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Kozasa EH, Nicholson J. Editorial: Women in science: Public mental health 2021. Front Public Health 2022; 10:1005116. [PMID: 36091558 PMCID: PMC9461712 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1005116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Elisa H. Kozasa
- Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, SP, Brazil,*Correspondence: Elisa H. Kozasa
| | - Joanne Nicholson
- Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, United States
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2
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Milaré CAR, Kozasa EH, Lacerda S, Barrichello C, Tobo PR, Horta ALD. Mindfulness-Based Versus Story Reading Intervention in Public Elementary Schools: Effects on Executive Functions and Emotional Health. Front Psychol 2021; 12:576311. [PMID: 34305692 PMCID: PMC8299946 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.576311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction In this study we compared the effects of a mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) with a story reading intervention (SI) on the executive functions and psychological profile of children in two different public schools in São Paulo, Brazil. Methods In this controlled clinical trial, 207 children aged 8 to 9 years old responded to the Five-Digit Test (FDT), stress levels, depression, anxiety, positive and negative affect, at baseline (T0) and 8 weeks later (T1). From T0 to T1, school 1 participated in MBI classes and school 2 in IS classes. Results In school 1 (MBI), children improved their scores on all tests except reading (errors) and counting (errors) compared with school 2. No differences were observed between groups in terms of emotional health. Conclusion It is feasible to implement MBI or SI in Brazilian public schools. Students in the MBI group presented broader effects in executive functions, while students in the SI group showed a trend toward reduced negative affect and depression symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudete A R Milaré
- Paulista School of Nursing, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | - Ana Lucia D Horta
- Paulista School of Nursing, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Deolindo CS, Ribeiro MW, Aratanha MAA, Scarpari JRS, Forster CHQ, Silva RGA, Machado BS, Amaro Junior E, König T, Kozasa EH. Cover Image. Hum Brain Mapp 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/hbm.25066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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Deolindo CS, Ribeiro MW, de Aratanha MAA, Scarpari JRS, Forster CHQ, da Silva RGA, Machado BS, Amaro Junior E, König T, Kozasa EH. Microstates in complex and dynamical environments: Unraveling situational awareness in critical helicopter landing maneuvers. Hum Brain Mapp 2021; 42:3168-3181. [PMID: 33942444 PMCID: PMC8193508 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.25426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding decision-making in complex and dynamic environments is relevant for designing strategies targeting safety improvements and error rate reductions. However, studies evaluating brain dynamics in realistic situations are scarce in the literature. Given the evidence that specific microstates may be associated with perception and attention, in this work we explored for the first time the application of the microstate model in an ecological, dynamic and complex scenario. More specifically, we evaluated elite helicopter pilots during engine-failure missions in the vicinity of the so called "dead man's curve," which establishes the operational limits for a safe landing after the execution of a recovery maneuver (autorotation). Pilots from the Brazilian Air Force flew a AS-350 helicopter in a certified aerodrome and physiological sensor data were synchronized with the aircraft's flight test instrumentation. We assessed these neural correlates during maneuver execution, by comparing their modulations and source reconstructed activity with baseline epochs before and after flights. We show that the topographies of our microstate templates with 4, 5, and 6 classes resemble the literature, and that a distinct modulation characterizes decision-making intervals. Moreover, the source reconstruction result points to a differential activity in the medial prefrontal cortex, which is associated to emotional regulation circuits in the brain. Our results suggest that microstates are promising neural correlates to evaluate realistic situations, even in a challenging and intrinsically noisy environment. Furthermore, it strengthens their usage and expands their application for studying cognition under more realistic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - José R S Scarpari
- Instituto Tecnológico de Aeronáutica, São José dos Campos, Brazil.,Instituto de Pesquisas e Ensaio em Voos (IPEV), São José dos Campos, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Edson Amaro Junior
- Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil.,Hospital das Clínicas, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Thomas König
- University Hospital of Psychiatry, Bern, Switzerland
