USING METAPHORS TO REDUCE ANXIETY IN ADOLESCENTS

The age of adolescence represents few years of uncertainties and unknown in the development and evolution of a young people. In the search of his own identity, the adolescent needs symbols in order to access the unconscious personal resources. Working with metaphors in the process of counselling and psychotherapy facilitates new signification and sense for the adolescent that experience the most provocative period of his life. This article focuses on the benefits of using metaphorical techniques to improve emotional health in adolescents. We supposed that using a brief experiential metaphoric exercise (My own relaxation and recreation place) would allow the group members to improve their present emotional anxiety experience. The adolescents became more aware of their inner resources (such as tranquillity, calm, trust and hope) and needs. Present finding indicate the effects of expressive-creative methods on anxiety state. Using metaphor in the therapy of adolescents could be an important method to reduce the anxiety and to help them understand the role of their emotions in the process of personal development.

Level of Anxiety-State as a factor in changing eating patterns in college students: NUTSAU Study

With the purpose of identifying eating patterns of university students at a federal university in the state of Rio de Janeiro, a cross-sectional analysis of food consumption data was stratified by anxiety symptom scores of 147 students enrolled in the second semester of several undergraduate courses in the second semester of 2015. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory determined the anxiety symptoms scores. A food frequency questionnaire was applied to obtain food consumption data. Students were stratified into two groups, using the median state anxiety score as cutoff point. For each group, some dietary patterns were derived by the application of the principal component analysis. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS software. The university students presented a median state-anxiety score of 43 points, and it was significantly higher in women. Three dietary patterns were identified for each group according to their nutritional characteristics, among which “Mixed 1”, “Healthy” and “Rice and Beans” for the less anxious students and “Western”, “Mixed 2” and “Rice and Beans” for the most anxious students. The results showed that it was possible to identify consistent food patterns for both, using a factorial analysis method. Students with the highest anxiety-state scores had a pronounced Western eating pattern, and those least anxious students had higher consumption of healthier food groups and lower consumption of caffeinated beverages. Although this is a cross-sectional analysis, it can contribute to optimize nutritional intervention for this population.

Depression, anxiety, burnout and empathy among Spanish medical students

Medical Education studies suggest that medical students experience mental distress in a proportion higher than in the rest of the population In the present study, we aimed to conduct a nationwide analysis of the prevalence of mental health problems among medical students. The study was carried out in 2020 in all 43 medical schools in Spain, and analyzes the prevalence of depression, anxiety, empathy and burnout among medical students (n = 5216). To measure these variables we used the Beck Depression Inventory Test for assessing depression, the Maslach Burnout Inventory Survey for Students was used for burnout, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was used to assess anxiety state and trait and the Jefferson Empathy Scale 12 to obtain empathy scores. In relation to depression, the data indicate an overall prevalence of 41%, with 23.4% of participants having moderate to severe levels, and 10% experiencing suicidal ideation. Burnout prevalence was 37%, significantly higher among 6th year than among 1st year students. Anxiety levels were consistent with those reported previously among medical students (25%), and were higher than in the general population for both trait and state anxiety. The prevalence of trait anxiety was higher among women. Empathy scores were at the top end of the scale, with the highest-scoring group (>130) containing a greater percentage of women. Similarly to those published previously for other countries, these results provide a clear picture of the mental disorders affecting Spanish medical students. Medicine is an extremely demanding degree and it is important that universities and medical schools view this study as an opportunity to ensure conditions that help minimize mental health problems among their students. Some of the factors underlying these problems can be prevented by, among other things, creating an environment in which mental health is openly discussed and guidance is provided. Other factors need to be treated medically, and medical schools and universities should therefore provide support to students in need through the medical services available within their institutions.

Evaluating the feasibility and effectiveness of a mindfulness-based intervention on stress and anxiety of family caregivers managing peritoneal dialysis

Background Mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) has not been evaluated for its feasibility and effectiveness in reducing stress and anxiety among family caregivers of patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD). Objectives (1) To evaluate the feasibility to include MBI during PD training for family caregivers. (2) To determine the effect of MBI on the caregivers’ levels of stress (perceived stress scale, PSS), anxiety state-trait anxiety inventory, STAI), QOL (short-form 36) and reactions to caregiving (caregiver reaction assessment, CRA). (3) To determine differences in the health-related QOL (Kidney Disease Quality of Life Instrument-Short Form, KDQOL PCS and SF-36 MCS) of care recipients with caregivers receiving MBI at 1 month, 3 months and 6 months when compared to those with caregivers receiving routine training. (4) To gather the caregiver’s feedback on the MBI. Methods This feasibility study recruited family caregivers to receive either mindfulness training (MT) or treatment-as-usual (TAU) group. Both groups received 4.5-days of structured PD training, but only caregivers in the MT group received 4 days of MT sessions, audio-guided mindfulness practice at home and weekly telephone follow-up. Results Forty-four family caregivers participated in this study. Including MBI as part of the PD training was feasible. There was a trend towards lower scores for PSS and T-STAI in the MT group compared to the TAU group. The baseline score of both PSS and T-STAI were positively correlated with post-intervention outcome scores. Conclusions Mindfulness-based intervention has the potential to improve psychological symptoms among caregivers of patients with PD.

