Body Perception Research Articles

Nursing Experience Using Art Therapy to Help Women With Breast Cancer Face Changes in Body Image

The subject in this study was a female professional painter who underwent bilateral mastectomy because of bilateral breast cancer, experienced postoperative wound scarring, and developed alopecia due to the side effects of chemotherapy, which caused the patient to lose body image confidence and the motivation to engage in artistic creativity. The patient had shed tears early in the intervention and complained of difficulties with body image adjustment due to her altered appearance. Mastectomy patients must not only undergo drug treatment but also adjust psychologically to body image changes to decrease negative emotions. This was the author's motivation for involvement in this case. The nursing period was from 23 September to 30 December 2021. Physical, mental, spiritual, social, and family data were collected using observations and interviews. These data were evaluated and the main problems were determined to be disturbed body image related to altered body perception post-surgery, alopecia caused by chemotherapy, impaired physical mobility due to upper limb mobility limitations post-surgery, and nausea due to chemotherapy. The patient was encouraged to paint again and to use artistic creativity to comfort herself. Moreover, she was guided to express her innermost thoughts to face the impact of her changes in appearance. In addition, a care consultation channel was provided to facilitate experience sharing with other breast cancer patients, thus assisting the patient to cope with the mental impact of her treatments and face subsequent cancer treatments with a more positive attitude. Art therapy embraces a diverse variety of methods, including drawing and music. Art therapy is a valuable tool that facilitates both physical and mental healing. Based on this experience, nurses should include patients' close relatives when performing art therapy to facilitate shared care to overcome difficulties. We hope this nursing experience provides a practical reference for nurses.

Patient experience of bladder cancer: A data linkage study.

Bladder cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide and can be managed with a range of approaches, including conservative, medical and surgical therapies. Treatment may be associated with considerable morbidity, but despite this, little data exist to reflect patients' subsequent experience. This study aims to evaluate patients' experiences of bladder cancer care by linking data from a national cancer experience survey with data routinely collected from National Health Service (NHS) sources. This study considers patient perspectives and makes recommendations to improve the patient experience of bladder cancer care. Anonymised data from the National Cancer Patient Experience Survey (NCPES) for patients who had received care for bladder cancer were collated and linked with demographic and treatment data. Questions from the NCPES were then categorised into different themes based on their content. This study focused on themes relating to lifestyle, activities of daily living (ADL), symptoms, psychological impact and body perception. Statistical analyses were used to investigate the relationship between patient reported experience, demographics and type of care received. NCPES data from 673 patients (487 male, 29 undisclosed) with at least T1 bladder cancer were analysed. Statistically significant differences were identified across the five investigated patient experience themes. No significant difference was seen in patient reported experience between bladder cancer drug treatments (such as intravesical BCG vs. intravesical chemotherapy vs. systemic chemotherapy) and radiotherapy types (curative vs. palliative). Patients treated with cystectomy had significantly worse experiences relating to body image and ADL but not when compared with patients treated with radical radiotherapy. Patients with long-term health conditions reported worse experiences for all five themes compared with those without. The literature surrounding the experience of patients with bladder cancer is limited. This data linkage study demonstrates the impact of bladder cancer care on five patient experience themes, including the effect of different treatment types and the presence of long-term health conditions. While limited by sample size and data comprehensiveness, this study aims to inform clinicians and service providers of factors affecting patient experience of bladder cancer care, to stimulate service review and development.

Measuring Body Image Guilt and Shame: Gender and Disordered Eating Behaviors in Perspective

Objectives. The goal of the current study was to investigate the association between bodily perception guilt together with shame, and aberrant eating patterns in adolescents. Differences across gender in the proposed relationship were also studied. Moderating role of gender between the study variables was also explored. Method. Disordered Eating Behavior Scale (Muazzam & Khalid, 2011), Body Image Guilt and Shame Scale (Thompson et al., 2003), with a demographic table was employed for collecting data among 316 teenagers using convenience sampling method that included educational institutes of District Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Phase I of the study's four phases comprises the conversion and modification of Body Image Guilt and Shame Scale (Thompson et al., 2003). Results. The results in the present study indicated that aberrant eating behaviors are importantly positively connection to bodily perception guilt and shame. According to the results, boys experience more bodily perception guilt and shame as compared to girls. Conclusion. The present study concluded that body satisfaction should be promoted among adolescents in order to prevent them from body related guilt and shame, and disordered eating behaviors that consequently enhances their psychological well-being.

