Effect of Apartment Community Garden Program on Sense of Community and Stress

Apartment housing has become a dominant form of urban residence. High dwelling density in apartment complexes causes frequent conflicts and disputes. To counter this, it is necessary to promote a sense of community among residents with programs such as a customized horticultural program for the introduction of a community garden in an apartment complex. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of a community garden program in an apartment complex in fostering residents’ sense of community and reducing stress. Experiments were performed in three groups: a group participating in the program based on the sense of community theory (SCG; n = 11), a group participating with a focus on horticultural education (HEG; n = 11), and a non-participation group (NPG; n = 10). The experimental results revealed that the sense of community was significantly higher in the SCG than in the HEG and NPG. The results suggest that the SCG positively affected the sense of community, overall energy, ratio between sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, and stress resistance. Considering these results, community garden programs with appropriate interventions to promote a sense of community are more effective in improving community life and reducing stress than programs based on horticultural education.

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Stress Reduction in Family Carers of People Living with Dementia: A Systematic Review

The prevalence of dementia is increasing and the care needs of people living with dementia are rising. Family carers of people living with dementia are a high-risk group for psychological and physical health comorbidities. Mindfulness-based interventions such as mindfulness-based cognitive therapy show potential for reducing stress experienced by family carers of people living with dementia. This study aims to systematically assess the efficacy of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in reducing stress experienced by family carers of people living with dementia. Electronic databases including MEDLINE, APA PsycINFO, EMBASE, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, AMED, ICTRP, and ALOIS were searched for relevant studies up to August 2020. All types of intervention studies were included. Quantitative findings were explored. Seven studies were eligible for inclusion. The analysis showed that there was a statistically significant reduction in self-rated carer stress in four studies for the mindfulness-based cognitive therapy group compared to controls. One study that was adequately powered also showed reductions in carer burden, depression, and anxiety compared to control. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy appears to be a potentially effective intervention for family carers of people living with dementia, but large, high-quality randomized controlled trials in ethnically diverse populations are required to evaluate its effectiveness.

The Effect of Inner Engineering Online (IEO) Program on Reducing Stress for Information Technology Professionals: A Randomized Control Study

In recent years, mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) are rapidly growing in the workplace. Several meta-analyses conclude that overall MBIs have a moderate effect of alleviating deficit-based experiences, such as burnout and stress, but a small to no effect of promoting asset-based experiences, such as positive affect and well-being. While workplace MBIs vary greatly in their content, format, and duration, the dominant format is still face to face in a group setting, which limits scalability. Our study introduces an emerging workplace intervention called Inner Engineering Online (IEO) and evaluates its effect on reducing stress, burnout, depression, and anxiety and increasing mindfulness and joy. Drawing on the classical yogic science, IEO is a comprehensive web-based multicomponent intervention that utilizes dialectic discourse, meditation, and yogic practices designed to improve physical, mental, and emotional health. Utilizing a randomized active control cross-over experimental design with a sample of 71 employees of an Information Technology company, we tested our hypothesis that IEO training and regular daily yogic practice are likely to lower the stress levels, prevent burnout, and alleviate anxiety and depression, while at the same time promotes positive affect for employees. The results show that IEO program significantly reduces stress only among those who adhere to recommended daily yogic practices. The study is limited by its small sample size. Future research using a large sample is recommended to reexamine the effect of IEO training on occupational health. This trial is registered with NCT04126564.

Domestic peat pots biodegradation

Biodegradable nutrient media based on cellulose fibers and peat with added protective materials and stimulating represent the higher form of transplant used in current technologies for producing plant seedlings. Worldwide intensive development of the pots production industry (the effect of increasing demands from agriculture and their quality level in terms of degradability and operational sustainability, with outstanding results in reducing stress factors) led to fast expansion of their use with a high economic efficiency. Determination of potential and effective degradation was achieved by the method for determining cellulolytic activity in soil. Biodegradation potential recorded differences during the course of experience in the sense that it increases as the pots exposure time to treatment is higher. In conclusion, the pots treatment (planted/without plant) has a great influence on the effective biodegradation.

Health and Wellbeing as Appreciative Inquiry in a Private University in Mexico

Appreciative inquiry (AI) has been used to promote positive change in different areas of organizational life. It is based on the 4D cycle which includes four distinct stages: discover, dream, design, and destiny. Organizational wellbeing is both a strategy and a responsibility, especially in recent times, when the line between work and life seems to be blurring, and there has been an increased concern about the role that work plays in the health and wellbeing of employees. AI is substantially different from other institutional analysis methodologies because it is not focused on solving problems, but on the positive aspects of organizational life and culture. This chapter presents the case of a private university in Puebla, Mexico, which has been promoting holistic programs to improve employees' wellbeing and happiness, reducing stress and other potential health problems through appreciative inquiry on what members dream, long for, and aspire in terms of better overall health. It is a descriptive study that presents a specific case.