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Igarashi NS, Karam CH, Afonso RF, Carneiro FD, Lacerda SS, Santos BF, Kozasa EH, Rangel ÉB. The effects of a short-term meditation-based mindfulness protocol in patients receiving hemodialysis. PSYCHOL HEALTH MED 2021; 27:1286-1295. [PMID: 33449820 DOI: 10.1080/13548506.2021.1871769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Mindfulness-based approaches that promote health, improve quality of life, and reduce the impact of comorbidities are key aspects in chronic diseases management. We aimed to verify the impact of a short-term meditation protocol on psychosocial and physiological parameters in chronic hemodialysis patients. We enrolled twenty-two patients, median age of 69.5 years old, into a 12-week meditation protocol that occurred during each hemodialysis session for 10-20 minutes, 3x/week, in a private tertiary hospital. We then evaluated clinical, psychological, and laboratorial parameters pre- and post-meditation. Patients exhibited a better control of serum phosphorus (-0.72 mg/dL; P = 0.002), a decrease in systolic blood pressure (-1.90 mmHg; P = 0.009), a 23% decrease in depressive symptoms (P = 0.014), and an increase of 7% in the self-compassion scale (P = 0.048) after meditation. To note, we observed an increase in 13% of the mindfulness score (P = 0.019). Our preliminary study describes the effects of a short-term meditation protocol in chronic hemodialysis setting. We observed a decrease in depressive symptoms and in blood pressure values, an improvement in self-compassion and serum phosphorous levels. In conjunction with the promising results of meditation in chronic kidney disease setting, this encouraging preliminary study supports the need for additional clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadja S Igarashi
- Instituto Israelita de Ensino e Pesquisa, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Christiane H Karam
- Einstein Dialysis Center, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Rui F Afonso
- Instituto Israelita de Ensino e Pesquisa, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Fabiana D Carneiro
- Einstein Dialysis Center, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Shirley S Lacerda
- Psychology Service, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Bento F Santos
- Einstein Dialysis Center, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Elisa H Kozasa
- Instituto Israelita de Ensino e Pesquisa, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Érika B Rangel
- Instituto Israelita de Ensino e Pesquisa, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.,Department of Medicine, Nephrology Division , Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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Kozasa EH, Lacerda SS, Polissici MA, Coelho RDS, Farias GDS, Chaves P, Leão ER. An Intervention to Increase Situational Awareness and the Culture of Mutual Care (Foco) and Its Effects During COVID-19 Pandemic: A Randomized Controlled Trial and Qualitative Analysis. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:570786. [PMID: 33324250 PMCID: PMC7725753 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.570786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Situational awareness is especially important to decision-making in health care. Comprehending the situation is crucial for anticipating any change in the environment and delivering optimal care. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a training to increase situational awareness and mutual care designed for health care workers (FoCo) in a randomized controlled trial with additional qualitative analysis. We also investigated the perception of the training for the COVID-19 pandemic moment, in May 2020, almost 6 months after we finished the data collection at the Emergency Care Unit, which became a COVID-19 treatment reference for the care of a population depending on the public health system, in Sao Paulo, Brazil. We conclude that FoCo training can be an important instrument for health care professionals both in times of pandemic and "normal times," to increase situational awareness, the culture of mutual care and decrease the possibility of occupational injuries and illnesses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa H Kozasa
- Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, Instituto Do Cérebro, São Paulo, Brazil.,Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil
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Novaes MM, Palhano-Fontes F, Onias H, Andrade KC, Lobão-Soares B, Arruda-Sanchez T, Kozasa EH, Santaella DF, de Araujo DB. Effects of Yoga Respiratory Practice ( Bhastrika pranayama) on Anxiety, Affect, and Brain Functional Connectivity and Activity: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:467. [PMID: 32528330 PMCID: PMC7253694 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Pranayama refers to a set of yoga breathing exercises. Recent evidence suggests that the practice of pranayama has positive effects on measures of clinical stress and anxiety. This study explored the impact of a Bhastrika pranayama training program on emotion processing, anxiety, and affect. We used a randomized controlled trial design with thirty healthy young adults assessed at baseline and after 4 weeks of pranayama practices. Two functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocols were used both at baseline and post-intervention: an emotion task as well as a resting-state acquisition. Our results suggest that pranayama significantly decreased states of anxiety and negative affect. The practice of pranayama also modulated the activity of brain regions involved in emotional processing, particularly the amygdala, anterior cingulate, anterior insula, and prefrontal cortex. Resting-state functional MRI (fMRI) showed significantly reduced functional connectivity involving the anterior insula and lateral portions of the prefrontal cortex. Correlation analysis revealed that changes in connectivity between the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex and the right anterior insula were associated with changes in anxiety. Although it should be noted that these analyses were preliminary and exploratory, it provides the first evidence that 4 weeks of B. pranayama significantly reduce the levels of anxiety and negative affect, and that these changes are associated with the modulation of activity and connectivity in brain areas involved in emotion processing, attention, and awareness. The study was registered at https://www.ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-2gv5c2/(RBR-2gv5c2).
