scholarly journals Feather Corticosterone Measurements and Behavioral Observations in the Great White Pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus) Living under Different Flight Restraint Conditions in German Zoos

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 2522
Author(s):  
Gudrun Haase ◽  
Katrin Baumgartner ◽  
Lorenzo von Fersen ◽  
Roswitha Merle ◽  
Mechthild Wiegard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Group Size ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Behavioral Observations ◽  
Stress Levels ◽  
Feather Clipping ◽  
Welfare Implications ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Feather Corticosterone ◽  
Lack Of Knowledge

The pinioning of birds was previously one of the most-accepted forms of mutilation in zoos. Despite a lack of knowledge on the effects of deflighting procedures with regard to the well-being of deflighted birds, pelicans are often reversibly deflighted by feather-clipping to keep them in open enclosures, including those with ponds without netting. In the present study, we focused on the welfare implications of flight restraint on one of the most commonly kept types of birds in German zoos, the great white pelican. A combination of behavioral observations and feather corticosterone concentrations (CORTf) of pelicans with different deflighting statuses (i.e., irreversibly deflighted, reversibly deflighted, and airworthy) was used to evaluate the effects of deflighting status on pelican welfare. We observed 215 individuals in 21 different German zoos. The pelicans lived in differently designed exhibits. An ethogram for these species was developed and their behavior was evaluated by scan sampling. Feather samples from 182 individuals were collected to determine if different deflighting conditions influenced the CORTf and therefore stress levels. The hypothesis was that the CORTf values of airworthy pelicans differ from those of deflighted pelicans. Tendencies with regard to the flight status groups were found. Conversely, reversibly deflighted pelicans had higher CORTf levels than irreversible deflighted and airworthy pelicans. Tendencies with regard to CORTf values and the group size of the kept pelicans were observed. The CORTf values were lower in groups consisting of more than 10 animals. In addition, the frequency of fluttering behavior was positively associated with CORTf values. Pelicans that frequently showed fluttering had higher CORTf values. Therefore, fluttering behavior might be considered a sign of stress levels in pelicans. This study is one of the first important steps in assessing the impact of deflighting procedures on the welfare of great white pelicans kept in zoos.

scholarly journals Feather Corticosterone Measurements of Greater Flamingos Living under Different Forms of Flight Restraint

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 605 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lukas Reese ◽  
Katrin Baumgartner ◽  
Lorenzo von Fersen ◽  
Roswitha Merle ◽  
Mechthild Ladwig-Wiegard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Time Frame ◽  
High Variability ◽  
Housing Conditions ◽  
Measurable Effect ◽  
Behavioral Observations ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Greater Flamingos ◽  
Feather Corticosterone

Deflighting zoo birds is a practice that receives increasing criticism due to its presumed incompatibility with animal welfare. To our knowledge, this is the first approach to address this problem in a scientific way. To do this, we compared feather corticosterone (CORTf) from Greater Flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus, n = 151) of different flight status (i.e., pinioned, feather clipped, airworthy) from twelve different zoological institutions. To complement the hormone measurements, behavioral observations (scan samplings) were conducted prior to feather sampling within the presumed time frame of feather growth. We hypothesized that CORTf of the deflighted flamingos would differ from CORTf of their airworthy conspecifics. No significant difference in CORTf was found between the three groups, and our hypothesis was rejected. However, the impact of the institution itself (i.e., the housing conditions) proved to be the most dominant variable (variance between the institutions = 53.82%). Due to high variability, the behavioral observations were evaluated descriptively but did not give rise to doubt the findings in CORTf. Therefore, we assume that the method of flight restraint of Greater Flamingos does not have a measurable effect on CORTf. We consider this model for evaluating animal welfare of zoo birds a useful tool and provide ideas for further adjustments for consecutive studies.

scholarly journals Association of Perceived Stress Levels Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic with Bio-Social Parameters and Prakriti Body Types among the adult’s population of Manipur, India

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 68-72
Author(s):  
Miranda Yendrembam ◽  
Arundhati Devi Maibam ◽  
Sanjenbam Yaiphaba Meitei ◽  
Henry Konjengbam
Keyword(s):  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
High Stress ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Ancient Medicine ◽  
Stress Levels ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Moderate Stress ◽  
Assessment Questionnaire ◽  
Socio Economic Factors

