Eight-week Intervention Research Articles

Effects of Inspiratory Muscle Training in Patients with COPD Exacerbations: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract Objective Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is considered for patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). However, the impact of adding inspiratory muscle training (IMT) to PR on inspiratory muscle function is underexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of IMT in addition to PR on inspiratory muscle function, functional exercise capacity (FEC), and quality of life (QoL) in patients with AECOPD. Design 16 patients with AECOPD and a maximal inspiratory pressure (PImax) < 80 cmH2O were randomized into the experimental (PR + IMT) or the control (PR + sham IMT) group for an eight-week intervention. Inspiratory muscle activation was measured using surface electromyography, FEC was examined by six-minute walk distance (6MWD), and QoL was assessed with COPD Assessment Test (CAT). Results The experimental group showed sustained and significant improvements in inspiratory muscle function, 6MWD, and QoL after intervention (all p < 0.05). The experimental group had higher PImax with less diaphragm activation (both p < 0.001) and more improvements in 6MWD and QoL after intervention (both p < 0.05). Conclusions Adding IMT to PR resulted in more improvements in inspiratory muscle function, FEC, and QoL for patients with AECOPD, suggesting IMT as a beneficial addition to PR.

Effects of Soluble and Insoluble Fibre on Glycolipid Metabolism and Gut Microbiota in High-Fat-Diet-Induced Obese Mice

Background: Dietary fibre can alleviate or reduce the risk of obesity and obesity-induced abnormalities in glycolipid metabolism. However, the effects of different types of dietary fibre or their combinations on obesity remain unclear. Here, we explored the effects of different ratios of inulin soluble dietary fibre (ISDF) and barley leaf insoluble dietary fibre (BLIDF) on the body weight, glycolipid metabolism and gut microbiota of obese mice. Methods: Seven experimental groups were treated with different combinations of soluble and insoluble fibre, comprising HFD (high-fat diet without dietary fibre), BLIDF, ISDF, I3S1DF (insoluble/soluble = 3:1), I2S2DF (insoluble/soluble = 1:1), I1S3DF (insoluble/soluble = 1:3) and MIX (inulin, BLIDF and matcha powder fibre; insoluble/soluble = 3.6:1) groups. Results: Our results showed that the BLIDF, ISDF and MIX treatments decreased the body weight gain of the HFD mice significantly after eight-week interventions. All the fibre intervention groups except the MIX group displayed lower fasting blood glucose and glycosylated serum protein levels than the HFD group. BLIDF, ISDF, I3S1DF and I2S2DF improved the glucose tolerance of the mice. Moreover, none of the dietary fibre interventions affected the liver lipid metabolism, while I3S1DF and I1S3DF improved the abnormal serum lipid metabolism. BLIDF, ISDF, I3S1DF and I2S2DF reduced the serum IL-6 levels, and BLIDF and I1S3DF increased SOD activity significantly. Additionally, all the dietary fibre interventions decreased the Firmicutes to Bacteroidota (F/B) ratio and increased the abundance of beneficial gut microbes differently. Conclusions: In short, our results suggest that different ratios of soluble and insoluble dietary fibre have unique impacts on mice body weight, glycolipid metabolism, inflammation and gut microbiota. The ratio of soluble to insoluble dietary fibre intake should be considered for specific health goals in the future.

High intensity interval training as a therapy: Mitophagy restoration in breast cancer

Recent studies have highlighted the role of mitophagy in tumorigenesis. This study aimed to investigate the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on mitophagy in tumor tissues of mice with breast cancer. Twenty-eight female BALB/c mice were randomly assigned to four groups: Healthy Control (CO), Cancer (CA), Exercise (EX), and Cancer + Exercise (CA + EX). Mammary tumors were induced in the CA and CA + EX groups via 4T1 cell injections. Upon confirmation of tumor formation, the EX and CA + EX groups underwent 8 weeks (40 sessions) of HIIT, comprising 4–10 intervals of running at 80–100 % of maximum speed. The expression levels of mitophagy-related proteins, including parkin, PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1), NIP3-like protein X (NIX), BCL2 interacting protein-3 (BINP3), microtubule-associated protein light chain 3-I (LC3-I), microtubule-associated protein light chain 3-II (LC3-II), AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), Unc-51 like autophagy activating kinase-1 (ULK1), and sirtuin-1 (SIRT1), were measured in breast and tumor tissues. Tumor volume relative to body weight was assessed weekly during the eight-week HIIT intervention. Protein expression of parkin, PINK1, NIX, BINP3, LC3-II, LC3-I, AMPK, ULK1, and SIRT1 was reduced in the breast tissue of the CA group, while HIIT restored expression levels across all measured variables (P < 0.01). Additionally, tumor volume relative to body weight was significantly lower in the CA + EX group compared to the CA group from weeks 3–8 (P < 0.01). These findings suggest that breast cancer suppresses mitophagy, yet HIIT effectively reverses this suppression, potentially reducing tumor burden. HIIT may thus represent a promising therapeutic strategy for managing breast cancer.

