Thermal and behavioral response of horses submitted to functional exercises and acupuncture

ABSTRACT: The present research evaluated muscle activation degrees and relaxation of patrolling horses submitted to dynamic mobilization exercises, associated or not with acupuncture. Twelve mixed breed gelding, aged 10 ± 2.0 years, were distributed in three treatments. Treatment with a single session of dynamic mobilization exercises (longitudinal cervical flexion of head between hooves, between carpus and to up to chest); treatment with a single acupuncture session during 20 minutes, and treatment with a single session of dynamic mobilization exercises with acupuncture. Thermographic images were analyzed before and after applying treatments to the cervical, thoracic, dorsal, abdominal and pelvic regions. Animal behavior was assessed through five minutes filming, before and ten minutes after the end of each treatment application, in an uninterrupted way. Increase in animals body temperature at the end of the single session of functional exercises (P < 0.0001) at all animal regions were reported, being cervical and thoracic areas with highest final temperature values. There was no temperature variation for other treatments (P > 0.05). All treatments stimulated higher expression frequency (P < 0.05) of relaxation behaviors. A single dynamic mobilization exercises session is enough to promote intense muscular response in entire horse body; and with acupuncture, individually or associated, promoted muscle and mental relaxation, interfering positively in animal welfare.

Implication of social isolation on mental health during the Covid-19 pandemic: a look at its religious and spiritual coping

China was the center of Covid-19 which rapidly spread out all over the world. The rapid outbreak of Covid-19 in Asian countries has severely affected psychological and social life of people. Which also has a great influence on religion and faith. Spiritual and religious copping is an effective approach for mental relaxation and belief on the creator specifically during the Covid-19 outbreak. The main purpose of this study is observing the situation of Asian countries existing literature on human psychology and social life further it also explores religious and spiritual coping during Covid-19. Different studies were retrieved from online sources. In which the published articles were classified according to three themes such as human psychology, religious and spiritual coping and social life during Covid-19. It is evident from the literature that covid-19 has a great influence on human psychology. Majority people suffered from anxiety and depression in these tough days of life. Also, most of the people suffered from fear, depression, stress, loneliness during lockdown which effects their social life. The positive point was found that religion and spirituality helping people to reduce their stress and create positivity in their life. Spirituality helps out people in mental relaxation at times of crisis and epidemic situations while religious copings and strong believe on creator reduce anxiety and depression.

Purpose in Life During COVID-19 Confinement: Effect of Physical Activity and Meditation

Introduction The pandemic caused by the COVID-19 virus has led states to issue orders for confinement and suspension of activities such as education. The purpose of this study is to interpret the Purpose in Life Test (PIL) and its relationship to physical activity and mental relaxation/meditation in confinement. Material and methods A survey was conducted in an online form on 533 individuals (39 ± 11 years) using the Purpose in Life Test (PIL) and an ad-hoc questionnaire regarding physical activity time (PA), mental relaxation/meditation time (RM), hours of sleep (HS), number of people in confinement (NPC) and concerns and satisfaction during confinement. Results The overall mean of the PIL test was 114 ± 16, indicating a strong life purpose, and there were no differences by sex or by levels of physical activity, but for RM and age levels. The scores of the PIL test were positively correlated with the age, PA and time of RM. On the other hand, the main concern is the economy (50%) and health or getting sick by COVID-19 (37%), and what gives the greatest satisfaction is the family (40%) and sharing and spending time with the family (33%). People who perform RM activities at least 30 min/week have significantly higher PIL test scores. Conclusions Despite the drastic changes caused by confinement, individuals have a strong life purpose. Family companionship, home PA and RM act as a protective factor during confinement and in maintaining physical and mental health.

Applied neuroscience: Why and how biofeedback methodology work?

Science cannot achieve its purpose without some practical applications. The aim of this article is to inform our colleagues about some practical uses of the methodology named biofeedback in the general population. It is important for the staff, especially for those employed in the public health service, because this method is not useful only for treating some disorders, but also for obtaining some health attitudes, performances and mental relaxation in the general population.

