Search Results (893)

In this experimental inquiry, I welcome readers into an unfolding undisciplined platform, expanding upon my earlier theorizing of philly soul musicking through insurgent listening to Archie Shepp’s Attica Blues in all of its radical, beautiful, and tragic public memory work of the 1971 Attica Uprising. Philly soul musicking gives regional texture to a transgenerational Black diasporic performance practice that serves to archive the complexity of Black lived experiences and articulate felt collective visions of liberated Black futures. Through these introductory comments, I improvise what I reckon to be essential to the secretive sonic histories of the album, giving shape to a fire music organizing praxis meant to call us into being-with the anticolonial worldmaking project that the men of Attica advanced with their hearts, minds, and bodies on the line. This prelude foreshadows a wider overall project speculating upon how Attica Blues and other related avenues of Black compositional practice attune us to assembling active solidarities with militants/rebels on the frontlines inventing rhythmic zones of autonomy, freedom, and liberation. I ask of the music’s fugitive archive, to draw on the words of James Baldwin, what are the contemporary use(s) of the Attica Blues? Full article

Age-related decline in immune system function is characterized by reduced numbers of naïve lymphocytes, the accumulation of senescent cells, impaired function of all immune cell types, and chronic low-grade inflammation (inflammaging). These alterations contribute to increased susceptibility to infections and malignancies, as well as to autoimmunity and other age-associated diseases. This article reviews current evidence on lifestyle interventions that may mitigate immune aging. Lifestyle-related strategies, including regular physical activity, nutritional interventions (e.g., different diets, caloric restriction, and other fasting-related approaches), stress reduction, and vaccination, are discussed as key modulators of immune function and systemic inflammation. Notably, vitamin D supplementation has been shown to reduce the incidence of autoimmune diseases by 22%. In comparison, caloric restriction has led to a decrease in CRP and TNF-α by 40% and 50%, respectively. Emerging complementary approaches, such as mind–body practices and controlled cold exposure, show promise, though current evidence remains limited and inconsistent. Therefore, integrated lifestyle strategies may slow aging-related immune decline and support healthy aging. However, longitudinal trials are required to define the optimal intervention parameters, population-specific thresholds, and the long-term durability of immune rejuvenation. Full article

Although Marx’s industrial reserve army (IRAL) theory suggests that Mexican Americans should be acknowledged by the capitalist class and perhaps resented by the white working class and middle class who compete with them in the labor market, the ideology and discourse of Trump and his supporters has labelled them as an illegitimate foreign body which pollutes the racial and cultural purity of America. In fact, this discourse has overshadowed earlier discourses that pointed to their contributions to local economies. Even capitalist business owners and major shareholders may give their commitment to this newly reinvented, but actually very old, discourse even when it goes against earlier ideas and their own self-interests. If anything, the discursive pattern of vilifying Mexican-descended people ensures their persistence—in the mind of capitalists—as a potential IRAL. We connect our ideas to related sociological events such as the establishment of “whitopias” and the whitening of the gated communities. Full article

The Contemplation of the Dharmadhātu (Fajie guan 法界觀) is frequently criticized for lacking practical value due to its “theoretical” character—specifically, the absence of concrete methods for regulating the body (tiaoshen 調身) and regulating the breath (tiaoxi 調息), while containing only abstract discussions on regulating the mind (tiaoxin 調心). However, this absence does not negate its practical value. In essence, it belongs to dhyāna contemplation (changuan 禪觀), where methods for regulating the body and breath are widely shared; therefore, their omission is inconsequential. Nevertheless, this effectively establishes a threshold: practitioners must either be capable of regulating the body and breath or possess the capacity to acquire such resources from other sources. Given that it emerged and flourished in Sui–Tang (隋唐) Chang’an (長安)—a milieu characterized by eminent monks and abundant Buddhist resources—this threshold was easy to cross. Thereafter, it was continuously transmitted; however, this threshold restricted practitioners primarily to the elite. Ultimately, the Qing (清) Master Xufa 續法 (1641–1728) provided the required supplements, completing its practical framework. Full article

