scholarly journals The Influence of Spiritual Transcendence on a Centering Meditation: A Growth Curve Analysis of Resilience

Religions ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 573
Author(s):  
Stephanie Dorais ◽  
Daniel Gutierrez
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Group ◽  
Growth Curve ◽  
Temporal Dynamics ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Growth Curve Analysis ◽  
Centering Prayer ◽  
Spiritual Transcendence ◽  
Waitlist Control Group ◽  
The Relationship

The authors longitudinally examined a spiritual meditation based on centering prayer. The study consisted of two primary aims: (1) to determine the effectiveness of centering meditation on increasing resilience and (2) to examine the temporal dynamics of spiritual transcendence on resilience during the meditation. Participants (n = 150) engaged in a 4-week randomized controlled trial, in which the treatment group practiced the centering meditation twice a day. The growth curve model includes a three-way interaction to determine if there were group effects in the relationship between spiritual transcendence and time. The interaction between treatment group, time, and spiritual transcendence was statistically significant in explaining the trajectory of resilience, p < 0.05. Based on the findings, the centering meditation was effective in statistically significantly increasing resilience in the treatment group compared to the waitlist control group. In addition, spiritual transcendence significantly potentiated the effect of centering meditation on improving resilience over time, p < 0.05. The authors discuss limitations and implications for research and practice of centering meditation.

scholarly journals Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Specifically Improves Social Anhedonia among Adults with Chronic Stress

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corinne Carlton ◽  
Ligia Antezana ◽  
Katelyn Mallory Garcia ◽  
Holly Sullivan-Toole ◽  
John Richey
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Chronic Stress ◽  
Stress Reduction ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Social Anhedonia ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Waitlist Control Group ◽  
The Relationship

This randomized controlled trial examined the effects of mindfulness on anhedonic symptoms in a sample of adults reporting high levels of chronic stress. Meditation-naïve adults (N=68, Mage=32, 62% female) were randomized to either an 8-week MBSR intervention group (N=35), or to a waitlist control group (N=33). We hypothesized that changes in mindfulness would mediate the relationship between condition and changes in anhedonic symptoms. Additionally, the present study aimed to determine if other theoretically-linked mechanisms (i.e., stress, negative affect(NA), depression) were involved in producing changes in anhedonic symptoms. Results provided evidence for full mediation of the effect of MBSR on social anhedonia through its essential mechanism of ΔMindfulness. These results highlight specificity of anhedonic symptoms targeted by MBSR, with social anhedonia symptoms being modified by changes in mindfulness whereas other anhedonic domains were not. Additionally, although associative relationships were present for stress, depression, NA, and anhedonic symptoms, no mediational relationships emerged.

Effectiveness of sustained natural apophyseal glides in females with cervicogenic headache: A randomized controlled trial

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Muhammad Kashif ◽  
Nosheen Manzoor ◽  
Rimsha Safdar ◽  
Hafsa Khan ◽  
Maryam Farooq ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Group ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Neck Disability Index ◽  
Placebo Treatment ◽  
Cervicogenic Headache ◽  
Control Group ◽  
P Value ◽  
Head Positioning ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Neck Disability

BACKGROUND: Cervicogenic headache (CGH) is a common condition that results in significant disability. To treat this dysfunction, Mulligan described sustained natural apophyseal gliders (SNAGs) as a manual therapy approach. However, only inconclusive short-term evidence exists for treating CGH with SNAGs. OBJECTIVE: The present study aims to investigate the effect of SNAGs in the treatment of CGH. METHODS: Fourty female patients ranging from 20 to 40 years with CGH were randomly assigned to two groups: 20 in a treatment group and 20 in a control group. SNAGs were applied to the treatment group while the control group received placebo treatment. Both groups received their respective treatment for 20 minutes, alternately three times per week, for a total of 12 times in four weeks. The outcome measures were the Neck Disability Index (NDI) and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Participants were assessed at baseline and at the end of each week. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 20. Independent t-testing was used to reveal changes between groups. One-way ANOVA was used to determine changes within groups. The level of significance was P< 0.05. RESULTS: Twenty participants (100%) in the treatment group and 17 (85%) in the control group had a history of headache aggravation with active movements or passive head positioning. There was no significant difference at baseline (p> 0.05), indicating that both groups were homogeneous at the time of recruitment. The p value (p< 0.05) showed a significant difference in pain and level of disability at three and four weeks (p< 0.05) in patients treated with SNAGs. However, the cervical range of motion (ROM) showed a statistically significant improvement in flexion and extension in the treatment group (p< 0.05) while there was no significant improvement in side flexion and rotation ROM in both groups (p> 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study found that SNAGs were effective in reducing pain and neck disability and improved ROM in females with CGH.

