Impact of expressive writing on everyday memory functioning

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. S557-S557
Author(s):  
B. Abuhamda ◽  
A. Soliman
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Expressive Writing ◽  
Cognitive Rehabilitation ◽  
Memory Performance ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Everyday Memory ◽  
Memory Functioning ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Competing Interest ◽  
The Impact

IntroductionThe suppression of negative feelings and traumatic events has detrimental effect on mental and physical health. One of the promising techniques to reduce stress related to trauma is expressive writing. Expressive writing has been found successful with different types of maladaptive behaviors e.g., pain, depression, anxiety and cognitive dysfunctioning.ObjectivesThis study investigates the impact of different categories of expressive writing on improving every day memory performance and cognitive functioning.AimsExamining the impact of cognitive functioning and everyday memory.MethodsA sample of 90 participants took part in this study. The participants aged (21 and 65 yrs.) 47 of them are females aged between average of (21.64 yrs.), and 43 males aged between average of (21, 49 yrs.). The participants were classified randomly into three groups (a control group, and two experimental groups [pen and oral writing]). The three groups were administered the Every Memory Questionnaire and Taranto Alexithymia Scale.ResultsThe results showed that there were no significant differences among the three groups in each of the Alexithymia and Everyday memory, which indicates random distribution of the three groups. The results showed that both of the experimental groups were improved on everyday memory functioning. More importantly, the results indicated that there were no significant differences between using pen or figures in expressive writing to improve Everyday memory.ConclusionStudy results showed the significant impact of expressive writing on every day memory functioning, furthermore, the study results are used to empathize on the cognitive rehabilitation of the individuals as well as to improve self-esteem on general psychological individual cases.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

scholarly journals Validation of Cognitive Rehabilitation as a Balance Rehabilitation Strategy in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

Medicina ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 314
Author(s):  
Aida Arroyo-Ferrer ◽  
Francisco José Sánchez-Cuesta ◽  
Yeray González-Zamorano ◽  
María Dolores del Castillo ◽  
Carolina Sastre-Barrios ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Cognitive Therapy ◽  
Cognitive Processing ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Cognitive Rehabilitation ◽  
Neurodegenerative Disorder ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Motor Symptoms ◽  
The Impact

Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder. This disease is characterized by motor symptoms, such as bradykinesia, tremor, and rigidity. Although balance impairment is characteristic of advanced stages, it can be present with less intensity since the beginning of the disease. Approximately 60% of PD patients fall once a year and 40% recurrently. On the other hand, cognitive symptoms affect up to 20% of patients with PD in early stages and can even precede the onset of motor symptoms. There are cognitive requirements for balance and can be challenged when attention is diverted or reduced, linking a worse balance and a higher probability of falls with a slower cognitive processing speed and attentional problems. Cognitive rehabilitation of attention and processing speed can lead to an improvement in postural stability in patients with Parkinson’s. Methods: We present a parallel and controlled randomized clinical trial (RCT) to assess the impact on balance of a protocol based on cognitive rehabilitation focused on sustained attention through the NeuronUP platform (Neuronup SI, La Rioja, Spain) in patients with PD. For 4 weeks, patients in the experimental group will receive cognitive therapy three days a week while the control group will not receive any therapy. The protocol has been registered at trials.gov NCT04730466. Conclusions: Cognitive therapy efficacy on balance improvement may open the possibility of new rehabilitation strategies for prevention of falls in PD, reducing morbidity, and saving costs to the health care system.

scholarly journals Hemostasis in Infertile Patients Participating in Assisted Reproduction Programmes

Doctor Ru ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 6-11
Author(s):  
A.O. Godzoeva ◽  
◽  
I.E. Zazerskaya ◽  
V.S. Vlasov ◽  
T.V. Vavilova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Study Group ◽  
Study Objective ◽  
Hemostasis System ◽  
Fibrin Monomer ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Venous Thromboembolic Events ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Infertile Patients

