Acute and Cumulative Effects of Vinyasa Yoga on Affect and Stress among College Students Participating in an Eight-week Yoga Program: A Pilot Study

2014 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronnesia Gaskins ◽  
Ernestine Jennings ◽  
Herpreet Thind ◽  
Bruce Becker ◽  
Beth Bock
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Young Adult ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Mental Practice ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Eating Disordered ◽  
Before And After ◽  
College Population

Background. College students are vulnerable to a critical period in developmental maturation, facing rigorous academic work and learning how to function independently. Western aerobic exercise (WAE), such as running and bicycling, has been shown to improve mood and relieve stress. However, college students often have low levels of physical activity. Yoga is an ancient physical and mental practice that may affect mood and stress. However, rigorous studies examining the psychological effects of yoga are rare in peerreviewed Western journals. The aim of this research was to establish preliminary evidence for the acute effects of Vinyasa yoga on affect and stress in young-adult college students. Methods. Twenty healthy college students age 18 years and older were recruited to participate in this pilot study. Participants attended a Vinyasa yoga class at a local studio twice weekly for 8 weeks. Affect and stress were assessed before and after each yoga session. Measures included the Positive and Negative Affective Schedule (PANAS) and the Cohen Perceived Stress scale. Results. Positive affect scores increased significantly (p < 0.05) for 14 of the 16 yoga sessions (mean increase = 23.2%). Negative affect decreased significantly from pre- to postyoga (p < 0.05) for 15 of the 16 sessions (mean decrease = 22%). Repeated measures ANOVAs examining pre-post composite scores across all 8 weeks showed significant changes in PANAS, but not stress scores. Conclusions. Findings suggest that yoga practice is associated with acute improvements in affect in a young-adult college population. Future research is needed to examine the extent to which different types of yoga address the needs of different college sub-populations (e.g., eating disordered, overweight/obese, sedentary, and smokers).

scholarly journals Examining the Experiences of Campus Safety among International Students

JCSCORE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-31
Author(s):  
Sonia H. Ramrakhiani ◽  
Andrew M. Byrne ◽  
Christopher A. Sink
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
International Students ◽  
The United States ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Campus Safety ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Limited Attention ◽  
College Population ◽  
International College ◽  
Institutional Adoption

Although international students comprise a significant percentage of the college population, limited attention is directed to their safety needs. This study measured the experiences and perceptions of campus safety among international college students in the United States. The researchers sampled participants from institutions around the country, who self-identified as international students. A researcher-developed 53-item Likert scale questionnaire, the International College Students’ Safety Questionnaire (ICSSQ), was administered to the sample. Findings from the exploratory factor analysis provided preliminary evidence for a four-factor solution for the 26-item ICSSQ with adequate internal consistency. Salient demographic variables, such as, nationality, college status and perceived proficiency in English, were found to be significantly linked to derived factor scores. Implications for institutional adoption of this instrument, along with limitations and directions for future research are included.

scholarly journals MOOD CHANGES FOLLOWING MODERN-DANCE CLASSES

2003 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 453-460 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Lane ◽  
Ruth Hewston ◽  
Emma Redding ◽  
Gregory P. Whyte
Keyword(s):  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Mood State ◽  
Modern Dance ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Martha Graham ◽  
Significant Interaction Effect ◽  
Mood Changes ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Mood Scale

Full-time dancers typically spend a large proportion of time participating in dance classes. The present study examined mood state changes following two contrasting modern-dance styles on a sample of full-time dancers. Twenty-three dancers completed the Brunel University Mood Scale (Terry, Lane, Lane, & Keohane, 1999) to assess anger, confusion, depression, fatigue, tension, and vigor before and after two different dance classes. One class taught was the Jose Limon technique style, characterized by light flowing movement, and the other class taught was the Martha Graham technique style, characterized by bound movements. Results showed that participants reported a positive mood profile before and after both dance classes. Repeated Measures Multivariate Analysis of Variance results indicated a significant interaction effect (Pillai's Trace 6, 15 = .32, p < .01), whereby Vigor increased following the Limon class but remained stable after the Graham class. Future research is also needed to investigate mood changes over a sustained period to evaluate more fully mood states responses to the demands of dance classes.

