scholarly journals Short-Term Effects of Forest Therapy on Mood States: A Pilot Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (18) ◽  
pp. 9509
Author(s):  
Francesco Meneguzzo ◽  
Lorenzo Albanese ◽  
Michele Antonelli ◽  
Rita Baraldi ◽  
Francesco Riccardo Becheri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Variables ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Personal Characteristics ◽  
Mood States ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Remote Sites ◽  
Anxiety Depression ◽  
Therapy Sessions

Immersion in forest environments was shown to produce beneficial effects to human health, in particular psychophysical relaxation, leading to its growing recognition as a form of integrative medicine. However, limited evidence exists about the statistical significance of the effects and their association with external and environmental variables and personal characteristics. This experimental study aimed to substantiate the very concept of forest therapy by means of the analysis of the significance of its effects on the mood states of anxiety, depression, anger and confusion. Seven forest therapy sessions were performed in remote areas and a control one in an urban park, with participants allowed to attend only one session, resulting in 162 psychological self-assessment questionnaires administered before and after each session. Meteorological comfort, the concentration of volatile organic compounds in the forest atmosphere and environmental coherence were identified as likely important external and environmental variables. Under certain conditions, forest therapy sessions performed in remote sites were shown to outperform the control session, at least for anxiety, anger and confusion. A quantitative analysis of the association of the outcomes with personal sociodemographic characteristics revealed that only sporting habits and age were significantly associated with the outcomes for certain psychological domains.

A STUDY OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF A MUTUAL EXCHANGE SUPPORT PROGRAM FOR PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH DEVELOPMENT DISORDERS

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yutaro Hirata ◽  
◽  
Yutaka Haramaki ◽  
Yasuyo Takano ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Developmental Disorders ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Mood States ◽  
Mutual Exchange ◽  
Session Impact ◽  
Impact Scale ◽  
D 63 ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Anxiety Depression ◽  
The Relationship

"There is an urgent need to support families of children with developmental disorders, especially when it is necessary for such families to help each other. However, practice and research related to support systems for families have begun only recently in Japan. Considering these issues, the authors developed a program to support mutual exchanges among parents of children with developmental disorders. This study aimed to verify the program’s effectiveness and to examine the relationship between participants’ program experience and its effectiveness. Participants included 21 male and female parents of children with developmental disorders. The parents were in their 30s to 50s (4 in their 30s, 14 in their 40s, and 3 in their 50s) (1 male, 20 females). Effectiveness indicators included the Profile of Mood States 2nd Edition-Adult Short (POMS2-A Short) (before and after implementation), Session Impact Scale (SIS), and Mutual Exchange Support Experience Rating Scale. t-tests were conducted on the pre- and post-program results of the POMS2-A short. Results showed that scores on Anger-Hostility (t=4.77, df=20, p<.01, d=1.04), Confusion-Bewilderment (t=4.31, df=20, p<.01, d=.94), Depression-Dejection (t=2.88, df=20, p<.01, d=.63), Fatigue-Inertia (t=3.63, df=20, p<.01, d=.79), and Tension-Anxiety (t=3.61, df=20, p<.01, d=.79) in the POMS2-A Short decreased significantly after the implementation of the program. These results evidence the effectiveness of the program in improving several mood states, especially anger-hostility, tension-anxiety, depression-depression, and fatigue."

scholarly journals Short-term Psychological Effects of Forest Therapy: Early Evidence in Italy

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco Meneguzzo ◽  
Lorenzo Albanese ◽  
Michele Antonelli ◽  
Rita Baraldi ◽  
Francesco Riccardo Becheri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Volatile Organic Compounds ◽  
Organic Compounds ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Personal Characteristics ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Psychological Effects ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Volatile Organic

Immersion in forest environments was shown to produce beneficial effects to human health, in particular psychophysical relaxation, so much that this practice is increasingly recognized as a form of integrative medicine. Limited evidence exists about both statistical significance and size of the effects conditioned on personal characteristics, as well as on the main external variables. The primary purpose of this study was to substantiate the very concept of forest therapy by means of the quantification and significance of the psychological effects, stratified by gender, age groups and place of residence. A preliminary qualitative analysis of the main determinants, in particular the method of conducting, the meteorological comfort and the concentration of volatile organic compounds in the forest atmosphere, was afforded. Seven forest therapy sessions were performed in late summer though early fall, resulting in 150 psychological self-assessment questionnaires administered before and after each session. The results were comparable or even better than others reported in the international literature. Moreover, preliminary evidence arose about different functionality towards specific psychological indexes conditioned at least on gender and age groups, as well as meteorological comfort, structured programs and, possibly, volatile organic compounds showed an impact on the outcomes.

scholarly journals A Quantitative Self-Assessment of Seminarians’ Response to a Curriculum Addition on Marriage, Sexuality, FertilityCare, and Naprotechnology: The Kenrick–Glennon Experience (2006–2015)

