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Psychological Features and Their Relationship to Movement-Based Subgroups in People Living With Low Back Pain.
Karayannis, NV, Jull, GA, Nicholas, MK, Hodges, PW
Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation. 2018;(1):121-128
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the distribution of higher psychological risk features within movement-based subgroups for people with low back pain (LBP). DESIGN Cross-sectional observational study. SETTING Participants were recruited from physiotherapy clinics and community advertisements. Measures were collected at a university outpatient-based physiotherapy clinic. PARTICIPANTS People (N=102) seeking treatment for LBP. INTERVENTIONS Participants were subgrouped according to 3 classification schemes: Mechanical Diagnosis and Treatment (MDT), Treatment-Based Classification (TBC), and O'Sullivan Classification (OSC). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Questionnaires were used to categorize low-, medium-, and high-risk features based on depression, anxiety, and stress (Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 Items); fear avoidance (Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire); catastrophizing and coping (Pain-Related Self-Symptoms Scale); and self-efficacy (Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire). Psychological risk profiles were compared between movement-based subgroups within each scheme. RESULTS Scores across all questionnaires revealed that most patients had low psychological risk profiles, but there were instances of higher (range, 1%-25%) risk profiles within questionnaire components. The small proportion of individuals with higher psychological risk scores were distributed between subgroups across TBC, MDT, and OSC schemes. CONCLUSIONS Movement-based subgrouping alone cannot inform on individuals with higher psychological risk features.
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Psychological and clinical correlates of the Centrality of Event Scale: A systematic review.
Gehrt, TB, Berntsen, D, Hoyle, RH, Rubin, DC
Clinical psychology review. 2018;:57-80
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The Centrality of Event Scale (CES) was introduced to examine the extent to which a traumatic or stressful event is perceived as central to an individual's identity and life story, and how this relates to Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms. In addition, the CES has been examined in relation to a range of other conditions and dispositions. We present a systematic review of the correlates of the CES. Results from 92 publications resulted in 25 measurement categories in the six theoretical domains of trauma, negative affect and distress, autobiographical memory, personality, positive affect, and gender. The mean weighted correlations of the 25 measurement categories ranged from -.17 to .55, with standard errors from .01 to .02, allowing us to distinguish empirically among effects. Consistent with the theoretical motivation for the CES and predictions predating the review, the CES correlated positively with a range of measures, correlating most highly with measures related to trauma, PTSD, grief, and autobiographical memory. The findings show that the CES probes aspects of autobiographical memory of broad relevance to clinical disorders, and with specific implications for theories of PTSD.
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Preventing Childhood Obesity Through a Mindfulness-Based Parent Stress Intervention: A Randomized Pilot Study.
Jastreboff, AM, Chaplin, TM, Finnie, S, Savoye, M, Stults-Kolehmainen, M, Silverman, WK, Sinha, R
The Journal of pediatrics. 2018;:136-142.e1
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OBJECTIVE To assess the feasibility of engaging stressed, low-income parents with obesity in a novel mindfulness-based parent stress intervention aimed at decreasing the risk of early childhood obesity. STUDY DESIGN An 8-week mindfulness-based parent stress group intervention (parenting mindfully for health) plus nutrition and physical activity counseling (PMH+N) was developed for parents with obesity aimed at preventing obesity in their at-risk 2- to 5-year-old children. PMH+N was compared with a control group intervention (C+N), and improvement in parenting was assessed before and after the intervention using the laboratory-based toy wait task (TWT). In addition, nutrition, physical activity, and stress were assessed using a multimethod approach. RESULTS After establishing feasibility in 20 parent-child dyads (phase 1), 42 dyads were randomized to PMH+N vs C+N (phase 2). Compared with the C+N group, the PMH+N group demonstrated significantly better group attendance (P < .015), greater improvement in parental involvement (P < .05), and decreased parental emotional eating rating (P < .011). Furthermore, C+N, but not PMH+N, was associated with significant increases in child body mass index percentile during treatment (P < .03) when accounting for the TWT before and after changes in parenting scores. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that a mindfulness-based parent stress intervention to decrease childhood obesity risk is feasible, requires further testing of therapeutic mechanisms in larger samples, and may be a potential way to attenuate the risk of childhood obesity. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.govNCT01974102.
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[Saliva diagnostic in the research about human immune adaptation to study stress and to differrent water drinking behavior.].
Melnik, KN, Baisheva, GM, Gilmiyarova, FN, Alpatova, TA
Klinicheskaia laboratornaia diagnostika. 2018;(6):353-357
Abstract
85 healthy young people were participates of a randomized placebo controlled cross-over fashion. This study tested associations between different water drinking behavior, the condition of oral immune protection and stress factors over 3 months. We examined saliva IL-1, IL-4, IL-6, TNF-α, γ-IFN, α-amylase and compared them with stress-associated psychophysiological data. As a result of our study we made a saliva pretreatment plan for cytokines and amylase assays, also we tried to understand the strategy of mechanism associations between different water drinking behavior, the condition of oral immune protection and stress factors.
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Effects of office workstation type on physical activity and stress.
