State Anxiety Research Articles

Online occupational therapy group training for mothers of children with feeding problems: A randomized controlled trial.

The aim of this study was to scrutinize how online occupational therapy group training for mothers influenced their attitudes and stress levels relating to feeding their children and the eating behaviours of the children. The secondary purpose of the study is to evaluate the satisfaction of the participants of this program. Twenty-nine mothers of children aged 3-6 years, experiencing feeding issues, were randomly allocated to either an intervention or control group. Feeding problems including selective eating, loss of appetite, and mealtime behaviour problems are prevalent during childhood. Parents play a fundamental role in acquiring knowledge about feeding. Problems in the feeding process may lead to parental stress, feelings of despair, and incorrect attitudes. The mothers in the research group participated in the 4-week training. Results indicated positive effects on both maternal attitudes and their children's eating behaviours (p < 0.05). No significant change was found in mothers' state and trait anxiety levels (p > 0.05). Participants were asked to score their satisfaction level with the program between 1 and 10, and the average of the scores was 9.78 ± 0.42. This study shows that online group education for mothers can support existing treatments and guide clinicians working with children with feeding problems.

Screening for Anxiety, Depression and Panic in older adults in a Family Medicine Unit in Sinaloa, Mexico

Introduction: The most prevalent mental disorders in Primary Care are Anxiety, Depression and Panic. These are one of the main causes of health demand in hospital stay services. Objective: to determine the frequency of mental disorders in older adults at the Family Medicine Unit No. 35, Culiacán, Sinaloa, México in the period from March to November 2024. Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study. Older adults aged 60 to 75 years without a diagnosis of any mental disorder or syndrome were included. Sample of 379 participants. Simple random probabilistic sampling. A socio-demographic data sheet and the PHQ-4 + PHQ-TP scale were used. Descriptive and inferential statistics (Chi square) p ≤0,05 were used, it adhered to ethical and legal criteria. Results: The average age was 65,59 years. 53,3 % were men, 52 % were married, 50,7 % were currently working, 35,1 % had primary education and 76 % lived in urban areas. 34 % had anxiety, 28,2 % depression and 30,6 % panic. A significant relationship was found between anxiety and marital status (χ²=5,814, p=0,05) and schooling (χ²=12,845, p=0,00). Depression was related to schooling (χ²=18,479, p=0,00) and current job (χ²=8,528, p=0,003). Panic was related to sex (χ²=17,688, p=0,00), marital status (χ²=10,935, p=0,004), current job (χ²=6,273, p=0,001) and education (χ²=13,092, p=0,004). Conclusions: Anxiety was the most common mental disorder among older adults, highlighting the need to promote accessible and effective mental health programs that address the particular needs of this age group.

Social determinants of health on attitudes toward childbearing among women with multiple sclerosis: A cross-sectional study.

Pregnancy and motherhood are very valuable but challenging for women with multiple sclerosis (MS). Given that there are limited studies in this field, this study aimed to determine the social determinants of health on attitudes toward childbearing among women with MS. We conducted a cross-sectional study on 206 women with MS in Alborz province, Iran, from February to June 2023 using convenience sampling. The data were collected using the questionnaire, and a linear regression analysis was applied. The mean age of the participants was 36.80±6.50 years. Participants' Attitudes toward Fertility and Childbearing (PAFC) had a positive significant association with social support (B=.10, SE=.04, p=.023) and a significant negative association with the total score of depression, anxiety, and stress scale (B=-.13, SE=.06, p=.047) and depression (B=-.40, SE=.18, p=.023). However, the association between anxiety (B=-.25, SE=.20, p=.211), stress (B=-.36, SE=.18, p=.050), MS severity (B=.04, SE=.30, p=.890), and socioeconomic status scale (SES) (B=-.08, SE=.32, p=.806) was nonsignificant with PAFC. Our results showed that factors, including social support and mental health especially depression, can affect PAFC in women with MS. Therefore, it is necessary to determine specific strategies for policymakers to help MS patients manage pregnancy and motherhood.