Background - Perceived stress experiences differ amongst individuals due to psychological, physical and socio-economic factors and with the outbreak of COVID-19, the impact on mental health has been unavoidable. Another dimension of understanding stress is also put forth by Ayurveda, an ancient medicine system of India. Aim – Aims to find the association of bio-social parameters including prakriti body types with perceived stress levels amidst COVID -19 pandemic. Material and Methods – Data were collected from 390 individuals aged ranging from 18 – 45 years through an online survey. Prakriti were determined by prakriti assessment questionnaire. Stress level was assessed by using Perceived Stress Scale (PSS 10) and relevant statistical analysis were carried out. Results - Significant association (p < 0.05) is found in body mass index (BMI), prakriti body types, sex, and effects of COVID–19 on mental and physical well – being with perceived stress levels. Vata prakriti (19.71%), underweight individuals (12.65%), and females (11.44%) are significantly more prone to develop high stress. Salaried individuals are significantly less likely to be affected by moderate stress. VIF is less than 5 and Tolerance is greater than 0.2. And, Nagelkerke value is found to be 29.3%.  Conclusion – The study concludes that there is a significant association of biosocial parameters including prakriti body types with perceived stress levels amidst COVID–19 pandemic. 

scholarly journals Hubungan Stres dan Kesejahteraan (Well-being) dengan Moderasi Kebersyukuran

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 178
Author(s):  
Erlis Manita ◽  
Marty Mawarpury ◽  
Maya Khairani ◽  
Kartika Sari
Keyword(s):  
Sampling Method ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Significant Negative Relationship ◽  
Stress Levels ◽  
Age Range ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Mental Well Being ◽  
The Relationship

This study aimed to determine the correlation of stress and well-being with gratitude moderation in early adults in Aceh. The method of this research was carried out using a quantitative approach. This study involved 349 early adults (264 female, 85 male) with age range of 20-40 years (M = 22.20) selected through the nonprobability sampling method with incidental sampling techniques. Individual’s stress levels were measured using the Perceived Stress Scale, well-being was measured using the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale, and gratitude was measured using the Skala Bersyukur Indonesia. Data were analyzed using moderated regression analysis to test the research hypothesis. The results showed that stress had a significant negative relationship to well-being (β1 = -0.788; p < 0.05), then gratitude was able to moderate the relationship of stress and well-being (β3 = 3.257; p < 0.05). This study showed that there was a correlation between stress and well-being with gratitude moderation. It meant that grateful people focus on things that are grateful for every day, so that the impact on low stress levels and can improve individual well-being.

scholarly journals POS1191 COVID-19 STRESS: DOES IT AUGMENT PAIN IN PEOPLE WITH FIBROMYALGIA AND MIGHT PSYCHOLOGICAL FLEXIBILITY PROTECT AGAINST THIS INFLUENCE?

2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 878.1-878
Author(s):  
T. Koppert ◽  
J. W. G. Jacobs ◽  
M. Lumley ◽  
R. Geenen
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Impact ◽  
Psychological Flexibility ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Pain Severity ◽  
Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Negative State ◽  
Stress Levels ◽  
The Impact

Background:Stress might augment pain in people with fibromyalgia, possibly through sensitization of the central nervous system. The COVID-19 pandemic offers a unique opportunity to examine this mechanism. If it holds, the link between COVID-19 stress and pain would be stronger in people with fibromyalgia than in people without it. Additionally, psychological flexibility might act as a resilience factor, reducing pain severity. If psychological flexibility buffers the impact of stress on pain in people with fibromyalgia, then enhancing psychological flexibility may be of value.Objectives:To determine the association between COVID-19 stress and pain severity in people with fibromyalgia, as compared to people without fibromyalgia, and whether psychological flexibility buffers the impact of stress on pain severity.Methods:In a repeated cross-sectional design, we analysed questionnaire data from two independent surveys. The data collection has been described in a previous study of mental well-being in people with inflammatory rheumatic diseases.[1] The current study analysed data from people with and without fibromyalgia. Data were collected before the COVID-19 pandemic (2018; fibromyalgia: n=145, no fibromyalgia: n=386) and at the first peak of the pandemic in the Netherlands (2020; fibromyalgia: n=270, no fibromyalgia: n=1259). Stress due to the pandemic, psychological flexibility, and pain were subjected to regression analyses. Two operationalisations of stress were analysed: self-reported stress levels during the peak of the pandemic in 2020, and a comparison of assessments in 2018 and 2020 (assuming higher stress levels during the pandemic peak in 2020).Results:In regression analyses, stress during the pandemic (p<.001), having fibromyalgia (p<.001), and lower psychological flexibility (p<.001) were all associated with more severe pain, but the interactions showed that the strength of the association of stress with pain was not different in people with fibromyalgia compared to people without fibromyalgia (p=.76 and p=.28 for the two operationalization of stress, respectively). Another interaction indicated that psychological flexibility was a potential buffer against the association between self-reported stress and pain in the first operationalisation of stress (p=.04), but not in the second (p=.44). The significant but small interaction is shown in the Figure 1. It suggests that pain is higher in people with low psychological flexibility and higher stress levels during the pandemic. This effect was not specific to fibromyalgia.Conclusion:Overall, the significant main effects show that negative states, such as stress related to the pandemic and low psychological flexibility, are associated with another negative state: pain. A small interaction effect suggests that psychological flexibility may protect against the impact of COVID-19 stress on pain, both in people with and without fibromyalgia. However, the analyses reject our hypothesis that COVID-19 stress would augment pain especially in people with fibromyalgia.References:[1]Koppert TY, Jacobs JWG, Geenen R. The psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Dutch people with and without an inflammatory rheumatic disease. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2020; keaa842. doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/keaa842.Pain (standard deviation from the norm) as a function of low (-1 SD) and high (+1 SD) psychological flexibility and low (-1 SD) and high (-1 SD) self-reported stress levels during the first peak of the pandemic in 2020, while controlling for gender, age, education level, and number of diseases.Disclosure of Interests:Tim Koppert: None declared, Johannes W.G. Jacobs: None declared, Mark Lumley Consultant of: Paid research consultant to Cognifisense, LLP, which studies virtual reality treatments for chronic pain., Rinie Geenen Speakers bureau: Sanofi Genzyme paid for a lecture and worshop on depression and fatigue in RA.

