scholarly journals Virtual Reality Reward Training for Anhedonia: A Pilot Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly Chen ◽  
Nora Barnes-Horowitz ◽  
Michael Treanor ◽  
Michael Sun ◽  
Katherine S. Young ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Negative Affect ◽  
Positive Affect ◽  
Great Promise ◽  
Psychological Therapies ◽  
Significant Depression ◽  
Poor Treatment ◽  
Clinically Significant

Anhedonia is a risk factor for suicide and poor treatment response in depressed individuals. Most evidence-based psychological therapies target symptoms of heightened negative affect (e.g., negative inferential style) instead of deficits in positive affect (e.g., attenuated reward response) and typically show little benefit for anhedonia. Viewing positive scenes through virtual reality (VR) has been shown to increase positive affect and holds great promise for addressing anhedonic symptoms. In this pilot study, six participants with clinically significant depression completed 13 sessions of exposure to positive scenes in a controlled VR environment. Significant decreases were found in self-reported anhedonia, depression, anxiety, and impairments in functioning from baseline to 1-month follow-up. Negative affect decreased over all 13 sessions, and positive affect increased over sessions 8–13. Results suggest that positive experiences in VR may be a novel avenue for the treatment of anhedonia in depressed individuals.

scholarly journals Virtual reality is a feasible intervention platform in multiple sclerosis: A pilot protocol and acute improvements in affect

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 205521732110061
Author(s):  
Michael T. Shaw ◽  
Maria J. Palmeri ◽  
Martin Malik ◽  
Bryan Dobbs ◽  
Leigh E. Charvet
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Adverse Events ◽  
Negative Affect ◽  
Positive Affect ◽  
Symptom Burden ◽  
Emerging Technology ◽  
Daily Functioning ◽  
Age Range

Background People living with multiple sclerosis (MS) experience a high symptom burden that interferes with daily functioning. Virtual reality (VR) is an emerging technology with a range of potential therapeutic applications that may include ameliorating the experience of some common MS symptoms. Objective We tested the feasibility and tolerability of a VR intervention and its preliminary effects on affect. Methods Participants with MS were recruited to complete a pilot study of eight sessions of VR over four weeks. Results A total of n = 16 participants with MS completed the study (age range: 28–63). Feasibility goals were met with 100% of the sample completing at least n = 4/8 of their intervention sessions, with a total of 119/128 (93%) completed sessions. Two of the n = 16 participants experienced brief adverse events (balance, vertigo) but these resolved with headset removal and were not otherwise treatment limiting. There was a preliminary indication of overall improved affect from baseline to intervention end, with significantly improved positive affect ( t(15) = −3.19, p = 0.006) and decreased negative affect ( t(15) = 2.25, p = 0.040). Conclusion VR interventions are feasible, safe, and tolerable for individuals living with MS and may improve affect.

scholarly journals Salience of positive and negative affect in the recognition of depression among elderly persons

1999 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 129-133
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Negative Affect ◽  
Positive Affect ◽  
Older Persons ◽  
Positive And Negative Affect ◽  
Elderly Persons ◽  
Significant Depression ◽  
Clinically Significant ◽  
Geriatric Center

Generally, depression is thought of in terms of negative affect However, in the following paper, the contribution of positive affect (PA), as well as negative affect (NA), is demonstrated in the recognition of clinically significant depression. Affect and depression data were collected from 554 residents of a large, urban geriatric center. Statistical analyses demonstrated that both PA and NA were correlated with depression and measures of frailty, and that low PA and high NA were risk factors for depression 1 year later. Results suggest that low PA, or anhedonia, may be particularly important in diagnosing depression among older persons who may not readily report depressive symptoms such as sadness.

scholarly journals Diet quality and well-being in children and adolescents: the UP&DOWN longitudinal study

2018 ◽  
Vol 121 (2) ◽  
pp. 221-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Esteban-Gonzalo ◽  
Anne I. Turner ◽  
Susan J. Torres ◽  
Irene Esteban-Cornejo ◽  
José Castro-Piñero ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Secondary School ◽  
Negative Affect ◽  
Primary School ◽  
Positive Affect ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Down's Syndrome ◽  
Down’S Syndrome ◽  
Well Being ◽  
School Girls

AbstractThe present study examined the association between high-quality diet (using the Mediterranean diet (MD) as an example) and well-being cross-sectionally and prospectively in Spanish children and adolescents. Participants included 533 children and 987 adolescents at baseline and 527 children and 798 adolescents at 2-year follow-up, included in the UP&DOWN study (follow-up in schoolchildren and adolescents with and without Down’s syndrome). The present study excluded participants with Down’s syndrome. Adherence to an MD was assessed using the KIDMED index. Well-being was measured using the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule and the KIDSCREEN-10 questionnaire. Associations between MD adherence and well-being were assessed using multi-level, mixed-effects linear regression. At baseline, MD adherence was positively related to health-related quality of life in secondary school girls and boys (β=0·41,se0·10,P<0·001;β=0·46,se0·10,P<0·001, respectively) and to positive affect in secondary school girls and boys (β=0·16,se0·05,P=0·006;β=0·20,se0·05,P<0·001, respectively) and in primary school boys (β=0·20,se0·08,P=0·019). At 2-year follow-up, MD adherence was negatively related to negative affect in secondary school adolescent girls and boys (β=–0·15,se0·07,P=0·047;β=–0·16,se0·06,P=0·019, respectively), and MD adherence was associated with higher positive affect scores in secondary school girls (β=0·30,se0·06,P<0·001) and in primary school boys (β=0·20,se0·09,P=0·023). However, MD adherence at baseline did not predict well-being indicators at 2-year follow-up. In conclusion, higher MD adherence was found to behave as a protective factor for positive well-being in cross-sectional analysis.

