The Role of Mindfulness Approaches in Integrative Medicine

Biofeedback ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-14
Author(s):  
Donald Moss
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Integrative Medicine ◽  
Chronic Conditions ◽  
Mindfulness Meditation ◽  
Chronic Illnesses ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Integrative Healthcare ◽  
Mindful Engagement ◽  
And Behavior

Patients today frequently present with conditions caused by or aggravated by stress, lifestyle, and behavior. The number of patients with one or more chronic illnesses has increased worldwide, and lifestyle and behavior frequently contribute to these chronic conditions. Biomedical care fails to address many of the behavioral, lifestyle, and environmental factors causing and aggravating these conditions. The article proposes that integrative healthcare is better suited than biomedicine to address the biopsychosocial aspect of modern illness. In addition, mindfulness-based coping and mindfulness meditation are introduced as valuable tools for integrative medicine and integrative practitioners. The article introduces the concepts of the mindful practitioner, the mindful treatment encounter, mindful engagement of the patient, and mindfulness as treatment.

scholarly journals Genetic origin of the relationship between parental negativity and behavior problems from early childhood to adolescence: A longitudinal genetically sensitive study

2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 487-500 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Alemany ◽  
Frühling V. Rijsdijk ◽  
Claire Margaret Alison Haworth ◽  
Lourdes Fañanás ◽  
Robert Plomin
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Behavior Problems ◽  
Genetic Factors ◽  
Causal Pathways ◽  
Longitudinal Association ◽  
Genetic And Environmental Factors ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractLittle is known about how genetic and environmental factors contribute to the association between parental negativity and behavior problems from early childhood to adolescence. The current study fitted a cross-lagged model in a sample consisting of 4,075 twin pairs to explore (a) the role of genetic and environmental factors in the relationship between parental negativity and behavior problems from age 4 to age 12, (b) whether parent-driven and child-driven processes independently explain the association, and (c) whether there are sex differences in this relationship. Both phenotypes showed substantial genetic influence at both ages. The concurrent overlap between them was mainly accounted for by genetic factors. Causal pathways representing stability of the phenotypes and parent-driven and child-driven effects significantly and independently account for the association. Significant but slight differences were found between males and females for parent-driven effects. These results were highly similar when general cognitive ability was added as a covariate. In summary, the longitudinal association between parental negativity and behavior problems seems to be bidirectional and mainly accounted for by genetic factors. Furthermore, child-driven effects were mainly genetically mediated, and parent-driven effects were a function of both genetic and shared-environmental factors.

scholarly journals The Way to a Human’s Brain Goes Through Their Stomach: Dietary Factors in Major Depressive Disorder

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janine Aly ◽  
Olivia Engmann
Keyword(s):  
Major Depressive Disorder ◽  
Depressive Disorder ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Dietary Factors ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Omega 6 ◽  
And Behavior

Globally, more than 250 million people are affected by depression (major depressive disorder; MDD), a serious and debilitating mental disorder. Currently available treatment options can have substantial side effects and take weeks to be fully effective. Therefore, it is important to find safe alternatives, which act more rapidly and in a larger number of patients. While much research on MDD focuses on chronic stress as a main risk factor, we here make a point of exploring dietary factors as a somewhat overlooked, yet highly promising approach towards novel antidepressant pathways. Deficiencies in various groups of nutrients often occur in patients with mental disorders. These include vitamins, especially members of the B-complex (B6, B9, B12). Moreover, an imbalance of fatty acids, such as omega-3 and omega-6, or an insufficient supply with minerals, including magnesium and zinc, are related to MDD. While some of them are relevant for the synthesis of monoamines, others play a crucial role in inflammation, neuroprotection and the synthesis of growth factors. Evidence suggests that when deficiencies return to normal, changes in mood and behavior can be, at least in some cases, achieved. Furthermore, supplementation with dietary factors (so called “nutraceuticals”) may improve MDD symptoms even in the absence of a deficiency. Non-vital dietary factors may affect MDD symptoms as well. For instance, the most commonly consumed psychostimulant caffeine may improve behavioral and molecular markers of MDD. The molecular structure of most dietary factors is well known. Hence, dietary factors may provide important molecular tools to study and potentially help treat MDD symptoms. Within this review, we will discuss the role of dietary factors in MDD risk and symptomology, and critically discuss how they might serve as auxiliary treatments or preventative options for MDD.

