Mindfulness Meditation Apps: An Effective Tool to Improve Mental Health Among Graduate Students in STEM Programs

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly A. Grogan
Keyword(s):  
Graduate Students ◽  
Treatment Group ◽  
Mindfulness Meditation ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Physical Symptom ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Free Access ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Stem Programs

Abstract This paper seeks to determine whether or not mindfulness meditation training via a simple meditation app can effectively improve well-being among graduate students enrolled in STEM programs. Graduate students were recruited from STEM programs at the University of Florida. Participants were randomly assigned into treatment and control groups. The control group simply proceeded as they normally would during an academic semester. The treatment group received free access to the Ten Percent Happier app and were asked to meditate once per day for eight weeks. Both groups completed pre-, mid-, and post-intervention surveys that included the Center for Epidemiological Depression Scale (CES-D) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-Item Scale (GAD-7). The treatment group averaged about 10 minutes of meditation per day, and the average participant meditated on about 82% of days within the intervention period. At the end of the 8-week intervention, the treatment group reported CES-D and GAD-7 scores that were about 35% and 41% lower than the control group and their physical symptom score was about 36% lower. Relative to their own starting scores, CES-D, GAD-7, and physical symptom scores decreased 35%, 50%, and 43%, respectively for the treatment group, while the control group experienced no change in scores.

scholarly journals Feasibility of using a biofeedback device in mindfulness training - a pilot randomized controlled trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Brenna Lin ◽  
Christopher Prickett ◽  
Steven Woltering
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Mindfulness Meditation ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Open Science ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Test Procedures ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Biofeedback Device

Abstract Background Stress can negatively impact an individual’s health and well-being and high levels of stress are noted to exist among college students today. While traditional treatment methods are plagued with stigma and transfer problems, newly developed wearable biofeedback devices may offer unexplored possibilities. Although these products are becoming commonplace and inexpensive, scientific evidence of the effectiveness of these products is scarce and their feasibility within research contexts are relatively unexplored. Conversely, companies are not required, and possibly reluctant, to release information on the efficacy of these products against their claims. Thus, in the present pilot, we assess the feasibility of using a real-time respiratory-based biofeedback device in preparation for a larger study. Our main aims were to assess device-adherence and collaboration with the company that develops and sells the device. Method Data were collected from 39 college students who self-identified as experiencing chronic stress at a Southwestern university in the USA. Students were randomized into either a mindfulness-only control group without a biofeedback device (n = 21), or an experimental group with biofeedback device (n = 18). Both groups received mindfulness meditation training. Pre-test and post-test procedures were conducted 2 weeks apart. Further, both participant compliance and company compliance were assessed and collaboration with the company was evaluated. Results Participant device-adherence as well as the company’s collaboration necessary for a full-scale study was determined to be low. This may also have affected our results which showed a strong main effect for time for all outcome variables, suggesting all groups showed improvement in their levels of stress after the intervention period. No group by time effects were identified, however, indicating no added benefit of the biofeedback device. Conclusions Our findings suggest feasibility of future studies requires full collaboration and detailed and agreed upon data sharing procedures with the biofeedback company. The particular device under investigation added no value to the intervention outcomes and it was not feasible to continue a larger-scale study. Further, as the technology sector is innovating faster than it can validate products, we urge for open science collaborations between public and private sectors to properly develop evidence-based regulations that can withstand technological innovation while maintaining product quality, safety, and effectiveness. Trial registration NCT02837016. Registered 19 July 2016.

scholarly journals The utility of self-rated health in population surveys: the role of bodyweight

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Bozick
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Group ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Self Rated Health ◽  
Risk Of Mortality ◽  
Highly Sensitive ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Group Members ◽  
Nationally Representative

