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International Journal of Environmental... Jun 2024Brain fog is a condition that is characterized by poor concentration, memory loss, decreased cognitive function, and mental fatigue. Although it is generally known as a...
Brain fog is a condition that is characterized by poor concentration, memory loss, decreased cognitive function, and mental fatigue. Although it is generally known as a long-term COVID-19 symptom, brain fog has also been reported to be caused by many other diseases. Thus, it is necessary to assess this condition in certain populations. This study aimed to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Brain Fog Scale in a Turkish population. We conducted the study in two phases. In a pilot study including 125 participants, we confirmed the suitability of the scale for validity analyses and then conducted exploratory ( = 230) and confirmatory factor analyses ( = 343). The Cronbach's alpha value of the 23-item Brain Fog Scale was 0.966. In addition, the 23-item and three-factor structure was confirmed as a result of the analyses. These three factors are mental fatigue, impaired cognitive acuity, and confusion. We also found that participants previously diagnosed with COVID-19 had higher brain fog scores. This finding indicates that brain fog is an important condition that can accompany COVID-19. Furthermore, this validated construct has an acceptable fit and is a valid and useful tool for the Turkish population.
Topics: Humans; Turkey; Male; Female; COVID-19; Middle Aged; Adult; Reproducibility of Results; Mental Fatigue; Pilot Projects; Aged; Surveys and Questionnaires; SARS-CoV-2; Young Adult; Psychometrics
PubMed: 38929020
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21060774 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jun 2024Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients often encounter psychological challenges due to chronic pain, fatigue, side effects of medications, and disability. This study...
BACKGROUND
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients often encounter psychological challenges due to chronic pain, fatigue, side effects of medications, and disability. This study examines the relationship between autobiographical narratives and recollection patterns in RA patients. We investigated how different recall strategies for positive life events affect the emotional processing of negative episodes. We hypothesized that vividly recalling positive life events provides psychological resources that support a more intense emotional elaboration of stressful memories, allowing individuals to delve deeper into negative life experiences. Additionally, we explored the impact of these perspectives on self-reported well-being and physical health, proposing that re-living positive events improves overall well-being.
METHODS
We collected and analyzed high-point and low-point life-story episodes from 60 RA patients (85% female; age mean 61 ± 11 years; range 37-79) using episodic narrative interviews and the Narrative Categorical Content Analysis algorithm (NarrCat). Participants were categorized into 2 clusters based on their temporal perspective during high-point episodes: 25 used a Retrospective viewpoint, while 35 employed a Re-experiencing strategy. Depression and anxiety were assessed with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and functioning was measured using the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ).
RESULTS
The Re-experiencing group, which was more likely to articulate their high-point episode in vivid and real-time narrative, used more psychological perspectives (U(58) = 223, < 0.01) and showed heightened emotional frequency (U(58) = 280, < 0.05; positive: U(58) = 328, < 0.05; negative: U(58) = 278, < 0.05) in low-point episodes. No significant difference emerged between the two groups regarding psychological state (anxiety, depressive symptoms) and physical impairment.
CONCLUSIONS
Vividly recalling positive events may facilitate a deeper exploration of negative memories. The Re-experiencing group showed increased positive emotions during low points, suggesting better emotion regulation. However, no significant association was found between recalling strategies, psychological state, and physical impairment. This indicates that further research is needed to determine whether re-experiencing positive life events is adaptive or maladaptive.
