scholarly journals Preliminary Evidence That Yoga Practice Progressively Improves Mood and Decreases Stress in a Sample of UK Prisoners

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy C. Bilderbeck ◽  
Inti A. Brazil ◽  
Miguel Farias
Keyword(s):  
Negative Affect ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Psychological Symptoms ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Yoga Practice ◽  
Class Attendance ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Prison Populations

Objectives. In the first randomized controlled trial of yoga on UK prisoners, we previously showed that yoga practice was associated with improved mental wellbeing and cognition. Here, we aimed to assess how class attendance, self-practice, and demographic factors were related to outcome amongst prisoners enrolled in the 10-week yoga intervention.Methods. The data of 55 participants (52 male, 3 female) who completed a 10-week yoga course were analysed. Changes in pre- and postyoga measures of affect, perceived stress, and psychological symptoms were entered into linear regression analyses with bias-corrected and accelerated bootstrap confidence intervals. Class attendance, self-practice, demographic variables, and baseline psychometric variables were included as regressors.Results. Participants who attended more yoga classes and those who engaged in frequent (5 times or more) self-practice reported significantly greater decreases in perceived stress. Decreases in negative affect were also significantly related to high frequency self-practice and greater class attendance at a near-significant level. Age was positively correlated with yoga class attendance, and higher levels of education were associated with greater decreases in negative affect.Conclusions. Our results suggest that there may be progressive beneficial effects of yoga within prison populations and point to subpopulations who may benefit the most from this practice.

A Yoga Stress Reduction Intervention for University Faculty, Staff, and Graduate Students

2015 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christiane Brems
Keyword(s):  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Stress Reduction ◽  
Psychological Symptoms ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Physical Symptoms ◽  
Repeated Measure ◽  
University Faculty ◽  
Home Practice ◽  
The Face ◽  
University Training

Yoga can be an effective intervention for physical and psychological symptoms and decreased ability to cope with physical, emotional, vocational, or academic stress. One group of individuals challenged regarding adequate self-care in the face of stress are personnel in university training programs for helping professions (e.g., psychology, nursing, nutrition). This feasibility study explored engagement in and effectiveness of a systematic 10-week yoga program aimed at university faculty, staff, and students. The intervention consisted of 10 weekly 90-minute sessions that were structured to include conceptual grounding, breathing, postures, and meditation. Weekly class outlines were made available to students for home practice. Participants signed informed consents, liability waivers, and health screenings. Self-reports of home practice, barriers to practice, perceived stress, and stress symptoms were used to evaluate whether the intervention was successful in engaging participants and reducing stress-related symptoms. Engagement was demonstrated by study adherence in the first 10-week series (88%; 44 of 50 enrolled), as well as re-enrollment for at least one additional 10-week series (64%; 28 of 44). Intervention success was demonstrated through repeated measure s ANOVAs of 44 participants' data, which showed significant improvement after a single 10-week series in perceived stress, as well as self-reported psychological, behavioral, and physical symptoms of stress. The study demonstrates feasibility of a yoga intervention in an academic setting and provides preliminary evidence for efficacy in stress reduction. It also supplies 10 detailed session protocols for intervention replication.

The effectiveness of a non-guided mindfulness application on perceived stress in a non-clinical Dutch population: a Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonieke W Kranenburg ◽  
Jamie Gillis ◽  
Birgit Mayer ◽  
Witte JG Hoogendijk
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Psychological Symptoms ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Dutch Population ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Experimental Group

BACKGROUND Mindfulness has become increasingly popular and positive outcomes have been reported for mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) to reduce stress. These findings make room for innovative perspectives on how MBIs could be applied, for instance through mHealth. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to investigate if a non-guided mindfulness mobile phone application can decrease perceived stress in a non-clinical Dutch population over the course of eight weeks, with follow-up at six months. METHODS A randomized controlled trial (RCT) was performed, comparing the experimental group that made use of a structured 8-week mHealth mindfulness program and a control group after 8 weeks, with follow-up after six months. Participants were recruited via a national television program. The primary outcome measure was perceived stress as measured by the Perceived Stress scale (PSS), secondary outcomes were symptoms of burnout (VAS) and psychological symptoms (measured by the four-dimensional symptom questionnaire ; 4DSQ at follow-up). Outcomes were analyzed using a multilevel regression model. RESULTS At baseline, 587 respondents were included. Results showed no differences between groups for the level of perceived stress. With regard to the secondary outcome measures, the VAS for emotional exhaustion and physical exhaustion showed statistically significant lower scores for the experimental group after 8 weeks (resp. p=.04 and p= .01), but not at follow-up. There were also no differences between groups found for psychological symptoms. CONCLUSIONS These findings do not support our hypothesis that using the mindfulness app would reduce stress levels. However, findings with regard to diminished exhaustion at 8 weeks are encouraging and require further investigation.