Abstract Background Self-rated health (SRH) is one of the most commonly used summary measures of overall health and well-being available to population scientists due to its ease of administration in large-scale surveys and to its efficacy in predicting mortality. This paper assesses the extent to which SRH is affected by its placement before or after questions about bodyweight on a survey, and whether differences in placement on the questionnaire affects SRH’s predictive validity. Methods I assessed the validity of SRH in predicting the risk of mortality by comparing outcomes of sample members who were asked to rate their health before reporting on their bodyweight (the control group) and sample members who were asked to rate their health after reporting on their bodyweight (the treatment group). Both the control and treatment group were randomly assigned via an experiment administered as a module in a nationally representative sample of adults in the USA in 2019 (N = 2523). Results The odds of reporting a more favorable appraisal of health are 30% lower for sample members who were in the treatment group when compared with the control group. Additionally, the SRH of treatment group members is significantly associated with their risk of mortality, while the SRH of control group members is not. Conclusion The findings from this study suggest that for researchers to maximize the utility of SRH, closer attention needs to be paid to the context of the survey within which it asked. SRH is highly sensitive to the questions that precede it, and this sensitivity may in turn mischaracterize the true health of the population that the survey is intending to measure.

scholarly journals AB0177 ANXIETY-DEPRESSIVE SPECTRUM IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS AND ANKYLOSING SPONDILITIS

2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1114.2-1114
Author(s):  
M. Letaeva ◽  
M. Koroleva ◽  
J. Averkieva ◽  
O. Malyshenko ◽  
T. Raskina
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Depressive Disorders ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Depressive Syndrome ◽  
Depression Screening ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Anxiety Depression

Objectives:to assess the frequency of occurrence of the anxiety-depressive spectrum in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis.Methods:A survey was conducted of 44 patients aged from 21 to 57 years (average age - 42.3 ± 6.7 years), who were treated at GAUZ KO OKGVV. All patients had a verified diagnosis of RA and AS according to the ACR criteria and received treatment with basic drugs. The control group consisted of 40 people comparable in age and sex, without concomitant pathology of RA and AS.The depression screening card, the subjective well-being scale, and the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) were used to assess and detect anxiety-depressive syndrome. The assessment of the condition is carried out over the last 2 weeks, which corresponds to the temporary diagnostic criterion for depression.The Depression Screening Scale is a 35-item self-questionnaire that assesses 7 categories of signs: sleep and appetite disorders, anxiety, emotional instability, cognitive impairment, loss of self, guilt, and suicidal tendencies. A total score of 65 and above indicates a high likelihood of depression.The Subjective Well-Being Scale is a psychodiagnostic screening tool for measuring the emotional component of subjective well-being or emotional comfort.Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale Zigmond A.S., Snaith R.P. was developed for the primary detection of depression and anxiety in a general medical practice. The HADS scale consists of 14 statements with 4 possible answers and includes two parts: anxiety and depression. The sum of points of 8 or more is regarded as “subclinically expressed anxiety / depression”, 11 or more points - “clinically expressed anxiety / depression”.Results:According to the results of the depression screening questionnaire, 34 (77.3%) patients with RA and AS showed signs of depression, while in the control group only 6 (15%) patients tested positive for the presence of depressive disorders. According to the data obtained when assessing the scale of well-being in the main group, 26 (59.1%) patients showed signs of emotional discomfort (the indicator was 80% or more), in the control group - in 6 (15%). Using the hospital scale of anxiety and depression HADS, anxiety-depressive syndrome was detected in 36 (81.8%) patients with RA and AS: 16 (44.4%) patients had anxiety, 20 (55.6%) - depression, of them, subclinically expressed anxiety and depression were observed in 10 (27.7%) and 12 (33.3%) people, respectively. Anxiety-depressive syndrome in the control group, according to the HADS questionnaire, was detected only in 8 (20%) patients, of whom 4 (10%) patients had subclinical anxiety and 4 (10%) had signs of depression. No clinically pronounced anxiety and depression were registered in the control group.Conclusion:In most patients with rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis, anxiety-depressive disorders have been identified, which can directly affect both the course of the disease itself and the development of various complications. Timely diagnosis of mental disorders and close cooperation of rheumatologists, psychiatrists and psychologists in the selection of adequate therapy can improve the course and prognosis of the disease.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

scholarly journals The effectiveness of nutrition education programmes on improving dietary intake in athletes: a systematic review

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Aimee Boidin ◽  
Ryan Tam ◽  
Lachlan Mitchell ◽  
Gregory R. Cox ◽  
Helen O’Connor
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Dietary Intake ◽  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Assessment Method ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Dietary Intakes ◽  
College Level ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Education Interventions

