scholarly journals The Effects of Diverse Exercise on Cognition and Mental Health of Children Aged 5–6 Years: A Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ningxin Jia ◽  
Xijin Zhang ◽  
Xu Wang ◽  
Xiaosheng Dong ◽  
Yanan Zhou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Preschool Children ◽  
Cognitive Development ◽  
Performance Test ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Picture Completion ◽  
Rate Of Learning ◽  
Mental Health Questionnaire

The rate of learning and cognitive development is at its highest level in preschool-aged children, making this stage a critical period. Exercise has received increasing attention for its beneficial physical and mental health effects on the development of preschool children. This study investigated the effects of diverse exercise on the cognition of preschool children. Two classes were randomly selected from kindergarten classes of children aged 5–6 years, and designated as the experimental and control classes. Each class contained 20 children (10 boys and 10 girls) according to the kindergarten class system. The experimental class completed exercises according to the designed curriculum, while control class carried out exercises according to the regular teaching plan, for a study period of 12 weeks. The Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI) and the Mental Health Questionnaire for Children were used to assess outcomes, both at the beginning and end of study. After 12 weeks, the experimental class has improved in the “Object Assembly,” “Block Design,” “Picture Completion,” and “Coding” (14.70 ± 2.14, p < 0.01; 14.54 ± 1.56, p < 0.01; 9.62 ± 2.06, p < 0.05; 15.92 ± 2.72, p < 0.05) in performance test, and showed improvements in the “Movement,” “Cognitive Ability,” “Sociality” and “Living Habits” (5.65 ± 0.59, p < 0.01; 11.20 ± 1.91, p < 0.05; 9.05 ± 1.72, p < 0.05; 7.10 ± 1.45, p < 0.05) in mental health outcomes. Diverse exercise has a significantly beneficial role in promoting the cognitive development of children aged 5–6 years, as well as a beneficial, albeit insignificant, role in their mental health.

scholarly journals A Randomized Controlled Trial of Tai Chi for Tension Headaches

2007 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 107-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan B. Abbott ◽  
Ka-Kit Hui ◽  
Ron D. Hays ◽  
Ming-Dong Li ◽  
Timothy Pan
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Tai Chi ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Tension Type Headaches ◽  
Headache Impact

This study examined whether a traditional low-impact mind–body exercise, Tai Chi, affects health-related quality-of-life (HRQOL) and headache impact in an adult population suffering from tension-type headaches. Forty-seven participants were randomly assigned to either a 15 week intervention program of Tai Chi instruction or a wait-list control group. HRQOL (SF-36v2) and headache status (HIT-6™) were obtained at baseline and at 5, 10 and 15 weeks post-baseline during the intervention period. Statistically significant (P< 0.05) improvements in favor of the intervention were present for the HIT score and the SF-36 pain, energy/fatigue, social functioning, emotional well-being and mental health summary scores. A 15 week intervention of Tai Chi practice was effective in reducing headache impact and also effective in improving perceptions of some aspects of physical and mental health.

scholarly journals Text-Based Program Addressing the Mental Health of Soon-to-be and New Fathers (SMS4dads): Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Fletcher ◽  
Chris May ◽  
John Attia ◽  
Craig Franklin Garfield ◽  
Geoff Skinner
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Text Messaging ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Perinatal Period ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Online Information ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Mobile Phone Technology ◽  
Self Confidence ◽  
The Impact

