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 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.

On the need for a natural philosophy of psychedelics

2021 ◽  
pp. 8-38
Author(s):  
Chris Letheby
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Natural Philosophy ◽  
Epistemic Status ◽  
Psychological Benefits ◽  
Detailed Review ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Central Focus ◽  
History Of ◽  
Anxiety Depression

‘On the need for a natural philosophy of psychedelics’ provides a brief overview of the history of psychedelics in science and psychiatry, and a detailed review of recent evidence for their therapeutic and transformative efficacy. The chapter reviews clinical trials showing that one or two controlled psychedelic experiences can durably reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and addiction, and can cause lasting psychological benefits in healthy subjects. The chapter also reviews evidence that these beneficial effects are mediated by the occurrence of ‘mystical-type’ experiences. This evidence gives rise to the Comforting Delusion Objection that is the central focus of the book. Existing responses involve (i) rejecting philosophical naturalism, or (ii) downplaying the importance of epistemic factors in the evaluation of psychiatric treatments. The chapter raises problems for both approaches, and outlines a new one: to show that the Objection fails even if naturalism is true and the epistemic status of psychedelic therapy is important.

scholarly journals The Effects of Dietary Supplementation of Lactococcus lactis Strain Plasma on Skin Microbiome and Skin Conditions in Healthy Subjects—A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 563
Author(s):  
Ryohei Tsuji ◽  
Kamiyu Yazawa ◽  
Takeshi Kokubo ◽  
Yuumi Nakamura ◽  
Osamu Kanauchi
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Lactococcus Lactis ◽  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Dietary Supplementation ◽  
Skin Microbiome ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Double Blind Placebo ◽  
Lactis Strain ◽  
Skin Conditions

(1) Background: Lactococcus lactis strain Plasma (LC-Plasma) is a unique strain which directly activates plasmacytoid dendritic cells, resulting in the prevention against broad spectrum of viral infection. Additionally, we found that LC-Plasma intake stimulated skin immunity and prevents Staphylococcus aureus epicutaneous infection. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of LC-Plasma dietary supplementation on skin microbiome, gene expression in the skin, and skin conditions in healthy subjects. (2) Method: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial was conducted. Seventy healthy volunteers were enrolled and assigned into two groups receiving either placebo or LC-Plasma capsules (approximately 1 × 1011 cells/day) for 8 weeks. The skin microbiome was analyzed by NGS and qPCR. Gene expression was analyzed by qPCR and skin conditions were diagnosed by dermatologists before and after intervention. (3) Result: LC-Plasma supplementation prevented the decrease of Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus pasteuri and overgrowth of Propionibacterium acnes. In addition, LC-Plasma supplementation suggested to increase the expression of antimicrobial peptide genes but not tight junction genes. Furthermore, the clinical scores of skin conditions were ameliorated by LC-Plasma supplementation. (4) Conclusions: Our findings provided the insights that the dietary supplementation of LC-Plasma might have stabilizing effects on seasonal change of skin microbiome and skin conditions in healthy subjects.

The Effect of Lavender Oil on Perioperative Pain, Anxiety, Depression, and Sleep after Microvascular Breast Reconstruction: A Prospective, Single-Blinded, Randomized, Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronnie L. Shammas ◽  
Caitlin E. Marks ◽  
Gloria Broadwater ◽  
Elliot Le ◽  
Adam D. Glener ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Adverse Events ◽  
Breast Reconstruction ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Lavender Oil ◽  
Entire Cohort ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Anxiety Depression