Abstract Nutrition education programmes for athletes aim to enhance nutrition knowledge and more importantly support positive dietary change to enhance performance, health and well-being. This systematic review assessed changes in the dietary intakes of athletes in response to nutrition education programmes. A search was conducted which included studies providing quantitative dietary intake assessment of athletes of any calibre aged between 12 and 65 years in response to a nutrition education programme. Standardised differences (effect sizes) were calculated (when possible) for each dietary parameter. The search yielded 6285 papers with twenty-two studies (974 participants (71·9 % female)) eligible for inclusion. Studies described athletes competing at high school (n 3) through to college level or higher (n 19). Study designs were either single arm with an intervention-only group (twelve studies; n 241) or double arm including an intervention and control group (ten studies; n 689). No control groups received an alternative or ‘sham’ intervention. Face-to-face lectures (9/22) and individual nutrition counselling (6/22) were the most common education interventions. Non-weighed, 3-d diet records (10/22) were the most frequently utilised dietary assessment method. Although 14/22 studies (n 5 single and n 9 double) reported significant change in at least one nutrition parameter, dietary changes were inconsistent. Poor study quality and heterogeneity of methods prohibit firm conclusions regarding overall intervention success or superior types of educational modalities. Of note, carbohydrate intakes ‘post-intervention’ when assessed often failed to meet recommended guidelines (12/17 studies). Given the substantial investment made in nutrition education interventions with athletes, there is a need for well-designed and rigorous research to inform future best practice.

Effect of Pressure Injury Prevention Guides Used In a Pediatric Intensive Care

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 249-255
Author(s):  
Gülzade Uysal ◽  
Duygu Sönmez Düzkaya ◽  
Tülay Yakut ◽  
Gülçin Bozkurt
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care ◽  
Treatment Group ◽  
Injury Prevention ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Pediatric Intensive Care ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Pressure Injury ◽  
Pressure Injury Prevention

The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a pressure injury prevention guide used in a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) on the occurrence of pressure injuries. The design is a pre-post intervention with a control group and a prospective intervention group. Pressure injuries occurred on 9.4% of children in the nontreatment group, and in 3.6% of children in the treatment group. There was a statistically significant difference in the occurrence of pressure injuries between the nontreatment group and the treatment group ( p = .033). The average Braden Q pressure injury score was 12.20 ± 2.280 at the beginning of the intensive care hospitalization, and 13.73 ± 3.312 at discharge in the treatment group ( p < .001). The results show that the risk of pressure injuries was reduced and pressure injuries occurred later when an evidence-based pressure injury prevention guide was used.

Gratitude and Loneliness: Enhancing Health and Well-Being in Older Adults

2019 ◽  
Vol 41 (8) ◽  
pp. 772-793 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica Y. Bartlett ◽  
Sarah N. Arpin
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Treatment Group ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Subjective Health ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Health Symptoms ◽  
Group Self ◽  
Health And Well Being ◽  
Improve Health

We experimentally investigated gratitude’s impact on loneliness and health in older adults. Participants were assigned to a daily gratitude writing exercise (treatment group) or a control group. Self-reported loneliness and health (i.e., subjective well-being, subjective health, health symptoms) were measured daily over a 3-week period. In support of our hypotheses, within-person variability in gratitude predicted differences in loneliness and health. Furthermore, those in the treatment group showed stronger cumulative effects of gratitude on loneliness and health symptoms when aggregated across the 20-day study. Additionally, a series of conditional, multilevel indirect effect models found that loneliness acted as a mechanism for gratitude’s differential impact on subjective well-being and health symptoms across conditions. Taken together, this study provides initial evidence that a simple gratitude exercise can strengthen associations among daily gratitude and loneliness and, consequently, improve health, for older adults.

scholarly journals The Effect of Happiness Training on Psychological Well-Being in Patients with Thalassemia Major

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad S. Sargolzaei ◽  
Milad G. Shirsavar ◽  
Jasem Allahyari ◽  
Ali Bazi ◽  
Abolghasem P. Nasirabady
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Thalassemia Major ◽  
Routine Care ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
And Control