Individual Differences in the Name Similarity Effect

2014 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 111-118
Author(s):  
Daniel J. Howard ◽  
Roger A. Kerin
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Impression Management ◽  
Interactive Effect ◽  
Purchase Intentions ◽  
Brand Attitude ◽  
Self Monitoring ◽  
Similarity Effect ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Usage Context

The name similarity effect is the tendency to like people, places, and things with names similar to our own. Although many researchers have examined name similarity effects on preferences and behavior, no research to date has examined whether individual differences exist in susceptibility to those effects. This research reports the results of two experiments that examine the role of self-monitoring in moderating name similarity effects. In the first experiment, name similarity effects on brand attitude and purchase intentions were found to be stronger for respondents high, rather than low, in self-monitoring. In the second experiment, the interactive effect observed in the first study was found to be especially true in a public (vs. private) usage context. These findings are consistent with theoretical expectations of name similarity effects as an expression of egotism manifested in the image and impression management concerns of high self-monitors.

Questions on the role of biofilms for the adaptation of microorganisms to unfavorable environmental factors by the example of P. aeruginosa

2020 ◽  
Vol 99 (4) ◽  
pp. 379-383
Author(s):  
Vasily N. Afonyushkin ◽  
N. A. Donchenko ◽  
Ju. N. Kozlova ◽  
N. A. Davidova ◽  
V. Yu. Koptev ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Barrier Function ◽  
Infectious Agent ◽  
Antagonistic Activity ◽  
The Body ◽  
Main Function ◽  
Pathogenic Potential ◽  
The Face

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a widely represented species of bacteria possessing of a pathogenic potential. This infectious agent is causing wound infections, fibrotic cystitis, fibrosing pneumonia, bacterial sepsis, etc. The microorganism is highly resistant to antiseptics, disinfectants, immune system responses of the body. The responses of a quorum sense of this kind of bacteria ensure the inclusion of many pathogenicity factors. The analysis of the scientific literature made it possible to formulate four questions concerning the role of biofilms for the adaptation of P. aeruginosa to adverse environmental factors: Is another person appears to be predominantly of a source an etiological agent or the source of P. aeruginosa infection in the environment? Does the formation of biofilms influence on the antibiotic resistance? How the antagonistic activity of microorganisms is realized in biofilm form? What is the main function of biofilms in the functioning of bacteria? A hypothesis has been put forward the effect of biofilms on the increase of antibiotic resistance of bacteria and, in particular, P. aeruginosa to be secondary in charcter. It is more likely a biofilmboth to fulfill the function of storing nutrients and provide topical competition in the face of food scarcity. In connection with the incompatibility of the molecular radii of most antibiotics and pores in biofilm, biofilm is doubtful to be capable of performing a barrier function for protecting against antibiotics. However, with respect to antibodies and immunocompetent cells, the barrier function is beyond doubt. The biofilm is more likely to fulfill the function of storing nutrients and providing topical competition in conditions of scarcity of food resources.

Suva Residents’ Views on Cancer, Diabetes and HIV in The Fiji Times

2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Farzana Gounder
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Illnesses ◽  
Structural Reforms ◽  
Letters To The Editor ◽  
Medical Responsibility ◽  
Grassroots Support ◽  
Preliminary Study ◽  
Socially Relevant ◽  
Situated Approach ◽  
Significant Health

The burden of preventable diseases is increasing in the South Pacific Island Countries and Territories. In Fiji, significant media attention and national finances are spent on public dissemination of the modifiable risk factors of chronic illnesses. However, little is known about lay societal perceptions of chronic illnesses and of people living with these illnesses. This preliminary study takes an area-situated approach to lay knowledge and examines Suva residents’ moral evaluations associated with socially significant health concerns in Fiji. Using the case studies of HIV, cancer, and diabetes, the research employs content analysis to examine 144 Suva residents’ Letters to the Editor, published between 2000 and 2019 in The Fiji Times. The findings indicate that letter writers on chronic illnesses are power sensitive, interested in governmental responsibility, and aware of the role of stigma in creating inequitable health outcomes. The study’s findings locate chronic illness as not only a medical responsibility but also a social justice and human rights concern that requires a multisectoral approach, with community-tailored responses at the heart of all discussions. The lay-societal recognition of the three illnesses as being socially relevant suggests grassroots support for policies directed towards structural reforms for the prevention and management of these illnesses.

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