Assessing the Individual Interviewer Rapport-Building and Supportive Techniques of the R-NICHD Protocol

The use of the rapport-building and supportive techniques formulated by the R-NICHD protocol is intended to support children and increase the quality of their statements as well as disclosures without possessing suggestive potential. While the effectiveness of the entire R-NICHD protocol for children who have actually experienced child sexual abuse (CSA) has been supported by research, to date no study assessed the effect of each individual socio-emotional interview technique in both interviewees with and without CSA experiences. The current study aimed to address this gap in research by means of an online vignette-study, asking participants to rate the identified rapport-building and supportive techniques on the scales well-being, willingness to talk, and perceived pressure. A total of 187 participants were randomly assigned to either a hypothetical “abused” or a hypothetical “not abused” group by means of a vignette-manipulation. The results suggest that many socio-emotional interview techniques were perceived as supportive and non-suggestive, while a number of techniques were perceived as not supportive but suggestive. Few differences emerged between the hypothetical “abused” group and the hypothetical “not abused” control group. To conclude, most but not all rapport-building and supportive techniques proposed by the R-NICHD protocol had a positive effect on interviewees.

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Inquiry Based Stress Reduction (IBSR) Improves Overall Stuttering Experience among Adults Who Stutter: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10102187 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (10) ◽

pp. 2187

Author(s):

Omrit Feldman ◽

Eran Goldstien ◽

Benjamin Rolnik ◽

Ariel B. Ganz ◽

Shahar Lev-Ari

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Stress Reduction ◽

Satisfaction With Life ◽

Psychological Flexibility ◽

Well Being ◽

The United States ◽

Control Group ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Adults Who Stutter

Stuttering is a speech disorder that can cause disturbances in the timing and flow of speech. In addition to being a communication disorder, stuttering is often accompanied by a reduction in the quality of life and has impacts on social status, mental well-being, self-acceptance, and the chances of integration into the labor market. The Inquiry Based Stress Reduction (IBSR) program, developed in the United States by Byron Katie in 1986, is the clinical application of “The Work” method (Thework.com) and represents an emerging mindfulness and cognitive-reframing method. IBSR has been demonstrated to improve mental health and well-being in adults and may alleviate psychological and psychosocial symptoms of stuttering. The purpose of this trial was to examine the effect of a 12-week IBSR intervention on the overall stuttering experience and indicators of anxiety, psychological flexibility, and well-being among adults who stutter (AWS). This study was a randomized controlled clinical trial. Participants were randomized to IBSR (n = 28) and control (n = 28) groups. Validated questionnaires of overall stuttering experience (OASES-A), anxiety (STAI), psychological flexibility (PFQ), and satisfaction with life (SWLS) were completed before, after, and one month after the intervention. An intention-to-treat approach was implemented for analysis. Our results show that participants in the IBSR intervention group exhibited a greater improvement in their overall stuttering experience as compared to the control group, as well as in general information on stuttering awareness and perception, reactions to stuttering, communication in daily situations, and quality of life. In addition, we found a greater reduction in anxiety levels and an increase in satisfaction-with-life scores in the IBSR group. These results indicate that IBSR can improve the overall stuttering experience.

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Influence on Forgiveness, Character Strengths and Satisfaction with Life of a Short Mindfulness Intervention via a Spanish Smartphone Application

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18020802 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (2) ◽

pp. 802

Author(s):

Juan Pablo Pizarro-Ruiz ◽

Nuria Ordóñez-Camblor ◽

Mario Del-Líbano ◽

María-Camino Escolar-LLamazares

Keyword(s):

