Scoping review protocol of the use of eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing in the treatment of birth trauma

Introduction
A traumatic childbirth can have severe negative effects on the mental health of the mother and can negatively impact the child and partner. Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychological intervention used to treat symptoms of trauma. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines for antenatal and postnatal mental health recommend that trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy or EMDR should be offered to women who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder resulting from a traumatic birth. However, the use of EMDR for birth trauma has not been clearly outlined in the literature.

Objectives
The aim of this scoping review is to explore the extent of the currently available research and to identify knowledge gaps in the use of EMDR for treating birth trauma.

Methods and analysis
The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines will be followed to provide a comprehensive scoping review of the use of EMDR for birth trauma. Several databases will be searched, such as PsychInfo, Pubmed, the Cochrane Library, Embase, Scopus and CINAHL, from the date the database was developed, until approximately August 2026. The grey literature sources will also be searched, and searches will be limited to include studies written in the English language. Two researchers will independently screen and extract data from both quantitative and qualitative studies, which meet the inclusion criteria. Data will be analysed in a descriptive and thematic manner. Data extraction may include study characteristics, data collection procedures, outcomes and results. Findings will be presented in tabular and narrative formats.

Ethics and dissemination
Ethical Approval is not necessary for this review, as only secondary data will be used. It is expected that the review will be disseminated at psychological conferences and in relevant journal articles.

Trial registration number
This scoping review protocol has been registered on Open Science Framework. The registration DOI is: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/UJZ52.

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Relationship between psychosocial problems and satisfaction with GP communication in German primary care practices: a structural equation model based on the cross-sectional GPCare-1 patient study

Objectives
This study examined the relationship between primary care patients’ psychosocial problems, other patient characteristics that are associated with satisfaction with overall care and satisfaction with general practitioner (GP) communication.

Design
A cross-sectional survey was conducted. Patients filled an anonymous two-page questionnaire on various socio-demographic, medical characteristics and their satisfaction with GP communication. Structural equation modelling evaluated associations of various patient characteristics, including psychosocial problems with GP communication.

Setting
General practices in Germany.

Participants
A total of 813 patients from 12 GP practices participated. The survey was conducted in summer 2020 during a COVID-19 lockdown.

Results
The estimated response rate was 24.1%. The prevalence of psychosocial problems in the sample was 30%. The three most frequent problems were excessive stress at work (19%), financial problems/debts (9%) and loneliness (8%). Most patients agreed that their GP takes their problems seriously (71%), feeling comfortable talking about sensitive things (66%), having enough space in communication (62%) and being asked by their GP about personal strains (53%). Higher social support, preference to solve one’s problem without GP help, higher age and better health status predicted more satisfaction with physician–patient communication, while the number of psychosocial problems, gender, years with physician, chronic stress and depression had no influence. According to the Bentler Comparative Fit Index, the pooled structural equation model had a 97.6% better fit than the corresponding model without covariate effects.
Higher social support, preference to solve one’s problem without GP help, higher age and better health status but not the number of psychosocial problems predicted more satisfaction with physician–patient communication.

Conclusions
GPs should be aware of the high occurrence of patients’ psychosocial problems and actively address patients’ social support and self-management preferences which influence patients’ satisfaction with GP communication.

Trial registration number
The General Practice Care-1 study was registered in the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00022330).

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Dysbiotic oral microbiota-derived kynurenine, induced by chronic restraint stress, promotes head and neck squamous cell carcinoma by enhancing CD8+ T cell exhaustion

Background
Chronic restraint stress (CRS) is a tumour-promoting factor. However, the underlying mechanism is unknown.

Objective
We aimed to investigate whether CRS promotes head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) by altering the oral microbiota and related metabolites and whether kynurenine (Kyn) promotes HNSCC by modulating CD8+ T cells.

Design
4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (4NQO)-treated mice were exposed to CRS. Germ-free mice treated with 4NQO received oral microbiota transplants from either CRS or control mouse donors. 16S rRNA gene sequencing and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry were performed on mouse saliva, faecal and plasma samples to investigate alterations in their microbiota and metabolites. The effects of Kyn on HNSCC were studied using the 4NQO-induced HNSCC mouse model.

