1
|
Celia G, Tessitore F, Cavicchiolo E, Girelli L, Limone P, Cozzolino M. Improving University Students' Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence From an Online Counseling Intervention in Italy. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:886538. [PMID: 35664487 PMCID: PMC9157237 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.886538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The mental health of university students is significantly affected when faced with public health emergencies and requires specific interventions to help support and prevent any long-lasting effects that the pandemic may have on their mental health status. This study aims to evaluate the impact of an online individual counseling intervention provided by the University of Foggia and carried out during the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health status of a sample of university students. Methods 32 Italian undergraduate students took part in a one-group pretest-posttest research design. The data was gathered in two times: before the start of the counseling intervention (T1), positive and negative affect, satisfaction with life, global mental distress, anxiety, stress, and future time perspective were collected, at the end of the counseling intervention (T2), the same dimensions were measured. A one-way repeated measures multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was performed, and single Bonferroni-corrected dependent t-tests were conducted on variables showing a significant change over time. Results The results showed that positive affect, subjective well-being, and future time perspective increased significantly after the intervention. In contrast, the participants reported significantly lower levels of negative affect, global mental distress, state and trait anxiety, as well as perceived stress over time. Conclusions The study demonstrates the promising impact of online counseling intervention and its efficient contribution in promoting the well-being of university students. The results contribute to the ongoing debate concerning the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on young adults, helping professionals develop more efficient clinical and psychological interventions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna Celia
- Department of Economics, Management and Territory, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Francesca Tessitore
- Department of Humanities, Philosophy and Education, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
| | - Elisa Cavicchiolo
- Department of Humanities, Philosophy and Education, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
| | - Laura Girelli
- Department of Humanities, Philosophy and Education, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
| | - Pierpaolo Limone
- Department of Humanities, Literature and Cultural Heritage, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Mauro Cozzolino
- Department of Humanities, Philosophy and Education, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Cozzolino M, Celia G. The psychosocial genomics paradigm of hypnosis and mind-body integrated psychotherapy: Experimental evidence. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL HYPNOSIS 2021; 64:123-138. [PMID: 34723776 DOI: 10.1080/00029157.2021.1947767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The psychosocial genomics paradigm first proposed by Ernest Rossi established an epistemological shift in our application of hypnosis. We present original experimental research conducted within this paradigm that highlights the mind-gene relationship and, in particular, the positive health effects associated with hypnosis and mind-body integrated psychotherapy. We document that these approaches can stimulate epigenetic modifications and the expression of genes related to anti-inflammatory processes. These strategies strengthen the immune system and reduce oxidative stress both in normal and in oncological participants.
Collapse
|
3
|
Nayarisseri A. Experimental and Computational Approaches to Improve Binding Affinity in Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery. Curr Top Med Chem 2021; 20:1651-1660. [PMID: 32614747 DOI: 10.2174/156802662019200701164759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Drug discovery is one of the most complicated processes and establishment of a single drug may require multidisciplinary attempts to design efficient and commercially viable drugs. The main purpose of drug design is to identify a chemical compound or inhibitor that can bind to an active site of a specific cavity on a target protein. The traditional drug design methods involved various experimental based approaches including random screening of chemicals found in nature or can be synthesized directly in chemical laboratories. Except for the long cycle design and time, high cost is also the major issue of concern. Modernized computer-based algorithm including structure-based drug design has accelerated the drug design and discovery process adequately. Surprisingly from the past decade remarkable progress has been made concerned with all area of drug design and discovery. CADD (Computer Aided Drug Designing) based tools shorten the conventional cycle size and also generate chemically more stable and worthy compounds and hence reduce the drug discovery cost. This special edition of editorial comprises the combination of seven research and review articles set emphasis especially on the computational approaches along with the experimental approaches using a chemical synthesizing for the binding affinity in chemical biology and discovery as a salient used in de-novo drug designing. This set of articles exfoliates the role that systems biology and the evaluation of ligand affinity in drug design and discovery for the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anuraj Nayarisseri
