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Finseth TT, Smith B, Van Steenis AL, Glahn DC, Johnson M, Ruttle P, Shirtcliff BA, Shirtcliff EA. When virtual reality becomes psychoneuroendocrine reality: A stress(or) review. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2024; 166:107061. [PMID: 38701607 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2024.107061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
This review article was awarded the Dirk Hellhammer award from ISPNE in 2023. It explores the dynamic relationship between stressors and stress from a historical view as well as a vision towards the future of stress research via virtual reality (VR). We introduce the concept of a "syncytium," a permeable boundary that blurs the distinction between stress and stressor, in order to understand why the field of stress biology continues to inadequately measure stress alone as a proxy for the force of external stressors. Using Virtual Reality (VR) as an illustrative example to explicate the black box of stressors, we examine the distinction between 'immersion' and 'presence' as analogous terms for stressor and stress, respectively. We argue that the conventional psychological approaches to stress measurement and appraisal theory unfortunately fall short in quantifying the force of the stressor, leading to reverse causality fallacies. Further, the concept of affordances is introduced as an ecological or holistic tool to measure and design a stressor's force, bridging the gap between the external environment and an individual's physiological response to stress. Affordances also serve to ameliorate shortcomings in stress appraisal by integrating ecological interdependencies. By combining VR and psychobiological measures, this paper aims to unravel the complexity of the stressor-stress syncytium, highlighting the necessity of assessing both the internal and external facets to gain a holistic understanding of stress physiology and shift away from reverse causality reasoning. We find that the utility of VR extends beyond presence to include affordance-based measures of immersion, which can effectively model stressor force. Future research should prioritize the development of tools that can measure both immersion and presence, thereby providing a more comprehensive understanding of how external stressors interact with individual psychological states.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Brandon Smith
- Center for Translational Neuroscience, University of Oregon, USA
| | | | - David C Glahn
- Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, USA
| | - Megan Johnson
- Center for Translational Neuroscience, University of Oregon, USA
| | - Paula Ruttle
- Center for Translational Neuroscience, University of Oregon, USA
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Bautista BR, Gurning J, Marks M, Ortyn D, Salinas R, Olson LE. The sympathetic nervous system response to a Continuous Performance Task. MICROPUBLICATION BIOLOGY 2024; 2024:10.17912/micropub.biology.001059. [PMID: 38938412 PMCID: PMC11208926 DOI: 10.17912/micropub.biology.001059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
A Continuous Performance Task is an example of a mental stressor which requires vigilance, attention, and effort. We hypothesized that a sympathetic nervous system response would be evident from a resting baseline period to this attention test, and explored if physiological measures were correlated to state and trait anxiety, perceived stress, mindfulness, and performance on the task. In 20 undergraduates, blood pressure and skin conductance increased due to the attention test but heart rate variability did not change. The physiological variables did not correlate to psychological variables; there was a trend of higher perceived stress correlating to lower foil accuracy rate ( p = 0.09). ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT06098352.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jessica Gurning
- Biology, University of Redlands, Redlands, California, United States
| | - Megan Marks
- Biology, University of Redlands, Redlands, California, United States
| | - David Ortyn
- Biology, University of Redlands, Redlands, California, United States
| | - Rankin Salinas
- Biology, University of Redlands, Redlands, California, United States
| | - Lisa E. Olson
- Biology, University of Redlands, Redlands, California, United States
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3
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Kesler SR, Harrison RA, Schutz ADLT, Michener H, Bean P, Vallone V, Prinsloo S. Strength of spatial correlation between gray matter connectivity and patterns of proto-oncogene and neural network construction gene expression is associated with diffuse glioma survival. Front Neurol 2024; 15:1345520. [PMID: 38601343 PMCID: PMC11004301 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1345520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Like other forms of neuropathology, gliomas appear to spread along neural pathways. Accordingly, our group and others have previously shown that brain network connectivity is highly predictive of glioma survival. In this study, we aimed to examine the molecular mechanisms of this relationship via imaging transcriptomics. Methods We retrospectively obtained presurgical, T1-weighted MRI datasets from 669 adult patients, newly diagnosed with diffuse glioma. We measured brain connectivity using gray matter networks and coregistered these data with a transcriptomic brain atlas to determine the spatial co-localization between brain connectivity and expression patterns for 14 proto-oncogenes and 3 neural network construction genes. Results We found that all 17 genes were significantly