Sustained benefits from mind and body treatment for back pain Three-year follow-up data from the RESTORE trial of cognitive functional therapy (CFT) in patients with chronic, disabling low back pain show that a seven-session program of CFT produced sustained, clinically significant improvements in pain-related activity limitation and pain intensity compared to usual care. The findings suggest the massive burden of low back pain could be markedly reduced if health policies supported widespread implementation of high-value, low-risk and sustained interventions like CFT.
https://www.scimex.org/newsfee....d/back-pain-study-su

‘Solastalgia’ might help explain the negative effects of climate change on mental health ‘Solastalgia’ - a combination of the words ‘solace’ and ‘nostalgia’ - might help explain the negative effects of climate change on mental health, according to Swiss researchers. Solastalgia, was first coined in 2003, and it refers to the lack of solace and feelings of pain or sickness caused by changes in a person’s immediate or surrounding environment. Using data from 19 studies, including Australian studies, the researchers found that solastalgia is significantly associated with mental health problems and may be the way that ecological crises are impacting the aggravation of mental health problems.
https://www.scimex.org/newsfee....d/solastalgia-might-

Songbirds need their sleep to sing A bird’s song is crucial for it to attract mates and defend resources. With growing light and noise pollution disturbing birds’ sleep, could a bad night’s sleep change how they sing the next day? NZ researchers analysed the before and after chirps of 13 sleep-deprived myna birds, finding that sleep disturbances during part or all of the night altered how much they sang and how complex it was. While common mynas are tough city birds, the lead author says many native species aren’t as adaptable. That means they could be even more affected by sleep loss caused by urban life.
https://www.scimex.org/newsfee....d/song-birds-need-th

Treatment for sleep apnoea is good for the heart in some patients but bad for others A treatment commonly used for the loud snorers with obstructive sleep apnoea lowers the risk of serious cardiovascular events in some patients but not others, according to Australian and international research. Having obstructive sleep apnoea is linked to cardiovascular disease, but the common treatment for the condition, a device called a continuous positive airway pressure machine (CPAP), has not shown long-term cardiovascular benefit. The researchers pooled together results from three trials and found that in people with high-risk obstructive sleep apnoea, CPAP lowered the risk of heart attack, stroke and death from cardiovascular disease. For people without high-risk obstructive sleep apnoea, the research found CPAP may even increase the risk of serious cardiovascular events.
https://www.scimex.org/newsfee....d/treatment-for-slee

Experts urge shift in heatwave strategy to save lives To combat extreme heat, efforts should concentrate on hot people, not just hot air, argue experts from the Heat and Health Research Centre.
https://www.scimex.org/newsfee....d/experts-urge-shift