Onemocnění Bedřicha Smetany spojené s kompletní ztrátou sluchu je v dlouho probíhající diskusi dáváno do souvislosti s různými chorobami. Uvádí se senilní demence, ateroskleróza, progresivní paralýza při lues, a přitom je opomíjena ototoxicita rtuti. Její vysoká koncentrace v kosterních ostatcích skladatele byla prokázána autory tohoto článku imunohistochemicky, a především metodou neutronové aktivační analýzy (NAA) již před 23 roky. Význam tohoto nálezu byl stále opomíjen v souvislosti s dominující snahou prokázat venerické onemocnění skladatele, jehož diagnóza však nebyla zatím jednoznačně ověřena. Proto byly revidovány dosavadní výsledky osteologického vyšetření a v dostupném vzorku bylo doplněno imunohistochemické vyšetření za použití protilátky proti treponemám a stříbřicí metoda s negativním výsledkem. Na druhé straně odborná rešerše literatury zaměřená na ototoxicitu rtuti potvrdila náš předpoklad, že by se na ztrátě sluchu mohla podílet chronická intoxikace tímto kovem, který byl zřejmě součástí mastí aplikovaných nejen v dětství, ale i později v dospělosti. Tento kov donedávna používaný v dermatologii jako součást mastí se resorbuje, a jak bylo recentně prokázáno, vyvolává různé neuropsychické poruchy, včetně poruch až ztráty sluchu. Svým sdělením bychom chtěli iniciovat novou diskusi o všech aspektech skladatelova onemocnění.

Bedřich Smetana’s illness associated with complete hearing loss has been linked to various diseases in a long-running discussion. Senile dementia, atherosclerosis, progressive paralysis in lues are mentioned, while the ototoxicity of mercury is neglected. Its high concentration in the composer's skeletal remains was demonstrated by the authors of this article immunohistochemically and especially by the neutron activation analysis (NAA) method 23 years ago. The significance of this find has been neglected in connection with the dominant effort to prove the composer's venereal disease, the diagnosis of which, however, has not yet been unequivocally verified. Therefore, the existing results of the osteological examination were revised and the available sample was supplemented with an immunohistochemical examination using an antibody against treponemes and a silvering method with a negative result. On the other hand, an expert literature search focused on mercury ototoxicity confirmed our assumption that chronic intoxication with this metal, which was probably part of ointments applied not only in childhood but also later in adulthood, could contribute to hearing loss. This metal, until recently used in dermatology as a component of ointments, is resorbed and, as has recently been proven, causes various neuropsychic disorders, including disorders and even hearing loss. With this communication, we would like to initiate a new discussion on all aspects of the composer’s illness.

• MeSH
• Diagnosis, Differential MeSH
• Deafness * chemically induced   MeSH
• Music MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Ototoxicity MeSH
• Mercury Poisoning diagnosis   complications   MeSH
• Famous Persons * MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH

This study explored the effects of music on the perception of outdoor urban environments, both built and natural. The participants (n = 74) evaluated five environments located on one walking route in terms of emotional and spatio-cognitive dimensions while listening to one of two types of music: upbeat and conventional or reflective and complex. We found only a very slight effect of music on the evaluation of the emotional and spatio-cognitive dimensions of the environment. The less complex upbeat and conventional music increased the perceived complexity of environments but only if participants took the route from less complex to more complex environments. The liking music mediated the effect of music in the evaluation of emotional dimensions of the environment. Furthermore, a less-liked environment negatively affected the liking of music heard in that environment. Reflective and complex music was perceived as more congruent with the environment than upbeat and conventional music, which is explained by musical fit theory. The features of the environments that were evaluated had a stronger effect on listeners than the music. Natural environments were perceived as more coherent, mysterious, pleasant, interesting, and energetic than built environments, regardless of the music. Moreover, a contrast effect was observed in which the features of the first environment evaluated influenced the evaluation of subsequent environments. It is suggested that the intensity of music may be an important factor for environmental evaluations, in addition to the specific situations in which the music is heard.

• MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Emotions physiology   MeSH
• Music * MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Auditory Perception * physiology   MeSH
• Environment * MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

• MeSH
• History, 20th Century MeSH
• Music history   MeSH
• Cookbooks as Topic * MeSH
• Feeding Behavior * MeSH
• Check Tag
• History, 20th Century MeSH
• Publication type
• Historical Article MeSH

• MeSH
• Exercise psychology   MeSH
• Music * psychology   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Self Efficacy * MeSH
• Exercise Tolerance physiology   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Comment MeSH
• Editorial MeSH

Na základě porovnání odpovědí z originálního dotazníku ohledně hlukové zátěže hudebním hlukem prostřednictvím sluchátek a dalšími hlučnými aktivitami u mladých lidí ve věku 16–18 let s výsledky audiometrického vyšetření pomocí prahového tónového audiogramu bylo potvrzeno, na rozdíl od obecně rozšířených informací, že u této věkové skupiny nedochází k postižení sluchu. Tuto skutečnost vysvětlujeme nízkým věkem vyšetřovaných, tedy vysokou odolností sluchového aparátu vůči hluku. Podobné výsledky jsou uváděny i v současné odborné literatuře, která je v této problematice výrazně chudá. V české literatuře nebyly doposud podobné výsledky publikovány vůbec. Pokud byly podle literatury nalezeny iniciální příznaky sluchového postižení, pak výhradně ve vysokofrekvenční audiometrické oblasti. Na otázku, zda jsou naše vyšetřovací metody dostatečně citlivé vzhledem k poškození sluchu hlukem, je jasná odpověď ne. Pokud bychom chtěli zaznamenávat preventivně již počáteční stavy poškození sluchu z hluku, a to i hudebního, konzumovaného prostřednictvím sluchátek, pak musíme vyšetřovat vysokofrekvenční audiometrií.

Based on the comparison of the answers from the original questionnaire regarding the noise burden of music noise through headphones and other noisy activities in young people aged 16–18 years with the results of an audiometric examination using a threshold tone audiogram, it was confirmed, contrary to the generally widespread information, that in this age group, there is no hearing impairment. We explain this fact by the young age of the examinees, i.e. the high resistance of the hearing apparatus to noise. Similar results are also reported in current professional literature, which is significantly poor in this issue. Similar results have not yet been published in the Czech literature. If, according to the literature, initial symptoms of hearing impairment were found, then exclusively in the high-frequency audiometric area. The answer to the question whether “are our investigation methods sensitive enough to noise-induced hearing damage” is a clear NO. If we would like to record preventively the initial states of hearing damage from noise, including music consumed through headphones, then we must investigate with high-frequency audiometry.

• MeSH
• Audiometry * methods   statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Noise * adverse effects   MeSH
• Music MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Cell Phone instrumentation   statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Hearing Disorders etiology   MeSH
• Surveys and Questionnaires MeSH
• Hearing MeSH
• Statistics as Topic MeSH
• Age Factors MeSH
• Leisure Activities MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Clinical Study MeSH

Cíl: Cílem intervenční studie bylo zjistit vliv poslechu reprodukované hudby na hodnocení strachu u pacientů před operací srdce. Metodika: Cílovou populací byli muži s plánovanou operací srdce. Byla provedena intervenční studie (květen prosinec 2022) na lůžkovém oddělení kardiocentra. Soubor pacientů byl náhodně rozdělen do dvou skupin. U intervenční skupiny byla kromě standardní péče před operací realizována intervence poslechem reprodukované hudby (30 min, jedno setkání, výběr z deseti žánrů). U kontrolní skupiny byla realizována standardní péče před operací (edukace o výkonu, medikace) s klidem na lůžku či v křesle. Pacienti hodnotili předoperační strach třemi dotazníky: Surgical Fear Questionnaire, SFQ; Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale, APAIS, a Visual Analogue Scale for Anxiety, VAS-A. Data byla zpracována Mannovým–Whitneyho a Wilcoxonovým testem, statistickým programem TIBCO STATISTICA 13 na hladině významnosti 5 %. Výsledky: Z šedesáti respondentů bylo před plánovanou operací bypassů 43 mužů. Všichni respondenti se pohybovali podle výsledků skóre dotazníků ve střední míře strachu v obou měřeních. Mezi intervenční a kontrolní skupinou nebyl zjištěn statisticky významný rozdíl v obou měřeních. V rámci intervenční skupiny byly zjištěny statisticky významné rozdíly v úrovni strachu před hudební intervencí a po ní u dvou dotazníků (změna hodnoty u SFQ: 50,9 ± 20,14 na 48,03 ± 19,57, p = 0,004; změna hodnoty u VAS-A: 72,13 ± 27,44 na 71,60 ± 27,57, p = 0,002). Pacienti udávali vyšší úroveň strachu před intervencí než po intervenci. Závěr: Poslech reprodukované hudby může snížit vnímaný předoperační strach u pacientů s plánovanou operací srdce v celkové anestezii. Na základě výsledků lze předpokládat, že pacienti, kteří pociťují strach před operací srdce, mohou z intervence poslechu reprodukované hudby profitovat.