co-localized with brain connectivity (p < 0.03, corrected). The strength of co-localization was highly predictive of overall survival in a cross-validated Cox Proportional Hazards model (mean area under the curve, AUC = 0.68 +/- 0.01) and significantly (p < 0.001) more so for a random forest survival model (mean AUC = 0.97 +/- 0.06). Bayesian network analysis demonstrated direct and indirect causal relationships among gene-brain co-localizations and survival. Gene ontology analysis showed that metabolic processes were overexpressed when spatial co-localization between brain connectivity and gene transcription was highest (p < 0.001). Drug-gene interaction analysis identified 84 potential candidate therapies based on our findings. Discussion Our findings provide novel insights regarding how gene-brain connectivity interactions may affect glioma survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shelli R. Kesler
- Division of Adult Health, School of Nursing, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Rebecca A. Harrison
- Division of Neurology, BC Cancer, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Alexa De La Torre Schutz
- Division of Adult Health, School of Nursing, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Hayley Michener
- Department of Neurosurgery, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Paris Bean
- Department of Neurosurgery, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Veronica Vallone
- Department of Neurosurgery, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Sarah Prinsloo
- Department of Neurosurgery, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
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Borghesi F, Cremascoli R, Chirico A, Bianchi L, Di Moia A, Priano L, Piedimonte A, Mauro A, Cipresso P. Mind and body connection in expert meditators: a computational study based on central and peripheral nervous system. BMC Complement Med Ther 2024; 24:117. [PMID: 38454382 PMCID: PMC10921575 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-024-04413-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
A meditative 'technique' is conceived as a continuum of different affective states involving mind and body jointly. Meditative practices can involve cognitive effort (e.g., focused attention and open-minded techniques), as well as automatic and implicit practices (e.g., transcendental techniques). The NGALSO tantric self-healing meditation technique is a brief, comprehensive meditation technique relying on mind and body connection. In this study, we aimed to investigate the state and the trait neurophysiological correlates of NGALSO meditation practice. First, 19 EEG channels and a 3-lead ECG signal were recorded from 10 expert meditators (more than 7 years of daily meditation) and 10 healthy inexpert participants (controls) who underwent the same meditative procedure. The neuropsychological profiles of experts and controls were compared. Results showed that expert meditators had significantly higher power spectra on alpha, theta and beta, and a higher sympathetic tone with lower parasympathetic tone after meditation. Conversely, the control group had significantly less power spectra on alpha, theta and beta, and a higher parasympathetic tone with lower sympathetic tone after meditation. A machine learning approach also allowed us to classify experts vs. controls correctly by using only EEG Theta bands before or after meditation. ECG results allowed us to show a significantly higher effort by expert meditators vs. controls, thus suggesting that a higher effort is required for this meditation, in line with the principle 'no pain, no gain' in body and mind.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Riccardo Cremascoli
- Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Unit of Neurology and Neurorehabilitation, San Giuseppe Hospital Piancavallo, Verbania, Italy
| | - Alice Chirico
- Research Center in Communication Psychology, Universitá Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Bianchi
- Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Unit of Neurology and Neurorehabilitation, San Giuseppe Hospital Piancavallo, Verbania, Italy
| | - Amalia Di Moia
- Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Unit of Neurology and Neurorehabilitation, San Giuseppe Hospital Piancavallo, Verbania, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Priano
- Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Unit of Neurology and Neurorehabilitation, San Giuseppe Hospital Piancavallo, Verbania, Italy
- Department of Neurosciences Rita Levi Montalcini, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | | | - Alessandro Mauro
- Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Unit of Neurology and Neurorehabilitation, San Giuseppe Hospital Piancavallo, Verbania, Italy
- Department of Neurosciences Rita Levi Montalcini, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Pietro Cipresso
- Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
- Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Unit of Neurology and Neurorehabilitation, San Giuseppe Hospital Piancavallo, Verbania, Italy