Topics: Humans; Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Female; Middle Aged; Male; Aged; Adult; Mental Recall; Emotions; Life Change Events; Depression; Anxiety
PubMed: 38929005
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21060759 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jun 2024Endometriosis (EM), a chronic condition in endometrial tissue outside the uterus, affects around 10% of reproductive-age women, significantly affecting fertility. Its... (Review)
Review
Endometriosis (EM), a chronic condition in endometrial tissue outside the uterus, affects around 10% of reproductive-age women, significantly affecting fertility. Its prevalence remains elusive due to the surgical confirmation needed for diagnosis. Manifesting with a range of symptoms, including dysmenorrhea, dyschezia, dysuria, dyspareunia, fatigue, and gastrointestinal discomfort, EM significantly impairs quality of life due to severe chronic pelvic pain (CPP). Psychological manifestations, notably depression and anxiety, frequently accompany the physical symptoms, with CPP serving as a key mediator. Pain stems from endometrial lesions, involving oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, angiogenesis, and sensitization processes. Microbial dysbiosis appears to be crucial in the inflammatory mechanisms underlying EM and associated CPP, as well as psychological symptoms. In this scenario, dietary interventions and nutritional supplements could help manage EM symptoms by targeting inflammation, oxidative stress, and the microbiome. Our manuscript starts by delving into the complex relationship between EM pain and psychological comorbidities. It subsequently addresses the emerging roles of the microbiome, inflammation, and oxidative stress as common links among these abovementioned conditions. Furthermore, the review explores how dietary and nutritional interventions may influence the composition and function of the microbiome, reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, alleviate pain, and potentially affect EM-associated psychological disorders.
Topics: Humans; Female; Oxidative Stress; Endometriosis; Inflammation; Microbiota; Pelvic Pain; Mental Disorders
PubMed: 38928175
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25126473 -
Research in Developmental Disabilities Jun 2024Over 50 % of children and youth with cerebral palsy (CP) experience mental health challenges, with anxiety and depression most common. Youth with CP also experience...
Over 50 % of children and youth with cerebral palsy (CP) experience mental health challenges, with anxiety and depression most common. Youth with CP also experience several physiological symptoms such as fatigue, pain, sedentary lifestyle, and sleep disturbances that impact their daily living; however, little is known about the impact of these symptoms on mental health outcomes in these youth. This study addressed this gap and examined the individual and cumulative impacts of physiological symptoms on anxiety and depression symptoms in youth with CP. Forty youth with CP aged 8 to 18 years, and their caregiver, participated in this cross-sectional observational study. Pain, fatigue, anxiety, and depressive symptoms were measured using caregiver- and self-reported questionnaires and participants wore accelerometers for seven consecutive days, providing non-invasive physical activity and sleep pattern data. Youth with CP experienced substantial physiological symptoms and elevated anxiety and depression symptoms. Linear regression models determined that all physiological factors were predictive of caregiver-reported youth anxiety (R = 0.23) and youth depressive symptoms (R = 0.48). Fatigue, pain severity, sleep efficiency, and physical activity outcomes individually and cumulatively contributed to caregiver-reported youth anxiety and depression symptoms. These findings highlight the important role of physiological symptoms as potential risk factors and potential targets for intervention for mental health issues for in youth with CP.
PubMed: 38924954
DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2024.104783 -
Current Oncology (Toronto, Ont.) May 2024This study explored the interconnections between sociodemographic elements, depression, fatigue, and exercise in patients suffering from incurable neoplasm, particularly... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
This study explored the interconnections between sociodemographic elements, depression, fatigue, and exercise in patients suffering from incurable neoplasm, particularly emphasizing the mediating influence of exercise on the relationship between depression and fatigue This was a prospective, multicenter, observational study involving 15 hospitals across Spain. After three months of systemic cancer treatment, participants completed the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), the Godin-Shephard Leisure-Time Physical Activity Questionnaire (GSLTPAQ) and the Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS) to measure levels of depression, fatigue, and exercise, respectively. A total of 616 subjects participated in this study. Activity levels differed markedly according to educational attainment, marital, and work status. There was a negative correlation between physical activity and depression, and a positive correlation between depression and fatigue (β = -0.18, and β = 0.46, respectively). Additionally, physical activity inversely influenced fatigue levels (β = 0.21). Physical activity served as a partial intermediary in the link between depression and fatigue among patients with advanced, unresectable cancer. Healthcare providers are urged to consider both the physical and emotional dimensions of cancer treatment, implementing physical activity programs to enhance overall patient quality of life and mental health.
Topics: Humans; Fatigue; Neoplasms; Male; Depression; Female; Exercise; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Aged; Adult; Surveys and Questionnaires; Quality of Life; Spain
PubMed: 38920713
DOI: 10.3390/curroncol31060229 -
BMC Nursing Jun 2024The purpose of this study was to investigate fatigue, mental workload, and burnout among health care workers (HCWs) and explore the possible underlying factors.
OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study was to investigate fatigue, mental workload, and burnout among health care workers (HCWs) and explore the possible underlying factors.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
An online cross-sectional survey design was used to collect data from HCWs in Chongqing, China. The online survey included the Fatigue Severity Scale, NASA Task Load Index, and Chinese version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey to assess fatigue, mental workload, and burnout, respectively, and was conducted from February 1 to March 1, 2023.
RESULTS
In this study, the incidence of fatigue and burnout among HCWs was 76.40% and 89.14%, respectively, and the incidence of moderate to intolerable mental workloads was 90.26%. Work-family conflict, current symptoms, number of days of COVID-19 positivity, mental workload, burnout and reduced personal accomplishment were significantly associated with fatigue. Mental workload was affected by fatigue and reduced personal accomplishment. Furthermore, burnout was influenced by marital status and fatigue. Moreover, there was a correlation among mental workload, fatigue, and burnout.
CONCLUSIONS
Fatigue, mental workload and burnout had a high incidence and were influenced by multiple factors during COVID-19 public emergencies in China.
PubMed: 38918772
DOI: 10.1186/s12912-024-02070-0 -
PloS One 2024This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between metacognition and mood symptoms four years post-stroke and examined fatigue as a potential moderator for...
OBJECTIVE
This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between metacognition and mood symptoms four years post-stroke and examined fatigue as a potential moderator for this relationship.
METHODS
A number of 143 participants completed a survey that included the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Metacognition Questionnaire-30 (MCQ-30), the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), and the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) (functional status) four years after stroke. Multiple regression analyses adjusting for demographic and stroke-specific covariates were performed with anxiety and depression as dependent variables and fatigue as a moderator.
RESULTS
The proportions of participants satisfying the caseness criteria for anxiety and depression were 20% and 19%, respectively, and 35% reported severe fatigue. Analysed separately, all MCQ-30 subscales contributed significantly to anxiety, whereas only three MCQ-30 subscales contributed significantly to depression. In the adjusted analyses, the MCQ-30 subscales 'positive beliefs' (p < 0.05) and 'uncontrollability and danger' (p < 0.001), as well as fatigue (p < 0.001) and functional status at four years (p < 0.05) were significantly associated with anxiety symptoms. Similarly, the MCQ-30 subscales 'cognitive confidence' (p < 0.05) and 'self-consciousness' (p < 0.05), as well as fatigue (p < 0.001), stroke severity at baseline (p < 0.01), and functional status at four years (p < 0.01) were significantly associated with depression symptoms. Fatigue did not significantly moderate the relationship between any MCQ-30 subscale and HADS scores.
CONCLUSION
Maladaptive metacognitions were associated with the mood symptoms of anxiety and depression, independent of fatigue, even after controlling for demographic and stroke-specific factors. Future studies should implement longitudinal designs to determine whether metacognitions precede anxiety or depression after a stroke, and more strongly indicate the potential of metacognitive therapy for improving the mental health of individuals after a stroke.
Topics: Humans; Fatigue; Male; Female; Stroke; Middle Aged; Aged; Depression; Metacognition; Cross-Sectional Studies; Anxiety; Affect; Surveys and Questionnaires; Adult
PubMed: 38917133
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0305896 -
Graefe's Archive For Clinical and... Jun 2024The purpose of this study was to identify the possible association between mental status and the risk of self-reported asthenopia among college students in China.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to identify the possible association between mental status and the risk of self-reported asthenopia among college students in China.
METHODS
Ten thousand students were randomly assessed in the study using a self-reported asthenopia questionnaire. Their demographic characteristics and mental status were recorded. Univariate analysis was performed to preliminarily select potential risk and protective factors. Then, multivariate logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios for the selected risk factors of interest.
