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A Randomized Trial of the Effects of Exercise on Anxiety, Fear of Cancer Progression and Quality of Life in Prostate Cancer Patients on Active Surveillance.
Kang, DW, Fairey, AS, Boulé, NG, Field, CJ, Wharton, SA, Courneya, KS
The Journal of urology. 2022;(4):814-822
Abstract
PURPOSE We examined the effects of exercise on prostate cancer-specific anxiety, fear of cancer progression, quality of life and psychosocial outcomes in patients with prostate cancer on active surveillance. MATERIALS AND METHODS The ERASE (Exercise during Active Surveillance for Prostate Cancer) Trial randomized 52 patients with prostate cancer undergoing active surveillance to high-intensity interval training (HIIT, 26 patients) or usual care (UC, 26 patients). The HIIT group performed a 12-week, thrice weekly, supervised, aerobic HIIT program. The UC group did not exercise. Patient-reported outcomes were assessed at baseline and after intervention, including prostate cancer-specific anxiety (Memorial Anxiety Scale for Prostate Cancer), fear of cancer progression (Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory), prostate cancer symptoms (Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite), quality of life (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core) and psychological health outcomes (eg fatigue, stress and self-esteem). Analysis of covariance was used to compare between-group differences. RESULTS Fifty of 52 participants (96%) completed patient-reported outcome assessments at 12 weeks. Adherence to HIIT was 96%. Compared to UC, HIIT significantly improved total prostate cancer-specific anxiety (adjusted between-group mean difference -2.7, 95% confidence interval, range -5.0 to -0.4, p=0.024), as well as the fear of progression subscale (p=0.013), hormonal symptoms (p=0.005), perceived stress (p=0.037), fatigue (p=0.029) and self-esteem (p=0.007). CONCLUSIONS A 12-week supervised HIIT program may improve prostate cancer-specific anxiety, fear of cancer progression, hormone symptoms, stress, fatigue and self-esteem in men with prostate cancer on active surveillance. Larger trials are needed to confirm the effects of HIIT on patient-reported outcomes in the active surveillance setting.
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Highs, Lows, and Health Hazards of Herbology: A Review of Herbal Medications with Psychotropic Effects.
Smith-Stephens, SL
The Nursing clinics of North America. 2021;(1):137-152
Abstract
Mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, and insomnia, are leading causes of hospitalization and disability for young and middle-aged adults. Approximately one-half of Americans will be diagnosed with a mental illness during their lifetime. Plants and roots have been used as medicinal agents since the beginning of recorded time. Complementary and alternative medicine or complementary integrative medicine use has been increasing throughout most socioeconomic classes, cultures, and age categories. This article reviews herbal and alternative therapies used to treat anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Indications for use, patient education, and possible interactions with conventional prescribed psychotropic medications are analyzed.
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Traditional herbal medicines to overcome stress, anxiety and improve mental health in outbreaks of human coronaviruses.
Shahrajabian, MH, Sun, W, Soleymani, A, Cheng, Q
Phytotherapy research : PTR. 2021;(3):1237-1247
Abstract
Mental health condition is including depression and anxiety, and they may impact wellbeing, personal relationships and productivity of both genders. Herbal medicines have been used to treatment of anxiety and depression symptoms for centuries. SARS, MERS and COVID-19 are related to coronavirus types. SARS (sever acute respiratory syndrome, China, 2002), MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome, Saudi Arabia, 2012), and SARS-CoV-2 (2019-2020) are the main coronavirus outbreaks. Both anxiety and depression are more serious to be considered and improved for all general public during fight with these diseases. In this mini-review article, we have mentioned the key role some of the most important plants and herbs for treatment of stress and anxiety and improve mental health against SARS and SARS-CoV-2 on the basis of traditional Asian medicine, especially traditional Chinese and Persian medicine.