The effect of strabismus surgery on psychosocial and functional quality of life

Aims: To evaluate the effect of strabismus surgery on psychosocial and functional quality of life. Methods: 50 adult strabismus patients who presented to our outpatient clinic with the complaint of strabismus in one eye were included in the study. Routine ophthalmologic examinations and strabismus controls were performed. With the diagnosis of monocular fixed eso/exotropia, unilateral horizontal muscle retraction and resection surgery were planned, and preoperative adult strabismus score (AS-20), Rosenberg self-esteem, body perception, and social appearance anxiety questionnaires were applied. A postoperative PD of 10 or less was considered success, and the questionnaires were repeated at the 2nd postoperative month. Results: The mean age of the patients was 21.54±3.95 (16-32) years. Twenty-two of the patients were female, and 28 were male. Pre-operative and post-operative strabismus AS-20 score, Rosenberg self-esteem, body perception, and social appearance anxiety scales showed statistically significant differences (p<0.05, p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001). Conclusion: Strabismus is an important disease that can cause difficulties in social life both in childhood and adulthood. The aim of strabismus surgery is to restore normal facial appearance as well as functional correction. Our study results showed that successful strabismus surgery can improve the psychosocial and functional quality of life.

Emerging Pathophysiological Roles of Ketone Bodies.

The discovery of insulin approximately a century ago greatly improved the management of diabetes, including many of its life-threatening acute complications like ketoacidosis. This breakthrough saved many lives and extended the healthy lifespan of many patients with diabetes. However, there is still a negative perception of ketone bodies stemming from ketoacidosis. Originally, ketone bodies were thought of as a vital source of energy during fasting and exercise. Furthermore, in recent years, research on calorie restriction and its potential impact on extending healthy lifespans, as well as studies on ketone bodies, have gradually led to a reevaluation of the significance of ketone bodies in promoting longevity. Thus, in this review, we discuss the emerging and hidden roles of ketone bodies in various organs, including the heart, kidneys, skeletal muscles, and brain, as well as their potential impact on malignancies and lifespan.

Pain and its limits : A phenomenological consideration of chronic pain

Chronic pain poses asignificant global socio-medical challenge causing significant costs. It is only since the mid-20th century that pain syndromes have been considered diseases in their own right. According to the definition of the International Association for the Study of Pain, pain is acomplex, context-dependent-and hence modifiable-phenomenon. The philosophical view on pain is no less multi-facetted and allows for awide range of viewpoints. This analysis aims at acharacterisation of pain including a-mainly phenomenological and enactivist-philosophical perspective. The discourse will be guided by the concept of the limit(s) of the lived body: what is the relationship between pain and the perception of the lived body's boundaries? Does areciprocal influence exist? And may the perception be modified in order to reduce the patient's suffering? These musings will also clarify that neurosciences and philosophy are not competing sciences, but rather inform each other.

The Influence of Mobility Training on the Myofascial Structures of the Back and Extremities.

The subject of the study was the effect of a multicomponent program (Mobility Routine) on muscular and fascial stiffness, flexibility, subjective well-being, and body perception. The assumption was that high physical stress affects myofascial structures and joint range of motion. The assessment of myofascial stiffness employed a Shear Wave Elastography. The joint flexibility, pressure pain threshold, and subjective experiences with regard to tension, pain, and general discomfort were documented. In the CT group, a greater increase in stiffness was measured in fewer measurement areas compared to the MR group. MR demonstrated superior gains in flexibility compared to CT. Both groups experienced significant reductions in pain, tension, and discomfort. In conclusion, repetitive motion patterns akin to CT lead to increased myofascial stiffness, whereas MR yields more balanced stiffness development, compensates for asymmetries, and improves body awareness. Hence, this study highlights the advantages of mobility training over Crosstrainer exercises and provides valuable insights for the recommendation of training regimens aiming at the enhancement of musculoskeletal functionality and overall well-being.

