scholarly journals Effectiveness of online mindfulness interventions on medical students’ mental health: a systematic review

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vaidehi Yogeswaran ◽  
Christo El Morr
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
English Language ◽  
Emotional Reactivity ◽  
Behavioural Therapy ◽  
Quantitative Evidence ◽  
Mindfulness Interventions ◽  
Mental Health Challenges ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Medical school typically presents students with a combination of academic and personal stressors that may lead to substandard mental health wellbeing. Meditation practices such as mindfulness facilitate a greater awareness of one's thoughts and feelings, thereby decreasing emotional reactivity. The use of mindfulness-based interventions delivered online has considerable potential in fostering self-care and helping medical students to handle mental health challenges. We examined the available evidence on the use of online mindfulness interventions in order to determine whether they are feasible and effective for improving medical students’ mental health. Methods We performed a systematic review guided by PRISMA guidelines and utilised the following databases: ProQuest, Medline, PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science, IEEE Explore, Cochrane, and CINAHL. The key search terms used include mindfulness, cognitive behavioural therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, online, web, virtual, internet cyber, app, medical students, residency students, and residents. English-language articles published in the last ten years that described online interventions for medical students or residents were included in the review. Results Two studies describing the impact of online mindfulness interventions on medical students’ mental health were identified. Research in this domain is nascent; available qualitative and quantitative evidence suggests benefits in self-compassion, perceived stress, cognitive skill use, mindfulness, creating coping mechanisms, and greater awareness of emotions and feelings. There was no evidence of the effectiveness of online mindfulness interventions on depression, anxiety and burnout. There was, however, general low program usage and participation tended to diminish near the conclusion of the interventions. Conclusions The evidence found in the systematic review exhibits the potential for online mindfulness interventions to be effective in addressing some mental health challenges of medical students. There was insufficient evidence to support the use of online mindfulness interventions for burnout, depression, and anxiety. Longitudinal studies with randomised controlled trials are required to generate stronger and robust evidence.

scholarly journals Impact of adult weight management interventions on mental health: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. e031857
Author(s):  
Rebecca A Jones ◽  
Emma R Lawlor ◽  
Simon J Griffin ◽  
Esther M F van Sluijs ◽  
Amy L Ahern
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Weight Loss ◽  
Weight Management ◽  
English Language ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Management Interventions ◽  
The Impact

IntroductionThe effects of interventions targeting weight loss on physical health are well described, yet the evidence for mental health is less clear. It is essential to better understand the impact of weight management interventions on mental health to optimise care and minimise risk of harm. We will assess the effect of behavioural weight management interventions on mental health in adults with overweight and obesity.Methods and analysisThe systematic review will follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidance. We will include behavioural weight management interventions with a diet and/or physical activity component focusing on weight loss for adults with a body mass index ≥25 kg/m2. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and cluster RCTs will be the only eligible study designs. Outcomes of interest will be related to mental health. The following databases were searched from inception to 07 May 2019: MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane database (CENTRAL), PsycINFO, ASSIA, AMED and CINAHL. The search strategy was based on four concepts: (1) adults, defined as ≥18 years, with overweight/obesity, defined as BMI ≥25kg/m², (2) weight management interventions, (3) mental health outcomes and (4) study design. The search was restricted to English-language published papers, with no other restrictions applied. Two stage screening for eligibility will be completed by two independent reviewers, with two independent reviewers completing data extraction and risk of bias assessment. Data permitting, a random-effects meta-analysis of outcomes, subgroup analyses and meta-regression will be conducted. If not appropriate, narrative synthesis and ‘levels of evidence’ assessment will be completed.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval is not required as primary data will not be collected. The completed systematic review will be disseminated in a peer-reviewed journal, at conferences and contribute towards the lead author’s PhD thesis.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42019131659.

