scholarly journals Online Positive Affect Journaling in the Improvement of Mental Distress and Well-Being in General Medical Patients With Elevated Anxiety Symptoms: A Preliminary Randomized Controlled Trial

10.2196/11290 ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. e11290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua M Smyth ◽  
Jillian A Johnson ◽  
Brandon J Auer ◽  
Erik Lehman ◽  
Giampaolo Talamo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Positive Affect ◽  
Usual Care ◽  
Mental Distress ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Anxiety Symptoms ◽  
Medical Conditions ◽  
Medical Patients ◽  
Web Based

Background Positive affect journaling (PAJ), an emotion-focused self-regulation intervention, has been associated with positive outcomes among medical populations. It may be adapted for Web-based dissemination to address a need for scalable, evidence-based psychosocial interventions among distressed patients with medical conditions. Objective This study aimed to examine the impact of a 12-week Web-based PAJ intervention on psychological distress and quality of life in general medical patients. Methods A total of 70 adults with various medical conditions and elevated anxiety symptoms were recruited from local clinics and randomly assigned to a Web-based PAJ intervention (n=35) or usual care (n=35). The intervention group completed 15-min Web-based PAJ sessions on 3 days each week for 12 weeks. At baseline and the end of months 1 through 3, surveys of psychological, interpersonal, and physical well-being were completed. Results Patients evidenced moderate sustained adherence to Web-based intervention. PAJ was associated with decreased mental distress and increased well-being relative to baseline. PAJ was also associated with less depressive symptoms and anxiety after 1 month and greater resilience after the first and second month, relative to usual care. Conclusions Web-based PAJ may serve as an effective intervention for mitigating mental distress, increasing well-being, and enhancing physical functioning among medical populations. PAJ may be integrated into routine medical care to improve quality of life. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01873599; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01873599 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/73ZGFzD2Z)

scholarly journals Online Positive Affect Journaling in the Improvement of Mental Distress and Well-Being in General Medical Patients With Elevated Anxiety Symptoms: A Preliminary Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua M Smyth ◽  
Jillian A Johnson ◽  
Brandon J Auer ◽  
Erik Lehman ◽  
Giampaolo Talamo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Positive Affect ◽  
Usual Care ◽  
Mental Distress ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Anxiety Symptoms ◽  
Medical Conditions ◽  
Medical Patients ◽  
Web Based

BACKGROUND Positive affect journaling (PAJ), an emotion-focused self-regulation intervention, has been associated with positive outcomes among medical populations. It may be adapted for Web-based dissemination to address a need for scalable, evidence-based psychosocial interventions among distressed patients with medical conditions. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to examine the impact of a 12-week Web-based PAJ intervention on psychological distress and quality of life in general medical patients. METHODS A total of 70 adults with various medical conditions and elevated anxiety symptoms were recruited from local clinics and randomly assigned to a Web-based PAJ intervention (n=35) or usual care (n=35). The intervention group completed 15-min Web-based PAJ sessions on 3 days each week for 12 weeks. At baseline and the end of months 1 through 3, surveys of psychological, interpersonal, and physical well-being were completed. RESULTS Patients evidenced moderate sustained adherence to Web-based intervention. PAJ was associated with decreased mental distress and increased well-being relative to baseline. PAJ was also associated with less depressive symptoms and anxiety after 1 month and greater resilience after the first and second month, relative to usual care. CONCLUSIONS Web-based PAJ may serve as an effective intervention for mitigating mental distress, increasing well-being, and enhancing physical functioning among medical populations. PAJ may be integrated into routine medical care to improve quality of life. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01873599; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01873599 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/73ZGFzD2Z)

scholarly journals END-OF-LIFE CARE PREFERENCES AND WELL-BEING IN LONG-TERM CARE RESIDENTS

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S669-S669
Author(s):  
Kelly Shryock ◽  
Jacinta Dickens ◽  
Anisha Thomas ◽  
Suzanne Meeks
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Positive Affect ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
End Of Life Care ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Life Care ◽  
Term Care

