scholarly journals Effects of attachment-based compassion therapy (ABCT) on brain-derived neurotrophic factor and low-grade inflammation among fibromyalgia patients: A randomized controlled trial

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jesus Montero-Marin ◽  
Laura Andrés-Rodríguez ◽  
Mattie Tops ◽  
Juan V. Luciano ◽  
Mayte Navarro-Gil ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Functional Status ◽  
Neurotrophic Factor ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Relaxation Therapy ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Tnf Α ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Fibromyalgia (FM) is a disabling syndrome characterized by chronic pain associated with fatigue. Its pathogenesis is unknown, but alterations in central sensitization, involving an imbalance of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and inflammatory biomarkers, appear to be implicated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of attachment-based compassion therapy (ABCT) on levels of BDNF, the inflammatory markers TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, and the C-reactive protein (CRP), analysing whether biomarkers play a mediating/moderating role in improvements in FM functional status. Thirty-four female patients with FM participated in a RCT and were assigned to ABCT or relaxation therapy. Blood extractions were conducted at baseline and post-intervention, with self-report assessments of functional status (FIQ) at baseline, post-intervention and 3-month follow-up. A pro-inflammatory composite was obtained by summing up IL-6, TNF-α and CRP normalized values. Non-parametric tests, analysis of variance and regression models were used to evaluate treatment and mediation/moderation. Compared to relaxation therapy, ABCT showed significant improvements in FIQ and decreases in BDNF, CRP, and pro-inflammatory composite. Changes in BDNF had a mediating role in FIQ. ABCT seems to reduce BDNF and appears to have anti-inflammatory effects in FM patients. Reductions in BDNF could be a mechanism of FM functional status improvement. Clinical Trial Registration:http://ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT02454244. Date: May 27th, 2015.

scholarly journals The impact of theory-based messages on COVID-19 vaccination intentions: a structured summary of a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Trials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ben Young ◽  
Marie Kotzur ◽  
Lauren Gatting ◽  
Carissa Bonner ◽  
Julie Ayre ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
General Information ◽  
School Level ◽  
Text And Image ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Full Protocol ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Illness Coherence

Abstract Objectives Uptake of vaccination against COVID-19 is key to controlling the pandemic. However, a significant proportion of people report that they do not intend to have a vaccine, often because of concerns they have about vaccine side effects or safety. This study will assess the impact of theory-based messages on COVID-19 vaccination intention, drawing on the Necessity-Concerns framework to address previously reported beliefs and concerns about COVID-19 vaccination, and assess whether hypothesised variables (illness coherence, perceived necessity and concerns) mediate change in vaccination intention. Trial design Prospective, parallel two-arm, individually randomised (1:1) trial. Participants Adults aged over 18 years, living in Scotland and not vaccinated for COVID-19. A quota sampling approach will be used with the aim of achieving a nationally representative sample on gender, region and ethnic group, with oversampling of individuals with no educational qualifications or with only school-level qualifications. Intervention and comparator Intervention: Brief exposure to online text and image-based messages addressing necessity beliefs and concerns about COVID-19 vaccination. Comparator: Brief exposure to online text and image-based messages containing general information about COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccination. Main outcomes Primary outcome: Self-reported intention to receive a vaccine for COVID-19 if invited, immediately post-intervention. Secondary outcomes: Self-reported COVID-19 illness coherence, perceived necessity of a COVID-19 vaccine and concerns about a COVID-19 vaccine, immediately post-intervention. Randomisation Quasi-randomisation performed automatically by online survey software, by creating a variable derived from the number of seconds in the minute that the participant initiates the survey. Participants starting the survey at 0-14 or 30-44 seconds in the minute are allocated to the intervention and 15-29 or 45-59 seconds to the comparator. Blinding (masking) Participants will not be blinded to group assignment but will not be informed of the purpose of the study until they have completed the follow-up survey. Investigators will be blinded to allocation as all procedures will be undertaken digitally and remotely without any investigator contact with participants. Numbers to be randomised (sample size) A total of 1,094 will be randomised 1:1 into two groups with 547 individuals in each. Trial Status Protocol version number 1.0, 26th February 2021. Recruitment status: Not yet recruiting, set to start April 2021 and end April 2021. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04813770, 24th March 2021. Full protocol The full protocol is attached as an additional file, accessible from the Trials website (Additional file 1). In the interest in expediting dissemination of this material, the familiar formatting has been eliminated; this Letter serves as a summary of the key elements of the full protocol.

scholarly journals Cultivating the compassionate self against depression: An exploration of processes of change

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S356-S356 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Matos ◽  
J. Duarte ◽  
C. Duarte ◽  
J. Pinto-Gouveia ◽  
P. Gilbert
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Longitudinal Design ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Processes Of Change ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Mediation Analyses ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Compassion Focused Therapy ◽  
The Impact