Effectiveness of Video-assisted Intervention on Perception and Anxiety among Patients Undergoing Robotic Surgery in a Selected Hospital, Mangaluru

Background: There are times when a procedure may have benefits, but a patient is unwilling to undergo surgery for their own reasons. Making this choice is their right. Many patients view surgery as a last option, rather than their first choice in treatments. The need for a surgery can be a confusing and frightening prospect and people may have many questions. Robotic assisted surgery has a great future in India, but majority people are not aware about robotic surgery. Purpose: To focus on the level of anxiety and perception among robotic surgery patients and it has also identified the need for a video assisted intervention for patients undergoing robotic surgery. Methods: A video assisted intervention on perception(perception rating scale-20 items) and anxiety (State Anxiety Inventory-20 items) among study participants(n=30) undergoing robotic surgery were selected by purposive non probability sampling by means of self administered questionnaire. Results The perception mean difference pretest-post-test 1(18.80±7.45), pretest-post test 2 (21.83±8.00) and post-test 1- post-test 2 (3.03±7.18). The level of perception has increased from pre-test to post-test 1 and from post-test 1 to post-test 2 and it is statistically significant (p< 0.05). The anxiety mean difference pre-test-post-test 1 (11.27±12.98), pre-test-post test 2 (21.40±13.38) and post-test 1-post-test 2 (10.13±10.89). The level of anxiety has decreased from pre-test to post-test 1, from post-test 1 to post-test 2, and it is statistically significant (p< 0.05). Conclusion: The findings of the study showed that the video assisted intervention was effective on levels of anxiety and perception among patients undergoing robotic surgery.

Effects of Mental Training Through Imagery on the Competitive Anxiety of Adolescent Tennis Players Fasting During Ramadan: A Randomized, Controlled Experimental Study

This study aimed to analyze the effects of mental training through imagery on the competitive anxiety of adolescent tennis players fasting during Ramadan. This is an experimental study conducted with 38 male tennis players, randomly allocated to two groups: an experimental group (EG, n = 18), aged 16.9 ± 0.6 years, and a control group (CG, n = 20), aged 16.7 ± 0.8 years. The study was designed as a randomized, controlled experimental trial (registration code PACTR 202006847771700). CG watched historical videos of the Olympics, while EG performed mental training. The competitive anxiety state assessment was recorded four times. The first measurement was carried out 1 week before Ramadan, the second measurement during the first week of the month, the third measurement at the end of the second week, and, finally, the fourth measurement during the fourth week of Ramadan. Our results revealed a significant interaction (time × groups) for all competitive anxiety subscales. Higher intensity and direction scores for the cognitive and somatic anxiety subscales during Ramadan compared with before Ramadan for both groups could be reported at P &lt; 0.001. Higher intensity and direction scores for the cognitive and somatic anxiety subscales during Ramadan compared with pre-Ramadan for both groups could be found at P &lt; 0.01. This increase in scores was greater for the CG than for the EG in the middle and at the end of Ramadan at P &lt; 0.001. Finally, for the self-confidence subscale score, results revealed that intensity and direction scores were lower during Ramadan compared with pre-Ramadan for the two groups at P &lt; 0.01. The score for the intensity of self-confidence was higher for the EG compared with the CG at the end of Ramadan at P &lt; 0.001. It was concluded that mental imagery training was effective in reducing anxiety (cognitive and somatic) and increasing self-confidence in the intensity dimension of adolescent tennis players who fast during Ramadan.