2021 Mark Coventry Award: Use of a smartphone-based care platform after primary partial and total knee arthroplasty: a prospective randomized controlled trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 103-B (6 Supple A) ◽  
pp. 3-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
David A. Crawford ◽  
Paul J. Duwelius ◽  
Michael A. Sneller ◽  
Michael J. Morris ◽  
Jason M. Hurst ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Treatment Group ◽  
Knee Arthroplasty ◽  
Care Management ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Emergency Department Visits ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Total Knee

Aims The purpose is to determine the non-inferiority of a smartphone-based exercise educational care management system after primary knee arthroplasty compared with a traditional in-person physiotherapy rehabilitation model. Methods A multicentre prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted evaluating the use of a smartphone-based care management system for primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and partial knee arthroplasty (PKA). Patients in the control group (n = 244) received the respective institution’s standard of care with formal physiotherapy. The treatment group (n = 208) were provided a smartwatch and smartphone application. Early outcomes assessed included 90-day knee range of movement, EuroQoL five-dimension five-level score, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score for Joint Replacement (KOOS JR) score, 30-day single leg stance (SLS) time, Time up and Go (TUG) time, and need for manipulation under anaesthesia (MUA). Results Overall, 90-day mean flexion was not significantly different between the control (121° (SD 11.7°)) and treatment groups (121o; p = 0.559); 90-day mean SLS was 22.7 seconds (SD 9.8) in controls and 24.3 seconds (SD 20.8) in treatment (p = 0.519); 90-day mean TUG times were 10.1 seconds (SD 4.8) in control and 9.3 seconds (SD 3.3) in treatment (p = 0.139). Mean KOOS JR scores were significantly different between control group (73.6 (SD 13.4)) and treatment group (70.4 (SD 12.6); p = 0.026). MUAs were performed in nine (3.7%) patients in the control group and four (1.9%) in the treatment group (p = 0.398). Physiotherapy was performed by 230 (94.4%) of control group and 123 (59.3%) of treatment group (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences between groups in postoperative urgent care visits, or readmissions within 90 days, with significantly fewer emergency department visits in the treatment group (16 (8.2%) vs five (2.5%), p = 0.014). Conclusion The use of the smartwatch/smartphone care platform demonstrated non-inferiority of clinically significant outcomes to traditional care models, while requiring significantly less postoperative physiotherapy and fewer emergency department visits. This platform could aid in decreasing postoperative costs, while improving patient engagement and communication with the healthcare team. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(6 Supple A):3–12.

Experimental study of the inhibition effect of CXCL12/CXCR4 in malignant pleural mesothelioma

2018 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
pp. 338-345 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianshuang Li ◽  
Tong Li ◽  
Shuo Li ◽  
Lipeng Xie ◽  
Yi-Lin Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Group ◽  
Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma ◽  
Synergistic Effects ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Pleural Mesothelioma ◽  
Gene Expressions ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Cxcr4 Axis

Previous studies have demonstrated that CXCL12/CXCR4 axis is closely related to tumors such as malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). This research was conducted in order to detect whether CXCL12/CXCR4 inhibitors could restrain MPM and have a synergistic effect with chemotherapy, also to investigate the relationship of CXCL12/CXCR4 with other gene expressions in MPM. Forty mice were injected MPM cells and randomly divided into four groups: the PBS (control group), AMD3100 (CXCR4-CXCL12 antagonist), pemetrexed and AMD3100 plus pemetrexed. The mice were treated respectively for duration of 3 weeks. The size, bioluminescence and weight of tumors were measured. The differences between gene expressions in each group were analyzed. The tumor weights of each treatment group were lower than that of the control group (p<0.05). The bioluminescence of the tumor of the AMD3100 treatment group and the AMD3100 plus pemetrexed treatment group were lower than that of the control group (p<0.05), and AMD3100 was shown to have synergistic effects with pemetrexed (p<0.05). Among the 2.5 billion genes, several hundreds of genes expressed differently between groups. Results show that AMD3100 and pemetrexed can inhibit the growth of MPM in vivo, also that there is a better result if both are used together. Our findings suggest that CXCL12/CXCR4 axis affects a certain amount of gene expression in MPM.