Impact of Cognitive and Psychological Functions in Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis: A Cross-Sectional Study.

To compare the cognitive functions and trait anxiety in patients diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) to those of matched healthy controls (HCs). In addition, the study aims to investigate the correlations among cognitive functions, anxiety, depression, and quality of life (QOL) in this clinical population. The sample included RRMS patients ( n = 21) and an equal number of age-, education-, and sex-matched HCs. Participants were assessed on the Indian version of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-IV, auditory and visual learning and memory, and visual-spatial construction and memory. RRMS patients were also assessed for levels of anxiety, depression, and their QOL. Comparative analyses between RRMS patients and HCs were carried out for neuropsychological assessments. Correlations among cognitive functions, anxiety, depression, and QOL in RRMS patients were examined. RRMS patients showed significant deficits across various cognitive domains, including processing speed and verbal learning, compared to HCs ( P < 0.05). In addition, they reported higher levels of trait anxiety compared to HCs ( P < 0.01), along with moderate state anxiety and mild depression. A significant correlation among anxiety, depression, and QOL was observed in RRMS patients. This study highlights significant cognitive impairments and psychological distress experienced by RRMS individuals, underscoring the critical need for comprehensive care addressing both cognitive impairments and psychological distress to enhance QOL.

Effects of Passiflora incarnata and Valeriana officinalis in the control of anxiety due to tooth extraction: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

This study evaluated the efficacy of Valeriana officinalis L. and Passiflora incarnata L. to control anxiety, surgical discomfort, and changes in vital signs of patients undergoing extraction of two unilateral third molars. This study is a randomized, triple-blinded clinical trial. Fifty-four patients were allocated into three groups (Valeriana officinalis L., Passiflora incarnata L., and placebo). Anxiety levels were assessed using the State-Trace Anxiety Inventory (STAI) index, surgical discomfort using the QCirDental, and through the measurement of vital signs. The surgical times evaluated were before (T0), during (T1), and after surgery (T2). There was evidence that both Valeriana officinalis L. and Passiflora incarnata L., reduced STAY-S scores between T0 and T2 (p < .05), unlike placebo (p = .129). There was no change in surgical discomfort in all groups over time, and vital signs presented variable results. Phytotherapy drugs showed a reduction in anxiety state compared to the placebo group during third molar extraction procedure. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: klRBR-6kcxvrc, March 10, 2022.

Mediating Effect of State Anxiety and Interpersonal Relationship on the Relationship between Self-forgiveness and Happiness in Nursing Students

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the mediating effects of state anxiety and interpersonal relationship on the relationship between self-forgiveness and happiness of nursing students.Methods: This study used The Korean version of the State Self-forgiveness Scale, State Anxiety Inventory, Relationship Change Scale, and The Oxford Happiness Questionnaire. The data was analyzed by using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, t-test, one-way ANOVA, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Baron and Kenny’s method was used to analyze mediating effect between self-forgiveness and happiness.Results: Self-forgiveness, happiness, state anxiety, and interpersonal relationship had correlation with each other. There were the mediating effects of state anxiety and interpersonal relationship on the relationship between self-forgiveness and happiness of respondents.Conclusions: The result showed the mediating effects of state anxiety and interpersonal relationship on the relationship between self-forgiveness and happiness of nursing students. To increase happiness, it is necessary to apply curriculum to reduce state anxiety and improve interpersonal relationship.

Effectiveness of a cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)-based intervention for reducing anxiety among adolescents in the Colombo District, Sri Lanka: cluster randomized controlled trial