BACKGROUND Recent estimates indicating that approximately 10% of fathers experience Paternal Perinatal Depression (PPND) and the increasing evidence of the impact of PPND on child development suggest that identifying and assisting distressed fathers is justified on public health grounds. However, addressing new fathers’ mental health needs requires overcoming men’s infrequent contact with perinatal health services and their reluctance to seek help. Text-based interventions delivering information and support have the potential to reach such groups in order to reduce the impact of paternal perinatal distress and to improve the wellbeing of their children. While programs utilising mobile phone technology have been developed for mothers, fathers have not been targeted. Since text messages can be delivered to individual mobile phones to be accessed at a time that is convenient, it may provide a novel channel for engaging with “hard-to-reach” fathers in a critical period of their parenting. OBJECTIVE The study will test the efficacy of SMS4dads, a text messaging program designed specifically for fathers including embedded links to online information and regular invitations (Mood Tracker) to monitor their mood, in order to reduce self-reported depression, anxiety and stress over the perinatal period. METHODS A total of 800 fathers-to-be or new fathers from within Australia will be recruited via the SMS4dads website and randomized to the intervention or control arm. The intervention arm will receive 14 texts per month addressing fathers’ physical and mental health, their relationship with their child, and coparenting with their partner. The control, SMS4health, delivers generic health promotion messages twice per month. Messages are timed according to the babies’ expected or actual date of birth and fathers can enroll from 16 weeks into the pregnancy until their infant is 12 weeks of age. Participants complete questionnaires assessing depression, anxiety, stress, and alcohol at baseline and 24 weeks postenrolment. Measures of coparenting and parenting confidence are also completed at baseline and 24 weeks for postbirth enrolments. RESULTS Participant were recruited between October 2016 and September 2017. Follow-up data collection has commenced and will be completed in March 2018 with results expected in June 2018. CONCLUSIONS This study’s findings will assess the efficacy of a novel text-based program specifically targeting fathers in the perinatal period to improve their depression, anxiety and distress symptoms, coparenting quality, and parenting self-confidence. CLINICALTRIAL Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12616000261415; https://www.anzctr.org.au/ Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=370085 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6wav55wII).

scholarly journals Demographic, physical and mental health assessments in the adolescent brain and cognitive development study: Rationale and description

2018 ◽  
Vol 32 ◽  
pp. 55-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deanna M. Barch ◽  
Matthew D. Albaugh ◽  
Shelli Avenevoli ◽  
Linda Chang ◽  
Duncan B. Clark ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Cognitive Development ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Development Study ◽  
Health Assessments

scholarly journals Effect of multi-micronutrient-fortified rice on cognitive performance depends on premix composition and cognitive function tested: results of an effectiveness study in Cambodian schoolchildren

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 816-827 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marion Fiorentino ◽  
Marlène Perignon ◽  
Khuov Kuong ◽  
Richard de Groot ◽  
Megan Parker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
School Performance ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Micronutrient Status ◽  
Picture Completion ◽  
Parasite Infestation ◽  
The Impact

AbstractObjectiveEven though current policy is strongly focused on the crucial first ‘1000 days’, it might be still possible to enhance cognitive function during the pre-adolescent and adolescent years by improving micronutrient status. In Cambodia, nutritional status is poor. Provision of rice fortified with micronutrients through a school meal programme (SMP) could be a cost-effective strategy to help improve health and school performance. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of three different micronutrient-fortified rice formulations on cognitive function in Cambodian children.SettingSixteen Cambodian schools receiving SMP.DesignThe FORISCA-UltraRice®+NutriRice®study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Four groups of four schools were randomly allocated to receive normal rice, UltraRice®Original, UltraRice®New or NutriRice®. Within each school, 132 children were randomly selected. Data on cognitive performance (picture completion, block design and Raven’s coloured progressive matrices (RCPM)), anthropometry, parasite infestation and micronutrient status were collected before the intervention and after 6 months.SubjectsCognitive data were available for 1796 children aged 6–16 years.ResultsAll cognitive scores improved after 6 months (P<0·001). Block design score improvement was significantly higher in children consuming UltraRice®Original (P=0·03) compared with the other fortified rice groups and placebo. No difference among groups was found on RCPM or picture completion scores. Stunting, parasite infestation and inflammation negatively affected the impact of the intervention.ConclusionsCombined with other interventions, using SMP to distribute fortified rice to schoolchildren may be a cost-effective way to increase cognitive performance and thereby improve school performance and educational achievements.

scholarly journals Challenges and solutions to nicotine replacement therapy access: observations from SCIMITAR+

BJPsych Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine E. Arundel ◽  
Emily Peckham ◽  
Della Bailey ◽  
Suzanne Crosland ◽  
Paul Heron ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Nice Guidelines ◽  
High Importance ◽  
Cessation Intervention ◽  
Smoking Cessation Services ◽  
Severe Mental Ill Health ◽  
Randomised Controlled

