A Randomized Control Trial of a Brief Self-Compassion Intervention for Perfectionism, Anxiety, Depression, and Body Image

Objective: Due to a rise in perfectionistic tendencies and growing concerns about the increase in mental health conditions among students this study aimed to examine the effects of a brief intervention in self-compassion on maladaptive perfectionism, anxiety, depression, and body image.Methods: The intervention consisted of four seminars and a silent half-day retreat with short lectures and relevant experiential practices from Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) and Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). This randomized wait-list control trial was pre-registered at Clinicaltrials.gov (ID: NCT03453437, Unique Protocol ID: UiBMSC2018). University students were randomly assigned to the intervention group and wait-list control group and filled out surveys weekly. A repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the groups pre- and post-treatment. Mixed level modeling was used to analyze changes in all outcome measures over time.Results: Eighty-nine participants completed the intervention. Results of the ANOVA showed significant post-intervention reductions in maladaptive perfectionistic tendencies and symptoms of depression and anxiety, in addition to increased self-compassion and improved body image in the intervention group as compared to the wait-list group. Mixed level modeling showed statistically significant changes in self-compassion, maladaptive perfectionism, adaptive perfectionism, anxiety, and depression but not body image. Only the mixed level modeling showed small but significant changes to adaptive perfectionism, also called strivings. Implications of different changes to maladaptive perfectionism than adaptive perfectionism are discussed.

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DigiKnowIt News: Educating youth about pediatric clinical trials using an interactive, multimedia educational website

Journal of Child Health Care ◽

10.1177/13674935211003774 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 136749352110037

Author(s):

Alison E. Parker ◽

Tracy M. Scull ◽

Abigail M. Morrison

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trials ◽

Interactive Multimedia ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Control Group ◽

Wait List ◽

Wait List Control Group ◽

Wait List Control ◽

Satisfaction Questionnaire ◽

Study Participants

Pediatric clinical trials allow for the testing of appropriate and effective treatments for children. However, some challenges exist with recruitment. This study examined the effectiveness of DigiKnowIt News, an interactive, multimedia website (which includes activities, videos, and comic books) designed to educate children about clinical trials. A randomized controlled trial was conducted in 2018 with 91 participants ( M age = 10.92 years; SD = 2.06). Participants were randomly assigned to intervention or wait-list control groups and completed questionnaires at pretest and posttest (1 week later) about their knowledge, attitudes, beliefs about clinical trials, and self-efficacy for participating in clinical trials. Participants in the intervention group received access to DigiKnowIt News between pretest and posttest and completed a satisfaction questionnaire at posttest. At the end of the study, participants in the wait-list control group were offered the option to use the website and complete a satisfaction questionnaire. At posttest, participants in the intervention group, compared to participants in the wait-list control group, had more knowledge about clinical trials and more reported confidence for participating in clinical trials. Participants reported high levels of satisfaction with DigiKnowIt News. The findings suggest that an educational website can improve factors related to increasing rates of participation in clinical trials.

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Efficacy of the Mindfulness Meditation Mobile App “Calm” to Reduce Stress Among College Students: Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.14273 ◽

2019 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Jennifer Huberty ◽

Jeni Green ◽

Christine Glissmann ◽

Linda Larkey ◽

Megan Puzia ◽

...

Keyword(s):

College Students ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

Mindfulness Meditation ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Mobile App ◽

