scholarly journals Efficacy of Smartphone-based Application on Stress Reduction: a Randomized Control Trial (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyunchan Hwang ◽  
Sun Mi Kim ◽  
Bo Netterstrøm ◽  
Doug Hyun Han

BACKGROUND Stress management within the workplace is important for a healthy mental and physical state. Due to technological advancements, individual-tailored therapy as well as online cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is on the rise. OBJECTIVE This study analyzed the efficacy of a smartphone application based on third-wave CBT tailored to the individual. METHODS A randomized control trial was conducted on 126 participants who were divided into two groups. The intervention group used the smartphone application “BetterLife” for 10 weeks whilst the control group was put on a waiting list for the same duration. The Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS), Korean Utrecht Work Engagement Scale-9 (UWES), World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment, abbreviated (WHOQOL), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) were conducted at baseline and after 10 weeks in both groups. RESULTS Out of the 126 particiapnts, 11 dropped out during the trial. Two-way repeated measure analysis of covariance was conducted controlling for baseline BDI. There were greater improvements in PSS (F=24.33, P <.001, η2=0.17) and UWESK scores (F=8.32, P =.0046, η2=0.06) in the intervention group compared to the control group. WHOQOL scores exhibited statistically significance interactions in the intervention group in the overall quality of life (F=8.19, P =.0049, η2=0.06), and physical health (F= 8.87, P =.003, η2=0.07), psychological (F=13.32, P <.001, η2=0.10), social relationship (F= 19.43, P <.001, η2=0.14), and environmental domains (F= 10.14, P =.002, η2=0.08) but not in overall health (F= 1.68, P =.20). BDI showed a statistically significant improvement in the intervention group (F=7.17, P =.008, η2=0.06) as well as BAI (F=6.00, P =.02, η2=0.05), but this significance did not survive the Bonferroni’s correction (P <.005). CONCLUSIONS These results provide evidence that a smartphone application-based CBT is a viable option for reducing stress in the workplace. CLINICALTRIAL This trial has been registered in the Clinical Research Information Service (KCT0003231), a member of the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform.

Author(s):  
Jamileh Malekuti ◽  
Mojgan Mirghafourvand ◽  
Khadijeh Samadi ◽  
Fatemeh Abbasalizadeh ◽  
Laleh Khodaei

Abstract Introduction Due to the effects of hemorrhoids on physical and mental health, this study aimed to compare the effect of Myrtus communis herbal and anti-hemorrhoid ointments on symptoms of hemorrhoid and quality of life (primary outcomes) and satisfaction of the treatment and side effects (secondary outcomes). Methods This triple-blind randomized controlled trial was performed on women with grade I and II hemorrhoid referring to health centers in Tehran, Iran, in 2017. Individuals were randomly assigned to two groups of 67 people through block randomization method. The intervention group received the Myrtus communis herbal ointment and the control group received anti-hemorrhoid ointment twice a day, every 12 ± 2 h, an applicator of the drug through the rectum for 4 weeks. The Colorectal Evaluation of a Clinical Therapeutics Scale (CORECTS) was used to assess the severity of symptoms of hemorrhoid. To assess the quality of life, the World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF) was used to measure the general quality of life of participants. This questionnaire was completed once before the start of the study, then on the fourth and the eighth week after the start of the intervention. Repeated measure ANOVA, Chi-square, Mann–Whitney U and independent t-test were used for data analysis. Results The severity of all symptoms of hemorrhoid decreased in both two group and there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (p>0.05). However, the mean of anal itching at 4 and 8 weeks after the intervention was significantly lower in the Myrtus communis ointment group (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between groups in terms of quality of life at 4 and 8 weeks after the intervention (p>0.05). There was a significant difference between the two groups in terms of satisfaction with the drug (p=0.019) and the participants in the Myrtus communis ointment group were more satisfied with their drug use. Conclusions Myrtus communis herbal ointment was able to reduce the symptoms of hemorrhoid in the affected women. Therefore, it is likely that the use of this drug will promote the health of mothers with hemorrhoid.


2008 ◽  
Vol 66 (2a) ◽  
pp. 163-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heloísa Rovere ◽  
Sueli Rossini ◽  
Rubens Reimão

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the perception of Quality of Life (QL) in Brazilian patients with narcolepsy. METHOD: 40 adult patients aged between 20 and 72 years (mean=41.55; SD=14.50); (28 F; 12M), with the diagnosis of chronic narcolepsy were followed up at the outpatient clinic (Patient Group). The Control Group was composed of 40 adults. The instrument utilized was the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF). RESULTS: The two groups were homogeneous and no difference was found with regards to age, sex, and demographic characteristics. The perception of QL in physical, psychological and social domains showed lower scores in those patients with narcolepsy than in the control group (p<0.05). Concerning physical domain, all the aspects evaluated were significantly impaired, in patient group, including sleep satisfaction (p<0.001); energy for daily activities (p=0.039); capacity to perform activities (p=0.001); and capacity to work (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: The perception of QL showed severe impairment in patients with narcolepsy for physical, psychological and social domains.