Vulnerability of medical students and professionals to extreme work stress: A select review of the literature

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 181-187
Author(s):  
Maciej Walkiewicz ◽  
Małgorzata Tartas
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Work Stress ◽  
English Language ◽  
Psychological Intervention ◽  
Medical Professionals ◽  
Extreme Stress ◽  
Online Databases ◽  
Medical Career ◽  
Medical University ◽  
The Impact

The goal of the paper is to describe the extent to which medical students and professionals are vulnerable to extreme stress. A select review of existing literature on this area has been undertaken, using the English-language online databases EBSCO, Medline and PubMed. The search has identified 36 citations relating to 6324 medical students and 28,285 medical staff (physicians, residents, nurses). The review indicates that merely beginning medical studies is a risk factor for stress, and that medical professionals, who are vulnerable to extreme work stress, say that they do not receive enough support from their co-workers. They are also often notably impulsive, introverted, neurotic and perfectionist, with low emotional intelligence and agreeableness, as well as low and external locus of control. Additionally, from longitudinal studies we have been able to identify psychological factors underpinning admission to a medical university that may be useful for predicting future stress in medical career. The results of this study may be taken into account when organizing psychological intervention programs targeted at educating future medical professionals. It seems that early identification of people at risk could reduce the impact of stress related to medical career and enhance the somatic and mental health of medical professionals.

scholarly journals Medical Studies during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Impact of Digital Learning on Medical Students’ Burnout and Mental Health

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 349
Author(s):  
Panagiotis Zis ◽  
Artemios Artemiadis ◽  
Panagiotis Bargiotas ◽  
Antonios Nteveros ◽  
Georgios M. Hadjigeorgiou
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Emotional Exhaustion ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Maslach Burnout Inventory ◽  
Junior Doctors ◽  
Digital Learning ◽  
Student Survey ◽  
Medical Studies ◽  
The Impact

Objectives: The aim of this ecological study was to investigate what the impact of digital learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic was on the burnout and overall mental health (MH) of medical students. Background: During the unprecedented era of the COVID-19 pandemic, the majority of countries worldwide adopted very strong measures. Universities closed their doors, and education continued through digital learning lectures. Methods: An anonymous questionnaire was administered to all 189 eligible candidates before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mental health was assessed via the MH domain of the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) and burnout with the Maslach Burnout Inventory—Student Survey (MBI-SS). Results: The overall response rate was 81.5%. The overall burnout prevalence did not differ significantly between the two periods (pre-COVID-19 18.1% vs. COVID-19 18.2%). However, the burnout prevalence dropped significantly in year 4 (pre-COVID-19 40.7% vs. COVID-19 16.7%, p = 0.011), whereas it increased significantly in year 6 (pre-COVID-19 27.6% vs. COVID-19 50%, p = 0.01). When looking at each MBI-SS dimension separately, we found that emotional exhaustion decreased significantly in year 4 but increased in year 6, and cynicism increased in all years. The overall MH deteriorated significantly between the two periods (pre-COVID-19 58.8 ± 21.6 vs. COVID-19 48.3 ± 23, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Digital learning in medical studies carries significant risks. Not only does the MH deteriorate, but cynicism levels also increase. Emotional exhaustion was found to increase particularly in final year students, who struggle with the lack of clinical experience just before they start working as qualified junior doctors.

Impact of PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) on mental health

2021 ◽  
pp. 002581722098181
Author(s):  
Shweta Sunil ◽  
Manoj Kumar Sharma ◽  
Nitin Anand
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Online Gaming ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Self Harm ◽  
Aggressive Behaviours ◽  
Causal Patterns ◽  
The Impact

Online gaming has become a concern for health professionals due to its dysfunctional effects. This study aimed to conceptualise and summarise the impact that gaming platforms like PUBG can have on an individual’s mental health. A systematic review was conducted using the PRISMA model. A total of five papers were shortlisted and reviewed for the purpose of this study. The results indicated the use of gaming platforms like PUBG by players to address and cope with anxiety and depression, and it also highly influences the presence of other concerns like ADHD and suicidality, self-harm and aggressive behaviours. While the literature points to the detrimental effects of PUBG, this study highlights the importance of undertaking more research to establish the causal patterns in PUBG use and how to address the issues posed from both psychological and legal perspectives.

The impact of neighbourhood crime on mental health: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
pp. 114106
Author(s):  
Gergő Baranyi ◽  
Martín Hernán Di Marco ◽  
Tom C. Russ ◽  
Chris Dibben ◽  
Jamie Pearce
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
The Impact
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