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgana M Novaes
- Brain Institute, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal, Brazil.,Onofre Lopes University Hospital, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Palhano-Fontes
- Brain Institute, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal, Brazil.,Onofre Lopes University Hospital, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal, Brazil
| | - Heloisa Onias
- Brain Institute, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal, Brazil.,Onofre Lopes University Hospital, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal, Brazil
| | - Katia C Andrade
- Brain Institute, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal, Brazil.,Onofre Lopes University Hospital, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal, Brazil
| | - Bruno Lobão-Soares
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal, Brazil
| | - Tiago Arruda-Sanchez
- Department of Radiology, Medical School, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Danilo F Santaella
- Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil.,Sports Center, University of São Paulo (CEPE-USP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Draulio Barros de Araujo
- Brain Institute, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal, Brazil.,Onofre Lopes University Hospital, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal, Brazil
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Santaella DF, Balardin JB, Afonso RF, Giorjiani GM, Sato JR, Lacerda SS, Amaro E, Lazar S, Kozasa EH. Greater Anteroposterior Default Mode Network Functional Connectivity in Long-Term Elderly Yoga Practitioners. Front Aging Neurosci 2019; 11:158. [PMID: 31312135 PMCID: PMC6614333 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2019.00158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Accepted: 06/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Large-scale brain networks exhibit changes in functional connectivity during the aging process. Recent literature data suggests that Yoga and other contemplative practices may revert, at least in part, some of the aging effects in brain functional connectivity, including the Default Mode Network (DMN). The aim of this cross-sectional investigation was to compare resting-state functional connectivity of the medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC) and posterior cingulate cortex—precuneus (PCC-Precuneus) in long-term elderly Yoga practitioners and healthy paired Yoga-naïve controls. Two paired groups: yoga (Y-20 women, Hatha Yoga practitioners; practicing a minimum of twice a week with a frequency of at least 8 years) and a control group (C-20 women, Yoga-naïve, matched by age, years of formal education, and physical activity) were evaluated for: Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL), and open-eyes resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)—seed to voxel connectivity analysis (CONN toolbox 17.f) with pre-processing—realignment and unwarping, slice-timing correction, segmentation, normalization, outlier detection, and spatial filtering. The analysis included a priori regions of interest (ROI) of DMN main nodes—MPFC and PCC-Precuneus. There was no difference between groups in terms of: age, years of formal education, MMSE, BDI and IADL. The Yoga group had a higher correlation between MPFC and the right angular gyrus (AGr), compared to the controls. Elderly women with at least 8 years of yoga practice presented greater intra-network anteroposterior brain functional connectivity of the DMN. This finding may contribute to the understanding of the influences of practicing Yoga for a healthier cognitive aging process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danilo Forghieri Santaella
- Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein (HIAE), São Paulo, Brazil.,Centro de Práticas Esportivas da Universidade de São Paulo (CEPEUSP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - João Ricardo Sato
- Center for Mathematics, Computing and Cognition-Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC), Santo André, Brazil
| | | | - Edson Amaro
- Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein (HIAE), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sara Lazar
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Elisa H Kozasa
- Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein (HIAE), São Paulo, Brazil
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Vitor T, Kozasa EH, Bressan RA, Lacerda SS, Campos Neto GC, Batista IR, Gebrim LH, Cohen L, Amaro E, Felicio AC. Impaired brain dopamine transporter in chemobrain patients submitted to brain SPECT imaging using the technetium-99m labeled tracer TRODAT-1. Ann Nucl Med 2019; 33:269-279. [DOI: 10.1007/s12149-019-01331-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2018] [Accepted: 01/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Pires FBC, Lacerda SS, Balardin JB, Portes B, Tobo PR, Barrichello CRC, Amaro E, Kozasa EH. Self-compassion is associated with less stress and depression and greater attention and brain response to affective stimuli in women managers. BMC Womens Health 2018; 18:195. [PMID: 30482193 PMCID: PMC6258154 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-018-0685-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2018] [Accepted: 11/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Women have been assuming more responsibilities and higher positions in major companies, which exposes them to high levels of stress. Higher perceived work stress is related to higher emotional reactivity. Difficulties with emotional regulation can lead to anxiety and mood disorders, which are more prevalent in women than men. Indeed, women