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Galluzzi S, Lanfredi M, Moretti DV, Rossi R, Meloni S, Tomasoni E, Frisoni GB, Chiesa A, Pievani M. Cognitive, psychological, and physiological effects of a web-based mindfulness intervention in older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: an open study. BMC Geriatr 2024; 24:151. [PMID: 38350854 PMCID: PMC10865647 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-024-04766-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The development of effective strategies to maintain good mental health of older adults is a public health priority. Mindfulness-based interventions have the potential to improve psychological well-being and cognitive functions of older adults, but little is known about the effect of such interventions when delivered through internet. During the COVID-19 pandemic we evaluated short- and long-term cognitive, psychological, and physiological effects of a mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) delivered via web-based videoconference in healthy older adults. METHODS Fifty older adults participated in an 8-week MBI, which comprised structured 2-h weekly group sessions. A comprehensive evaluation encompassing cognitive (verbal memory, attention and processing speed, executive functions) and psychological assessments (depression and anxiety symptoms, mindfulness, worries, emotion regulation strategies, well-being, interoceptive awareness and sleep) was conducted. Additionally, electroencephalography (EEG) data were recorded before and after the MBI and at the 6-month follow-up (T6). Data were analyzed using an intention-to-treat approach, using linear mixed models adjusted for age. The effect size for time was computed as omega squared. RESULTS We observed significant improvements from pre-MBI to post-MBI and at the T6 across several measures. These improvements were notable in the areas of verbal memory (California Verbal Learning Test, p ≤ .007), attention and executive functions (Trail Making Test A and BA, p < .050), interoceptive awareness (Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness, p = .0002 for self-regulation and p < .05 for noticing, body listening, and trusting dimensions), and rumination (Heidelberg Form for Emotion Regulation Strategies, p = .018). These changes were associated with low to medium effect size. Moreover, we observed significant changes in EEG patterns, with a decrease in alpha1 (p = .004) and an increase in alpha2 (p < .0001) from pre-MBI to T6. Notably, improvements in TMTBA and rumination were correlated with the decrease in alpha1 (p < .050), while improvements in TMTA were linked to the increase in alpha2 (p = .025). CONCLUSIONS The results of our study show that a web-based MBI in older adults leads to improvements in cognitive and psychological measures, with associated modulations in specific brain rhythms. While these findings are promising, further controlled studies are required to validate these preliminary results. TRIAL REGISTRATION The trial has been registered with the United States National Library of Medicine at the National Institutes of Health Registry of Clinical Trials under the code NCT05941143 on July 12, 2023.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Galluzzi
- Laboratory Alzheimer's Neuroimaging and Epidemiology, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni Di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
| | - Mariangela Lanfredi
- Unit of Psychiatry, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni Di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy.
| | - Davide Vito Moretti
- Alzheimer's Rehabilitation Unit, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni Di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
| | - Roberta Rossi
- Unit of Psychiatry, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni Di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
| | - Serena Meloni
- Unit of Psychiatry, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni Di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
| | - Evita Tomasoni
- Laboratory Alzheimer's Neuroimaging and Epidemiology, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni Di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
| | | | - Alberto Chiesa
- Istituto Mente E Corpo, Bologna, Italy
- Associazione Di Psicologia Cognitiva - Scuola Di Psicoterapia Cognitiva, Rome, Italy
| | - Michela Pievani
- Laboratory Alzheimer's Neuroimaging and Epidemiology, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni Di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
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Orłowski P, Hobot J, Ruban A, Szczypiński J, Bola M. The relation between naturalistic use of psychedelics and perception of emotional stimuli: An event-related potential study comparing non-users and experienced users of classic psychedelics. J Psychopharmacol 2024; 38:68-79. [PMID: 38069478 DOI: 10.1177/02698811231216322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous research has suggested that controlled administration of psychedelic substances can modulate emotional reactivity, enhancing positive and diminishing negative emotions. However, it is unclear whether similar effects are associated with using psychedelics in less-controlled naturalistic environments. AIMS This cross-sectional study investigated the neural markers associated with the perception of emotional stimuli in individuals with extensive experience of naturalistic psychedelic use (15 or more lifetime experiences), comparing them to non-users. METHODS Electroencephalography (EEG) signals were recorded from two groups: experienced psychedelics users (N = 56) and non-users (N = 55). Participants were presented with facial images depicting neutral or emotional expressions (anger, sadness, and happiness). Event-related potential (ERP) components were analyzed as indices of emotional reactivity. RESULTS Psychedelic users were characterized by significantly lower amplitudes of the N200 component in response to fearful faces, in comparison to non-users. In addition, interaction effects between Group and Emotional expression were observed on N170 and N200 amplitudes, indicating group differences in the processing of fearful faces. However, no significant between-group differences emerged in the analysis of later ERP components associated with attention and cognitive processes (P200 and P300). CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that naturalistic use of psychedelics may be linked to reduced reactivity to emotionally negative stimuli at the early and automatic processing stages. Our study contributes to a better understanding of the effects related to using psychedelics in naturalistic contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paweł Orłowski