Obesity prevalence has increased globally, and metabolic bariatric surgery (MBS) is the most effective treatment for severe obesity. However, the impact of postoperative dietary counselling (DC) on clinical outcomes including weight is unclear. This review aims to assess the nature and impact of postoperative DC delivered by dietitians on clinical outcomes in adults undergoing post-MBS, focusing on weight change as the primary outcome, and body composition, nutritional status, biochemical parameters, and complications as secondary outcomes. Five databases (Medline, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library) were searched for observational studies and randomised controlled trials (RCTs) assessing DC related to weight change. Thirteen studies met the inclusion criteria (five RCTs and eight observational studies), involving 4173 individuals. Eight studies reported no significant difference in weight outcomes between the groups receiving DC and comparison groups. However, secondary outcomes such as nutritional status, complications, and levels of transferrin saturation, vitamin B12, and vitamin D showed improvements with more frequent DC. The components of DC delivered by dietitians varied, including advice on micronutrient supplements, protein intake, physical activity, transition diets, healthy eating, and mindful eating. Evidence supporting the efficacy of postoperative DC in promoting weight loss is limited by short-term assessment and inconsistencies in reporting weight outcomes, highlighting the need for long-term RCTs to ascertain its effectiveness. Full article

Background/Objectives: Trauma and chronic pain frequently co-occur and mutually reinforce functional impairment, yet few counseling interventions integrate somatic and psychological approaches. This study had two primary objectives: (1) to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of an interdisciplinary trauma–chronic pain group intervention, and (2) to explore preliminary clinical outcomes related to trauma symptoms, fear of movement, and pain through an interdisciplinary group intervention combining trauma-informed counseling with physical therapy grounded in Postural Restoration Institute (PRI) principles. Methods: A convergent mixed-methods design was used, wherein quantitative and qualitative data were collected concurrently, analyzed separately, and integrated during interpretation to provide a comprehensive understanding of intervention outcomes. Fifteen adults with chronic pain (≥3 months) and clinically significant trauma symptoms (PCL-5 ≥ 31) completed a six-week, 90 min group program co-facilitated by a counselor and a physical therapist. Quantitative measures included weekly pain (BPI), pre/post trauma symptoms (PCL-5), fear of movement (TSK), group climate (GCQ), and postural neutrality. Qualitative data included weekly journals, photographs, open-ended post-surveys, and focus groups, analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. Results: Participants attended most sessions (96.7% overall attendance) with no dropouts and high fidelity (mean 2.89/3). Pre/post analyses indicated statistically significant within-group reductions in trauma symptoms and fear of movement and improvements in pain and postural neutrality; however, findings should be interpreted as preliminary given the pilot design and small sample size. Qualitative themes highlighted the persistent burden of pain/trauma, increased mind–body awareness, emotional regulation, and validation through group support. Conclusions: An interdisciplinary, PRI-informed, trauma-informed group model was obtained. This model demonstrates preliminary feasibility and acceptability and suggests potential benefit; however, findings are derived from a small, non-controlled pilot study and require further validation. Future research should employ larger, controlled, and longitudinal designs. Full article

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the leading cause of dementia, is characterized by progressive cognitive decline along with hallmark brain pathologies including amyloid-beta accumulation, hyperphosphorylated tau, neuroinflammation and neuronal mitochondrial dysfunction. As current pharmaceutical treatments only provide modest symptomatic improvement, there is an urgent need for effective non-pharmaceutical treatment options for the prevention or slowing down of this disease. This review synthesizes results from randomized controlled trials, observational studies, and animal model research on the ability of exercise to influence cognitive functions, brain structural changes, inflammatory processes, and neuroplasticity-related pathways. Exercise has demonstrated the capacity to enhance neurotrophic signaling, improve the regulation of mitochondria, improve cerebrovascular function and reduce pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in preclinical and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) subjects. Additionally, aerobic and resistance training has been shown to enhance physical performance and functional capacity. Furthermore, mind–body, dual-task and multimodal types of interventions may also provide additional cognitive and psychological benefits. Although the overall cognitive effect of exercise in individuals with established AD is generally small, it has been demonstrated that exercise can contribute to maintaining brain health through multiple interconnected metabolic, vascular and molecular pathways, thereby preserving cognitive reserve and slowing disease progression, particularly when initiated during early to midlife prior to the onset of AD symptoms. Therefore, future research will require establishing stage-specific exercise recommendations based on modality type, intensity and duration to achieve optimal clinical outcomes. Full article