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Efficacy of omega-3 supplementation on sertraline continuous therapy to reduce depression or anxiety symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Chambergo-Michilot, D, Brañez-Condorena, A, Falvy-Bockos, I, Pacheco-Mendoza, J, Benites-Zapata, VA
Psychiatry research. 2021;:113652
Abstract
We aimed to synthesize the evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that determined the efficacy of adding omega-3 supplementation to the continuous sertraline therapy in adults with depression. Meta-analyses were performed using random effects. We used the Revised Cochrane risk of bias tool for randomized trials version 2.0. to assess the risk of bias. Four RCTs were included. The follow-up ranged from eight to 12 weeks. Regarding the Beck Depression Inventory, the pooled SMD was 0.50 (95% CI: -0.51, 1.50; I2: 94.1%). A subgroup analysis was performed regarding the presence of coronary disease: SMD -0.17 (95% CI: -0.41, 0.07; I2: 0.0%). Regarding the Beck Anxiety Inventory, the pooled MD was 0.03 (95% CI: -2.22, 2.28; I2: 0.0%). Regarding the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, the pooled MD was 0.42 (95% CI: -1.44, 2.29; I2: 35.7%). All pooled outcomes presented a very low certainty of the evidence. Three RCTs presented a low risk of bias in all domains; however, one study presented some concerns in two domains. No essential reductions in the outcomes were found. A subgroup analysis suggested that may be better not to provide the supplementation in patients with coronary disease. The evidence is not enough to make recommendations.
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The effect of psychotherapy on anxiety, depression, and quality of life in patients with diabetic retinopathy: A protocol for systematic review and network meta-analysis.
Li, S, Liu, H, Zhu, X
Medicine. 2021;(51):e28386
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the common microvascular complications in diabetic patients, which is characterized by progressive development and often leads to irreversible visual impairment. More seriously, DR patients suffer great psychological stress due to impaired visual function and reduced self-care ability such as anxiety and depression, which seriously affect the quality of life of patients. In recent years, various psychological therapies have been applied to alleviate anxiety, depression, and quality of life in DR patients, which have achieved positive results. However, the effectiveness and safety of different psychological therapies are unclear. This study aims to assess the effects of psychotherapy on anxiety, depression, and quality of life in DR patients through a network meta-analysis. METHODS All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the effects of psychotherapy on anxiety, depression, and quality of life in patients with DR published before 30 November 30, 2021, will be searched in the PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, Chinese Scientific Journal Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database, Wanfang, and China Biomedical Literature Database. There will have no restrictions on publication status and language. Two researchers will be independently responsible for RCT screening, data extraction, and quality evaluation. All statistical analyses will be performed using Stata 14.0 and R 4.1.2. RESULTS The results of this meta-analysis will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal for publication. CONCLUSION This study will provide comprehensive and reliable evidence-based references for elucidating the efficacy of psychotherapy on anxiety, depression, and quality of life in DR patients. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Ethical approval was not required for this study. The systematic review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal, presented at conferences, and shared on social media platforms. OSF REGISTRATION NUMBER DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/K8T27.
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[Prevalence of anxiety among health professionals in times of COVID-19: a systematic review with meta-analysis].
Silva, DFO, Cobucci, RN, Soares-Rachetti, VP, Lima, SCVC, Andrade, FB
Ciencia & saude coletiva. 2021;(2):693-710
Abstract
This study sets out to identify the prevalence of anxiety among health professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic. It involves a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies published in any language in 2020. A search was conducted in the Embase, LILACS and PubMed databases using the keywords anxiety, COVID-19, health workers, and synonyms. The estimated overall prevalence of anxiety with a 95% confidence interval was calculated using the random effects model. Of the 861 records identified, 36 articles were included in the systematic review and 35 in the meta-analysis. The overall prevalence of anxiety was 35% (95%CI: 29-40). A higher risk of anxiety was identified among women compared to men (Odds Ratio: 1.64 [95%CI: 1.47-1.84]), and in nurses, in comparison with physicians (Odds Ratio: 1.19 [95%CI: 1.07-1.33]). Being on the front line of COVID-19, being infected with coronavirus and having chronic diseases were also factors associated with a higher risk of anxiety. A high prevalence of anxiety among health professionals was observed, with higher risk among women and nurses. There is a pressing need for measures aimed at prevention of anxiety and providing early and appropriate treatment for those suffering from moderate and severe anxiety.
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Anxiolytic effects of a galacto-oligosaccharides prebiotic in healthy females (18-25 years) with corresponding changes in gut bacterial composition.