Overcoming Reading Difficulties with Reading Fluency Strategies in the Turkish Language: Evidence from a Transparent Orthography

This study employed a single-case design with an AB structure to examine the effect of implementing a Response to Intervention (RTI) model on a fourth-grade elementary school student with reading difficulties. The participant in the study was Deniz, a fourth-grade elementary school student. The pretest measures revealed that Deniz was at the frustration level in both word recognition and reading comprehension skills. Consequently, an eight-week reading intervention program was designed to address and remediate Deniz’s reading difficulties. Through the intervention program, Deniz’s word recognition improved from the frustration level to the instructional level, and her reading comprehension progressed from the frustration level to the independent level, accompanied by a significant decrease in reading miscues.

Using citizen science to explore barriers and facilitators for healthy and sustainable lifestyles in office environments

The socio ecological model states that individual behaviors at work are shaped by the interactions between individual employees and their work environments. This study used citizen science to gain insights into which elements of the built, social, and organizational environment in an office and surrounding neighborhoods in two Swedish cities were perceived as barriers to or facilitators of healthy and sustainable behaviors at work. Participants in the eight-week Sustainable Office Intervention pilot study (SOFIA) (n = 33) were cluster-randomized into an experimental arm (sustainable lifestyle) or a control intervention arm (healthy lifestyle). They used the Our Voice Healthy Neighborhood Discovery Tool mobile app to document contextual elements at their workplaces. In total, 114 photos and text-based narratives were recorded, and four themes emerged: built environment, building design, office ergonomics, and food and beverages. Eighteen percent of the photos were linked to pro-environmental behaviors, all exclusively captured by the experimental arm. Twelve barriers and solutions for improving the workplace environment were identified during discussions with participants in both arms. The findings provide insights for designing or renovating office spaces and urban planning to promote healthier and more sustainable lifestyles for office workers.

Vascular adaptations following an eight-week sprint interval training intervention in healthy men.

Sprint interval training (SIT) has been shown to improve many indices of cardiovascular risk. The effect of SIT on emerging indicators of cardiovascular health, including arterial stiffness and carotid intima media thickness, remains unclear. Thus, the purpose of this study was to assess changes in augmentation index at 75 beats per minute (AIx@75), pulse wave velocity (cfPWV), and carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) at three time points of an 8-week SIT intervention. Eighteen sedentary men (age: 24.7±5.1 years, BMI: 26.7±5.8 kg/m2) participated in the study. Subjects trained 3 times a week for 8 weeks. Training consisted of 3-6 consecutive 30-second bouts of maximal intensity cycling, with 4.5 minutes of active recovery between bouts. Baseline, 4-week, and 8-week vascular assessments were performed. Training effects were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA. Pearson correlations were used to determine the relationship between baseline values and the change scores (baseline to 8 weeks) of each vascular measure. AIx@75 (BL: -3.6±10.9%, 4W: -5.6±8.3%, 8W: -3.2±9.5%), cfPWV (BL: 5.6±1.0 m/s, 4W: 5.8±0.9 m/s, 8W: 5.6±0.7 m/s), and CIMT (BL: 0.51±0.08 mm, 4W: 0.52±0.08 mm, 8W: 0.51±0.08 mm) did not significantly change (all P>0.05). Baseline cfPWV and AIx@75 were negatively correlated to their change from baseline to 8 weeks (P<0.05). These findings demonstrate that 8 weeks of SIT is an insufficient stimulus to reduce cfPWV, AIx@75, or CIMT in a group of young, healthy men. Baseline arterial stiffness may modulate vascular adaptations to SIT.

