scholarly journals Improvements in Sleep Quality and Duration Following a Meditation Retreat: an Open-Trial Pilot Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Divya Kanchibhotla ◽  
Sheel Galada Parekh ◽  
Prateek Harsora ◽  
Shashank Kulkarni
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Open Trial ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Everyday Functioning ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Meditation Retreat

Abstract Purpose Disturbed sleep and other sleep-related problems have a negative impact on the human mind and body. Meditation practices are reported to improve physiological functions and might also have a positive impact on regulating sleep. This research investigates the efficacy of an advanced mind–body medicine intervention, called Hollow and Empty Meditation (HEM), on improving sleep quality. Methods The study was a single-arm open-trial pilot study which assessed 413 adults who underwent a 4-day meditation retreat offered by the Art of Living, called the Advanced Meditation Program (AMP), and experienced a novel meditation—HEM. Results were measured using a self-report questionnaire, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), which was administered to the participants thrice: on the first day of the program (pre-intervention), immediately after program (post-intervention/Day 4), and on Day 40 (D40) after the program. Results There was a significant difference in pre–post and pre–D40 scores in the population. Both sleep quality and sleep duration showed an improvement immediately after the AMP (post), and the residual impact was still experienced at D40, especially with the group with age > 36 years. Conclusions The use of HEM resulted in improvement in sleep quality not just immediately after the program, but had longer-term effects that extended over several weeks, helping remediate sleep problems among younger adults as well as older ones. It resulted in improvement in sleep quality as well as reduction in sleep-related daytime impairment, which have substantial constructive implications for well-being, everyday functioning and quality of life.

scholarly journals Compulsive Internet Use Scale: Psychometric Properties and Associations With Sleeping Patterns, Mental Health, and Well-Being in Lithuanian Medical Students During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Egle Milasauskiene ◽  
Julius Burkauskas ◽  
Aurelija Podlipskyte ◽  
Orsolya Király ◽  
Zsolt Demetrovics ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Psychometric Properties ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Everyday Functioning ◽  
Patient Health

Background: The increase in problematic Internet use (PIU) among medical students and resident doctors during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may be leading to significant impairments in everyday functioning, including sleeping patterns, anxiety, depressive symptoms, and overall well-being. The Compulsive Internet Use Scale (CIUS) has been developed to assess the severity of PIU, however, it has not been elucidated whether this scale is also applicable to medical students and resident doctors. The first aim of this study was to explore the psychometric properties of the Lithuanian version of the CIUS. The second aim was to examine associations between subjectively reported mental health symptoms and PIU during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: A total of 524 medical students and resident doctors (78.60% women, mean age 24 [SD 3] years old) participated in an online survey between December 2020 and February 2021. Participants completed the CIUS, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaire, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Assessment-7 (GAD-7), and the WHO—Five Well-Being Index questionnaire (WHO-5).Results: The confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) suggested brief versions (CIUS-5, CIUS-7, and CIUS-9) rather than the original (CIUS-14) version of the CIUS questionnaire as reliable and structurally stable instruments that can be used to measure compulsive Internet use severity in the sample of medical students and resident doctors. The most prevalent online behaviors were social media use (90.1%), online shopping (15.6%), and online gaming/gambling (11.3%). Students with higher CIUS scores reported significantly lower academic achievements during the 6 months (r = 0.12–0.13; p < 0.006), as well as more severe depressive and anxiety symptoms, worsened sleep quality, and lower sense of well-being (r = 0.21–0.41; p's < 0.001). Both, during workdays (d = 0.87) and weekend (d = 0.33), students spent more time online than resident doctors (p's < 0.001).Conclusion: The brief, 5-, 7-, and 9-item versions of the Lithuanian CIUS are reliable and valid self-report screening instruments for evaluating the severity of PIU symptoms among the medical student population. Symptoms of PIU during the COVID-19 period were associated with worsened self-reported mental health and everyday functioning.