Lindberg, CM, Srinivasan, K, Gilligan, B, Razjouyan, J, Lee, H, Najafi, B, Canada, KJ, Mehl, MR, Currim, F, Ram, S, et al
Occupational and environmental medicine. 2018;(10):689-695
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OBJECTIVE Office environments have been causally linked to workplace-related illnesses and stress, yet little is known about how office workstation type is linked to objective metrics of physical activity and stress. We aimed to explore these associations among office workers in US federal office buildings. METHODS We conducted a wearable, sensor-based, observational study of 231 workers in four office buildings. Outcome variables included workers' physiological stress response, physical activity and perceived stress. Relationships between office workstation type and these variables were assessed using structural equation modelling. RESULTS Workers in open bench seating were more active at the office than those in private offices and cubicles (open bench seating vs private office=225.52 mG (31.83% higher on average) (95% CI 136.57 to 314.46); open bench seating vs cubicle=185.13 mG (20.16% higher on average) (95% CI 66.53 to 303.72)). Furthermore, workers in open bench seating experienced lower perceived stress at the office than those in cubicles (-0.27 (9.10% lower on average) (95% CI -0.54 to -0.02)). Finally, higher physical activity at the office was related to lower physiological stress (higher heart rate variability in the time domain) outside the office (-26.12 ms/mG (14.18% higher on average) (95% CI -40.48 to -4.16)). CONCLUSIONS Office workstation type was related to enhanced physical activity and reduced physiological and perceived stress. This research highlights how office design, driven by office workstation type, could be a health-promoting factor.
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Effects of a fixed herbal drug combination (Ze 185) to an experimental acute stress setting in healthy men - An explorative randomized placebo-controlled double-blind study.
Meier, S, Haschke, M, Zahner, C, Kruttschnitt, E, Drewe, J, Liakoni, E, Hammann, F, Gaab, J
Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology. 2018;:85-92
Abstract
BACKGROUND Considering the negative effects of stress on health, there is a growing interest in stress-reducing interventions. The present study examines the effects of a fixed combination of valerian, passion flower, lemon balm, and butterbur extracts (Ze 185) on biological and affective responses to a standardized psychosocial stress paradigm. PURPOSE The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of Ze 185 on cortisol and anxiety stress responses to acute psychosocial stress in healthy subjects. STUDY DESIGN This study was a randomized, placebo-controlled, double blind study with 3 parallel groups. METHODS 72 healthy male participants were randomized to 3 groups (Ze 185, placebo or no treatment) during 4 days prior to a standardized psychosocial stress paradigm. Principle outcomes were salivary cortisol and self-reported anxiety responses to stress assessed at the fourth day. RESULTS The stress paradigm induced significant and large cortisol and self-reported anxiety responses. Groups did not differ significantly in their salivary cortisol response to stress, but participants in the Ze 185 condition showed significantly attenuated responses in self-reported anxiety in comparison to placebo (F(3, 41) = 3.33, p = 0.03) and no treatment (F(3, 43) = 2.77, p = 0.05). CONCLUSION The results show that Ze 185 significantly attenuated the subjective emotional stress response during an acute stress situation, without affecting biological stress responses. Given that a circumscribed biological stress response is to be considered as an adaptive mechanism, Ze 185 reduces self-reported anxiety response to stress without affecting assumingly adaptive biological stress responses.
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Effect of a 16-week Bikram yoga program on perceived stress, self-efficacy and health-related quality of life in stressed and sedentary adults: A randomised controlled trial.
Hewett, ZL, Pumpa, KL, Smith, CA, Fahey, PP, Cheema, BS
Journal of science and medicine in sport. 2018;(4):352-357
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of 16 weeks of Bikram yoga on perceived stress, self-efficacy and health related quality of life (HRQoL) in sedentary, stressed adults. DESIGN 16 week, parallel-arm, randomised controlled trial with flexible dosing. METHODS Physically inactive, stressed adults (37.2±10.8 years) were randomised to Bikram yoga (three to five classes per week) or control (no treatment) group for 16 weeks. Outcome measures, collected via self-report, included perceived stress, general self-efficacy, and HRQoL. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, midpoint and completion. RESULTS Individuals were randomised to the experimental (n=29) or control group (n=34). Average attendance in the experimental group was 27±18 classes. Repeated measure analyses of variance (intention-to-treat) demonstrated significantly improved perceived stress (p=0.003, partial η2=0.109), general self-efficacy (p=0.034, partial η2=0.056), and the general health (p=0.034, partial η2=0.058) and energy/fatigue (p=0.019, partial η2=0.066) domains of HRQoL in the experimental group versus the control group. Attendance was significantly associated with reductions in perceived stress, and an increase in several domains of HRQoL. CONCLUSIONS 16 weeks of Bikram yoga significantly improved perceived stress, general self-efficacy and HRQoL in sedentary, stressed adults. Future research should consider ways to optimise adherence, and should investigate effects of Bikram yoga intervention in other populations at risk for stress-related illness. TRIAL REGISTRATION Australia New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12616000867493. Registered 04 July 2016. URL: http://www.anzctr.org.au/ACTRN12616000867493.aspx.