Anxiety disorders are found to be the most prevalent psychological problems among children and adolescents. Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) was found to be effective at reducing anxiety. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a universal school-based intervention for reducing anxiety among Grade 9 schoolchildren. A randomized controlled cluster trial was conducted by randomly assigning 36 schools in the Colombo district in Sri Lanka into study and control arms, each comprising 18 schools with 360 students. The levels of anxiety, self-esteem and depression status were assessed using the validated Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders (SCARED) tool and the Rosenberg self-esteem scale, respectively, and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale 21 (DASS-21) at baseline, after intervention, and after 3 months. A CBT-based universal intervention package was administered weekly by a trained teacher for eight weeks with a one-month self-practice period to a randomly selected Grade 9 class in each school in the study arm. The control arm received routine care. Anxiety and self-esteem scores and depression status were compared between the two arms after the intervention and at 3 months of follow-up using the generalized estimation equation (GEE), controlling for confounding and clustering. The nonresponse and loss to follow-up rates were < 1%. When comparing the study arm with the control arm using GEE, anxiety levels were significantly lower [β = (-0.096), 95% CI = (-0.005) − (-0.186), p = 0.038] at follow-up but not postintervention [β = (-0.024), 95% CI = 0.006 − (-0.055), p = 0.115]. There were no significant differences in depression status after intervention (OR = 0.257, 95% CI =0.052–1.286; p = 0.098) or follow-up (OR = 0.422, 95% CI 0.177–1.008; p = 0.052), and self-esteem significantly increased after intervention (β = 0.811, 95% CI = 0.314–1.309; p = 0.001) but not at follow-up [β=0.435, 95% CI=(-0.276)-1.145, p=0.231]. This study revealed that the universal package based on CBT is effective at reducing anxiety and improving self-esteem among adolescents. The trial registration number and date were SLCTR/2018/018 and 19th of June 2018 respectively.

THE INFLUENCE OF THE PSYCHO-EMOTIONAL STATE ON THE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH OF WOMEN AFTER THE EXPERIENCED DISEASE OF COVID-19

Introduction. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) recognized as a pandemic caused by the rapid spread of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus has become a serious challenge for the health care system around the world. Consequences of psychological health during recovery from COVID-19 can contribute to social alienation, social isolation, and economic losses. In particular, it remains to be investigated how the reproductive system can be directly or indirectly affected by SARS-CoV-2, in the long-term, precisely against the background of psycho-emotional changes. Aim. To study the psycho-emotional state of women and the impact on the reproductive system due to the impact of SARS-CoV-2. Materials and methods. In order to determine the impact of changes in the psycho-emotional state after suffering from the COVID-19 disease on the reproductive function of women with infertility, we included 80 patients who applied to the Carpathian Center for Human Reproduction in Ivano-Frankivsk in the period 2020–2022 for infertility treatment in a comprehensive examination, aged 18–40. Results. Vegetative dysfunction syndrome (VD), which was previously called vegetovascular dystonia (VDD), is attracting the attention of researchers again, in particular in association with "long-Covid-19", an increase in stressogenic loads. Currently, in world medicine, the term somatoform autonomic dysfunction is used, which most often refers to symptoms that are a consequence of another disease. Personal psycho-emotional characteristics of patients play a certain role in the occurrence and course of diseases, especially psychosomatic ones, which include the long-COVID-19 syndrome. A strong correlation of the severity of SVD with three main scales of the FPI personality test was established: with neuroticism (the strongest direct relationship, ρ = 0.72), depression (strong direct relationship, ρ = 0.64) and equanimity (strong inverse relationship, ρ = -0.61). Thus, the vast majority of women with long-Covid-19 were in an anxious state (91.2% vs. 30.0% of women in the control group, p&lt;0.05), 22.5% had an anxiety level of 11 or higher and corresponded to clinically expressed, only 5.5% patients with clinically expressed anxiety were found in the group without COVID-19 (p&lt;0.05). Clinically expressed depression in the main group was diagnosed 5 times more often than in the control group (13.8% vs. 2.5%, respectively, p&lt;0.05). Conclusions. Disturbance of the psycho-emotional state in women with impaired fertility of reproductive age after suffering from Covid-19 has an impact on the effectiveness of infertility treatment. Understanding the mechanisms of the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 virus on the psycho-emotional state of women with infertility will contribute to the search for ways to prevent reproductive losses and pregnancy complications in women who have experienced COVID-19.