scholarly journals Improvement in physiological and psychological parameters after six months of yoga practice in military men

2012 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 14
Author(s):  
Kliger Kissinger Fernandes Rocha
Keyword(s):  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Preventive Health Care ◽  
Yoga Practice ◽  
Memory Tests ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Cognitive Improvement ◽  
Physical Exercises ◽  
Anxiety Depression ◽  
Yoga Practitioners

Mind-body practices such as yoga are believed to have potential beneficial effects on cognition, as well as on emotional control and on improvement of stress tolerance. However, previous studies were mainly performed on eastern experienced practitioners, or in unhealthy subjects undergoing concomitant conventional therapies. In addition, several kinds of physical exercises have also shown to improve several aspects of mental and body health. Further investigation is needed on the effects of yoga practice per se, even as the possible preventive benefits of this practice on healthy subjects. This study investigated the effects of yoga on memory and on psychophysiological parameters related to stress, as well as offering a possible relationship between these measurements. A controlled trial comparing yoga practice and conventional physical exercises was carried out with yoga-naïve healthy military men. Data from memory tests, salivary cortisol levels and stress, anxiety, and depression inventories were assessed before and after six months of yoga practice. There were significant improvements of the performance on the memory tests, which were accompanied by improvements in psychophysiological parameters in the yoga-practitioners. Improvements were detected when yoga practitioners were compared to non-practitioners, as well as when comparisons were conducted between basal and after practice outcomes. The results indicated that yoga can effectively improve memory after six months of regular practice, along with psychophysiological measurements related to anxiety, depression and stress in healthy subjects. Yoga could be an effective treatment of anxiety, depression and stress. Furthermore, an indirect influence of parameters related to emotional state on cognitive improvement promoted by yoga practice can be proposed. Taken together with previous work, the present results point out to an important application of yoga practice in preventive health care and overall improvement in daily life.

scholarly journals An ecological momentary compassion-focused intervention for enhancing resilience in help-seeking youths: a pilot study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Rauschenberg ◽  
Benjamin Böcking ◽  
Isabell Pätzold ◽  
Koen Schruers ◽  
Anita Schick ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Stress Sensitivity ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Emotional Resilience ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Ecological Momentary

Digital interventions offer new avenues for prevention and treatment in youth. Ecological momentary interventions (EMIs) allow for adaptive and real-time delivery of intervention components in daily life. Compassion-focused interventions may be particularly amenable to translation into an EMI to strengthen emotional resilience in youth. We aimed to investigate initial therapeutic effects, feasibility, and safety of a novel, accessible, transdiagnostic, ecological momentary, compassion-focused intervention for improving emotional resilience (‘EMIcompass’) in an uncontrolled pilot study including help-seeking youth with psychotic, depressive, and/or anxiety symptoms. The EMIcompass intervention consisted of three sessions with a trained psychologist and a 3-week EMI administered through a mobile health app. In total, ten individuals (Mage=20.3 years) were included. Reduced stress sensitivity, momentary negative affect, and psychotic experiences as well as increased positive affect were found at post-intervention and 4-week follow-up. Further, reductions in psychotic, anxiety, and depressive symptoms of medium to large effect size were found (r=0.30-0.65). Most participants were satisfied (80%) and reported low burden of app usage. No adverse events were observed. Our findings provide initial evidence on beneficial effects, feasibility, and safety of the EMIcompass intervention in help-seeking youth. An exploratory randomised controlled trial is warranted to establish feasibility and preliminary evidence of efficacy.