IntroductionCompassion and self-compassion can be protective factors against mental health difficulties, in particular depression. The cultivation of the compassionate self, associated with a range of practices such as slow and deeper breathing, compassionate voice tones and facial expressions, and compassionate focusing, is central to compassion focused therapy (Gilbert, 2010). However, no study has examined the processes of change that mediate the impact of compassionate self-cultivation practices on depressive symptoms.AimsThe aim of this study is to investigate the impact of a brief compassionate self training (CST) intervention on depressive symptoms, and explore the psychological processes that mediate the change at post intervention.MethodsUsing a longitudinal design, participants (general population and college students) were randomly assigned to one of two conditions: Compassionate self training (n = 56) and wait-list control (n = 37). Participants in the CST condition were instructed to practice CST exercises for 15 minutes everyday or in moments of stress during two weeks. Self-report measures of depression, self-criticism, shame and compassion, were completed at pre and post in both conditions.ResultsResults showed that, at post-intervention, participants in the CST condition decreased depression, self-criticism and shame, and increased self-compassion and openness to receive compassion from others. Mediation analyses revealed that changes in depression from pre to post intervention were mediated by decreases in self-criticism and shame, and increases in self-compassion and openness to the compassion from others.ConclusionsThese findings support the efficacy of compassionate self training components on lessening depressive symptoms and promoting mental health.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

scholarly journals A Randomized Clinical Trial of Oxytocin or Galantamine in Schizophrenia: Assessing the Impact on Behavioral, Lexical, and Self-Report Indicators of Social Affiliation

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristen R Dwyer ◽  
Alexandra M Andrea ◽  
Christina L G Savage ◽  
Ryan D Orth ◽  
LeeAnn Shan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Negative Symptoms ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Social Affiliation ◽  
Subjective Responses ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Schizophrenia Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Prior studies examining the impact of oxytocin on negative symptoms in schizophrenia have yielded mixed results. The current study explored whether oxytocin can improve more proximal indicators of social affiliation as indicated by changes in behavior, language and subjective indices of social affiliation among individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders during a role-play designed to elicit affiliative responses. We tested the hypothesis that daily intranasal oxytocin administered for 6 weeks would improve social affiliation as manifested by increased social skill ratings, use of positive, affiliative, and social words, and subjective responses from a previously published randomized controlled trial. Forty outpatients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder were randomized to the oxytocin, galantamine, or placebo group and completed affiliative role-plays and self-report questionnaires of affect, reactions to the affiliative confederate, and willingness to interact at baseline and post-treatment. Results demonstrated that oxytocin was not effective at improving behavioral or subjective indicators of social affiliation. This study adds to a growing literature that the prosocial effects of oxytocin in schizophrenia are limited or null.

scholarly journals Socio-demographic and psychosocial predictors of rheumatoid arthritis health outcome

2004 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 10
Author(s):  
Pamela Naidoo ◽  
Graham C Lindegger ◽  
Girish M Mody
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Health Outcome ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Functional Status ◽  
Psychological Factors ◽  
Demographic Factors ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Tender Joint ◽  
Socio Demographic Factors ◽  
The Impact

Objectives. To investigate the psychosocial aspects of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to determine the predictors of RA health outcome in a low socio-economic group of clinic-based adult RA patients.Design. This was a cross-sectional study. Clinic-based adult RA patients were subjected to a series of self- administered questionnaires to assess their experience of the disease. Coping, social support, causal attribution, cognitive illness representation, pain and functional status were assessed. Joint status, which indicated the degree of severity of joint inflammation for each RA patient, was assessed by a rheumatologist.Subjects. The sample consisted of 186 RA patients with a mean age of 49.51 years and a mean duration of RA of 10.80 years.Outcome measures. Health status measures defined by pain and functional status, and joint status.Results. Psychological factors, especially coping, were more significant predictors of self-report of pain and functional status than socio-demographic factors. Both socio-demographic factors and psychological factors (especially coping) were found to be significant predictors of swollen and tender joint status.Conclusion and recommendations. As a psychological factor, coping emerged as a consistent predictor of both self-report of pain and functional status, and swollen and tender joint status. It is recommended that to enhance the quality of life of RA patients and improve their health status, the impact of psychosocial factors such as the way in which patients cope with their disease status, must be considered. Further, it is recommended that health professionals collaborate not only in attempting to refine the theoretical conceptualisation of RA, but also in devising holistic and multidisciplinary care for individuals afflicted with the disease.