2016 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruna Malavazzi Lima ◽  
Franciele Andrade Araújo ◽  
Fátima Ayres de Araújo Scattolin

Introdução: Nos últimos anos a expectativa de vida vem aumentando em todo o mundo. A manutenção da capacidade funcional e da qualidade de vida (QV) dessa população é um dos desafios da atualidade. Objetivo: Avaliar a QV e a independência funcional de idosos frequentadores do Clube do Idoso do município de Sorocaba e investigar a correlação entre essas medidas. Métodos: Participaram idosos de ambos os sexos com idade ≥60 anos. Foram utilizados: Instrwumento de Caracterização Sociodemográfica; World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment-Old (WHOQOL-OLD) e Medida de Independência Funcional (MIF). Análises estatísticas realizadas: teste de Mann-Whitney e teste de Kruskal-Wallis para comparação entre os escores e o coeficiente de correlação de postos de Spearman para verificar a correlação entre os instrumentos. Resultados: Participaram 71 idosos, 69,01% mulheres, 56,34% com idade entre 60 e 69 anos, 33,80% casados e 83,10% aposentados. Não houve diferenças significativas quanto ao sexo para os dois instrumentos e quanto à idade nos escores do WHOQOL-OLD. Os idosos ≥80 anos apresentaram queda da independência funcional (p<0,001) e aqueles com mais anos de estudo apresentaram maior independência funcional e avaliaram melhor a QV global. Houve correlação diretamente proporcional entre escores da MIF e QV. Conclusão: Este estudo apontou que a funcionalidade está diretamente ligada à QV. Daí a importância dos grupos de terceira idade como forma de favorecer a prática de atividade física e aumentar a interação social, fatores essenciais na proteção e promoção da saúde e da QV dessa população.


Geriatrics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 102
Author(s):  
Margarida Goes ◽  
Manuel José Lopes ◽  
João Marôco ◽  
Henrique Oliveira ◽  
César Fonseca ◽  
...  

The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric qualities of the WHOQOL-BREF(PT) (the questionnaire developed by the World Health Organization Quality of Life Grpup for quality of life assessment), when applied to Portuguese elderly people residing in a community setting. The psychometric qualities were assessed by confirmatory factor analysis. A hierarchical second-order model and a third model were performed, and all three models presented similar and reasonable adjustment indexes. The data analysis showed that the construct failed only regarding discriminant validity because the correlations between the first-order factors were higher, associated with lower values of average variance extracted. The psychometric qualities found in the original translation/validation of the WHOQOL-BREF(PT) were compared with those found in this study; this study found higher correlations between domains but a similar level of factor reliability. The findings of this study lead to three recommendations: (i) to compute each factor score for each participant using the factor score weights obtained from confirmatory analysis models instead of adopting a unitary weight for each item, as proposed by the authors of the original translation/validation of the WHOQOL-BREF(PT); (ii) to compute a QOL score, which is not included in the original translation/validation; and (iii) to analyze differences between individual scores for each participants, which should be done by a group of health experts.


2012 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 90-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
SHUN PING CHENG ◽  
TZE FANG WANG ◽  
FU IN TANG ◽  
NGOK KIU CHU ◽  
I JU CHEN

ABSTRACTThe significant time older people typically spend at home affects both their level of physical activity and quality of life. This prospective cohort study was designed to identify the effects that living in a high-rise residence retirement community has on physical activity and quality of life in older people with leprosy. The relocation group was comprised of study participants who had relocated voluntarily to a high-rise apartment building. The comparison group was comprised of study participants who had chosen not to relocate to that building. Data were collected using a personal information survey, Modified Baecke's Questionnaire, and the brief version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life assessment (WHOQOL-BREF). The groups were significantly similar in terms of household activities, leisure time activities, total physical activity score, and quality of life physical and social aspects, and significantly different in terms of quality of life overall (F=7.864,p=0.006), psychological (F=5.403,p=0.021) and environmental (F=23.099,p=0.000) aspects. This study indicates that living in a high-rise apartment environment does not decrease physical activity and may promote overall quality of life, and psychological and environmental aspects, in retirement community residents. The findings enhance understanding of the effect of different living environments on physical activity and quality of life. Greater health professional participation in retirement community design to ensure such designs facilitate residents’ health and quality of life is recommended.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Muammar Irsyad Kadir ◽  
Nur Hardiyanty ◽  
Fadhia Adliah

