Effects of a Self-Compassion Break Induction on Self-Reported Stress, Self-Compassion, and Depressed Mood

2019 ◽  
Vol 123 (5) ◽  
pp. 1537-1556 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Williamson
Keyword(s):  
Depressed Mood ◽  
Time Management ◽  
Management Control ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Student Body ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Break Time ◽  
Weekly Group

Introduction The objective of the study was to determine whether practicing a self-compassion induction would reduce self-reported stress, depressed mood, and increase self-compassion in a randomized controlled study measuring variables of interest at two time points spanning three weeks. Method Participants were 129 students (91 females and 38 males, Mage = 19.47, SD = 3.20) divided into three groups: Self-compassion Break, Time Management Control Group, and a No-Induction Control Group. Participants were part of the general student body and were not diagnosed or screened for clinical depression. Self-compassion, stress, and depressed mood were assessed at baseline and follow-up. Participants practiced their respective inductions over three weeks after being guided through their respective inductions at Time 1. Results There were no significant differences between groups in outcome variables. Results of this study may indicate the importance of weekly group check-in meetings to facilitate positive change as findings in this study did not mirror those of similar studies using frequent meetings.

A 1-week online self-compassion training reduces self-criticism and pain endurance in people with non-suicidal self-injury ideation – a randomized-waitlist controlled study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sukriti Drabu ◽  
Oliver Sündermann ◽  
Ryan Y. Hong
Keyword(s):  
Training Group ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Single Session ◽  
The Past ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Self Injury ◽  
One Year ◽  
The One

Self-criticism has been identified as a key underlying vulnerability that lowers of one’s positive self-regard and pain barriers that prevent individuals from engaging in non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). Additionally, research suggests that self-compassion may serve as a protective tool in counteracting self-criticism. This study examined the efficacy of a brief online self-compassion training on past year NSSI engagers and ideators in reducing (a) explicit self-criticism, (b) implicit self-criticism, (c) pain endurance and (d) the inclination to engage in NSSI. Sixty-three Singaporean adults who reported the presence of self-injurious thoughts or behaviors in the past one year were randomly assigned to either a 1-week self-compassion training group or a waitlisted control group. As compared to the control group (n = 33), the training group (n = 30) yielded significantly greater reduction in explicit self-criticism after a single session and significantly greater reduction in self-criticism, pain endurance, as well as the explicit inclination to self-injure after the one-week online training. The reduction in explicit self-criticism and inclination to self-injure was maintained at the 2-week follow-up. These findings provide novel evidence supporting the efficacy of using a brief online self-compassion intervention to reduce NSSI correlates and symptoms.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of Abdominal and Gluteus Medius Training in Lumbo-Pelvic Stability and Adductor Strength in Female Soccer Players. A Randomized Controlled Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 1528
Author(s):  
Héctor Guerrero-Tapia ◽  
Rodrigo Martín-Baeza ◽  
Rubén Cuesta-Barriuso
Keyword(s):  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Gluteus Medius ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Extrinsic Factors ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Limb Injuries ◽  
Experimental Group

Background. Abdominal and lumbo-pelvic stability alterations may be the origin of lower limb injuries, such as adductor pathology in soccer players. Imbalance can be caused by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial over 8 weeks, 25 female footballers were randomly allocated to an experimental group (isometric abdominal training and gluteus medius-specific training) or a control group (isometric abdominal training). Evaluations were performed at baseline, at the end of the intervention and after a 4-week follow-up period. The exercise protocol in common for both groups included three exercises: Plank, Lateral plank and Bird dog. Specific exercises for the gluteus medius were: Pelvic drop and Stabilization of the gluteus medius in knee valgus. Outcome measures were lumbar-pelvic stability and adductor strength. Results: After the intervention, there was an increase in lumbo-pelvic stability in both groups, being greater in the control group than in the experimental group (mean differences [MD]: 4.84 vs. MD: 9.58; p < 0.01) with differences in the analysis of repeated measures (p < 0.001), but not in group interaction (p = 0.26). Changes were found in adductor strength in the experimental group (MD: −2.48; p < 0.001 in the left adductor; MD: −1.48; p < 0.01 in right adductor) and control group (MD: −1.68; p < 0.001 in the left adductor; MD: −2.05; p < 0.001 in the right adductor) after the intervention, with differences in the analysis of repeated measures in left (p < 0.001) and right (p < 0.001) adductor strength. Conclusions: An abdominal and gluteal training protocol shows no advantage over a protocol of abdominal training alone for lumbo-pelvic stability and adductor strength, while improvements in both variables are maintained at four weeks follow-up.