Comprehensive assessment of heavy slow resistance training and high-dose therapeutic ultrasound in managing patellar tendinopathy, a randomized single-blind controlled trial

BackgroundPatellar tendinopathy (PT) is a common sport injury prone to recurrence. Heavy Slow Resistance Training (HSR) and High-Dose Therapeutic Ultrasound (TUS) are frequently used interventions for PT. However, the combined effectiveness of these therapies remains unclear. This study investigated the impact of combination therapy on functional outcomes in patients with PT.MethodsFifty-one college students aged 18–25, diagnosed with PT via musculoskeletal ultrasound, were randomly assigned to one of three groups (n = 17 per group): combined HSR and high-dose TUS, HSR training alone, or high-dose TUS alone. The eight-week intervention included assessments using the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Patella (VISA-P), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Y-balance Test (YBT), Modified Thomas Test (MTT), Horizontal Jumping Distance, Maximum Isometric Muscle Strength Test, and musculoskeletal ultrasound for patellar tendon thickness and blood flow. Assessments were conducted at baseline and post-intervention, with a follow-up VISA-P assessment at week 16. This randomized, single-blind controlled trial was registered on ISRCTN11447397 (www.ISRCTN.com) on February 17, 2024 (retrospectively registered).ResultsAll groups demonstrated significant improvements in VISA-P scores at the end of the intervention compared to baseline (p < 0.01), with the combined group showing the greatest improvement (21 points). Follow-up at week 16 revealed continued improvement in VISA-P scores for the combined and HSR groups, while the TUS group showed a slight decrease (from 74 to 70). All groups displayed significantly reduced VAS scores post-intervention (p < 0.01) compared to baseline, indicating decreased pain. While no significant between-group differences were observed in pre-intervention VAS scores, post-intervention results revealed significant differences between the combined and HSR groups (p < 0.05), as well as between the combined and TUS groups (p < 0.01).ConclusionBoth exercise intervention and high-dose TUS appear effective in reducing pain and improving motor function in individuals with PT. However, the therapeutic effect of high-dose TUS alone seems limited compared to exercise intervention. The combined application of both methods yielded the most significant improvements in pain relief and motor function enhancement.

Tech vs. Tradition: ChatGPT and Mindfulness in Enhancing Older Adults' Emotional Health.

To improve older adults' mental health, this study compared the effects of AI chatbots, such as ChatGPT 3.0, with traditional mindfulness therapies on loneliness and depression in older adults. Despite interest in AI as a complementary tool, empirical evidence on its impact remains limited. For an eight-week intervention, older adult participants from two nursing homes in Hangzhou were assigned to groups focused on mindfulness (group sessions) and chatting (one-on-one ChatGPT). Following the intervention, participants engaged in a researcher-led focus group discussion. After 8 weeks, tension had decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in the Mindfulness group of older adults, and there was no significant difference between the effects of ChatGPT and mindfulness on the emotional intervention of older adults. Findings indicated three themes, including (1) personal experience, reflecting older adults' use of AI technology and mindfulness; (2) attitudes and perspectives on the experiment's desirability and insufficiencies; and (3) needs and expectations for future AI and mindfulness developments, including usability and functional preferences. Similar to mindfulness practice, ChatGPT interactions helped older adults feel less depressed and might eventually reduce costs by replacing mindfulness. In the future, AI can be integrated with conventional techniques to improve interaction by giving AI a more human-like appearance.