- Laboratory of Brain Imaging, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, Poland
| | - Justyna Hobot
- Consciousness Lab, Psychology Institute, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Anastasia Ruban
- Department of Psychology, SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jan Szczypiński
- Laboratory of Brain Imaging, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, Poland
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Michał Bola
- Laboratory of Brain Imaging, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, Poland
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Kesler SR, Harrison RA, Schultz ADLT, Michener H, Bean P, Vallone V, Prinsloo S. Strength of spatial correlation between structural brain network connectivity and brain-wide patterns of proto-oncogene and neural network construction gene expression is associated with diffuse glioma survival. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.11.27.23299085. [PMID: 38076940 PMCID: PMC10705651 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.27.23299085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Like other forms of neuropathology, gliomas appear to spread along neural pathways. Accordingly, our group and others have previously shown that brain network connectivity is highly predictive of glioma survival. In this study, we aimed to examine the molecular mechanisms of this relationship via imaging transcriptomics. We retrospectively obtained presurgical, T1-weighted MRI datasets from 669 adult patients, newly diagnosed with diffuse glioma. We measured brain connectivity using gray matter networks and coregistered these data with a transcriptomic brain atlas to determine the spatial co-localization between brain connectivity and expression patterns for 14 proto-oncogenes and 3 neural network construction genes. We found that all 17 genes were significantly co-localized with brain connectivity (p < 0.03, corrected). The strength of co-localization was highly predictive of overall survival in a cross-validated Cox Proportional Hazards model (mean area under the curve, AUC = 0.68 +/- 0.01) and significantly (p < 0.001) more so for a random forest survival model (mean AUC = 0.97 +/- 0.06). Bayesian network analysis demonstrated direct and indirect causal relationships among gene-brain co-localizations and survival. Gene ontology analysis showed that metabolic processes were overexpressed when spatial co-localization between brain connectivity and gene transcription was highest (p < 0.001). Drug-gene interaction analysis identified 84 potential candidate therapies based on our findings. Our findings provide novel insights regarding how gene-brain connectivity interactions may affect glioma survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shelli R Kesler
- Division of Adult Health, School of Nursing, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX USA
| | - Rebecca A Harrison
- BC Cancer, Division of Neurology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | | - Hayley Michener
- Department of Neurosurgery, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Paris Bean
- Department of Neurosurgery, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Veronica Vallone
- Department of Neurosurgery, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sarah Prinsloo
- Department of Neurosurgery, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
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Welford P, Östh J, Hoy S, Rossell SL, Pascoe M, Diwan V, Hallgren M. Effects of Yoga and Aerobic Exercise on Verbal Fluency in Physically Inactive Older Adults: Randomized Controlled Trial (FitForAge). Clin Interv Aging 2023; 18:533-545. [PMID: 37021083 PMCID: PMC10069432 DOI: 10.2147/cia.s359185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose To compare the effects on verbal fluency of a supported yoga-based exercise intervention to an aerobic exercise intervention and a wait-list control group. Participants and Methods Eighty-two physically-inactive but otherwise healthy adults (mean age 72.5 years, range 65-85, 77% female) were recruited into a 12-week, three-group, parallel randomized controlled trial. Participants were supported to complete ≥3 Hatha yoga classes per/week or ≥3 structured aerobic exercise sessions/week. A wait-list control group continued usual daily activities only. Verbal fluency, including total-FAS, animals, and verbs, was assessed before and after interventions. Group effects were assessed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Results Twenty-seven participants were randomized to yoga, 29 to aerobic exercise and 26 to a waitlist. At 12-week follow-up, compared to baseline, there were increases in mean total-FAS in the yoga (+5.0 words, p=0.002) and aerobic exercise groups (+6.6 words, p=0.004). Mean total-FAS in the wait-list control group remained stable (-0.5 words, p=0.838). There were medium-magnitude estimated treatment effects on total-FAS for yoga versus wait-list control and aerobic exercise versus wait-list control: Hedges' g=0.51 (p=0.213) and 0.57 (p=0.098) respectively. In addition, small-to-medium magnitude estimated treatment effects were seen on animals and verbs for yoga versus wait-list control and aerobic exercise versus wait-list control: g=0.28 (p=0.155), 0.19 (p=0.766) and 0.50 (p=0.085), 0.59 (p=0.233) respectively. Conclusion Participation in yoga or aerobic exercise was associated with estimated improvements in verbal fluency compared to a non-active control group. Yoga and aerobic exercise may be promising approaches by which to promote cognitive function among older adults. Trial Registration DRKS00015093, U1111-1217-4248.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Welford