scholarly journals Efficacy and Safety of Lianhuaqingwen Capsules for the Prevention of Coronavirus Disease 2019: A Prospective Open-Label Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Xiaowei Gong ◽  
Boyun Yuan ◽  
Yadong Yuan ◽  
Fengju Li
Keyword(s):  
Nucleic Acid ◽  
Treatment Group ◽  
Close Contact ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Open Label ◽  
Medical Observation ◽  
Observation Period ◽  
Close Contacts ◽  
Nucleic Acid Tests

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a global pandemic. Community and close contact exposures continue to drive the COVID-19 pandemic. There is no confirmed effective treatment for suspected cases and close contacts. Lianhuaqingwen (LH) capsules, a repurposed Chinese herbal product that is currently on the market, have proven effective for influenza and COVID-19. To determine the safety and efficacy of LH capsules for the prevention of COVID-19, we conducted a prospective open-label controlled trial of LH capsules on subjects who had close contact with people infected with COVID-19. Subjects received LH capsules (4 capsules, three times daily) or the usual medical observation for 14 days. The primary endpoint was the rate of positive nucleic acid tests of nasal and pharyngeal swabs during the quarantine medical observation period. We included 1976 patients, including 1101 in the treatment group and 875 in the control group. The rate of positive nucleic acid tests in the treatment group was significantly lower than that in the control group (0.27% vs. 1.14%, respectively; mean difference: −0.87%; 95% CI: −1.83 to −0.13; p = 0.0174 ) during the quarantine medical observation period (14 days). Among subjects with different close contact states, there was no significant difference in the rate of positive nucleic acid test results among close contacts in the treatment group and the control group (6.45% vs. 11.43%, respectively; p = 0.6762 ). Among secondary close contacts, the rate of positive nucleic acid tests in the treatment group was significantly lower than that in the control group (0.09% vs. 0.71%, respectively; p = 0.0485 ). No serious adverse events were reported. Taken together, and in light of the safety and effectiveness profiles, these results show that LH capsules can be considered to prevent the progression of COVID-19 after close contact with an infected person. This trial is registered with ChiCTR2100043012.

scholarly journals The Effects of Anthocyanins in Purple Sweet Potato Extract to the Level MDA and NO Sputum Asymptomatic Smokers

2018 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 64-74
Author(s):  
Ni Luh Putu Eka Arisanti ◽  
Helmia Hasan
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Treatment Group ◽  
Sweet Potato ◽  
Airway Remodeling ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Gene Mutations ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Endogenous Nitric Oxide ◽  
Purple Sweet Potato

Backgrounds: Cigarette consist of 4000 chemical substances which can induce oxidative stress. In lungs, oxidative stress can cause lipid peroxidation, which produce MDA that leads to DNA damage, gene mutations, and loss of repair. Cigarette can also reduce the activity of endogenous Nitric Oxide (NO). Decrease of physiologic NO can cause dysfunction of the endothelium, pulmonary vasoconstriction, bronchospasm, mucous hypersecretion, reduction of mucociliary clearance, and airway remodeling. This damage can be prevented by antioxidant. The content of antosianin in purple cassava (purple sweet potato) is a potent antioxidant that can prevent oxidative stress. The aim of this study is to find out the effects of antosianin administration on MDA and NO sputum level in asymptomatic smoker. Methods: This study is an experimental study with randomized controlled trial pre–post test controlled group design, that performed on outpatient clinic of dr. Soetomo hospital. Results: The result of this study shows that MDA level in treatment group were significantly decrease P=0.0001 between pre (336,90 ng/ml) and post treatment (165,30 ng/ml) compare with control group that shows the opposite effect. In the control group, there was an increase of MDA level both before (416,00 ng/ml) and after placebo was given (476,00 ng/ml). The NO level in treatment group increase but it is not statistically significant between pre (40,80 ng/ml) and post treatment (78,30 ng/ml). The increase of NO level also occured in control group but it is not statistically significant between before (66,67 ng/ml) and after placebo was given (72,00 ng/ml), with the increment was higher in treatment group (6,66 ng/ml) compare with control group (0.53 ng/ml). Conclusions: The MDA sputum level were significantly decrease after the administration of antosianin extract from purple sweet potato in asymptomatic smoker. There were no significant increment of sputum NO level after the given of antosianin extract from purple sweet potato in asymptomatic smoker. (J Respir Indo 2018; 38(2): 64-74)