352 Feasibility of Hypnosis as Adjunctive Treatment for Subjective Sleep Disturbance: A Pilot Study and Proof of Concept

SLEEP ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 44 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. A140-A141
Author(s):  
Emma Zhao ◽  
Afik Faerman ◽  
David Spiegel
Keyword(s):  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Sleep Disturbances ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Adjunctive Treatment ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Sleep Complaints ◽  
Subjective Sleep ◽  
Before And After

Abstract Introduction Hypnosis-based interventions have been shown to have a positive impact on several dimensions of sleep health. However, current evidence is limited as only a paucity of studies included populations with sleep complaints. Here we present a pilot data set to demonstrate the feasibility of developing a hypnosis-based adjunctive treatment for subjective sleep complaints. Methods Eleven adults (42% female; mean age 45±16.87 years) who sought treatment at the Stanford Sleep Medicine Center or Center for Integrative Medicine for subjective sleep complaints received hypnosis as adjunctive treatment. Self-report questionnaires were used to assess the weekly frequency of subjective sleep disturbances experienced before and after treatment, as well as 5-point Likert scale ratings of perceived qualitative improvement in symptom severity and overall sleep quality. Results Five participants (45%) reported a reduction in symptom frequency and severity after hypnosis treatment. All five participants attributed at least some of the improvement to hypnosis treatment. Most participants (63%) observed post-treatment improvements in their overall sleep quality. No participants reported adverse effects of hypnosis. Conclusion Results suggest hypnosis-based adjunctive treatment may be effective for alleviating subjective sleep disturbances. The findings serve as preliminary support for further randomly controlled trials in larger samples. Support (if any):

scholarly journals Clinical Profiles and Socio-Demographic Characteristics of Adults with Specific Learning Disorder in Northern Greece

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 602
Author(s):  
Eleni Bonti ◽  
Sofia Giannoglou ◽  
Marianthi Georgitsi ◽  
Maria Sofologi ◽  
Georgia-Nektaria Porfyri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adult Population ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Demographic Characteristics ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Learning Disorder ◽  
Northern Greece ◽  
Everyday Functioning ◽  
Specific Learning Disorder ◽  
Specific Learning

The manifestation of Specific Learning Disorder (SLD) during adulthood is one of the least examined research areas among the relevant literature. Therefore, the adult population with SLD is considered a “rare” and “unique” population of major scientific interest. The aim of the current study was to investigate, describe, and analyze the clinical, academic, and socio-demographic characteristics, and other everyday functioning life-skills of adults with SLD, in an attempt to shed more light on this limited field of research. The overall sample consisted of 318 adults, who were assessed for possible SLD. The diagnostic procedure included self-report records (clinical interview), psychometric/cognitive, and learning assessments. The main finding of the study was that SLD, even during adulthood, continues to affect the individuals’ well-being and functionality in all of their life domains. There is an ongoing struggle of this population to obtain academic qualifications in order to gain vocational rehabilitation, as well as a difficulty to create a family, possibly resulting from their unstable occupational status, their financial insecurity, and the emotional/self-esteem issues they usually encounter, due to their ongoing learning problems. Moreover, the various interpersonal characteristics, the comorbidity issues, and the different developmental backgrounds observed in the clinical, academic, personal, social, and occupational profiles of the participants, highlight the enormous heterogeneity and the continuum that characterizes SLD during adulthood. We conclude that there is an imperative need for further research and the construction of more sufficient tools for the assessment and diagnosis of SLD during adulthood, which will take into account the developmental challenges and milestones in a series of domains, in order to assist this “vulnerable” population with their life struggles.

scholarly journals Age Variations in Perceived COVID-19 Threats, Negative Impacts, and Associations with Well-Being

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 933-933
Author(s):  
Tara Gruenewald ◽  
Anthony Ong ◽  
Danielle Zahn
Keyword(s):  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Disease Severity ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Poor Sleep ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Poor Sleep Quality ◽  
Age Variations ◽  
Age Variation ◽  
Negative Impacts

