Search

Mindfulness witnessed a substantial popularity surge in the past decade, especially as digitally self-administered interventions became available at relatively low costs. Yet, it is uncertain whether they effectively help reduce stress. In a preregistered (OSF https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/UF4JZ ; retrospective registration at ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06308744 ) multi-site study (nsites = 37, nparticipants = 2,239, 70.4% women, Mage = 22.4, s.d.age = 10.1, all fluent English speakers), we experimentally tested whether four single, standalone mindfulness exercises effectively reduced stress, using Bayesian mixed-effects models. All exercises proved to be more efficacious than the active control. We observed a mean difference of 0.27 (d = -0.56; 95% confidence interval, -0.43 to -0.69) between the control condition (M = 1.95, s.d. = 0.50) and the condition with the largest stress reduction (body scan: M = 1.68, s.d. = 0.46). Our findings suggest that mindfulness may be beneficial for reducing self-reported short-term stress for English speakers from higher-income countries.

Neurofeedback has begun to attract the attention and scrutiny of the scientific and medical mainstream. Here, neurofeedback researchers present a consensus-derived checklist that aims to improve the reporting and experimental design standards in the field.

Neurofeedback has begun to attract the attention and scrutiny of the scientific and medical mainstream. Here, neurofeedback researchers present a consensus-derived checklist that aims to improve the reporting and experimental design standards in the field.