COVID-19 Epidemic and Spirituality: A Review of the Benefits of Religion in Times of Crisis

Context: The current world crisis, COVID-19 disease, is different from any other world’s previous crises since it has killed thousands of people all around the world and made the medical science desperate. During the COVID-19 outbreak, spirituality can be one of the proper methods to create mental relaxation. Evidence Acquisition: The present study is a review of the literature from 1978 to 2019. The search was done in electronic databases and reputable websites including PubMed, Medline, Springer, Elsevier, Science Direct, Scopus, and SID for both English and non-English language articles using the following keywords: “spirituality”, “prayer”, “and “some religious advice were assessed in times of crisis”. A total of 11 articles were selected for review. Results: The results indicated that spirituality could aid people to have mental relaxation in times of crisis and dangerous diseases. Some of the religious solutions proposed against the COVID-19 prevalence could be helpful. Conclusions: Since a long time ago, religions have attempted to provide behavioral pieces of advice in times of crisis to help humankind spiritually. In the present study, some of these pieces of advice are mentioned. It has been suggested that medical staff in hospitals pay more attention to the spiritual and religious beliefs of COVID-19-infected patients to improve their calmness and well-being.

Benefits of a Self-Management Program for the Couple Living With Parkinson’s Disease: A Pilot Study

The goal of this pilot study was to explore health benefits for couples participating together in an existing community-based self-management workshop for Parkinson’s disease (PD). A quasi-experimental two-wave design explored the effects of the Strive to Thrive program in comparison to a wait-list control condition. Preliminary data ( n = 39 couples) showed that spouses in the intervention group had greater engagement in mental relaxation techniques at 7 weeks than those in the control condition (large effect size). Small effects were observed for increases in aerobic activity and mental relaxation for the adult with PD, increases in strength-based activities and self-efficacy for spouses, declines in depressive symptoms for spouses, and decreases in protective buffering for both adults with PD and spouses. The program showed potential for existing community-based programs to benefit couples living with chronic illness.

174 Benefits of a Self-Management Program for the Older Couple Living with Parkinson’s Disease: A Pilot Study

Background Although community-based self-management workshops have been found to benefit older adults with Parkinson’s disease (PD), it is unclear if there could be added value for the couple if the spouse also participated. Methods A quasi-experimental two-wave design (0 and seven week follow-up) was used to explore the effects of a self-management program on the health and relational outcomes of older adults with PD and their spouses in comparison to a wait-list control condition. Thirty nine couples were enrolled and completed the study (19 in the intervention group and 20 in the wait-list control). Results Adjusting for baseline outcome values, spouses in the intervention group had significantly greater engagement in mental relaxation techniques (p < .001; d = 1.28) than those in the control condition at seven weeks. Additionally, moderate effect sizes were observed for increases in the mental relaxation (d = 0.44) and aerobic activity (d = 0.44) of older adults with PD and the strength-based activities of spouses (d = 0.33) in the intervention group. Small to moderate effects were observed for declines in the depressive symptoms of spouses (d = 0.29) and older adults with PD (d = 0.14) and care strain of spouses (d = 0.15) in the intervention group. Finally, perceptions of marital quality improved for older adults with PD (d = 0.46) and spouses (d = 0.41) and reports of protective buffering (i.e. hiding concerns) declined for older adults with PD (d = 0.24) and spouses (d = 0.33) in the intervention group compared to the wait-list control condition. Conclusion Preliminary data showed promise for self-management programs benefiting couples living with Parkinson’s disease. Although larger samples and randomized controlled trials are needed to establish the full benefit of such programs, greater attention to interventions for the older couple is warranted.

Mystical techniques, mental processes, and states of consciousness in Abraham Abulafia’s Kabbalah: A reassessment

This article reevaluates the mystical techniques and experiences peculiar to Abraham Abulafia’s Kabbalah and attempts to offer an alternative approach to their dominant understanding, which largely depends on Moshe Idel’s work. Current scholars of Jewish mysticism have a habit of highlighting the “unique character” of Abulafia’s mystical practices while asserting that they cannot be compared with the induction techniques and the psychophysical phenomena typical of hypnosis. While generally agreeing with the scholars discussed that the hyperactivation of the mind found in Abulafian Kabbalah contrasts sharply with the mental relaxation attained through the mystical practices of other religious traditions, the present study takes issue with the current view of Abulafian Kabbalah’s relation to hypnotic procedures, processes, and states. This work addresses the issues present with the current view and offers a more inclusive model for interpreting Abulafia’s Kabbalah, drawing from psychiatrist Roland Fischer.