Negative Affect ◽

Satisfaction With Life ◽

Character Strengths ◽

Well Being ◽

Smartphone Application ◽

Control Group ◽

Psychological Practice ◽

Before And After ◽

Reducing Stress ◽

Positive Effect

Mindfulness-based interventions (MBI) are a recognized effective psychological practice characterized by attention control, awareness, acceptance, non-reactivity, and non-judgmental thinking obtained through the practice of meditation. They have been shown to be useful in reducing stress and enhancing well-being in different contexts. In this research, the effectiveness of an MBI was evaluated on variables that can promote successful job performance such as mindfulness trait, positive and negative affect, forgiveness, personality strengths and satisfaction with life. The intervention was carried out through a smartphone application called “Aire Fresco” (Fresh Air) during 14 days in the middle of the quarantine produced by the Covid-19 pandemic. The study sample was composed of 164 Spanish people who were distributed in two groups: control group and experimental group, which were evaluated before and after the intervention. The MANCOVA performed showed an overall positive effect of the intervention on the variables evaluated. The different ANCOVAs carried out showed that the intervention was beneficial in increasing mindfulness trait, reducing negative affect or increasing life satisfaction, among others. Our study is, as far as we know, the first to demonstrate the effectiveness of a brief intervention in mindfulness conducted using a smartphone application in Spanish.

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Effectiveness of a Mobile Device–Based Resilience Training Program in Reducing Depressive Symptoms and Enhancing Resilience and Quality of Life in Parents of Children With Cancer: Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.27639 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Yuanhui Luo ◽

Wei Xia ◽

Ankie Tan Cheung ◽

Laurie Long Kwan Ho ◽

Jingping Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Training Program ◽

Mobile Device ◽

Well Being ◽

Control Group ◽

Children With Cancer ◽

Resilience Training ◽

Experimental Group

BACKGROUND Caring for children with cancer can be a stressful experience for parents and may have negative effects on their physical and psychological well-being. Although evidence has shown that resilience is associated with positive psychological well-being, few interventions have been specifically designed to enhance the resilience of parents of children with cancer. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to examine the effectiveness of a mobile device–based resilience training program in reducing depressive symptoms and enhancing resilience and quality of life (QoL) in parents of children with cancer. METHODS Parents of children diagnosed with cancer were recruited from the pediatric oncology wards of 3 tertiary hospitals in China. The participants were randomly assigned to either the experimental group (52/103, 50.5%) to undergo an 8-week mobile device–based resilience training program or to the control group (51/103, 49.5%) to receive an 8-week program of placebo information. The study outcomes included resilience, depressive symptoms, and QoL, as measured by the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale, the Self-Rating Depression Scale, and the Short Form of the 6-Dimension Health Survey, respectively. All data were collected at baseline and at 2 and 6 months of follow-up. The data analysis followed the intention-to-treat principle. A generalized estimating equation was used to examine the effects of the intervention. RESULTS The participants were mostly female (72/103, 69.9%), and their mean age was 33.6 (SD 5.2) years. The participants in the experimental group showed significantly higher levels of resilience (mean 67.96, SD 15.8 vs mean 58.27, SD 19.0; P<.001) and lower levels of depressive symptoms (mean 40.17, SD 9.9 vs mean 46.04, SD 10.9; P<.001) than those in the control group at 6 months of follow-up. The intervention showed statistically significant effects in improving resilience (β=6.082; P=.01) and decreasing depressive symptoms (β=−2.772; P=.04) relative to the control group. The QoL score in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group at 6 months of follow-up (mean 0.79, SD 0.2 vs mean 0.76, SD 0.3; P=.07); however, no statistically significant intervention effect was detected (β=.020; P=.38). CONCLUSIONS The mobile device–based resilience training program effectively enhanced resilience and alleviated depressive symptoms in parents of children with cancer. It is highly recommended that health care professionals incorporate this resilience training program when providing psychological care to parents of children with cancer. CLINICALTRIAL Clinical.Trials.gov NCT04038242; http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04038242

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Effectiveness of a Mobile Device–Based Resilience Training Program in Reducing Depressive Symptoms and Enhancing Resilience and Quality of Life in Parents of Children With Cancer: Randomized Controlled Trial

Journal of Medical Internet Research ◽

10.2196/27639 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 23 (11) ◽

pp. e27639

Author(s):