Background and objectives: Primary dysmenorrhea is a major contributor to chronic pelvic pain. It negatively impacts quality of life. Therapeutic exercise has become recognized as a non-pharmacological alternative for reducing the severity of symptoms. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Randomized controlled trials involving adult women with primary dysmenorrhea who underwent therapeutic exercise interventions were selected. Databases searched were Embase, PubMed, Scopus, CENTRAL, Web of Science, ProQuest, PEDro, and CINAHL up to 31 January 2026. The main variables were symptom severity, pain intensity, and duration. The secondary outcomes were quality of life, anxiety, and sleep quality. The Cochrane’s Risk of Bias 2 tool was used to assess the risk of bias, while the certainty of evidence was determined using GRADE. Results: Twenty-nine studies (1704 participants) were included. Therapeutic exercise significantly improved symptom severity (SMD = −0.91), pain intensity (SMD = −2.17), and duration (SMD = −0.70), and enhanced quality of life (SMD = 0.70) and sleep quality (SMD = 0.33). These results were maintained into the second menstrual cycle after the intervention. I² values were high across all outcomes. Subgroup analysis revealed a greater effect of mind–body and stretching interventions on symptom severity, and of aerobic and strength exercise on pain intensity. The certainty of the evidence was low to very low. Conclusions: Therapeutic exercise appears effective for improving the severity of primary dysmenorrhea and associated symptoms, although caution is warranted when interpreting these conclusions due to the insufficient certainty of the evidence. Full article

Background: Mind–body exercise interventions such as Pilates have been increasingly investigated for their potential to improve cardiovascular, metabolic, and neuroendocrine regulation; however, age-related physiological adaptations in previously sedentary women remain insufficiently characterized. Objective: To evaluate cardiovascular, metabolic, and neuroendocrine responses to a 4-week Pilates intervention in previously sedentary adult women using a single-arm longitudinal study design. Methods: This prospective longitudinal study included 30 women stratified into two age groups: 30–40 years (n = 15) and 50–60 years (n = 15). Participants completed a supervised 4-week Pilates program (3 sessions/week, moderate intensity). Resting heart rate (HR), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP), body mass index (BMI), abdominal circumference (ABD), fasting blood glucose (GLU), and serum cortisol (CORT) were assessed at baseline (T0) and post-intervention (T1). Within-group changes were analyzed using paired Student’s t-tests, between-group differences using ANOVA, and associations between variables using Pearson correlation analysis. Results: Both groups demonstrated favorable cardiovascular, metabolic, and neuroendocrine adaptations following the intervention. In the 30–40 years group, significant reductions were observed in HR (Δ = −10.7 ± 3.2 bpm, p < 0.0001), BMI (Δ = −1.61 ± 0.4 kg/m², p = 0.0050), and GLU (Δ = −9.7 ± 6.1 mg/dL, p = 0.0044). In the 50–60 years group, significant reductions were observed in SBP (Δ = −10.8 ± 3.1 mmHg, p = 0.0001), DBP (Δ = −7.1 ± 2.4 mmHg, p = 0.0001), GLU (Δ = −11.9 ± 7.3 mg/dL, p = 0.0051), and CORT (Δ = −54.9 ± 22 nmol/L, p = 0.0422). Between-group analyses demonstrated significantly greater reductions in SBP, DBP, BMI, and CORT, whereas changes in HR, ABD, and GLU did not differ significantly between age groups. Pearson correlation analysis revealed significant associations between cardiovascular, metabolic, and neuroendocrine adaptations, particularly between HR and BP responses in the younger group, and between BMI and GLU changes in the older group. Conclusions: A 4-week structured Pilates program induced favorable cardiovascular, metabolic, anthropometric, and neuroendocrine adaptations in previously sedentary adult women, with significant age-related differences observed for blood pressure, body mass index, and serum cortisol responses. These findings support Pilates as a multidimensional exercise intervention for cardiometabolic and stress regulation. Full article