Control Group ◽

Wait List Control ◽

Self Compassion ◽

Mean Differences

BACKGROUND College students experience high levels of stress. Mindfulness meditation delivered via a mobile app may be an appealing, efficacious way to reduce stress in college students. OBJECTIVE We aimed to test the initial efficacy and sustained effects of an 8-week mindfulness meditation mobile app—Calm—compared to a wait-list control on stress, mindfulness, and self-compassion in college students with elevated stress. We also explored the intervention’s effect on health behaviors (ie, sleep disturbance, alcohol consumption [binge drinking], physical activity, and healthy eating [fruit and vegetable consumption]) and the feasibility and acceptability of the app. METHODS This study was a randomized, wait-list, control trial with assessments at baseline, postintervention (8 weeks), and at follow-up (12 weeks). Participants were eligible if they were current full-time undergraduate students and (1) at least 18 years of age, (2) scored ≥14 points on the Perceived Stress Scale, (3) owned a smartphone, (4) were willing to download the Calm app, (5) were willing to be randomized, and (7) were able to read and understand English. Participants were asked to meditate using Calm at least 10 minutes per day. A P value ≤.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS A total of 88 participants were included in the analysis. The mean age (SD) was 20.41 (2.31) years for the intervention group and 21.85 (6.3) years for the control group. There were significant differences in all outcomes (stress, mindfulness, and self-compassion) between the intervention and control groups after adjustment for covariates postintervention (all P<.04). These effects persisted at follow-up (all P<.03), except for the nonreacting subscale of mindfulness (P=.08). There was a significant interaction between group and time factors in perceived stress (P=.002), mindfulness (P<.001), and self-compassion (P<.001). Bonferroni posthoc tests showed significant within-group mean differences for perceived stress in the intervention group (P<.001), while there were no significant within-group mean differences in the control group (all P>.19). Similar results were found for mindfulness and self-compassion. Effect sizes ranged from moderate (0.59) to large (1.24) across all outcomes. A significant group×time interaction in models of sleep disturbance was found, but no significant effects were found for other health behaviors. The majority of students in the intervention group reported that Calm was helpful to reduce stress and stated they would use Calm in the future. The majority were satisfied using Calm and likely to recommend it to other college students. The intervention group participated in meditation for an average of 38 minutes/week during the intervention and 20 minutes/week during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Calm is an effective modality to deliver mindfulness meditation in order to reduce stress and improve mindfulness and self-compassion in stressed college students. Our findings provide important information that can be applied to the design of future studies or mental health resources in university programs. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03891810; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03891810

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The self-esteem booster: A randomized controlled trial investigating a mobile-based intervention in students with depressive symptoms (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.26498 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Alina Bruhns ◽

Thies Lüdtke ◽

Steffen Moritz ◽

Lara Bücker

Keyword(s):

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Self Esteem ◽

The Self ◽

Smartphone App ◽

Control Group ◽

Wait List ◽

Wait List Control Group ◽

Wait List Control ◽

Self Help

BACKGROUND Depressive symptoms are one of the most common and ever increasing mental health problems among students worldwide. Conventional treatment options, particularly psychotherapy, do not reach all students in need for help. Internet- and mobile-based interventions are promising alternatives for narrowing the treatment gap. OBJECTIVE In the framework of a randomized controlled trial, we investigated the effectiveness, acceptance and side effects of a self-help smartphone app (MCT & More) based on techniques of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, acceptance and commitment therapy, and metacognitive training (MCT) in a sample of students with self-reported depressive symptoms. Furthermore, we were interested in examining the influence of treatment expectations and attitudes towards internet- and mobile-based interventions on treatment adherence and effectiveness. METHODS A total of 400 students were recruited via open access websites and randomized to either the intervention group (n = 200), who received access to the self-help smartphone app "MCT & More" for a period of four weeks, or to a wait list control group (n = 200). The PHQ-9 (depression) served as primary outcome parameter, the RSE (self-esteem) and the global item of the WHOQOL-BREF (quality of life) as secondary outcome parameters. The APOI was used to measure attitudes towards internet- and mobile-based interventions. Outcome expectations were assessed with the PATHEV and side effects with the INEP. RESULTS Per-protocol (PP), complete-case (CC) and intention-to-treat (ITT) analyses showed a significantly higher reduction in depressive symptoms (PP: F(1,222) = 3.98, P = .047, d = .26) and a significantly higher increase in self-esteem (PP: F(1,220) = 8.79, P = .003, d = .77) within the intervention group compared to the wait list control group. Most participants used the self-help smartphone app regularly (76 % at least once a week). The more positive the attitude towards internet- and mobile-based interventions (r = .260, P = .004) and the more positive the outcome expectation (r = .236, P = .009), the more frequently the self-help smartphone app was used. CONCLUSIONS The effectiveness of the self-help smartphone app "MCT & More" was demonstrated among students with depressive symptoms compared to a wait list control group. The app could be offered regularly as a low-threshold intervention to enhance students' health. CLINICALTRIAL German Clinical trials Register (DRKS00020941); https://www.drks.de/drks_web/navigate.do?navigationId=trial.HTML&TRIAL_ID=DRKS00020941