Yuanhui Luo ◽

Wei Xia ◽

Ankie Tan Cheung ◽

Laurie Long Kwan Ho ◽

Jingping Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Training Program ◽

Mobile Device ◽

Well Being ◽

Control Group ◽

Children With Cancer ◽

Resilience Training ◽

Experimental Group

Background Caring for children with cancer can be a stressful experience for parents and may have negative effects on their physical and psychological well-being. Although evidence has shown that resilience is associated with positive psychological well-being, few interventions have been specifically designed to enhance the resilience of parents of children with cancer. Objective The aim of this study is to examine the effectiveness of a mobile device–based resilience training program in reducing depressive symptoms and enhancing resilience and quality of life (QoL) in parents of children with cancer. Methods Parents of children diagnosed with cancer were recruited from the pediatric oncology wards of 3 tertiary hospitals in China. The participants were randomly assigned to either the experimental group (52/103, 50.5%) to undergo an 8-week mobile device–based resilience training program or to the control group (51/103, 49.5%) to receive an 8-week program of placebo information. The study outcomes included resilience, depressive symptoms, and QoL, as measured by the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale, the Self-Rating Depression Scale, and the Short Form of the 6-Dimension Health Survey, respectively. All data were collected at baseline and at 2 and 6 months of follow-up. The data analysis followed the intention-to-treat principle. A generalized estimating equation was used to examine the effects of the intervention. Results The participants were mostly female (72/103, 69.9%), and their mean age was 33.6 (SD 5.2) years. The participants in the experimental group showed significantly higher levels of resilience (mean 67.96, SD 15.8 vs mean 58.27, SD 19.0; P<.001) and lower levels of depressive symptoms (mean 40.17, SD 9.9 vs mean 46.04, SD 10.9; P<.001) than those in the control group at 6 months of follow-up. The intervention showed statistically significant effects in improving resilience (β=6.082; P=.01) and decreasing depressive symptoms (β=−2.772; P=.04) relative to the control group. The QoL score in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group at 6 months of follow-up (mean 0.79, SD 0.2 vs mean 0.76, SD 0.3; P=.07); however, no statistically significant intervention effect was detected (β=.020; P=.38). Conclusions The mobile device–based resilience training program effectively enhanced resilience and alleviated depressive symptoms in parents of children with cancer. It is highly recommended that health care professionals incorporate this resilience training program when providing psychological care to parents of children with cancer. Trial Registration Clinical.Trials.gov NCT04038242; http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04038242

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Gamification as an entrepreneur well-being intervention: A study protocol for a single-blinded randomised controlled trial

10.21203/rs.3.pex-1323/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Waqar M. Naqvi

Keyword(s):

Controlled Trial ◽

Life Quality ◽

Well Being ◽

Likert Scale ◽

Control Group ◽

Group A ◽

Measuring Scale ◽

Group B ◽

Randomised Controlled

Abstract Entrepreneurs usually work for long hours resulting in exhaustion, stress, and burnout. The prevalent symptoms of burnout are reduced levels of physical and mental energy, reduced job efficiency and diminished productivity. Therefore, it is important to improve the health of entrepreneurs. Gamification has a positive relationship with improvements in health and well-being as it influences positive experiences and satisfaction. This trial aims to study how 30-minutes of virtual reality game use via Kinect Azure and Oculus platforms 3-times per week, for 4 weeks, relates to differences in entrepreneur stress, burnout, subjective life quality, and downstream firm performance. We will recruit entrepreneurs over the age of 18 for the gamification analysis. Analysis of previous power using G*Power will determine the sample size. We will divide the participants into 3 groups, wherein Group A will undergo gamification on the Kinect platform, Group B will undergo the Oculus Quest intervention, and Group C will be the control group. We will conduct the study at two sites, one at the HuMen research. The outcome measures include a five-point Likert scale for measuring entrepreneurial stress, burnout-measuring scale (BMS) for burnout, five-point Likert scale for performance and SF-12 for Quality of life. Since current strains pave ways to future accomplishment, entrepreneurs' eudemonic well-being might particularly relate to forward-looking challenge stressors and burnouts. The results will provide an insight into how gamification could help entrepreneurs to deal with work stress and maintain high well-being.