leaders are more likely to experience emotional fatigue than men due to excessive empathy. Our aim was to evaluate the associations between self-compassion (SC) scores to depression symptoms, perceived stress and mindfulness, as well as with brain responses to high-arousal unpleasant and pleasant pictures from the International Affective Picture System (IAPS), as measured through functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) in women managers. METHODS Forty-six participants were selected for the study. All participants filled the Self Compassion Scale (SCS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Mindful Awareness Attention Scale (MAAS) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). After that they were scanned during an fMRI affective response paradigm. Correlation analysis were performed among these variables. RESULTS Our data suggest that women with higher SC scores respond to affective stimuli with higher activation of the precuneus (a brain region related to self-referential processing), lower levels of stress and depression and show greater attention in everyday activities. CONCLUSION SC may be an important characteristic for women leaders because of its association with higher sensitivity to emotional stimuli and mindfulness. These skills may allow them to be more aware of others while being less susceptible for stress and depression symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda B C Pires
- Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, Av. Albert Einstein, 627/701, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Shirley S Lacerda
- Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, Av. Albert Einstein, 627/701, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - Joana B Balardin
- Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, Av. Albert Einstein, 627/701, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Bruna Portes
- Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, Av. Albert Einstein, 627/701, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Patrícia R Tobo
- Natura Cosméticos S.A, Rodovia Anhanguera km 30.5, Cajamar, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Edson Amaro
- Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, Av. Albert Einstein, 627/701, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Elisa H Kozasa
- Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, Av. Albert Einstein, 627/701, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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Port AP, Santaella DF, Lacerda SS, Speciali DS, Balardin JB, Lopes PB, Afonso RF, Radvany J, Amaro E, Kozasa EH. Cognition and brain function in elderly Tai Chi practitioners: A case-control study. Explore (NY) 2018; 14:352-356. [PMID: 30122327 DOI: 10.1016/j.explore.2018.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2017] [Revised: 04/18/2018] [Accepted: 04/22/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare cognition and brain function in elderly Tai Chi and Water Aerobics practitioners. METHODS Eight Tai Chi (TC) and 8 Water Aerobics (WA) practitioners matched by gender, education and age underwent neuropsychological and fMRI scan during attention (Stroop Word Color Task) and working memory (N Back) tasks. RESULTS Groups were similar for demographic and cognitive variables. Besides anxiety (smaller in TC group), there were no differences between groups in neuropsychological variables. During the Stroop Word Color Task, TC group had smaller brain activation in the right intracalcarine cortex, lateral occipital cortex, and occipital pole, than WA. During N back, TC group presented smaller brain activation in the right frontal pole and superior frontal gyrus. CONCLUSION Despite the small number of participants in this preliminary study, both groups had similar cognitive performance, however the Tai Chi group required less brain activation to perform the attention and memory tasks, therefore they may have a more efficient cognitive performance than Water Aerobics group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Paula Port
- Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein (HIAE), Av. Albert Einstein, 627/701 - bloco A - 2(o)ss - CEP 05601-901, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Danilo F Santaella
- Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein (HIAE), Av. Albert Einstein, 627/701 - bloco A - 2(o)ss - CEP 05601-901, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Sports Center of Universidade de São Paulo (CEPEUSP), Praça Prof. Rubião Meira, 61 - CEP 05508-110, Vila Universitaria, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - Shirley S Lacerda
- Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein (HIAE), Av. Albert Einstein, 627/701 - bloco A - 2(o)ss - CEP 05601-901, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Danielli S Speciali
- Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein (HIAE), Av. Albert Einstein, 627/701 - bloco A - 2(o)ss - CEP 05601-901, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Joana B Balardin
- Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein (HIAE), Av. Albert Einstein, 627/701 - bloco A - 2(o)ss - CEP 05601-901, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Priscila B Lopes
- Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein (HIAE), Av. Albert Einstein, 627/701 - bloco A - 2(o)ss - CEP 05601-901, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Rui F Afonso
- Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein (HIAE), Av. Albert Einstein, 627/701 - bloco A - 2(o)ss - CEP 05601-901, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - João Radvany
- Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein (HIAE), Av. Albert Einstein, 627/701 - bloco A - 2(o)ss - CEP 05601-901, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Edson Amaro
- Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein (HIAE), Av. Albert Einstein, 627/701 - bloco A - 2(o)ss - CEP 05601-901, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Elisa H Kozasa
- Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein (HIAE), Av. Albert Einstein, 627/701 - bloco A - 2(o)ss - CEP 05601-901, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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Kozasa EH, Balardin JB, Sato JR, Chaim KT, Lacerda SS, Radvany J, Mello LEAM, Amaro E. Effects of a 7-Day Meditation Retreat on the Brain Function of Meditators and Non-Meditators During an Attention Task. Front Hum Neurosci 2018; 12:222. [PMID: 29942255 PMCID: PMC6004402 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2018.00222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2017] [Accepted: 05/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Meditation as a cognitive enhancement technique is of growing interest in the field of health and research on brain function. The Stroop Word-Color Task (SWCT) has been adapted for neuroimaging studies as an interesting paradigm for the understanding of cognitive control mechanisms. Performance in the SWCT requires both attention and impulse control, which is trained in meditation practices. We presented SWCT inside the MRI equipment to measure the performance of meditators compared with non-meditators before and after a meditation retreat. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a 7-day Zen intensive meditation training (a retreat) on meditators and non-meditators in this task on performance level and neural mechanisms. Nineteen meditators and 14 non-meditators were scanned before and after a 7-day Zen meditation retreat. No significant differences were found between meditators and non-meditators in the number of the correct responses and response time (RT) during SWCT before and after the retreat. Probably, due to meditators training in attention, their brain activity in the contrast incongruent > neutral during the SWCT in the anterior cingulate, ventromedial prefrontal cortex/anterior cingulate, caudate/putamen/pallidum/temporal lobe (center), insula/putamen/temporal lobe (right) and posterior cingulate before the retreat, were reduced compared with non-meditators. After the meditation retreat, non-meditators had reduced activation in these regions, becoming similar to meditators before the retreat. This result could be interpreted as an increase in the brain efficiency of non-meditators (less brain activation in attention-related regions and same behavioral response) promoted by their intensive training in meditation in only 7 days. On the other hand, meditators showed an increase in brain activation in these regions after the same training. Intensive meditation training (retreat) presented distinct effects on the attention-related regions in meditators and non-meditators probably due to differences in expertise, attention processing as well as neuroplasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - João Ricardo Sato
- Center of Mathematics, Computation and Cognition, Universidade Federal do ABC, Santo André, Brazil
| | | | | | - João Radvany
- Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Edson Amaro
- Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil
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Lacerda SS, Little SW, Kozasa EH. A Stress Reduction Program Adapted for the Work Environment: A Randomized Controlled Trial With a Follow-Up. Front Psychol 2018; 9:668. [PMID: 29867646 PMCID: PMC5954607 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2017] [Accepted: 04/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate an in situ stress reduction program, named PROGRESS, developed to meet the specific needs of workers in a business context and to research its impact upon non-severe psychiatric symptoms, stress, anxiety, depression, processing speed/attention and mindfulness. Methods: Participants with stress complaints were randomized into two groups: the main intervention group: group 1-G1, (n = 22); and the control group: group 2-G2, (n = 22). The protocol was divided into three distinct phases for the purpose of the study. Both groups were evaluated at time 1 (T1), before the first 8-week intervention, which only G1 received. The second evaluation was made on both groups at time 2 (T2), immediately after this first program; in order to test the program’s replicability and investigate possible follow-up effects, an identical second 8-week program was offered to G2 during time 3 (T3), while G1 was simply instructed to maintain the practice they had learned without further instruction between T2 and T3. A Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted to investigate the construct validity of PROGRESS. Results: Repeated measures MANOVA test, comparing G1 and G2, showed the effect of the intervention from T1 to T2 (p = 0.021) and from T2 to T3 (p = 0.031). Univariate analysis showed that participants from G1 improved levels of non-severe psychiatric symptoms, anxiety, depression, stress, processing speed/attention and mindfulness when compared with G2, from T1 to T2 (p < 0.05). After the participants in G2 received the intervention (T2 to T3), this group also showed improvement in the same variables (p < 0.05). At the end of their follow-up period (T2-T3) – during which they received no further support or instruction – G1 maintained the improvements gained during T1-T2. The two main components were stress (stress in the last 24-h, in the last week and last month) and mental health (non-severe psychiatric symptoms, depression, anxiety and mindfulness). Conclusion: PROGRESS, an in situ mindfulness program adapted to fit within the reality of business time constraints, was effective at replicating in more than one group the reduction of stress, depression, anxiety, non-severe psychiatric symptoms, processing speed and also the improvement of attention skills, showing sustained improvement even after 8-weeks follow-up. Clinicaltrails.gov identifier: NCT02660307. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02660307?term=Progress&rank=6
