scholarly journals The Selah pilot study of spiritual, mindfulness, and stress inoculation practices on stress-related outcomes: A non-randomized participant preference control pilot study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rae Jean Proeschold-Bell ◽  
David E. Eagle ◽  
Logan C. Tice ◽  
Jia Yao ◽  
Joshua A. Rash ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Trial Registration ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Stress Inoculation ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Centering Prayer ◽  
Heart Rate Monitoring ◽  
Stress Inoculation Training

Abstract Background The job-demand-control-support model indicates that clergy are at high risk for chronic stress and adverse health outcomes. Methods A non-randomized participant preference design with a control group was used to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and range of outcome effect sizes for four potentially stress-reducing interventions: stress inoculation training, mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), the Daily Examen, and Centering Prayer. All United Methodist clergy in North Carolina were eligible and recruited via email to attend their preferred intervention: in-person workshops of one (Daily Examen, Centering Prayer) or two days (stress inoculation training) at retreat centers, or eight weekly online 90-minute sessions (MBSR). Surveys at 0, 3, and 12 weeks assessed symptoms of stress, anxiety, and perceived stress reactivity. Heart rate variability was assessed at baseline and 12 weeks using data from 24h ambulatory heart rate monitoring. A patched-up control group was recruited after recruitment commenced. A subset of participants completed in-depth interviews and reported skill practice using daily text messages. Standardized mean differences with 95% and 75% confidence intervals were calculated for each intervention relative to control to determine the range of effect sizes likely to be observed in a definitive trial. Results 78 clergy participated in an intervention and 7 provided data as a control group. The daily percentage of participants engaging in stress management practices ranged from 47% (MBSR) to 69% (Examen). Every participant interviewed (n=23) reported that learning content was acceptable and they would recommend their intervention to others. Small-to-large effect sizes on measures of stress and anxiety were observed for Daily Examen, stress inoculation, and MBSR relative to control. Little evidence for change in HRV was observed between intervention and control, with the most favorable effects observed for MBSR. Results were mixed for Centering Prayer. Conclusions All four interventions were feasible and acceptable, with the best trends in outcomes for MBSR, although other interventions were promising. Participants welcomed daily text messages reminding them to engage in practice and wore ambulatory heart rate monitoring devices without incident. Three-week survey data did not contribute to study findings. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov trial registration number: NCT04625777, November 12, 2020 (retrospectively registered).

scholarly journals Protocol for a family-centered behavioral intervention to reduce early childhood caries: the MySmileBuddy program efficacy trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christie L. Lumsden ◽  
Burton L. Edelstein ◽  
Charles E. Basch ◽  
Randi L. Wolf ◽  
Pamela A. Koch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Behavioral Intervention ◽  
Early Childhood Caries ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Trial Registration ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Causal Pathways ◽  
Family Centered ◽  
Childhood Caries

Abstract Background Although largely preventable through diet management and topical fluoride use, early childhood caries (ECC) often progresses to severity that necessitates surgical repair. Yet repair often fails to mitigate caries progression. Needed is an effective behavioral intervention to address underlying behavioral causes. Methods This randomized controlled trial will evaluate the efficacy of a behaviorally focused, family-centered intervention, the MySmileBuddy Program (MSB Program), to reduce ECC progression in high-risk preschoolers in New York City. Recruitment will target 858 children ages 24–71 months with ECC and their parents from primary care medical and dental clinics. The study aims to assess the MSB Program’s efficacy to: (1) decrease ECC progression measured 12-months post-randomization; and (2) enhance adoption of a low cariogenic diet and twice-daily fluoridated toothpaste use compared to control group. Potential causal pathways (mediators and moderators) will be explored. The MSB Program equips community health workers (CHWs) with an app that facilitates multilevel risk assessment and provides motivational interviewing-based counseling to inform parents about the caries process, develop personalized goals, and create family-level action plans to achieve targeted behaviors. Social support from CHWs (4 interactions during the 6-month intervention, supplemented by up to 4 in-person/remote contacts throughout the 12-month study period, based on need) is bolstered by automated text messages. Participants will be randomized to a Control Group (paper-based educational handout plus toothbrushes and fluoridated toothpaste for the child) or Intervention Group (MSB Program, two tooth-brushing observations with feedback and instruction, and toothbrushes and toothpaste for the entire family). All children will receive visual ICDAS dental examinations and parents will complete study measures at baseline and 12-months. An incentive up to $150 plus round-trip transit cards ($5.50 value) will be provided. Discussion This study hypothesizes that the MSB Program can reduce ECC progression in a high-risk population. Sufficient incentives and a focus on establishing rapport between participants and CHWs are anticipated to mitigate recruitment and retention challenges. If successful, this study will advance the long-term goal of reducing pediatric oral health disparities by demonstrating the efficacy of an acceptable and feasible intervention that shifts attention from dental repair to behavioral risk mitigation. Trial registration: Trial registration was completed on 4/13/2021 through the U.S. National Library of Medicine ClinicalTrials.gov website (Identifier: NCT04845594).