Study Objective: To evaluate the impact of multifollicular ovarian stimulation in in vitro fertilisation (IVF) programmes on hemostasis. Study Design: perspective comparative study. Materials and Methods. The study included 68 patients divided into two groups: study group (n = 36) — infertile patients; control group (n = 32) — healthy non-pregnant women of reproductive age. The protocol with gonadotrophin releasing hormone antagonists was used for ovulation stimulation. Hemostasis system in study patients was evaluated in 2 weeks after embryos were transferred to uterus; in control group — on day 20–22 of menstrual period. For the study group, we evaluated clotting test parameters of hemostasis system, D-dimers (D-d) and fibrin monomer (FM). Study Results. We have not found statistically significant differences between hemostasis screening results of study groups. We have identified increase in pro-coagulatory properties of blood in the study group patients: increase in FM and D-d (р < 0.0001 in both cases). There is an association between study parameters and pregnancy (p < 0.001) and no association with obesity, age and infertility. Conclusion. In IVF programme, FM and D-d levels rise, evidencing hypercoagulation development. An increase in FM levels was even more significant and can be used as an early and specific fibrogenesis marker. Keywords: assisted reproductive technologies, fibrin monomer, D-dimer, hypercoagulation, venous thromboembolic events.

Can Yoga Overcome Criminality? The Impact of Yoga on Recidivism in Israeli Prisons

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (13-14) ◽  
pp. 1461-1481
Author(s):  
Shaked Kovalsky ◽  
Badi Hasisi ◽  
Noam Haviv ◽  
Ety Elisha
Keyword(s):  
Informal Education ◽  
Matched Control ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Recidivism Rates ◽  
Matched Control Group ◽  
Rehabilitation Programs ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Alternative Practices ◽  
Criminological Theories ◽  
The Impact

In recent years, yoga practices have been integrated into formal prison rehabilitation programs of the Israel Prison Service (IPS), as part of the informal education system, giving rise to innovative criminological theories such as positive criminology that emphasize the development of offenders’ strengths by facilitating rehabilitation and reintegration processes. The purpose of the present study was to examine the correlation between yoga practice and recidivism among released prisoners who participated in yoga programs during their incarceration in comparison with a matched control group of those who did not participate in yoga programs over a follow-up period of 5 years. To examine the effectiveness of the program, propensity score matching was used to compile the comparison group from among all convicted prisoners who were released from the Israeli prisons. Study results indicate that yoga may affect recidivism, supported by a finding of lower recidivism rates among released prisoners who had practiced yoga during their incarceration, compared with a matched control group. However, further study is needed including randomized controlled trials (RCTs). In light of these positive results, we recommend policy-makers consider expanding alternative practices such as yoga into prisons, in recognition of their contribution to the rehabilitation process through the development of personal and social strengths.

scholarly journals Hypoglycemic Effect of a Combined Andrographis paniculata and Caesalpinia sappan Extract in Streptozocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Febrika Wediasari ◽  
Gumilar A. Nugroho ◽  
Zahra Fadhilah ◽  
Berna Elya ◽  
Heri Setiawan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Glucose ◽  
Lipid Profiles ◽  
Andrographis Paniculata ◽  
Hypoglycemic Effect ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Caesalpinia Sappan ◽  
Glucose Levels ◽  
Blood Glucose Levels ◽  
Study Results ◽  
The Impact

