scholarly journals Virtual reality-based relaxation for enhancement of perioperative well-being and quality of life: protocol for a randomised pilot trial

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. e044193
Author(s):  
Matthias Christian Schrempf ◽  
Julian Quirin Petzold ◽  
Hugo Vachon ◽  
Morten Aagaard Petersen ◽  
Johanna Gutschon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Sample Size ◽  
Stress Reduction ◽  
Pilot Trial ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Coping Resources ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Sample Size Calculations

IntroductionPatients with cancer undergoing surgery often suffer from reduced quality of life and various forms of distress. Untreated distress can negatively affect coping resources as well as surgical and oncological outcomes. A virtual reality-based stress reduction intervention may increase quality of life and well-being and reduce distress in the perioperative phase for patients with cancer. This pilot trial aims to explore the feasibility of the proposed intervention, assess patient acceptability and obtain estimates of effect to provide data for sample size calculations.Methods and analysisPatients with colorectal cancer and liver metastasis undergoing elective surgery will be recruited for this single-centre, randomised pilot trial with a three-arm design. A total of 54 participants will be randomised at 1:1:1 ratio to one of two intervention groups or a control receiving standard treatment. Those randomised to an intervention group will either receive perioperative virtual reality-based stress reduction exercises twice daily or listen to classical music twice daily. Primary feasibility outcomes are number and proportions of participants recruited, screened, consented and randomised. Furthermore, adherence to the intervention, compliance with the completion of the quality of life questionnaires and feasibility of implementing the trial procedures will be assessed. Secondary clinical outcomes are measurements of the effectiveness of the interventions to inform sample size calculations.Ethics and disseminationThe study protocol, the patient information and the informed consent form have been approved by the ethics committee of the Ludwigs-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany (Reference Number: 19–915). Study findings will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals.Trial registration numberDRKS00020909.

scholarly journals Inquiry Based Stress Reduction (IBSR) Improves Overall Stuttering Experience among Adults Who Stutter: A Randomized Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 2187
Author(s):  
Omrit Feldman ◽  
Eran Goldstien ◽  
Benjamin Rolnik ◽  
Ariel B. Ganz ◽  
Shahar Lev-Ari
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Stress Reduction ◽  
Satisfaction With Life ◽  
Psychological Flexibility ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Adults Who Stutter

Stuttering is a speech disorder that can cause disturbances in the timing and flow of speech. In addition to being a communication disorder, stuttering is often accompanied by a reduction in the quality of life and has impacts on social status, mental well-being, self-acceptance, and the chances of integration into the labor market. The Inquiry Based Stress Reduction (IBSR) program, developed in the United States by Byron Katie in 1986, is the clinical application of “The Work” method (Thework.com) and represents an emerging mindfulness and cognitive-reframing method. IBSR has been demonstrated to improve mental health and well-being in adults and may alleviate psychological and psychosocial symptoms of stuttering. The purpose of this trial was to examine the effect of a 12-week IBSR intervention on the overall stuttering experience and indicators of anxiety, psychological flexibility, and well-being among adults who stutter (AWS). This study was a randomized controlled clinical trial. Participants were randomized to IBSR (n = 28) and control (n = 28) groups. Validated questionnaires of overall stuttering experience (OASES-A), anxiety (STAI), psychological flexibility (PFQ), and satisfaction with life (SWLS) were completed before, after, and one month after the intervention. An intention-to-treat approach was implemented for analysis. Our results show that participants in the IBSR intervention group exhibited a greater improvement in their overall stuttering experience as compared to the control group, as well as in general information on stuttering awareness and perception, reactions to stuttering, communication in daily situations, and quality of life. In addition, we found a greater reduction in anxiety levels and an increase in satisfaction-with-life scores in the IBSR group. These results indicate that IBSR can improve the overall stuttering experience.

Mindfulness-based stress reduction for people with chronic diseases

2010 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monika Merkes
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Chronic Diseases ◽  
Stress Reduction ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction ◽  
The Impact

Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is a structured group program that uses mindfulness meditation to improve well-being and alleviate suffering. This article reviews the impact of MBSR for people with chronic diseases. The review includes original research that was published in English and peer-reviewed and reported outcomes for adults with chronic diseases who had participated in an MBSR program. Fifteen studies were identified. Outcomes related to mental and physical health, well-being, and quality of life. The studies included different research designs, and used self-report and physiological outcome measures. Participants’ clinical diagnoses included fibromyalgia, chronic pain, rheumatoid arthritis, type 2 diabetes, chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple chemical sensitivity, and cardiovascular diagnoses. All 15 studies found that participation in an MBSR program resulted in improvements. No negative change was reported between baseline and follow up. Outcomes in regard to specific variables were difficult to compare and equivocal. Overall, positive change predominated. Chronic diseases are associated with a range of unwelcome psychological and physical consequences. Participation in an MBSR program is likely to result in coping better with symptoms, improved overall well-being and quality of life, and enhanced health outcomes. As an adjunct to standard care, MBSR has potential for much wider application in Australian primary care settings.