Evaluating the effects of a mindfulness mobile application on student pharmacists’ stress, burnout, and mindfulness

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela Chu ◽  
Tyler M Rose ◽  
Danielle A Gundrum ◽  
Tressa E McMorris ◽  
Eytan A Klausner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Application ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Intervention Period ◽  
Entire Study ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Waitlist Control Group

Abstract Disclaimer In an effort to expedite the publication of articles, AJHP is posting manuscripts online as soon as possible after acceptance. Accepted manuscripts have been peer-reviewed and copyedited, but are posted online before technical formatting and author proofing. These manuscripts are not the final version of record and will be replaced with the final article (formatted per AJHP style and proofed by the authors) at a later time. Purpose Pharmacists report high levels of burnout. Mindfulness approaches have been demonstrated to have positive results in the general population and in other healthcare professions. However, limited studies have been performed evaluating mindfulness approaches in student pharmacists. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of daily use of a mindfulness mobile application in improving student pharmacists’ perceived stress, burnout, and mindfulness. Methods This study was a randomized, longitudinal, waitlist-controlled trial. The intervention group was asked to meditate using the mindfulness application Headspace daily for at least 6 weeks. The waitlist control group was asked to abstain from using the application for the entire study. Stress, burnout, and mindfulness were assessed using validated survey instruments at baseline, 6 weeks, and 10 weeks. A secondary outcome was to assess the persistence of application use after the intervention period. Results Fifty-six participants completed the study. The intervention group reported significantly lower scores on stress and burnout at 6 weeks compared to the control group. The intervention group also reported significantly higher scores on mindfulness. The differences in stress, burnout, and mindfulness persisted at follow-up. The mean percentage of students in the intervention group who used the application each day was 90% over the intervention period and 62% over the follow-up period. Conclusion A mindfulness mobile application significantly improved student pharmacists’ stress, burnout, and mindfulness with daily use. Most participants continued to use the application for 4 weeks after the end of the intervention. Positive effects on stress and mindfulness persisted even with decreased use.

Facilitating access to iCBT: a randomized controlled trial assessing a translated version of an empirically validated program using a minimally monitored delivery model

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 185-202
Author(s):  
Miguel Robichaud ◽  
France Talbot ◽  
Nickolai Titov ◽  
Blake F. Dear ◽  
Heather D. Hadjistavropoulos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Group ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Primary Outcome ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Access To Treatment ◽  
Delivery Model

AbstractBackground:Despite its established efficacy, access to internet-delivered CBT (iCBT) remains limited in a number of countries. Translating existing programs and using a minimally monitored model of delivery may facilitate its dissemination across countries.Aims:This randomized control trial aims to evaluate the efficacy of an iCBT transdiagnostic program translated from English to French and offered in Canada using a minimally monitored delivery model for the treatment of anxiety and depression.Method:Sixty-three French speakers recruited in Canada were randomized to iCBT or a waiting-list. A French translation of an established program, the Wellbeing Course, was offered over 8 weeks using a minimally monitored delivery model. Primary outcome measures were the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), which were obtained pre-treatment, post-treatment and at 3-month follow-up.Results:Mixed-effects models revealed that participants in the treatment group had significantly lower PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores post-treatment than controls with small between-groups effect sizes (d = 0.34 and 0.37, respectively). Within-group effect sizes on primary outcome measures were larger in the treatment than control group. Clinical recovery rates on the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 were significantly higher among the treatment group (40 and 56%, respectively) than the controls (13 and 16%, respectively).Conclusions:The provision of a translated iCBT program using a minimally monitored delivery model may improve patients’ access to treatment of anxiety and depression across countries. This may be an optimal first step in improving access to iCBT before sufficient resources can be secured to implement a wider range of iCBT services.