The effect of listening to the sound of running water on pain and anxiety experienced during cannulation by hemodialysis patients: A randomized, controlled, open-label study.

This study was conducted to determine the effect of the sound of running water, which we had not previously encountered being used in dialysis patients, on invasive pain and anxiety experienced during cannulation. The research was conducted as a randomized, controlled study. A descriptive form, a VAS pain scale, and state-trait anxiety scales were used as a data collection form. The data were analyzed on SPSS version 22.00 for Windows software. The independent groups t-test was applied to compare descriptive statistics such as mean, standard deviation, number, and percentage in independent groups, while categorical data were compared using the chi-square test. The effect of an independent variable on a dependent variable was tested using linear regression analysis. p values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. The study was completed with 32 experimental and 33 control group patients. There was no significant difference in pre-intervention pain and anxiety between the groups. The pain levels of the patients after the first and 12th cannulations were significantly lower in the experimental group (p < 0.05). State and trait anxiety levels were also significantly lower in the experimental group at the 12th session (p < 0.05). We conclude that the sound of running water has a significant positive effect on pain and anxiety experienced during cannulation by dialysis patients. We recommend that clinicians apply such a simple method as listening to the sound of running water for reducing pain and anxiety during invasive procedures.

Psychological intervention based on cognitive behavioral therapy for patients with orthopedic surgical anxiety.

To develop a set of cognitive behavioral therapies (CBTs) to alleviate anxiety in orthopedic surgery (OS) patients, to explore the intervention effects of CBTs on the indicators of anxiety, sleep quality, and pain sensation in OS patients, and to promote them. A total of 68 qualified subjects were selected from among the 103 patients with orthopedic diseases who were hospitalized in the orthopedic department of the hospital between June 2022 and November 2023. According to the different nursing methods, they were divided into a psychological intervention (PI) group and a control intervention group. Among them, 34 patients received hospital-developed CBT for OS in the PI group, and 34 patients received standard orders from the medical staff in the control intervention group. Tools such as self-assessment of anxiety, Athens insomnia scale, state anxiety scale, visual analog pain method, and self-management level scale were utilized to assess the change in anxiety levels, sleep quality, pain perception, and self-management level of the 2 groups of patients before and after the surgery. Following the CBT intervention, patients in the PI group had significantly lower Athens insomnia scale (5.32 ± 0.42), state anxiety scale (38.21 ± 1.12), and visual analog pain method (3.93 ± 1.24) scores than those in the control intervention group. This difference was statistically significant (P < .05). In the meantime, patients in the PI group had a substantially higher correct rate of illness cognition assessment (98.21%) than patients in the control intervention group (65.12%), and this difference was statistically significant (P < .05). The study collated the factors affecting anxiety in OS patients through questionnaire survey and statistical analysis experiment and then formulated a detailed CBT strategy for specific problems. Finally, CBT is a valuable tool for reducing anxiety in OS patients. As such, it deserves to be promoted and used in clinical settings.

A cross-sectional study on dental anxiety and state anxiety related to removal of fixed partial dentures.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the clinical removal of fixed partial dentures on oral health-related quality of life and the anxiety values of individuals and to determine the clinical factors of high anxiety levels. In total, 300 participants were included in the study. Six different reasons for the clinical removal of fixed partial dentures (oral examination, denture renewal, endodontic treatment, tooth extraction, periodontal treatment, and composite filling restoration) were defined. The United Kingdom Oral Health-Related Quality-of-Life Measure (OHRQoL-UK), the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS), and the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory- State (STAI-S) and Trait (STAI-T) were answered. The reason groups were compared using one-way analyses of variance. Binary logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the risk factors for high anxiety. There was no significant difference in OHRQoL-UK scores (P &#61; .279) among the reason groups, but there were significant differences in MDAS, STAI-S, and STAI-T scores (P &#61; .004, P .001, P &#61; .018, respectively) among the reason groups. Endodontic treatment, tooth extraction, and sex were determined to be risk factors, considering the anxiety scales. Females are 2.2 times more likely to have trait anxiety than men. Although the effect of the reason for the clinical removal of fixed partial dentures on oral health-related quality of life was similar among the groups, it is concluded that endodontic treatment and tooth extraction reasons for the clinical removal of fixed partial dentures could be risk factors for high anxiety regardless of fixed partial denture usage time.

