensive assessment of both physical and cognitive capabilities. Rather than aiming to provide a diagnostic decision, this study focuses on evaluating the feasibility and usability of the system in a clinical setting. By automating diagnostic tasks and utilizing MR technology, our approach enhances patient comfort and offers a more immersive and efficient assessment process. The system was evaluated with 15 neurodegenerative patients and 32 healthy subjects, demonstrating high scores in both immersion and usability across both groups. This work represents a first step toward integrating MR into clinical workflows for neurodegenerative disease assessment.

Background: In patients with allergic rhinitis who remain uncontrolled despite being treated with standard daily doses of a single medication, strategies that can be followed to achieve adequate symptom control include (i) increasing the medication dose, or (ii) adding an additional medication (co-medication). However, it is not known which one of these two strategies is more effective. Objectives: This article describes a protocol of a systematic review with dose-response network meta-analysis aiming at comparing different intranasal and oral medications in patients with seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis. Methods: We will search four electronic bibliographic databases and three clinical trials databases for randomized controlled trials (i) assessing adults or children with seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis, and (ii) evaluating the effect of intranasal medications, oral medications or combinations of any intranasal and/or oral medications for allergic rhinitis. Assessed outcomes will include the Total Nasal Symptom Score, the Total Ocular Symptom Score and the Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality-of-Life Questionnaire (RQLQ). We will assess the methodological quality of included primary studies by using the Cochrane riskof-bias tool. Certainty in the body of evidence for the analysed outcomes will be assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach for network meta-analyses (GRADE-NMA). We will perform a frequentist dose-response model-based network meta-analysis. Sensitivity analyses will be performed by separately analysing data for seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis. Conclusion: This protocol describes the methodology of a systematic review that will fit dose-response network meta-analysis models in the comparison between different intranasal and oral medications. The findings of this systematic review will support recommendations in the Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) 2024-2025 guidelines.

Background: Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from humans with specific medical conditions to animal models can demonstrate causality by inducing or exacerbating pathophenotypes, linking the gut microbiota to health outcomes. Methods: We conducted a scoping review searching MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, and Web of Science through July 2024 to identify human noninfectious diseases studied using FMT in animal models, investigate FMT methodologies, and assess the feasibility of systematic reviews on the role of the microbiota in specific diseases. Results: From 605 reports of 489 studies, we found that inflammatory bowel diseases, irritable bowel syndrome, obesity, colorectal cancer, and depression were the most commonly studied, with cancer research focusing on immunotherapy non-responsiveness. In a random sample of studies, gastrointestinal outcomes were most frequently reported, with remarkably high rates (> 80%) of successful induction of disease-specific alterations for intestinal barrier function, gastrointestinal inflammation, circulating immune parameters, and fecal metabolites. Most studies used C57BL/6 mice and oral gavage administration, with recipients being either germ-free or antibiotic-pretreated. We created tables linking conditions with publications to facilitate future systematic reviews. Conclusions: Although human-to-animal FMT studies cover diverse conditions, methodological heterogeneity and inconsistent reporting hinder comparability. Standardized protocols and guidelines are needed. For several conditions, sufficient literature exists to assess the role of the gut microbiota in human health through systematic reviews.

This paper introduces the first version of the Games for Evoking Emotions in Research (GEER) database, designed to provide researchers with a validated set of games to elicit specific emotional responses. The database includes five games, each designed to evoke one of Ekman’s basic negative emotions - anger, fear, disgust, and sadness - or maintain a neutral state. Developed using Unity 2020.3.25f1, these games incorporate mechanics, narratives, and audiovisual elements tailored to evoke targeted emotions. The games were validated via a survey with 30 participants, confirming their effectiveness in eliciting the desired emotional states. Statistical analyses, including ANOVA and Pearson correlation, demonstrated significant differences in emotional intensity between games. This initial version represents a foundational step towards creating an extensive database for emotional elicitation, with plans to expand the collection and include additional platforms like mobile and virtual reality.

