Social Volunteering in Aging Adults Increases Regions of the Amygdala and Correlates With Enhanced Generativity

Abstract The Brain Health Study (BHS) of the Baltimore Experience Corps Trial (BECT) examined whether a randomized, controlled trial of an intergenerational social volunteer program, entitled Experience Corps, increased subregions of the amygdala related to socioemotional memory and risk for Alzheimer’s disease in aging adults. We further assessed functional correlates of these intervention-related changes and changes in aging adults’ developmental need to be generative, or, to give back to the well-being of others. The BHS simultaneously randomized 112 men and women (59 intervention; 53 control) within BECT to evaluate intervention impact on biomarkers of brain health at baseline and annual follow-ups during the two-year trial. Intention-to-treat analyses revealed program-specific increases in the shape of the centromedial and basomedial regions of the left amygdala (p’s≤0.05 adjusted), which were correlated with increases in generativity (p’s =0.06). Meaningful social engagement buffered amygdalar declines important to preservation of emotionally salient memory and risk for dementia. Part of a symposium sponsored by Brain Interest Group.

Download Full-text

Effect of Inquiry-Based Stress Reduction (IBSR) Intervention on Well-Being, Resilience and Burnout of Teachers during the COVID-19 Pandemic

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18073689 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (7) ◽

pp. 3689

Author(s):

Tzofnat Zadok-Gurman ◽

Ronit Jakobovich ◽

Eti Dvash ◽

Keren Zafrani ◽

Benjamin Rolnik ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Stress Reduction ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Well Being ◽

Stressful Events ◽

Control Group ◽

Subjective Well Being ◽

Intention To Treat ◽

School Year ◽

Blended Intervention

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on teachers professional and personal lives. Our primary aim was to assess the effect of a blended Inquiry-Based Stress Reduction (IBSR), an emerging mindfulness and cognitive reframing intervention on teacher’s well-being. Our secondary aims were to assess the effect of IBSR on resilience, burnout, mindfulness, and stress among teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The study was a prospective controlled trial with an intervention group (N = 35) and a comparison control group (N = 32). The intervention took place in the Jerusalem District throughout the school year from November 2019 to May 2020. The sessions were conducted in blended learning that included traditional learning (face-to-face) and online learning. Data was analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis. Results: IBSR blended intervention enhanced the resilience and improved the subjective and psychological well-being of teachers in spite of the breakout of the COVID-19 pandemic and the first lockdown in Israel. Simultaneously the control group suffered from enhanced burnout levels and a decline in psychological and subjective well-being. Conclusions: Implementation of IBSR blended intervention during the school year may benefit teachers’ well-being and ability to flourish, even during stressful events such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Download Full-text

Understanding Social Isolation Among Urban Aging Adults: Informing Occupation-Based Approaches

OTJR Occupation Participation and Health ◽

10.1177/1539449217727119 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 37 (4) ◽

pp. 188-198 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Carri Hand ◽

Jessica Retrum ◽

George Ware ◽

Patricia Iwasaki ◽

Gabe Moaalii ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Isolation ◽

Low Income ◽

Social Engagement ◽

Information Access ◽

Community Based Participatory Research ◽

Well Being ◽

Poor Health ◽

Policy And Practice ◽

Related Factors ◽

Aging Adults

Socially isolated aging adults are at risk of poor health and well-being. Occupational therapy can help address this issue; however, information is needed to guide such work. National surveys characterize social isolation in populations of aging adults but fail to provide meaningful information at a community level. The objective of this study is to describe multiple dimensions of social isolation and related factors among aging adults in diverse urban neighborhoods. Community-based participatory research involving a door-to-door survey of adults 50 years and older was used. Participants ( N = 161) reported social isolation in terms of small social networks (24%) and wanting more social engagement (43%). Participants aged 50 to 64 years reported the highest levels of isolation in most dimensions. Low income, poor health, lack of transportation, and infrequent information access appeared linked to social isolation. Occupational therapists can address social isolation in similar urban communities through policy and practice that facilitate social engagement and network building.

Download Full-text

A Novel BrainHealth Index Prototype Improved by Telehealth-Delivered Training During COVID-19

Frontiers in Public Health ◽

10.3389/fpubh.2021.641754 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Author(s):

Sandra Bond Chapman ◽

Julie M. Fratantoni ◽

Ian H. Robertson ◽

Mark D'Esposito ◽

Geoffrey S. F. Ling ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Social Engagement ◽

