Is it always good to feel in control? Extension of worldview and health locus of control

Chronic conditions (CCs) management during the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact of the pandemic on patient activation (PA) and health locus of control (HLOC) remain unknown. This cross-sectional online survey study examined the role of COVID-19 pandemic-related worry or fear in PA and HLOC among patients with CCs. Individuals with CCs (n = 300) were recruited through MTurk Amazon. The questionnaire included sociodemographic questions, the Patient Activation Measure, and the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control–Form B. Out of the 300 participants, 9.7% were diagnosed with COVID-19, and 7.3% were hospitalized. Patients with cancer, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, drug abuse/substance abuse, and stroke reported significant difficulties in managing their CCs due to worry or fear because of COVID-19. More than half of the sample (45.7%) reported COVID-19-related worry or fear about managing their CCs, and these patients had lower PA and lower external HLOC compared to patients not affected by COVID-19-related worry or fear. Health professionals should provide more support for patients facing difficulties in managing their CCs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Effects of Cognicise-Neurofeedback on Health Locus of Control, Depression, and Quantitative Electroencephalography Alpha Asymmetry in Elderly Women

Brain Sciences ◽

10.3390/brainsci11070899 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (7) ◽

pp. 899

Author(s):

Heewook Weon ◽

Jieun Yoo ◽

Jumhwa Yu ◽

Miso Park ◽

Haekyoung Son

Keyword(s):

Locus Of Control ◽

Elderly Women ◽

Health Locus Of Control ◽

Cognitive Activity ◽

The Elderly ◽

Control Group ◽

Quantitative Electroencephalography ◽

Alpha Asymmetry ◽

Post Test ◽

Experimental Group

Background: With an increase in the aged population, there is a growing concern regarding the care of the elderly. This study aims to identify effects of cognicise-neurofeedback on health locus of control, depression, and quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG) alpha asymmetry in elderly women. Methods: A quasi-experimental control group pre-test–post-test design was used. Korean women aged 65 years or over at a senior welfare center were randomly allocated to the control (n = 12) or experimental (n = 19) groups from July to October 2019. The intervention consisted of cognicise (exercise with intensified cognitive activity) and neurofeedback twice a week for 10 weeks. The locus of control and depression were measured via self-reported questionnaires. QEEG alpha asymmetry was measured using BrainMaster. Results: Depression significantly decreased in the experimental group (t = 4.113, p = 0.001), while internality in the locus of control significantly decreased in the control group (t = 3.023, p = 0.012). On the other hand, QEEG alpha asymmetry index differences in F3-F4 between the pre-test and post-test were not significant in the experimental group (t = 0.491, p = 0.629) or control group (t = 0.413, p = 0.678). Conclusions: Due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, contact between the elderly and healthcare workers in the clinical practice field has become more restricted. These findings can help decrease negative emotions among elderly women in the community based on an integrated neuroscientific approach.

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