Introduction. Researchers usually use herbal combinations to explore and develop traditional medicine to obtain additional benefits in the treatment of diseases, including diabetes. This study aims to evaluate the hypoglycemic effect of the combination of Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Wall ex Nees and Caesalpinia sappan Linn extract (APCSE) on diabetes-induced rats. There has not been sufficient research on this combination; however, single extract studies of these plants have been widely conducted. Materials and Methods. Male Sprague Dawley rats (160–200 g) were induced by injecting a low dose of streptozotocin (35 mg/kg BW) twice and fed with a high-fat diet containing 25% fat, whereas control animals received only standard feed. Rats were treated with APCSE at doses of 100 mg and 200 mg/kg BW for seven days and compared to the APE and CSE groups treated with the extract at 100 mg, respectively. For the control group, rats were treated with metformin with a dose of 250 mg/kg. The antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic effects were determined by measuring blood glucose levels and lipid profiles (cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, and LDL). To assess the impact of the extract on pancreatic and adipose tissue, the number of pancreatic beta cells and adipocytes was evaluated through histopathological and immunohistochemical study. Results and Discussion. In a nonfasting state, the blood glucose change in APCSE 200 mg was 18.65% and was significantly lower from the DM group. However, a single extract of APE and CSE showed lower fasting blood glucose levels compared to the combined extract. Lipid profiles show no significant differences in cholesterol levels between groups; however, all treatment groups, including metformin, showed higher triglyceride levels. The APE-treated group showed significantly lower HDL and LDL, whereas CSE only showed lower LDL. The β-cell number was significantly higher after treatment with single extract CSE. The CSE and the combined extract groups showed hyperplasia adipocytes. Conclusion. The combined extract of APCSE has a moderate antihyperglycemic effect; however, a single extract may have better potential than the combined extract.

scholarly journals The Infant Cuddler Study: Evaluating the effectiveness of volunteer cuddling in infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (7) ◽  
pp. 414-418
Author(s):  
Amanda Hignell ◽  
Karen Carlyle ◽  
Catherine Bishop ◽  
Mary Murphy ◽  
Teresa Valenzano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Surrogate Marker ◽  
Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Abstinence Syndrome ◽  
Study Results ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Objectives St. Michael’s Hospital launched a volunteer cuddling program for all infants admitted into the neonatal intensive care unit in October 2015. The program utilizes trained volunteers to cuddle infants when caregivers are not available. This was a pilot study to assess the impact of a volunteer cuddle program on length of stay (LOS) and feasibility of implementation of the program. Methods A mixed methods approach was utilized to measure both quantitative and qualitative impact. A pilot cohort study with a retrospective control group assessed the feasibility of implementing a volunteer cuddling program for infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). Length of stay was used as a surrogate marker to measure the impact of cuddling on infants being treated for Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome. Focus groups using semi-structured interviews were conducted with volunteers and nurses at the end of the pilot study. Results LOS was reduced by 6.36 days (U=34, P=0.072) for infants with NAS in the volunteer cuddling program. Focus groups with both bedside nurses and program volunteers described a positive impact of cuddling programs on infants, families, staff, and volunteers alike. Conclusions The study results suggest that the volunteer cuddling program may reduce LOS in infants with NAS and have potential economic savings on hospital resources. However, larger prospective cohort studies are needed to confirm these results.

Understanding narrative effects

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 166-191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aurik Gustomo ◽  
Hary Febriansyah ◽  
Henndy Ginting ◽  
Imelia Martinovita Santoso
Keyword(s):  
Employee Engagement ◽  
Expressive Writing ◽  
Social Implications ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
West Java ◽  
Content Type ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Experimental Group

PurposeEmployee engagement has been directly linked to organizational outcomes, and at present, improving employee engagement has increasingly been a main focus for organizations. However, studies evaluating the impact of storytelling interventions on increasing the level of employee engagement are limited. Storytelling is one of the intervention methods that can provide cognitive stimulus to employees, which in turn could change their attitudes toward work including employee engagement. The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of storytelling as an intervention tool for increasing employee engagement in one of the state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in West Java, Indonesia.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses a quantitative method. Employees from a West Java branch of large SOEs were randomly assigned into experimental and control groups. The research design used a pretest and a post-test with an expressive writing method to identify the extent of employee engagement by comparing participant groups and measuring the increase of employee engagement as a result of the storytelling intervention. The experimental group participated in three storytelling sessions that had been set up by panels of experts, while the control group was not given any treatment. The expressive writing analysis was conducted using software that has been developed and tested for validity and reliability. Furthermore, statistical analysis was used to test the results of expressive writing scoring to determine the impact of storytelling interventions.FindingsDirect storytelling is proven to be one of the most effective methods of increasing employee engagement in one of the SOEs in the West Java region. The results of this study showed that there were differences between the experiment and control groups after experiencing a direct storytelling intervention where there was a significant increase in the dimensions of employee engagement. Participants in experimental group had higher scores than participants in control group in most of the employee engagement dimensions. Additionally, expressive writing methods are also proven to be able to provide a stimulus for employees in expressing thoughts, perceptions and motivations for employee engagement in the company.Research limitations/implicationsAs direct storytelling has not been frequently used, especially to improve employee engagement, more studies should be conducted in various settings, with different measurement tools, and in a more controlled environment to confirm the effects of the intervention.Practical implicationsThis paper provides insight into how companies can use direct storytelling to improve the dimensions of employee engagement. Additionally, this research can also be used as a reference by companies in Indonesia, especially SOEs, for applying the same method in an effort to improve work-related attitudes, such as employee satisfaction and organizational commitment.Social implicationsThis study raises social implications in which employees enthusiasm increases in improving personal relationships between employees and storytellers, who are middle or upper management employees. In addition, employees also more appreciate their struggles when starting their careers, so they care more about increasing their role and involvement in the company.Originality/valueThis paper provides resources and information for companies and organizations to improve employee engagement through the implementation of direct storytelling. The focus of this paper is to gain information on the role of direct storytelling in improving employee engagement within a company or organization.