In an EEG-based near real-time neurofeedback (NF) study in two parts using high immersive virtual reality (VR) we successfully trained healthy participants to downregulate their parietal alpha power, a neurophysiological correlate previously associated with enhanced sense of presence. The first part included n = 10 participants equipped with 128 and 64 channels gel-based active EEG electrodes in 10 sessions using standard bar feedback presented on a computer monitor. Nine participants were better than random at the 10th session and four improved over time. For the second part we reduced the electrode subset to 9 sponge-based active channels (2 frontal, 7 parietal around Pz) and a portable amplifier. Participants (n = 10) were trained each session within VR using bar feedback projected on a wall in the first 5 sessions and then controlling the flow of a water fountain. Participants were able to significantly downregulate their parietal alpha power after 5 sessions and learning occurred at the group level, with 7 participants showing both improvement over time and ability to modulate. However, these results were only shown during the fountain feedback and both ability and learning were non-significant in the VR projector condition. Based on self-reports, after excluding participants performing movements and closing their eyes, no particular mental strategy, such as relaxation, breathing or mental calculus was identified to help with alpha modulation. The hypothesized behavioral effect on sense of presence was not found nor any neurophysiological changes in fronto-parietal connectivity. While NF did not improve the sense of presence, we succeeded in adapting real-time NF training for high immersive VR technology via seamlessly embedded feedback in the form of a water fountain. The study showcases that NF is possible with sponge electrodes and portable EEG that would prove convenient in end-user (at home) or clinical setup. The dataset is publicly available on Openneuro.org. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Insomnia disorder in childhood and adolescence has severe implications on overall well-being and development. Age-specific treatments for insomnia disorder with cognitive behavioral interventions (CBT-I) are available and effective. Nightmare disorder also has severe consequences in children and adolescents. However, less is known about children with insomnia (I) and comorbid nightmare disorder (I + N). Methods: In this retrospective study, data from 499 children and adolescents with insomnia disorder were included. The prevalence of a comorbid nightmare disorder (I + N) was calculated within three subsamples (toddlers and preschoolers 0.5–4 years, elementary school children 5–10 years, and adolescents 11–18 years). Differences between children with insomnia (I) and those with additional nightmare disorder (I + N) regarding age, sex, family background, sleep quality (SOL, WASO, TST, and SE) based on sleep logs, behavior sleep problems (based on interviews), and behavioral problems (CBCL and YSR) were calculated within each age group. Results: The overall prevalence of additional nightmares or nightmare disorder in children or adolescents with insomnia was 15–24%. We found various clinically relevant differences between I and I + N for each age group; for example, there were more sleep onset association problems in I + N elementary school children, prolonged SOL of 56 min, and about 50 min less TST and SE of 76.8% in I + N adolescents. However, most statistical tests were not significant. Especially sleep parameters but also emotional burden were more pronounced in I + N groups than in the I groups. Toddlers and preschoolers with I + N were significantly older than those with only I, had another family situation (e.g., divorced parents) significantly more often, and I + N adolescents were statistically more often anxious and depressed. Discussion: Descriptively, I + N children and adolescents seemed to be more impaired than those with insomnia only. However, a comorbid nightmare disorder cannot be recognized by insomnia-specific sleep parameters. Therefore, diagnostic procedures for insomnia should always screen for nightmares but also other sleep disorders. If necessary, CBT-I should be supplemented with nightmare-specific interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: In severe cases of systemic sclerosis (SSc), autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (aHSCT) is superior compared to cyclophosphamide. But treatment related morbidity and mortality have to be considered. To date, data on major physical and psychological impacts of aHSCT are scarce. Therefore, subjectively experienced physical and psychological impact of aHSCT and exploration of internal and external factors helping to cope with aHSCT was assessed. Methods: Retrospective assessment of physical and psychological variables in an SSc cohort after aHSCT to describe: Health-related quality of life (HRQL), SSc-associated impairment, coping strategies, body image, and resilience. Additionally, semi-structured interviews were conducted and analyzed via mixed methods qualitative content analysis. Results: Thirty-two patients were included. HRQL correlated with impairment due to SSc and with depressive coping. An unfavorable body image correlated with reduced HRQL and increased impairment but improves after aHSCT. Patients with good resilience had a better HRQL, less depressive coping, and less SSc-associated impairment. The semi-structured interviews revealed that resilience is important for a successful disease management as patients with higher resilience were more satisfied with aHSCT, patients with lower resilience would have wished for more psychological support. Thirty-one patients would recommend aHSCT to other patients. Conclusion: A transient negative impact of aHSCT on mental well-being is present but can be relieved by a team specialized to aHSCT. Psychological support seems to be an unmet need, particularly in patients with low resilience. Patients with higher resilience described a lower negative impact caused by aHSCT and higher satisfaction after therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Method Results Conclusion Animal‐assisted psychotherapy is an emerging field with great potential and growing popularity. However, empirical research on its effectiveness is insufficient, and consistent evidence about patients' commitment is missing. The present meta‐analysis addresses this gap by systematically comparing drop‐out rates in animal‐assisted psychotherapy and by relating the resulting across study drop‐out rate to across study drop‐out rates reported in meta‐analyses on conventional psychotherapy.Fifty‐seven studies published until August 2022 were identified as eligible for meta‐analytic comparison, that is, they conducted animal‐assisted psychotherapy on at least one group of psychiatric patients and reported drop‐out rates. Potential moderating influences of the type of animal and patients' disorder were considered, as well as multiple other demographic and study design variables.The across study drop‐out rate in animal‐assisted psychotherapy was 11.2%. This was significantly lower than the across meta‐analyses drop‐out rate of conventional psychotherapy (d = −.45, p = .0005). Although effects of moderator variables could not be evaluated statistically due to too small and heterogeneous data sets, descriptive results suggest influences of the type of animal and patient disorder. However, study quality ratings identified serious shortcomings regarding proper research design, most critically concerning the report of effect size measures, the use of standardized intervention plans and Open Science practices.Drop‐out constitutes a major problem of psychotherapeutic research and practice. By proposing that the inclusion of an animal in the psychotherapeutic setting can enhance patients' commitment and by outlining challenges and opportunity of animal‐assisted psychotherapy, this meta‐analysis offers a starting point for future research in this evolving field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The Avoidance-Endurance Model postulates fear-avoidance responses and endurance responses as important psychological mechanisms in the development and maintenance of chronic pain. The present study aims to investigate potential differences in avoidance and endurance responses to pain before and with advanced chronification. Patients and Methods: Two samples of adults with non-cancer pain at two different stages of chronicity were compared: One with pain and risk factors for chronicity (n=26, part of the PAIN2020 project) and one with chronic pain (n=33 from a pain day care clinic). The German Pain Questionnaire, the Graded Chronic Pain Scale (GCPS) and medical reports were used to measure duration and severity of pain. Responses to pain were assessed with the Avoidance-Endurance Questionnaire (AEQ) and psychological strain with the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS). Results: Both groups were primarily affected by musculoskeletal pain. Although not yet chronified, the risk group reported comparable GCPS levels of pain intensity and disability. Depression and stress ratings were also similar, except for anxiety, which was significantly elevated in the chronic pain sample (p<.001). The AEQ scales did not differ between groups, neither on any of the fear-avoidance- nor endurance-related dimensions. A post-hoc regression analysis revealed a significant prediction of fear-avoidance by pain-related disability (p<.001). The regression model for endurance responses was not significant. Conclusion: Patients with risk factors of chronification experience substantial pain-related burden. Responses to pain in the realm of the Avoidance-Endurance model do not appear to vary as a function of chronification. While fear-avoidance and pain-related disability correlate positively, endurance could not be associated to any of our variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]