2019 ◽  
Vol 86 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-88
Author(s):  
K. Diane Daly ◽  
Edward Richárd ◽  
Thomas W. Hilgers
Keyword(s):  
Family Planning ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Human Reproduction ◽  
Natural Family Planning ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
Natural Family ◽  
The Family ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Natural Method

A special course on Marriage, the Family and Human Sexuality was established at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in St. Louis so as to assist the seminarians in their better understanding of the Church’s teaching relative to natural methods of family planning and women’s health care. This article compares the response at the beginning of this three-credit semester course to the same seven-item questionnaire given at the conclusion of the course. The pre- and postcourse scores were calculated for each of the questions. The scores obtained after the course were all significantly higher than they were before the course with p values ranging from 0.01 to <0.0001. Four of the items showed marked improvement including an understanding of the church’s teaching related to natural methods, current methods of natural family planning, the impact of a natural method on a couple’s marriage, and also the impact of a natural method on family life. Statistically significant improvement was also seen in their understanding of the topic of natural family planning and the Creighton Model System and its relevance toward the seminarian’s vocation, the use of the methods to either achieve or avoid pregnancy, and how contraception and abortion are linked. In these last three items, the level of statistical significance was quite high, although not as high as the other four items. There were 104 seminarians over an eight-year period of time, who provided answers to these questions, both before and after the course. This course was modeled after a course that was initiated at the Pope Paul VI Institute for the Study of Human Reproduction, which was for priests, seminarians, and Catholic leaders, titled Love & Life Unlimited. Nontechnical Summary: This is an evaluation of a ten-point, seven-question questionnaire that was utilized at the beginning of a course at Kenrick Seminary in Marriage, Sexuality, Creighton Model and NaProTECHNOLOGY. The same questionnaire was given to the students at the beginning of the course and then two to three months later at the conclusion of the three-credit course. The results show that there is a significant improvement in the seminarians’ knowledge and general attitude about natural methods of family planning and suggests that such courses would be beneficial to establish in seminaries throughout the country.

A Randomised Comparison of Two Forms of a Brief, Group, Psychoeducational Program for Cancer Patients: Weekly Sessions versus a “Weekend Intensive”

1995 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 173-189 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alastair J. Cunningham ◽  
Claire V. I. Edmonds ◽  
Gwen Jenkins ◽  
Gina A. Lockwood
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Standard Format ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Psychoeducational Program ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Life Improvement ◽  
Patient Groups

There is considerable evidence that brief group psychoeducational programs for cancer patients, offering support and some training in coping skills, may have lasting beneficial effects on mood and quality of life. Objective: to compare two different formats of a brief, group psychoeducational program for cancer patients; a standard format of six weekly two-hour sessions or a “weekend intensive,” involving the same content and contact time compressed into two days. Method: Cancer patients were randomly assigned to either the standard weekly intervention ( n = 77) or the weekend program ( n = 79). Two assessment measures were used: Profile of Mood States (POMS) and Functional Living Index for Cancer (FLIC). Assessments were made before and after each intervention and at a nineteen-week follow-up. Results: While the two formats were found to be equivalent in their overall effects on mood and quality of life, there were some differences. There was a sudden, large improvement in mood by the end of the weekend version of the course (2-day time point) but this did not persist, and by the six-week point and again at nineteen-weeks, mood improvement was the same for both groups. Quality of life improvement seemed to be marginally greater with the six-weekly sessions (reaching statistical significance at the 6-week point). Conclusions: The two formats produced similar improvements in both mood and quality of life. We discuss the need for further studies to find optimal ways of presenting such help for different patient groups.

Art therapy among palliative cancer patients: Aesthetic dimensions and impacts on symptoms

2015 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 376-380 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cédric Lefèvre ◽  
Mathilde Ledoux ◽  
Marilène Filbet
Keyword(s):  
Art Therapy ◽  
Symptom Assessment ◽  
Assessment System ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
Edmonton Symptom Assessment System ◽  
Pain Anxiety ◽  
Artistic Activity ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Future Direction ◽  
Therapy Sessions

AbstractObjective:This study aimed to explore whether aesthetic beauty and the pleasure that results from artistic activity can contribute to a reduction in the symptoms experienced by palliative care patients, and to improve the effectiveness of art therapy sessions.Method:A self-assessment of six symptoms (pain, anxiety, ill-being, tiredness, sadness, and depression) adapted from the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) was completed by patients before and after a one-hour art therapy session. This assessment was completed after the session with a self-assessment of aesthetic feeling. A correlation analysis was then performed.Results:From July of 2012 to December of 2013, 28 patients took part in 63 art therapy sessions. On the whole, these sessions reduced the global distress of patients by 47% (p < 0.0001). There was a significant reduction in all the symptoms studied; pain (p = 0.003), anxiety (p < 0.0001), ill-being (p < 0.0001), tiredness (p < 0.0001), sadness (p < 0.0001), and depression (p < 0.0001). A study of the significant correlations (0.35 < rs < 0.52, p < 0.05) indicated that technical satisfaction, aesthetic beauty, and pleasure are all involved to varying degrees in reduction of symptoms.Significance of results:Our findings confirm the benefits of art therapy in reducing distress within the palliative context. We also make suggestions for the future direction and improvement of these sessions.