This paper examines the essence and dilemmas of Hobbes’s mechanical materialism, which posits that all things—God, the soul, and the mind—are bodies subject to mechanical laws. Rejecting metaphysical assumptions, Hobbes emphasizes the absoluteness of bodies over appearances, insisting that all knowledge originates from sensory experience. A central issue in his philosophy is the nature of motion: if every movement requires an external cause, what initiates the first? While Hobbes dismisses the concept of a self-moved mover as incoherent, his appeal to agnostic theology introduces contradictions. To resolve this, he proposes the concept of endeavor (conatus) as the fundamental principle of motion, but it remains insufficient to explain motion’s origin fully. Nevertheless, Hobbes’s philosophical framework offers a materialist perspective for understanding the world, revealing how mechanical processes serve as the foundation for comprehending reality. Full article

Background/Objectives: Cognitive flexibility and working memory are regulated by the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), which is closely linked to the progression of cognitive decline. The Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for the Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet shows potential to lower cognitive decline risk in older adults. This study aimed to examine the association between Malaysian-MIND diet (MY-MINDD©) scores with brain activation among Malaysian older adults. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among forty older adults aged 60–75 years. Subjects were stratified into quartiles of MY-MINDD© scores with ten subjects per quartile. Dietary intake was evaluated utilising a validated 124-item semiquantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Brain activation was measured using task-based fMRI (N-back and Stroop Colour Word Test). DLPFC activation was analysed in Brodmann’s areas 9, 46, and the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). ANCOVA and multiple linear regression were used to evaluate brain activation differences across MY-MINDD© quartiles, accommodating for gender, age, education, and body mass index (BMI). Results: Subjects in the highest MY-MINDD© quartile had significantly greater DLPFC activation during 0-back, 1-back, and SCWT incongruent tasks (p < 0.05). Higher MY-MINDD© adherence is linked to better task performance (p < 0.001). Multivariate General Linear Model (GLM) revealed a significant overall effect on brain activation (Pillai’s Trace = 0.544, F(8,27) = 4.11, p = 0.003). Multiple linear regression demonstrated significant positive associations between MY-MINDD© scores and DLPFC activation (p < 0.0125). Conclusions: Higher adherence to the MY-MINDD© diet was associated with greater brain activation, suggesting its relevance as a proxy for identifying risk of cognitive decline. Full article