Feminist Voices under the Lens of ‘Barbie’: An Analysis of Discourse Transmission and Mass Resonance in XiaoHongShu

Social media platforms are revolutionizing the way users communicate by increasing the exposure to highly stigmatized issues in the society. Feminism is one such topic that recently took over social media. This paper studies the attributes of XiaoHongShu user toward the feminism related topics, by content analysis of the online posts via #Barbie on XiaoHongShu, a sharing platform. The findings show that majority of XiaoHongShu user have positive attitudes to feminism-related topics in Barbie movie by analyzing the posts and comments are shared on this platform. Besides, XiaoHongShu commentators are mainly focused on eleven topics related to feminism: gender consciousness and self-perception, gender equality and affirmative action, gender discrimination, gender violence, gender roles, body perception and self-confidence, gender image, gender economics, female autonomy, female bonds and friendship and others. This research indicated that social media platforms have proven to be fertile ground for movements such as feminism, facilitating the dissemination of perspectives and the fostering of dialogue.

Do Body Positive Images Improve Our Body Perception? The Role of Social Comparison on Body Perception and Moods

Do Body Positive Images Improve Our Body Perception? The Role of Social Comparison on Body Perception and Moods

Body weight modification experience among adolescents from Saudi Arabia.

Childhood malnutrition is a public health issue in developing countries, leading to a double burden of malnutrition, which is associated with both overweight and underweight. To assess body weight satisfaction and perception as well as body weight modification experiences, among adolescents from Saudi Arabia. This study utilized a cross-sectional design targeting adolescents who attempted to modify their body weight. A questionnaire was constructed to measure their demographics, body weight satisfaction and perception, and experience concerning their weight modification attempts. The chi-square test was used to assess the association between the ability to modify weight and maintain the modification according to the ability to set an appropriate weight target based on the age and height of the adolescents, method of weight modification, and receipt of support to modify weight. A total of 285 adolescents were recruited. More than half of the sample were female (58%); most respondents were secondary school students (73%). Nearly 45% had abnormal body weight where 12.6% were underweight, and 32.3% were overweight or obese. Most of the recruited sample were unsatisfied with their body weight (63%). Although 52% of the adolescents had a normal BMI, only 35% perceived their body weight as normal. Nearly 75% of the sample were able to modify their body weight. However, a smaller proportion were able to maintain the modification they achieved. The most frequently selected body weight modification method was dieting (83%), followed by exercise (69%). Only 40 adolescents (14%) reported consulting a physician regarding their body weight modification attempts. The most frequently reported source of support for weight modification was the family (51%), while the lowest frequency of support was reported concerning schools' contribution (29%). Upon assessing factors associated with the ability to modify weight or maintain the modification, a higher frequency of adolescents who indicated they employed dieting behavior were able to maintain the modification compared to other weight modification practices (p < 0.05). The findings highlight the importance of collaboration between families, schools, and healthcare services to improve adolescent body image and ensure the adoption of healthy body weight modification practices among adolescents.

Stimulus Inversion and Emotional Expressions Independently Affect Face and Body Perception: An ERP Study.

Faces and bodies provide critical cues for social interaction and communication. Their structural encoding depends on configural processing, as suggested by the detrimental effect of stimulus inversion for both faces (i.e., face inversion effect - FIE) and bodies (body inversion effect - BIE). An occipito-temporal negative event-related potential (ERP) component peaking around 170 ms after stimulus onset (N170) is consistently elicited by human faces and bodies and is affected by the inversion of these stimuli. Albeit it is known that emotional expressions can boost structural encoding (resulting in larger N170 components for emotional than for neutral faces), little is known about body emotional expressions. Thus, the current study investigated the effects of different emotional expressions on structural encoding in combination with FIE and BIE. Three ERP components (P1, N170, P2) were recorded using a 128-channel electroencephalogram (EEG) when participants were presented with (upright and inverted) faces and bodies conveying four possible emotions (happiness, sadness, anger, fear) or no emotion (neutral). Results demonstrated that inversion and emotional expressions independently affected the Accuracy and amplitude of all ERP components (P1, N170, P2). In particular, faces showed specific effects of emotional expressions during the structural encoding stage (N170), while P2 amplitude (representing top-down conceptualisation) was modified by emotional body perception. Moreover, the task performed by participants (i.e., implicit vs. explicit processing of emotional information) differently influenced Accuracy and ERP components. These results support integrated theories of visual perception, thus speaking in favour of the functional independence of the two neurocognitive pathways (one for structural encoding and one for emotional expression analysis) involved in social stimuli processing. Results are discussed highlighting the neurocognitive and computational advantages of the independence between the two pathways.