RESULTS
Among the 8370 students who completed the survey, the prevalence of asthenopia was 61.0%. Multivariate analysis revealed a significant relationship between asthenopia and depressive symptoms (OR 1.511 95% CI: 1.350-1.691), obsessive-compulsive symptoms (OR 1.477, 95% CI: 1.338-1.632), gender and study load. The place college students spent their off-hours (OR 0.841, 95% CI: 0.784-0.902) was found to be the strongest factor for decreasing the occurrence of asthenopia complaints.
CONCLUSION
Asthenopia appears common in Chinese college students. In addition to depressive symptoms, we should pay attention to obsessive-compulsive symptoms when considering means of preventing asthenopia. Harmonious social relationships, outdoor off-hour activities and exercising more than three times per week are crucial to relieving visual fatigue. Further study is still needed in this area.
PubMed: 38916723
DOI: 10.1007/s00417-024-06551-5 -
Quality of Life Research : An... Jun 2024This study aimed to produce a patient-centered understanding of mental health symptoms of people with the post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS).
OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to produce a patient-centered understanding of mental health symptoms of people with the post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS).
METHODS
A cross-sectional analysis of 414 participants in a longitudinal study was carried out involving people who self-identified as having symptoms of PCS. People were asked to name their most frequent and most bothersome mental health symptoms affected by PCS using the structure of the Patient Generated Index (PGI). The text threads from the PGI were grouped into topics using BERTopic analysis.
RESULTS
20 topics were identified from 818 text threads referring to PCS mental health symptoms. 35% of threads were identified as relating to anxiety, discussed in terms of five topics: generalized/social anxiety, fear/worry, post-traumatic stress, panic, and nervous. 29% of threads were identified as relating to low mood, represented by five topics: depression, discouragement, emotional distress, sadness, and loneliness. A cognitive domain (22% of threads) was covered by four topics referring to concentration, memory, brain fog, and mental fatigue. Topics related to frustration, anger, irritability. and mood swings (7%) were considered as one domain and there were separate topics related to motivation, insomnia, and isolation.
CONCLUSIONS
This novel method of digital transformation of unstructured text data uncovered different ways in which people think about classical mental health domains. This information could be used to evaluate whether existing measures cover the content identified by people with PCS, to initiate a clinical conversation, or to justify the development of a new measure of the mental health impact of PCS.
PubMed: 38916660
DOI: 10.1007/s11136-024-03719-8 -
The Journal of Sports Medicine and... Jul 2024This study investigated a stress management exercise program's effect on mental health, muscle pain, and autonomic nervous system activity in adults exposed to chronic...
BACKGROUND
This study investigated a stress management exercise program's effect on mental health, muscle pain, and autonomic nervous system activity in adults exposed to chronic stress.
METHODS
Thirty mothers between 40 to 59 years old raising children with disabilities were equally allocated into the yoga (YG) or control group (CG). The YG participated in 16 prop-assisted yoga sessions twice weekly for eight weeks, focusing on relaxing and strengthening neck, shoulder, back, and waist stress-related muscles. The Beck Depression Inventory, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Parenting Stress Scale, Stress Response Inventory, and Brief Resilience Scale assessed mental health variable changes. Visual Analog Scales (VAS) were used to self-report neck, shoulders, back, and waist pain and assess stress, anxiety, relaxation, and confidence. We also measured pain, psychological VAS, and Heart Rate Variability (HRV) immediately before and after each yoga session.
RESULTS
The YG exhibited significant reductions in muscle pain, depression, stress response, fatigue, and frustration, whereas the CG expressed no change. Prop-assisted yoga immediately improved pain and psychological VAS. HRV analyses revealed instantly reduced heart rates and an R-R interval and standard deviation normal to normal (SDNN) increase.
CONCLUSIONS
Prop-assisted yoga may serve as a viable, safe, and efficient alternative therapeutic modality for managing chronic stress-related conditions.
Topics: Humans; Female; Adult; Yoga; Stress, Psychological; Autonomic Nervous System; Middle Aged; Heart Rate; Mental Health; Depression; Exercise Therapy; Myalgia; Anxiety; Chronic Disease
PubMed: 38916094
DOI: 10.23736/S0022-4707.24.15407-2