Neuroticism, alexithymia, negative affect and positive affect as predictors of medically unexplained symptoms in primary care

2002 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 181-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. De Gucht
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Negative Affect ◽  
Positive Affect ◽  
Personality Traits ◽  
Affective State ◽  
Medically Unexplained Symptoms ◽  
Positive And Negative Affect ◽  
Medically Unexplained ◽  
Unexplained Symptoms

Background:Somatization has been defined in a number of ways. Despite their differences, these definitions have one element in common, namely the presence of somatic symptoms that cannot be explained (adequately) by organic findings.Objective:The primary objectives of the dissertation were to gain a better insight into the concept of somatization, and to study (prospectively) the relationship between neuroticism and alexithymia, two personality traits that have been shown to be related to somatization, the affective state dimensions positive and negative affect (or psychological distress) and medically unexplained symptoms.Method:A selective review was conducted regarding conceptual and methodological issues related to somatization. A total number of 318 patients, presenting to their primary care physician with medically unexplained symptoms, participated in the prospective study. Both at baseline and at 6-month follow-up a number of measures were filled out with respect to somatization, neuroticism, alexithymia, negative and positive affect, anxiety and depression.Results:The concept of somatization was clarified, thereby making use of the distinction between presenting and functional somatization. The personality traits neuroticism and alexithymia were found to have an indirect influence on symptom reports. Both the cross-sectional and follow-up data pointed to the importance of positive and negative affect as determinants of (changes in) number of symptoms (over time). Negative affect, together with the alexithymia dimension measuring difficulty identifying feelings, predicted symptom persistence.Conclusions:The theoretical as well as therapeutic implications of the present paper may give an impetus to new research in the domain of somatization.

scholarly journals Embodying self-compassion within virtual reality and its effects on patients with depression

BJPsych Open ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 74-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline J. Falconer ◽  
Aitor Rovira ◽  
John A. King ◽  
Paul Gilbert ◽  
Angus Antley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Immersive Virtual Reality ◽  
Depression Severity ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Clinically Significant ◽  
Clinical Potential ◽  
Further Development ◽  
Virtual Body

BackgroundSelf-criticism is a ubiquitous feature of psychopathology and can be combatted by increasing levels of self-compassion. However, some patients are resistant to self-compassion.AimsTo investigate whether the effects of self-identification with virtual bodies within immersive virtual reality could be exploited to increase self-compassion in patients with depression.MethodWe developed an 8-minute scenario in which 15 patients practised delivering compassion in one virtual body and then experienced receiving it from themselves in another virtual body.ResultsIn an open trial, three repetitions of this scenario led to significant reductions in depression severity and self-criticism, as well as to a significant increase in self-compassion, from baseline to 4-week follow-up. Four patients showed clinically significant improvement.ConclusionsThe results indicate that interventions using immersive virtual reality may have considerable clinical potential and that further development of these methods preparatory to a controlled trial is now warranted.

scholarly journals Pilot Study Investigating the Effect of a Suppression Versus Mindfulness-Based Strategy in Coping with Cigarette Cravings

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenny Rogojanski
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Negative Affect ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Nicotine Dependence ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Emotional Functioning ◽  
Cue Exposure ◽  
Cigarette Cravings

The current pilot study investigated the effectiveness of a brief suppression versus mindfulness-based strategy for coping with cigarette cravings. Participants (N = 61) were randomly assigned to one of the two coping strategies to manage cravings during an experimental cue exposure to cigarettes. Results indicate that participants in both conditions reported significantly reduced amounts of smoking and increased self-efficacy in coping with smoking urges at a seven-day follow-up. However, only participants in the mindfulness condition demonstrated reductions in negative affect, depressive symptoms, and reduced levels of nicotine dependence. These findings indicate that while both conditions were associated with improvements on smoking relevant outcomes, mindfulness was unique for its beneficial impacts on reported nicotine dependence and emotional functioning over the course of the study.

scholarly journals Feeling Gratitude is Associated with Better Well-being across the Life Span: A Daily Diary Study during the COVID-19 Outbreak

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Da Jiang
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Negative Affect ◽  
Positive Affect ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Daily Diary ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Subjective Health ◽  
Diary Study ◽  
Daily Diary Study

