COVID-19 vaccination, from first dose to booster: New insights into the frequency of most common systemic adverse events and possible booster nocebo effects based on a systematic review

Background: Based on placebo data, it has been recently demonstrated that the frequencies of most common adverse events (AEs) of COVID-19 vaccination are overestimated due to negative expectation bias of vaccine recipients (nocebo effect). Since booster studies lack comparators, estimating the extent of the nocebo effect is difficult. We aimed to overcome this obstacle through a systematic comparison of most common AE frequencies across vaccine doses (first, second, booster), age groups, and vaccine vs. placebo arms. Methods: We systematically assessed systemic AEs in approved COVID-19 vaccines according to the PRISMA guidelines. All documents regarding COVID-19 vaccines with a booster dose authorized by the FDA (cutoff date 19 November 2021) were systematically searched on PubMed and the FDA website. Solicited systemic AEs from all documents supporting approval/authorization were collected. After standardization of doses and age groups, AE frequencies were compared between vaccine and placebo. Findings: Two trials were identified for BNT162b2 (n=21,785 participants), two for mRNA-1273 (n=22,324), and one for Ad26.COV2.S (n=4,085). Fever cases dropped to about half with the booster dose in all vaccines, whereas all other systemic AE frequencies were similar to the preceding dose. Almost no fever cases occurred with placebo (first/second dose); all other systemic AEs occurred at high frequencies. After subtracting placebo arm values from vaccine values, the frequencies for the various AEs were roughly comparable within each dose for each vaccine. Interpretation: Fever is the only solicited systemic AE that can be assessed objectively. It occurs about 50% less often with the booster than with the preceding dose. This may indirectly indicate a considerable overestimation of systemic AEs in the case of booster vaccinations and a pronounced nocebo effect. The nocebo effect appears to substantially contribute to the differences in the frequencies of the various systemic AEs.

SPIRITUALITY AND IRRATIONAL BELIEFS OF MOVEMENT ACTIVITIES IN SLOVAKS AND CZECHS

Aim. The present study is focused on exploring of the relationship between spirituality and irrational beliefs particularly in relation to movement activities in Slovakia and Czechia, i.e., helplessness, idealisation, perfectionism, external vulnerability, and negative expectation. Concept. Our research has been focused on the investigation, comparison, and correlation between the level of spirituality and irrational beliefs depending on the frequency of sport activities. Method. The research sample (N = 469) consisted of Slovak and Czech health population aged 18-70 (M = 41.97, SD = 13.14), of which 42.2% were men (N = 198) and 57.8% were women (N = 271). The level of spirituality was identified by means of the Expressions of Spiritual Inventory-Revised – ESI-R (MacDonald, 2000). The irrational beliefs were measured using the Scale of Irrational Beliefs (Kondáš & Kordáčová, 2000). Results. Research results confirmed the differences between the variables of spirituality and irrational beliefs based on the frequency of sports activities. Also, we confirmed the hypothesis of negative correlation between spirituality and irrational beliefs. Conclusion. In our study, we focused on the correlations between irrational beliefs and spirituality in group of Slovak and Czech population. Based on our results we can draw several conclusions. Research results confirmed the differences between the variables of spirituality and irrational beliefs based on frequency of sports activities.

Pengaruh Ekspektasi Guru terhadap Prestasi Belajar Peserta Didik Kelas VI Semester I di Madrasah Ibtidaiyah (MI) Al-Mu’awwanah Jombang

This study aims to dig deep information about the effect of positive and negative teacher expectations on the learning achievement of students in MI. The method used is a survey-associative quantitative research method. The population as well as the research sample was 20 people from the teacher for variable X and 30 students for variable Y. Data analysis was carried out by using multiple regression analysis techniques. From the data analysis conducted, several research findings indicate that positive expectations (X1) and negative expectations (X2) simultaneously do not have a significant effect on student achievement (Y). The strength of the relationship between Variable X1 (Teacher Positive Expectations) and X2 (Teacher Negative Expectations) simultaneously to Y (Student Learning Achievement) is 0.304 = 30.4% with the influence of variable X on Variable Y of 9.3% and 90, 7% is influenced by variables other than the expectation variable. The regression equation that can be formed from the results of data processing is as follows: Y '= 5.310 + 0.006X1 - 0.094X2. From the above equation it can be seen that the effect of positive expectations (X1) on student learning achievement (Y) is positive. This means that if teachers' positive expectations increase, the learning achievement of students will also increase. However, if the positive expectations of the teacher decrease, the learning achievement will also decrease. While the direction of the negative expectation variable (X2) on learning achievement (Y) is negative. That is, if negative expectations increase, learning achievement will decrease. But, on the contrary, if the teacher's negative expectations decrease, the learning achievement of students will increase

Nocebo Effects on Perceived Muscle Soreness and Exercise Performance Following Unaccustomed Resistance Exercise: A Pilot Study