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Effects of Non-Pharmacological Treatment on Pain, Flexibility, Balance and Quality of Life in Women with Fibromyalgia: A Randomised Clinical Trial

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10173826 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (17) ◽

pp. 3826

Author(s):

Juan Rodríguez-Mansilla ◽

Abel Mejías-Gil ◽

Elisa María Garrido-Ardila ◽

María Jiménez-Palomares ◽

Jesús Montanero-Fernández ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Perceived Exertion ◽

Exercise Program ◽

Well Being ◽

Exercise Programme ◽

Secondary Outcome ◽

Control Group ◽

Static Balance ◽

The Mean

Background: The functional deficits in people with fibromyalgia can be related to the level of physical activity performed. This study investigated the effectiveness of an active exercise programme versus exercise for well-being improving pain, flexibility, static balance, perceived exertion and quality of life of women with fibromyalgia; Methods: A randomised, single-blind, controlled trial was conducted. A total of 141 of women diagnosed with fibromyalgia were enrolled and randomised to an active exercise program group (n = 47), where they performed physical active exercises, an exercise for well-being group (n = 47), which performed the Qi Gong exercises named ‘the twenty Wang Ziping figures for health and longevity’, and a control group (n = 47), which did not receive any intervention, for a period of 4 weeks. Measures were taken at baseline and after the treatment. The primary outcome measures were static balance and centre of gravity (Wii-Fit Nintendo ©), flexibility (test de Wells and Dillon), pain (Visual Analogue Scale) and quality of life (Spanish-Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire). The secondary outcome measure was the perceived exertion during activity (BORG Scale). Results: In total, 93 participants completed the study. The mean value of the age was 52.24 ± 6.19. The post intervention results showed statistically significant improvements in the exercise for well-being and the active exercise programme groups vs. the control group in relation to pain (p = 0.006 active exercise programme group, p = 0.001 exercise for well-being group), static balance (p < 0.001 active exercise programme group) and quality of life (p < 0.001 active exercise programme group, p = 0.002 exercise for well-being group). In addition, the mean scores related to perceived fatigue during the sessions were 6.30 ± 1.88 for the active exercise programme group and 5.52 ± 1.55 for the exercise for well-being group. These differences were not significant. Conclusions: The active exercise program and exercise for well-being improved flexibility, static balance, pain and quality of life of women with fibromyalgia. The participants of the active exercise programme achieved better results that those of the exercise for well-being.

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Positive Effect of Electroacupuncture Treatment on Gut Motility in Constipated Mice Is Related to Rebalancing the Gut Microbiota

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2021/6652017 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 ◽

pp. 1-13

Author(s):

Mingmin Xu ◽

Lu Wang ◽

Yu Guo ◽

Wei Zhang ◽

Ying Chen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiota ◽

Structural Changes ◽

Functional Constipation ◽

Therapeutic Modality ◽

Functional Bowel Disorder ◽

Intestinal Dysbiosis ◽

The Individual ◽

Positive Effect ◽

Electroacupuncture Treatment

Functional constipation (FC) is a common and often recurrent functional bowel disorder that seriously affects the quality of life of affected individuals and incurs a significant economic burden on both the individual and society. There is accumulating evidence that intestinal dysbiosis contributes to constipation and that rebalancing the gut microbiota may be a novel therapeutic modality for FC. Electroacupuncture (EA) has been shown to restore the gut microbiota to normal levels in a variety of diseases. Additionally, several high-quality clinical studies have confirmed that EA is an effective, sustained, and safe treatment for FC. However, whether the effects of EA are secondary to changes in the gut microbiota and how EA modulates intestinal dysbiosis induced by constipation are unknown. Therefore, here, we focused on the potential regulatory mechanisms of EA on diphenoxylate-induced constipation in mice by analyzing structural changes in the gut microbiota. Our results showed that EA treatment effectively rebalanced the gut microbiota of constipated mice, mainly by decreasing the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, which may represent one way in which EA promotes gastrointestinal motility and alleviates constipation. Our findings lay the foundation for further mechanistic and clinical research into the application of EA in patients with FC.

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Influence of probiotic and prebiotic on meat quality of broiler chicken carcasses

BIO Web of Conferences ◽

10.1051/bioconf/20213204009 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 32 ◽

pp. 04009

Author(s):

Irina Chervonova

Keyword(s):