Contribution of an Educational Phase to Stress Inoculation of Speech Anxiety

1980 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 495-501
Author(s):  
Matt E. Jaremko ◽  
Rob Hadfield ◽  
William E. Walker
Keyword(s):  
Combination Group ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Stress Inoculation ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Stress Inoculation Training ◽  
Speech Anxiety ◽  
Public Speech ◽  
Behavioral Ratings ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Treatment Control Group

A study is described in which students anxious about speeches were treated by variations of stress inoculation training. The purpose of the experiment was to evaluate the contribution of an educational phase to the training. Three treatment groups received either the educational phase only, the skills phase only, or both. These were compared with a no-treatment control group. The education-only group was the only group to improve significantly on self-reported anxiety measured before giving a public speech. The education-only and combination group improved on self-reported self-efficacy as a speaker. All groups improved on behavioral ratings of anxiety. Discussion focuses on the apparent potency of using an educational model in the treatment of anxiety. Future research is suggested for delineating the conditions under which education is a powerful ingredient.

scholarly journals Psychological and physiological effects of emotion focused training for self-compassion and self-protection

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Júlia Halamová ◽  
Jana Koróniová ◽  
Martin Kanovský ◽  
Mária Kénesy Túniyová ◽  
Nuriye Kupeli
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Heart Rate Variability ◽  
Active Control ◽  
Expressive Writing ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Active Control Group ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Self Protection

Emotion Focused Training for Self-Compassion and Self-Protection (EFT-SCP) is a novel intervention developed on the basis of the latest findings on self-criticism from Emotion-focused therapy and existing programs designed to cultivate compassion. EFT-SCP is designed to encourage participants to cultivate self-compassion and protective anger as a way of reducing selfcriticism. Our goal was to investigate the effect of this group-based intervention on self-criticism, self-protection, and self-compassion. A total of 73 students were assigned to the EFT-SCP intervention (n=19), no-treatment control (n=34) or to an active control group (n=20). The intervention group met weekly for 1.5 hours and were instructed to incorporate EFT-SCP tasks into their daily life for 12 weeks. Whilst the no-treatment group did not undergo an intervention, the active control group completed an adapted expressive writing task once a week. In addition to the assessment of heart rate variability during imagery tasks, participants also completed self-reported measures of self-compassion and self-criticism before and after the intervention. Compared with both control groups, the intervention group showed a significant increase in heart rate variability following EFT-SCP (during self-critical imagery, P=.049; probability of superiority was .63, and during self-compassionate imagery P=.007; probability of superiority was .62, both effect sizes were medium) and significant decreases in self-criticism (Hated Self P=.017; .34 and Inadequate Self P<.001; .33) and selfuncompassionate responding (P<.001; .39). All three effect sizes were small. Participating in EFT-SCP had a positive effect on psychological and physiological outcomes.

scholarly journals High positive end expiratory pressure levels affect hemodynamics in elderly patients with hypertension admitted to the intensive care unit: a prospective cohort study

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lili Zhou ◽  
Guoen Cai ◽  
Zhihui Xu ◽  
Qinyong Weng ◽  
Qinyong Ye ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Elderly Patients ◽  
Airway Pressure ◽  
Heart Function ◽  
Venous Pressure ◽  
Trial Registration ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Positive End Expiratory Pressure ◽  
Central Venous

Abstract Background To study the effects of different positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) on blood pressure and heart function in elderly patients with hypertension. Methods Forty elderly patients above 65 years of age treated with mechanical ventilation were divided into two groups: a control group of non-hypertensive subjects (n = 18) and a hypertension group (n = 22) patients with essential hypertension. Changes in blood pressure, central venous pressure (CVP), central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO2), heart rate, and airway pressure were determined in response to different selected PEEP levels of 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 cm H2O under SIMV(PC) + PSV mode throughout the study. Results In both groups, the increase in PEEP led to an increase in CVP and airway pressure. When PEEP was above 4 cm H2O in the hypertension group, a decrease in blood pressure and ScvO2, and an increase of heart rate were observed. These results indicated that cardiac output significantly decreased. Conclusion High levels of PEEP can significantly influence changes in blood pressure and heart function in elderly patients with hypertension. Trial registration This trial was retrospectively registered, The Chinese trial registration number is ChiCTR-ROC-17012873. The date of registration is 10-2-2017.