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Elisa H Kozasa
- Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil.,Department of Health, Universidade Nove de Julho, São Paulo, Brazil
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Garcia MC, Kozasa EH, Tufik S, Mello LA, de Campos HH. 0439 The Effects Of Mindfulness And Relaxation Training For Insomnia (MRTI) On Postmenopausal Women: A Pilot Study. Sleep 2018. [DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsy061.438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - E H Kozasa
- Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, Sao Paulo, BRAZIL
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Afonso RF, Balardin JB, Lazar S, Sato JR, Igarashi N, Santaella DF, Lacerda SS, Amaro E, Kozasa EH. Greater Cortical Thickness in Elderly Female Yoga Practitioners-A Cross-Sectional Study. Front Aging Neurosci 2017; 9:201. [PMID: 28676757 PMCID: PMC5476728 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2017.00201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2016] [Accepted: 06/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Yoga, a mind-body activity that requires attentional engagement, has been associated with positive changes in brain structure and function, especially in areas related to awareness, attention, executive functions and memory. Normal aging, on the other hand, has also been associated with structural and functional brain changes, but these generally involve decreased cognitive functions. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to compare brain cortical thickness (CT) in elderly yoga practitioners and a group of age-matched healthy non-practitioners. We tested 21 older women who had practiced hatha yoga for at least 8 years and 21 women naive to yoga, meditation or any mind-body interventions who were matched to the first group in age, years of formal education and physical activity level. A T1-weighted MPRAGE sequence was acquired for each participant. Yoga practitioners showed significantly greater CT in a left prefrontal lobe cluster, which included portions of the lateral middle frontal gyrus, anterior superior frontal gyrus and dorsal superior frontal gyrus. We found greater CT in the left prefrontal cortex of healthy elderly women who trained yoga for a minimum of 8 years compared with women in the control group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui F Afonso
- Hospital Israelita Albert EinsteinSão Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Sara Lazar
- Massachusetts General Hospital-Harvard Medical SchoolBoston, MA, United States
| | - João R Sato
- Universidade Federal do ABCSão Bernardo, Brazil
| | | | - Danilo F Santaella
- Hospital Israelita Albert EinsteinSão Paulo, Brazil.,Centro de Práticas Esportivas da Universidade de São Paulo (CEPEUSP)São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Edson Amaro
- Hospital Israelita Albert EinsteinSão Paulo, Brazil
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de Souza CHA, Morbeck RA, Steinman M, Hors CP, Bracco MM, Kozasa EH, Leão ER. Barriers and Benefits in Telemedicine Arising Between a High-Technology Hospital Service Provider and Remote Public Healthcare Units: A Qualitative Study in Brazil. Telemed J E Health 2017; 23:527-532. [DOI: 10.1089/tmj.2016.0158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
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17
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Kozasa EH, Sato JR, Russell TA, Barreiros MAM, Lacerda SS, Radvany J, Mello LEAM, Amaro E. Differences in Default Mode Network Connectivity in Meditators and Non-meditators During an Attention Task. J Cogn Enhanc 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s41465-017-0031-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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18
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Sato JR, Kozasa EH, Wallace BA, Amaro E. Neuroimaging Data From a Single Participant Before and After a Meditation Retreat: a Proof of Concept Study. J Cogn Enhanc 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s41465-017-0025-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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19
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Danucalov MAD, Kozasa EH, Afonso RF, Galduroz JCF, Leite JR. Yoga and compassion meditation program improve quality of life and self-compassion in family caregivers of Alzheimer's disease patients: A randomized controlled trial. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2015; 17:85-91. [DOI: 10.1111/ggi.12675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/05/2015] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo AD Danucalov
- Department of Psychobiology; Universidade Federal de São Paulo - UNIFESP; São Paulo Brazil
- União Brasileira Educacional - UNIBR; São Paulo Brazil
| | - Elisa H Kozasa
- Department of Psychobiology; Universidade Federal de São Paulo - UNIFESP; São Paulo Brazil
- Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein; São Paulo Brazil
| | - Rui F Afonso
- Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein; São Paulo Brazil
| | - José CF Galduroz