scholarly journals Effects of Acute Stretching on Cognitive Function and Mood States of Physically Inactive Young Adults

2019 ◽  
Vol 127 (1) ◽  
pp. 142-153
Author(s):  
Mizuki Sudo ◽  
Soichi Ando
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Significant Negative Correlation ◽  
Mood States ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Condition Versus ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Anxiety Depression ◽  
Physically Inactive

Exercise intensity from stretching is very low, making it well suited to varied populations, including physically inactive people. We tested the hypothesis that acute stretching would improve cognitive function and improved mood states in physically inactive people. We asked 19 physically inactive young participants to perform the Stroop task and complete the short form of Profile of Moods Scale before and after 10 minutes of whole body stretching using yoga techniques and poses (stretching condition) versus a resting period. In the stretching condition, we observed decreases in Tension–Anxiety, Depression–Dejection, Anger–Hostility, Fatigue, and Confusion scores on the Profile of Moods Scale (all p values < .01) and an increase in the Vigor score ( p =  .01). We also observed a decrease in Stroop interference performance ( p <  .001). Furthermore, we found a significant negative correlation between ΔVigor score and ΔStroop interference ( r = −.36, p =  .03), indicating that a greater increase in the Vigor score was associated with better cognitive performance. Thus, acute stretching improved mood states and cognitive performance in physically inactive people. We suggest that the improved cognitive performance may be, at least partly, associated with the improved mood states.

NEUROTIC SYMPTOMATICS RELATED TO PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS IN YOUTH

2019 ◽  
pp. 2014-2019
Author(s):  
Milen Dimov
Keyword(s):  
Personal Characteristics ◽  
The Self ◽  
The Other ◽  
Social Responsiveness ◽  
Training Process ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
School Year ◽  
Real Behavior ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
The Ideal

The present study traces the dynamics of personal characteristics in youth and the manifested neurotic symptoms in the training process. These facts are the reason for the low levels of school results in the context of the existing theoretical statements of the problem and the empirical research conducted among the trained teenagers. We suggest that the indicators of neurotic symptomatology in youth – aggression, anxiety, and neuroticism, are the most demonstrated, compared to the other studied indicators of neurotic symptomatology. Studies have proved that there is a difference in the act of neurotic symptoms when tested in different situations, both in terms of expression and content. At the beginning of the school year, neurotic symptoms, more demonstrated in some aspects of aggressiveness, while at the end of school year, psychotism is more demonstrated. The presented summarized results indicate that at the beginning of the school year, neurotic symptoms are strongly associated with aggression. There is a tendency towards a lower level of social responsiveness, both in the self-assessment of real behavior and in the ideal “I”-image of students in the last year of their studies. The neurotic symptomatology, more demonstrated due to specific conditions in the life of young people and in relation to the characteristics of age.

STUDY CLINICAL FEATURE AND RESULT OF TREATMENT PHACOMORPHIC GLAUCOMA

2015 ◽  
pp. 71-75
Author(s):  
Van Nam Phan ◽  
Ba Ken Tran
Keyword(s):  
Visual Acuity ◽  
Intraocular Pressure ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Corneal Edema ◽  
Clinical Feature ◽  
Anterior Chamber Angle ◽  
Male Population ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Operative Complications ◽  
Before And After