Abstract Objectives Numerous studies have shown that gratitude can improve mental health of people facing stressful events. However, most studies in this area have been based on laboratory experiments and retrospective surveys, rather than actual situations in which people are experiencing stress. Moreover, few studies have examined whether age moderates the benefits of gratitude. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused enormous psychological distress worldwide. Evidence-based strategies are needed to enhance well-being during this stressful time. This study attempted to fill these gaps by examining the benefits of feeling gratitude every day during the COVID-19 outbreak. Method A sample of 231 participants from mainland China aged 18 to 85 years participated in a 14-day daily diary study. After a pretest to collect demographic data, information on gratitude, daily positive and negative affect, perceived stress related to COVID-19, and subjective health were measured using daily questionnaires on 14 consecutive days. One month after the daily diary period, information on affective experiences, life satisfaction, and subjective health was collected as a follow-up survey. Results On days when individuals feel more gratitude than usual, they report more positive affect, a lower level of perceived stress related to COVID-19, and better subjective health on the concurrent day (Day N). Individuals also report a lower level of stress related to COVID-19 on the following day (Day N+1), when they feel more gratitude than usual on Day N. Higher levels of gratitude across the 14-day study period was associated with a higher level of positive affect and a lower level of negative affect, but was not associated with life satisfaction or subjective health at the one-month follow-up assessment. Discussion These findings demonstrate the benefits of gratitude in a naturalistic situation that induced stress and anxiety.

Stop and Start Control: A Distinction within Self–Control

2011 ◽  
Vol 25 (5) ◽  
pp. 349-362 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin J. de Boer ◽  
Edwin A. J. van Hooft ◽  
Arnold B. Bakker
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Negative Affect ◽  
Positive Affect ◽  
Self Control ◽  
Factor Analyses ◽  
Confirmatory Factor Analyses ◽  
Student Sample ◽  
Confirmatory Factor ◽  
Expert Ratings

A theoretical distinction within self–control, between stop control and start control, was investigated in two studies. Study 1 consisted of a pilot study in which expert ratings of existing self–control items were used to distinguish between stop and start control items and a confirmatory factor analyses of these items using a student sample ( N = 474). Also, stop and start control were related to overall affect and behavioural outcomes. Stop control was negatively related to negative affect, whereas start control was positively related to positive affect. Study 2 ( N = 226) replicated some of these findings; stop control was the best predictor (−) of smoking and alcohol consumption whereas start control was the best predictor (+) of exercising and studying. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

scholarly journals Clinical Utility of Assessing Changes of Personality Functioning During Substance Misuse Treatment

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 117822182093110
Author(s):  
Fivos E Papamalis
Keyword(s):  
Substance Misuse ◽  
Empirical Support ◽  
Functional Characteristic ◽  
Dropping Out ◽  
Personality Functioning ◽  
Poor Treatment ◽  
Significant Change ◽  
Clinically Significant ◽  
Purposeful Selection

Dimensional models for classifying personality have received extensive empirical support in the treatment of substance misuse. However, we do not currently understand whether and which dimensions of personality functioning are amenable to change. The aim was to examine whether there are clinically significant changes between pre- and during-treatment and assess whether these differ between those completing or dropping out of treatment. From the 200 participants from the outpatient and 340 from the inpatient treatment, a purposeful selection was utilised of 75 cases that participated in both phases and had complete datasets of the assessment battery. A quantitative multi-site individual follow-up design allowed the examination of the potential effects of treatment in personality functioning as well as the degree of clinical significant change of personality functioning. We use Jacob and Truax’s formula of reliable and clinically significant change. Five independent mixed between-within subject analyses of variance were performed. All personality adaptations changed towards higher-functioning levels, except Social Concordance, which remained stable. Compared to those dropping out, completers had significantly more changes towards functional characteristic adaptations and higher clinical improvement. The persistence of maladaptive characteristic adaptations may be an important risk marker for poor treatment outcomes, requiring therapeutic attention.

Personality and risk for depression in a birth cohort of 70-year-olds followed for 15 years

2008 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
pp. 663-671 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. R. Duberstein ◽  
S. P. Pálsson ◽  
M. Waern ◽  
I. Skoog
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Mood Disorder ◽  
Birth Cohort ◽  
Late Life Depression ◽  
Survival Analyses ◽  
Point Increase ◽  
Significant Depression ◽  
Clinically Significant

BackgroundThe association between personality traits and the first lifetime onset of clinically significant depression has not been studied in older adults.MethodExperienced psychiatrists conducted interviews and chart reviews at baseline and throughout the 15-year follow-up period. Survival analyses were conducted on the presence/absence of a DSM-III-R mood disorder at follow-up.ResultsThere were 59 cases of first lifetime episodes of depression. Analyses showed that Neuroticism [hazard ratio (HR) per one point increase in the Maudsley Personality Inventory (MPI)=1.05, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02–1.08] but not Extroversion (HR 1.02, 95% CI 0.97–1.06) amplified risk for mood disorder.ConclusionsThis prospective study on a randomly sampled birth cohort of older adults showed that Neuroticism confers risk for a first lifetime episode of clinically significant depression. Findings have implications for understanding the etiology of late-life depression (LLD) and could also aid in the identification and treatment of people at risk.

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