scholarly journals A Short Mindfulness Retreat for Students to Reduce Stress and Promote Self-Compassion: Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial Exploring Both an Indoor and a Natural Outdoor Retreat Setting

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 910
Author(s):  
Dorthe Djernis ◽  
Mia S. O’Toole ◽  
Lone O. Fjorback ◽  
Helle Svenningsen ◽  
Mimi Y. Mehlsen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Medium Effect ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Randomised Controlled

Here, we developed and examined a new way of disseminating mindfulness in nature to people without meditation experience, based on the finding that mindfulness conducted in natural settings may have added benefits. We evaluated a 5-day residential programme aiming to reduce stress and improve mental health outcomes. We compared an indoor and an outdoor version of the programme to a control group in a pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT). Sixty Danish university students experiencing moderate to high levels of stress were randomised into a residential mindfulness programme indoors (n = 20), in nature (n = 22), or a control group (n = 18). Participants completed the Perceived Stress Scale and the Self-Compassion Scale (primary outcomes) along with additional secondary outcome measures at the start and end of the program and 3 months after. Stress was decreased with small to medium effect sizes post-intervention, although not statistically significant. Self-compassion increased post-intervention, but effect sizes were small and not significant. At follow-up, changes in stress were not significant, however self-compassion increased for both interventions with medium-sized effects. For the intervention groups, medium- to large-sized positive effects on trait mindfulness after a behavioural task were found post-intervention, and small- to medium-sized effects in self-reported mindfulness were seen at follow-up. Connectedness to Nature was the only outcome measure with an incremental effect in nature, exceeding the control with a medium-sized effect at follow-up. All participants in the nature arm completed the intervention, and so did 97% of the participants in all three arms. Overall, the results encourage the conduct of a larger-scale RCT, but only after adjusting some elements of the programme to better fit and take advantage of the potential benefits of the natural environment.

Behavioural Treatment of Orgasmic Dysfunction: A Controlled Study

1976 ◽  
Vol 129 (5) ◽  
pp. 497-502 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dennis Munjack ◽  
Alan Cristol ◽  
Alan Goldstein ◽  
Debora Phillips ◽  
Alice Goldberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Behavioural Therapy ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Assessment Instruments ◽  
Sexual Relations ◽  
Behavioural Treatment ◽  
Symptom Check List ◽  
Orgasmic Dysfunction ◽  
Multiple Assessment

SummaryTwenty-two anorgasmic women received 20 sessions of a multiple-technique behavioural therapy. The design included blind ratings by two independent assessors, multiple assessment instruments, and a waiting list control group.Treatment was significantly better than no treatment in terms of: (1) the percentage of patients experiencing orgasm during at least 50 per cent of sexual relations; (2) the percentage of women reporting satisfactory sexual relations at least 50 per cent of the time; (3) patients' ratings of positive reactions to various sexual behaviours; and (4) assessors' global clinical ratings.Significant improvement was also noted on the MMPI, IPAT, and Symptom Check List. Improvement was maintained at a follow-up average 9 months later. These results support the impression that a behavioural approach offers much promise in treating female orgasmic dysfunction.

scholarly journals Randomised controlled trial of the new short-term online emotion focused training for self-compassion and self-protection in a nonclinical sample