Feasibility of a Mindfulness-Based Intervention for Caregivers of Veterans: A Pilot Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 322-337
Author(s):  
Sandraluz Lara-Cinisomo ◽  
Elinor M. Fujimoto ◽  
Ryan L. Santens
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Group Method ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Difference Scores ◽  
Group Type

Purpose: This pilot study aimed to assess the feasibility of conducting an 8-week mindfulness-based intervention with caregivers of veterans and to examine the effectiveness of the intervention to improve mindfulness using the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire compared with waitlist controls. Design: In this randomized controlled trial, 23 caregivers of veterans were assigned to either the intervention or waitlist group. Method: Compliance with mindfulness instruction and attendance was assessed among those in the intervention. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests compared within group pre- and post-intervention scores and Mann–Whitney U tests compared difference scores (post–pre) by group type. Effect sizes were also calculated. Compliance variables were correlated with difference scores in the intervention group only. Findings: Of the 23 participants, 11 were assigned to the intervention; 100% of participants were retained. There was significant improvement from pre- to post-intervention in four of the five facets of mindfulness ( p < .05) in the intervention group. Significant between-group differences ( p < .05) were also observed in two of the five facets. Effect sizes ranged from small (.44) to large (.89). No significant improvement was observed in the waitlist control group. Conclusions: A mindfulness-based intervention is feasible and acceptable to improve mindfulness in caregivers of veterans.

Role of Psychological Skills Training in Increasing Athletic Pain Tolerance

1993 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 388-399 ◽  
Author(s):  
Blair G. Whitmarsh ◽  
Richard B. Alderman
Keyword(s):  
Skills Training ◽  
Pain Tolerance ◽  
Endurance Athletes ◽  
Stress Inoculation ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Psychological Skills ◽  
Stress Inoculation Training ◽  
Control Group Design ◽  
Psychological Skills Training

Endurance athletes have indicated that the ability to tolerate high levels of athletic pain accounted for much of their success (Egan, 1987). This study examined the role of stress inoculation training (SIT) in increasing athletic pain tolerance on an isometric quadriceps task. Athletes (N = 45) from the sports of rowing, cycling, and triathlon completed the study, which consisted of performing a wall sit for as long as possible in a pretest-posttest control group design. The results indicated that subjects receiving training in SIT significantly increased their tolerance time on the wall sit, F(4, 84) = 2.51, p < .048, as compared to the control. Consistent with other research (Vallis, 1984), there was no difference between subjects who received training in SIT and those who received training in only one component of SIT. The results suggest that SIT may assist athletes in tolerating higher levels of athletic pain during training and competition.

scholarly journals The Effect of Animal-Assisted Therapy on the State of Patients’ Health After a Stroke: A Pilot Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (18) ◽  
pp. 3272 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristýna Machová ◽  
Radka Procházková ◽  
Michal Říha ◽  
Ivona Svobodová
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Barthel Index ◽  
Animal Assisted Therapy ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Physical Constraints ◽  
Significant Aspect ◽  
Experimental Group

A stroke is a condition that can give rise to consequences such as cognitive and physical constraints, which sometimes manifest in the psychological condition of the patient. Such patients commence rehabilitation as soon as is possible, which involves a multi-disciplinary approach to treatment. One aspect of complementary rehabilitation could be animal-assisted therapy (AAT). A total of 15 individuals were split into an experimental group comprising 6 patients (2 males, 4 females), and a control group of 9 patients (3 males, 6 females). The participants in the control group were aged from 43 to 87 years and the experimental group featured participants aged from 45 to 76 years. Both groups received standard physiotherapy and occupational therapy. In addition, the experimental group was supplemented with AAT, with the animal in question being a dog. The tools primarily applied to measure the outcomes were the Barthel index, blood pressure, and heart rate measurements, whereas the Likert scale was employed to discern the mood of the patients. The results showed that changes in the values for heart rate and blood pressure were insignificant. However, a statistically significant aspect of the research pertained to the patients confirming that they felt better after the AAT sessions. Hence, AAT could potentially bolster the effectiveness of other therapies.