Scale Up ◽

Well Being ◽

Ease Of Use ◽

Strategy Training ◽

Analytic Structure ◽

Brain Health ◽

Online Platform ◽

Factor Analytic

Introduction: Brain health is neglected in public health, receiving attention after something goes wrong. Neuroplasticity research illustrates that preventive steps strengthen the brain's component systems; however, this information is not widely known. Actionable steps are needed to scale proven population-level interventions.Objectives: This pilot tested two main objectives: (1) the feasibility/ease of use of an online platform to measure brain health, deliver training, and offer virtual coaching to healthy adults and (2) to develop a data driven index of brain health. Methods: 180 participants, ages 18–87, enrolled in this 12-week pilot. Participants took a BrainHealth Index™ (BHI), a composite of assessments encompassing cognition, well-being, daily-life and social, pre-post training. Participants engaged in online training with three coaching sessions. We assessed changes in BHI, effects of training utilization and demographics, contributions of sub-domain measures to the BHI and development of a factor analytic structure of latent BrainHealth constructs.Results: The results indicated that 75% of participants showed at least a 5-point gain on their BHI which did not depend on age, education, or gender. The contribution to these gains were from all sub-domains, including stress, anxiety and resilience, even though training focused largely on cognition. Some individuals improved due to increased resilience and decreased anxiety, whereas others improved due to increased innovation and social engagement. Larger gains depended on module utilization, especially strategy training. An exploratory factor analytic solution to the correlation matrix of online assessments identified three latent constructs.Discussion/Conclusion: This pilot study demonstrated the efficacy of an online platform to assess changes on a composite BrainHealth Index and efficacy in delivering training modules and coaching. We found that adults, college age to late life, were motivated to learn about their brain and engage in virtual-training with coaching to improve their brain health. This effort intends to scale up to thousands, thus the pilot data, tested by an impending imaging pilot, will be utilized in ongoing machine learning (ML) algorithms to develop a precision brain health model. This pilot is a first step in scaling evidence-based brain health protocols to reach individuals and positively affect public health globally.

Download Full-text

Selective laser trabeculoplasty versus topical medication as initial glaucoma treatment: the glaucoma initial treatment study randomised clinical trial

British Journal of Ophthalmology ◽

10.1136/bjophthalmol-2018-313396 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 104 (6) ◽

pp. 813-821 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Ghee Soon Ang ◽

Eva K Fenwick ◽

Marios Constantinou ◽

Alfred Tau Liang Gan ◽

Ryan Eyn Kidd Man ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Assessment Tool ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Well Being ◽

Randomised Clinical Trial ◽

Absolute Difference ◽

Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty ◽

Topical Medication ◽

Intention To Treat ◽

Conjunctival Hyperaemia ◽

Laser Trabeculoplasty

Background/AimsTo determine if selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) is superior to topical medication as a first-line treatment for glaucoma on quality of life (QoL) and clinical outcomes.MethodsIn this international, longitudinal, multisite randomised controlled trial, treatment naïve mild-to-moderate primary open angle or exfoliation glaucoma patients were randomised 1:1 to SLT or topical medication. Glaucoma-specific QoL (primary outcome) was measured using the Glaucoma Outcomes Assessment Tool (GOAT; 342 items, 12 domains). Secondary outcomes included rate of successful intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction (>25% reduction from baseline) and presence of ocular surface disease including conjunctival hyperaemia and eyelid erythema. Our intention-to-treat analysis was performed at months 12 and 24.ResultsOf 167 enrolled patients, 83 and 84 were randomised to SLT and topical medication, respectively; and 145 (n=75 SLT, n=70 medication) completed 24-month follow-up. While both treatment arms achieved significant within-group gains in GOAT outcomes at both endpoints, SLT patients reported a greater between-group improvement in ‘social well-being’ compared with medication patients (mean±SE=0.28±0.13; p=0.034) at 24 months. At month 24, the rate of successful IOP reduction was 18.6% (95% CI 3.0% to 34.3%, p=0.022) higher (absolute difference) in the medication compared with SLT group. More individuals in the medication group had conjunctival hyperaemia and eyelid erythema compared with SLT at 24 months.ConclusionOverall, we did not find evidence that SLT was superior to medication in improving glaucoma-specific QoL. While we found superior IOP reduction in the medication arm, eyelid erythema and conjunctival hyperaemia were more prevalent in these patients compared with the SLT group.Trial registrationACTRN12611000720910.