Aim: The aim of the intervention study was to determine the effect of listening to recorded music on the assessment of fear in patients before heart surgery. Methods: The target population were men with planned heart surgery. An intervention study was conducted in (May-December) 2022 in the inpatient department of the cardiocenter. The set of patients was randomly divided into two groups. In the intervention group, in addition to the standard care before the operation, the intervention of listening to recorded music was implemented (30 min, 1 meeting, selection from 10 genres). The control group received standard care before surgery (education about the procedure, medication) with rest in bed or in a chair. Patients assessed preoperative fear with three questionnaires: Surgical Fear Questionnaire, SFQ; Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale, APAIS, and Visual Analogue Scale for Anxiety, VAS-A. Data were processed by the Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon test with the statistical program TIBCO STATISTICA 13 at a significance level of 5%. Results: Of the sixty respondents, 43 were men before the planned bypass operation. All respondents ranged according to the results of the questionnaire scores in the medium level of fear in both measurements. No statistical difference was found between the intervention and control groups in both measurements. Within the intervention group, statistically significant differences were found in the level of fear before and after the music intervention in two questionnaires (change in SFQ value: 50.9±20.14 to 48.03±19.57, p = 0.004; change in VAS value-A: 72.13±27.44 to 71.60±27.57, p = 0.002). Conclusion: Listening to recorded music can reduce perceived preoperative fear in patients undergoing planned heart surgery under general anesthesia. Based on the results, it can be assumed that patients who experience fear before heart surgery may benefit from the intervention of listening to recorded music.

• MeSH
• Music * psychology   MeSH
• Cardiac Surgical Procedures MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Preoperative Care MeSH
• Psychological Tests MeSH
• Fear psychology   MeSH
• Anxiety psychology   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Clinical Trial MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH

UNLABELLED: Listening to music is experimentally associated with positive stress reduction effect on human organisms. However, the opinions of therapists about this complementary non-invasive therapy are still different. PURPOSE: The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of selected passive music therapy frequencies without vocals on selected cardio-vagal and complexity indices of short-term heart rate variability (HRV) in healthy youth, in terms of calming the human. MAIN METHODS: 30 probands (15 male, averaged age: 19.7+/-1.4 years, BMI: 23.3+/-3.8 kg/m2) were examined during protocol (Silence baseline, Music 1 (20-1000 Hz), Silence 1, Music 2 (250-2000 Hz), Silence 2, Music 3 (1000-16000 Hz), and Silence 3). Evaluated HRV parameters in time, spectral, and geometrical domains represent indices of cardio-vagal and emotional regulation. Additionally, HRV complexity was calculated by approximate entropy and sample entropy (SampEn) and subjective characteristics of each phase by Likert scale. RESULTS: the distance between subsequent R-waves in the electrocardiogram (RR intervals [ms]) and SampEn were significantly higher during Music 3 compared to Silence 3 (p=0.015, p=0.021, respectively). Geometrical cardio-vagal index was significantly higher during Music 2 than during Silence 2 (p=0.006). In the subjective perception of the healthy youths evaluated statistically through a Likert scale, the phases of music were perceived significantly more pleasant than the silent phases (p<0.001, p=0.008, p=0.003, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings revealed a rise of cardio-vagal modulation and higher complexity assessed by short-term HRV indices suggesting positive relaxing effect music especially of higher frequency on human organism.

• MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Electrocardiography MeSH
• Music * psychology   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Vagus Nerve MeSH
• Heart MeSH
• Heart Rate physiology   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Czech music therapists lacked the skills and knowledge to adapt their practice to virtual music therapy (VMT) at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, when physical contact was restricted. The aims of this project were to implement the best evidence-based recommendations concerning VMT in the practice of Czech music therapists and increase the number of therapists using VMT. METHODS: The project used the JBI Evidence Implementation Framework to promote change in the practice of participants. A baseline audit of 26 practitioners was conducted using questionnaires and interviews. The audit criteria consisted of 8 best practice recommendations, followed by the implementation of targeted strategies and a follow-up audit. RESULTS: Of the 26 music therapists, 18 began practicing VMT following the rollout of the implementation strategies. Strategies included educational workshops, instructional materials, technological support, individual counseling, and interactive training sessions. There was an increase in compliance with all audit criteria. The most critical barriers were lack of knowledge about VMT and lack of technical skills; lack of resources; technological challenges; low confidence of music therapists to provide VMT; and reduced need for VMT after the lockdown restrictions were relaxed. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation project helped to overcome temporary pandemic restrictions, increase the quality of VMT practice, develop strategies for VMT training, and identify reasons for using VMT during the pandemic and beyond.

• MeSH
• Music * MeSH
• Evidence-Based Practice MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Music Therapy * MeSH
• Pandemics prevention & control   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Czech Republic MeSH

Článek popisuje vývoj stigmatizujícího postoje veřejnosti k elektrokonvulzivní terapii. Elektrokonvulzivní terapie (EKT) je vysoce účinná metoda léčby závažných duševních poruch. V psychiatrii se používá přes 80 let a v některých léčebných indikacích je dosud obtížně nahraditelná. Modernizace metody vedla k výrazné minimalizaci nežádoucích účinků léčby. Navzdory bezpečnosti metody a subjektivní spokojenosti vyléčených pacientů je elektrokonvulzivní terapie stále vnímána běžnou společností spíše negativně. V článku autoři rozebírají podrobně zdroje přetrvávající stigmatizace. Záporně ovlivnilo pohled na EKT především filmové zpracování, negativní pohled je udržován také prostřednictvím nových médií.

The article describes the evolution of the stigmatizing public view on electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). ECT is a highly effective method of treatment of serious mental illnesses. It has been in use for over 80 years and in some indications, its efficacy has yet to be surpassed by alternative methods. Modernization of the method led to significant minimalization of adverse effects. Despite this, ECT is still perceived negatively by the public. In the article, the authors describe the sources of this stigmatization. ECT has been influenced negatively especially by its portrayal in the movie industry, but also in the new media.

• MeSH
• Mental Disorders therapy   MeSH
• Electroconvulsive Therapy * adverse effects   etiology   MeSH
• Motion Pictures MeSH
• Music MeSH
• Communications Media MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Literature MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Review MeSH

(1) Background: Throughout their career, music therapists make decisions regarding the clinical population they choose to work with. Though such decisions can have broad implications on the professional development of the music therapist, not much is known about the reasons for making these decisions and whether they are affected by demographic or professional factors. (2) Methods: In this pilot study, we surveyed 439 music therapists from six countries (i.e., Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Israel, Spain, and Switzerland) using an online questionnaire. We asked the respondents to explain why they chose to work with their main clienteles, and we examined whether their reasons were connected to demographic factors such as country of origin, gender, and seniority, and professional factors such as experience as a music therapist and population one works with. (3) Results: The category analysis of these responses pointed at nine distinct reasons that could be grouped into "practical reasons", "reasons of connection", and "innovation". There were differences in reasoning between music therapists from different countries, and with different degrees of seniority, but not between male and female music therapists. (4) Discussion: The implications on training programs and on policy makers are discussed as well as the importance of this subject to the development of music therapists' professional identity.

• MeSH
• Music * MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Music Therapy * MeSH
• Pilot Projects MeSH
• Allied Health Personnel MeSH
• Surveys and Questionnaires MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH