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Alternative Therapies in Health and... May 2024Nurses working in the operating room face high levels of work stress, leading to an increased prevalence of negative emotions and job burnout. These issues not only...
OBJECTIVE
Nurses working in the operating room face high levels of work stress, leading to an increased prevalence of negative emotions and job burnout. These issues not only affect the well-being of nurses, but may also affect the quality of patient care. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of a special training method based on breathing meditation on negative emotions, job burnout, attention, and caring ability of operating room nurses.
METHODS
Taking special training time based on breathing meditation training for nurses in the operating room (June 2022) as the dividing point, operating room nurses with routine training from March 2022 to May 2022 were taken as a pre-training group, and operating room nurses who underwent special training of breathing meditation training from June 2022 to August 2022 were enrolled as a post-training group, special training consisted of breathing meditation training for 8 weeks, once a day, 5 days a week. The same group of nurses (n=35) were enrolled before and after training, and 53 patients in each group were included in the two intervention periods for cooperative study. The scores of nurses' negative emotions [Symptom Checklist (SCL-90), Self-Reporting Questionnaire 20 (SRQ-20)], job burnout scores (emotional consumption, depersonalization and personal accomplishment), attention scores (visual attention, auditory attention and audio-visual combination attention) and caring ability (cognition, courage and patience) before and after training and satisfaction of nursing work were compared between the two groups of patients.
RESULTS
The data analysis was performed using SPSS 22.0, with chi-squared tests for categorical data, and t-tests (LSD or paired) for continuous data. The scores of SCL-90 and SRQ-20 of nurses in the post-training group were significantly lower than those in the pre-training group (P < .05). The scores of emotional consumption, depersonalization and, personal accomplishment and total score of job burnout of nurses were significantly lower in a post-training group than those in a pre-training group (P < .05). The visual attention, auditory attention, audio-visual combination attention and total attention score of nurses in the post-training group were significantly higher compared with those in a pre-training group (P < .05). The scores of cognition, courage and patience and total score of the caring ability of nurses in the post-training group were significantly higher than those in the pre-training group (P < .05). The satisfaction of nursing work in post-training group (98.11%) was significantly higher than that in the pre-training group (84.91%) (P < .05). The results indicate that the post-training group of nurses experienced significantly lower levels of emotional distress, reduced job burnout, and improved attention and caring abilities compared to the pre-training group. Additionally, their satisfaction with nursing work significantly increased. These findings suggest that the training program had a positive impact on nurses' mental well-being, job performance, and job satisfaction, which is highly relevant for enhancing the quality of patient care in clinical practice.
CONCLUSION
Our findings are consistent with existing literature on the benefits of meditation and mindfulness training in healthcare Settings. These results have practical implications for both operating room nurses and patient care, indicating that breathing meditation training can be used as an effective tool to improve nurses' mental health and work productivity. Although the study sample was limited, these preliminary results provide valuable directions for future research.
PubMed: 38814605
DOI: No ID Found -
PloS One 2024Astronauts (and recently businessmen) often express a renewed sense of responsibility for taking care of the environment, after observing the overwhelming beauty of...
Astronauts (and recently businessmen) often express a renewed sense of responsibility for taking care of the environment, after observing the overwhelming beauty of Earth from space. Despite recent attention for this "overview effect", it is unclear whether experiencing the effect directly impacts pro-environmental behaviour. Using a virtual reality experience, the current research tests in two experimental studies the direct impact of an immersive overview effect experience on both short-term and longer term subsequent pro-environmental behaviours (donating to an environmental NGO, consuming less diary and meat). Furthermore, it investigates whether the technological immersiveness of the VR experience amplifies the effect, and the mediating role of connectedness to nature. Results show no effects of the short (7 minutes) overview effect VR video on pro-environmental behaviour (Study 1). For the longer video (15 minutes, Study 2), the results showed that the most immersive experience (video featuring meditative music and voice-over) appeared to increase connection with nature and higher donation amounts to an eco-NGO, but not significantly. No effects were found for subsequent meat and dairy consumption behaviours (measured on day 2, 4, and 6). These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the specific features determining the effectiveness of the overview effect experiences on actual pro-environmental behaviour, providing important insights to businesses and educational institutions.