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Josefine Östh
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Sara Hoy
- Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences (GIH), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Susan L Rossell
- Centre for Mental Health, School of Health Sciences, Swinburne University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Michaela Pascoe
- Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Vinod Diwan
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Mats Hallgren
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
- Correspondence: Mats Hallgren, Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Level 6, 1e Solnavägen, Solna, 11365, Sweden, Tel +46852480000, Email
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Linz R, Puhlmann LMC, Engert V, Singer T. Investigating the impact of distinct contemplative mental trainings on daily life stress, thoughts and affect-Evidence from a nine-month longitudinal ecological momentary assessment study. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2022; 142:105800. [PMID: 35598494 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2022.105800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Mindfulness-based mental training interventions have become a popular means to alleviate stress and stress-associated health risks. Previous scientific investigations emphasize the importance of exploring the effects of such interventions in naturalistic settings to evaluate their implementation into daily life. Therefore, the current study examined the effects of three distinct mental training modules on a range of measures of daily life experience in the scope of the ReSource Project, a 9-month longitudinal mental training study comparing modules targeting attention and interoception (Presence), socio-affective (Affect) or socio-cognitive abilities (Perspective). We used ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to repeatedly probe levels of stress and stress-coping efficacy combined with stress-reactive cortisol levels, and further explored arousal, affective states, and thought patterns in the daily lives of 289 healthy adults (172 women; 20-55 years). We found increased presence-focused thought and heightened arousal after a training duration of 3-6 months, independent of the type of prior training. Increased coping efficacy emerged specifically after socio-cognitive Perspective training, following 6-9 months of training duration. No training effects were found for subjective stress, stress-reactive cortisol levels, or daily life affect. Our findings corroborate and add ecological validity to previous ReSource findings by showing that they replicate in participants' everyday environment. Regarding endocrine and subjective stress markers, our results suggest caution in generalizing acute laboratory findings to individuals' everyday routines. Overall, the current study provides substantiated insights into how cultivating one's mind through contemplative mental training translates to daily life experience, enhances stress-coping, and may ultimately aide in maintaining health.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Linz
- Research Group Social Stress and Family Health, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany.
| | - L M C Puhlmann
- Research Group Social Stress and Family Health, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany; Leibniz Institute for Resilience Research (LIR), Mainz, Germany
| | - V Engert
- Research Group Social Stress and Family Health, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany; Institute of Psychosocial Medicine, Psychotherapy and Psychooncology, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich-Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - T Singer
- Social Neuroscience Lab, Max Planck Society, Berlin, Germany
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Mishra KK, Victorson D, Mehta DH, Vago DR. Personalized Mind–Body Medicine in Integrative Oncology: Meeting the Moment with Each Patient. JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE AND COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE 2022; 28:457-462. [PMID: 35549542 PMCID: PMC9232234 DOI: 10.1089/jicm.2022.0562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kavita K. Mishra
- Ocular Tumor Radiation Therapy Program, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Osher Center for Integrative Health, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - David Victorson
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Osher Center for Integrative Health, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Darshan H. Mehta
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Osher Center for Integrative Health, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - David R. Vago
- Department of Psychology, Vanderbilt Brain Institute, and Former Research Director, Osher Center for Integrative Health, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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11