Background: Hospitalization in psychiatric wards is a necessary step for many individuals experiencing severe mental health issues. However, being hospitalized can also be a stressful and unsettling experience. It is crucial to understand and address the various needs of hospitalized individuals with psychiatric disorders to promote their overall well-being and support their recovery. Objective: Our objectives were to identify and describe individual needs related to mental hospitals through peer-to-peer interactions on Polish web-based forums among individuals with depression and anxiety disorders and to assess whether these needs were addressed by peers. Methods: We conducted a search of web-based forums focused on depression and anxiety and selected samples of 160 and 176 posts, respectively, until we reached saturation. A mixed methods analysis that included an in-depth content analysis, the Pearson χ2 test, and φ coefficient was used to evaluate the posts. Results: The most frequently identified needs were the same for depression and anxiety forums and involved informational (105/160, 65.6% and 169/393, 43%, respectively), social life (17/160, 10.6% and 90/393, 22.9%, respectively), and emotional (9/160, 5.6% and 66/393, 16.8%, respectively) needs. The results show that there is no difference in the expression of needs between the analyzed forums. The needs were directly (42/47, 89% vs 98/110, 89.1% of times for depression and anxiety, respectively) and not fully (27/47, 57% vs 86/110, 78.2% of times for depression and anxiety, respectively) addressed by forum users. In quantitative analysis, we found that depression-related forums had more posts about the need for informational support and rectification, the expression of anger, and seeking professional support. By contrast, anxiety-related forums had more posts about the need for emotional support; social life; and information concerning medications, hope, and motivation. The most common co-occurrence of expressed needs was between sharing own experience and the need for professional support, with a strong positive association. The qualitative analysis showed that users join web-based communities to discuss their fears and questions about psychiatric hospitals. The posts revealed 4 mental and emotional representations of psychiatric hospitals: the hospital as an unknown place, the ambivalence of presumptions and needs, the negative representation of psychiatric hospitals, and the people associated with psychiatric hospitals. The tone of the posts was mostly negative, with discussions revolving around negative stereotypes; traumatic experiences; and beliefs that increased anxiety, shock, and fright and deterred users from hospitalization. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that web-based forums can provide a platform for individuals with depression and anxiety disorders to express a wide range of needs. Most needs were addressed by peers but not sufficiently. Mental health professionals can benefit from these findings by gaining insights into the unique needs and concerns of their patients, thus allowing for more effective treatment and support.

BACKGROUND Hospitalization in psychiatric wards is a necessary step for many individuals experiencing severe mental health issues. However, being hospitalized can also be a stressful and unsettling experience. It is crucial to understand and address the various needs of hospitalized individuals with psychiatric disorders to promote their overall well-being and support their recovery. OBJECTIVE Our objectives were to identify and describe individual needs related to mental hospitals through peer-to-peer interactions on Polish web-based forums among individuals with depression and anxiety disorders and to assess whether these needs were addressed by peers. METHODS We conducted a search of web-based forums focused on depression and anxiety and selected samples of 160 and 176 posts, respectively, until we reached saturation. A mixed methods analysis that included an in-depth content analysis, the Pearson χ2 test, and φ coefficient was used to evaluate the posts. RESULTS The most frequently identified needs were the same for depression and anxiety forums and involved informational (105/160, 65.6% and 169/393, 43%, respectively), social life (17/160, 10.6% and 90/393, 22.9%, respectively), and emotional (9/160, 5.6% and 66/393, 16.8%, respectively) needs. The results show that there is no difference in the expression of needs between the analyzed forums. The needs were directly (42/47, 89% vs 98/110, 89.1% of times for depression and anxiety, respectively) and not fully (27/47, 57% vs 86/110, 78.2% of times for depression and anxiety, respectively) addressed by forum users. In quantitative analysis, we found that depression-related forums had more posts about the need for informational support and rectification, the expression of anger, and seeking professional support. By contrast, anxiety-related forums had more posts about the need for emotional support; social life; and information concerning medications, hope, and motivation. The most common co-occurrence of expressed needs was between sharing own experience and the need for professional support, with a strong positive association. The qualitative analysis showed that users join web-based communities to discuss their fears and questions about psychiatric hospitals. The posts revealed 4 mental and emotional representations of psychiatric hospitals: the hospital as an unknown place, the ambivalence of presumptions and needs, the negative representation of psychiatric hospitals, and the people associated with psychiatric hospitals. The tone of the posts was mostly negative, with discussions revolving around negative stereotypes; traumatic experiences; and beliefs that increased anxiety, shock, and fright and deterred users from hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS Our study demonstrates that web-based forums can provide a platform for individuals with depression and anxiety disorders to express a wide range of needs. Most needs were addressed by peers but not sufficiently. Mental health professionals can benefit from these findings by gaining insights into the unique needs and concerns of their patients, thus allowing for more effective treatment and support.

Background: An increasing number of online support groups are providing advice and information on topics related to mental health. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the needs that internet users meet through peer-to-peer interactions. Methods: A search of 4 databases was performed until August 15, 2022. Qualitative or mixed methods (ie, qualitative and quantitative) studies investigating interactions among internet users with mental disorders were included. The φ coefficient was used and machine learning techniques were applied to investigate the associations between the type of mental disorders and web-based interactions linked to seeking help or support. Results: Of the 13,098 identified records, 44 studies (analyzed in 54 study-disorder pairs) that assessed 82,091 users and 293,103 posts were included. The most frequent interactions were noted for people with eating disorders (14/54, 26%), depression (12/54, 22%), and psychoactive substance use disorders (9/54, 17%). We grouped interactions between users into 42 codes, with the empathy or compassion code being the most common (41/54, 76%). The most frequently coexisting codes were request for information and network (35 times; φ=0.5; P<.001). The algorithms that provided the best accuracy in classifying disorders by interactions were decision trees (44/54, 81%) and logistic regression (40/54, 74%). The included studies were of moderate quality. Conclusions: People with mental disorders mostly use the internet to seek support, find answers to their questions, and chat. The results of this analysis should be interpreted as a proof of concept. More data on web-based interactions among these people might help apply machine learning methods to develop a tool that might facilitate screening or even support mental health assessment.