Quality of life and cognitive functioning impairment associated with cisplatin-based chemotherapy in testicular cancer survivors.

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e21607-e21607 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michal Chovanec ◽  
Lucia Vasilkova ◽  
Lucia Setteyova ◽  
Katarina Rejlekova ◽  
Jana Obertova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Testicular Cancer ◽  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Sexual Functioning ◽  
Subscale Score ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Eortc Qlq ◽  
The Impact

e21607 Background: Testicular cancer (GCT) survivors are at risk for different types of late treatment sequelae. This study aimed to evaluate long-term quality of life (QOL), sexual (SexF) and cognitive functioning (CogF) issues resulting from cisplatin-based chemotherapy. Methods: QoL, SexF and CogF data were prospectively collected in 83 GCT survivors with median 9 year follow-up (range 5-32). The chemotherapy group (CTG) consisted of 53 and 18 patients receiving a cisplatin cumulative dose of ≤ 400mg/m2 (LCD) and > 400mg/m2 (HCD), respectively. The control group (CG) included 12 patients treated with orchiectomy (6 pts) and adjuvant radiotherapy (6 pts). Data were collected using EORTC QLQ-C30, QLQ-TC26, FACT-Cog and sexual functioning questionnaires and analyzed according to the scoring guidelines. Results:The CTG survivors had significantly (all p < 0.05) more limitations while working or doing daily activities (37% vs 8%), needed to rest more often (61% vs 33%) and feared the disease relapse more often (73% vs 50%) compared to the CG. A subscale for family problems within QLQ-TC26 have shown higher impairment in the CTG vs. CG (mean score ± SEM: 54.2 ± 26.7 vs. 38.8. ± 7.3, P < 0.05). Cognitive abilities were perceived better in CG vs. CTG (mean score 24.5 ± 1.8 vs. 20.5 ± 0.7, P < 0.05). The CG surivors had higher education level and fathered more children compared to the CTG. The CTG felt more unsettled than the CG (all P < 0.05), however the impact of perceived cognitive impairment on their lives did not significantly differ ( P = 0.4). Patients who received HCD have suffered from dyspnea more often than patients treated with LCD (mean dyspnea subscale score ± SEM: 22.2 ± 4.4 vs 8.9 ± 2.6, P < 0.05). The HCD group also reported more difficulties to concentrate while watching television/reading newspaper and struggled to name things during conversation compared with the LCD group ( P < 0.05 for both). No impairment in sexual functioning was reported. Conclusions: Our study shows thatGCT survivors cured with cisplatin-based chemotherapy suffered from QoL issues and their perception of cognitive abilities was altered. The HCD of cisplatin further impaired several QoL and cognitive aspects.