Effects of Music Therapy on Patients with Cancer Receiving Outpatient Treatment

Patients with cancer often experience anxiety when waiting for diagnostic test results, before receiving treatment, or when informed of a recurrence. Therefore, appropriate interventions are required at each of these stages. This study determines the effects of music therapy with preferred music on anxiety, blood pressure, pulse, and the satisfaction of patients with cancer when receiving outpatient intravenous therapy in a long-term care facility. This quasi-experimental non-equivalent control-group and non-synchronized study was conducted in the outpatient injection room of a long-term care facility in South Korea. This study included 57 patients (divided into experimental and control groups) with female reproductive system/breast or digestive system cancer who received short-term intravenous vitamin C on an outpatient basis. The participants chose from a music selection table for each genre, which was based on the prior research, under the supervision of a professor experienced in music therapy. The participants selected 20 songs to listen to for 1 h while receiving intravenous therapy. The participants were surveyed for state anxiety and satisfaction to confirm the effects of music therapy, and their systolic and diastolic blood pressure and pulse were measured. The state anxiety (U=282, p=.046) and satisfaction (U=262, p=.016) scores of the experimental and control groups revealed significant differences. There were no significant differences in systolic blood pressure (U=311, p=.13), diastolic blood pressure (t=1.88, p=.065), and pulse (t=-0.5, p=.61) between the experimental and control groups. Music therapy is an effective intervention for reducing anxiety and improving satisfaction in patients with cancer when receiving short-term outpatient treatment. However, to generalize these results, a larger sample size of participants is needed with similar types of cancer.

Characteristics and Impact of Long COVID at a Neurology Clinic

Introduction: Long COVID can also lead to neurological sequelae that affect existing diseases. This study explored how COVID-19 infection affects neurological patients and the relationship between long COVID and exacerbating factors. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted on 85 patients with neurological diseases after COVID-19 at the Neurology Department, Inje University Busan Paik Hospital, Korea. The data were collected between August and October 2022. The patients had a medical history, including COVID-19 infection, and completed symptom questionnaires. A long COVID questionnaire consisting of 35 inquiries in 10 categories was completed. Anxiety, depression, fatigue, functional difficulties, QOL, and health status changes were assessed. Results: The analysis comprised 85 participants (age: 56.4 ± 15.2 years; 63.5% women). Of the categories, neurological symptoms (68.2%) were the most prevalent, followed by systemic symptoms (64.7%) and cardiopulmonary symptoms (56.5%). Anxiety, depression, and fatigue symptoms were reported by 36.5%, 34.1%, and 42.4% of the participants. Subjective neurological deterioration after COVID-19 was reported in 28 participants (28/81, 34.6%). Anxiety, depression, and fatigue were influenced by long COVID symptoms and the subjective deterioration of neurological conditions. Conclusion: This study analyzed the long COVID symptoms in patients with preexisting neurological conditions and their impact on mental health and quality of life. One-third of the participants reported a subjective worsening of their preexisting neurological conditions. This study highlights the need for comprehensive follow-ups and a multidisciplinary approach for patients with neurological conditions and prolonged COVID-19 symptoms.

Anxiety and its relationship to demographic and personality traits data among special operations divers: a cross-sectional study

IntroductionSpecial operation diving is becoming increasingly prevalent but has received less attention. The anxiety profile in special operation divers and its influencing factors remain unclear, posing great challenges to medical...

Psychological Well-Being of Children with Asthma and Their Parents.