scholarly journals The Impact of Virtual Nature Therapy on Stress Responses: A Systematic Qualitative Review

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 1776
Author(s):  
Sharifah Shuthairah Syed Abdullah ◽  
Dayang Rohaya Awang Rambli ◽  
Suziah Sulaiman ◽  
Emad Alyan ◽  
Frederic Merienne ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stress Reduction ◽  
Stress Responses ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Natural Environments ◽  
Stress Levels ◽  
Stress Therapy ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
The Impact

This study aims to review the key findings of past studies that assessed the impact of virtual environments, such as nature and forests for stress therapy. Previous research has found that virtual reality (VR) experiences affect socio-affective behavior, indicating the potential of using VR for cognitive and psychological stress therapy. However, evidence for the impacts of virtual forest therapy as a stress-reduction technique is lacking, and the usefulness of these techniques has yet to be determined. This review was carried out following the preferred reporting items for meta-analyses and systematic reviews. It summarized the literature and provided evidence on virtual forest therapy (VFT) effectiveness in stress relief. We conducted a literature search considering VR-related studies published from 2013 until June 2021 for different databases, including Embase, Medline/PubMed, Hindawi, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Web of Science, Taylor & Francis, and the Cochrane Library, to see how effective VFT reduces stress levels and improves mental well-being. According to the set inclusion criteria, eighteen relevant papers detailing original research were eligible for inclusion. This overview suggests that VR provides benefits for assessing and reducing stress levels. While real natural environments effectively promote recovery from stress, virtual exposure to nature also positively affects stress. Thus, VR could be an effective technique for promoting relaxation, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, where stress levels rise globally. However, more in-depth studies are required to substantiate this potential field of VR relaxation.

scholarly journals War-related trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder prevalence among Syrian university students

BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (S1) ◽  
pp. S43-S43
Author(s):  
Fatema Mohsen ◽  
Yousef Latifa ◽  
Bisher Sawaf
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Traumatic Event ◽  
Trauma Exposure ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Islamic State ◽  
Sample Distribution ◽  
Post Conflict ◽  
Stress Levels ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Ptsd Prevalence

