scholarly journals Create Our Own Kai: A Randomised Control Trial of a Cooking Intervention with Group Interview Insights into Adolescent Cooking Behaviours

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 796
Author(s):  
Sarahmarie Kuroko ◽  
Katherine Black ◽  
Themis Chryssidis ◽  
Rosie Finigan ◽  
Callum Hann ◽  
...  

Cooking is frequently associated with a healthier diet, however few youth cooking intervention studies have used control groups or follow-ups. Additionally, although cooking is associated with better mental well-being among adolescents, this has not been examined experimentally. This randomised controlled trial investigated whether a five-day intensive holiday cooking program, followed by six weeks of weekly meal kits with Facebook support groups, affected the cooking-related outcomes, diet quality and mental well-being among adolescents, with a 12-month follow-up. Adolescents aged 12–15 years (intervention: n = 91, 60% female; control: n = 27, 78% female) completed baseline, post-intervention and 12-month follow-up anthropometric measures, and questionnaire measures of mental well-being, diet quality and cooking attitudes, self-efficacy and behaviours. The intervention group’s post-intervention outcomes improved significantly more for mental well-being, diet quality, helping make dinner, cooking self-efficacy and positive cooking attitude, however body mass index (BMI) z-scores also increased. Differences were maintained at 12 months for self-efficacy only. Group interviews showed that participants’ cooking behaviours were strongly influenced by family factors. Adolescent cooking interventions may have many short-term benefits, however cooking self-efficacy appears most responsive and stable over time. Effects on BMI need further investigation. Family factors influence whether and what adolescents cook post-intervention.

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 510-510
Author(s):  
Aimee Fox ◽  
Nathaniel Riggs ◽  
Loriena Yancura ◽  
Christine Fruhauf

Abstract Grandparents often protect against childhood trauma and promote resilience through their nurturance, love, and support when raising grandchildren. Despite the beneficial role grandparents have on their grandchildren, grandparents may experience challenges of their own, including physical, mental, and emotional health issues, lack of resources, and social isolation. Few interventions exist to help grandparents successfully adapt to the challenges they face as primary parenting figures. The purpose of this study was to test preliminary efficacy of a strengths-based intervention for grandparents raising grandchildren aimed at increasing self-care behaviors, managing emotions, and connecting to community resources. Grandparents (N = 137) providing primary care to grandchildren were recruited to participate in a single-group, pre- and post-test design, 6-week intervention. Self-efficacy was assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and at a 6-month follow-up. To evaluate who the intervention might be most beneficial for, grandparents’ service knowledge, perceived support from others, and length of care provided, measured at baseline, were analyzed for moderating effects. Results of paired-samples t-tests reveal significant increases in self-efficacy (p = .013) from baseline to post-test, which were maintained at the 6-month follow-up (p = .010). Hierarchical multiple regression showed interaction effects of the hypothesized moderators were not significant, indicating improvements in self-efficacy regardless of individual variability at baseline. As demonstrated, interventions can be effective at increasing self-efficacy in grandparents raising grandchildren and strengths-based approaches have the potential to provide universal benefits to grandparents, thus improving functioning in grandfamilies and promoting the health and well-being of grandparents and their grandchildren.


BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (S1) ◽  
pp. S287-S287
Author(s):  
Tamara Searle ◽  
Jessica Walburn ◽  
Sam Norton

AimsThis study aimed to investigate whether an intervention designed to improve photoprotective behaviours is effective at changing behaviour and whether any change could be maintained.BackgroundXeroderma Pigmentosum (XP) is a rare condition in which patients are at risk of malignancies when exposed to ultra-violet radiation (UVR). Sufferers must take extra precautions to protect themselves from UVR. They must apply sunscreen to exposed skin, wear thick clothing, gloves, and a UVR-protective visor. Treatments include preventative photoprotective measures; the use of sunscreen and protective clothing. Additionally, frequent eye and skin examinations are required and swift removal of any premalignant lesions.MethodIn this randomised controlled trial, 16 participants with XP were given questionnaires at 4 time points; baseline, post-intervention, 5 months and 9 months post-intervention. The intervention involved 7 one-on-one counselling sessions, as well as telephone consultations. Counselling sessions encouraged photoprotection adherence, self-efficacy and discussions of any barriers to improving photoprotective behaviour. This study focused on psychosocial variables, attitudes and photoprotection. Questionnaires included the photoprotection self-efficacy questionnaire, Self-Reported Behavioural Automaticity Index, Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale, Quality of Life and Brief Photoprotection Adherence Questionnaire.ResultThe intervention was shown to have no significant effect on participants’ questionnaires scores. Univariate ANCOVA revealed a group effect between follow-up 1 (FU1) and follow-up 2 (FU2); η2 = 0.422 for self-efficacy in wearing photoprotective clothing. A group effect was identified from BL to FU1 and FU1 to FU2; η2 = 0.343 and η2 = 0.378 respectively in how often participants reapplied sunscreen to their face when outside for longer periods. Univariate ANCOVA revealed no group or time effect for the other outcome variables; for example, sunscreen self-efficacy.ConclusionThe intervention had no significant effect on photoprotective behaviour questionnaire scores. Future research could focus on recruiting more participants globally to generate more statistically powered results. Research should focus on producing a maintainable intervention so that any positive change would produce better long-term health outcomes. This study lays the foundations for future XP research, which will be vital to improve understanding and enhance photo protective behaviour.


BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. e035143 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle L Aktary ◽  
Stephanie Caron-Roy ◽  
Tolulope Sajobi ◽  
Heather O'Hara ◽  
Peter Leblanc ◽  
...  

IntroductionLow-income populations have poorer diet quality and lower psychosocial well-being than their higher-income counterparts. These inequities increase the burden of chronic disease in low-income populations. Farmers’ market subsidies may improve diet quality and psychosocial well-being among low-income populations. In Canada, the British Columbia (BC) Farmers’ Market Nutrition Coupon Programme (FMNCP) aims to improve dietary patterns and health among low-income participants by providing coupons to purchase healthy foods from farmers’ markets. This study will assess the impact of the BC FMNCP on the diet quality and psychosocial well-being of low-income adults and explore mechanisms of programme impacts.Methods and analysisIn a parallel group randomised controlled trial, low-income adults will be randomised to an FMNCP intervention (n=132) or a no-intervention control group (n=132). The FMNCP group will receive 16 coupon sheets valued at CAD$21/sheet over 10–15 weeks to purchase fruits, vegetables, dairy, meat/poultry/fish, eggs, nuts and herbs at farmers’ markets and will be invited to participate in nutrition skill-building activities. Overall diet quality (primary outcome), diet quality subscores, mental well-being, sense of community, food insecurity and malnutrition risk (secondary outcomes) will be assessed at baseline, immediately post-intervention and 16 weeks post-intervention. Dietary intake will be assessed using the Automated Self-Administered 24-hour Dietary Recall. Diet quality will be calculated using the Healthy Eating Index-2015. Repeated measures mixed-effect regression will assess differences in outcomes between groups from baseline to 16 weeks post-intervention. Furthermore, 25–30 participants will partake in semi-structured interviews during and 5 weeks after programme completion to explore participants’ experiences with and perceived outcomes from the programme.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval was obtained from the University of Calgary Conjoint Health Research Ethics Board, Rutgers University Ethics and Compliance, and University of Waterloo Office of Research Ethics. Findings will be disseminated through policy briefs, conference presentations and peer-reviewed publications.Trial registration numberNCT03952338.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S511-S511
Author(s):  
Nasreen Khatri ◽  
Stephen Perkovic ◽  
Tara Faghani Hamadani

Abstract Living Life to the Full 55+ (LLTTF) was an 8-week, 12-hour, community educational program based on CBT principles. The program aim was to teach participant skills and techniques to cope effectively with life stress. Participants self-referred to the program by responding to advertisements or were otherwise referred to the program by local community centres. Following the promising results of the pilot study, a follow-up empirical study was conducted to assess the impact of the program on clinical measures and other notable measures over time. Study participants (N = 514) were recruited at partner sites hosting the program. Demographic and other data was collected to assess the impact of the program. Measures collected to assess the impact of the program were the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS), and a brief measure of loneliness/social connectedness. Participant data was collected pre/post-intervention, and at post-course follow-up periods (3/6/9-months). Preliminary repeated-measures ANOVA analyses found statistically significant changes in depression, anxiety, mental well-being, and loneliness scores, from pre- to post-intervention. Participant’ depression, anxiety, and loneliness scores significantly reduced from pre- to post-course. Participants also experienced a significant improvement in mental well-being from pre- to post-course. Observed decreases in loneliness and depression did not significantly change from post-course to any of the follow-up periods. Results suggest the viability of a nonclinical program for addressing depression and loneliness in older individuals, and have implications for community-based strategies attempting to address mental health issues in older Canadians


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johannes De Kock ◽  
Helen Ann Latham ◽  
Richard G. Cowden ◽  
Breda Cullen ◽  
Katia Narzisi ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Health and social care staff are at high risk of experiencing adverse mental health outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hence, there is a need to prioritize and identify ways to effectively support their psychological wellbeing. Compared to traditional psychological interventions, digital psychological interventions are cost effective treatment options that allow for large-scale dissemination and transcend social distancing, overcome rurality, and minimize clinician time. OBJECTIVE This study reports outcomes of a CONSORT-compliant parallel-arm pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT) examining the potential usefulness of an existing and a novel digital psychological intervention aimed at supporting psychological health among NHS staff working through the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS NHS Highland (NHSH) frontline staff volunteers (N = 169) were randomly assigned to the newly developed NHSH Staff Wellbeing Project (NHSWBP), an established digital intervention (My Possible Self; MPS), or to a waitlist (WL) condition for four weeks. Attempts were made to blind participants to which digital intervention they were allocated. The interventions were fully automated, without any human input or guidance. We measured five self-reported psychological outcomes over three time points: before (baseline), middle (after 2 weeks) and after treatment (4 weeks). The primary outcomes were anxiety (GAD-7), depression (PHQ-9) and mental well-being (Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale). The secondary outcomes included mental toughness (Mental Toughness Index) and gratitude (the Gratitude Questionnaire). RESULTS Retention rates at middle and post-intervention were 77% (n = 130) and 63.3% (n = 107), respectively. At post-intervention, small differences were noted between the WL condition and the two treatment conditions on anxiety (vs. MPS: d = .07, 95% CI: -.20, .33; vs. NHSWBP: d = .06, 95% CI: -.19, .31), depression (vs. MPS: d = .37, 95% CI: .07, .66; vs. NHSWBP: d = .18, 95% CI: -.11, .46), and mental well-being (vs. MPS: d = -.04, 95% CI: -.62, -.08; vs. NHSWBP: d = -.15, 95% CI: -.41, .10). A similar pattern of between-group differences was found for the secondary outcomes. The NHSWBP group generally had larger within group effects than the other groups and displayed a greater rate of change compared to the other conditions on all outcomes, except for gratitude, where the rate of change was greatest for the MPS group. CONCLUSIONS Conclusions: Our analyses provided encouraging results for the use of brief digital psychological interventions in improving psychological well-being among health and social care workers. Future multi-site RCTs, with power to reliably detect differences, are needed to determine the efficacy of contextualised interventions relative to existing digital treatments. CLINICALTRIAL Trial registration: ISRCTN18107122


2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 240-253 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentina Cafaro ◽  
Luca Iani ◽  
Massimo Costantini ◽  
Silvia Di Leo

This multicenter study investigates the efficacy of the guided disclosure protocol in promoting post-traumatic growth, through meaning reconstruction, in cancer patients after adjuvant chemotherapy. Participants will be randomized to guided disclosure protocol or to an active control condition. Both conditions consist of three 20-minute writing sessions. Experimental participants verbalize emotions, describe events, and reflect on trauma effects. Control participants write about their past week’s daily routine. Patients, blinded to treatment assignment, will complete questionnaires at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and 6-month follow-up. This study will improve knowledge concerning the effects of writing interventions on psychological health and well-being in cancer patients.


2019 ◽  
Vol 75 (9) ◽  
pp. 1884-1893 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheung-Tak Cheng ◽  
Emily P M Mak ◽  
Timothy Kwok ◽  
Helene Fung ◽  
Linda C W Lam

Abstract Objectives To examine the longer-term effects of benefit-finding on caregivers’ depressive symptoms (primary outcome), and global burden, role overload, psychological well-being, and positive aspects of caregiving (secondary outcomes). Method Ninety-six Hong Kong Chinese caregivers of relatives with Alzheimer’s disease were randomly assigned to receive the benefit-finding intervention (BFT) or one of the two control conditions, namely, simplified psychoeducation (lectures only; SIM-PE) or standard psychoeducation (STD-PE). Caregivers received four biweekly one-to-one interventions of 3 hours each at their own homes. We focused on outcomes measured at 4- and 10-month follow-ups. The trajectories of intervention effects were modeled by BFT × time and BFT × time2 interaction terms. Results Mixed-effects regression showed significant BFT × time2 interaction effects on depressive symptoms against both control conditions, suggesting diminishing BFT effects over time. Z tests showed that, compared with controls, BFT participants reported substantial reductions in depressive symptoms at 4-month follow-up (d = −0.85 and −0.75 vs. SIM-PE and STD-PE, respectively). For depressive symptoms measured at 10-month follow-up, BFT was indistinguishable from STD-PE, whereas a moderate effect was observed in comparison with SIM-PE (d = −0.52). Moreover, positive aspects of caregiving, but not other secondary outcomes, continued to show intervention effect up to 10-month follow-up. Discussion Benefit-finding is an efficacious intervention for depressive symptoms in Alzheimer caregivers, with strong effects in the medium-term post-intervention and possible moderate effects in the longer-term post-intervention.


2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1334-1341 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimberlee Bethany Bonura ◽  
Gershon Tenenbaum

Background:The objective of this study was to assess the effect of a yoga intervention on psychological health in older adults.Method:A randomized controlled trial study, conducted at 2 North Florida facilities for older adults. Subjects were 98 older adults, ages 65 to 92. Participants were randomly assigned to chair yoga, chair exercise, and control groups and assessed preintervention, postintervention, and 1-month follow-up on the State Anger Expression Inventory, State Anxiety Inventory, Geriatric Depression Scale, Lawton’s PGC Morale Scale, General Self-Efficacy Scale, Chronic Disease Self-Efficacy Scales, and Self- Control Schedule.Results:Yoga participants improved more than both exercise and control participants in anger (Cohen’s d = 0.89 for yoga versus exercise, and 0.90 for yoga versus control, pretest to posttest; and d = 0.90 and 0.72, pretest to follow-up), anxiety (d = 0.27, 0.39 and 0.62, 0.63), depression (d = 0.47, 0.49 and 0.53, 0.51), well-being (d = 0.14, 0.49 and 0.25, 0.61), general self-efficacy (d = 0.63, 1.10 and 0.30, 0.85), and self-efficacy for daily living (d = 0.52, 0.81 and 0.27, 0.42). Changes in self-control moderated changes in psychological health.Conclusions:Over a 6-week period, our findings indicate yoga’s potential for improving psychological health in older adults.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Katherine Nelson-Coffey ◽  
Ernst T. Bohlmeijer ◽  
Marijke Schotanus-Dijkstra

People with reduced levels of mental well-being might be at risk for developing future mental illness. Although several positive psychology interventions successfully improve mental well-being and psychological distress, less is known about their efficacy in a sample at risk for mental disorders. A Dutch sample of 289 participants with low or moderate levels of well-being were randomly assigned to other-focused kindness with reflection, other-focused kindness without reflection, self-focused kindness, or waitlist control (Trial register: NTR6786). Results of multilevel growth curve analyses revealed that other-focused kindness, but not self-focused kindness, led to improvements in the primary outcome mental well-being relative to waitlist control up to 6-week follow-up. By contrast, only other-focused kindness without reflection led to improvements in psychological distress. The three kindness conditions mainly did not differ from one another, and mainly no differences were found up to 6-months follow-up. An exception was that perceived stress was significantly more reduced up to 6-week and 6-months follow-up when people practiced other-focused kindness without reflection then when participants had practiced self-focused kindness. These findings point to the benefits of practicing kindness for others when people might be at risk for future mental illness. The study also indicates that reflecting about practicing kindness does not seem to have added value.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maris Vainre ◽  
Julieta Galante ◽  
Peter Watson ◽  
Tim Dalgleish ◽  
Caitlin Hitchcock

Mental ill health is a major cause of disability. Workplaces are attractive for preventative interventions since most adults work while employers are interested in improving employees’ well-being and productivity. Mindfulness-based programmes are increasingly in occupational settings. However, there is inconsistent evidence whether mindfulness interventions improve work performance and how effective mindfulness-based programmes are, compared to other interventions, in preventing mental ill health.In this online randomised controlled feasibility trial, an anticipated 240 employees will be randomised to either a 4-week light physical exercise course or a mindfulness course of the same duration (1:1 allocation). The primary outcome is work performance, measured using the Work Role Functioning Questionnaire. We aim to evaluate the acceptability, feasibility, and procedural uncertainties of a randomised controlled trial in a workplace, calculate an effect size estimate to inform power calculations for a larger trial, and explore whether improved executive function and/or enhanced mental health could be potential mechanisms underlying the effect of mindfulness on work performance. Outcomes will be collected at baseline, post-intervention and 12-week follow-up.


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