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of nocebo administration on perceived soreness and exercise performance following unaccustomed resistance exercise. Untrained males were randomly assigned to one of two treatments: (1) control or (2) negative-belief. For the negative-belief group, participants were given a capsule before exercise containing 400 mg of an inert substance (gluten-free cornstarch) and were told the supplement would increase muscle soreness. The control group received no treatment. An algometer and pain scale was used to obtain soreness, and a goniometer was used to measure elbow range of motion (ROM). Participants completed an eccentric bicep curl pyramid with their non-dominant arm. Rate of perceived exertion (RPE) and repetitions were recorded. Then, 48 h after the initial exercise bout, participants repeated all procedures. Perceived soreness, ROM, average RPE, and total repetitions performed were analyzed. Perceived soreness was significantly higher in both control and negative-belief groups 48 h after exercise (p < 0.001; η2 = 0.23). ROM was significantly lower 48 h post in the negative-belief group (p = 0.004; d = 1.83) while no differences existed for controls (p = 0.999; d = 0.16). Average RPE was unaffected between groups (p = 0.282; η2 = 0.07). Total repetitions were significantly lower 48 h post in the negative-belief group (p < 0.001; d = 2.51) while no differences existed for the controls (p = 0.999; d = 0.08). Findings suggest that 48 h after unaccustomed resistance exercise, negative expectation does not worsen soreness but hinders ROM and exercise performance.

Does Uncertainty Reduction Facilitate the Perceptual Disconfirmation of Negative Expectancies in Computer-Mediated Communication?

This study tests two models of perceptual disconfirmation. Perceptual disconfirmation occurs when individuals have a negative expectation regarding their future conversation partners’ demeanor, but after conversing with and influencing their partners’ behavior, individuals’ assessment of their partners’ demeanor becomes more positive. This effect is, so far, novel to computer-mediated communication: When individuals with similar expectancies get acquainted using phone or face-to-face channels their negative preinteraction expectancies persist and assessments remain unchanged. This experiment explored the extent to which questions and disclosures, and partners’ disclosive responses, mediated perceptual disconfirmation. Individuals were led to believe that a dyadic conversation partner was either in a bad mood (negative and malleable expectation) or had a bad personality (negative and nonmalleable expectation). After a 30-min online conversation to get acquainted, perceptual disconfirmation emerged, although the verbal strategies did not mediate the effect. This study raises new questions about the process by which individuals who have negative expectancies of their future conversation partners defy these negative expectations and shift their attitudes to become more positive online.

Palliative care in medical practice: medical students' expectations

ObjectivesDuring their careers, all doctors will be involved in the care of the dying, and this is likely to increase with current demographic trends. Future doctors need to be well-prepared for this. Little is known about medical students’ expectations about providing palliative care. Our aim was to investigate how satisfying students expect palliative care to be, and any attitudes towards palliative care associated with a negative expectation.MethodsFifteen UK medical schools participated in the study, with 1898 first and final year students completing an online questionnaire which investigated how satisfying they expect providing palliative care to be and their attitudes towards palliative care.ResultsAt both the beginning and end of their training, a significant proportion of students expect palliative care to be less satisfying than other care (19.3% first year, 16% final year). Students expecting palliative care to be less satisfying were more likely to be men, and their attitudes suggest that while they understand the importance of providing palliative care they are concerned about the potential impact of this kind of work on them personally.ConclusionsMedical student education needs to address why palliative care is important and how to deliver it effectively, and the strategies for dealing positively with the impact of this work on future clinicians.

The effect of job loss on depressive symptoms: The results from the Korean Welfare Panel Study (2007–2013)

Background: Unemployment is closely associated with depressive symptoms. We conducted analysis to find whether the job loss increased the risk of depressive symptoms according to job status, occupation and tenure. Methods: Data were collected from Korean Welfare Panel Study (KOWEPS) from 2007 to 2013. To measure the increase in depressive score, we selected respondents who answered for at least 2 years of continuous waves. We performed a longitudinal analysis by generalized estimating equation (GEE) method with a total of 19,399 cases. Among them, 608 cases (3.1%) experienced job loss. Results: There was a significant rise in depressive score after job loss (β = 1.34, p = .000). In subgroup analysis, precarious and low-tenure workers are considerably more depressed after job loss (precarious: β = 1.98, p < .0001, low-tenure workers: β = 1.31, p = .001). Both white and blue collar workers showed a rise in depressive score significantly (white collar: β = 1.16, p = .031; blue: β = 2.03, p = .001). Conclusion: The results showed that precarious and low-tenure workers were relatively vulnerable in mental health after experiencing job loss with low and negative expectation for re-employment. It implies that supports for encouraging work skill and financial supports during the unemployment period should be needed.

Analisis Kualitas Pelayanan PT Jasa Raharja dengan Metode Servqual

In order to improve the image of insurance company, this study was done to find a picture of the accident victim’s satisfaction with the service of insurance company Jasa Raharja. Descriptive quantitative research was conducted with a population of accident victims. Data were taken with questionnaires by 80 respondents and data analysis used SERVQUAL. The results showed that the overall levels of accident victim’s satisfaction with the service of insurance company Jasa Raharja levels are disatisfied. This is evident from the value of the gap between perception and negative expectation. Dimensions of perceived service quality as dissatisfaction by the accident victims are the reliability, responsiveness, assurance, and empathy dimension. Result was obtained from this research gap between perception and expectation of service with a value of - 0.0284. Therefore, it is suggested to the insurance company Jasa Raharja to improve services to accident victims, especially dimensions unsatisfactory service for accident victims.