Effects of 8-weeks Surf Skateboard training on physical fitness in young people

BackgroundSurf skateboards have grown in popularity among young people in recent years. However, no research studies have analyzed the effect of surf skateboarding on physical fitness. ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to determine the effects of 8-week surf skateboard training on physical fitness in young adults. MethodsTwenty-two young people, ages 18–24 years were randomly assigned into two groups: a control (CON; n = 11) and surf skateboarding (SSK; n = 11) group. The surf skateboard training group received an eight-week intervention consisting of three 60-minute (min) sessions per week, while the control group continued with their normal daily lives. Physical fitness was assessed before and after the intervention through a battery of tests that included body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, and balance. ResultsThe results showed that the SSK group demonstrated significant (p < 0.05) improvements in maximum voluntary ventilation, back and leg strength, lower body muscular endurance by the sit-to-stand tests, and balance in all direction compared with the pre-test and the CON group. In addition, the SSK group showed significantly (p < 0.05) decreased body weight, body mass index, percent body fat, and resting heart rate, while increased maximum oxygen consumption, pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, upper body muscular endurance by the sit-up test and flexibility compared with the pre-test. ConclusionThe findings suggest that surf skateboard training have an effective physical activity intervention to improve body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, and balance in young people.

National implementation trial of BeUpstanding™: an online initiative for workers to sit less and move more.

The online BeUpstanding™ program is an eight-week workplace-delivered intervention for desk-based workers to raise awareness of the benefits of sitting less and moving more and build a supportive culture for change. A workplace representative (the "champion") delivers the program, which includes a workshop where teams collectively choose their sit less/move more strategies. A toolkit provides the champion with a step-by-step guide and associated resources to support program uptake, delivery, and evaluation. Here we report on the main findings from the Australian national implementation trial of BeUpstanding. Recruitment (12/06/2019 to 30/09/2021) was supported by five policy and practice partners, with desk-based work teams from across Australia targeted. Effectiveness was measured via a single arm, repeated-measures trial. Data were collected via online surveys, toolkit analytics, and telephone calls with champions. The RE-AIM framework guided evaluation, with adoption/reach (number and characteristics); effectiveness (primary: self-reported workplace sitting time); implementation (completion of core components; costs); and, maintenance intentions reported here. Linear mixed models, correcting for cluster, were used for effectiveness, with reach, adoption, implementation, and maintenance outcomes described. Of the 1640 website users who signed-up to BeUpstanding during the recruitment period, 233 were eligible, 198 (85%) provided preliminary consent, and 118 (50.6%) champions consented and started the trial, with 94% (n = 111 champions) completing. Trial participation was from across Australia and across industries, and reached 2,761 staff, with 2,248 participating in the staff survey(s): 65% female; 64% university educated; 17% from a non-English speaking background. The program effectively changed workplace sitting (-38.5 [95%CI -46.0 to -28.7] minutes/8-hour workday) and all outcomes targeted by BeUpstanding (behaviours and culture), with small-to-moderate statistically-significant effects observed. All participating teams (n = 94) completed at least 5/7 core steps; 72.4% completed all seven. Most champions spent $0 (72%) or >$0-$5 (10%) per team member; most (67/70 96%) intended to continue or repeat the program. BeUpstanding can be adopted and successfully implemented by a range of workplaces, reach a diversity of staff, and be effective at creating a supportive culture for teams of desk-based workers to sit less and move more. Learnings will inform optimisation of the program for longer-term sustainability. ACTRN12617000682347.

Hatha yoga reduces momentary stress but does not impact diurnal profiles of salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase: A randomized controlled trial

Does the practice of yoga impact stress? Various studies have suggested that yoga may reduce both self-reported stress and stress biomarkers, but the evidence for such claims remains inconclusive, especially for yoga styles with a focus on physical postures. In a randomized controlled trial with 98 participants, we therefore examined whether an eight-week Hatha yoga intervention (60 min, 3×/week or more) led to reduced levels of diurnal salivary cortisol (sCort), salivary alpha-amylase (sAA), and subjective momentary stress as compared to a waitlist control group. To ensure the concomitant assessment of self-report and biological measures in an ecologically valid setting, and to capture the diurnal profile of cortisol and alpha-amylase, we employed an ecological momentary assessment approach. Five times per day, participants reported their momentary stress levels on a visual analogue scale and collected saliva samples for the assessment of salivary biomarkers. The intervention led to a significant reduction of subjective momentary stress but there was no change in diurnal sCort or sAA levels. There are several potential explanations for these findings: The intervention may have helped participants to cope better with stress while leaving diurnal levels of stress biomarkers unaffected, or the change may at least not have been reflected in sCort and sAA. Alternatively, there may have been a self-report bias, insofar as a favorable disposition towards yoga may have led participants to report reductions in stress in order to indicate positive effects of the intervention. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of the effects of distinct yoga interventions, demonstrating their potential to serve as low-risk stress relief tools.