Teaching about Near-Death Experiences: The Effectiveness of Using the Day I Died

2011 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 373-388 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janice Miner Holden ◽  
Kathy Oden ◽  
Kelly Kozlowski ◽  
Bert Hayslip
Keyword(s):  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Waitlist Control ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Waitlist Control Group ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
The Mind ◽  
Near Death Experiences ◽  
The Brain

In this article, we reviewed results of research on near-death experiences (NDEs) over the past 3 decades and examined the effect of viewing the hour-long 2002 BBC documentary The Day I Died: The Mind, the Brain, and Near-Death Experiences on accurate knowledge about near-death experiences among advanced undergraduates at a southwestern university. In a quasi-experimental research design, the experimental group completed a 20-item questionnaire before and after viewing the documentary ( n = 66; 45 females, 21 males), and the waitlist control group completed the questionnaire as pre- and posttest before viewing the documentary ( n = 39; 36 female, 3 male). The two groups' scores at pretest were not significantly different ( p > .05). Group by occasion repeated measures ANOVA revealed the experimental group's posttest scores moved significantly in the direction of correctness with a large effect size ( p < .001; η2= .56), whereas waitlist control group posttest scores remained similar to pretest scores. We discuss two exceptions to the effectiveness of the documentary and recommendations for educators using it as well as for future research.

We Are Family: Effects of a Relationship-Strengthening Prevention Intervention on Parenting Behaviors Among Black and Latino Adolescent Couples

2022 ◽  
pp. 0192513X2110648
Author(s):  
Valen R. Diaz ◽  
Tashuna Albritton ◽  
Marina Katague ◽  
Victoria Dancy ◽  
Jean M. Breny ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Parenting Behaviors ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Gender Effects ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Predominantly Black ◽  
Family Effects ◽  
Sense Of Competence ◽  
Pilot Randomized Control Trial ◽  
Black And Latino

Relationship strain or dissolution between new parents can affect the co-parenting relationship and parenting engagement. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a relationship-strengthening intervention on parenting behaviors among adolescent couples. Data from a pilot randomized control trial conducted with predominantly Black and Latino couples were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance. Observed intervention * time effects and intervention * time * gender effects were not statistically significant, but had small to moderate effect sizes. Intervention couples demonstrated increased parenting sense of competence compared to control couples. Gender differences in intervention effects were observed for both parenting experiences and parenting engagement. Given the pilot nature of the study, these findings provide preliminary evidence of the effectiveness of this couple-based intervention for improving parenting outcomes. Future research should assess the intervention in a larger sample and leverage technology-based approaches as methods for content delivery.

scholarly journals Alcohol and Substance Use in the Jewish Community: A Pilot Study

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melanie Baruch ◽  
Abraham Benarroch ◽  
Gary E. Rockman
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Family History ◽  
Jewish Community ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Needs ◽  
Community Knowledge ◽  
Jewish Communities ◽  
History Of

Awareness of addictions in the Jewish community is becoming increasingly prevalent, and yet, a gap exists in the literature regarding addictions in this community. Knowledge about the prevalence of addictions within Jewish communities is limited; some believe that Jews cannot be affected by addictions. To address this gap, a pilot study was conducted to gather preliminary evidence relating to addictions and substance use in the Jewish community. Results indicate that a significant portion of the Jewish community knows someone affected by an addiction and that over 20% have a family history of addiction. Future research needs are discussed.

CBT Without Medications for Adult ADHD: An Open Pilot Study of Five Patients

2011 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 277-286 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Russell Ramsay ◽  
Anthony L. Rostain
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Adult Adhd ◽  
Behavioral Therapy ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Primary Treatment ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Open Pilot

Medications are considered the primary treatment for symptoms of adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), although medications alone may not produce sufficient functional improvements for many patients. Moreover, some adults with ADHD decline pharmacotherapy due to lack of response, side effects, medical contraindication, or personal choice. This article reports on the clinical outcomes of five adults with ADHD who completed cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) without concurrent medication treatment. Nonparametric analysis of pretreatment and posttreatment clinical data indicated significant improvements on various measures of ADHD symptoms, overall functioning, depression, and anxiety. Although limited by the small sample size, the current pilot study provides preliminary evidence that CBT may be helpful for adults with ADHD who decline or are unable to take medications in cases in which their symptoms and impairments are relatively mild and uncomplicated. The limitations of this open pilot study and directions for future research also are discussed.