Rationale, design, and challenges with implementing a clinical intervention to teach appropriate gestational weight gain (TAGG): Protocol of a Randomized controlled trial (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Awathif Mackeen ◽  
Danielle Downs ◽  
Vonda Hetherington ◽  
Shawnee Lutcher ◽  
Jacob Mowery ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Gestational Diabetes ◽  
Usual Care ◽  
Gestational Weight Gain ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Gestational Weight ◽  
Randomized Controlled

BACKGROUND Excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) has public health implications including preterm birth, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and cesarean delivery. In an effort to mitigate adverse consequences of excessive GWG, this study tests a health intervention that includes enhancements to improve knowledge and awareness of appropriate GWG, and patient-centered nutritional counseling to promote appropriate GWG. OBJECTIVE The primary objective of the study was to increase the proportion of women who are managing their GWG as recommended by the IOM.4,5 METHODS This randomized controlled trial was conducted at Geisinger in Pennsylvania where excessive GWG is common among women with pre-conception obesity. Eligible, consenting participants with pre-pregnancy body mass index >30.0 kg/m2 were randomized (1:1) to: 1) Usual Care: usual written educational materials and counseling by an obstetric care provider or 2) Enhanced Care: Usual Care plus a) a personalized letter from a physician detailing appropriate GWG, b) exposure to individualized GWG chart in the electronic health record via the patient portal, and c) a consult with a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and follow-up via tele-health counseling (10-20 mins/1-2 weeks) for the duration of the pregnancy. RESULTS The primary outcome was the proportion of women that gain less than 20 pounds over the course of the pregnancy. Secondary outcomes include knowledge, expectations, and attitude about pregnancy weight gain; increased self-efficacy for ability to eat healthy and being physically active to manage weight; and eating behavior. Potential moderators that will be explored include sleep, perceived stress, perceived involvement in care, and household food security. Data collection has been completed as of November 2019. CONCLUSIONS As GWG care was initiated for mothers with pre-pregnancy BMI >30 kg/m2 within the first and second trimesters, the intervention may have the additional benefit of reducing other adverse pregnancy outcomes including the incidence of gestational diabetes due to healthier rates of GWG. In addition to assessing appropriate GWG, this project will assess eating habits, physical activity, GWG attitudes, sleep quality, and psychological measures, all of which are associated with GWG. Exploratory mediators including perceived stress and food insecurity will also be evaluated. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02963428

scholarly journals The effect of online multimedia psychoeducational interventions on the resilience and perceived stress of hospitalized patients with COVID-19: a pilot cluster randomized parallel-controlled trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maryam Shaygan ◽  
Zahra Yazdani ◽  
Adib Valibeygi
Keyword(s):  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Stress Reduction ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Psychological Techniques ◽  
Psychological Pressure ◽  
Cluster Randomized ◽  
High Level ◽  
Psychoeducational Interventions

Abstract Background There is evidence suggesting that quarantine might have undesirable psychological impacts on the patients. Therefore, it is important to seek for ways to increase the resilience and alleviate the psychological pressure of the patients who are quarantined due to infection with COVID-19. The present study was conducted to assess an online multimedia psychoeducational intervention regarding the feasibility, adherence, patient satisfaction and effectiveness on resilience and perceived stress of patients hospitalized with confirmed COVID-19. Method This was a pilot cluster randomized parallel-controlled trial with hospital wards as the units of randomization. Participants in this fully online trial were 50 consecutive patients who were hospitalized in 2 hospitals in Shiraz, after being diagnosed with COVID-19. Before the beginning of the intervention, four inpatient wards inside two of the hospitals were randomly assigned to either intervention or control conditions. All eligible participants in the wards allocated to the intervention condition received online multimedia psychoeducational interventions during the 2 weeks, whilst the patients in the wards allocated to the control condition were offered the opportunity to receive telephone-based psychological counseling if needed. Psychoeducational interventions mainly included cognitive–behavioural techniques, stress management techniques, mindfulness-based stress reduction and positive psychotherapy. The patients were assessed regarding resilience and perceived stress at baseline and after two weeks. Results Of 27 patients starting multimedia psychoeducational interventions, 26 (96.29%) completed post-assessments. A high level of adherence (80.76%) and satisfaction (Mean = 29.42; SD = 4.18) with the online multimedia psychoeducational interventions was found. Compared with the control group, the patients who used online multimedia psychoeducational interventions reported greater resilience (Meanintervention = 81.74; Meancontrol = 72.86; adjusted t (46) = 2.10; p = 0.04; CI: 0.39 to 17.38; dppc2 = 0.83) and fewer perceived stress (Meanintervention = 22.15; Meancontrol = 29.45; adjusted t (46) = 2.66; p = 0.01; CI: − 12.81 to − 1.78; dppc2 = − 0.77) after 2 weeks. Discussion The findings of the present study provided a successful first attempt at implementing feasible online multimedia psychoeducational interventions to promote resilience and mitigate stress among the patients who were hospitalized due to infection with COVID-19. The present results could help mental health professionals to determine which psychological techniques should be emphasized to promote patients’ resilience in the context of COVID-19 disease. Trial registration Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials, IRCT20201001048893N1. Retrospectively registered, 29 Jan 2021.

scholarly journals Have Lifestyle Habits and Psychological Well-Being Changed among Adolescents and Medical Students Due to COVID-19 Lockdown in Croatia?

