Mental Attitude: Fidgeting May Be Important for Learning in Students with ADHD.
Students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often get into trouble for fidgeting in class, but a new study suggests that fidgeting may help them learn. The research team based their findings on observing the amount of fidgeting 25 children with ADHD did while solving memory problems. They suspect that fidgeting may increase physiological arousal similar to what stimulant medication does for a child with the disorder. The findings suggest that teachers and parents should focus less on whether a child is sitting still and more on whether their work gets done.
Journal of Attention Disorders, February 2016
Health Alert: Radiation for Prostate Cancer May Carry Other Risks.
An analysis of 21 studies has found that radiation treatment for prostate cancer may place men at a slight increased risk for other cancers such as bladder, colon, and rectal cancers. Oncologist Dr. Anthony Zietman writes, “[The study] confirms our belief that second malignancy should be added to the already long list of avoidable hazards associated with treatment for those men with low-risk prostate cancer who simply need no treatment at all.” He adds that concerns about secondary cancers “should not, however, stand in the way of an effective and well-studied treatment being given to men with higher grade, lethal prostate cancer for whom the potential benefit simply dwarfs the risk.”
British Medical Journal, March 2016
Diet: Can Fruits and Veggies Lower Blood Pressure?
A review of 25 published studies concerning 334,468 patients revealed a link between greater consumption of fruits and vegetables and a lower risk of hypertension. The authors add that those of Asian descent appear to benefit the most, as studies conducted with Asian populations showed those who consumed the most servings of fruits and veggies per day were 30% less likely to develop high blood pressure than those who ate the fewest servings of produce each day.
Journal of Clinical Hypertension, January 2016
Exercise: Exercise Helps Some Smokers Quit.
According to a new study, between 20% and 33% of smokers are considered to have high-anxiety sensitivity and smoke to cope with stress, making it more difficult for them to quit. In this study, investigators found that 26% of high-anxiety sensitivity smokers who were involved in a 15-week exercise program successfully abstained from smoking compared with only 12% in a control group who attended wellness sessions. After six months, 23% of the exercise group continued to abstain from smoking while just 10% of the wellness education group managed the same. The findings suggest that exercise can reduce anxiety sensitivity symptoms, doubling the chances of smoking cessation among adults with higher anxiety levels.
Psychosomatic Medicine, April 2016
Chiropractic: Cervical Dysfunction and TMD?
A team of Brazilian researchers found evidence that patients with a diagnosed temporomandibular disorder (TMD) may also have cervical dysfunction that may possibly contribute to their TMD symptoms. In this study, twenty TMD patients and 20 healthy controls underwent a series of tests that measured pain, disability, and sensitivity to hot and cold at several body sites. They found the TMD patients were significantly more likely to report neck pain and disability and also more likely to have abnormal sensitivity to pain and cold sensations in their cervical region than those in the control group. The authors of the study believe their findings point to a relationship between TMD and the neck.
Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, February 2016
Wellness/Prevention: Breathalyzer-Locked Car Ignitions Save Lives.
In the 18 states that require in-car breathalyzers with ignition interlocks for anyone convicted of drunken driving, researchers have observed a 15% decrease in alcohol-related deaths. Researcher Dr. Elinore Kaufman adds, “Other states have proven [a mandatory interlock law] is feasible, and we’re contributing proof that it is effective. There should be no remaining barrier for the remaining half of states to adopt it.”
American Journal of Public Health, March 2016