Background Given that smoking results in poor physical and mental health, reducing tobacco harm is of high importance. Recommendations published by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence to reduce smoking harms included provision of support, use of nicotine containing products and commissioning of smoking cessation services. Aims This report explores the difficulties in obtaining such support, as observed in a recently conducted randomised controlled trial in patients with severe mental ill health, and outlines suggestions to improve facilitation of provision. Method Data collected during the Smoking Cessation Intervention for Severe Mental Ill Health Trial (SCIMITAR+) (trial Registration ISRCTN72955454), was reviewed to identify the difficulties experienced, across the trial, with regards to access and provision of nicotine replacements therapy (NRT). Actions taken to facilitate access and provision of NRT were collated to outline how provision could be better facilitated. Results Access to NRT varied across study settings and in some instances proved impossible for patients to access. Difficulty in access was irrespective of a diagnosis of severe mental ill health. Where NRT was provided, this was not always provided in accordance with NICE guidelines. Conclusions Availability of smoking cessation support, and NRT provision would benefit from being made clearer, simpler and more easily accessible so as to enhance smoking cessation rates.

scholarly journals The effectiveness of Tai Chi on the depressive symptom of young adults with subthreshold depression: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Trials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoting Xie ◽  
Jian Song ◽  
Jingfang Zhu ◽  
Mengyu Han ◽  
Youze He ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Tai Chi ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Subthreshold Depression ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Neurophysiological Mechanism ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
The Mean

Abstract Background Depression is seriously affecting the physical and mental health of young people worldwide. Subthreshold depression, as an early stage of depression, is essential for early prevention and treatment of depression. Tai Chi, as a traditional Chinese mind-body therapy, may become an alternative intervention. However, the neurophysiological mechanism of Tai Chi for young people with subthreshold depression remains unclear, restricting its further promotion and application. Therefore, rigorous randomized clinical trials are needed to further observe the intervention effect of Tai Chi on young adults with subthreshold depression and explore the neurophysiological mechanism. Method/design This report describes a two-arm, randomized, parallel controlled trial with allocation concealment and assessor blinding. A total of 64 eligible participants are randomly allocated to the Tai Chi group and the waiting list group in a 1:1 ratio. Participants in the Tai Chi group receive 12 weeks of Tai Chi training, with a total of 36 times and each for 60 min. Specifically, the participants in the waiting list group are requested to maintain their routine lifestyle. In this study, the primary outcome measure is the mean change in scores on the PHQ-9 and HAMD-17 between baseline and 12 weeks; the secondary outcomes are the mean change in the scores on CES-D, CPSS, GAD-7, and PSQI. Besides, the saliva cortisol levels and fMRI are monitored to explore the mechanism of action of Tai Chi on subthreshold depression. Discussion The protocol uses a randomized controlled trial to examine the effectiveness of Tai Chi for young adults with subthreshold depression and explore neurophysiological mechanisms. If the test results are positive, it can be verified that Tai Chi can promote the physical and mental health of young adults with subthreshold depression. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR1900028289. Registered on 17 December 2019

Feasibility, Acceptability, and Exploratory Outcomes of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Binge Eating Symptoms in Veterans: A Preliminary Clinic-Based Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 155-170 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Gundy Cuneo ◽  
Kathryn M. Godfrey ◽  
Lisa Johnson Wright ◽  
Autumn Backhaus ◽  
Erin Miggantz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Binge Eating ◽  
Acceptance And Commitment Therapy ◽  
Psychological Functioning ◽  
Weight Control ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Commitment Therapy ◽  
Acceptance And Commitment

Overweight and obesity are disabling problems for veterans and place a heavy toll on their physical and mental health. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is an empirically supported intervention that shows promise in improving binge eating, weight, and psychological functioning. This preliminary study evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of an 8-week ACT group intervention for binge eating in veterans (N = 85) who were overweight or obese and explored preliminary intervention effects on binge eating and physical and mental health functioning. Veterans were predominantly male (86.7%) with an average age of 58 years, and 65% endorsed clinically significant binge eating. Qualitative results indicated the majority of veterans found the intervention useful. Baseline to post-treatment comparisons found significant reductions in binge eating symptoms, depression, global psychological distress, and body mass index, as well as improvement in functioning. Findings suggest implementing ACT for binge eating in veterans is feasible and deserves further exploration, addressing binge eating and weight control. Future studies should examine ACT for this population in a randomized controlled trial.

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