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic represents an unprecedented threat to individual and public health, psychosocial, and economic well-being, although COVID-19 threats and impacts may vary by age and other demographic characteristics. Although greater age is a risk factor for greater COVID-19 disease severity, we know little about the association between age and perceived and experienced COVID-19 threats and their association to well-being. These associations were examined in an ongoing 3-wave investigation of over 1,700 U.S. adults (age 18-89; 53.1% female). Wave 1 analyses indicate no significant age variation in perceived threat of COVID-19 infection, with older and younger individuals reporting similar levels of COVID-19 infection threat. However, greater age was associated with lower perceived negative impact on financial and needed resources (r=-.10**), lower perceptions of COVID-19 induced harm to mental well-being (r=-.17**), and more favorable well-being profiles. Greater perceived COVID-19 threat and negative impact on resources and well-being were linked to greater feelings of stress (β’s=.45 to .68***), loneliness (β’s=.24 to .49***), social well-being (β’s=-.19 to -.36***), and poor sleep quality (β’s=.34 to .51***). These associations did not vary with age with the exception that older individuals showed stronger links between COVID-19 threat and impacts and poorer sleep quality. Ongoing analyses are examining whether these associations persist over time. Despite older adults’ greater risk of COVID-19 disease severity and mortality, older age did not appear to be linked to greater perceived COVID-19 threat or impacts, nor linkages to ill-being, with the possible exception of potential greater vulnerability to poor sleep quality.

scholarly journals The Relation between Stress of Clinical Practice and Burnout among Nursing Students: The Mediation Effect of Spiritual Well-being

2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 300-308
Author(s):  
Do Young Lee ◽  
Jin Kyoung Park ◽  
Mi Young Choi
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Nursing Students ◽  
Negative Correlation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Mediation Effect ◽  
Mediating Effects ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Spiritual Well Being ◽  
Practice Methods

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the factors that influence the clinical practice of nursing students and to identify the mediating effects of spiritual well-being in the relation between stress of clinical practice and burnout caused by clinical practice. Methods: Data were collected by self-report questionnaires targeting 420 nursing students in three nursing colleges located in Gyeonggi and Chungnam province. Results: Burnout of clinical practice according to general characteristics of the study subjects showed significant difference in religion (t=1.895, p=.049). Stress of clinical practice and burnout of clinical practice showed positive correlation (r=.42, p<.001), existential spiritual well-being showed negative correlation between stress of clinical practice (r=-.17, p<.001) and burnout of clinical practice (r=-.47, p<.001). In addition, religious spiritual well-being in spiritual well-being showed no mediating effects and existential spiritual well-being showed mediating effects between burnout in clinical practice stress. Conclusion: In order to alleviate the stress of clinical practice for burnout of clinical practice prevention of nursing students, solutions to improve the existential spiritual well-being will be required in the future.

scholarly journals How Rating Systems Support Regenerative Change in the Built Environment

2021 ◽  
pp. 131-144
Author(s):  
Melinda Orova ◽  
András Reith
Keyword(s):  
Built Environment ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Main Question ◽  
Rating Systems ◽  
Living Building Challenge

AbstractUrban development principles have evolved from sustainability, where the focus was on limiting the negative impact of urban environment, to restorative and regenerative sustainability, where positive impact is needed on global social and ecological systems. This recent paradigm shift requires the development of new tools for practitioners, like design methodologies, new technologies, and assessment methods.To measure the impact of sustainability on the built environment, several building-scale assessment tools exist. The question is how these widespread rating systems support restorative change in the built environment.The main question of the research is answered in three methodological steps. First, the goals of restorative sustainability are summarized from the available extensive literature, including the topics of Place, Energy, Water, Well-being, Carbon, Resources, Equity, Education, and Economics. Then different rating tools (Living Building Challenge, WELL, LEED, BREEAM, DGNB) are analysed how the considered issues and indicators in these rating tools are connected to restorative goals. Then these indicators are assessed how they serve that goal.The result of this study shows the main strengths and gaps in current wide-spread international rating tools regarding their support of restorative sustainability.

scholarly journals Physiological and Emotional Responses of Disabled Children to Therapeutic Clowns: A Pilot Study