Impact on personal growth and environment conservation self-perception in a volunteering program with adults with severe mental illness (SMI)

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. s280-s281
Author(s):  
D. Cabezas Sánchez ◽  
A. Ramírez Macías ◽  
J. Sáiz Galdós
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Personal Growth ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Green Area ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Competing Interest ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The City

Introduction“Viaje del Parnaso” is a volunteering project developed at the Day Center Aranjuez2 (CD2) for helping adults with SMI to get a satisfactory and responsible occupation through their implication in a volunteering work in the community, while involved in the maintenance of a green area in the city of Aranjuez.Objectives/aimsThe aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the project on the volunteers’ lives in terms of personal growth and environment conservation and compare its results with non-volunteers also attended at the CD2.MethodsThe project was carried once a week during 45 weeks. 11 volunteers participated on the project, plus 5 non-volunteers were considered as cuasi-control group. The instruments applied were an item on “environment conservation” and 2 subscale items of “Personal Growth” from the Ryff Scales of psychological well-being. Measures were applied at baseline, 6 and 12 months after.ResultsSignificant differences were found on the environment conservation item between volunteers at baseline and 6 months after (P < 0.05). Results also revealed a significant difference (P < 0.05) between volunteers and non-volunteers at both variables (“environment conservation” and “Personal Growth”) in baseline and 6 months after treatment.ConclusionsThe data from this study suggest that a volunteering program seems to be an effective intervention for bringing about improvements in well-being of people with SMI, and also for increasing their environmental awareness. These improvements may also help to change the stigma of SMI reinforcing mental health patient's contributions to society.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

A Meta-analysis of Cognitive Training on Memory Functioning in Normal Elderly Adults

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S609-S609 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Piryaei ◽  
M. Khademi Ashkzari
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Memory Performance ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Memory Training ◽  
Everyday Functioning ◽  
Healthy Older Adults ◽  
Training Interventions ◽  
Memory Functioning ◽  
Study Heterogeneity ◽  
Competing Interest

IntroductionThe major issues in cognitive literature related to memory and aging concentrate on the different methodological issues in research examining the effectiveness of memory training programs in improving memory performance of older adults along with the clinical implications of this kind of research.ObjectivesThe review will address how researchers differ within their collection of participants, the various aspects of memory intervention programs by a systematic review on recent researches.AimsThe present study aims to review the cognitive literature related to memory and aging through a meta-analysis in recent years.MethodMeta-analysis was conducted of researches on memory training interventions for cognitively normal/healthy older adults published in 1995–2014. Computerized databases (e.g PsychInfo) were searched using combinations of these key words in English: memory, mnemonic, rehabilitation, older adult, aging, elderly and impairment. All participants must be at least 55 years old at the time of training/intervention. Due to the fact and Studies must have used a non-pharmacological approach toward memory or memory problems. Between-study heterogeneity was quantified using χ2 and I2 statistics. All analyses were performed utilizing the CMA2.ResultsEffect sizes with 95% confidence intervals for each study indicated that the overall pre-post training gain was 0.37 SD (95% CI: 0.18, 0.47) and the mean retest effect among control groups was 0.11 SD (95% CI: −0.11, 0.16) and this difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001).ConclusionThe key challenge of memory training studies is that they often don’t train abilities that generalize to everyday functioning. These results have numerous clinical and practical implications.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

scholarly journals An Artist Without Wings? Regulation of Emotions Through Aesthetic Experiences

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 94-103
Author(s):  
Małgorzata Osowiecka
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Efficient Method ◽  
Expressive Writing ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Aesthetic Experiences ◽  
Affective Experiences ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Task Oriented ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Therapy Sessions

AbstractArt can help handle difficult experiences. Art therapy sessions (healing through art) have been recognised for years as a well-known and efficient method of treatment. At the same time, one can observe people’s tendencies – apparently inefficient in terms of their well-being (emotions, mood) – to create or experience art (e.g. watching horror movies, listening to sad songs, expressive writing about one’s ordeals). Many authors have described the way negative emotions are regulated. Their research has not, however, exhausted the subject in relation to art. In this paper I discuss the regulation of emotions through art. I am interested in the process of regulating affective experiences, particularly through expressive writing, and in the impact this way of regulation has on task-oriented functioning, especially cognitive functioning.

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