scholarly journals Fears, beliefs, and quality of life of patients with cancer vs the general population during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Lombardy

2021 ◽  
pp. 030089162110228
Author(s):  
Carla Ida Ripamonti ◽  
Giacomo Massa ◽  
Daniela Insolvibile ◽  
Mauro Guglielmo ◽  
Guido Miccinesi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
General Population ◽  
Perceived Risk ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Comprehensive Cancer Center ◽  
Cancer Center ◽  
Psychological Consequences ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Fear Of Cancer

Aim: To understand how patients with cancer reacted to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and whether their quality of life (QoL) was affected. Methods: In June 2020, 111 patients with cancer treated in the supportive care unit of a Comprehensive Cancer Center in Milan and 201 healthy controls from the general population were enrolled and assessed both quantitatively and qualitatively for fears and COVID-19–related beliefs as well as for QoL. Results: Fear of COVID-19 was significantly lower among patients (41% vs 57.6%; p = 0.007), as was fear of cancer (61.5% vs 85.6%; p < 0.001) and other diseases. The perceived risk of getting COVID-19 was lower among patients (25.2% vs 52.7%; p < 0.001), as was the belief of having been exposed to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (18.1% vs 40.8%; p < 0.001). The physical component of QoL was better among the population (54.5 vs 43.8; p < 0.001); the reverse was true for patients’ psychological well-being (44.6 vs 39.6; p < 0.001). The qualitative data supported such results, showing a reduced psychological effect on the patients with cancer compared to the controls. Various reasons explain this result, including the awareness of being treated for cancer and nevertheless protected against getting infected in a cancer center of public health reorganized to continue treating patients by protecting them and personnel from the risk of infection. Conclusions: The experience of a cancer diagnosis, together with proper hospital reorganization, may act as protective factors from fears and psychological consequences of the COVID-19 outbreak.

scholarly journals Quality of life of patients living with psoriasis: a qualitative study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
silmara Meneguin ◽  
Natalia Godoy ◽  
Camila Fernandes Pollo ◽  
Helio Amante Miot ◽  
Cesar Oliveira
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Stress Reduction ◽  
Financial Stability ◽  
Social Stigma ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Disease Process ◽  
Multidisciplinary Care ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Professional Activities

Abstract Background: Psoriasis is a multifactorial inflammatory disease prevalent in dermatology. We aimed to understand the perceptions of patients living with psoriasis in relation to their quality of life and to identify aspects to improve it. Methods: This is qualitative research carried out in a dermatology outpatient clinic of the São Paulo State University (UNESP) medical school, Botucatu, Brazil, with 81 psoriasis patients. The interviews were transcribed and analysed using the Discourse of the Collective Subject method (DCS). Results: Quality of life was linked to well-being, happiness, leisure, good food and financial stability. However, disease symptoms, social and clothing restrictions, impairment of professional activities and the absence of a cure, negatively influenced their perceptions. Suggestions for improvements included an increase of public awareness, stress reduction, disease acceptance and multidisciplinary care. Conclusion: The meanings of quality of life revealed by the participants are subjective, multidimensional, linked to moments experienced by them and to the health-disease process. Public health policies promoting reduction in social stigma and stress as well as multidisciplinary approaches towards care can contribute to improvements of QoL in psoriasis.

Music therapy effectiveness by duration in patients with cancer: a meta-regression

2021 ◽  
pp. bmjspcare-2021-003163
Author(s):  
Ronald Chow ◽  
Robert Bergner ◽  
Elizabeth Prsic
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Music Therapy ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Therapy Effectiveness ◽  
Meta Regression ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
The Impact

ObjectivesSeveral reviews and meta-analyses have reported on music therapy for physical and emotional well-being among patients with cancer. However, the duration of music therapy offered may range from less than 1 hour to several hours. The aim of this study is to assess whether longer duration of music therapy is associated with different levels of improvement in physical and mental well-being.MethodsTen studies were included in this paper, reporting on the endpoints of quality of life and pain. A meta-regression, using an inverse-variance model, was performed to assess the impact of total music therapy time. A sensitivity analysis was conducted for the outcome of pain, among low risk of bias trials.ResultsOur meta-regression found a trend for positive association between greater total music therapy time and improved better pain control, but it was not statistically significant.ConclusionThere is a need for more high-quality studies examining music therapy for patients with cancer, with a focus on total music therapy time and patient-related outcomes including quality of life and pain.