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The Effect of Counseling With Cognitive Behavioral Approach (CBT) on Self-esteem and Body Image of Lactating Mothers: Randomized Control Trial

10.21203/rs.3.rs-509473/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Nasrin Zamiri-Miandoab ◽

Mojgan Mirghafourvand ◽

Fatemeh Nemati ◽

Mahin Kamalifard

Keyword(s):

Body Image ◽

Exclusive Breastfeeding ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Self Esteem ◽

Control Group ◽

Cognitive Behavior ◽

Chi Square ◽

Repeated Measures Anova ◽

Randomized Control

Abstract Background: Self-esteem and body image are the factors that change during different periods of a woman’s life. Some of the women experience low self-esteem and negative body image in Pregnancy and postpartum. These two factors along with other factors can reduce the rate of exclusive breastfeeding among women. Cognitive-behavior therapy is one of the psychological approaches that is effective on the betterment of many of the psychological and personality disorders such as body image disorder as well as improvement of self-esteem. The aim of this randomized control trial is to recognize the effects of cognitive-behavior counseling during pregnancy period on self-esteem, body image (primary outcome) and exclusive breastfeeding (secondary outcome).Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 70 eligible pregnant women referring to health centers of Tabriz-Iran were assigned to two groups of 35 as intervention and control groups using randomized blocking method. For intervention group, 8 sessions of cognitive-behavior therapy based on Cash and Strachan’s therapeutic protocol for body image and Michael Free’s for self-esteem were performed. Rosenberg self-esteem scale and multidimensional body self-relation questionnaire (MBSRQ) were completed before intervention, immediately after intervention, and 4 weeks after delivery. Likewise, exclusive breastfeeding questionnaire was completed 4 weeks after childbirth. Independent t-test, chi square and repeated measures ANOVA tests were used to analyze the data. Results: According to repeated measures ANOVA test and with controlling baseline score, the mean scores on self-esteem (adjusted mean difference (AMD): 7.18; 95%CI: 4.43 to 9.94; p<0.001) and body image (AMD: 49.74; 95%CI: 70.91 to 28.54; p<0.001) in the intervention group were significantly higher than the control group. 63.6% of intervention group mothers and 30.3% of control group mothers had exclusive breastfeeding which for the intervention group was significantly higher than the control group based on chi square test (p=0.007). Conclusions: Cognitive-behavior approach was effective on the improvement of self-esteem and body image and through which might lead to the increase of exclusive breastfeeding among women. Trial register number: Iranian registry clinical trials (IRCT20110524006582N33). Date of registration: 2020-8-19. URL: https://en.irct.ir/trial/43395.

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Mindfulness-based intervention and aggression and rule-breaking behaviours in elementary school boys: a proof of concept trial

Journal of Psychologists and Counsellors in Schools ◽

10.1017/jgc.2021.11 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Maedeh Heidary ◽

Touraj Hashemi Nosrat Abad ◽

Wolfgang Linden

Keyword(s):

Elementary School ◽

Child Behavior Checklist ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Analysis Of Covariance ◽

Control Group ◽

Wait List ◽

Wait List Control Group ◽

Wait List Control ◽

Externalising Disorders ◽

Rule Breaking

Abstract This study investigated the effect of a mindfulness-based intervention on pathological symptoms in boys with externalised disorders. A total of 24 elementary school students with externalising disorders, diagnosed by completing the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), were randomly assigned to a mindfulness-based intervention for two months. One session per week was offered and each session lasted one hour (n = 12) or as a wait-list control group (n = 12). Data were analysed via a multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) test. Students from the intervention group showed greater reductions in rule-breaking behaviours than those in the wait-list control group. Also, there was clear superiority of the intervention relative to the wait-list control group for reducing both aggression and rule-breaking behaviours (effect size differences were d = −2.52 and d = −1.88 respectively). These positive results on outcome measures provide initial evidence for a mindfulness-based intervention as a treatment option for boys with externalising disorders.