Efficacy of electroacupuncture plus warm needling therapy for plantar heel pain: a randomised waitlist-controlled trial

2020 ◽  
pp. 096452842094604
Author(s):  
Lai Fun Ho ◽  
Yuanqi Guo ◽  
Jessica Yuet-Ling Ching ◽  
Kam Leung Chan ◽  
Ping Him Tsang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Group ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Heel Pain ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Global Rating ◽  
Plantar Heel Pain ◽  
Foot Function ◽  
Warm Needling

Objective: To investigate the therapeutic effects of electroacupuncture plus warm needling (EAWN) therapy on pain and foot function in adults with plantar heel pain (PHP). Methods: This prospective, randomised, parallel-group, waitlist-controlled trial was conducted at a Chinese medicine centre in Hong Kong between May 2018 and February 2019. Eighty eligible community-dwelling subjects with PHP (mean age 59.7 years; 85% female) were equally randomised to receive EAWN therapy or remain on a waitlist. The treatment group received six 30-min sessions of standardised EAWN therapy over 4 weeks; the control group received no treatment. The outcome measures were the visual analogue scale (VAS) score for first-step pain, foot function index (FFI) scores and global rating of change (GRC) scale scores. Assessments were made at baseline, week 2 and week 4 (primary endpoint). The treatment group underwent additional assessments at week 8. Outcomes were evaluated by intention-to-treat analysis. Results: Patients who received EAWN therapy exhibited greater improvements in the mean first-step pain VAS and all FFI scores than did those in the control group at weeks 2 and 4, with significant between-group differences (all P < 0.001). Compared with baseline, there were significant decreases in mean first-step pain VAS scores at weeks 2 and 4, and FFI scores at week 4, in the treatment group but not in the control group. The improvements in the treatment group continued until week 8. GRC scores at week 4 indicated improvement in all treated patients and only 22.5% of the control group patients ( P < 0.001). There were no study-related adverse events. Conclusion: EAWN therapy could be an effective treatment for PHP in middle-aged and older adults. Trial registration number: ChiCTR1800014906 (Chinese Clinical Trials Registry)

scholarly journals Electrolytes supplementation can decrease the risk of nephrotoxicity in patients with solid tumors undergoing chemotherapy with cisplatin

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Omary M. S. Minzi ◽  
Tatu E. Lyimo ◽  
Francis F. Furia ◽  
Alphonce I. Marealle ◽  
Manase Kilonzi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Group ◽  
Serum Creatinine ◽  
Solid Tumors ◽  
Normal Saline ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Kidney Injury ◽  
Rank Test ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Relative Risks ◽  
Kaplan Meier

Abstract Background Cisplatin is an important drug in the treatment of various Cancers. However, this drug causes nephrotoxicity that is linked to electrolyte derangement. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of electrolyte supplementation in reducing kidney injury in patients receiving cisplatin-based regimen. Methods This was non-randomized interventional study conducted at Ocean Road Cancer Institute (ORCI) among patients with confirmed solid tumors. Patients who received cisplatin-based chemotherapy at a dose of ≥50 mg with intravenous normal saline supplemented with Magnesium, Calcium and Potassium (triple electrolyte supplementation) were compared with those who received cisplatin-based chemotherapy with normal saline alone. The patients were followed up for 4 weeks and serum creatinine was measured at every visit. Nephrotoxicity was defined as serum creatinine elevation > 1.5 times that at baseline. Results A total of 99 patients were recruited, whereby 49 patients (49.5%) received electrolyte supplementation (treatment group) and 50 patients (51.5%) did not receive electrolyte supplementation (control group). The incidence risk of nephrotoxicity was 20.41% (n = 10) in the treatment group and 54% (n = 27) in the control group. Patients in the control group were 2.6 times more likely to experience nephrotoxicity as compared to treatment group [Relative Risks (RR); 2.6, 95%CI; 1.5–4.9, P < 0.0001]. The most common malignancy was cervical cancer, n = 43 (87.8%) in treatment group and n = 45 (90.0%) in the control group (P = 0.590). The Kaplan-Meier analysis and the log-rank test revealed that electrolytes supplementation was associated with extended survival with less nephrotoxicity incidences [P = 0.0004; Hazard ratio (HR) 0.3149; 95% CI 0.165 to 0.6011]. Conclusions Electrolytes supplementation decreases the risk of nephrotoxicity after chemotherapy with cisplatin. A randomized controlled trial with a larger sample size is recommended to evaluate the robustness of these findings.

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