- In silico Research Laboratory, Eminent Biosciences, Mahalakshmi Nagar, Indore - 452010, Madhya Pradesh, India
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Cozzolino M, Celia G, Girelli L, Limone P. Effects of the Brain Wave Modulation Technique Administered Online on Stress, Anxiety, Global Distress, and Affect During the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Front Psychol 2021; 12:635877. [PMID: 34093317 PMCID: PMC8170086 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.635877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aims to evaluate the effects of an innovative mind-body practice named the brain wave modulation technique (BWM-T) on stress, anxiety, global distress, and affect. The technique was administered online through a web-based video conferencing platform. The intervention started on week four of the first quarantine in Italy (week commencing 30th March 2020), for a duration of 4 weeks and ended before lockdown measures were loosened. 310 people participated in the study, mean age 28.73 years old (SD = 9.16), 77.8% women. Of these, about half were randomly assigned to the experimental group and the other half served as controls. Participants completed online psychological tests before and after the intervention. 266 people (144 experimental, 122 controls) completed the post-intervention tests. Consistent with our hypothesis, the study's findings indicate a reduction in the levels of stress, anxiety, global distress, and negative affect in the experimental group, compared to the control group. Moreover, the experimental group also showed higher levels of positive affect, compared to controls after the intervention. The present findings add to the current literature in suggesting that the BWM-T reduced stress not only when administered face-to face but also when administered online during the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, we also noted that the BWM-T has an effect on anxiety, global distress, and affect, which we had not investigated in previous studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mauro Cozzolino
- Department of Humanities, Philosophy and Education, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
| | - Giovanna Celia
- Department of Economics, Management and Territory, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Laura Girelli
- Department of Humanities, Philosophy and Education, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
| | - Pierpaolo Limone
- Department of Economics, Management and Territory, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Cozzolino M, Cocco S, Piezzo M, Celia G, Costantini S, Abate V, Capone F, Barberio D, Girelli L, Cavicchiolo E, Ascierto PA, Madonna G, Budillon A, De Laurentiis M. A Psychosocial Genomics Pilot Study in Oncology for Verifying Clinical, Inflammatory and Psychological Effects of Mind-Body Transformations-Therapy (MBT-T) in Breast Cancer Patients: Preliminary Results. J Clin Med 2021; 10:E136. [PMID: 33401546 PMCID: PMC7796278 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10010136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Revised: 12/26/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Several studies have highlighted the key role of chronic inflammation in breast cancer development, progression, metastasis, and therapeutic outcome. These processes are mediated through a variety of cytokines and hormones that exert their biological actions either locally or distantly via systemic circulation. Recent findings suggest that positive psychosocial experiences, including psychotherapeutic interventions and therapeutic mind-body protocols, can modulate the inflammatory response by reducing the expression of genes/proteins associated with inflammation and stress-related pathways. Our preliminary results indicate that a specific mind-body therapy (MBT-T) could induce a significant reduction of the release of different cytokines and chemokines, such as SCGFβ, SDF-1α, MCP3, GROα, LIF, and IL-18, in the sera of breast cancer patients compared to a control group, suggesting that MBT-T could represent a promising approach to improve the wellness and outcome of breast cancer patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mauro Cozzolino
- Department of Human, Philosophical and Educational Sciences, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano (SA), Italy; (M.C.); (G.C.); (L.G.); (E.C.)
| | - Stefania Cocco
- Department of Breast and Thoracic Oncology, Division of Breast Medical Oncology, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS “Fondazione G. Pascale”, 80131 Naples, Italy; (S.C.); (M.P.)
| | - Michela Piezzo
- Department of Breast and Thoracic Oncology, Division of Breast Medical Oncology, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS “Fondazione G. Pascale”, 80131 Naples, Italy; (S.C.); (M.P.)
| | - Giovanna Celia
- Department of Human, Philosophical and Educational Sciences, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano (SA), Italy; (M.C.); (G.C.); (L.G.); (E.C.)
| | - Susan Costantini
- Experimental Pharmacology Unit—Mercogliano Laboratory, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS “Fondazione G. Pascale”, 80131 Naples, Italy; (S.C.); (F.C.); (A.B.)
| | - Valentina Abate
- Psychology Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS “Fondazione G. Pascale”, 80131 Naples, Italy; (V.A.); (D.B.)
| | - Francesca Capone
- Experimental Pharmacology Unit—Mercogliano Laboratory, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS “Fondazione G. Pascale”, 80131 Naples, Italy; (S.C.); (F.C.); (A.B.)
| | - Daniela Barberio
- Psychology Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS “Fondazione G. Pascale”, 80131 Naples, Italy; (V.A.); (D.B.)