Topics: Virtual Reality; Humans; Male; Adult; Female; Earth, Planet; Astronauts; Young Adult; Environment; Middle Aged
PubMed: 38809878
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0299883 -
Frontiers in Psychology 2024Amidst the ongoing global impact of COVID-19 on public health, there is an increasing focus on holistic strategies encompassing integrative therapies and rehabilitation...
INTRODUCTION
Amidst the ongoing global impact of COVID-19 on public health, there is an increasing focus on holistic strategies encompassing integrative therapies and rehabilitation techniques, particularly in addressing the challenges posed by Long-COVID-19. This review investigates the potential of Qigong, an ancient Chinese practice characterized by gentle movements, controlled breathing, and meditative elements, within the context of COVID-19.
METHODS
A systematic search of PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar was conducted to identify pertinent clinical studies.
RESULTS
Following thorough database scrutiny, nine studies were identified as meeting the eligibility criteria. Across the spectrum of COVID-19 severity, individuals engaging in qigong practice exhibited notable enhancements in both physical and psychological wellbeing, evidenced by ameliorated respiratory symptoms, reduced anxiety levels, enhanced sleep quality, bolstered mental wellbeing, and augmented health-related quality of life. Moreover, qigong training, whether employed independently or in conjunction with other therapies, demonstrated beneficial effects on Long-COVID-19 symptoms, encompassing persistent respiratory issues, dizziness, sleep disturbances, and compromised health-related quality of life.
DISCUSSION
This review underscores the necessity for further investigation to quantify and standardize the contribution of Qigong to COVID-19 recovery and rehabilitation. Such endeavors aim to integrate this accessible and low-impact practice into public health strategies and comprehensive treatment regimens.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
The review protocol was registered in the Open Science Framework under the following doi: 10.17605/OSF.IO/7K5X6 (URL: https://osf.io/7k5x6).
PubMed: 38807958
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1403130 -
Frontiers in Psychiatry 2024Athletes, due to frequent physical interactions in competitive sports, are prone to impulsive behavior. Impulsive behavior is a prevalent psychological factor in sports,...
INTRODUCTION
Athletes, due to frequent physical interactions in competitive sports, are prone to impulsive behavior. Impulsive behavior is a prevalent psychological factor in sports, often leading to performance-affecting errors. This cross-sectional survey investigated the relationship between mindfulness and athletes' impulsive behavior.
METHODS
We sampled 403 athletes from youth training centers, universities, sports academies, and clubs in China using convenience and snowball sampling. Using AMOS v23, we analyzed the data with a structural equation model.
RESULTS
Our structural equation model confirmed that mindfulness and self-regulation inversely correlate with impulsive behavior, while social evaluation anxiety positively correlates with impulsive behavior. Furthermore, self-regulation and social evaluation anxiety serve as intermediaries in the link between mindfulness and impulsive behavior.
DISCUSSIONS
This research suggests introducing mindfulness meditation practices in competitive settings to improve athletes' social evaluation anxiety and enhance their self-regulation abilities, thereby boosting their psychological health and curbing impulsive behavior.
