scholarly journals A Feasibility Study of a One-to-One Mindfulness-Based Intervention for Improving Mood in Stroke Survivors

Mindfulness ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wendy Wrapson ◽  
Marlies Dorrestein ◽  
Jill Wrapson ◽  
Alice Theadom ◽  
Nicola M. Kayes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Feasibility Study ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Stroke Survivors ◽  
Evidence Based Treatment ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Cognitive Component ◽  
The Face ◽  
Trauma Informed ◽  
Potential Trial

Abstract Objectives Mindfulness is an evidence-based treatment for depression but has never been rigorously tested with stroke survivors with depression. This feasibility study examined several issues relevant to a potential trial of a mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) for improving mood after stroke. Methods In 2017–2019 in New Zealand, we recruited 20 stroke survivors with low mood to undergo a 6-week, one-on-one MBI course delivered by an occupational therapist experienced in MBIs. Pre, post, and 4-week follow-up assessments were completed. Results Fifteen participants completed all six sessions and a 4-week “booster” or top-up session. The 1-hour session duration was considered appropriate by participants and all enjoyed the face-to-face individualized format. Mean Beck Depression Inventory-II scores improved by more than one standard deviation and this was maintained at follow-up. However, the baseline assessment package was too long for some participants due to the cognitive component. Three participants indicated feeling emotionally challenged by some of the practices. These effects were managed by the mindfulness facilitator by adjusting the practice, so participants maintained their sense of agency, well-being, and overall benefit from the program. Conclusions MBI training delivered individually over six weekly sessions was acceptable to stroke survivors with 14/15 participants reporting improved mood. Three participants reported feeling emotionally challenged by some of the practices and we recommend MBIs for stroke survivors be provided by practitioners experienced in mindfulness, working with stroke, and trauma-informed therapy. It is important now to conduct rigorous randomized controlled trials to test the effectiveness and efficacy of MBIs for stroke survivors.

scholarly journals Association between physical exercise and stroke recurrence among first-ever ischemic stroke survivors

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisha Hou ◽  
Mier Li ◽  
Ju Wang ◽  
Yawen Li ◽  
Qianwen Zheng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Exercise Duration ◽  
Stroke Recurrence ◽  
Stroke Survivors ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Baseline Information ◽  
Exercise Type ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractThe relationship between exercise and stroke recurrence is controversial. This study was designed to test whether an association exists between exercise and ischemic stroke recurrence in first-ever ischemic stroke survivors. Data were collected from January 2010 to June 2016. Baseline information was obtained during face-to-face interviews, and follow-up phone interviews were conducted every 3 months. Exercise type, frequency, intensity, and duration were recorded. Discrete-time survival analysis was used to determine the relationship between exercise and stroke recurrence. 760 first-ever ischemic stroke survivors who were able to exercise were enrolled. After adjusting for covariates, patients who exercised 3.5–7 h per week and more than 7 h per week had a lower relapse risk than patients who did not exercise (3.5–7: OR 0.415; > 7: OR 0.356). Moreover, if the fluctuation of exercise duration was over 4 h, the patients had a higher risk of stroke recurrence than those with variability of less than 2 h (OR 2.153, P = 0.013). Stroke survivors who engage in long-term regular mild exercise (more than 5 sessions per week and lasting on average 40 min per session) have a lower recurrence rate. Irregular exercise increases the risk of stroke recurrence.

scholarly journals Face-to-face to online: PhD academic writing @Maastricht University

2020 ◽  
pp. 13-19
Author(s):  
Neill Wylie
Keyword(s):  
Academic Writing ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Global Perspective ◽  
Innovative Teaching ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Strong Focus ◽  
Writing Course ◽  
The Face ◽  
Language Needs

Maastricht University (UM) has a distinct global perspective and a strong focus on innovation. UM offers an array of PhD courses to distance and campus based students who have access to elective, credit bearing modules and the language needs of these students are catered for by the Language Centre. Many PhD candidates choose to take an academic writing course in their first or second year of their degree. In recent years, demand for a more student focused, flexible academic writing course has grown. In line with UM’s policy of supporting innovative teaching practices, the Language Centre’s face-to-face PhD academic writing course, PhD Writing 1, has been transformed into a fully online course containing eight interactive webinar sessions named Online PhD Writing, which runs in addition to the face-to-face rendition. On the back of the success of this course, coupled with increased demand for a follow up course, this author was tasked with creating an advanced online PhD academic writing course to cater for global students with diverse time zones and schedules. This paper evaluates the challenges posed and the advances made in constructing both online courses and explores the technologies used in implementing them.