| | - Laura Girelli
- Department of Human, Philosophical and Educational Sciences, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano (SA), Italy; (M.C.); (G.C.); (L.G.); (E.C.)
| | - Elisa Cavicchiolo
- Department of Human, Philosophical and Educational Sciences, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano (SA), Italy; (M.C.); (G.C.); (L.G.); (E.C.)
| | - Paolo Antonio Ascierto
- Department Melanoma, Cancer Immunotherapy and Development Therapeutics, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS “Fondazione G. Pascale”, 80131 Naples, Italy; (P.A.A.); (G.M.)
| | - Gabriele Madonna
- Department Melanoma, Cancer Immunotherapy and Development Therapeutics, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS “Fondazione G. Pascale”, 80131 Naples, Italy; (P.A.A.); (G.M.)
| | - Alfredo Budillon
- Experimental Pharmacology Unit—Mercogliano Laboratory, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS “Fondazione G. Pascale”, 80131 Naples, Italy; (S.C.); (F.C.); (A.B.)
| | - Michelino De Laurentiis
- Department of Breast and Thoracic Oncology, Division of Breast Medical Oncology, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS “Fondazione G. Pascale”, 80131 Naples, Italy; (S.C.); (M.P.)
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Abstract
AbstractThis paper contains a narrative review of the literature in the field of school-based mind–body interventions (MBIs). The aim of the current review is to verify whether the school-based MBI programs implemented in primary and secondary schools over the past 5 years are effective in helping schoolchildren cope with stress-related, behavioral, and affective issues, as well as improve stress response and school performance. All articles were retrieved using a number of databases. Inclusion criteria comprised qualitative and quantitative, English language, and peer-reviewed studies among third graders (8–9 years old) to twelfth graders (17–18 years old), including special needs pupils. Qualitative studies were limited to pupils’ experience only. Ten studies meeting the criteria for this review were assessed. The school-based interventions included yoga-based programs and mindfulness training. Evidence was evaluated and summarized. Across the reviewed studies, we found support for MBIs as part of school curricula to reduce negative effects of stress and promote overall well-being with caveats to consider in choosing specific programs. The practical implications of the current review include considerations related to the incorporation of MBIs in school curricula, which would likely benefit schoolchildren.
Collapse
|
7
|
Cozzolino M, Vivo DR, Girelli L, Limone P, Celia G. The Evaluation of a Mind-Body Intervention (MBT-T) for Stress Reduction in Academic Settings: A Pilot Study. Behav Sci (Basel) 2020; 10:bs10080124. [PMID: 32751650 PMCID: PMC7464367 DOI: 10.3390/bs10080124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Revised: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
This study is aimed at evaluating the outcomes of mind-body transformation therapy (MBT-T), previously known as the creative psychosocial genomic healing experience© (CPGHE). The intervention was aimed at reducing the perceived level of stress in two non-clinical groups of students with different educational levels and different expertise in the domain of well-being. Whereas participants from the first group were first-year university students, participants from the second group were students attending a post-graduate program in psychotherapy. All participants (n = 159) were exposed to a single session of MBT-T, each group in a separate session. The results of two paired-samples t-tests, conducted separately on the two samples, showed that there was a statistically significant reduction in the participants' perceived level of stress between pre- and post-intervention states in both samples (t88 = 5.39, p < 0.001; t53 = 4.56, p < 0.001 respectively). The results, therefore, showed that a single session of MBT-T was beneficial in reducing the perceived level of stress in both first-year university students and students attending a post-graduate program in psychotherapy, regardless of educational level and expertise in the domain of well-being.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mauro Cozzolino
- Department of Humanities, Philosophy and Education, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Italy; (D.R.V.); (L.G.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-339-685-7115
| | - Deborah R. Vivo
- Department of Humanities, Philosophy and Education, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Italy; (D.R.V.); (L.G.)
| | - Laura Girelli
- Department of Humanities, Philosophy and Education, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Italy; (D.R.V.); (L.G.)
| | - Pierpaolo Limone
- Department of Humanities, Literature, Cultural Heritage, Education Sciences, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy; (P.L.); (G.C.)
| | - Giovanna Celia
- Department of Humanities, Literature, Cultural Heritage, Education Sciences, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy; (P.L.); (G.C.)
| |
Collapse
|