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 97
Author(s):  
Ružica Dragun ◽  
Nikolina Nika Veček ◽  
Mario Marendić ◽  
Ajka Pribisalić ◽  
Gabrijela Đivić ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Lifestyle Medicine ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Mobile Phone Use ◽  
Beneficial Effects

Objective: To investigate dietary habits, sleep and psychological well-being of adolescents and medical students during COVID-19 lockdown in Split, Croatia. Methods: We surveyed 1326 students during 2018 and 2019, and compared their responses with 531 students enrolled in May 2020. Perceived stress, quality of life (QoL), happiness, anxiety, and optimism were assessed as proxies of psychological well-being, using general linear modelling. Results: We found no substantial differences in dietary pattern between pre-lockdown and lockdown periods, including the overall Mediterranean diet (MD) adherence. However, the MD pattern changed, showing increased adherence to the MD pyramid for fruit, legumes, fish, and sweets, while cereals, nuts, and dairy intake decreased during COVID-19 lockdown. A third of students reported weight loss during lockdown, 19% reported weight gain, while physical activity remained rather stable. The most prominent change was feeling refreshed after a night’s sleep, reported by 31.5% of students during lockdown vs. 8.5% before; median length of sleep duration increased by 1.5 h. Lockdown significantly affected QoL, happiness, optimism (all p < 0.001), and perceived stress in students (p = 0.005). MD adherence was positively correlated with QoL and study time, and negatively with TV and mobile phone use in pre-lockdown period (all p < 0.001). Interestingly, higher MD adherence was correlated with less perceived hardship and greater happiness and QoL during lockdown. Conclusion: These insights provide valuable information for tailored interventions aimed at maintaining healthy lifestyle in young population. Given the numerous beneficial effects associated with MD adherence, modification of lifestyle through application of lifestyle medicine deserves a priority approach.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of Wellbeing Intervention for Chronic Kidney Disease (WICKD): results of a randomised controlled trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kylie M. Dingwall ◽  
Michelle Sweet ◽  
Alan Cass ◽  
Jaquelyne T. Hughes ◽  
David Kavanagh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Kidney Disease ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Psychosocial Interventions ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Indigenous Australians ◽  
Treatment As Usual ◽  
Randomised Controlled ◽  
Hep B ◽  
Distress Scale

Abstract Background End stage kidney disease (ESKD) is associated with many losses, subsequently impacting mental wellbeing. Few studies have investigated the efficacy of psychosocial interventions for people with ESKD and none exist for Indigenous people, a population in which the ESKD burden is especially high. Methods This three-arm, waitlist, single-blind randomised controlled trial examined efficacy of the Stay Strong App in improving psychological distress (Kessler distress scale; K10), depressive symptoms (adapted Patient Health Questionnaire; PHQ-9), quality of life (EuroQoL; EQ. 5D) and dialysis adherence among Indigenous Australians undergoing haemodialysis in central and northern Australia (Alice Springs and Darwin), with follow up over two 3-month periods. Effects of immediate AIMhi Stay Strong App treatment were compared with those from a contact control app (The Hep B Story) and treatment as usual (TAU). Control conditions received the Stay Strong intervention after 3 months. Results Primary analyses of the full sample (N = 156) showed statistically significant decreases in K10 and PHQ-9 scores at 3 months for the Hep B Story but not for the Stay Strong app or TAU. Restricting the sample to those with moderate to severe symptoms of distress or depression (K10 > =25 or PHQ-9 > =10) showed significant decreases in K10 and PHQ-9 scores for both Stay Strong and Hep B Story. No significant differences were observed for the EQ-5D or dialysis attendance. Conclusions Findings suggest that talking to people about their wellbeing and providing information relevant to kidney health using culturally adapted, locally relevant apps improve the wellbeing of people on dialysis. Further research is required to replicate these findings and identify active intervention components. Trial registration ACTRN12617000249358; 17/02/2017.

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