Download Full-text

The Effectiveness of a Community-Based Mentoring Program for Children Aged 5–11 Years: Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial

Prevention Science ◽

10.1007/s11121-020-01132-4 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

pp. 100-112 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Nick Axford ◽

Gretchen Bjornstad ◽

Justin Matthews ◽

Laura Whybra ◽

Vashti Berry ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Primary Outcome ◽

Causal Effect ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Well Being ◽

Mentoring Program ◽

Post Intervention ◽

Intention To Treat ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Average Causal Effect ◽

Superiority Trial

AbstractThe study, a two-arm, randomized controlled, parallel group, superiority trial, aimed to evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of a 12-month one-to-one volunteer mentoring program designed to improve behavioral and emotional outcomes in children aged 5 to 11 years who have teacher- and parent/carer-reported behavioral difficulties. Participants were 246 children (123 intervention, 123 control; mean age 8.4 years; 87% boys) in five sites in London, UK, scoring in the “abnormal” range on the teacher-rated Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) Total Difficulties measure and in the “borderline” or abnormal range on the parent-rated SDQ Total Difficulties measure. Randomization on a 1:1 ratio took place using a computer-generated sequence and stratifying by site. Data collectors and statisticians were blind to participant allocation status. Outcome measures focused on parent- and teacher-rated child behavior and emotions, and child-rated self-perception and hope. Intention-to-treat analysis on all 246 randomized participants (using imputed data where necessary) showed that at post-intervention (16 months after randomization), there were no statistically significant effects on the primary outcome—parent-rated SDQ Total Difficulties (adjusted standardized mean difference = − 0.12; 95% CI: −0.38 to 0.13; p = 0.33)—or any secondary outcomes. Results from complier average causal effect (CACE) analysis using the primary outcome indicated the intervention was not effective for children who received the recommended duration of mentoring. Exploratory analyses found no sub-group effects on the primary outcome. The article concludes that the mentoring program had no effect on children’s behavior or emotional well-being, and that program content needs revising to satisfactorily address key risk and protective factors.

Download Full-text

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

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2013/676953 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 2013 ◽

pp. 1-14 ◽

Cited By ~ 43

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.

Download Full-text

A Web-Based Photo-Alteration Intervention to Promote Sleep: Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.12500 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Isabel Perucho ◽

Kamalakannan M Vijayakumar ◽

Sean N Talamas ◽

Michael Wei-Liang Chee ◽

David I Perrett ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Sleep Duration ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Well Being ◽

Sleep Hygiene ◽

Web Based ◽

Intention To Treat ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Information Group ◽

Function Of Sleep

BACKGROUND Receiving insufficient sleep has wide-ranging consequences for health and well-being. Although educational programs have been developed to promote sleep, these have had limited success in extending sleep duration. To address this gap, we developed a Web-based program emphasizing how physical appearances change with varying amounts of sleep. OBJECTIVE The aims of this study were to evaluate (1) whether participants can detect changes in appearances as a function of sleep and (2) whether this intervention can alter habitual sleep patterns. METHODS We conducted a 5-week, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial among 70 habitual short sleepers (healthy adults who reported having <7 hours of sleep routinely). Upon study enrollment, participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either standard information or an appearance-based intervention. Both groups received educational materials about sleep, but those in the appearance group also viewed a website containing digitally edited photographs that showed how they would look with varying amounts of sleep. As the outcome variables, sleep duration was monitored objectively via actigraphy (at baseline and at postintervention weeks 1 and 4), and participants completed a measure of sleep hygiene (at baseline and at postintervention weeks 2, 4, and 5). For each outcome, we ran intention-to-treat analyses using linear mixed-effects models. RESULTS In total, 35 participants were assigned to each group. Validating the intervention, participants in the appearance group (1) were able to identify what they looked like at baseline and (2) judged that they would look more attractive with a longer sleep duration (<italic>t</italic>26=10.35, <italic>P</italic><.001). In turn, this translated to changes in sleep hygiene. Whereas participants in the appearance group showed improvements following the intervention (<italic>F</italic>1,107.99=9.05, <italic>P</italic>=.003), those in the information group did not (<italic>F</italic>1,84.7=0.19, <italic>P</italic>=.66). Finally, there was no significant effect of group nor interaction of group and time on actigraphy-measured sleep duration (smallest <italic>P</italic>=.26). CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that an appearance-based intervention, while not sufficient as a stand-alone, could have an adjunctive role in sleep promotion. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02491138; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/study/NCT02491138.

Download Full-text

EXERCISE EFFECTS ON WELL-BEING ON CANADIAN WOMEN OVER THE AGE OF 65

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz038.453 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S124-S124

Author(s):

Holly A Bardutz ◽

Constance Corley

Keyword(s):

Comparison Group ◽

Well Being ◽

Exercise Group ◽

Self Report ◽

Age Group ◽

Canadian Society ◽

Psychological Benefits ◽

Brain Health ◽

Exercise Classes ◽

The Brain

Abstract Two groups of Canadian women, over the age of 65, were interviewed (n = 20) in a study focused on brain health. The first group (n = 12) regularly attended exercise classes and met the exercise standards of the Canadian Society of Exercise Physiologists for the age group over 65 years for at least six months. Women in the comparison group (n = 8) had been taking adult education classes twice a week or more for at least six months. Thematic coding was used to analyze the results. Both groups reported benefits from their participation in their respective groups. However, the results show that the group who exercised regularly consistently reported improved mood, increased mental alertness, a better ability to handle stress, less pain, and improved sleep. These factors were not reported by the non-exercise group, which did benefit by gaining new knowledge, making new friends and feeling good because they were learning new things. This study suggests that Canadian women over the age of 65 who have been exercising regularly report many of the effects of exercise on the brain that are beneficial to their well-being. They did not specifically mention the new brain cells being made (neurogenesis) nor did they note neuronal rewiring (neuroplasticity), however they did self-report some psychological benefits that the Comparison Group did not report, as noted above. This research has implications for both practice and research.