Assessment of Picky Eating, Emotional Eating and Body Perception in Healthy Individuals

Assessment of Picky Eating, Emotional Eating and Body Perception in Healthy Individuals

Body Awareness of the Orofacial Area in Wind and Brass Instrumentalists: An Observational Study

Background Woodwind and brass instrumentalists have a high sensomotoric demand of their orofacial region while playing their instrument. Orofacial problems (OFP) have an influence on the body perception in this area. Purpose The aim of this study was to assess and compare the body awareness of the orofacial area in musicians (woodwind/brass) and non-musicians and investigate to what extent OFP may affect the instrumentalists’ body awareness. Methods Primary outcome parameters include Two Point Discrimination, Facial Emotion Recognition, Lateralization, and the Tongue and Mouth Imagery Questionnaire (TMIQ). Secondary outcome parameters are colored body drawings and the Central Sensitization Inventory. Musicians additionally filled in the Musculoskeletal Pain Intensity and Interference Questionnaire for Musicians – German version. A one-way ANOVA was conducted to assess group differences among the assessments. Body drawings were analyzed qualitatively. Results A total of 75 participants were recruited for the study and divided into three groups (control group: CG; musicians without OFP: M − OFP; musicians with OFP: M + OFP). Statistically significant between-group differences were found for both music groups in the TMIQ total-score (M + OFP vs. M − OFP : −6.577, p = .028) and the kinesthetic subscale (M + OFP vs. M − OFP : −3.971, p = .034). Other primary outcome parameters did not show significant differences. For the secondary parameters, statistically significant differences in the CSI were found between affected and non-affected musicians (M + OFP vs. M − OFP : 9.258, p = .004) as well as between the affected musicians and the control group (M + OFP vs. CG: 7.133, p = .043). The qualitative analysis of the body drawings did not show clear group-specific differences. Conclusion Based on the results of this study, body awareness of the orofacial region does not significantly differ between musicians and non-musicians. Differences between musicians with and without OFP are small. This project is a valuable contribution to the development of numerous further research projects in the area.

Playing With Spatial Frames: Altering the Body Matrix Through Multisensory Egocentric and Allocentric Body Illusions

The multifaceted nature of body experience, encompassing affective, cognitive, and perceptual components, plays a critical role in the development and persistence of conditions such as anorexia nervosa (AN). Recent research attempted to address such disturbance to improve therapeutical effectiveness, using mirror exposure (ME) and body‐swapping (BS) techniques in immersive virtual reality (VR). Procedures from a third‐person perspective—as mirror‐like experiences—were primarily used to address bodily cognitive and affective components, whereas first‐person ones—as BS—were used to correct distorted body perception. This study investigated the effect of spatial reference frame on body self‐consciousness and body perception during BS. Data revealed two main findings: Even though embodiment was significantly enhanced when participants engaged with a virtual body from a first‐person viewpoint, both egocentric and allocentric perspectives influenced body size estimation (BSE), suggesting that both spatial perspectives critically form and sustain body self‐perception. We discussed predictive coding theory to explain spatial perspective influence on body experience, highlighting the potential therapeutic benefits of incorporating first and third‐person perspectives on body illusions (BIs) for more effective interventions targeting body‐related disturbances.

Long term follow-up on young adults that underwent hypospadias repair through urethral advancement in childhood.

Assess the long-term outcome on cosmetic appearance, voiding, sexual function, and psychological impact of young adults operated by urethral advance (UA) technique in childhood. Patients over 14 years old, who underwent UA hypospadias repair in our centre (2000-2010) were evaluated. All patients presented mid-distal hypospadias with subcoronal or penile meatus and curvature lower than 20°. The cosmetic appearance, urinary and sexual function, body perception and overall satisfaction were assessed through 5 questionnaires. From 2000 to 2010, 143 children underwent UA hypospadias repair. 36 patients between 14 and 27 years were evaluated. The Hypospadias Objective Penile Evaluation (HOPE) showed an average of 8.75 (+/- 0.97), which indicates a good aesthetic result. Voiding dysfunction symptoms were assessed through the American Urological Association Symptom Index (AUASI) where 80.6% had none or mild symptoms and 19.4% had moderate symptoms. Only 11/36 patients were sexually active, according to the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-15) scale, none had erectile dysfunction, and their relationships were satisfactory. Assessment of the body perception through the Genital Perception Scale (GPS) was positive or very positive in 88.9% of the patients. However, the perception of their genitals was positive or very positive in 77.8%, there is a negative correlation between the perception of their body and genitals in 13.9% of the patients. Our results indicate that UA technique for hypospadias repair might be a valid option for the correction of mid-distal hypospadias when indicated.