Results
Mice subjected to CRS demonstrated a higher incidence of HNSCC and oral microbial dysbiosis than CRS-free control mice. Pseudomonas and Veillonella species were enriched while certain oral bacteria, including Corynebacterium and Staphylococcus species, were depleted with CRS exposure. Furthermore, CRS-altered oral microbiota promoted HNSCC formation, caused oral and gut barrier dysfunction, and induced a host metabolome shift with increased plasma Kyn in germ-free mice exposed to 4NQO treatment. Under stress conditions, we also found that Kyn activated aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) nuclear translocation and deubiquitination in tumour-reactive CD8+ T cells, thereby promoting HNSCC tumourigenesis.

Conclusion
CRS-induced oral microbiota dysbiosis plays a protumourigenic role in HNSCC and can influence host metabolism. Mechanistically, under stress conditions, Kyn promotes CD8+ T cell exhaustion and HNSCC tumourigenesis through stabilising AhR by its deubiquitination.

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Effects of pre-CABG program on discharge readiness and surgery outcomes for patients undergoing elective CABG surgery: a study protocol for a randomised control trial

Introduction
Cardiovascular diseases, a leading cause of death globally, impose significant health and economic burdens, particularly in countries like Iran. Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is a common intervention for ischaemic heart disease, yet it entails a long recovery process with potential complications and psychological impacts. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a prehabilitation programme (pre-CABG) on postoperative outcomes and discharge readiness in patients undergoing elective CABG.

Methods and analysis
This randomised controlled trial involves 60 patients diagnosed with coronary artery disease at Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group, receiving the pre-CABG programme, or the control group, receiving standard care. The pre-CABG programme includes patient education, stress management techniques, respiratory muscle training and nutritional guidance. Primary outcomes include discharge readiness, duration of intubation, Intensive Care Uniy (ICU) stay, occurrence of atelectasis, onset of mobility, hospital stay and levels of anxiety and depression. Secondary outcomes include the rate of 30-day readmissions. Data collection will involve standardised scales and checklists administered at various stages preoperation and postoperation.

Ethics and dissemination
The research study has received approval from the Research Ethics Committee at Tehran University of Medical Sciences’ School of Nursing and Midwifery and Rehabilitation. All participants must provide written consent for their involvement in this study. The findings will be shared with appropriate groups and published in peer-reviewed journals.

Trial registration number
The study is registered with the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials under the ID IRCT20231019059768N1.

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Study protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled trial using music prehabilitation to reduce preoperative anxiety before oncological colorectal surgery: the MU-PRIOR trial

Introduction
Prehabilitation aims to improve preoperative health before surgery to reduce complications. Reducing anxiety helps prevent postoperative pain, stress and sleep disturbances. Listening to music through headphones or earpieces in the hospital directly preoperatively, intraoperatively and postoperatively has been shown to ameliorate anxiety, stress, pain and sleep disorders. This randomised controlled trial will investigate the effect of active music listening at home 1 week before surgery as a prehabilitation modality on preoperative anxiety compared with standard care.

Methods and analysis
This study is a multicentre randomised controlled trial that will include 116 patients. The study population consists of adults undergoing elective oncological colorectal surgery. The intervention group will be advised to listen to recorded music three times per day for 20 min, starting 1 week prior to surgery, using headphones or earpieces. Both groups will receive standard care during hospitalisation. The primary outcome is patient-reported preoperative anxiety using the State-Trait Anxiety IndexInventory 6. Secondary outcomes are patient-reported stress, delirium incidence, medication usage, postoperative pain, complication rate, length of stay, adherence to the intervention, quality of life and healthcare-related costs.

Ethics and dissemination
This study protocol has been approved by the Medical Ethical Review Board of Erasmus Medical Center on 15 December 2022 (MEC-2022-9415). The trial will be carried out following the updated Declaration of Helsinki principles and Good Clinical Practice guidelines. Study results will be published and reported in a peer-reviewed journal according to the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials guidelines.

Trial registration number
NCT05982184.

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Prevalence of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder among the caregivers of children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer in Oman: a multicentre, prospective cohort study

Objectives
To assess the prevalence of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and their associated factors among the caregivers of children diagnosed with cancer in Oman and explore the changes in psychological outcomes over time.

Design
A multicentre, prospective, cohort study.

Setting
The National Oncology Centre of the Royal Hospital, the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital and the Sultan Qaboos Comprehensive Cancer Care and Research Centre in Muscat, Oman.

Participants
Caregivers of Omani children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer at the three primary cancer referral centres in Oman.

Outcome measures
Validated Arabic versions of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale and the Impact of Event Scale-Revised were used to screen for symptoms of anxiety, depression and PTSD, respectively. The first assessment (T1) was conducted any time within the first 3 months of the child’s diagnosis, while the second assessment (T2) was conducted 3–6 months after T1. Multivariate linear regression models were used to investigate the association between socio-demographic and clinical characteristics and average anxiety, depression and PTSD scores.