A PILOT STUDY OF LONELINESS IN ETHNIC MINORITY COLLEGE STUDENTS

1997 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 295-304 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benedict T. Mcwhirter
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
African Americans ◽  
Ethnic Minority ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Learned Resourcefulness ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
Minority College Students ◽  
Ethnic Minority College Students

The purpose of this pilot study was to examine how the constructs of learned resourcefulness and self-esteem contributed to the experience of global, intimate, and social loneliness among a sample of U.S. ethnic minority college students (N=51) including Hispanics (N=32) and African Americans (N=19). Results of three Multiple Regression Analyses revealed that self-esteem was inversely related to all three types of loneliness (global, intimate, and social), while learned resourcefulness was directly related to intimate loneliness only. Implications for future research are discussed.

scholarly journals Adaptační kurz jako nástroj změny sociálních vztahů ve třídním kolektivu

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 128-134
Author(s):  
Lucie Kalkusová
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Primary School ◽  
Social Relationships ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Team Dynamics ◽  
School Class ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Whole Class

The article contributes to the illustration of the importance of outdoor courses for development of social relationships in school classes. Following text is a pilot study for future research. The research sample consisted of 17 pupils of Grade 6 primary school, average age 11.24 years, who participated on a three-day outdoor course. The course focused on the development of team dynamics, cooperation and social relationships. The participants filled in the same questionnaire before and after the course which enabled to compare the changes. The questionnaires were based on rating all classmates according to the preferential relationships. The strength of these relationships was transformed visually in sociomaps showing the structure of social relationships. The sum of ratings given by the whole class increased from 1583 before to 1751 points after the course. The general colour of sociomap changed after the course showing increased sympathies between the classmates after the course. Sociomapping showed to be a useful and lucid method for illustration of positive impact of the outdoor course for the development of social relationships in the school class.

scholarly journals A Relaxation App (HeartBot) for Stress and Emotional Well-Being Over a 21-Day Challenge: Randomized Survey Study

10.2196/22041 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. e22041
Author(s):  
Laya Iyer ◽  
Ranjani B Iyer ◽  
Vetriliaa Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Intervention Group ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Institutional Review ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Mental Wellness

Background HeartBot is an app designed to enable people 14 years and older to use relaxation tools offered by Heartfulness Institute to deal with daily stress and anxiety in a healthy, productive manner. These tools have proven effective in stress management and mental wellness when administered in a controlled environment by a certified proctor. Objective This study aimed to explore the app’s effectiveness and evaluate the implementation of the tools. Methods In this study, 88 participants were recruited and randomly sorted into 2 groups, the HeartBot intervention group (n=46) and the waitlist control group (n=42). Pre- and postsurveys measured participants’ stress levels using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and their social-emotional well-being using the EPOCH (Engagement, Perseverance, Optimism, Connectedness, and Happiness) Measure of Adolescent Well-Being before and after they used the app for 21 days for 30 minutes every day. Results The study received institutional review board approval on August 18, 2019. Participant recruitment lasted from the approval date until September 30, 2019. The 21-day challenge started on October 1, 2019. Of the 135 people who signed up, 88 completed the study. There was a statistically significant difference in the mean PSS scores before and after the intervention (from 18.3 to 7.89; P<.001). The paired Wilcoxon rank sum test on the EPOCH scores indicated a significant difference in the medians of the total scores (W=411.5, P<.001). Conclusions Evidence from this study shows that HeartBot is an effective app that can be used to manage stress and improve positive characteristics of emotional wellness. Future research and widespread usage of the app under this study are encouraged based on this preliminary evidence of its effectiveness. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04589520; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04589520

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