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Campisi M, Cannella L, Celik D, Gabelli C, Gollin D, Simoni M, Ruaro C, Fantinato E, Pavanello S. Mitigating cellular aging and enhancing cognitive functionality: visual arts-mediated Cognitive Activation Therapy in neurocognitive disorders. Front Aging Neurosci 2024; 16:1354025. [PMID: 38524114 PMCID: PMC10957554 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2024.1354025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The growing phenomenon of population aging is redefining demographic dynamics, intensifying age-related conditions, especially dementia, projected to triple by 2050 with an enormous global economic burden. This study investigates visual arts-mediated Cognitive Activation Therapy (CAT) as a non-pharmacological CAT intervention targets both biological aging [leukocyte telomere length (LTL), DNA methylation age (DNAmAge)] and cognitive functionality. Aligning with a broader trend of integrating non-pharmacological approaches into dementia care. The longitudinal study involved 20 patients with mild to moderate neurocognitive disorders. Cognitive and functional assessments, and biological aging markers -i.e., LTL and DNAmAge- were analyzed before and after CAT intervention. Change in LTL was positively correlated with days of treatment (p =0.0518). LTL significantly elongated after intervention (p =0.0269), especially in men (p =0.0142), correlating with younger age (p =0.0357), and higher education (p =0.0008). DNAmAge remained instead stable post-treatment. Cognitive and functional improvements were observed for Copy of complex geometric figure, Progressive Silhouettes, Position Discrimination, Communication Activities of Daily Living-Second edition, Direct Functional Status (p < 0.0001) and Object decision (p =0.0594), but no correlations were found between LTL and cognitive gains. Visual arts-mediated CAT effectively mitigates cellular aging, especially in men, by elongating LTL. These findings underscore the potential of non-pharmacological interventions in enhancing cognitive and functional status and general well-being in dementia care. Further research with larger and longer-term studies is essential for validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Campisi
- Occupational Medicine, Department of Cardio-Thoraco-Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Luana Cannella
- Occupational Medicine, Department of Cardio-Thoraco-Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Dilek Celik
- Occupational Medicine, Department of Cardio-Thoraco-Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Carlo Gabelli
- Regional Centre for the Aging Brain (CRIC), University Hospital of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Donata Gollin
- Regional Centre for the Aging Brain (CRIC), University Hospital of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Marco Simoni
- Regional Centre for the Aging Brain (CRIC), University Hospital of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Cristina Ruaro
- Regional Centre for the Aging Brain (CRIC), University Hospital of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Elena Fantinato
- Regional Centre for the Aging Brain (CRIC), University Hospital of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Sofia Pavanello
- Occupational Medicine, Department of Cardio-Thoraco-Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
- University Hospital of Padua, Padua, Italy
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Winarsunu T, Utami LA, Fasikhah SS, Anwar Z. Hope therapy: Can it treat hopelessness and internal locus of control on diabetes mellitus patients? PLoS One 2023; 18:e0286418. [PMID: 37310950 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0286418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) are always required to be able to control a healthy lifestyle throughout their life to avoid various diseases that can accompany the previous illness. However, psychological factors in the form of despair due to lack of hope make people with diabetes more depressed and less able to control behavior and maintain blood sugar stability, so an excellent internal locus of control is needed to be stronger. This study aimed to determine the effect of hope therapy in reducing hopelessness and increasing internal locus of control in people with DM. The research design used a experimental study with ten randomly selected respondents divided into two groups, namely the control group and the experimental group. Data retrieval using the locus of control scale and the beck hopelessness scale. Data analysis used non-parametric analysis, namely the Mann Whitney test, Wilcoxon test, and Spearman's Rank Correlation test. The results of the Mann-Whitney U test on the internal locus of control variable show a value of 0.000 and a p score of 0.008 (p <0.05), it can be concluded that there are differences in the internal locus of control in the experimental group compared to the internal locus of control in the control group. The hopelessness variable shows a value of 0.000 and a p score of 0.008 (p <0.05), this indicates that there is a difference in hopelessness in the experimental group and the control group. There is a decrease in hopelessness and an increase in internal locus of control in people with DM given hope therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tulus Winarsunu
- Department of Psychology, University of Muhammadiyah Malang, Malang, Indonesia
| | - Lintang Aulia Utami
- Department of Psychology, University of Muhammadiyah Malang, Malang, Indonesia
| | | | - Zainul Anwar
- Department of Psychology, University of Muhammadiyah Malang, Malang, Indonesia