Importance: Lifestyle and supportive care interventions may improve treatment tolerance, long-term health behaviors, and survivorship outcomes among breast cancer patients receiving radiotherapy. Few randomized trials have integrated nutrition, exercise, stress management, and psychosocial counseling concurrently with radiotherapy and extended across survivorship. Objective: To evaluate the effects of a comprehensive lifestyle intervention (CompLife) initiated during radiotherapy and maintained for 12 months on body composition, fitness, quality of life, symptoms, and nutrition. Design, Setting, and Participants: Randomized clinical trial at a single cancer center. Eligible women were aged ≥18 years with stage II/III breast cancer scheduled for radiotherapy, BMI ≥ 24.5, and ≥2 lifestyle risk factors. Participants were randomized to CompLife or standard of care (SOC). Assessments occurred at baseline, end of radiotherapy, and 3, 6, and 12 months. The primary outcome of recurrence is ongoing; this report examines prespecified secondary outcomes. Interventions: CompLife included 6 weeks of in-person counseling integrating nutrition, physical activity, mindfulness, stress management, and psychosocial support; twice-weekly exercise, diet, and mind–body sessions during radiotherapy; and telehealth counseling for 12 months. SOC participants received standard educational materials. Main Outcomes and Measures: Secondary outcomes included visceral adipose tissue (VAT), weight, waist circumference, fitness (VO₂ max, strength), SF-36 Physical and Mental Component Summary scores, MD Anderson Symptom Inventory scores, mindfulness (FFMQ), and dietary fiber intake. Results: Ninety-five women were randomized (CompLife, n = 50; SOC, n = 45). CompLife participants had lower VAT at 3 and 6 months (e.g., 3 months: 118 vs. 141 cm²; p = 0.044) and greater improvements in VO₂ max at 3 (23.4 vs. 18.8 mL/kg/min; p = 0.025) and 6 months. SF-36 Physical scores improved to within population norms for CompLife at all follow-ups but remained below norms in SOC. CompLife participants reported fewer symptoms at 12 months (MDASI: 1.3 vs. 2.5; p = 0.014). Fiber intake was consistently higher in CompLife participants (20.5 g vs. 14.0 g; p < 0.001). The results should be interpreted with caution due to the large number of comparisons among the secondary outcomes. Conclusions and Relevance: A multidisciplinary lifestyle intervention delivered during radiotherapy and extended across survivorship produced clinically meaningful improvements in body composition, fitness, diet, and patient-reported outcomes. The findings suggest potential value in integrating structured lifestyle and psychosocial counseling into oncology care and warrant confirmation in larger multicenter trials with mature recurrence endpoints. Full article

Background: Chronic pain affects approximately 30% of older adults and is strongly associated with social isolation and loneliness, which impact an estimated 25% of the global older adult population. A substantial proportion of chronic pain in this population is classified as primary chronic pain (non-specific), characterized by persistent pain with no underlying disease or structural damage. Pharmacotherapy has limited efficacy in treating primary chronic pain and presents significant polypharmacy risks, highlighting a critical need for sustainable, non-pharmacologic interventions. Among these, Tai Chi has emerged as a promising multimodal therapy, it is a mind–body exercise that integrates gentle movement and focused breathing with social engagement, offering participants both physical relief and opportunities for meaningful human connection. Gentle movement for flexibility, balance, and strength, combined with deep breathing may also improve self-reported symptoms of chronic pain, in addition to inflammatory biomarkers such as CRP, IL-6 and TNFα. The purpose of this narrative review is to investigate the literature on Tai Chi as a method for promoting socialization and reducing self-rated chronic pain among community-dwelling, socially isolated older adults. Methods: Following librarian-assisted concept map development, we searched six electronic databases (PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, Cochrane, ProQuest, and PsycINFO) for studies published between January 2016 and February 2026. Search strings included terms for “older adults,” “chronic pain,” “social isolation/loneliness,” and “Tai Chi.” Two reviewers independently screened results and extracted data for relevance. Results: Of the 1098 records identified, 25 studies met the inclusion criteria. Eleven studies evaluated Tai Chi or related mind–body interventions. Among these, approximately six studies reported improvements in pain-related outcomes, while five studies reported improvements in loneliness or social isolation. However, only two to three studies simultaneously evaluated both chronic pain and social isolation/loneliness outcomes within Tai Chi interventions. Overall, most studies supported Tai Chi as a safe and potentially effective intervention for older adults, with evidence suggesting benefits for both pain and social well-being. However, the limited number of studies examining combined outcomes restricts conclusions regarding the integrated effects of Tai Chi on chronic pain and social isolation. Discussion: Tai Chi is a safe, inexpensive behavioral strategy for improving social connectedness and reducing self-rated chronic pain among older adults. However, the evidence base remains fragmented, as pain and social isolation are rarely assessed together within the same trial. Future research should address this gap by considering both social isolation and chronic pain in the same study, with more standardized Tai Chi forms as the single independent variable. Full article