Abstract Background Psychosocial distress, depression, or anxiety can occur in up to 50% of women after a breast cancer diagnosis and mastectomy. The purpose of this study was to assess the potential benefit of lavender oil as a perioperative adjunct to improve anxiety, depression, pain, and sleep in women undergoing microvascular breast reconstruction. Methods This was a prospective, single-blinded, randomized, controlled trial of 49 patients undergoing microvascular breast reconstruction. Patients were randomized to receive lavender oil or placebo (coconut oil) throughout their hospitalization. The effect of lavender oil on perioperative stress, anxiety, depression, sleep, and pain was measured using the hospital anxiety and depression scale, Richards–Campbell Sleep Questionnaire, and the visual analogue scale. Results Twenty-seven patients were assigned to the lavender group and 22 patients were assigned to the control group. No significant differences were seen in the perioperative setting between the groups with regard to anxiety (p = 0.82), depression (p = 0.21), sleep (p = 0.86), or pain (p = 0.30) scores. No adverse events (i.e., allergic reaction) were captured, and no significant differences in surgery-related complications were observed. When evaluating the entire cohort, postoperative anxiety scores were significantly lower than preoperative scores (p < 0.001), while depression scores were significantly higher postoperatively as compared with preoperatively (p = 0.005). Conclusion In the setting of microvascular breast reconstruction, lavender oil and aromatherapy had no significant adverse events or complications; however, there were no measurable advantages pertaining to metrics of depression, anxiety, sleep, or pain as compared with the control group.

Immunological variability associated with experimentally-induced positive and negative affective states

1992 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 231-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann D. Futterman ◽  
Margaret E. Kemeny ◽  
David Shapiro ◽  
William Polonsky ◽  
John L. Fahey
Keyword(s):  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Affective States ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Immunological Parameters ◽  
Neutral State ◽  
Negative Affective States ◽  
Anxiety Depression ◽  
Experimentally Induced

SYNOPSISFunctional and phenotypic immunological parameters were examined immediately before, after, and 30 minutes after experimentally-induced short-term positive (happiness) and negative (anxiety, depression) affective states and a neutral state, in five healthy subjects. Results indicated that all affective states induced more immune fluctuations (regardless of the direction) than the neutral state. Furthermore, among the affective states, anxiety induced the most immunological variability and depression the least.

scholarly journals Brain Training and Sulforaphane Intake Interventions Separately Improve Cognitive Performance in Healthy Older Adults, Whereas a Combination of These Interventions Does Not Have More Beneficial Effects: Evidence from a Randomized Controlled Trial

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 352
Author(s):  
Rui Nouchi ◽  
Qingqiang Hu ◽  
Toshiki Saito ◽  
Natasha Yuriko dos Santos Kawata ◽  
Haruka Nouchi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Active Control ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Cognitive Functions ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Memory Performance ◽  
Brain Training ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Double Blinded

Background: Earlier studies have demonstrated that a single-domain intervention, such as a brain-training (BT) game alone and a sulforaphane (SFN) intake, positively affects cognition. This study examined whether a combined BT and SFN intake intervention has beneficial effects on cognitive function in older adults. Methods: In a 12-week double-blinded randomized control trial, 144 older adults were randomly assigned to one of four groups: BT with SFN (BT-S), BT with placebo (BT-P), active control game (AT) with SFN (AT-S), and active control game with placebo (AT-P). We used Brain Age in BT and Tetris in AT. Participants were asked to play BT or AT for 15 min a day for 12 weeks while taking a supplement (SFN or placebo). We measured several cognitive functions before and after the intervention period. Results: The BT (BT-S and BT-P) groups showed more improvement in processing speed than the active control groups (AT-S and AT-P). The SFN intake (BT-S and AT-S) groups recorded significant improvements in processing speed and working memory performance unlike the placebo intake groups (BT-P and AT-P). However, we did not find any evidence of the combined intervention’s beneficial effects on cognition. Discussion: We discussed a mechanism to improve cognitive functions in the BT and SFN alone interventions.

scholarly journals Positive effect of polyprenol-containing drug on anxiety, depression and cognitive disorders in patients with acute coronary syndrome

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
EI Tsoi ◽  
EV Vyshlov ◽  
VV Ryabov
Keyword(s):  
Acute Coronary Syndrome ◽  
Cognitive Functions ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Cognitive Disorders ◽  
Original Method ◽  
Study Group ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Coronary Syndrome ◽  
Anxiety Depression ◽  
Positive Effect