Cognitive archaeology, and the psychological assessment of extinct minds.

Evolutionary anthropology relies on both neontological and paleontological information. In the latter case, fields such as paleoneurology, neuroarchaeology, and cognitive archaeology are supplying new perspectives in prehistory and neuroscience. Cognitive archaeology, in particular, investigates the behaviors associated with extinct species or cultures according to specific psychological models. For example, changes in working memory, attention, or visuospatial integration can be postulated when related behavioral changes are described in the archaeological record. However, cognition is a process based on different and partially independent functional elements, and extinct species could hence have evolved distinct combinations of cognitive abilities or features, based on both quantitative and qualitative differences. Accordingly, differences in working memory can lead to more conceptual or more holistic mindsets, with important changes in the perception and management of the mental experience. The parietal cortex is particularly interesting, in this sense, being involved in functions associated with body-tool integration, attention, and visual imaging. In some cases, evolutionary mismatches among these elements can induce drawbacks that, despite their positive effects on natural selection, can introduce important constraints in our own mental skills. Beyond the theoretical background, some hypotheses can be tested following methods in experimental psychology. In any case, theories in cognitive evolution must acknowledge that, beyond the brain and its biology, the human mind is also deeply rooted in body perception, in social networks, and in technological extension.

Erratum: A cross-sectional comparative study of self-compassion, body perception, and post-traumatic growth in women diagnosed with breast cancer versus those without a cancer diagnosis

Erratum: A cross-sectional comparative study of self-compassion, body perception, and post-traumatic growth in women diagnosed with breast cancer versus those without a cancer diagnosis

IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE: INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION AND EXPERIENTIAL CULTURAL PEDAGOGY — STARTING FROM SUSAN SONTAG’S AGAINST INTERPRETATION

Susan Sontag’s critique of excessive interpretation and theorization, along with her emphasis on direct experience, aligns with the principles of experiential cultural pedagogy in intercultural communication. This paper analyzes the concept of experiential cultural pedagogy, interprets Sontag's Against Interpretation theory, and explores the implementation and significance of experiential pedagogy within the context of intercultural communication. It highlights the commonalities between experiential cultural pedagogy and the "Against Interpretation" theory. Finally, the paper examines the role of experiential cultural pedagogy in intercultural communication from three perspectives: the critique of over-interpretation and theorization, the importance of bodily perception and emotional experience, and cultural reflection.

Visual neuroscience: A brain area tuned for processing social interactions

Socialising with others is part of everyday life. A new study demonstrates that a brain area specialised for visual body perception is attuned to processing social interactions between two people. Intriguingly, this area is lateralised in the left hemisphere.

Mediating effects of self-esteem and self-compassion on the relationship between body dissatisfaction and depression among adolescents with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Body dissatisfaction significantly impacts depression among adolescents with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This relationship is compounded by various factors. Our study aims to explore the roles of self-esteem and self-compassion in the relationship between body dissatisfaction and depression in adolescent with PCOS. A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, involving 287 adolescents diagnosed with PCOS from January 2020 to December 2021. Participants completed validated questionnaires covering body dissatisfaction, self-esteem, self-compassion and depression. We utilized correlation and mediation analyses to examine the relationships and mediating effects among these variables. Body dissatisfaction had a significant positive effect on depression (β = 4.254, p < 0.001). Conversely, self-esteem (β = -0.944, p < 0.001) and self-compassion (β = -0.318, p < 0.001) were negative predictors of depression. Both self-esteem [β = 3.405, 95% CI = (0.151, 0.305)] and self-compassion [β = 1.525, 95% CI = (0.045, 0.165)] were shown to partially mediate the relationship between body dissatisfaction and depression, explaining 37.07% and 16.61% of the total effect, respectively. This study highlights the importance of fostering self-esteem and self-compassion among adolescents with PCOS to buffer the depressive effects of body dissatisfaction. Interventions aimed at promoting accurate and positive body perceptions, enhancing self-esteem, fostering a supportive attitude toward personal challenges, and maintaining positive emotional states are recommended to decrease the incidence of depression.