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A Cognitive-Behavioural, Group-Based Intervention for Social Anxiety in Schizophrenia

Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1080/j.1440-1614.2000.00820.x ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 34 (5) ◽

pp. 809-813 ◽

Cited By ~ 51

Author(s):

Stephen Halperin ◽

Paula Nathan ◽

Peter Drummond ◽

David Castle

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Social Anxiety ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Behavioural Therapy ◽

Control Group ◽

Wait List ◽

Wait List Control ◽

Cognitive Behavioural

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy of group-based cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) for social anxiety in schizophrenia. Method: Patients with schizophrenia (20) with comorbid social anxiety were randomly assigned to the group-based CBT or wait-list control condition. Pre-, post- and 6-week follow-up ratings included measures of social anxiety and avoidance, mood and quality of life. Results: The intervention group improved on all outcome measures and the control group showed no change in symptomatology. Conclusions: Group-based CBT is effective in treating social anxiety in schizophrenia.

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A Digital Intervention to Alleviate Loneliness and Depression Among Older Persons During the COVID-19 Outbreak

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igab046.3347 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 933-934

Author(s):

Stav Shapira ◽

Ella Cohn-Schwartz ◽

Daphna Yeshua-Katz ◽

Limor Aharonson-Daniel ◽

A Mark Clarfield ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Older Adults ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Control Group ◽

Wait List ◽

Wait List Control Group ◽

Post Intervention ◽

Wait List Control

Abstract Social distancing has been proven to be effective in reducing infections but may cause ill effects on the mental health of older adults. We evaluated the effects of a short-term virtual group intervention that provided tools to promote better coping, and mitigate adverse mental health effects during the outbreak of the covid-19 pandemic. A Randomized controlled trial tested the effects of a guided intervention comprised of seven online group sessions in which cognitive-behavioral techniques targeting maladaptive beliefs and appraisals were learned and practiced via ZOOM. A total of 82 community-dwelling adults from Israel, aged between 65 - 90 were randomized to either an intervention group (n=64) or a wait-list control group (n=18). Loneliness (UCLA loneliness scale) and depressive symptoms (PHQ-9) were measured pre-intervention, post-intervention, and at 1-month follow-up. The findings showed a significant decrease in loneliness and depression scores in the intervention group with results maintained at 1-month follow-up. There were no significant changes in the wait-list control group. In addition, ten participants (16%) from the intervention group demonstrated a clinically meaningful decrease in depression between baseline and post-intervention, and this was maintained among 7 participants (10%) at 1-month follow-up, compared to only 1 participant (5%) in the control group. Our intervention presents a simple and easy-to-implement tool. Its relevance extends beyond the current pandemic as the skills acquired can be applied in other forms of social crises and during routine life, in order to promote the mental health of older adults who live alone and/or reside in remote areas.

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Feasibility and Preliminary Efficacy of Tailored Yoga in Survivors of Head and Neck Cancer: A Pilot Study

Integrative Cancer Therapies ◽

10.1177/1534735417753540 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 17 (3) ◽

pp. 774-784 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Melissa Adair ◽

Barbara Murphy ◽

Sujatha Yarlagadda ◽

Jie Deng ◽

Mary S. Dietrich ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Head And Neck Cancer ◽

Head And Neck ◽

Late Effects ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Hatha Yoga ◽

Control Group ◽

Wait List ◽

Wait List Control Group ◽

Efficacy Data ◽

Wait List Control

Purpose: Treatment for head and neck cancer (HNC) results in long-term toxicities and increased physical and psychosocial survivor burden. There are a limited number of treatments for these late effects. Yoga postures, breath work, relaxation, and meditation, may improve these late effects. The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility of a tailored yoga program in HNC survivors and obtain preliminary efficacy data. Methods: This was a randomized wait-list control study of yoga-naive HNC survivors who were >3 months post–cancer treatment. Baseline data were collected. Participants were randomized to either an 8-week hatha yoga intervention group or a wait-list group. Feasibility and efficacy data were collected. At 4 and 8 weeks, patients underwent a repeat assessment of health. Wait-list control group participants were offered the yoga program after data collection. Descriptive statistics evaluated feasibility. Mixed effects general linear models were used to generate estimates of the efficacy outcomes. Results: Seventy-three individuals were screened and 40 were eligible. All eligible individuals consented and enrolled. Five of the intervention group discontinued early and none in the wait-list control group. Feasibility was affirmed as participants were recruited and retained in the study, there were no adverse events, fidelity to protocol was demonstrated, and satisfaction rates were high. Efficacy measures indicated potential benefit for shoulder range of motion ( d = 0.57-0.86, P < .05), pain ( d = 0.67-0.90, P ≤ .005), and anxiety ( d = 0.59, P = .015). Conclusion: A tailored hatha yoga program is feasible and potentially efficacious for HNC survivors. Preliminary data supports further investigation of yoga in this population is needed.