Objectives: Thalassemia major (TM) is a chronic hematological disease that can have deep effects on patients’ mental health and psychological well-being. So, the present study was conducted to determine the effects of happiness training on the psychological well-being of TM patients. Methods: This quasi-experimental study with a pre/post-test design was performed on 52 patients with TM in Zabol city (Iran) from August to December 2020. The patients were randomly categorized into experimental and control groups. In the experimental group, happiness training was performed in eight sessions, each for 60 minutes. The control group received routine care. The data collection tool was the Ryff's Scale of Psychological Well-being (RSPWB). Data were analyzed by SPSS 16 statistical software using descriptive (mean and standard deviation) and inferential (paired and independent t-test) statistics. Results: Regarding the psychological well-being score at the pre-test stage, there was no statistically significant difference between the intervention (74.92 ± 6.36) and control (74.57 ± 5.83) groups (p = 0.83). After the intervention; however, a statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups in terms of psychological well-being (p <0.001). Also, a statistically significant difference was seen comparing the psychological well-being score between the pre- and post-intervention phases in the experimental (p = 0.01) but not control (p = 0.12) group. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that happiness training improved TM patients’ psychological well-being. Therefore, this type of training can be used as an appropriate educational strategy to improve psychological well-being in these patients.Keywords: Happiness; Education; Mental Health; Thalassemia.

scholarly journals Ehretia Microphylla (Tsaang Gubat) versus Loratadine as Treatment for Allergic Rhinitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 6-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatima Angela C. Umali ◽  
Antonio H. Chua
Keyword(s):  
Allergic Rhinitis ◽  
Treatment Group ◽  
Nasal Congestion ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Intermittent Allergic Rhinitis ◽  
Vas Scores ◽  
And Control ◽  
Snot 22

  Objective:  To determine if Ehretia microphylla (Tsaang Gubat) decoction tea and placebo can improve the symptoms of mild intermittent allergic rhinitis in comparison to loratadine and control tea.   Methods: Study Design:            Double blind, Randomized Controlled Trial Setting:                       Tertiary Government Training Hospital Subjects:                    Twenty-four patients diagnosed with mild intermittent allergic rhinitis from October 2015 to July 2016 were randomly divided into a treatment group given Ehretia microphylla (Tsaang Gubat) decoction tea and placebo, and a control group given control tea and loratadine, both taken for 7 days. Patients underwent pre–  and post–intervention evaluation by anterior rhinoscopy, Sino-nasal Outcome Test 22 (SNOT 22) Questionnaire and 10-point Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Data were encoded and subjected to statistical analysis using Mann Whitney U test, and Wilcoxon Signed Rank test.   Results: Age and gender of the treatment and control group participants were comparable. Prior to intervention, no differences in symptoms were noted between both groups on SNOT 22 and VAS scores. After intervention, no differences in symptoms were noted between the 2 groups on SNOT 22 and VAS scores either. Comparison of pre- (30.4 ± 17.3) and post- (7.2 ± 6.5) intervention mean SNOT 22 scores of the loratadine control group with pre- (32.5 ± 23.7) and post- (7.8 ± 10.4) intervention mean SNOT 22 scores of the Ehretia Microphylla treatment group showed significant improvement of symptoms in both groups. Likewise, comparison of pre- and post-intervention mean VAS scores of the loratadine control group and pre- and post-intervention mean VAS scores of the Ehretia Microphylla treatment group based on symptoms of sneezing, rhinorrhea, nasal congestion and pruritus showed significant improvement of symptoms in both groups (p-values of < .001).                         Conclusion: Ehretia microphylla (Tsaang Gubat) decoction tea may improve symptoms of allergic rhinitis (sneezing, rhinorrhea, pruritus, and nasal congestion) and be taken as an alternative to loratadine in patients with mild intermittent allergic rhinitis. Further clinical trials with more participants may provide stronger evidence for this conclusion.   Keywords: Allergic rhinitis, tsaang gubat, ehretia microphylla, loratadine    

scholarly journals Experience of using plant complexes in physiological completion of lactation