Results
Of the 92 caregivers of Omani children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer, 45.7%, 53.3%, 45.7% and 68.5% exhibited state anxiety, trait anxiety, depression and PTSD at T1. Subsequently, prevalence rates of these conditions decreased to 32.6%, 42.4%, 33.7% and 55.4%, respectively, at T2. Between T1 and T2, the prevalence of state anxiety decreased significantly, as did average state anxiety and PTSD scores (p

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Perceptions of participants and organisers of a social prescribing programme for hospital staff through horticulture (SP4S-H) in the community hospitals in Singapore: a qualitative study

Objectives
Hospital workers face multiple biopsychosocial stressors in the course of their work, which could potentially be addressed by social prescribing of horticultural activities. However, the effectiveness of such interventions has not been evaluated. We conducted a qualitative study to understand the perceptions of participants and organisers of a horticulture-based social prescribing intervention for staff (SP4S-H) in three community hospitals in Singapore.

Design
The RE-AIM Planning and Evaluation Framework was used to develop our semistructured interview guides and guided our thematic analysis. Indepth interviews were conducted with subsequent transcribing, coding and iterative analysis until thematic saturation was reached.

Setting
Three community hospitals in Singapore, between May 2022 and June 2024.

Participants
26 hospital staff.

Results
SP4S-H was perceived to have a positive impact on staff, including increasing their knowledge on horticulture, team bonding, positive emotions and self-help skills. Barriers to participation included participants preferring not to spend time outside working hours (ie, lunch hours) for SP4S-H or attending physical meetings. Appealing to the interest of staff, overcoming barriers in their attendance, organising the events and improving the working culture of participants were found to influence the reach, implementation and sustainability of SP4S-H.

Conclusion
SP4S-H was perceived to be beneficial by hospital workers in improving social connectedness and their ability to cope with stress. The importance of having the support of senior management, adequacy of resources and deliberate staff engagement in rolling out this initiative cannot be underestimated.

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Effects of Spirulina platensis supplementation on quality of life, severity of disease and serum total antioxidant capacity, malondialdehyde and zonulin in constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome: protocol for a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial from Iran

Introduction
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common chronic gut–brain interaction disorders. Nevertheless, there is currently no treatment for IBS. Low-grade inflammation and oxidative stress are contributing factors to the increased perception of abdominal pain and heightened sensitivity of the nervous system in these patients. Spirulina platensis is a rich source of essential nutrients, including amino acids, vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, essential fatty acids and fibre. It has been found that Spirulina possesses a variety of therapeutic properties such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antidepressant effects, which may be advantageous in reducing complications of IBS. The aim of present randomised clinical trial (RCT) is to assess the efficacy of Spirulina supplementation on IBS.

Methods and analysis
This study is a 12-week, 1:1 parallel-group, double-blinded, randomised controlled trial. Sixty adult individuals diagnosed with IBS according to the Rome IV criteria will be randomised to consume either Spirulina capsules (500 mg) or a placebo, two times a day. The primary outcomes of this RCT are the changes in the IBS quality of life, severity of IBS symptoms, and gut permeability from baseline to 12 weeks of the intervention. The secondary outcomes are the changes in the serum total antioxidant capacity and serum malondialdehyde from baseline to the end of intervention. If this RCT demonstrates significant results in gut permeability, antioxidant status and reduction in IBS symptoms, it could support the use of Spirulina in managing IBS and could potentially reduce healthcare costs.

Ethics and dissemination
The study protocol has been approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran (ID: IR.MUI.RESEARCH.REC.1401.370). Findings will be presented in subsequent publications.

Trial registration number
IRCT20140208016529N8; Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials; registered on 25 April 2023.

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The Immoderate Publicity of Science

In recent years, many of the sciences have found it increasingly easy to demonstrate how indispensable they are to modern life. This has been conspicuously true since the World War, during which science in the broadest sense made itself felt as a constructive factor in the solution of innumerable problems. This period of stress presented many serious difficulties that needed to be overcome promptly. The physicists and chemists, in particular, bent their energies to the task, with results that brought widespread acclaim. In the works of either construction or destruction, chemistry and physics contributed in many new and unanticipated ways. Necessity became the mother of invention in the scientific laboratories. The latter deserve much, and they have been justly lauded. One hears on many sides that “science has come into its own” in the last decade.

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