Background/Objectives: The literature reports that emotional disorders in asthmatic children and their parents may affect asthma control. This research explores the baseline psychological well-being of asthmatic children and their mothers' and fathers' psychological functioning, focusing on the influence of the parents' anxiety and separation anxiety on children's asthma. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we enrolled children with non-severe asthma and their parents, and a group of healthy children and their parents. The asthmatic children underwent anamnestic investigation, including asthma control and spirometry. Then, both the asthmatic and control triads filled a survey assessing their psychological functioning. Results: Among the 40 asthmatic children enrolled (8-18 years old), most had good clinical control maintained with GINA (Global Initiative for Asthma) therapy step 1-2 (14 patients, 35%) or step 3-4 (26 patients, 65%); 12 patients (30%) had at least one steroid course in the year before enrollment. They exhibited normal psychological adjustment but elevated levels of general (U = 179,500; p < 0.001) and state anxiety (U = 170,000; p < 0.001) compared to healthy peers. Additionally, the asthmatic children's mothers displayed higher levels of separation anxiety compared to the fathers (t = -2.865, p = 0.006). Increased separation anxiety in the mothers corresponded to a history of at least one exacerbation in the previous year. Conclusions: The asthmatic children exhibited normal psychological adjustment with higher general and state anxiety. Also, their mothers showed greater levels of separation anxiety compared to their fathers. Lastly, higher mothers' separation anxiety corresponded to a history of at least one exacerbation in the previous year. The influence of the parents' psychological well-being on the children's asthma control was previously unexplored.

Chemical exposure from the Hebei spirit oil spill accident and its long-term effects on mental health

While evidence indicates that exposure to oil spill incidents can affect mental health, it is unclear whether the mental health effects result from the incident itself or from exposure to associated chemicals. Oil contains chemicals that can impact mental health and these chemicals may have long-term effects due to their persistence in the environment. To address the gap in current knowledge, we conducted cross-sectional and prospective analyses of data from adults who participated in the Health Effects of the Hebei Spirit Oil Spill study. To assess chemical exposure from oil spills, we used indirect exposure indicators such as distance from the contaminated oil band to residences and duration of clean-up work, along with direct exposure indicators such as urine metabolite concentrations of volatile organic compounds and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Mental health assessments covered posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, state anxiety, and trait anxiety. In the cross-sectional analyses, all four mental health issues were found to be associated with proximity to the oil band (p-value<0.05) and showed a positive association with clean-up work duration (p-value<0.05). Cox regression analysis revealed that higher urinary t, t-muconic acid levels were associated with an increased risk of depression (Hazard Ratio [HR] = 1.55, 95 % Confidence Interval [CI] = 1.05–2.28), and elevated 1-hydroxypyrene levels increased the risk of PTSD (HR = 1.60, 95 % CI = 1.03–2.48). Additionally, higher urinary 2-naphthol levels were associated with increased state anxiety (HR = 1.39, 95 % CI = 1.00–1.93) and trait anxiety (HR = 1.64, 95 % CI = 1.15–2.32). These associations persisted even after controlling for distance and duration variables related to psychosocial exposure. Our findings suggest that environmental disaster response plans should prioritize minimizing chemical exposure while also considering the duration and nature of the mental health impacts.

Creative process engagement for regulating integral and incidental anger

Research suggests that creative task performance may lead to either more positive or negative mood states depending on the type of creative thinking process engaged. While this literature establishes a relationship with mood states, the effects of creativity on specific discrete emotions (i.e., anger, anxiety) remain unexamined. Additionally, the extent to which discrete emotions that are incidental or integral to task context warrants consideration, as the nature of the emotions felt may affect the extent to which they are regulated through creative task performance. Two laboratory studies were conducted in which participants were randomly assigned to be induced with either incidental or integral state anger or state anxiety, and then either generated ideas (study one) or evaluated ideas (study two) prior to self-reporting their emotional states. Results indicated that while integral and incidental state anger are lessened after generating or evaluating ideas, the extent to which one feels anxiety is unaffected by performing either task. Implications of these findings provide new avenues for emotion regulation research and recommendations for utilizing creative processes to mitigate different types of state anger.