AimsPTSD is one of the most prevalent mental disorders in war-affected regions. Syria has endured 10 years of war and yet little is known about the impact of the conflict on the well-being of Syrians who remain. This study aimed to provide an estimated prevalence of PTSD among trauma-exposed university students in Deir-ez-Zor, Syria, a war-ridden region, that was under siege by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) for over 3 years. Moreover, we aimed to study the different types of trauma to which the students were exposed and studied the association between PTSD and multiple covariates including, socio-demographic characteristics, smoking habits, academic performance, and stress levels, and identify factors that influence the development of PTSD symptoms.MethodA descriptive cross-sectional study design was used on a sample of Al-Furat university students in Deir-ez-Zor. We collected data on socio-demographics, trauma exposure, and stress levels. PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 was used to carry out PTSD diagnosis and to determine the severity of the disorder.ResultA total of 833 Syrian students were recruited into the study, the mean was 22.4 ± 3.2 years. Of those, (22.2%) have been displaced 3 times, while (18.8%) were displaced over 5 times. (86.4%) reported experiencing at least one traumatic event, (33.8%) of the participants were exposed to one traumatic event, and (44.7%) experienced four or more traumatic events. PTSD prevalence was (28.2%), and the highest PTSD rates were found among students who were forced into sexual acts (46.3%), followed by those who witnessed childhood trauma or violence and those who witnessed violence as adults (42.6%). Sample distribution over stress levels was as follows: normal (39.5%), mild (16.0%), moderate (17.8%), severe (17.3%), and extremely severe (9.8%). A statistically significant association was found between PTSD prevalence and stress severity (p = 0.000). A significant association was found between PTSD and internal displacement (p = 0.032), academic year (p = 0.002), and social-economic status (p = 0.000). Binary logistic regression revealed that smokers (vs non-smokers, OR = 0.259, p = .034) and third-year students (vs fifth year, OR = 0.44, p = .019) were significantly associated with PTSD.ConclusionThe results presented in this research revealed a high prevalence of trauma exposure and PTSD among a sample of university students in Deir-ez-Zor. These findings call for immediate actions to help the affected population in restoring their mental health, so they can be prepared to face the challenges and demands of the post-conflict period.

scholarly journals Student Stress Management and Wellness Programs among Colleges of Pharmacy

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 14
Author(s):  
Sally Arif ◽  
Kelly Moran ◽  
Ana Quinones-Boex ◽  
Shareen El-Ibiary
Keyword(s):  
Academic Advising ◽  
Time Management ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Relationship Building ◽  
Stress Coping ◽  
Student Stress ◽  
Stress Levels ◽  
Building Activities ◽  
And Coping ◽  
The Impact

Objective: To describe the programmatic stress-related interventions that colleges of pharmacy are providing for their students. Methods: A paper-based questionnaire was distributed to 80 college teams who attended two consecutive offerings of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy institute focused on promoting student well-being. The five-part questionnaire consisted of: 1) tracking and assessment of perceived student stress levels, 2) the types and formats of stress-coping interventions that are offered, 3) the measured impacts of any stress-coping interventions, 4) the level of faculty/staff training and involvement in student stress remediation, and 5) institutional demographics. Results: Of the 40 college teams responding to the survey there were similar numbers of private (44%) and public (56%) institutions. More than half (57.5%) reported measuring student stress levels. The most common interventions offered were counseling (95%), academic advising (82%), physical exercise support (77%), and relationship building activities (70%). Topics offered in the curriculum were most often related to handling substance abuse (50%), time-management (45%), and finances (40%).  A majority (79.5%) of schools reported they do not offer formal training on student stress and mental health to faculty and staff and do not formally assess the impact of stress and coping interventions.                                                                   Conclusion: Colleges of pharmacy are addressing student stress and well-being, yet variability exists in terms of assessment, interventions, and didactic offerings. Multiple barriers to improvement remain and mediating barriers and determining assessments for coping and interventions may be next steps for Colleges of Pharmacy.

scholarly journals The Impact of COVID-19 on Physical Performance and Mental Health—A Retrospective Case Series of Belgian Male Professional Football Players

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jente Wagemans ◽  
Peter Catteeuw ◽  
Jan Vandenhouten ◽  
Jordi Jansen ◽  
Xander de Corte ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Performance ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Professional Athletes ◽  
Football Players ◽  
Professional Football ◽  
Jump Performance ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Stress Levels ◽  
The Impact

Rationale: As every season, physical performance of players of Royal Antwerp FC's first team was regularly tested and mental well-being and mood were assessed during football season 2020–2021. Just like in the general population, several professional athletes were infected by SARS-CoV-2 during that season. COVID-19 is a complex disorder affecting multiple body systems, potentially damaging lungs, affecting the cardiovascular system or causing muscle weakness. Therefore, the impact of COVID-19 on performance was a major concern for the affected football players and their entourage.Objectives: To retrospectively examine the influence of COVID-19 on physical performance and mental health in professional football athletes during the season 2020–2021.Methods: Thirty-three professional athletes (age: 25.37 ± 4.11 years; height: 182.75 ± 7.62 cm; weight: 78.90 ± 8.97 kg) of a Belgian first division football club were assessed weekly during the 2020-2021 season. Weekly assessments comprised strength values of the hamstrings, hip abductors and hip adductors, jump performance, a modified Hooper questionnaire to assess mental status and nose swab PCR tests for COVID-19. Data analysis was performed from 2 weeks prior to COVID-19 contamination up to 8 weeks after the first positive test. Post-hoc Bonferroni correction was applied when performing statistical analysis.Results: Eleven players tested positive for COVID-19. Duration of contamination was 13 ± 7 days. There was no statistically significant difference before and after COVID-19 infection for jump performance, and adductor and abductor muscle strength (p &gt; 0.05). Functional hamstring strength improved significantly 2 weeks (MD: 41.48; 95%CI: −3.79 to 86.75; p = 0.009) and 4 weeks (MD: 34.76; 95%CI: −8.91 to 78.42; p = 0.019) after COVID-19, whereas mood (MD: −0.60; 95%CI: −1.46 to 0.26; p = 0.041), stress levels (MD: −0.83; 95%CI: −1.85 to 0.20; p = 0.020) and total wellness (MD: −2.41; 95%CI: −5.25 to 0.43; p = 0.015) showed a significant reduction 8 weeks after confirmed COVID-19.Conclusion: Physical performance varied considerably across outcomes before and 8 weeks after COVID-19 contamination in a sample of first division football players. However, affected football players' overall well-being, stress levels and mood diminished after a positive COVID-19 test.

scholarly journals IMPACT OF COLOUR ON DEPRESSION, ANXIETY AND STRESS LEVELS OF PHYSICALLY DISABLED PATIENTS IN HEALTH CARE FACILITIES

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
A .A. Hettiarachchi ◽  
◽  
D.R. Perera ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Care Facilities ◽  
Physically Disabled ◽  
Green Colour ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Stress Levels ◽  
Disabled Patients ◽  
The Impact

Physically disabled community in Sri Lanka is not receiving sufficient attention with reference to the conduciveness of their living environments. The patients who are harrowed with mobility impairments should be supported to overcome challenges which hinder the smooth functioning of day today physical activities while maintaining their psychological health by incorporating disabled-friendly, optimum healing design interventions. In view of this, an attempt was made to determine the impact of interior colours to reduce depression, anxiety and stress levels of disabled individuals. The investigation was executed with reference to wall colour of patient’s (n=15) bedrooms of a selected rehabilitation centre, at Ragama. The impact of three selected hues (blue, yellow and green) were tested by installing colour panels on the sidewall of the beds, allowing the participants to be exposed to each colour for three consecutive days. Depression, anxiety and stress levels of participants were measured using DASS-21. Impact of green colour was found to be more favourable to reduce depression, anxiety and stress levels of participants over blue and yellow. It is recommended to extend this study further to test different hues, shades and intensities of green colour with long-term exposure, to enhance psychological health and well-being of disabled patients in health care facilities.

scholarly journals Single-centre study surveying neurology trainees’ and faculty’s perceptions of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on residents’ medical education

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. e000184
Author(s):  
Hisham Alhajala ◽  
Ahmad Riad Ramadan ◽  
Aarushi Suneja ◽  
Lonni Schultz ◽  
Iram F Zaman
Keyword(s):  
Medical Education ◽  
Objective Assessment ◽  
High Stress ◽  
Medical Knowledge ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Training Experience ◽  
Stress Levels ◽  
Henry Ford ◽  
Single Centre Study ◽  
The Impact

ObjectiveTo assess perceptions of our neurology residents and faculty regarding training experience and medical education during the early COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsWe distributed two online, voluntary and anonymous surveys to trainees and teaching faculty of our Neurology Department at Henry Ford Hospital. Surveys inquired about trainees’ stress, well-being, clinical experience and satisfaction with medical education and available support resources during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan (mid-March to June 2020).ResultsA total of 17/31 trainees and 25/42 faculty responded to the surveys. Eight (47%) trainees reported high stress levels. Nine (57%) were redeployed to cover COVID-19 units. Compared with non-redeployed trainees, redeployed residents reported augmented medical knowledge (89% vs 38%, p=0.05). There was no difference in the two groups regarding overall satisfaction with residency experience, stress levels and didactics attendance. Twenty-one (84%) faculty felt that the redeployment interfered with trainees education but was appropriate, while 10 (59%) trainees described a positive experience overall. Both trainees and faculty believed the pandemic positively impacted trainees’ experience by increasing maturity level, teamwork, empathy, and medical knowledge, while both agreed that increased stress and anxiety levels were negative outcomes of the pandemic. Twelve (70%) trainees and 13 (52%) faculty were interested in pursuing more virtual didactics in the future.ConclusionOur findings provide an objective assessment of residents' experience during the COVID-19 pandemic and can guide teaching programmes in their medical education response in the face of future global crises.

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