Download Full-text

Testing the Efficacy of a Multicomponent, Self-Guided, Smartphone-Based Meditation App: Three-Armed Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.23825 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Simon B Goldberg ◽

Theodore Imhoff-Smith ◽

Daniel M Bolt ◽

Christine D Wilson-Mendenhall ◽

Cortland J Dahl ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Connectedness ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Well Being ◽

Social Connection ◽

User Engagement ◽

Psychological Benefits ◽

Waitlist Control ◽

Intention To Treat ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Meditation Experience

BACKGROUND A growing number of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) suggest psychological benefits associated with meditation training delivered via mobile health. However, research in this area has primarily focused on mindfulness, only one of many meditative techniques. OBJECTIVE This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of 2 versions of a self-guided, smartphone-based meditation app—the Healthy Minds Program (HMP)—which includes training in mindfulness (Awareness), along with practices designed to cultivate positive relationships (Connection) or insight into the nature of the self (Insight). METHODS A three-arm, fully remote RCT compared 8 weeks of one of 2 HMP conditions (Awareness+Connection and Awareness+Insight) with a waitlist control. Adults (≥18 years) without extensive previous meditation experience were eligible. The primary outcome was psychological distress (depression, anxiety, and stress). Secondary outcomes were social connection, empathy, compassion, self-reflection, insight, rumination, defusion, and mindfulness. Measures were completed at pretest, midtreatment, and posttest between October 2019 and April 2020. Longitudinal data were analyzed using intention-to-treat principles with maximum likelihood. RESULTS A total of 343 participants were randomized and 186 (54.2%) completed at least one posttest assessment. The majority (166/228, 72.8%) of those assigned to HMP conditions downloaded the app. The 2 HMP conditions did not differ from one another in terms of changes in any outcome. Relative to the waitlist control, the HMP conditions showed larger improvements in distress, social connectedness, mindfulness, and measures theoretically linked to insight training (d=–0.28 to 0.41; Ps≤.02), despite modest exposure to connection- and insight-related practice. The results were robust to some assumptions about nonrandom patterns of missing data. Improvements in distress were associated with days of use. Candidate mediators (social connection, insight, rumination, defusion, and mindfulness) and moderators (baseline rumination, defusion, and empathy) of changes in distress were identified. CONCLUSIONS This study provides initial evidence of efficacy for the HMP app in reducing distress and improving outcomes related to well-being, including social connectedness. Future studies should attempt to increase study retention and user engagement. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04139005; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04139005

Download Full-text

Are People Ready for Personalized Brain Health? Perspectives of Research Participants in the Lifebrain Consortium

The Gerontologist ◽

10.1093/geront/gnz155 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 60 (6) ◽

pp. 1050-1059 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Barbara Bodorkos Friedman ◽

Sana Suri ◽

Cristina Solé-Padullés ◽

Sandra Düzel ◽

Christian A Drevon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Perception ◽

Brain Research ◽

Qualitative Content Analysis ◽

Well Being ◽

Brain Diseases ◽

Individual Risk ◽

Memory Training ◽

Brain Health ◽

Adult Participants ◽

The Brain

Abstract Background and Objectives A healthy brain is central to physical and mental well-being. In this multi-site, qualitative study, we investigated views and attitudes of adult participants in brain research studies on the brain and personalized brain health as well as interest in maintaining a healthy brain. Design and Methods We conducted individual interviews with 44 adult participants in brain research cohorts of the Lifebrain consortium in Spain, Norway, Germany, and the United Kingdom. The interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and coded using a cross-country codebook. The interview data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results Most participants did not focus on their own brain health and expressed uncertainty regarding how to maintain it. Those actively focusing on brain health often picked one specific strategy like diet or memory training. The participants were interested in taking brain health tests to learn about their individual risk of developing brain diseases, and were willing to take measures to maintain their brain health if personalized follow-up was provided and the measures had proven impact. The participants were interested in more information on brain health. No differences in responses were identified between age groups, sex, or countries. Discussion and Implications Concise, practical, personalized, and evidence-based information about the brain may promote brain health. Based on our findings, we have launched an ongoing global brain health survey to acquire more extensive, quantitative, and representative data on public perception of personalized brain health.

Download Full-text