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Lifestyle and fertility: the influence of stress and quality of life on male fertility.
Ilacqua, A, Izzo, G, Emerenziani, GP, Baldari, C, Aversa, A
Reproductive biology and endocrinology : RB&E. 2018;(1):115
Abstract
BACKGROUND Male infertility is a widespread condition among couples. In about 50% of cases, couple infertility is attributable to the male partner, mainly due to a failure in spermatogenesis. In recent times, the crucial role that modifiable lifestyle factors play in the development of infertility have generated a growing interest in this field of study, i.e. aging, psychological stress, nutrition, physical activity, caffeine, high scrotal temperature, hot water, mobile telephone use. Several studies have investigated associations between semen quality and the presence of lifestyle stressors i.e. occupational, life events (war, earthquake, etc.) or couple infertility; overall, these studies provide evidence that semen quality is impaired by psychological stress. In this review, we will discuss the impact of quality of life (modifiable lifestyle factors) and psychological stress on male fertility. In addition, the role that increased scrotal temperature along with inappropriate nutritional and physical exercise attitudes exert on male fertility will be presented. CONCLUSION The decline of male fertility, particularly associated with advancing age, incorrect lifestyles and environmental factors plays an important role on natality, and its consequences on the future on human population makes this an important public health issue in this century. Thus, modification of lifestyle through a structured program of educational, environmental, nutritional/physical exercise and psychological support, combined with the use of nutraceutical antioxidants can prevent infertility and therefore, may help couples to obtain better quality of life and improved possibility to conceive spontaneously or optimize their chances of conception.
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The Slow Down Program: A mixed methods pilot study of a mindfulness-based stress management and nutrition education program for mothers.
Kennedy, LE, Misyak, S, Hosig, K, Duffey, KJ, Ju, Y, Serrano, E
Complementary therapies in medicine. 2018;:1-6
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Stress levels have been associated with a broad range of adverse health outcomes, particularly for mothers and subsequently, their children. Mindfulness-based stress management is a tool that has effectively been utilized in several disciplines and has potential applications to eating behaviors. This paper describes the effects of an exploratory mindfulness-based stress management and nutrition education program, the Slow Down Program, on mothers' perceived stress, eating behavior, and self-efficacy. DESIGN & SETTING This study used a mixed methods quasi-experimental design. Nineteen mothers with young children (five or younger) participated in the study. The SDP consisted of four consecutive weekly 1.5 h sessions focused on experiential learning and facilitated discussion. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Quantitative data were collected pre- and post-intervention and included: the Perceived Stress Scale; Mindfulness Self-Efficacy Scale; and the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire Revised-18. Qualitative data included a focus group post-intervention and an individual interview 4-6 weeks post-intervention. RESULTS The SDP showed significant improvements in participants' perceived stress (p = .04), uncontrolled eating (p < 0.01), cognitive restraint (p < 0.01), and mindfulness self-efficacy (p < 0.01). Qualitatively, participants also reported changes in self-efficacy and eating behaviors - specifically improvements in mindful eating, and sensory and satiety awareness. CONCLUSIONS The results of this pilot study demonstrate that nutrition programs incorporated with mindfulness strategies may offer positive, short-term impacts on stress reduction and eating behaviors. Additional studies are warranted across a variety of populations with more rigorous study designs to assess long-term effects.
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Supplementation with macular carotenoids reduces psychological stress, serum cortisol, and sub-optimal symptoms of physical and emotional health in young adults.
Stringham, NT, Holmes, PV, Stringham, JM
Nutritional neuroscience. 2018;(4):286-296
Abstract
PURPOSE Oxidative stress and systemic inflammation are the root cause of several deleterious effects of chronic psychological stress. We hypothesize that the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capabilities of the macular carotenoids (MCs) lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin could, via daily supplementation, provide a dietary means of benefit. METHODS A total of 59 young healthy subjects participated in a 12-month, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the effects of MC supplementation on blood cortisol, psychological stress ratings, behavioural measures of mood, and symptoms of sub-optimal health. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of three groups: placebo, 13 mg, or 27 mg / day total MCs. All parameters were assessed at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. Serum MCs were determined via HPLC, serum cortisol via ELISA, and macular pigment optical density (MPOD) via customized heterochromatic flicker photometry. Behavioural data were obtained via questionnaire. RESULTS Significant baseline correlations were found between MPOD and Beck anxiety scores (r = -0.28; P = 0.032), MPOD and Brief Symptom Inventory scores (r = 0.27; P = 0.037), and serum cortisol and psychological stress scores (r = 0.46; P < 0.001). Supplementation for 6 months improved psychological stress, serum cortisol, and measures of emotional and physical health (P < 0.05 for all), versus placebo. These outcomes were either maintained or improved further at 12 months. CONCLUSIONS Supplementation with the MCs significantly reduces stress, cortisol, and symptoms of sub-optimal emotional and physical health. Determining the basis for these effects, whether systemic or a more central (i.e. brain) is a question that warrants further study.