PubMed: 38807692
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1404680 -
Heliyon May 2024Meditation has been integral to human culture for millennia, deeply rooted in various spiritual and contemplative traditions. While the field of contemplative science... (Review)
Review
Meditation has been integral to human culture for millennia, deeply rooted in various spiritual and contemplative traditions. While the field of contemplative science has made significant steps toward understanding the effects of meditation on health and well-being, there has been little study of advanced meditative states, including those achieved through intense concentration and absorption. We refer to these types of states as advanced concentrative absorption meditation (ACAM), characterized by absorption with the meditation object leading to states of heightened attention, clarity, energy, effortlessness, and bliss. This review focuses on a type of ACAM known as jhana (ACAM-J) due to its well-documented history, systematic practice approach, recurring phenomenological themes, and growing popularity among contemplative scientists and more generally in media and society. ACAM-J encompasses eight layers of deep concentration, awareness, and internal experiences. Here, we describe the phenomenology of ACAM-J and present evidence from phenomenological and neuroscientific studies that highlight their potential applications in contemplative practices, psychological sciences, and therapeutics. We additionally propose theoretical ACAM-J frameworks grounded in current cognitive neuroscientific understanding of meditation and ancient contemplative traditions. We aim to stimulate further research on ACAM more broadly, encompassing advanced meditation including meditative development and meditative endpoints. Studying advanced meditation including ACAM, and specific practices such as ACAM-J, can potentially revolutionize our understanding of consciousness and applications for mental health.
PubMed: 38803854
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31223 -
International Journal of Environmental... May 2024Adolescent and young adult (AYA) survivors of childhood cancer are increasingly recognized as a vulnerable group with unique emotional, social, and practical needs due...
BACKGROUND
Adolescent and young adult (AYA) survivors of childhood cancer are increasingly recognized as a vulnerable group with unique emotional, social, and practical needs due to the intersection of cancer survivorship and normal developmental processes. Mindfulness meditation has shown early efficacy in improving psychological distress among cancer patients. However, the overall scientific study of app-based mindfulness-based interventions is still in its early stages. The goal of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a commercially available mindfulness mobile app intervention "Ten Percent Happier" among AYA survivors of childhood cancer.
METHODS
We conducted a single-arm pilot intervention with 25 AYA survivors of childhood cancer ages 18-29 years.
RESULTS
A total of 108 potentially eligible individuals were initially identified for screening. Of the 45 individuals reached (contact rate = 41.67%), 20 declined to participate; 25 were enrolled in the study and completed the baseline survey (enrollment rate = 55.56%). Twenty-one participants completed the study (retention rate = 84%). Changes in several outcomes were promising, with medium to large effect sizes: Mindfulness ( = 0.74), Negative Emotion ( = 0.48), Perceived Stress ( = 0.52), and Mental Health ( = 0.45). Furthermore, results suggested that participants with consistent app usage showed greater improvement in reported outcomes than those who stopped their usage (e.g., Mindfulness: = 0.74, Perceived Stress: = 0.83, Mental Health: = 0.51; Meaning and Purpose: = 0.84; and Sleep Disturbance: = 0.81). Qualitative feedback indicated high satisfaction, but participants suggested adding group or individual peer support to improve their experience with the app.
CONCLUSIONS
AYA survivors can be difficult to reach, but a mindfulness app was feasible and acceptable to this group. In particular, the robust retention rate and high satisfaction ratings indicate that the meditation mobile app was well received. Preliminary results suggest positive changes in health-related quality of life outcomes, warranting a larger efficacy trial.
Topics: Humans; Adolescent; Mobile Applications; Young Adult; Male; Female; Cancer Survivors; Adult; Meditation; Mindfulness; Feasibility Studies; Neoplasms; Pilot Projects; Stress, Psychological
PubMed: 38791797
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21050584 -
Brain Sciences May 2024Lucid dreaming involves becoming aware that one's current experience is a dream, which has similarities with the notion of mindfulness-becoming aware of moment-to-moment...