The Effectiveness of Group Triple P and the Impact of the Four Telephone Contacts

2005 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 71-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonia C. Gallart ◽  
Stephen Matthey
Keyword(s):  
Self Report ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Triple P ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Waitlist Control ◽  
Waitlist Control Group ◽  
Group Sessions ◽  
Clinically Significant ◽  
Main Effects ◽  
The Impact

AbstractThe aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of the four telephone contact sessions that are prescribed as an integral component of the Group Triple P parenting program, and to compare the efficacy of Group Triple P to a waitlist control group. Parents of children aged 2 to 8 years were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: the usual Group Triple P program, consisting of four group sessions and four telephone calls (n = 16); a modified Group Triple P condition, consisting of just the four group sessions (n = 17); or a waitlist control condition (n = 16). Pre- and post-intervention assessments were conducted using the Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory (ECBI), the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) and the Parenting Scale (PS). Statistically and clinically significant main effects were found for attending either the full Triple P or the modified Triple P program on both the DASS and the ECBI, but not on the participant's perception of their parenting style (PS). We conclude that (a) the four telephone sessions are not an essential component for the initial effectiveness of the Group Triple P program (though further research needs to explore whether they impact on maintenance of gains), and (b) that Group Triple P is effective in bringing about change, as measured using these self-report instruments.

scholarly journals A food-based dietary strategy lowers blood pressure in a low socio-economic setting: a randomised study in South Africa

2008 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 1397-1406 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen E Charlton ◽  
Krisela Steyn ◽  
Naomi S Levitt ◽  
Nasheeta Peer ◽  
Deborah Jonathan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
South African ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Control Diet ◽  
Diet Group ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Intervention Effect ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Cation Content ◽  
The Impact

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the impact of a food-based intervention on blood pressure (BP) in free-living South African men and women aged 50–75 years, with drug-treated mild-to-moderate hypertension.MethodsA double-blind controlled trial was undertaken in eighty drug-treated mild-to-moderate hypertensive subjects randomised to an intervention (n40) or control (n40) arm. The intervention was 8-week provision of six food items with a modified cation content (salt replacement (SOLO™), bread, margarine, stock cubes, soup mix and a flavour enhancer) and 500 ml of maas (fermented milk)/d. The control diet provided the same quantities of the targeted foods but of standard commercial composition and 500 ml/d of artificially sweetened cooldrink.FindingsThe intervention effect estimated as the contrast of the within-diet group changes in BP from baseline to post-intervention was a significant reduction of 6·2 mmHg (95 % CI 0·9, 11·4) for systolic BP. The largest intervention effect in 24 h BP was for wake systolic BP with a reduction of 5·1 mmHg (95 % CI 0·4, 9·9). For wake diastolic BP the reduction was 2·7 mmHg (95 % CI −0·2, 5·6).ConclusionsModification of the cation content of a limited number of commonly consumed foods lowers BP by a clinically significant magnitude in treated South African hypertensive patients of low socio-economic status. The magnitude of BP reduction provides motivation for a public health strategy that could be adopted through lobbying of the food industry by consumer and health agencies.

scholarly journals Evaluation of a Seven-Week Web-Based Happiness Training to Improve Psychological Well-Being, Reduce Stress, and Enhance Mindfulness and Flourishing: A Randomized Controlled Occupational Health Study

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Feicht ◽  
M. Wittmann ◽  
G. Jose ◽  
A. Mock ◽  
E. von Hirschhausen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Health ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Health Study ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Attention Network ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
The Impact

Background. As distress in society increases, including work environments, individual capacities to compete with stress have to be strengthened.Objective. We examined the impact of a web-based happiness training on psychological and physiological parameters, by self-report and objective means, in an occupational health setting.Methods. Randomized controlled trial with 147 employees. Participants were divided into intervention (happiness training) and control groups (waiting list). The intervention consisted of a seven-week online training. Questionnaires were administered before, after, and four weeks after training. The following scales were included: VAS (happiness and satisfaction), WHO-5 Well-being Index, Stress Warning Signals, Freiburg Mindfulness Inventory, Recovery Experience Questionnaire, and Flourishing Scale. Subgroup samples for saliva cortisol and alpha-amylase determinations were taken, indicating stress, and Attention Network Testing for effects on attention regulation.Results. Happiness (P=0.000;d=0.93), satisfaction (P=0.000;d=1.17), and quality of life (P=0.000;d=1.06) improved; perceived stress was reduced (P=0.003;d=0.64); mindfulness (P=0.006;d=0.62), flourishing (P=0.002;d=0.63), and recovery experience (P=0.030;d=0.42) also increased significantly. No significant differences in the Attention Network Tests and saliva results occurred (intergroup), except for one saliva value.Conclusions. The web-based training can be a useful tool for stabilizing health/psychological well-being and work/life balance.

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