2018 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 333-343 ◽  
Author(s):  
Júlia Halamová ◽  
Martin Kanovský ◽  
Karolína Varšová ◽  
Nuriye Kupeli
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Clinical Population ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Self Protection

AbstractThe Emotion Focused Training for Self-Compassion and Self-Protection (EFT-SCP) is an intervention developed to increase skills of self-compassion and protective anger with the aim to decrease self-criticism. This novel intervention was developed on the basis of the latest findings on self-criticism from Emotion-focused therapy and previous programs cultivating compassion (namely Compassion Mind Training and Mindful Self-Compassion Program). According to existing research, simply cultivating self-compassion is not always sufficient in reducing self-criticism. Therefore, the EFT-SCP was designed to build self-compassion whilst developing protective anger to combat self-criticism. Our goal was to investigate the efficacy of this new, short-term, online EFT-SCP program in a non-clinical population. A randomized control trial was conducted with pre- and post-intervention measurements and two-month follow-up of self-compassion and self-criticism/reassurance. Convenience sampling was used to recruit participants through a snowballing technique on social media. A total of 123 participants were randomly allocated to the EFT-SCP intervention or to a control condition. The intervention group were instructed through emails to complete an EFT-SCP task every day for 14 consecutive days. The control group did not complete any tasks. Out of 123 participants, 31 from intervention group and 20 from control group completed all measurements. There was a significant effect of the EFT-SCP on increasing self-compassion and self-reassurance scores as reported at two-month follow-up. The EFT-SCP was also effective at reducing self-uncompassionate responding and self-criticism (specifically Hated self) with changes evident at two months post-intervention. These findings are encouraging and suggest that interventions designed to enhance self-compassion and decrease self-criticism can be delivered to broader populations without the direct contact with mental health professionals.

scholarly journals Efficacy of the Mindfulness Meditation Mobile App “Calm” to Reduce Stress Among College Students: Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Huberty ◽  
Jeni Green ◽  
Christine Glissmann ◽  
Linda Larkey ◽  
Megan Puzia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Mindfulness Meditation ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Wait List Control ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Mean Differences

BACKGROUND College students experience high levels of stress. Mindfulness meditation delivered via a mobile app may be an appealing, efficacious way to reduce stress in college students. OBJECTIVE We aimed to test the initial efficacy and sustained effects of an 8-week mindfulness meditation mobile app—Calm—compared to a wait-list control on stress, mindfulness, and self-compassion in college students with elevated stress. We also explored the intervention’s effect on health behaviors (ie, sleep disturbance, alcohol consumption [binge drinking], physical activity, and healthy eating [fruit and vegetable consumption]) and the feasibility and acceptability of the app. METHODS This study was a randomized, wait-list, control trial with assessments at baseline, postintervention (8 weeks), and at follow-up (12 weeks). Participants were eligible if they were current full-time undergraduate students and (1) at least 18 years of age, (2) scored ≥14 points on the Perceived Stress Scale, (3) owned a smartphone, (4) were willing to download the Calm app, (5) were willing to be randomized, and (7) were able to read and understand English. Participants were asked to meditate using Calm at least 10 minutes per day. A P value ≤.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS A total of 88 participants were included in the analysis. The mean age (SD) was 20.41 (2.31) years for the intervention group and 21.85 (6.3) years for the control group. There were significant differences in all outcomes (stress, mindfulness, and self-compassion) between the intervention and control groups after adjustment for covariates postintervention (all P<.04). These effects persisted at follow-up (all P<.03), except for the nonreacting subscale of mindfulness (P=.08). There was a significant interaction between group and time factors in perceived stress (P=.002), mindfulness (P<.001), and self-compassion (P<.001). Bonferroni posthoc tests showed significant within-group mean differences for perceived stress in the intervention group (P<.001), while there were no significant within-group mean differences in the control group (all P>.19). Similar results were found for mindfulness and self-compassion. Effect sizes ranged from moderate (0.59) to large (1.24) across all outcomes. A significant group×time interaction in models of sleep disturbance was found, but no significant effects were found for other health behaviors. The majority of students in the intervention group reported that Calm was helpful to reduce stress and stated they would use Calm in the future. The majority were satisfied using Calm and likely to recommend it to other college students. The intervention group participated in meditation for an average of 38 minutes/week during the intervention and 20 minutes/week during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Calm is an effective modality to deliver mindfulness meditation in order to reduce stress and improve mindfulness and self-compassion in stressed college students. Our findings provide important information that can be applied to the design of future studies or mental health resources in university programs. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03891810; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03891810