Challenges in speaking classrooms among non-English majors

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 26-31
Author(s):  
Ngoc Boi Trinh ◽  
Duy Thuy Thi Pham
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
English Learners ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Psychological Problems ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
English Majors ◽  
The Face ◽  
Topical Knowledge ◽  
Speaking Skills

As a great challenge to most English learners, speaking skills have aroused the interest of numerous researchers in many countries where English is taught as a foreign language. This study aimed to investigate some difficulties that students faced in speaking classrooms. A group of 57 participants at Tra Vinh university was selected to complete the questionnaires to find out students’ speaking problems from psychological and linguistic perspectives and 12 of them participated in the face-to face interviews. The results from the questionnaire revealed that non-English majors encountered more linguistic difficulties than psychological ones. Also, students’ psychological problems identified includes: pressure to perform well, being overpowered by more competent students, fear of making mistakes in front of the class and fear of criticism or losing face. The linguistic difficulties are lacking vocabulary and topical knowledge, being uncapable of arranging ideas logically, insufficient sentence formation skills and inappropriate vocabulary. The findings from the interview also showed that learners encountered more linguistic difficulties. Based on the findings above, some possible solutions are suggested to assist students in improving their speaking skills when acquiring English.

scholarly journals The Effects of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Intervention on Inflammation and Stress Biomarkers: a Randomized Controlled Trial

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 539-555 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elina Järvelä-Reijonen ◽  
Sampsa Puttonen ◽  
Leila Karhunen ◽  
Essi Sairanen ◽  
Jaana Laitinen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Acceptance And Commitment Therapy ◽  
Systemic Inflammation ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Stress Biomarkers ◽  
Acceptance And Commitment ◽  
Acceptance And Action Questionnaire ◽  
The Face

Abstract Background Psychological processes can be manifested in physiological health. We investigated whether acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), targeted on psychological flexibility (PF), influences inflammation and stress biomarkers among working-age adults with psychological distress and overweight/obesity. Method Participants were randomized into three parallel groups: (1) ACT-based face-to-face (n = 65; six group sessions led by a psychologist), (2) ACT-based mobile (n = 73; one group session and mobile app), and (3) control (n = 66; only the measurements). Systemic inflammation and stress markers were analyzed at baseline, at 10 weeks after the baseline (post-intervention), and at 36 weeks after the baseline (follow-up). General PF and weight-related PF were measured with questionnaires (Acceptance and Action Questionnaire, Acceptance and Action Questionnaire for Weight-Related Difficulties). Results A group × time interaction (p = .012) was detected in the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) level but not in other inflammation and stress biomarkers. hsCRP decreased significantly in the face-to-face group from week 0 to week 36, and at week 36, hsCRP was lower among the participants in the face-to-face group than in the mobile group (p = .035, post hoc test). Age and sex were stronger predictors of biomarker levels at follow-up than the post-intervention PF. Conclusion The results suggest that ACT delivered in group sessions may exert beneficial effects on low-grade systemic inflammation. More research is needed on how to best apply psychological interventions for the health of both mind and body among people with overweight/obesity and psychological distress. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01738256, Registered 17 August, 2012

scholarly journals Dynamics of the anxiety level of Moscow students during the educational process in the setting of the COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 325-339
Author(s):  
Sofya N. Zimina ◽  
◽  
Ainur A. Khafizova ◽  
Anastasia M. Yudina ◽  
Irina M. Sineva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Well Being ◽  
Educational Process ◽  
Psychological Consequences ◽  
Place Of Residence ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Demographic Questionnaire ◽  
Situational Anxiety ◽  
The Face ◽  
Personal Anxiety ◽  
Restrictive Measures