Abstract Research on end-of-life care in nursing homes comes largely from the viewpoint of staff or family members. We examined patient perspectives on end-of-life care, preferences for care, and quality of life in long-term care settings. We hypothesized that fulfillment of the Self Determination Theory (SDT) needs of autonomy, competence, and relatedness would be related to better well-being and that the degree to which end-of-life care preferences are seen as possible in the setting would be related to SDT need fulfillment and well-being. Preliminary data, collected from older individuals at the end of life (over 55, presence of significant chronic disease, in long term care setting) (n= 72), demonstrated that autonomy, competence, and relatedness measures were moderately and significantly correlated with well-being as measured by life satisfaction, higher positive affect, lower negative affect, and overall quality of life measures The degree to which residents believed that their end-of-life care preferences could be honored in the setting was also significantly correlated with autonomy, competence, relatedness, positive affect, and psychological quality of life. These results are consistent with SDT and suggest that if long term care settings can promote autonomy, connection, and competence in making end of life decisions, possibly by discovering and fulfilling preferences for end of life care, individuals who end their lives on those settings have potential for greater satisfaction and happiness. These results suggest that SDT is a useful framework for ongoing research on how to improve the end of life experiences of older adults in long term care.

scholarly journals Fatigue in patients on oral targeted or chemotherapy for cancer and associations with anxiety, depression, and quality of life

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 141-147
Author(s):  
Hanneke Poort ◽  
Jamie M. Jacobs ◽  
William F. Pirl ◽  
Jennifer S. Temel ◽  
Joseph A. Greer
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Oral Treatment ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Anxiety Symptoms ◽  
Severe Fatigue ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
The Impact

AbstractObjectivesOral treatment (targeted or chemotherapy) for cancer is being increasingly used. While fatigue is a known side effect of intravenous chemotherapy, the rate of fatigue and the impact of fatigue on other patient-reported outcomes are not well described.MethodAt Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, 180 adult patients prescribed oral targeted or chemotherapy for various malignancies enrolled in a randomized controlled trial of adherence and symptom management. Patients completed baseline self-reported measures of fatigue (Brief Fatigue Inventory; BFI), anxiety and depressive symptoms (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale; HADS), and quality of life, including subscales for physical, social, emotional, and functional well-being ([QOL] Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy — General; FACT-G). We examined clinically relevant fatigue using a validated cut-off score for moderate-severe fatigue (BFI global fatigue ≥4) and tested the associations with anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, and QOL with independent samples t-tests.ResultsAt baseline, 45 of 180 participants (25.0%) reported moderate-severe fatigue. Fatigued patients experienced more anxiety symptoms (mean diff. 3.73, P < 0.001), more depressive symptoms (mean diff. 4.14, P < 0.001), and worse QOL on the total FACT-G score (mean diff. −19.58, P < 0.001) and all subscales of the FACT-G compared to patients without moderate-severe fatigue.Significance of resultsOne in four patients on oral treatment for cancer experienced clinically relevant fatigue that is associated with greater anxiety and depressive symptoms and worse QOL.

Effectiveness of health web-based and mobile app-based interventions designed to improve informal caregiver’s well-being and quality of life: A systematic review

2020 ◽  
Vol 134 ◽  
pp. 104003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jael Lorca-Cabrera ◽  
Carme Grau ◽  
Rut Martí-Arques ◽  
Laia Raigal-Aran ◽  
Anna Falcó-Pegueroles ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Web Based

scholarly journals Consequences of anxiety in older persons: its effect on disability, well-being and use of health services

1999 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 583-593 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. de BEURS ◽  
A. T. F. BEEKMAN ◽  
A. J. L. M. van BALKOM ◽  
D. J. H. DEEG ◽  
R. van DYCK ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Anxiety Disorder ◽  
Older Persons ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Anxiety Symptoms ◽  
Appropriate Care ◽  
Older Subjects ◽  
Use Of Health Services