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Alhawatmeh HN, Rababa M, Alfaqih M, Albataineh R, Hweidi I, Abu Awwad A. The Benefits of Mindfulness Meditation on Trait Mindfulness, Perceived Stress, Cortisol, and C-Reactive Protein in Nursing Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial. ADVANCES IN MEDICAL EDUCATION AND PRACTICE 2022; 13:47-58. [PMID: 35046747 PMCID: PMC8763207 DOI: 10.2147/amep.s348062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/26/2021] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Mindfulness meditation was used to reduce stress and its responses such as cortisol and C-reactive protein (CRP) among healthy and ill individuals in various cultures, but its effect has not yet been studied among nursing students, experiencing tremendous stress. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of mindfulness meditation on trait mindfulness, perceived stress, serum cortisol, and serum C-reactive proteins (CRP) in nursing students. PATIENTS AND METHODS Using a two-arm, randomized, parallel study (conducted in a large university in Jordan, 108 nursing students were randomly assigned to experimental group receiving five 30-minute weekly sessions of mindfulness meditation and control group sitting quiet during the experimental sessions. Trait mindfulness, perceived stress, serum cortisol, and CRP were measured at baseline and end of the intervention. RESULTS Using one-way MANOVA and post-hoc comparisons, the results showed that mindfulness meditation was significantly effective in decreasing serum cortisol levels and perceived stress. The mindfulness meditation also decreased CRP and increased trait mindfulness although the results did not reach statistically significant levels. CONCLUSION These findings underscore the need for serious consideration of mindfulness meditation in nursing colleges to improve stress and raise immunity in this vulnerable population. TRIAL REGISTRATION Mindfulness Meditation for Nursing Students: clinicaltrials.gov, identifier: NCT05099224.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hossam N Alhawatmeh
- Jordan University of Science of Technology, Faculty of Nursing, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Mohammad Rababa
- Jordan University of Science of Technology, Faculty of Nursing, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Mahmoud Alfaqih
- Jordan University of Science of Technology, Faculty of Medicine, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Raya Albataineh
- Jordan University of Science of Technology, Faculty of Medicine, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Issa Hweidi
- Jordan University of Science of Technology, Faculty of Nursing, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Awwad Abu Awwad
- Jordan University of Science of Technology, Faculty of Nursing, Irbid, Jordan
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Kolchraiber FC, Tanaka LH, Negi LT, Atanes AC, de Souza KMJ. Effects of Cognitively Based Compassion Training in the outskirts: A mixed study. Rev Lat Am Enfermagem 2022; 30:e3575. [PMID: 35507959 PMCID: PMC9052775 DOI: 10.1590/1518-8345.5691.3575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE to analyze the effects of Cognitively Based Compassion Training (CBCT®) among people in situations of social vulnerability. METHOD a mixed, sequential and transformative study with the same QUAL→QUAN weight. Focus Groups were applied at the beginning (n=24) and three months (n=11) after CBCT®, to understand the participants' knowledge about emotions, (self)care and stress situations. Content analysis was performed in the WebQDA software. The participants (n=65) were randomized into control (n=31) and intervention (n=34) to assess self-compassion, perceived stress, and positive and negative affects at three time moments. The mixed factorial ANOVA analysis considered within-participants (time) and between-participants (place and group) factors. RESULTS mean age (37), female gender (88%), single (51%) and black-skinned people (77%). The following thematic categories emerged before the course: "Reducing others' suffering as a bridge to conscious self-care" and "Social vulnerability as a potentiator of low emotional literacy". Subsequently, self-compassion and awareness of the mental states for social activism. The quantitative analysis showed a significant increase in self-compassion within-participants (p=0.003); group factor (p<0.001); perceived stress reduction (p=0.013); negative affects group factor (p=0.005); and increase in positive affects (p<0.001) within-participants. CONCLUSION CBCT®️ exerted a positive effect on individual well-being and a positive impact on community engagement to promote social well-being in the outskirts. Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (RBR-3w744z.) in April 2019.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flávia Cristiane Kolchraiber
- Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista de Enfermagem, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
- Bolsista da Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES), Brasil
| | - Luiza Hiromi Tanaka
- Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista de Enfermagem, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Lobsang Tenzin Negi
- Emory University, Center for Contemplative Science and Compassion-Based Ethics, Atlanta, GA, Estados Unidos da América