Meat Quality ◽

Broiler Chickens ◽

Broiler Chicken ◽

First Grade ◽

Control Group ◽

Muscle Weight ◽

The Third ◽

The Impact ◽

Positive Effect

The article presents the results of studying the impact of the spore-forming probiotic “Olin” and the prebiotic “Eсofiltrum” on the meat quality of broiler chicken carcasses of the Ross-308 cross. In the course of the research, it has been found that the inclusion of these preparations in the broiler diet has a positive effect on the studied indicators: the pre-slaughter weight increased by 4.3-5.7%, the weight of the gutted carcass by 4.6-6.2%, the muscle weight 4.8-6.5%, the weight of the loin muscles by 5.7-8.2%. The ratio of edible parts to inedible parts is 4.14 in the third experimental group, 4.08-in the second, and 4.04-in the control. Based on the results of the anatomical cutting of broiler carcasses and according to the fatness indicators the poultry carcasses of the third and second experimental groups, 87.5% and 87.2%, respectively, belong to the first grade, and the yield of the first grade carcasses is 86.2% in the control group. Meat products obtained from both the control poultry and the poultry of both experimental groups has no off-aroma odor and taste, the meat is juicy, tender and aromatic. The products obtained from broiler chickens, whose ration includes the probiotic “Olin” and the prebiotic “Ecofiltrum”, do not have any deviations from the established standards and norms. During the research, it has been found that the use of the studied drugs has a positive effect on the meat quality of poultry carcasses. However, broiler chickens receiving the probiotic “Olin” has more pronounced meat qualities.

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The Effectiveness of Mindfulness Training on Quality of Perceptual Marital Relationship and Psychological Well-being of Women with Addicted Wife

Revista Romaneasca pentru Educatie Multidimensionala ◽

10.18662/rrem/35 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (1.SP) ◽

pp. 34

Author(s):

Masoumeh GHARIBBOLUK ◽

Soghra HOSSEINZADEH

Keyword(s):

Marital Relationship ◽

Well Being ◽

Mindfulness Training ◽

Analysis Of Covariance ◽

Control Group ◽

Positive Thinking ◽

Psychological Well Being ◽

Quasi Experimental ◽

Experimental Group

Objective: The aim of the research was to investigate the effect of Mindfulness Training on Quality of Perceptual Marital Relationship and Psychological Well-being of Women with Addicted Wife.Methods: The research method was quasi-experimental with pretest- posttest and 3 months follow up, with a control group. Among the population of Women with Addicted Wife, twenty Women with Addicted Wife (10 persons in experimental group, 10 persons in control group) were selected by purposeful sampling method and were assigned in experimental and control groups. The experimental group received 8 session (2 hours for each) of positive thinking training. For data collection, Fletcher Perceived Quality of Marital Relationship Scale and Ryff Psychological Well-Being Questionnaire were used.Results: Multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) was used for analyzing the data. The results showed the Mindfulness Training was effective on the quality of marital relationship and psychological well-being among Women with Addicted Wife. Also, the training was effective in a 3 months follow up.Conclusion: Therefore, Mindfulness Training skills can be used in prevention actions.

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A Proposal of an innovative program for informal caregivers of patients with mood disorders

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2017.01.943 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 41 (S1) ◽

pp. S603-S603

Author(s):

J. Cabral ◽

C. Barreto Carvalho ◽

P. Castilho Freitas ◽

C. Pato

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Mood Disorders ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Informal Caregivers ◽

Well Being ◽

Control Group ◽

Compassion Focused Therapy ◽

The Impact

IntroductionIntervention with informal caregivers (IC) of psychiatric patients is internationally recognized as relevant and a priority. However, the existing responses in this area are still insufficient, especially regarding caregivers of individuals with mood disorders (MD). Mindfulness and compassion focused therapy have proven to be an effective approach in stress reduction and in improving emotional and social well-being of caregivers of patients with other conditions. However, no studies testing these new approaches in IC of patients with MD have been carried out. The objective of this work is to present a research project that aims to develop, implement and empirically test the effectiveness of an innovative group program to help informal caregivers of individuals with mood disorders to cope with the negative impact of the disease and reduce caregiver burdens.MethodsThe design of this experimental study to test the program's efficacy is a non-randomised controlled trial (nrct) with 12 months follow-up, with a mixed assessment methodology (quantitative and qualitative analysis). A sample of 60 informal caregivers of individuals with chronic MD will be constituted (n = 30 Control group; n= 30 Experimental group).ResultsWe expect the program to promote significant changes in participants in terms of several emotional variables (eg: burden, stress, resilience, compassion and quality of life).ConclusionsFurther efforts to continue studying the impact of interventions in caregivers should be carried out, as a way to improve the quality of life of caregivers and their ability to provide informal care to MD patients.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

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