Johnstone, N, Milesi, C, Burn, O, van den Bogert, B, Nauta, A, Hart, K, Sowden, P, Burnet, PWJ, Cohen Kadosh, K
Scientific reports. 2021;(1):8302
Abstract
Current research implicates pre- and probiotic supplementation as a potential tool for improving symptomology in physical and mental ailments, which makes it an attractive concept for clinicians and consumers alike. Here we focus on the transitional period of late adolescence and early adulthood during which effective interventions, such as nutritional supplementation to influence the gut microbiota, have the potential to offset health-related costs in later life. We examined multiple indices of mood and well-being in 64 healthy females in a 4-week double blind, placebo controlled galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) prebiotic supplement intervention and obtained stool samples at baseline and follow-up for gut microbiota sequencing and analyses. We report effects of the GOS intervention on self-reported high trait anxiety, attentional bias, and bacterial abundance, suggesting that dietary supplementation with a GOS prebiotic may improve indices of pre-clinical anxiety. Gut microbiota research has captured the imagination of the scientific and lay community alike, yet we are now at a stage where this early enthusiasm will need to be met with rigorous research in humans. Our work makes an important contribution to this effort by combining a psychobiotic intervention in a human sample with comprehensive behavioural and gut microbiota measures.
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Fasting Interventions for Stress, Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Berthelot, E, Etchecopar-Etchart, D, Thellier, D, Lancon, C, Boyer, L, Fond, G
Nutrients. 2021;(11)
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fasting interventions have shown effectiveness in alleviating stress, anxiety and depressive symptoms. However, no quantitative analysis has been carried out thus far. The objective was to determine the effectiveness of fasting interventions on stress, anxiety and depression and if these interventions were associated with increased or decreased fatigue/energy. METHODS Overall, 11 studies and 1436 participants were included in the quantitative analyses. RESULTS After limiting analyses to randomized controlled trials with low risk of bias, we found that fasting groups had lower anxiety (b = -0.508, p = 0.038), depression levels (b= -0.281, p = 0.012) and body mass index compared to controls without increased fatigue. There was no publication bias and no heterogeneity for these results. These interventions were safe, even in patients with type 2 diabetes. CONCLUSIONS These results should be taken with a caveat. These results are preliminary and encouraging and fasting appears to be a safe intervention. Data are not sufficient to recommend one fasting intervention more than the others. No study was carried out in psychiatric populations and further trials should be carried out in these populations that may be good candidates for fasting interventions.
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Relaxation training significantly reduced blood glucose levels in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus.
Paschali, AA, Peppou, LΕ, Benroubi, M
Hormones (Athens, Greece). 2020;(2):215-222
Abstract
PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE The present study was designed to test whether adding a relaxation training technique to the medical treatment of patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus could, adjusting for the non-specific factors of therapy, lead to an improvement in the patients' condition. METHOD Forty-six participants were randomly allocated either to an experimental (intervention) group, receiving weekly sessions of relaxation training, or to a control group (placebo) receiving weekly blood circulation training exercises. Measures included the State and Trait Anxiety Inventory, blood glucose levels, high-density lipoprotein levels, cholesterol levels, body weight, HbA1c levels, the Mood Adjective Checklist (MACL), a diary checklist, and urine glucose levels. Assessment of psychological and physiological parameters was conducted before and upon completion of the intervention (8 weeks). RESULTS Trait anxiety and the main metabolic measurement of blood glucose levels and HbA1C revealed significant differences over time, predominantly among patients in the intervention group. CONCLUSIONS Relaxation techniques as an adjunct to medical treatment are a useful tool for patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus.
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Double-blind placebo controlled trial of the anxiolytic effects of a standardized Echinacea extract.
Haller, J, Krecsak, L, Zámbori, J
Phytotherapy research : PTR. 2020;(3):660-668
Abstract
Earlier studies suggested that specific Echinacea preparations might decrease anxiety. To further study the issue, we performed a double blind, placebo controlled trial with a standardized Echinacea angustifolia root extract. Participants were volunteers scoring above 45 points on the state or on the trait subscale of the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). They were treated with 40 mg Echinacea or with placebo tablets twice daily for 7 days followed by a 3 week-long washout period. Participants were also administered the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). In the Echinacea group, state anxiety scores decreased by approximately 11 points by the end of the treatment period, whereas the decrease was around 3-points in the placebo group (p< 0.01). The effect maintained over the washout period. The difference from placebo was significant from the 7th day of treatment throughout. Changes were less robust with trait anxiety scores, but the preparation performed better than placebo in patients with high baseline anxiety. Neither BDI nor PSS scores were affected by the treatments. Adverse effects were rare and mild, and all were observed in the placebo group. These findings suggest that particular Echinacea preparations have significant beneficial effects on anxiety in humans.