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Introduction. Polyprenols (natural isoprenoid lipids) are precursors of dolichols which is present in every cell and involved in a dolicholphosphate pathway. It seems the polyprenols from plants can be used for a substitution therapy in dolicholphosphate pathway disorders. There is one polyprenol-containing drug in Russia – Ropren® which contains polyprenols isolated by the original method from needles of European spruce. In clinical trials hepatoprotective, hypolipidemic effects of Ropren® in patients with liver pathology and positive effect in alcoholic psychosis and Alzheimer"s disease were founded. Considering that the myocardial infarction is often accompanied by the phenomena of anxiety, depression and decreased cognitive functions that impair prognosis of the disease the search for a drug aimed at reducing the expression of these conditions is relevant. Purpose. To study the effects of Ropren® on anxiety-depressive condition and cognitive functions in patients with acute coronary syndrome. Methods. Our registered single-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial "POLYNCOR" were included patients (n = 68) with acute coronary syndrome hospitalized on the first day from the beginning of the symptoms. All patients received standard therapy (including atorvastatin 40 mg) and were randomized on 2 groups: the 1st group (n = 34) received Ropren® 8 drops during а meal 3 times a day (144 mg/day) for 3 weeks then 3 drops 3 times a day (90 mg/day) for 5 weeks; the 2nd group 2 (n = 34) received placebo with the same dosage regimen. On the 3rd, 10th days of hospitalization and after 2 months of therapy the following parameters were analyzed: the level of depression on the CES-D scale, anxiety on the Taylor and Sheehan scales, cognitive functions were assessed on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MoCA). Statistical data processing was performed using the Statistica v.10.0 package using nonparametric analysis methods. The results are presented as Me (Q1; Q3). Results. At discharge there were no differences between groups and the majority of the patients had signs of anxiety, depression and decreased cognitive functions. After 2 months of therapy comparing with the 3rd day of hospitalization the decrease of anxiety score: 2.5 (1.5; 7.5) vs. 15.5 (9,5; 20,5) respectively (p&lt; 0.05) according to Taylor scale and 5.5 (5; 14) vs. 30 (17,5; 39) respectively (p&lt; 0.05) according to Sheehan scale, and depression score: 8 (6.5; 9.5) vs. 18 (15,5; 20,5) respectively (p&lt; 0.05) according to CES-D scale were founded in the study group. Also in the study group cognitive functions score were improved from 23 (21; 25) to 26.5 (25; 28) (p&lt; 0.05) according to MoCA scale. Conclusion. Polyprenol-containing drug Ropren® contributes to significant reduction of anxiety, depression and improving of cognitive functions in patients with acute coronary syndrome after 2 months of therapy.

scholarly journals Thirty-year outcome of anxiety and depressive disorders and personality status: comprehensive evaluation of mixed symptoms and the general neurotic syndrome in the follow-up of a randomised controlled trial

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Peter Tyrer ◽  
Helen Tyrer ◽  
Tony Johnson ◽  
Min Yang
Keyword(s):  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Panic Disorder ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Term Outcome ◽  
Long Term Outcome ◽  
Personality Dysfunction ◽  
Randomised Controlled ◽  
Anxiety Depression

Abstract Background Cohort studies of the long-term outcome of anxiety, depression and personality status rarely join together. Methods Two hundred and ten patients recruited with anxiety and depression to a randomised controlled trial between 1983 and 1987 (Nottingham Study of Neurotic Disorder) were followed up over 30 years. At trial entry personality status was assessed, together with the general neurotic syndrome, a combined diagnosis of mixed anxiety–depression (cothymia) linked to neurotic personality traits. Personality assessment used a procedure allowing conversion of data to the ICD-11 severity classification of personality disorder. After the original trial, seven further assessments were made. Observer and self-ratings of psychopathology and global outcome were also made. The primary outcome at 30 years was the proportion of those with no Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) diagnosis. Data were analysed using multilevel repeated measures models that adjusted for age and gender. Missing data were assumed to be missing at random, and the models allowed all subjects to be included in the analysis with missing data automatically handled in the model estimation. Results At 30 years, 69% of those with a baseline diagnosis of panic disorder had no DSM diagnosis compared to 37–47% of those with generalised anxiety disorder, dysthymia or mixed symptoms (cothymia) (p = 0.027). Apart from those with no personality dysfunction at entry all patients had worse outcomes after 30 years with regard to total psychopathology, anxiety and depression, social function and global outcome. Conclusions The long-term outcome of disorders formerly called ‘neurotic’ is poor with the exception of panic disorder. Personality dysfunction accentuates poor recovery.

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