Purpose: Study clinical feature of phacomorphic glaucoma. To evaluate the result of treatment phacomorphic glaucoma. Method: The retrospective, interventional study on 36 cases with phacomorphic glaucoma who underwent treated at Hue Central Hospital from 6/2010 to 6/2011. Standard of research: visual, IOP, before and after surgery, accompanying lesions and post-operative complications. The surgery is considered successful when postoperative IOP less than 21 mmHg. Results: Age 50-59 presented 30.5 percent, ≥ 60 presented 91.7 percent. There was a slight female preponderance (66.7%) compared to the male population (33.3%) which implies a statistically marginally significant difference. However there was no statistical significance difference when compared by the two subgroups. Patient in country presented 61,1% and city presented 38,9%. The duration between the onset of pain and surgery from 0 to < 5 days (77.8%), from 6 to 10 (16.7%) and >10 days presented 5.5%. The preoperative intraocular pressure 35 to 45mmHg (47.2%), 46-55 (30.6%), 56-65 (13.9%) and more than 65 presented 8.3%. The visual acuity preoperation less than 1metre count finger (94.5%), less than 3 metre count finger presented 5.5%. Close anterior chamber angle presented 80.6% and shallow was presented 19.4%. Corneal edema presented 100%, iritis presented 94.4%, dilated pupil larger 5mm presented 83.3%, Synchynea iris and cataract presented 72.2%. ECCE, implantation IOL combined trabeculectomy presented 11.1%, Phaco, implantation IOL combined trabeculectomy presented 69,5%, ECCE implantation IOL presented 5.6%, Phaco, implantation IOL presented 13.8%. Postoperative visual acuity from 1/10 to 5/10 presented 72.2%, no case have VA larger than 5/10. Postoperative 3 months VA 1/10 to 5/10 presented 72.2%, larger VA 5/10 presented 8.3%. Postoperative 3 months intraocular pressure ≤ 21mmHg presented 91.7%, 22 to 24mmHg presented 8.3%, no case have IOP ≥25mmHg. Postoperative edema presented 58.3%, iritis presented 58.3%. Key words: phacomorphic Glaucoma

scholarly journals Treatment of HIV-associated facial lipoatrophy: impact on infection progression assessed by viral load and CD4 count

2013 ◽  
Vol 88 (4) ◽  
pp. 570-577 ◽  
Author(s):  
Flávia Machado Gonçalves Soares ◽  
Izelda Maria Carvalho Costa
Keyword(s):  
Viral Load ◽  
Disease Progression ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Undetectable Viral Load ◽  
Fat Distribution ◽  
Cd4 Count ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Facial Lipoatrophy ◽  
A Prospective Study ◽  
The Impact

BACKGROUND: HIV/AIDS-Associated Lipodystrophy Syndrome includes changes in body fat distribution, with or without metabolic changes. The loss of fat from the face, called facial lipoatrophy, is one of the most stigmatizing signs of the syndrome.OBJECTIVES:To evaluate the effect of FL treatment using polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) implants on disease progression, assessed by viral load and CD4 cell count.METHODS: This was a prospective study of 44 patients treated from July 2009 to December 2010. Male and female patients, aged over 18 years, with clinically detectable FL and who had never been treated were included in the study. PMMA implantation was done to fill atrophic areas. Laboratory tests were conducted to measure viral load and CD4 count before and after treatment.RESULTS: Of the 44 patients, 72.72% were male and 27.27% female, mean age of 44.38 years. Before treatment, 82% of patients had undetectable viral load, which increased to 88.6% after treatment, but without statistical significance (p = 0.67). CD4 count before treatment ranged from 209 to 1293, averaging 493.97. After treatment, the average increased to 548.61. The increase in CD4 count after treatment was statistically significant with p = 0.02.CONCLUSION: The treatment of FL with PMMA implants showed a statistically significant increase in CD4 count after treatment, revealing the impact of FL treatment on disease progression. Viral load before and after treatment did not vary significantly.

scholarly journals Beneficial Effects of Akkermansia muciniphila Are Not Associated with Major Changes in the Circulating Endocannabinoidome but Linked to Higher Mono-Palmitoyl-Glycerol Levels as New PPARα Agonists

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 185
Author(s):  
Clara Depommier ◽  
Rosa Maria Vitale ◽  
Fabio Arturo Iannotti ◽  
Cristoforo Silvestri ◽  
Nicolas Flamand ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Univariate Analysis ◽  
Metabolic Effects ◽  
Peroxisome Proliferator ◽  
Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor ◽  
Akkermansia Muciniphila ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Daily Ingestion ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Palmitoyl Glycerol

Akkermansia muciniphila is considered as one of the next-generation beneficial bacteria in the context of obesity and associated metabolic disorders. Although a first proof-of-concept of its beneficial effects has been established in the context of metabolic syndrome in humans, mechanisms are not yet fully understood. This study aimed at deciphering whether the bacterium exerts its beneficial properties through the modulation of the endocannabinoidome (eCBome). Circulating levels of 25 endogenous endocannabinoid-related lipids were quantified by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in the plasma of overweight or obese individuals before and after a 3 months intervention consisting of the daily ingestion of either alive or pasteurized A. muciniphila. Results from multivariate analyses suggested that the beneficial effects of A. muciniphila were not linked to an overall modification of the eCBome. However, subsequent univariate analysis showed that the decrease in 1-Palmitoyl-glycerol (1-PG) and 2-Palmitoyl-glycerol (2-PG), two eCBome lipids, observed in the placebo group was significantly counteracted by the alive bacterium, and to a lower extent by the pasteurized form. We also discovered that 1- and 2-PG are endogenous activators of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα). We hypothesize that PPARα activation by mono-palmitoyl-glycerols may underlie part of the beneficial metabolic effects induced by A. muciniphila in human metabolic syndrome.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document