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Effects of Short Practice of Climbing on Barriers Self-Efficacy within a Physical Education and Sport Intervention in Germany

Sports ◽

10.3390/sports7040081 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 (4) ◽

pp. 81 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Mirko Krüger ◽

Christiane Seng

Keyword(s):

Physical Education ◽

Field Experiment ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Personal Development ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Control Group ◽

Wait List Control ◽

Post Test ◽

8Th Graders

The study examined the effects of an indoor wall climbing intervention within the context of a regular Physical Education and Sport (PES) program on barriers self-efficacy (SE) of adolescents in Germany. The study used a field experiment with a wait-list control group. Seventy-eight 8th-graders were included (age: 14.41 ± 0.71 years), with 37 randomly assigned for the intervention group and 41 for the control group. The intervention group participated in two half-day indoor wall climbing excursions (duration: 180 min each) based on SE building strategies. Both groups were pre-and post-tested in SE of indoor wall climbing and belaying. The control group did not receive any treatment before post-test. After the intervention, significant improvements were found in the experimental group on SE of belaying (F(1,76) = 23.45, p = 0.000, η2p = 0.24) using repeated-measures ANOVA. This study provides the first evidence from a German PES field experiment on increasing an important SE facet related to indoor wall climbing among 8th-graders. The program may be improved and further analyzed to install a short-term method to achieve one important educational goal within ordinary PES programs in Germany and to contribute to the personal development of the students.

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The Effect of Counseling With Cognitive Behavior Approach on Self-esteem and Body Image in Lactating Mothers: Randomized Clinical Trial

10.21203/rs.3.rs-910447/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Nasrin Zamiri-Miandoab ◽

Mojgan Mirghafourvand ◽

Fatemeh Nemati ◽

mahin kamalifard

Keyword(s):

Body Image ◽

Behavior Therapy ◽

Exclusive Breastfeeding ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Self Esteem ◽

Control Group ◽

Cognitive Behavior ◽

Chi Square ◽

Repeated Measures Anova

Abstract BackgroundSelf-esteem and body image are the factors that change during different periods of a women’s life. Some of the women experience low self-esteem and negative body image in pregnancy and postpartum. These two factors along with other factors can reduce the rate of exclusive breastfeeding among women. Cognitive-behavior therapy is one of the psychological approaches that is effective on the betterment of many of the psychological and personality disorders such as body image disorders as well as improvement of self-esteem. The aim of this randomized control trial is to recognize the effects of cognitive-behavior counseling during pregnancy period on self-esteem, body image (primary outcome) and exclusive breastfeeding (secondary outcome).Methodsin this randomized controlled trial, 70 eligible pregnant women referring to health centers of Tabriz- Iran were assigned to two groups of 35 as intervention and control groups using randomized blocking method. For intervention group, 8 sessions of cognitive-behavior therapy based on Cash and Strachan’s body image protocol and Michael Freeʼs for self-esteem were performed.Rosenberg self-esteem scale and multidimensional body self-relation questionnaire (MBSRQ) were completed before intervention, immediately after intervention and 4 weeks after delivery. Likewise, exclusive breastfeeding questionnaire was completed 4 weeks after childbirth. Independent t-test, chi square and repeated measures ANOVA tests were used to analyze the data.ResultsAccording to repeated measures ANOVA test and with controlling baseline score, the mean scores on self-esteem (adjusted mean difference (AMD): 7.18; 95%CI: 4.43 to 9.94; p<0.001) and body image (AMD: 49.74; 95%CI: 70.91 to 28.54; p<0.001) in the intervention group were significantly higher than the control group. 63.6 % of intervention group mothers and 30.3% of control group mothers had exclusive breastfeeding which for the intervention group was significantly higher than the control group based on chi square test (p=0.007). Conclusionscognitive-behavior approach was effective on the improvement of self-esteem and body image and through which might lead to the increase of exclusive breastfeeding among women. Trial register number: Iranian registry clinical trials (IRCT20110524006582N33). Date of registration: 2020-8-19. URL: https://en.irct.ir/trial/43395.

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