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Kolchraiber FC, Tanaka LH, Negi LT, Atanes AC, Souza KMJD. Efectos del Entrenamiento de la Compasión Cognitiva en la población de los barrios periféricos: un estudio mixto. Rev Lat Am Enfermagem 2022. [DOI: 10.1590/1518-8345.5691.3574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Resumen Objetivo: analizar los efectos del Entrenamiento en Compasión Cognitiva (CBCT®) en personas en situación de vulnerabilidad social. Método: estudio mixto del tipo transformativo secuencial con el mismo peso QUAL→QUAN. Grupos Focales aplicados al inicio (n=24) y tres meses (n=11) después del CBCT®, para comprender el conocimiento que tienen los participantes sobre emociones, (auto)cuidado y situaciones de estrés. El análisis de contenido utilizó el software WebQDA. Los participantes (n=65) fueron aleatorizados en el grupo control (n=31) y experimental (n=34) para evaluar la autocompasión, el estrés percibido y los afectos positivos y negativos en tres momentos. El ANOVA factorial mixto consideró factor de participantes (tiempo) y entre participantes (lugar y grupo). Resultados: edad promedio (37), sexo femenino (88%), solteras (51%) y negras (77%). Las categorías temáticas que surgieron antes del curso fueron: “Reducción del sufrimiento de los demás como puente para el autocuidado consciente” y “La vulnerabilidad social como potenciadora de la baja alfabetización emocional”. Luego la autocompasión y la conciencia de los estados mentales para el activismo social. El análisis cuantitativo mostró un aumento significativo en la autocompasión de los participantes (p=0,003); factor grupo (p< 0,001); reducción del estrés percibido (p=0,013); afectos negativos factor grupo (p= 0,005); y aumento de los afectos positivos (p< 001) de los participantes. Conclusión: El CBCT®️ tuvo un efecto positivo en el bienestar individual y tuvo un impacto positivo en la participación de la comunidad para promover el bienestar social en la población de los barrios periféricos. Registro Brasileño de Ensayos Clínicos (RBR-3w744z.) en abril de 2019.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flávia Cristiane Kolchraiber
- Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Brazil; Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES), Brasil
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Kolchraiber FC, Tanaka LH, Negi LT, Atanes AC, Souza KMJD. Effects of Cognitively Based Compassion Training in the outskirts: A mixed study. Rev Lat Am Enfermagem 2022. [PMID: 35507959 PMCID: PMC9052775 DOI: 10.1590/1518-8345.5691.3531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: to analyze the effects of Cognitively Based Compassion Training (CBCT®) among people in situations of social vulnerability. Method: a mixed, sequential and transformative study with the same QUAL→QUAN weight. Focus Groups were applied at the beginning (n=24) and three months (n=11) after CBCT®, to understand the participants’ knowledge about emotions, (self)care and stress situations. Content analysis was performed in the WebQDA software. The participants (n=65) were randomized into control (n=31) and intervention (n=34) to assess self-compassion, perceived stress, and positive and negative affects at three time moments. The mixed factorial ANOVA analysis considered within-participants (time) and between-participants (place and group) factors. Results: mean age (37), female gender (88%), single (51%) and black-skinned people (77%). The following thematic categories emerged before the course: “Reducing others’ suffering as a bridge to conscious self-care” and “Social vulnerability as a potentiator of low emotional literacy”. Subsequently, self-compassion and awareness of the mental states for social activism. The quantitative analysis showed a significant increase in self-compassion within-participants (p=0.003); group factor (p<0.001); perceived stress reduction (p=0.013); negative affects group factor (p=0.005); and increase in positive affects (p<0.001) within-participants. Conclusion: CBCT®️ exerted a positive effect on individual well-being and a positive impact on community engagement to promote social well-being in the outskirts. Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (RBR-3w744z.) in April 2019.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flávia Cristiane Kolchraiber
- Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Brazil; Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES), Brasil
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Roychowdhury D. Mindfulness practice during COVID-19 crisis: Implications for confinement, physical inactivity, and sedentarism. ASIAN JOURNAL OF SPORT AND EXERCISE PSYCHOLOGY 2021. [PMCID: PMC8469375 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajsep.2021.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
COVID-19 pandemic has radically impacted and altered the lives of billions of people around the world. Due to strict government policies, most individuals now find themselves confined at home with limited movement permissible. Although these measures are enforced to help abate the rate of infection, such restrictions have huge implications for the psychophysiological health, lifestyle, and overall well-being of individuals. The COVID-19 confined circumstances, coupled with the gradually declining levels of physical activity and rising levels of sedentarism that is prevalent in the modern society, can have deleterious effect on the psychological, physical, and social health of individuals. This paper argues for essential alternative measures to be introduced that would not only assuage the detrimental effects of COVID-19 confinement, physical inactivity, and sedentarism in the short-term, but also promote psychophysiological health and well-being in the long-term. In particular, this paper recommends the practice of mindfulness as a viable option under the current circumstances. This paper further outlines the health benefits of mindfulness practice and illustrates two effective and efficient practices — mindful breathing and mantram chanting — that could be suitably utilized under the current altered and confined COVID-19 arrangement by individuals across the life span. Potential benefits, recommendations, and risks have also been addressed.
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