The COVID-19 pandemic and the unprecedented measures to contain it have disrupted the daily life of most people and affected their psychological well-being negatively. Despite the increasing worldwide relevance of exploring the psychological consequences of COVID-19, this study is one of the first Russian papers on this subject. In order to study the changes in the level of anxiety of students, that took shape during the forced self-isolation regime, the authors carried out two surveys involving the students of Moscow universities, according to Spielberger’s State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and a socio-demographic questionnaire. The primary testing took place on March 2-16, 2020 in the face-to-face format; the subsequent online testing during the second stage was held from May 25 to May 30, 2020. The testing covered 13 young men and 29 girls aged from 18 to 25. The survey results showed that over 70% of the respondents regularly infringed the forced stay-at-home regime; 26.8% did not leave their place of residence with the exception of permitted absence cases; 12.2% strictly followed the established prescriptions and did not leave their place of residence at all. The average values of personal anxiety indicators before and during the introduction of restrictive measures did not differ significantly and amounted to 45.1 and 44.9 points respectively (p = 0.94). The level of situational anxiety increased markedly among the majority of respondents (from 38.0 to 45.6 points on the average, p = 0.0002). The intensity of changes in situational anxiety depended on its initial level – the respondents from the group showing the lowest original degree of anxiety suffered from stress most of all. The specific features of compliance with the forced self-isolation regime and the level of labour engagement did not affect the anxiety indicators; however, the stress connected with the examinations and the presentation of qualifying graduation papers was an additional factor affecting the psychoemotional state of the students during the pandemic.

scholarly journals The benefits of good tutor-student relationships in the first year

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 23-33
Author(s):  
Ella R Kahu ◽  
Catherine Picton
Keyword(s):  
Help Seeking ◽  
Well Being ◽  
First Year ◽  
Student Relationships ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Teacher Student Relationships ◽  
Teacher Student ◽  
Hands On ◽  
The Face ◽  
Affective Dimensions

Teacher-student relationships (TSR) are an important influence on the student experience at university. Existing research, predominantly with lecturers, highlights that these relationships have academic and affective dimensions. Studies demonstrate good TSR increase student motivation, engagement, and learning. The current study adds a student voice to this topic, focussing on their views of tutoring staff, who undertake much of the face-to-face teaching in universities. The qualitative study followed 19 students through their first year at an Australian university. The students identified four characteristics of a ‘good’ tutor: helpful, caring, likeable, and hands-on. Students talked about multiple benefits of having a good tutor including increased help-seeking, studying harder, more interest in class, and improved well-being and belonging. The importance of the tutor role is underestimated and institutions would do well to better support these valuable staff.

The effectiveness of telepsychiatry measured using the Health of the Nation Outcome Scale and the Mental Health Inventory

2003 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Craig Kennedy ◽  
Peter Yellowlees
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Outcome ◽  
General Practice ◽  
Initial Assessment ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Outcome Scores ◽  
The Face ◽  
One Year

In a telepsychiatry project in rural Queensland, data were collected from 124 patients attending hospital and general practice facilities for mental health-care and then again at follow-up one year later. Thirty-two of the patients were dealt with using telepsychiatry. Two health status scales were used to measure effectiveness: the Health of the Nation Outcome Scale (HoNOS), administered by the practitioners; and the Mental Health Inventory (MHI), which was self-administered by the patients. There was a significant difference between the initial assessment and follow-up groups on most subscales of the HoNOS, but no significant difference between the face-to-face and telepsychiatry groups. Similarly, the MHI results showed a significant difference on all subscales between the initial assessment and follow-up groups, but no significant difference between the face-to-face and telepsychiatry groups. Individuals who used and did not use telepsychiatry all had improved health outcome scores on the HoNOS and MHI during the study period. Telepsychiatry was as effective as face-to-face care.