Lucid dreaming involves becoming aware that one's current experience is a dream, which has similarities with the notion of mindfulness-becoming aware of moment-to-moment changes in experience. Additionally, meta-awareness, the ability to explicitly notice the current content of one's own mental state, has also been proposed to play an important role both in lucid dreaming and mindfulness meditation practices. However, research has shown conflicting strengths of associations between mindfulness, meditation, and lucid dreaming frequency, and the link between lucid dreaming and meta-awareness has not yet been empirically studied. This study evaluated the associations between lucid dreaming frequency and different meditation practice styles, mindfulness traits, and individual differences in meta-awareness through an online survey ( = 635). The results suggest that daily frequent meditators experience more lucid dreams than non-frequent meditators. However, weekly frequent meditators did not have a higher lucid dreaming frequency. A positive association was observed between open monitoring styles of meditation and lucid dreaming. The findings also indicate that meta-awareness is higher for meditators and weekly lucid dreamers. Furthermore, frequent lucid dreaming was commonly associated with a non-reactive stance and experiencing transcendence. Overall, the findings suggest a positive relationship between specific meditation practices and lucid dreaming as well as the importance of meta-awareness as a cognitive process linking meditation, mindfulness, and lucid dreaming.
PubMed: 38790474
DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14050496 -
JMIR Research Protocols May 2024Globally, approximately 1 in 3 women experience intimate partner violence (IPV) in their lifetime. Brain injury (BI) is a common, yet often unrecognized, consequence of...
Investigating the Efficacy of a Community Support Network Rehabilitation Intervention for Improving Resiliency, Quality of Life, and Neurocognitive Function in Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence-Caused Brain Injury: Protocol for a Feasibility Study.
BACKGROUND
Globally, approximately 1 in 3 women experience intimate partner violence (IPV) in their lifetime. Brain injury (BI) is a common, yet often unrecognized, consequence of IPV. BIs caused by IPV tend to be mild, occur repetitively over the course of months or years, are remote in time, and result in chronic symptoms. Similar to BI from other causes, therapeutic treatment for women with IPV-caused BI (IPV-BI) is crucial to help resolve any physical or cognitive impairments, enhance the quality of life (QoL), and minimize longer-term neurodegeneration.
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to investigate the feasibility and efficacy of a community support network (CSN) rehabilitation intervention regarding its impact on resiliency, QoL, and neurocognitive function.
METHODS
In this pre- and postexperimental design, women (aged 18 to 50 years) who are survivors of IPV and IPV-BI will be recruited from various community organizations serving survivors of IPV. Exclusion criteria will include current pregnancy and any diagnosed neurological disorder known to affect cerebrovascular, neurocognitive, or sensorimotor function. A CSN rehabilitation intervention that includes aerobic exercise, cognitive training, mindfulness meditation, and counseling will be administered. A trauma-informed approach will be integrated into the design and implementation of the program. Furthermore, the program will include a participant navigator who will provide trauma- and violence-informed advocacy and systems navigation support to participants, in addition to facilitating a monthly peer support group. The intervention will be provided for 2.5 hours a day and 2 days a week for 3 months. Participants will complete psychological assessments and provide clinic-demographic information in the first assessment. In the second (before intervention), third (after intervention), and fourth (at follow-up) sessions, they will complete tests of resiliency, QoL, and neurocognition. The estimated sample size is 100. The objective of this study will be accomplished by quantitatively measuring resiliency, QoL, and neurocognition before and immediately after the intervention. A follow-up assessment will occur 3 months after the completion of the intervention to evaluate the maintenance of any improvements in function. One-way ANOVAs will be used to evaluate the intervention outcome across the testing times. Relationships among various variables will be explored using regression analysis.
RESULTS
We anticipate that the CSN rehabilitation intervention will be effective in improving resiliency, QoL, and neurocognitive function in women who have experienced IPV-BI. Furthermore, we anticipate that this intervention will be feasible in terms of study recruitment, adherence, and retention.
CONCLUSIONS
The CSN rehabilitation intervention will have a positive impact on resiliency, QoL, and neurocognitive functions in survivors of IPV-BI. Subsequently, a comparative study will be conducted by recruiting a control group receiving usual care.
INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID)
PRR1-10.2196/54605.