- Department of Psychobiology; Universidade Federal de São Paulo - UNIFESP; São Paulo Brazil
| | - José R Leite
- Department of Psychobiology; Universidade Federal de São Paulo - UNIFESP; São Paulo Brazil
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Kozasa EH, Tanaka LH, Monson C, Little S, Leao FC, Peres MP. The effects of meditation-based interventions on the treatment of fibromyalgia. Curr Pain Headache Rep 2013; 16:383-7. [PMID: 22717699 DOI: 10.1007/s11916-012-0285-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Meditation is the third most commonly requested complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapy reported in a US survey. Those who suffer from chronic pain are those who most frequently use CAM therapies. This review aims to evaluate whether meditation-based interventions can help the treatment of fibromyalgia. A PubMed search was conducted using the terms "fibromyalgia" and "meditation", or "mindfulness", or "mantra" or "relaxation response". We selected articles which clearly described a meditation intervention being used in the treatment of fibromyalgia. Only four articles were classified with score 3 in the Jadad scale. Another seven articles were included in this review. Most of the results indicate improvement in fibromyalgia-related symptoms in patients who participated in a meditation-based intervention. Considering only 4 of the 13 studies achieved a score of 3 on the Jadad scale, researchers of meditation interventions should discuss the best methodologic control for these studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa H Kozasa
- Instituto do Cérebro, Inst. Israelita de Ensino e Pesquisa Albert Einstein, Av. Albert Einstein, 627/701, CEP 05601-901, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
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21
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Sato JR, Kozasa EH, Russell TA, Radvany J, Mello LEAM, Lacerda SS, Amaro E. Brain imaging analysis can identify participants under regular mental training. PLoS One 2012; 7:e39832. [PMID: 22802944 PMCID: PMC3389014 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0039832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2012] [Accepted: 05/28/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Multivariate pattern recognition approaches have become a prominent tool in neuroimaging data analysis. These methods enable the classification of groups of participants (e.g. controls and patients) on the basis of subtly different patterns across the whole brain. This study demonstrates that these methods can be used, in combination with automated morphometric analysis of structural MRI, to determine with great accuracy whether a single subject has been engaged in regular mental training or not. The proposed approach allowed us to identify with 94.87% accuracy (p<0.001) if a given participant is a regular meditator (from a sample of 19 regular meditators and 20 non-meditators). Neuroimaging has been a relevant tool for diagnosing neurological and psychiatric impairments. This study may suggest a novel step forward: the emergence of a new field in brain imaging applications, in which participants could be identified based on their mental experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- João R. Sato
- UFABC –Univ. Federal do ABC, Santo André, Brazil
| | - Elisa H. Kozasa
- Instituto do Cérebro, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Psychobiology – UNIFESP – Univ. Federal De São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Tamara A. Russell
- King’s College London, Institute of Psychiatry, London, United Kingdom
| | - João Radvany
- Instituto do Cérebro, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Shirley S. Lacerda
- Instituto do Cérebro, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Edson Amaro
- Instituto do Cérebro, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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22
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Antonio RL, Kozasa EH, Galduróz JCF, Dawa, Dorjee Y, Kalsang T, Norbu T, Tenzin T, Rodrigues E. Formulas used by Tibetan doctors at Men-Tsee-Khang in India for the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders and their correlation with pharmacological data. Phytother Res 2012; 27:552-63. [PMID: 22674653 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.4749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2011] [Accepted: 04/30/2012] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to identify formulas used at Men-Tsee-Khang (Tibetan Medical and Astrological Institute), India, for the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders and to compare the Tibetan usage of particular ingredients with pharmacological data from the scientific database. Using ethnographic methods, five doctors were selected and interviewed. A correlation was observed between central nervous system disorders and rLung, one of the three humors in Tibetan medicine, which imbalance is the source of mental disorders, and ten multi-ingredient formulas used to treat the imbalance of this particular humor were identified. These formulas utilize 61 ingredients; among them were 48 plant species. Each formula treats several symptoms related to rLung imbalance, so the plants may have therapeutic uses distinct from those of the formulas in which they are included. Myristica fragrans, nutmeg, is contained in 100% of the formulas, and its seeds exhibit stimulant and depressant actions affecting the central nervous system. Preclinical and clinical data from the scientific literature indicate that all of the formulas include ingredients with neuropsychiatric action and corroborate the therapeutic use of 75.6% of the plants. These findings indicate a level of congruence between the therapeutic uses of particular plant species in Tibetan and Western medicines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Luna Antonio