Objective: This study aims to determine the effect of the Otago Exercise Program on the risk of falling and the quality of life of older people. Methods: The method used was experimental research with pretest-posttest design and control group design, involving 16 participants. Before and after treatment, respondents measured the risk of falling using a Timed-Up-and-Go test (TUGT) and quality of life using the World Health Organization Quality of Life BREF (WHOQL-BREF). Furthermore, the obtained data were analyzed using the paired T-test and independent T-test. Results: The results showed a significant effect on the risk of fall and the quality of life of the older people in the treatment group. In addition, there were significant different influences on the value of falling risk and quality of life (physical and environmental) between the treatment and control groups. Conclusion: The Otago exercise program had a significant effect on reducing the risk of falls and improving the quality of life of older people.


Author(s):  
Damiana Aparecida Trindade Monteiro ◽  
Flávia Aparecida Dias ◽  
Daniel Vicentini de Oliveira ◽  
Matheus Amarante do Nascimento ◽  
Leiner Resende Rodrigues ◽  
...  

Objetivo: comparar a qualidade de vida (QV) de idosos hipertensos em função de variáveis sociodemográficas. Métodos: Pesquisa transversal da qual participaram 635 idosos, de ambos os sexos (212 homens e 423 mulheres), residentes na zona urbana de Uberaba-MG. Como instrumentos, foram utilizados um questionário sociodemográfico, o World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment versão curta (WHOQOL-BREF) e o WHOQOL-OLD. A análise dos dados foi conduzida por meio dos testes de Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Mann-Whitney e Kruskal-Wallis (p < 0,05). Resultados: Os resultados evidenciaram que os homens apresentaram escore superior ao das mulheres em todos os domínios e facetas de QV (p < 0,05). Os idosos com mais de 80 anos, com companheiros (as), com maior renda mensal e com maior nível de escolaridade apresentaram melhor percepção de QV em detrimento dos idosos mais jovens, sem companheiro (a) , com menor renda mensal e pior escolaridade (p < 0,05) respectivamente. Conclusão: Concluiu-se que fatores sociodemográficos como sexo, idade, renda mensal, estado civil e escolaridade podem ser considerados elementos intervenientes na percepção de QV dos idosos hipertensos da zona urbana.


2006 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 333-340 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erik D. Masthoff ◽  
Fons J. Trompenaars ◽  
Guus L. Van Heck ◽  
Paul P. Hodiamont ◽  
Jolanda De Vries

Objective: Quality of life (QOL) has become a topic of growing interest in medical and psychiatric practice in general, and in research in particular. Although the body of knowledge about the complex relationship between QOL and psychiatric disorders is growing, understanding this relationship still remains difficult. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to get more and new insights into this relationship. It was hypothesized that QOL would be negatively related to the presence as well as the severity of psychopathology. Method: A random sample of Dutch adult psychiatric outpatients (n=410) completed the World Health Organization Quality of Life assessment instrument, abbreviated version (WHOQOL-Bref). In addition, DSM-IV axis I and II diagnoses were obtained. Comparisons were made between scores of the psychiatric outpatients, diagnostic subgroups within this population, and the scores of a general population. Results: Compared with the general population, psychiatric outpatients scored significantly worse on all aspects of QOL. Within the group of outpatients, participants with DSM-IV diagnoses had worse scores than those without. Participants with comorbidity had the worst QOL. Conclusions: It is concluded that QOL scores are negatively related to both the presence and the severity of psychopathology, and that the presence of a personality disorder plays a role in subjectively experienced QOL.


2004 ◽  
Vol 95 (1) ◽  
pp. 197-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Köksal Alptekin ◽  
Berna Binnur Akdede ◽  
Yildiz Akvardar ◽  
Songül çelikgün ◽  
N. Sinem Dilşen ◽  
...  

Quality of life of first-degree relatives living in the same household with patients having schizophrenia has not been sufficiently explored. 30 patients with schizophrenia (16 women, 14 men), diagnosed using DSM–IV criteria, 31 of their relatives (15 women, 16 men), and 34 control subjects (21 women, 13 men) were included in the study. The mean age of the patients, their relatives, and the control subjects were 39.8 ± 10.9, 58.1 ± 12.5 and 37.3 ± 17.0, respectively. The World Health Organization Quality of Life–Brief Form was administered to all subjects. Quality of life was worse for the patient group than for their relatives and control subjects, but relatives of the patients and control subjects were not significantly different on Quality of life. Quality of life was negatively correlated with the severity of psychopathology and extrapyramidal side effects induced by antipsychotic drugs in the patients.


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