Researchers test Power Balance claims

October 26, 2010

The controversial Power Balance wristbands - worn by a gamut of sporting stars, but derided by many people - are under the academic spotlight for the first time in Australia.
RMIT University is conducting what it says is an Australian-first, and possibly a world-first, university study into the silicone bands, with preliminary findings due in early December.
Three researchers, all chiropractors by trade, are completing the study, which will test the bands on at least 40 healthy volunteers to determine if they have any effect on balance and stability.
Power Band's US website claims the band's mylar holograms are embedded with naturally occurring frequencies designed to work with the body's natural energy field for improved balance, strength and flexibility.
Chief investigator Dr Simon Brice said the pilot project was developed in response to clinical experience of chiropractic patients seeking advice on the bands.
"Patients with neurological conditions that affect their balance and athletes seeking an extra edge were asking us whether these bands could help them," Dr Brice said.
The university has carried out "double blind" tests on its volunteers, using a computerised dynamic posturography device that measures balance and stability.
"Basically we've tested them with a real one, with nothing and then with a fake one and then we reverse the order," Dr Brice said.
The tests are repeated in a different order one week from the initial assessment.
Dr Brice said the study would investigate whether the bands had any effect, positive or otherwise.
"Anything that has the potential to do something so good ... then it has the potential of not being so good in some people," he said.
The bands are imported into Australia by two Melbourne businessmen, Tom O'Dowd and Sean Condon, and are stocked in at least 700 places around Australia, including sports stores and massage therapists.
The bands are a favourite with sports stars including AFL players, Tour de France cyclists and a number of professional surfers.
Meanwhile the bands have today gained a dubious honour, being named among eight companies and products in the 2010 Shonky Awards, handed out by consumer group Choice.
Other "winners" included Coles, the Commonwealth Bank, Nurofen, LG, outdoor recreational rope producer Medalist, website babynamemeans.com and a selection of olive oil brands.
Choice said the wristband "was tested at Choice under controlled lab conditions, which showed it did little else than empty purchasers' wallets".

Source: http://www.smh.com.au/small-business/researchers-test-power-balance-claims-20101026-171lv.html

Survey finds those with a mental illness are more socially isolated and increasingly using social media

As part of October’s Mental Health Month NSW, new survey findings have been
released to reveal that people with some experience of mental illness are often
socially isolated with few close friendships, and are increasingly using social
media to meet people.

The survey is part of a research study by the Mental Health Association NSW into
friendship, social support, psychological distress and mental well-being patterns and
trends in NSW. It showed that more than two-thirds of those surveyed found it difficult to
make new friends, with many now turning to social media sites like Facebook to try to
meet people.
The study supports the Mental Health Month NSW theme of "Good friends help us
bounce back”, which aims to promote the importance of friendships in building people’s
resilience to both small and major setbacks in life.
A total of 456 people completed the online survey anonymously via the Mental Health
Association NSW website during August and September 2010, answering questions
about friendship, social support, use of social media, mental health status, resilience and
well-being levels.
The majority of participants were female (84%), and between the ages of 26-45 (45%).
Almost half the participants reported a past experience with mental illness (43%), with
the most common diagnosis being depression (54%), followed by anxiety (18%), bipolar
(16%), other (7%), schizophrenia (3%), and personality disorders (2%). Most participants
reported having no dependents (67%), working more than six hours a week (74%), and
paying rent (53%).
No best friend
Nataly Bovopoulos, Mental Health Promotion Manager, Mental Health Association NSW,
said that the study revealed that there was a concerning link between friendship and
mental health. “More than 60 per cent of people surveyed, who have had a diagnosis of
a mental illness such as depression or anxiety, say they have no one they can call a
best friend. And 40 per cent would have trouble finding someone to drive them to the
doctor if they were sick,” she said.
“The study also showed that younger people were twice as likely to have difficulty in
talking about their mental illness, with 32 per cent of 18-25 year olds not disclosing it to
their friends as opposed to only 17 per cent of people overall. This suggests that
younger people could be experiencing more of the stigma attached to mental illness.”
The study also showed the extensive use of social media, indicating that online
communication may be replacing face-to-face contact for some people as they are
finding it easier to meet like-minded people via Facebook. An overwhelming majority
(96%) of 18-25 year olds use social networking sites, as opposed to 72 per cent of
respondents overall.
While the advent of social media no doubt provides comfort for many people, Ms
Bovopoulos also said that it was important to try to develop and maintain face-to-face
friendships.
“We found that people who reported enjoying close, empathic, supportive, and caring
friendships, who like and are interested in people, and who enjoy interacting with others
for their own sake had higher psychological well-being, greater resilience, and lower
psychological distress.
“It is important for us all to reach out to people we suspect may be struggling, and offer
them friendship and support, as it can really help them get back on track,” she said.
Key survey findings
• Friendships and social support have positive relationships on our mental
wellbeing and resilience. People who talk to their friends about their problems
have better mental health.
• People currently experiencing symptoms of mental ill-health often deal with
problems on their own rather than talk to others.
• People with a mental illness diagnosis, and currently experiencing symptoms of
mental ill-health, have fewer people to depend on and rely on for support
• Social media can be a useful tool for people to keep in touch with friends, and a
much less confronting form of communication for some people, especially to
make new friends. However, there is concern for vulnerable groups that social
media could replace face-to-face relationships for vulnerable groups.
• People who are at risk of, or have experienced a mental illness, can benefit from
developing skills to enhance their social support and develop new relationships.
• Experiencing a mental illness can make many people feel isolated from their
friends and family. Further efforts to de-stigmatise mental illness will encourage
more people to talk to others that they trust about their experiences and seek
help when needed.
To mark the official launch of Mental Health Month NSW, a community event will take
place on Tuesday 12 October at Church St Mall, Parramatta, with free activities for the
general public from 11.00 am to 2.30 pm.
For further information about Mental Health Month NSW, visit www.mentalhealth.asn.au

Source: Mental Health Association NSW

New Study Finds Chiropractic Care Superior to Family Physician-directed Usual Care

This is the first reported randomized controlled trial comparing full CPG-based treatment, including spinal manipulative therapy administered by chiropractors, to family physician-directed UC in the treatment of patients with AM-LBP. Compared to family physician-directed UC, full CPG-based treatment including spinal manipulative care (CSMT) is associated with significantly greater improvement in condition-specific functioning.

Read the full report here 

How the Internet makes us Stupid!

Nicholas Carr has written a book that discusses the impact of changes in how we receive info in the digital age.  

The core theme is a discussion of the effect of reading documents on line on our brain. The central idea confirms the concept of the adaptive ability of the brain to re-wire itself in response to altered processing demands. 

The changing images on an internet page reduces our ability to concentrate, recall and think deeply. Studies show that we retain much less when we read information in a web format, or when viewed in a PowerPoint presentation. 

The change in brain processing has a lasting effect on our brain function. The results are poor problem solving and superficial thought. 

Unfortunately our brains are changing in their makeup, and it will take a marked effort to "rewire" them back to deep thinking and good recall. The neurologic connections are being remade. As yet no-one has done any work to determine how much is required to remap the brain connections so that deep contemplative thought is possible again.  

Read the article here