Topics: Humans; Quality of Life; Female; Adult; Feasibility Studies; Intimate Partner Violence; Middle Aged; Resilience, Psychological; Brain Injuries; Young Adult; Adolescent; Survivors; Community Networks; Cognition
PubMed: 38788207
DOI: 10.2196/54605 -
Postepy Dermatologii I Alergologii Apr 2024Psoriasis has a clear and strong connection with smoking in both its pathogenesis and clinical course. Smoking can cause a serious worsening of both the disease itself... (Review)
Review
Psoriasis has a clear and strong connection with smoking in both its pathogenesis and clinical course. Smoking can cause a serious worsening of both the disease itself and the systemic complications such as cardiovascular events, psoriatic arthritis (PsA), cancer and depression. Smoking also seems to alter the gut microbiota and thus promote psoriasis itself. The aim of our article is to review all the most interesting discoveries on its role and thus provide a good picture of the current state of knowledge. Furthermore, we provide some alternative and healthier coping mechanisms for stress and depression related to the disease such as exercise, meditation, balneotherapy and acupuncture.
PubMed: 38784922
DOI: 10.5114/ada.2023.133582 -
Frontiers in Medicine 2024The use of Complementary and Integrative Medicine (CIM) is very popular among the general population in Germany. However, international studies show that nurses,...
INTRODUCTION
The use of Complementary and Integrative Medicine (CIM) is very popular among the general population in Germany. However, international studies show that nurses, physicians, and other health care professionals (HCPs) at hospitals often do not feel sufficiently informed about different CIM approaches. Moreover, they do not feel trained enough to counsel their patients appropriately. In the German-speaking context, particularly within university hospitals, research on this subject is scarce. Therefore, the aim of this explorative study was to evaluate attitudes, subjective knowledge, and needs regarding CIM among HCPs with direct patient interaction across all four university hospitals in the federal state of Baden-Württemberg, Germany (Tübingen, Ulm, Freiburg, Heidelberg).
METHODS
The multicenter, cross-sectional, anonymous full survey was conducted online using a self-developed, semi-structured, web-based questionnaire. Recruitment took place via all-inclusive e-mail distribution lists of all four university hospitals.
RESULTS
A total of = 2,026 participants (response rate varied by location from about 5 to 14%) fully answered the questionnaire. Nurses constituted the largest professional group ( = 1,196; 59%), followed by physicians ( = 567; 28%), physiotherapists ( = 54), psychologists ( = 48), midwives ( = 37), and other professions ( = 124). More than two-thirds (71%, = 1,437) of the participants were female and 14% ( = 286) reported additional training in CIM. The overall attitude toward CIM (10-point Likert scale, 10 = "very favorable") was clearly positive ( ± : 7.43 ± 2.33), with notable differences between professional groups: midwives (9.05 ± 1.18), physiotherapists (8.44 ± 1.74), and nurses (8.08 ± 1.95) expressed the highest support, whereas physicians (5.80 ± 2.39) the lowest. 42% of the participants incorporated CIM in patient care (from 33% of physicians to 86% of midwives). Overall, relaxation therapy ( = 1,951; 96%), external applications ( = 1,911; 94%), massage ( = 1,836; 91%), and meditation/mindfulness ( = 1,812; 89%) were rated as useful or rather useful for patients. The average self-assessed knowledge level about CIM was moderate (M ± SD: 5.83 ± 2.03). Most of the participants found CIM training at university hospitals important and saw research about CIM as one of the tasks of university hospitals. The participants expressed the highest interest in education for acupuncture/acupressure, relaxation therapies, and manual medicine.
DISCUSSION
This comprehensive survey of health care professionals (HCPs) at university hospitals in Germany reveals a clearly positive disposition toward CIM, aligning with findings from other hospital-based surveys and highlighting differences among professional groups. While most therapies deemed beneficial for patient care are supported by positive evidence, further research is required for others. Given the average self-reported knowledge of CIM, targeted education is essential to meet the needs of both HCPs and patients and to ensure the provision of evidence-based information on the risks and benefits of CIM.
PubMed: 38784234
DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1408653