scholarly journals Quality of life of patients living with psoriasis: a qualitative study

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Silmara Meneguin ◽  
Natália Aparecida de Godoy ◽  
Camila Fernandes Pollo ◽  
Hélio Amante Miot ◽  
Cesar de Oliveira
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Stress Reduction ◽  
Financial Stability ◽  
Social Stigma ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Disease Process ◽  
Multidisciplinary Care ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Professional Activities

Abstract Background Psoriasis is a multifactorial inflammatory disease prevalent in dermatology. We aimed to understand the perceptions of patients living with psoriasis in relation to their quality of life and to identify aspects to improve it. Methods This is qualitative research carried out in a dermatology outpatient clinic of the São Paulo State University (UNESP) medical school, Botucatu, Brazil, with 81 psoriasis patients. The interviews were transcribed and analysed using the Discourse of the Collective Subject method (DCS). Results Quality of life was linked to well-being, happiness, leisure, good food and financial stability. However, disease symptoms, social and clothing restrictions, impairment of professional activities and the absence of a cure, negatively influenced their perceptions. Suggestions for improvements included an increase of public awareness, stress reduction, disease acceptance and multidisciplinary care. Conclusion The meanings of quality of life revealed by the participants are subjective, multidimensional, linked to moments experienced by them and to the health-disease process. Public health policies promoting reduction in social stigma and stress as well as multidisciplinary approaches towards care can contribute to improvements of QoL in psoriasis.

scholarly journals Virtual reality for relatives of ICU patients to improve psychological sequelae: study protocol for a multicentre, randomised controlled trial

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. e049704
Author(s):  
Johan H Vlake ◽  
Jasper van Bommel ◽  
Evert-Jan Wils ◽  
Tim Korevaar ◽  
Merel E Hellemons ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Icu Patients ◽  
Randomised Controlled

IntroductionIntensive care unit (ICU) admission of a relative might lead to psychological distress and complicated grief (post-intensive care syndrome–family; PICS-F). Evidence suggests that increased distress during ICU stay increases risk of PICS-F, resulting in difficulty returning to their normal lives after the ICU experience. Effective interventions to improve PICS-F are currently lacking. In the present trial, we hypothesised that information provision using ICU-specific Virtual Reality for Family members/relatives (ICU-VR-F) may improve understanding of the ICU and subsequently improve psychological well-being and quality of life in relatives of patients admitted to the ICU.Methods and analysisThis multicentre, clustered randomised controlled trial will be conducted from January to December 2021 in the mixed medical-surgical ICUs of four hospitals in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. We aim to include adult relatives of 160 ICU patients with an expected ICU length of stay over 72 hours. Participants will be randomised clustered per patient in a 1:1 ratio to either the intervention or control group. Participants allocated to the intervention group will receive ICU-VR-F, an information video that can be watched in VR, while the control group will receive usual care. Initiation of ICU-VR-F will be during their hospital visit unless participants cannot visit the hospital due to COVID-19 regulations, then VR can be watched digitally at home. The primary objective is to study the effect of ICU-VR-F on psychological well-being and quality of life up to 6 months after the patients’ ICU discharge. The secondary outcome is the degree of understanding of ICU treatment and ICU modalities.Ethics and disseminationThe Medical Ethics Committee of the Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands, approved the study and local approval was obtained from each participating centre (NL73670.078.20). Our findings will be disseminated by presentation of the results at (inter)national conferences and publication in scientific, peer-reviewed journals.Trial registration numberNetherlands Trial Register (TrialRegister.nl, NL9220).

The Intricacy of the Ordinary

1994 ◽  
Vol 164 (S23) ◽  
pp. 108-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom Sørensen
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Catchment Area ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Coping Resources ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
The Social ◽  
Treatment Objective ◽  
Satisfactory Quality

Schizophrenia constitutes a lifelong vulnerability in relation to life stresses and the maintenance of social networks. Satisfactory quality of life – understood as subjective well-being in a lifetime perspective – is the ultimate treatment objective. This paper draws on research and clinical experience from Lofoten – the catchment area of a psychiatric out-patient clinic in Northern Norway. This work stresses the quality of life for the social network around the psychiatric patient as a consideration in its own right. The patient's coping resources and social network are regarded as a continuous professional concern.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document