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World statistics for the prevalence of anxiety and mood disorders shows that a great number of individuals will experience some type of anxiety or mood disorder at some point in their lifetime. Mind-body interventions such asIn this investigation, we aimed at observing the impact ofSixty college professors, men and women, aged between 30 and 55 years were randomly allocated in one of the three experimental groups:Data analysis showed that the relaxation group presented better intragroup results in the anxiety levels. Meditation group presented better intragroup results only in the anxiety variable (physical component). Intergroup analysis showed that, except for the depression levels, both intervention groups presented better results than the control group in all other variables.Prepost results indicate that both interventions represent an effective therapeutic approach in reducing anxiety and stress levels. However, there was a tendency toward a greater effectiveness of the

Yoga is an ancient mind-body practice originated in India more than 2.000 years ago and is described systematically early on. The research on the psychophysiological benefits of yoga in children has been found to improve concentration, attention, memory, resilience, mood, self-control, academic performance, psychomotor and cardiac functions, as well as metabolic parameters. Consequently, yoga seems to help children with attention problems such as ADHD, and with special needs or during physical rehabilitation. Therefore, yoga might represent an important life skill tool for all children to deal with health issues, cognitive challenges and emotinal self-regulation. In this chapter, the supporting evidence of yoga for children will be discussed, as well as the effectiveness of frequency, duration and the issue of age appropriateness. Among many reasons, but specially due to their brain maturity, children's yoga is not a version of yoga for adults, it is a unique practice where children should allow to have fun while they experience the well known health benefits of yoga.

Background: World statistics for the prevalence of anxiety and mood disorders shows that a great number of individuals will experience some type of anxiety or mood disorder at some point in their lifetime. Mind–body interventions such as Hatha Yoga and seated meditation have been used as a form of self-help therapy and it is especially useful for challenging occupations such as teachers and professors. Aims: In this investigation, we aimed at observing the impact of Yoga Nidra and seated meditation on the anxiety and depression levels of college professors. Materials and Methods: Sixty college professors, men and women, aged between 30 and 55 years were randomly allocated in one of the three experimental groups: Yoga Nidra, seated meditation, and control group. Professors were evaluated two times throughout the 3-month study period. Psychological variables included anxiety, stress, and depression. Results: Data analysis showed that the relaxation group presented better intragroup results in the anxiety levels. Meditation group presented better intragroup results only in the anxiety variable (physical component). Intergroup analysis showed that, except for the depression levels, both intervention groups presented better results than the control group in all other variables. Conclusions: Prepost results indicate that both interventions represent an effective therapeutic approach in reducing anxiety and stress levels. However, there was a tendency toward a greater effectiveness of the Yoga Nidra intervention regarding anxiety, which might represent an effective tool in reducing both cognitive and physiological symptoms of anxiety.

The aim of this study is analyze possible modifications in the cerebral cortex, through quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG) in patients submitted to a tendon transfer procedure (posterior tibialis) by the Srinivasan's technique. Four subjects (2 men and 2 women), 49.25 age average (SD±21.4) were studied. All subjects have been through surgical procedure due to leprosy and had, at least, two years of drop foot condition. The qEEG measured the electrocortical activity (relative power) between 8 and 25 Hz frequencies pre and post surgery. A paired t test analyzed all data (p

The aim of the present study was to evaluate coherence measures at Theta through qEEG during the accomplishment of a specific motor task. The sample consisted of 23 healthy individuals, both sexes, with ages varying between 25 and 40 years old. All subjects were submmitted to a specific motor task of cacthing sequences of falling balls. A three-way ANOVA was employed for the statistical analysis, which demonstrated main effects for the following factors: time, block and position. However, there was no interection between the factors. A significant and generalized coherence reduction was observed during the task execution time. Coherence was also diminished at the left frontal cortex and contralateral hemisphere of the utilizing limb (comparing to the right frontal cortex). In conclusion, these findings suggest a certain specialization of the neural circuit, also according to previous investigations. The inter-coherence reduction suggests a spatial inter-electrode dependence during the task, rather than a neuronal specialization.O objetivo do presente experimento foi avaliar medidas de coerência na banda Teta através do EEGq durante a realização de uma atividade motora. A amostra constituiu-se de 23 sujeitos saudáveis, ambos os sexos, faixa etária entre 25 e 40 anos. Os sujeitos foram submetidos à tarefa motora de apreensão seqüencial de bolas em queda livre. Para análise estatística foi realizada uma ANOVA (Three-Way) que demonstrou efeito principal para os fatores: momento, tempo e posição. Porém não houve interação entre os fatores. Uma diminuição generalizada significativa da coerência ocorreu ao longo do tempo de execução da tarefa que também se apresentou reduzida no córtex frontal esquerdo, hemisfério contralateral ao membro utilizado (em comparação com o córtex frontal direito). Em conclusão, estes achados sugerem especialização do circuito neural que estão em consonância com experimentos prévios. A diminuição da coerência inter-hemisférica sugere uma dependência espacial inter-eletrodos durante a tarefa e não uma especialização neuronal.