Virtual Dental Care - Pediatric Teledentistry

Teledentistry falls under virtual dental care where use of virtual communication is in between dentist and the patient to provide dental care and education to patients. Patients receive virtual examinations and are provided consultation, diagnosis, treatment planning, guidance, transmission of dental information and education via tele-communications. During this COVID-19 pandemic it has offered a solution to resume dental practice as a tool ensuring safety for all. Pediatric teledentistry helps by saving time, allowing child- dentist interaction before the visit and reducing stress for patients, guardians and dentists. Telescreening and teletriage can be implemented publically into routine dental practice and also as a triage-based emergency management strategy as it provides an effective compromise between limiting patient admission, ensuring their pain control and symptom relief.

The Usability and Feasibility of DailyCalm Application in Reducing Stress among Adolescents During COVID-19 Pandemic

Stress is common among adolescents that impairs their well-being. This study aimed at determining the usability and feasibility of a newly developed mobile apps, DailyCalm in reducing stress among secondary school students in Kedah. They were recruited via convenience sampling using social media in August 2020 during COVID-19 pandemic. An access link was provided to download the DailyCalm apps that contained videos teaching on breathing and relaxation techniques. Students were encouraged to use the apps thrice a week. Students responded to an online form that measured stress level using Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) at baseline and four weeks later and perception on the usability and feasibility of the apps after four weeks of use. Among the 80 students aged 13 to 17 years who completed the study, 83.8% of them were having moderate to high level of stress. The students rated the apps as moderately usable with mean of 39.91 (SD = 6.12) and highly feasible with mean of 41.74 (SD = 6.99). However, there was no significant reduction in PSS score after 4 weeks of use [mean of 18.10 (SD =5.15) at baseline and mean of 17.44 (SD =5.06) at post-intervention; p-value = 0.19]. In conclusion, DailyCalm was viewed as moderately usable and highly feasible, yet its use over 4 weeks did not show a significant reduction in the stress level experienced by the students. The DailyCalm app has the potential to be used as a stress management application but needs further improvement for an effective use.

Effects of ashwagandha root extract on physical performance – a clinical review

Sport is an important aspect of human life, affecting mental and physical health. Physical activity is one of the most effective ways of preventing the diseases of civilisation, such as coronary heart disease, hypertension, obesity and diabetes. There are many substances and methods that are used by athletes to improve physical performance, increase muscle mass and strength, increase concentration or suppress excessive emotions or reduce body weight to improve sports results. However, there is a need for research to find natural substances of plant origin, the use of which will lead to an increase in physical performance and will be fully legal and without side effects. Some scientists are conducting research into the use of ashwagandha root extract to improve physical performance. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of ashwagandha root extract in the treatment of insomnia, anxiety and in reducing stress. Our study material consisted of publications, which were found in PubMed, ResearchGate and Google Scholar databases. In order to find the proper publications, the search has been conducted with the use of a combination of key words like: ''ashawagandha'', ''physical performance'', ''physical endurance'', ''muscle strength". The first step was to find proper publications from the last 15 years. The second step was to carry out an overview of the found publications.

Qualitative Investigation into Pre- and Post-Natal Experience of Parents of Triplets

Although parents of triplets experience substantial mental distress, research about this increasing population has primarily focused on physical health risks of triplets and mothers, failing to capture the subjective wellbeing of parents. Accordingly, this study aimed to understand first-hand experience of parents of triplets, using thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews participated by eight parents (four couples: Age M = 48.63, SD = 10.61 years). Six themes were identified: (1) Negative and (2) Positive experiences of raising triplets prenatally and postnatally, (3) Social, psychological, and material support, (4) Experiences and challenges specific to mothers and (5) fathers, and (6) Advice for future parents. These themes suggest that being reassured and accepting support from others are particularly essential in reducing stress and anxiety. Self-compassion interventions were recommended to support the wellbeing of parents of triplets. Our findings will help parents of triplets, their social circles, and healthcare workers to develop effective approaches to reduce the mental health difficulties that this under-researched population experiences.

Psychological Stress Due to Covid-19 on Pregnant Women in Post Partal Period

There is no indication that covid-19 has a long-term effect on pregnancy, the mother's psychiatric condition, or the infant's developmental delay. Between May 1st and July 31st 2020, 72 pregnant patients with covid-19 took part in a study that took place in different locations. Since giving birth these woman patients engaged in three-month follow-up surveys. The data was collected from Covid-19 medical history, maternal reports, quarantine questionnaires, mother-baby feeding separation, and assessing the mothers psychiatric illnesses. While there is no conclusive evidence of vertical transmission of SARS-COV-2, in order to reduce the risk of infection, healthcare professionals and researchers must focus more on the mental health of pregnant women, infant feeding, and closeness to the parents. This will aid in the early development of the new born, reducing stress on the mother.