scholarly journals Studying the effects of fish oil infusion to prevent atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery: data from implantable continuous cardiac monitor

2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 12
Author(s):  
S. M. Yefremov ◽  
Ye. A. Pokushalov ◽  
A. B. Romanov ◽  
A. M. Chernyavskiy ◽  
A. N. Shilova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids ◽  
Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Study Group ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Cardiac Monitor

The study was aimed at testing the hypothesis that perioperative infusion of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids would reduce the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation in CAD patients operated under CPB. The authors carried out a prospective, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. 39 CAD patients who had undergone surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass were randomized into 2 groups. 18 patients were infused with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (Omegaven, Fresenius Kabi, Germany) starting with 200 mg/kg/day before anaesthesia induction for 24 hours followed by 100 mg/kg/day from second to seventh day postoperatively. 21 patients received an equivalent dose of placebo (Intralipid, Fresenius Kabi, Germany). The primary endpoint was freedom from atrial fibrillation at 2-year follow-up. A Reveal cardiac monitor was implanted subcutaneously in all patients. Data from cardiac monitor was collected on the 10th day and at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months postoperatively. Postoperative atrial fibrillation developed in 4 (19%) patients in the control group and in 5 (27.8%) patients in the study group at 10-day follow-up (p = 0.88). At 2-year follow-up, 5 (27.8%) patients in the control group and 6 (35.3%) patients in the study group had atrial fibrillation (p = 0.9). The results of our research do not confirm the efficiency of perioperative infusion of omega-3 polyun-saturated fatty acids to prevent the occurrence of atrial fibrillation.

scholarly journals Allogeneic platelet-derived growth factors local injection in treatment of tennis elbow: a prospective randomized controlled study

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahmoud Ibrahim Kandil ◽  
Abdel-Salam Abdel-Aleem Ahmed ◽  
Rasha Shaker Eldesouky ◽  
Sherif Eltregy
Keyword(s):  
Growth Factors ◽  
Treatment Group ◽  
Tennis Elbow ◽  
Local Injection ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Saline Control ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Patient’S Satisfaction ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of local injection of allogeneic platelet-derived growth factors in treatment of patients with tennis elbow. Patients and methods This study included 120 tennis elbow patients randomly divided into two groups. The patients were locally injected with allogeneic growth factors (treatment group) or with normal saline (control group). The outcomes were assessed using Patient-Related Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE) and quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (qDASH) scales. The clinical outcomes were accordingly classified as excellent, good and poor. The patient’s satisfaction and adverse effects were also recorded. Results There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding the age, gender, dominant arm or the pre-injection scores. At three month follow-up, the reductions in the mean PRTEE and qDASH scores were 88.7% and 70.6% in the treatment group versus 21.8% and 14.9% in the control group, respectively. At the last follow-up, the outcomes in the treatment group were excellent in 85% of patients and good in 15%, versus 8% and 32% in the control group. Overall, 95% were satisfied in the treatment group compared to 25% in control group. Forty patients in the treatment group experienced mild transient post-injection pain. Conclusion This study strongly suggests that local injection of allogeneic platelet-derived growth factors could be a promising safe treatment option for tennis elbow with significant pain relief, functional improvement and patient’s satisfaction. Yet, additional larger studies are needed to assess the durability of these outcomes.