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Panagiotou M, Velegraki IM, Gerakini O, Bacopoulou F, Charalampopoulou M, Louvardi M, Tigani X, Mantzou A, Vlachakis D, Kanaka-Gantenbein C, Chrousos GP, Darviri C. Pythagorean Self-Awareness Intervention Promoted Healthy Dietary Patterns, Controlled Body Mass Index, and Reduced Self-Reported Stress Levels of Primary School Children: Α One-Arm Pilot Study. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2023; 1425:13-22. [PMID: 37581777 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-31986-0_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
Stress is common in childhood and an important factor that affects behavior later in adulthood. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of the Pythagorean Self-Awareness Intervention (PSAI), a holistic "cognitive reconstruction" technique to assess primary school children's stress levels, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, and body mass index. Secondary outcome measures included relations with peers, sleep, and hair cortisol concentrations. This one-arm pilot study took place in a primary school, from February to June 2019. Participants were 32 pupils attending the second grade of primary school who received the 8-week PSAI to adopt healthy behaviors and lifestyle. Self-report measures were applied for the evaluation of various variables at the beginning and the end of the eight-week intervention. There were statistically significant reductions in stress levels (p = 0.00), nightmares' frequency (p = 0.00), body mass index (p = 0.03), and bully scale (p = 0.00), and improvement in Mediterranean diet quality (p = 0.00). Hair cortisol concentrations increased (p = 0.02). The social scale significantly increased. Bedtime remained the same after the intervention. This pilot trial showed that the PSAI promoted healthy dietary patterns, controlled children's body mass index, and reduced their self-reported stress levels. Further research on the implementation of this holistic program on children is suggested, in well-powered randomized controlled trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marilena Panagiotou
- School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Orsalia Gerakini
- School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Flora Bacopoulou
- Center for Adolescent Medicine and UNESCO Chair in Adolescent Health Care, First Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece.
| | | | - Maya Louvardi
- School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Xanthi Tigani
- School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Aimilia Mantzou
- First Department of Pediatrics, Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Vlachakis
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Christina Kanaka-Gantenbein
- First Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - George P Chrousos
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health & Precision Medicine, and UNESCO Chair in Adolescent Health Care, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Christina Darviri
- School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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Angelopoulou K, Zaverdinou E, Bacopoulou F, Chrousos GP, Giannakakis G, Kanaka-Gantenbein C, Mavrogeni S, Charalampopoulou M, Katimertzi M, Darviri C. The Effect of Pythagorean Self-Awareness on Heart Rate Variability, Perceived Stress and Behavior of Preschool Children. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 9:children9101529. [PMID: 36291465 PMCID: PMC9600468 DOI: 10.3390/children9101529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Stress is associated with unhealthy habits and non-communicable diseases. It is also linked to communicable diseases due to its impact on immune function. These can be prevented through intervention programs in schools. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of the simplified Pythagorean Self-Awareness Intervention on heart rate variability (HRV) parameters, perceived stress and behaviors of preschool children. The sample of the study consisted of 45 preschool students. A “one group (double) pretest—posttest design” was used, to allow for comparisons of the measurements before and after the intervention. Students were assessed via two questionnaires (“Perceived Stress Scale for Children” (PSS-C) and “Checklist for Screening Behavioral Problems in Preschool Children”) and a photoplethysmographic (PPG) device. The intervention lasted 9 weeks and included practicing of the Pythagorean Self-awareness techniques and the adoption of healthy behaviors. The results showed no statistically significant differences between the two pretests (p > 0.05 for all comparisons) and statistically significant differences between the second pretest and posttest (“Perceived Stress Scale for Children”, (PSS-C) p < 0.0001, “Checklist for Screening Behavioral Problems in Preschool Children” p < 0.0001 and two indices of PPG device: heart rate mean, p < 0.0001, low frequency/very low frequency, p = 0.034). In conclusion, the Pythagorean Self-Awareness Intervention had a beneficial effect on the sample of preschool students examined, as the results showed an improvement in the perceived stress and the HRV parameters tested, and in engaging healthier behaviors, findings that indicate a relaxed psychologic state and a healthier lifestyle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyriaki Angelopoulou
- Postgraduate Course of Stress Management and Health Promotion, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771 Athens, Greece
- Correspondence: (K.A.); (E.Z.)