Realtime teleconsultations versus face-to-face consultations in dermatology: immediate and six-month outcome

2003 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 204-209 ◽  
Author(s):  
Håkan Granlund ◽  
Carl-Johan Thoden ◽  
Christer Carlson ◽  
Kari Harno
Keyword(s):  
Patient Satisfaction ◽  
General Practitioner ◽  
Analogue Scale ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Consultation Group ◽  
The Face ◽  
Patient Groups

We evaluated the outcome of both realtime teleconsultations and face-to-face consultations in dermatology. Forty-six patients were enrolled in an open controlled study. Twenty-nine patients (60%) answered the questionnaire sent to them after six months. Over the six-month follow-up, similar proportions of the two patient groups had visited a general practitioner or a specialist in the consulting hospital. At follow-up, overall patient satisfaction with the consultation, measured on a linear analogue scale (0–10), had fallen only slightly and to the same extent after both types of consultation, that is by 1.2 (SD 3.7) after realtime teleconsultations and by 1.4 (SD 4.5) after face-to-face consultations. The proportions of patients who would prefer the same mode of consultation for their next appointment had decreased from 83% to 50% in the realtime teleconsultation group and from 83% to 62% in the face-to-face consultation group. However, in neither group was the change significant. The study suggests that patient satisfaction with teleconsultation is well preserved after six months.

The role of a virtual telephone clinic in the follow-up management of lateral skull base tumours

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
S Hogan ◽  
J Hintze ◽  
C Fitzgerald ◽  
M Javadpour ◽  
D Rawluk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skull Base ◽  
Travel Distance ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Skull Base Tumours ◽  
Lateral Skull Base ◽  
The Face ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Mean Time

Abstract Objective The purpose of this article was to determine the impact of employing a telephone clinic for follow-up of patients with stable lateral skull-base tumours. Method An analysis of 1515 patients in the national lateral skull-base service was performed, and 148 patients enrolled in the telephone clinic to date were identified. The length of time that patients waited for results of their follow-up scans and the travel distance saved by patients not having to attend the hospital for their results was determined. Results The mean time from scan to receiving results was 30.5 ± 32 days, 14 days sooner than in the face-to-face group (p = 0.0016). The average round-trip distance travelled by patients to the hospital for results of their scans was 256 ± 131 km. Conclusion The telephone clinic led to a significant reduction in time until patients received their scan results and helped reduce travel distance and clinic numbers in traditional face-to-face clinics.

scholarly journals One-Year Remission Rate of Chronic Headache Comparing Video and Face-to-Face Consultations by Neurologist: Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Svein Ivar Bekkelund ◽  
Kai Ivar Müller
Keyword(s):  
General Practice ◽  
Patient Satisfaction ◽  
Chronic Headache ◽  
Remission Rate ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
The Face ◽  
Video Group ◽  
One Year ◽  
Headache Patients

BACKGROUND Chronic headache causing severe headache-related disability for those affected by the disease is under- or misdiagnosed in many cases and therefore requires easy access to a specialist for optimal health care management. OBJECTIVE The goal of the research is to determine whether video consultations are noninferior to face-to-face consultations in treating chronic headache patients referred to a specialist in Northern Norway. METHODS Patients included in the study were recruited from general practice referrals to a specialist at a neurological department in Northern Norway (Tromsø) and diagnosed according to the International Headache Society classification system. In a randomized controlled design, the 1-year remission rate of chronic headache (change from ≥15 to &lt;15 headache days per month during the last 3 months), patient satisfaction with a specialist consultation, and need for follow-up consultations by general practitioners were compared between groups consulted by video and face-to-face in a post hoc analysis. Data were collected by interview (baseline) and questionnaire (follow-up). RESULTS From a baseline cohort of 402 headache patients consecutively referred from general practice to a specialist over 2.5 years, 58.0% (233/402) were classified as chronic headache and included in this study. Response rates were 71.7% (86/120) in the video group and 67.3% (76/113) in the face-to-face group. One-year remission from chronic headache was achieved in 43.0% (37/86) in the video group and 39.5% (30/76) in the face-to-face group (<i>P</i>=.38). Patient satisfaction with consultations were 86.5% (32/37; video) and 93.3% (28/30; face-to-face; <i>P</i>=.25). A total of 30% (11/37) in the video group and 53% (16/30) in the face-to-face group consulted general practitioners during the follow-up period (<i>P</i>=.03), and median number of consultations was 1 (IQR 0-13) and 1.5 (IQR 0-15), respectively (<i>P</i>=.19). CONCLUSIONS One-year remission rate from chronic headache was about 40% regardless of consultation form. Likewise, patient satisfaction with consultation and need for follow-up visits in general practice post consultation was similar. Treating chronic headache patients by using video consultations is not inferior to face-to-face consultations and may be used in clinical neurological practice. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02270177; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02270177

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