scholarly journals Technology-Enhanced Reading Therapy for People With Aphasia: Findings From a Quasirandomized Waitlist Controlled Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 62 (12) ◽  
pp. 4382-4416 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Caute ◽  
Celia Woolf ◽  
Stephanie Wilson ◽  
Carol Stokes ◽  
Katie Monnelly ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reading Comprehension ◽  
Oral Reading ◽  
Group Analysis ◽  
Assistive Technologies ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Assisted Reading ◽  
Reading Therapy ◽  
Reading Impairments

Purpose This study investigated the effects of technology-enhanced reading therapy for people with reading impairments, using mainstream assistive reading technologies alongside reading strategies. Method The study used a quasirandomized waitlist controlled design. Twenty-one people with reading impairments following stroke were randomly assigned to receive 14 hr of therapy immediately or after a 6-week delay. During therapy, participants were trained to use assistive reading technology that offered a range of features to support reading comprehension. They developed skills in using the technology independently and in applying the technology to their personal reading goals. The primary outcome measure assessed reading comprehension, using Gray Oral Reading Test–Fourth Edition (GORT-4). Secondary measures were as follows: Reading Comprehension Battery for Aphasia–Second Edition, Reading Confidence and Emotions Questionnaire, Communication Activities of Daily Living–Second Edition, Visual Analog Mood Scales, and Assessment of Living With Aphasia. Matched texts were used with the GORT-4 to compare technology-assisted and unassisted reading comprehension. Mixed analyses of variance explored change between T1 and T2, when the immediate group had received therapy but the delayed group had not, thus serving as untreated controls. Pretherapy, posttherapy, and follow-up scores on the measures were also examined for all participants. Results GORT-4 results indicated that the immediately treated group improved significantly in technology-assisted reading following therapy, but not in unassisted reading. However, the data were not normally distributed, and secondary nonparametric analysis was not significant. The control group was unstable over the baseline, improving significantly in unassisted reading. The whole-group analysis showed significant gains in assisted (but not unassisted) reading after therapy that were maintained at follow-up. The Reading Confidence and Emotions Questionnaire results improved significantly following therapy, with good maintenance of change. Results on all other secondary measures were not significant. Conclusions Technology-assisted reading comprehension improved following the intervention, with treatment compensating for, rather than remediating, the reading impairment. Participants' confidence and emotions associated with reading also improved. Gains were achieved after 14 therapy sessions, using assistive technologies that are widely available and relatively affordable, meaning that this approach could be implemented in clinical practice.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of Solution-based Therapy on Self-Compassion and Reducing Blood Glucose in Elderly Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

2020 ◽  
pp. 158-164
Keyword(s):  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Blood Glucose ◽  
Elderly Patients ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Old Patients ◽  
Statistical Population ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Effect Of Treatment

Introduction and Objectives: One of the problems of diabetes in the elderly is the likelihood of another condition that makes it more difficult to control blood sugar. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of solution-based therapy on self-compassion and blood glucose reduction in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes. Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted based on a pretest-posttest design with a control group and follow-up. The statistical population of the study consisted of 60-75-year-old patients with type 2 diabetes referring to Iranian Diabetes Association treatment centers in Tehran, Iran. A total of 36 patients were selected and randomly assigned into two groups of experimental and control. The data were collected using a self-compassion questionnaire and glycated hemoglobin test (HbA1c). The HbA1c test was also administered two months after the end of the training to follow-up and evaluate the sustainability of the treatment effects. The data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 26) through repeated measure ANOVA. Results: The results showed that the solution-based therapy increased self-compassion in the posttest phase (P<0.01), and the effect of treatment was maintained after two months (P<0.01). Moreover, solution-based therapy reduced blood glucose levels in the posttest phase (P<0.01) and retained the effect of treatment after two months (P<0.01). Conclusion: It can be concluded that solution-based therapy has effects on self-compassion and hyperglycemia in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes; moreover, it can be used in treatment centers to improve the status of patients with diabetes.

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