2021 ◽  
pp. 54-58
Author(s):  
N. V. Kosei ◽  
O.V. Zanko ◽  
L.А. Vasylchenko ◽  
N.V. Iarotska
Keyword(s):  
Emotional Disorders ◽  
Emotional State ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mammary Glands ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Breast Pumping ◽  
Medical Counseling ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Group 1

Ending breastfeeding is often quite a challenge for women, justifying the need for qualified medical counseling and accompaniment by a doctor. Quite frequently during weaning the baby, women complain about pain, discomfort and swelling of the breasts, which affects their overall physical and psychological well-being. However, due to possible rather serious side effects, medical support for stopping lactation is mostly recommended for women with clinical indications.Research aim: to determine the effectiveness of the proposed method with Normomens for physiological completion of lactation.Materials and methods. The study involved 65 women with an average duration of lactation 9 ± 1.23 months. Patients were divided into two groups: group 1 included 34 women who received Normomens according to the scheme to stop lactation; group 2 included 31 patients who did not receive any medication. Patients were gynecological examined and counseled by oncologist. Patients' diaries included questions about the duration of lactation, presence and severity of mastalgia according to the Visual Analogue Scale, necessity of analgesics, frequency of breast pumping per day, features of psycho-emotional state according to the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Prolactin levels were also determined at the screening visit and on 25th day after weaning.Results. On the background of Normomens use the process of lactation completion was significantly easier, its completion came mostly on the 3–4 day after drug use, patients almost never complained of pain and discomfort in mammary glands, they less frequently breast pumped and had a more stable psycho-emotional state compared to the control group. Рrolactin level with usage of Normomens had a quick decrease compared to the control group.Conclusion. Normomens using for support the physiological finishing of lactation lead to acceleration of involutive processes in mammary glands, reduces pain severity and prevented psycho-emotional disorders in women.

scholarly journals Programa de actividad física y su incidencia en la depresión y bienestar subjetivo de adultos mayores (Impact of a physical activity program on older adults’ depression and subjective well-being)

Retos ◽  
2017 ◽  
pp. 14-19
Author(s):  
Lisbet Guillen Pereira ◽  
Egar Bueno Fernandez ◽  
Manuel Gutierrez Cruz ◽  
José Ramón Guerra Santiesteban
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Geriatric Depression Scale ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Geriatric Depression ◽  
Analysis Model ◽  
Geriatric Center

El artículo se enfoca en el análisis de un programa de actividades físicas y su efecto en la mejora de los niveles de depresión y bienestar subjetivo de adultos mayores. Se utiliza un diseño experimental con pre y pos tratamiento en una muestra de 111 adultos mayores seleccionado mediante criterios de inclusión, a la que se le aplicó un procedimiento de proporción de uno a tres para crear el grupo experimental y de control (n=74 grupo experimental y n=37 el grupo de control). La depresión fue medida aplicando la Escala de Depresión Geriátrica de Yesavage y el bienestar subjetivo a partir de la Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale. Para el análisis del pre con el post tratamiento se utilizó un modelo de análisis de varianza (ANOVA) con medidas repetidas (MR). Los resultados revelaron diferencias significativas en la Depresión Geriátrica (p=.000) y del Bienestar subjetivo en cada dimensión estudiada: afectos positivos (p=.000), afectos negativos (p=.000) y agitación (p=.000), lo que se concluye que las dos variables dependientes mejoraron de manera significativa al aplicar la propuesta.Abstract: This article focuses on the analysis of a program of physical activities and its effect on reducing depression levels and on increasing subjective well-being of older adults. An experimental design with pre- and post-treatment was applied to a sample of 111 older adults selected in accordance with inclusion criteria, using a one-to-three ratio procedure to create experimental and control groups (Experimental group, n = 74; control group, n = 37). Depression was measured by means of the Yesavage Geriatric Depression Scale, whereas subjective well-being with the Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale. For the pre-post analysis, a variance analysis model (ANOVA) with repeated measures (MR) was used. Results revealed significant differences in Geriatric Depression (p = .001) and subjective well-being in each dimension studied: positive affects (p = .001), negative affects (p = .001) and agitation (p = .001), We can conclude that the two dependent variables improved significantly after applying the program proposed.

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