scholarly journals Prehabilitation with wearables versus standard of care before major abdominal cancer surgery: a randomised controlled pilot study (trial registration: NCT04047524)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ellen Waller ◽  
Paul Sutton ◽  
Seema Rahman ◽  
Jonathan Allen ◽  
John Saxton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Smartphone Application ◽  
Cancer Surgery ◽  
Trial Registration ◽  
Dietary Advice ◽  
Control Group ◽  
6Mwt Distance ◽  
Randomised Controlled

Abstract Background Prehabilitation aims to improve post-operative outcomes by enhancing pre-operative fitness but is labour-intensive. This pilot study aimed to assess the efficacy of a tri-modal prehabilitation programme delivered by smartwatches for improving functional fitness prior to major abdominal cancer surgery. Methods A single-centre, randomised controlled pilot study, in which 22 patients were randomised to: (a) a prehabilitation group (n = 11), comprising of home-based exercise, nutritional, and dietary advice delivered using a wrist-worn smartwatch connected to a smartphone application; or (b) a control group (n = 11) receiving usual care, with patients given a smartwatch as a placebo. Eligible participants had over two weeks until planned surgery. The primary outcome was pre-operative physical activity including 6-min walk test (6MWT) distance, with secondary outcomes including change in body weight and hospital anxiety and depression score (HADS). Results Recruitment was 67% of eligible patients, with groups matched for baseline characteristics. The prehabilitation group engaged in more daily minutes of moderate [25.1 min (95% CI 9.79–40.44) vs 13.1 min (95% CI 5.97–20.31), p = 0.063] and vigorous physical activity [36.1 min (95% CI 21.24–50.90) vs 17.5 min (95% CI 5.18–29.73), p = 0.022] compared to controls. They also had significantly greater improvements in 6MWT distance compared to controls [+ 85.6 m (95% CI, + 18.06 to + 153.21) vs + 13.23 m (95% CI − 6.78 to 33.23), p = 0.014]. HADS scores remained unchanged from baseline in both groups. Conclusion Prehabilitation in the colorectal cancer care setting can be delivered using smartwatches and mobile applications. Furthermore, this study provides early indicative evidence that such technologies can improve functional capacity prior to surgery Trial registration NCT04047524.

scholarly journals A Comparison between the Effectiveness of Social-Educational Inoculation Program Based on the Islamic Approach and Stress Inoculation Training on the Lifestyle of Second-Grade High School Female Students with Risky Behavior in Yazd City

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Afsar Sadrabad ◽  
Faramarz Sohrabi ◽  
Esmail Sadipor ◽  
Ali Delavar
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Risky Behaviors ◽  
Educational Interventions ◽  
Female Students ◽  
Training Data ◽  
Second Grade ◽  
Stress Inoculation ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Stress Inoculation Training ◽  
Statistical Population

Introduction: Risky behaviors and unhealthy lifestyles are significantly associated with mortality of adolescents. So, this study was conducted to compare the effectiveness of social-educational inoculation program based on the Islamic approach and stress inoculation training on the lifestyle of second-grade high school female students with risky behaviors in Yazd. Methods: This study was semi-experimental with pretest-posttest design, in which two experimental groups and one control group were investigated. The statistical population included all high school female students studying in Yazd in the academic year of 2015-2016. The participants included 54 female students with risky behaviors, who were categorized into three groups using the multistage random sampling method. Then, the groups were randomly selected as the experimental and control groups. The educational interventions were conducted in 12 sessions of one hour and 15 minutes once a week during three months. Data collection instruments were the scale of risky behaviors (Zadeh Mohammadi et al.) and lifestyle questionnaire (Laali et al.). Lifestyle questionnaires were completed by students before and after training. Data were analyzed by SPSS20 using covariance and LST. Results: The pretest mean scores of lifestyle in the experimental group with social-educational inoculation program based on the Islamic approach was 140/77, with stress inoculation training was 139.27, and the mean score of the control group was 141.55.I In posttest, these mean scores were 156.83, 139.22, and 140.94, respectively. The results showed that the lifestyle mean scores improved in participants who attended the social-educational inoculation program based on Islamic approach (sig= 0/001). However, the participants who attended the stress inoculation training did not have any significantly difference in this regard (sig=0/085).

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