Efficacy Evaluation of Neurofeedback-Based Anxiety Relief

Anxiety disorder is a mental illness that involves extreme fear or worry, which can alter the balance of chemicals in the brain. This change and evaluation of anxiety state are accompanied by a comprehensive treatment procedure. It is well-known that the treatment of anxiety is chiefly based on psychotherapy and drug therapy, and there is no objective standard evaluation. In this paper, the proposed method focuses on examining neural changes to explore the effect of mindfulness regulation in accordance with neurofeedback in patients with anxiety. We designed a closed neurofeedback experiment that includes three stages to adjust the psychological state of the subjects. A total of 34 subjects, 17 with anxiety disorder and 17 healthy, participated in this experiment. Through the three stages of the experiment, electroencephalography (EEG) resting state signal and mindfulness-based EEG signal were recorded. Power spectral density was selected as the evaluation index through the regulation of neurofeedback mindfulness, and repeated analysis of variance (ANOVA) method was used for statistical analysis. The findings of this study reveal that the proposed method has a positive effect on both types of subjects. After mindfulness adjustment, the power map exhibited an upward trend. The increase in the average power of gamma wave indicates the relief of anxiety. The enhancement of the wave power represents an improvement in the subjects’ mindfulness ability. At the same time, the results of ANOVA showed that P &lt; 0.05, i.e., the difference was significant. From the aspect of neurophysiological signals, we objectively evaluated the ability of our experiment to relieve anxiety. The neurofeedback mindfulness regulation can effect on the brain activity pattern of anxiety disorder patients.

Adaptation, validation and reliability of the Spanish version of eating pattern inventory for children EPIC-C in a sample of Mexican adolescents

Background: Eating behavior represents an important public health issue. This study shows the results of the adaptation and validation of the questionnaire eating pattern inventory for children (EPI-C) in the Spanish version, what can be very useful in Spanish-speaking contexts.Methods: The adaptation and validation of the questionnaire was carried out with a statistically representative sample of 417 adolescents of Mexico City. Different statistical analysis were applied.Results: The analysis of the adapted version reproduced the same factorial structure and psychometric properties as the original questionnaire. The adapted inventory consisted of 20 items, formed by 4 subscales dietary restraint (8 items), external eating (6 items), parental pressure to eat (3 items), and emotional eating (3 items) which explained the 68,8% of the total variable.Conclusions: The scores of the subscales were associated with the body weight of the adolescents with normal weight and overweight-obesity, with the level of the anxiety state, with the emotional eating and with the dietary restraints which suggests initial evidence of its validity and utility in Spanish speaking countries.

Decision Making Under Chronic Stress and Anxiety: State and Trait Anxiety Impact Contextual Updating but not Feedback Learning

Stress may alter executive functioning by causing structural and functional changes to the brain. Sub-optimal decisions made under high levels of stress and anxiety may act as a mediator for stress-related health effects. We examined the effect of three personality traits–chronic stress, state anxiety, and trait anxiety–on updating working memory and feedback learning across 330 participants, using electroencephalography (EEG). We hypothesized a decrease in P300 (updating working memory) and reward positivity (feedback learning) amplitudes with increasing chronic stress and anxiety scores. The three personality traits were not correlated with reward positivity amplitudes. Additionally, chronic stress had no effect on P300 amplitudes. However, state and trait anxiety were negatively correlated with P300 amplitudes. Anxiety appears to impact working memory processes, and this effect was amplified with decreasing anxiety score quantiles to reflect the tails of the distribution. Our results are evidence of the beginnings of a correlation between anxiety and the neural correlates of decision-making, offering insight into anxiety-related adverse health outcomes.

To Investigate Musculoskeletal Status and Mental State of Female Recruits During Training

Objective: To investigate the musculoskeletal status and psychological status of female recruits during military boot enlistment training. Methods: The musculoskeletal status and psychological status of 110 boot training patients were assessed by scale, the psychological status of the subjects was assessed by Zung Anxiety Self-Rating Scale and Zung Depression Self-Evaluation Scale, the musculoskeletal status was assessed by visual analogue scale, Neck disability index, JOA low back pain evaluation form, Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score scale, the medical document data during boot training were collated, and the risk factors affecting physical and mental health were analyzed. Thus, interventions are taken to reduce the injury rate and improve training performance.Results: Logistic regression analysis showed that neck dysfunction was a risk factor for depressive state and lumbar dysfunction; lumbar dysfunction was a risk factor for anxiety state, neck dysfunction and pain symptoms around the knee joint; pain around the knee joint was a risk factor for lumbar dysfunction and a protective factor for neck dysfunction; anxiety state was a risk factor for depressive state; depression state was a risk factor for anxiety state and neck dysfunction; and young age was a protective factor for anxiety state. Conclusion: In 10 weeks of military training, the site with the highest musculoskeletal injury is around the knee joint, followed by the neck and waist. Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score scale scores were significantly associated with mental health status, with neck dysfunction increasing the risk of depression and lumbar dysfunction increasing the risk of anxiety in recruits. Prevention and treatment need to pay attention to these parts, gradually improve the balance, flexibility, strength of the body, while paying close attention to the mental health of recruits, so as to reduce the rate of injury. Keywords: recruits; military training; female soldiers; anxiety; depression; musculoskeletal injury.