| | - Eleni Zaverdinou
- Postgraduate Course of Stress Management and Health Promotion, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771 Athens, Greece
- Correspondence: (K.A.); (E.Z.)
| | - Flora Bacopoulou
- Postgraduate Course of Stress Management and Health Promotion, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771 Athens, Greece
- Center for Adolescent Medicine, First Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771 Athens, Greece
- First Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aghia Sophia Children’s Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771 Athens, Greece
- UNESCO Chair in Adolescent Health Care First Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771 Athens, Greece
| | - George P. Chrousos
- Postgraduate Course of Stress Management and Health Promotion, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771 Athens, Greece
- Center for Adolescent Medicine, First Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771 Athens, Greece
- First Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aghia Sophia Children’s Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771 Athens, Greece
- UNESCO Chair in Adolescent Health Care First Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771 Athens, Greece
- Unit of Clinical and Translational Research in Endocrinology, First Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771 Athens, Greece
| | - Giorgos Giannakakis
- Postgraduate Course of Stress Management and Health Promotion, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771 Athens, Greece
- Foundation for Research and Technology—Hellas, 70013 Crete, Greece
| | - Christina Kanaka-Gantenbein
- Postgraduate Course of Stress Management and Health Promotion, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771 Athens, Greece
- First Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aghia Sophia Children’s Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771 Athens, Greece
| | | | - Maria Charalampopoulou
- Postgraduate Course of Stress Management and Health Promotion, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771 Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Katimertzi
- Postgraduate Course of Stress Management and Health Promotion, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771 Athens, Greece
| | - Christina Darviri
- Postgraduate Course of Stress Management and Health Promotion, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771 Athens, Greece
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Athanasopoulou S, Kapetanou M, Magouritsas MG, Mougkolia N, Taouxidou P, Papacharalambous M, Sakellaridis F, Gonos E. Antioxidant and Antiaging Properties of a Novel Synergistic Nutraceutical Complex: Readouts from an In Cellulo Study and an In Vivo Prospective, Randomized Trial. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11030468. [PMID: 35326118 PMCID: PMC8944750 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11030468] [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] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Aging is a dynamic procedure that is developed in multiple layers and characterized by distinct hallmarks. The use of biomarkers that target different hallmarks of aging is substantial in predicting adverse outcomes during the aging process, implementing specifically designed antiaging interventions and monitoring responses to these interventions. The present study aimed to develop a novel composition of plant extracts, comprising identified active ingredients that synergistically target different hallmarks of aging in cellulo and in vivo. The selected single extracts and the developed composition were tested through a powerful set of biomarkers that we have previously identified and studied. The composition of selected extracts simultaneously increased cellular lifespan, reduced the cellular oxidative load and enhanced antioxidant defense mechanisms by increasing proteasome activity and content. In addition, the combination prevented telomere attrition and preserved optimum DNA methylation levels. Remarkably, biomarker profiling of healthy volunteers who received the identified combination in the form of a nutritional supplement within the frame of a prospective, randomized, controlled 3-month trial revealed an unprecedented antioxidant capacity in humans. In conclusion, our results support the notion that interventions with specifically designed combinations of natural compounds targeting multiple hallmarks of aging represent an effective way to improve healthspan and well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia Athanasopoulou
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 11635 Athens, Greece; (S.A.); (M.K.); (N.M.)
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, 41334 Larisa, Greece
| | - Marianna Kapetanou
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 11635 Athens, Greece; (S.A.); (M.K.); (N.M.)
| | | | - Nikoletta Mougkolia
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 11635 Athens, Greece; (S.A.); (M.K.); (N.M.)
| | - Polykseni Taouxidou
- Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Aristotle University, 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece;
| | | | | | - Efstathios Gonos
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 11635 Athens, Greece; (S.A.); (M.K.); (N.M.)
- Hellenic Pasteur Institute, 11521 Athens, Greece
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +30-210-6478860
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