Introdução: Devido aos seus conhecidos efeitos no corpo e mente, o yoga tem sido alvo de investigações cientificas há décadas. A maioria dos estudos relacionados evidencia a efetividade destas técnicas no tratamento de transtornos mentais como ansiedade, pânico e depressão. O yoga tem sido considerado um método preventivo e seguro, capaz de representar grande economia para a saúde pública do país. Objetivos: o objetivo primário deste estudo foi observar a eficácia de técnicas de yoga no tratamento dos sintomas relacionados ao transtorno de pânico. Método: foram selecionados 17 sujeitos diagnosticados previamente com transtorno de pânico. Os sujeitos foram divididos em dois grupos experimentais: o grupo 1 participou de sessões de terapia cognitivo-comportamental (TCC) e o grupo 2 participou de práticas de yoga. Os sujeitos foram avaliados duas vezes durante a pesquisa, no início e no final do tratamento, que durou dois meses. Os participantes foram avaliados através das seguintes escalas: Beck de Depressão e Beck de Ansiedade, Escala para Pânico e Agorafobia, Questionário de Crenças de Pânico, Escala de Sensações Corporais, Escala de Cognições Agorafóbicas, Inventário de Mobilidade, SWB-PANAS, SF-36 – Questionário de Qualidade de Vida e Escala Brasileira de Assertividade. Resultados: após análise estatística, os resultados mostraram significativa redução nos níveis de ansiedade, sensações corporais associadas ao pânico, número e intensidade dos ataques de pânico e melhora na qualidade de vida apenas dos sujeitos que freqüentaram as sessões de yoga terapia (grupo 2). Conclusão: Em acordo com os estudos atuais da literatura, a presente investigação observou melhora significativa dos sintomas relacionados ao pânico em pacientes que praticaram yoga. Conclui-se que esta prática milenar pode representar uma eficaz metodologia de tratamento dos transtornos de ansiedade, podendo ser utilizada sozinha ou incorporada à psicoterapia tradicional, trazendo benefícios emocionais, psicológicos e comportamentais para os pacientes.

Over the last years, studies have shown that a great number of individuals will experience some kind of anxiety disorder on a continuing or recurring basis. Complementary therapies such as yoga have been proved to significantly reduce anxiety symptoms. Therefore, the goal of this study was to discuss the use of yoga as an intervention for treating anxiety disorders based on findings from major controlled studies. This analysis has concluded that yoga seems to be a consistent, cost-effective and successful health care intervention in the treatment of anxiety disorders. However, this is a new field of research and further investigations combining psychological and physiological variables are necessary to establish yoga as a main or complementary protocol in the treatment of anxiety. Camila Ferreira Vorkapic 1 Bernard Range 2 Artigos / Articles 1 Doutoranda Rio de Janeiro RJ Brasil. 2 Doutor (Professor do Instituto de Psicologia da UFRJ). Divisao de Psicologia Aplicada Instituto de Psicologia Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro.

The aim of this study was to verify changes in absolute power (qEEG), in theta, during the catch of a free falling object. The sample consisted of 10 healthy individuals, of both genders, with ages between 25 and 40 years. A three-way ANOVA followed by Post-Hoc analysis was applied. The results demonstrated main effects for time and position. In conclusion, a motor task that involves expectation produces deactivation of non-relevant areas in the ipsilateral hemisphere of the active limb. On the other hand, the patterns of results showed activation in areas responsible for planning and selection of motor repertories in the contralateral hemisphere. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar mudanças na potência absoluta (EEGq), em teta, durante a pegada de objeto em queda livre. A amostra consistiu de 20 indivíduos saudáveis, de ambos os gêneros, com idade entre 25 e 40 anos. Foi utilizada uma ANOVA three-way seguida de uma análise Post-Hoc. Os resultados demonstraram efeito principal para momento e posição. Concluindo, uma tarefa motora que envolve expectativa produz desativação de áreas não-relevantes no hemisfério ipsilateral do membro ativo. Por outro lado, o padrão dos resultados mostrou ativação em áreas responsáveis por planejamento e seleção de repertórios motores no hemisfério contralateral.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate coherence measures at Theta through qEEG during the accomplishment of a specific motor task. The sample consisted of 23 healthy individuals, both sexes, with ages varying between 25 and 40 years old. All subjects were submmitted to a specific motor task of cacthing sequences of falling balls. A three-way ANOVA was employed for the statistical analysis, which demonstrated main effects for the following factors: time, block and position. However, there was no interection between the factors. A significant and generalized coherence reduction was observed during the task execution time. Coherence was also diminished at the left frontal cortex and contralateral hemisphere of the utilizing limb (comparing to the right frontal cortex). In conclusion, these findings suggest a certain specialization of the neural circuit, also according to previous investigations. The inter-coherence reduction suggests a spatial inter-electrode dependence during the task, rather than a neuronal specialization. O objetivo do presente experimento foi avaliar medidas de coerência na banda Teta através do EEGq durante a realização de uma atividade motora. A amostra constituiu-se de 23 sujeitos saudáveis, ambos os sexos, faixa etária entre 25 e 40 anos. Os sujeitos foram submetidos à tarefa motora de apreensão seqüencial de bolas em queda livre. Para análise estatística foi realizada uma ANOVA (Three-Way) que demonstrou efeito principal para os fatores: momento, tempo e posição. Porém não houve interação entre os fatores. Uma diminuição generalizada significativa da coerência ocorreu ao longo do tempo de execução da tarefa que também se apresentou reduzida no córtex frontal esquerdo, hemisfério contralateral ao membro utilizado (em comparação com o córtex frontal direito). Em conclusão, estes achados sugerem especialização do circuito neural que estão em consonância com experimentos prévios. A diminuição da coerência inter-hemisférica sugere uma dependência espacial inter-eletrodos durante a tarefa e não uma especialização neuronal.