Background. Although anxiety is quite prevalent in late life, its impact on disability, well-being, and health care utilization of older persons has not been studied. Older persons are a highly relevant age group for studying the consequences of anxiety, since their increasing numbers put an extra strain on already limited health care resources.Methods. Data of a large community-based random probability sample (N=659) of older subjects (55–85 year) in the Netherlands were used to select three groups: subjects with a diagnosed anxiety disorder, subjects with merely anxiety symptoms and a reference group without anxiety. These groups were compared with regard to their functioning, subjective well-being, and use of health care services, while controlling for potentially confounding variables.Results. Anxiety was associated with increased disability and diminished well-being. Older persons with a diagnosed anxiety disorder were equally affected in their functioning as those with merely anxiety symptoms. Although use of health services was increased in anxiety sufferers, their use of appropriate care was generally low.Conclusions. Anxiety has a clear negative impact on the functioning and well-being of older subjects. The similarity of participants with an anxiety disorder and those having merely anxiety symptoms regarding quality of life variables and health care use was quite striking. Finally, in spite of its grave consequences for the quality of life, appropriate care for anxiety is seldom received. Efforts to improve recognition, disseminate effective treatments in primary care, and referring to specialized care may have positive effects on the management of anxiety in late life.

scholarly journals Mindfulness in informal caregivers of palliative patients

2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monika Kögler ◽  
Monika Brandstätter ◽  
Gian Domenico Borasio ◽  
Veronika Fensterer ◽  
Helmut Küchenhoff ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Meaning In Life ◽  
Mental Distress ◽  
Informal Caregivers ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Brief Symptom Inventory ◽  
Mindfulness Practice ◽  
Satisfaction With Life Scale ◽  
Psychological Well Being

AbstractObjectives:Mindfulness is a concept of growing impact on psychotherapy and has been shown to be effective for stress reduction and to improve psychological well-being. Existential Behavioural Therapy (EBT) was developed to support relatives of palliative care (PC) patients to cope with their situation during caregiving and bereavement. Mindfulness training was a core element of the intervention.We investigated the relationship between mindfulness, mental distress, and psychological well-being in informal caregivers, and evaluated if the effects of the intervention were mediated by mindfulness.Methods:Relatives of PC inpatients took part in a randomized-controlled EBT trial and completed the Cognitive and Affective Mindfulness Scale-Revised, items from the Five Facets of Mindfulness as well as the Brief Symptom Inventory, the Satisfaction with Life Scale, the WHOQOL-BREF, a numerical rating scale on quality of life (range 0–10), and the Schedule for Meaning in Life Evaluation at pre- and post-intervention, and a 3- and 12-months follow-up.Results:One-hundred-and-thirty carers were included, most of them (71.6%) recently being bereaved at the beginning of the intervention. High correlations between mindfulness and mental distress (r = −0.51, p < 0.001) as well as life satisfaction (r = 0.52, p < 0.001) were found. Mindfulness was a significant predictor of improvement in psychological distress, meaning in life and quality of life three months after the intervention. The EBT effects were partly mediated by mindfulness.Significance of results:Mindfulness seems to be a promising concept in supporting informal caregivers of PC patients. Further research is needed to identify the required format and intensity of mindfulness practice necessary for improvement.

Acupuncture for Cancer-Related Fatigue in Patients With Breast Cancer: A Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial

2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (36) ◽  
pp. 4470-4476 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Molassiotis ◽  
Joy Bardy ◽  
Jennifer Finnegan-John ◽  
Peter Mackereth ◽  
David W. Ryder ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Usual Care ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Cancer Related Fatigue ◽  
General Fatigue ◽  
Acupuncture Effect

Purpose We aimed to assess the effectiveness of acupuncture for cancer-related fatigue (CRF) in patients with breast cancer. Patients and Methods We conducted a pragmatic, randomized controlled trial comparing acupuncture with enhanced usual care. Three hundred two outpatients with breast cancer participated. We randomly assigned 75 patients to usual care and 227 patients to acupuncture plus usual care (random assignment of 1:3 respectively) with minimization controlling for baseline general fatigue and maintenance treatment. Treatment was delivered by acupuncturists once a week for 6 weeks through needling three pairs of acupoints. The usual care group received a booklet with information about fatigue and its management. Primary outcome was general fatigue at 6 weeks, measured with the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI). Other measurements included the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–General quality-of-life scale, and expectation of acupuncture effect. Analyses were by intention to treat. Results Two hundred forty-six of 302 patients randomly assigned provided complete data at 6 weeks. The difference in the mean General Fatigue score, between those who received the intervention and those who did not, was −3.11 (95% CI, −3.97 to −2.25; P < .001). The intervention also improved all other fatigue aspects measured by MFI, including Physical Fatigue and Mental Fatigue (acupuncture effect, −2.36 and −1.94, respectively; both at P < .001), anxiety and depression (acupuncture effect, −1.83 and −2.13, respectively; both at P < .001), and quality of life (Physical Well-Being effect, 3.30; Functional Well-Being effect, 3.57; both at P < .001; Emotional Well-Being effect, 1.93; P = .001; and Social Functioning Well-Being effect, 1.05; P < .05). Conclusion Acupuncture is an effective intervention for managing the symptom of CRF and improving patients' quality of life.