Evaluation of Anxiety Levels and Family-Centred Care Receipt Status among Turkish Mothers with Babies Admitted to the Neonatal Unit: A Two-Centre Study

This study was conducted to evaluate the anxiety levels and family-centred care receipt status of mothers whose babies were treated in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). This research was conducted in a descriptive and cross-sectional design between January and December 2022 in the NICU of two separate hospitals, one of which is a university hospital, and the other is a public hospital located in the east of Turkey. An Introductory Information Form, Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and Newborn Family-Centred Care Scale were used to collect data. The mothers’ state anxiety level mean score was 41.51±9.6, their trait anxiety level mean score was 40.31±7.7, and they experienced a moderate level of anxiety. The total mean score of the Newborn Family-Centred Care Scale was 3.7±0.7 (min 1-max 5). Mean scores from the subscales were 4.0±0.7 for dignity and respect, 3.9±0.8 for information sharing, 4.0±0.8 for participation in care, and 3.3±1.1 for cooperation with the family. A significant negative relationship was found between the mothers’ family-centred care scale total score and mean subscale scores and their state and trait anxiety levels (p

Diffusion tensor metrics, motor and non-motor symptoms in de novo Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by dopaminergic neurons' degeneration of the substantia nigra, presenting with motor and non-motor symptoms. We hypothesized that altered diffusion metrics are associated with clinical symptoms in de novo PD patients. Fractional Anisotropy (FA) and Mean (MD), Axial (AD), and Radial Diffusivity (RD) were assessed in 55 de novo PD patients (58.62 ± 9.85 years, 37 men) and 55 age-matched healthy controls (59.92 ± 11.25 years, 34 men). Diffusion-weighted images and clinical variables were collected from the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative study. Tract-based spatial statistics were used to identify white matter (WM) changes, and fiber tracts were localized using the JHU-WM tractography atlas. Motor and non-motor symptoms were evaluated in patients. We observed higher FA values and lower RD values in patients than controls in various fiber tracts (p-TFCE < 0.05). No significant MD or AD difference was observed between groups. Diffusion metrics of several regions significantly correlated with non-motor (state and trait anxiety and daytime sleepiness) and axial motor symptoms in the de novo PD group. No correlations were observed between diffusion metrics and other clinical symptoms evaluated. Our findings suggest microstructural changes in de novo PD fiber tracts; however, limited associations with clinical symptoms reveal the complexity of PD pathology. They may contribute to understanding the neurobiological changes underlying PD and have implications for developing targeted interventions. However, further longitudinal research with larger cohorts and consideration of confounding factors are necessary to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of these diffusion alterations in de novo PD.

Uncovering the correlation between neurotransmitter-specific functional connectivity and multidimensional anxiety in a non-clinical cohort.

Research on anxiety faces challenges due to the wide range of symptoms, making it difficult to determine if different aspects of anxiety are linked to distinct neurobiological processes. Both alterations in functional brain connectivity (FC) and monoaminergic neurotransmitter systems are implicated as potential neural bases of anxiety. We aimed to investigate whole-brain FC involving monoaminergic nuclei and its association with anxiety dimensions in 178 non-clinical participants. Nine anxiety-related scales were used, encompassing trait and state anxiety scores, along with measures of cost-probability, hypervigilance, reward-punishment sensitivity, uncertainty, and trait worry. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data were acquired, focusing on seven brainstem regions representing serotonergic, dopaminergic, and noradrenergic nuclei, with their FC patterns voxel-wise correlated with the scales. All models underwent family-wise-error correction for multiple comparisons. We observed intriguing relationships: trait and state anxiety scores exhibited opposing correlations in FC between the dorsal raphe nucleus and the paracingulate gyrus. Additionally, we identified shared neural correlates, such as a negative correlation between the locus coeruleus and the frontal pole. This connection was significantly associated with scores on measures of probability, hypervigilance, reward sensitivity, and trait worry. These findings underscore the intricate interplay between anxiety dimensions and subcortico-cortical FC patterns, shedding light on the underlying neural mechanisms governing anxiety.