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shauna Kingsnorth ◽  
Stefanie Blain ◽  
Patricia McKeever
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Facial Expressions ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Physiological Arousal ◽  
Single Subject ◽  
Disabled Children ◽  
Healthcare Settings ◽  
Television Exposure ◽  
And Behavior

This pilot study examined the effects of Therapeutic Clowning on inpatients in a pediatric rehabilitation hospital. Ten disabled children with varied physical and verbal expressive abilities participated in all or portions of the data collection protocol. Employing a mixed-method, single-subject ABAB study design, measures of physiological arousal, emotion and behavior were obtained from eight children under two conditions—television exposure and therapeutic clown interventions. Four peripheral autonomic nervous system (ANS) signals were recorded as measures of physiological arousal; these signals were analyzed with respect to measures of emotion (verbal self reports of mood) and behavior (facial expressions and vocalizations). Semistructured interviews were completed with verbally expressive children (n= 7) and nurses of participating children (n= 13). Significant differences among children were found in response to the clown intervention relative to television exposure. Physiologically, changes in ANS signals occurred either more frequently or in different patterns. Emotionally, children's (self) and nurses' (observed) reports of mood were elevated positively. Behaviorally, children exhibited more positive and fewer negative facial expressions and vocalizations of emotion during the clown intervention. Content and themes extracted from the interviews corroborated these findings. The results suggest that this popular psychosocial intervention has a direct and positive impact on hospitalized children. This pilot study contributes to the current understanding of the importance of alternative approaches in promoting well-being within healthcare settings.

Impact of service failure severity and agreeableness on consumer switchover intention

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 420-434 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zeeshan Riaz ◽  
Muhammad Ishfaq Khan
Keyword(s):  
Negative Impact ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Service Failure ◽  
Asian Country ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Failure Severity

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the asymmetric impact of service failure severity and agreeableness on consumer switchover intention with the mediating role of consumer forgiveness in the aftermath of service failure. Design/methodology/approach – In total, 364 university students were given a hypothetical service failure situation and their response was collected through a standardized questionnaire. Multiple regression and Preacher and Hayes (2004) mediation analysis tests were conducted to analyze data. Findings – The findings reveal that service failure severity has a direct positive impact on switchover intention and it also has an indirect impact on switchover intention through consumer forgiveness which it tends to weaken. On the other side, agreeableness has a direct negative impact on switchover intention, and it inhibits switchover intention indirectly too by stimulating forgiveness. Research limitations/implications – A cross-sectional study involving convenience sampling has been conducted through self-report measures. Generalization of the research findings shall therefore be done with caution. Practical implications – Severity of failure hampers forgiveness and therefore service managers should check factors that may challenge the tolerance level of consumers. While gauging satisfaction in post failure scenario, it is equally important to gauge consumer forgiveness. Originality/value – This study is among the initial endeavors to explore forgiveness in service failures context. Also it is the first validation of a direct positive relationship between agreeableness and forgiveness in a South Asian country.

Suicide Acceptability and Religious Well-Being: A Comparative Analysis in African American Suicide Attempters and Non-Attempters

2005 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 140-150 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deidre M. Anglin ◽  
Kamieka O. S. Gabriel ◽  
Nadine J. Kaslow
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
African Americans ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Culturally Competent ◽  
Suicide Attempters ◽  
Community Programming ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Mental Health Programs

This study was designed to examine the relationship between suicide acceptability and religious well-being, and to investigate the differences that may exist between African American suicide attempters and non-attempters on these two concepts. Two hundred low-income, African Americans were administered self-report questionnaires measuring suicide acceptability and religious well-being. Findings indicated that suicide acceptability was negatively related to religious well-being for both suicide attempters and non-attempters. There was also a significant difference between these two groups on suicide acceptability and religious well-being. Results were consistent with previous research that suggests that African Americans who attempt suicide endorse higher levels of suicide acceptability and lower levels of religious well-being than do their nonattempter counterparts. These findings have important implications for culturally-competent community programming and community mental health programs that serve low-income ethnic minority populations.

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