- Department of Psychobiology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo Brazil, Rua Botucatu 862, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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Kozasa EH, Sato JR, Lacerda SS, Barreiros MAM, Radvany J, Russell TA, Sanches LG, Mello LEAM, Amaro E. Meditation training increases brain efficiency in an attention task. Neuroimage 2011; 59:745-9. [PMID: 21763432 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2011.06.088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 142] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2011] [Revised: 06/28/2011] [Accepted: 06/29/2011] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Meditation is a mental training, which involves attention and the ability to maintain focus on a particular object. In this study we have applied a specific attentional task to simply measure the performance of the participants with different levels of meditation experience, rather than evaluating meditation practice per se or task performance during meditation. Our objective was to evaluate the performance of regular meditators and non-meditators during an fMRI adapted Stroop Word-Colour Task (SWCT), which requires attention and impulse control, using a block design paradigm. We selected 20 right-handed regular meditators and 19 non-meditators matched for age, years of education and gender. Participants had to choose the colour (red, blue or green) of single words presented visually in three conditions: congruent, neutral and incongruent. Non-meditators showed greater activity than meditators in the right medial frontal, middle temporal, precentral and postcentral gyri and the lentiform nucleus during the incongruent conditions. No regions were more activated in meditators relative to non-meditators in the same comparison. Non-meditators showed an increased pattern of brain activation relative to regular meditators under the same behavioural performance level. This suggests that meditation training improves efficiency, possibly via improved sustained attention and impulse control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa H Kozasa
- Instituto do Cérebro, Instituto Israelita de Ensino e Pesquisa Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil.
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24
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Santos FRM, Kozasa EH, Chauffaille MDLLF, Colleoni GWB, Leite JR. Psychosocial adaptation and quality of life among Brazilian patients with different hematological malignancies. J Psychosom Res 2006; 60:505-11. [PMID: 16650591 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2005.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2005] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
This study aims to investigate the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, anxiety, and depression in patients with hematological malignancies, and to investigate the possible relationship between these symptoms and variables such as demographic data, social support, and quality of life (QOL). We studied 107 patients: 54 with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), 18 acute myelogenous leukaemia (AML), 10 acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), and 25 multiple myeloma (MM). Demographic data were collected, and three standardized instruments were applied to this group of patients: Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Impact of Event Scale (IES), European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C30 questionnaire of QOL. The results showed a significant percentage of patients presenting with symptoms: 13% had high levels of intrusive thoughts, 20.5% had high levels of anxiety, and 16.8% had high levels of depression. Patients with MM had the lowest QOL scores in the EORTC physical functioning subscale. Patients under intravenous chemotherapy treatment had a higher level of anxiety than the monitoring patients. Patients with recent diagnosis had a level of intrusion symptoms (IES) relevantly higher than the others. The unemployed patients and those with lower social support had levels of stress, anxiety, and depression significantly higher than the others. Our results confirm the high incidence of intrusion, avoidance, anxiety, and depression in patients with hematological malignancies and highlight the importance of a multidisciplinary staff to complement the treatment of these patients, including psychosocial assistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fábio R M Santos
- Psychobiology Department, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Napoleão de Barros No. 925, São Paulo, Brazil.
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Abstract
Cognitive-behavioral therapy, as well as therapy based on exposure, are effective procedures in treating phobias. In the present paper, a brief protocol that includes both procedures was proposed and tested in subjects who presented fear symptoms of public speaking, one of the most prevalent fear symptoms, particularly in college students. After the procedure, 15-month follow-up, a significant improvement was observed. These results suggest that the brief protocol used in this experiment may be effective in relieving this kind of fear and represents evident advantages over longer methods of training or treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- E H Kozasa
- Department of Psychobiology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
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