scholarly journals Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental Well-Being. A Nationwide Online Survey Covering Three Pandemic Waves in Poland

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mateusz Babicki ◽  
Krzysztof Kowalski ◽  
Bogna Bogudzińska ◽  
Agnieszka Mastalerz-Migas
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Psychiatric Treatment ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Nationwide Survey ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Anxiety Symptoms ◽  
Life Assessment ◽  
Subjective Quality Of Life

The COVID-19 pandemic has a significant impact on human life. This study aims to assess the prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms, and the assessment of the quality of life in different stages of the COVID-19 pandemic based on an online nationwide survey. The study was based on a voluntary, anonymous, and authors' own questionnaire. The first section assesses sociodemographic status. Then, standardized psychometric tools were used such as the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Assessment (GAD-7), and the Manchester Short Assessment of Quality of Life (MANSA). The study was conducted in three stages corresponding to the waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland. The survey involved 5,790 respondents; 2,457, 1,626, and 1,707 for the first, second, and third pandemic wave, respectively. It was found that anxiety and depressive symptoms increased as the pandemic progressed. There was no significant effect on the subjective quality-of-life assessment. Moreover, there was a gradual decrease in anxiety about being infected with COVID-19 as well as reduced adherence to the Minister of Health's recommendations. As the COVID-19 pandemic progressed, depressive and anxiety symptoms increased among Poles. Women, singles, and people with prior psychiatric treatment are more likely to develop the aforementioned symptoms.

Neurology Quality of Life Positive Affect and Well-Being Scale

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
John M. Salsman ◽  
David Victorson ◽  
Seung W. Choi ◽  
Amy H. Peterman ◽  
Allen W. Heinemann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Positive Affect ◽  
Well Being

scholarly journals The COVID-19-Related Lockdown in Qatar: Associations Among Demographics, Social Distancing, Mood Changes, and Quality of Life

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed M. Megreya ◽  
Robert D. Latzman ◽  
Aisha M. Al-Ahmadi ◽  
Nasser F. Al-Dosari
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Negative Affect ◽  
Positive Affect ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Mood Changes

AbstractThe worldwide spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the absence of medical treatment and vaccination, the delayed onset of symptoms, and the rapid human-to-human transmission have led the vast majority of countries to impose strict social distancing procedures. Whereas it appears that social distancing is an effective strategy for mitigating spread, it may also result in a variety of unintended negative consequences to individuals’ psychological well-being and mental health. During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the present study examined associations among some demographic variables (gender, age, marital and working statuses, and having a family member or a friend infected with COVID-19), acceptance of social distancing, mood changes, and quality of life (QoL) in Qatar, a high-income Middle Eastern Arabic-speaking country. Older, married, and working participants were more accepting of social distancing than younger, unmarried, and non-working participants, respectively. Participants indicated that, during this time, they became more distressed, upset, scared, irritable, nervous, and afraid, and less inspired and determined. In a stark contrast, more individuals indicated that they became more interested, alert, and attentive, whereas higher percentages of participants reported feeling less guilty, hostile, and ashamed. Social distancing correlated positively with negative affect, whereas social avoidances correlated positively with positive affect and with physical, psychological, social, and environmental QoL. Finally, positive affect correlated positively, and negative affect correlated negatively, with these four domains of QoL. These results highlight the need for public health and clinical providers to consider peoples’ psychological well-being and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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