Revisiting writing feedback: Using teacher-student writing conferences to enhance learners’ L2 writing skills

Previous studies have largely overlooked teacher feedback, which plays a significant role in the social construction of knowledge within educational ecosystems worldwide. While written corrective feedback has been the focus of writing feedback research, oral feedback in teacher-student L2 writing conferences has not received as much attention, especially from an ecological lens. To address this research gap, this study investigated how writing training, including teacher-student conferences, can improve learners' L2 writing skills, with a specific focus on Ethiopia. The study explores how these conferences can help students enhance their L2 writing skills through constructive criticism and encouragement. To achieve this, 63 students (aged 15 to 23; 38 male and 25 female) were divided into experimental and control groups using a quasi-experimental design. The students underwent pre- and post-tests during an eight-week intervention. MANOVA was used to evaluate the pre-test data, while ANCOVA was used for the post-test analysis. The post-test results show that teacher-student conferences can effectively improve three writing skills: organization, vocabulary, and mechanics. The greatest impact on students' understanding of the writing process was seen in mechanics (43.4%), vocabulary (36.9%), and organization (11.5%). However, the intervention did not have a statistically significant impact on two other writing skills: content and language usage or grammar. Recommendations for future research and strategies for integrating teacher-student conferences into writing instruction are provided.

Use of parkour in primary school physical education to develop motor creativity, divergent thinking, movement competence, and perceived motor competence

ABSTRACT Purpose As an extension of adventure education in school physical education, parkour has the potential to develop problem-solving and creative thinking along with the development of curriculum linked motor competencies and self-competence in a fun and risk-taking environment. This study aimed to investigate whether an adventure education model-based parkour intervention is more effective than the regular physical education in development of divergent thinking, motor creativity, movement competence and perceived motor competence of fourth-grade students. Methods A quasi-experimental, between group design was used. The participants were 55 fourth-grade students (Intervention: 28 from 1 school, Comparison: 27 from 2 schools) in rural regions. An eight-week parkour intervention (16 sessions) was designed and conducted for the intervention group, while the comparison group continued the regular physical education curriculum. One-way ANCOVA was used for the data analysis (p < .01). Measurement tools included Play Creativity, Divergent Thinking: Realistic Presented Problems, Körperkoordinationstest für Kinder: KTK and Perceived Motor Competence Questionnaire in Childhood (PMC-C). Findings Significant differences in motor creativity [F(1,52) = 9.76, p = .003, partial η2 = .158], divergent thinking skills [fluency F(1,52) = 33.14, p < .001, partial η2 = .389; originality F(1,52) = 7.39, p = .009, partial η2 = .124], movement competence [F(1,52) = 34.45, p < .001, partial η2 = .398], and perceived motor competence [F(1,52) = 7.44, p = .009, partial η2 = .125] were observed when compared to the comparison group. The intervention integrity was assessed to be 90%, and the attendance rate of the participants in the intervention was 87.2%. Conclusions This adventure education model-based parkour unit was effective in developing general and movement related creativity, as well as movement competence and perceived motor competence of primary school students. This study has implications for deploying movement exploratory approaches such as parkour as a means to achieve quality physical education characteristics which could involve professional development on the adventure education framework, parkour specific training, as well as non-linear and physical literacy enriched pedagogical practices.

Construction of Wushu Routine Training Program for Wellness Promotion in Secondary School Students

Background and Aim: As an important way of small and medium-sized sports communication, the current schools propose to stimulate the physical quality of middle school students in Wushu training. Wushu training is also to train primary and middle school students to enhance their physical fitness, enhance their self-confidence, and improve their emotional conditions. Therefore, the research goal of this paper is to promote the construction of healthy Wushu sports training programs for middle school students. The main research objects of this paper are middle school students. Research method: this study adopts the literature method, questionnaire method, and experimental comparison method of the exercise intervention of middle school students’ physique and mental health, in this paper, a total number of 50 students in Xianyang City, 50 were tested, and 30 could not be tested due to some reasons, such as lower limb injury, cardiopulmonary disease, and other symptoms. Result: After the eight-week Wushu routine exercise training intervention, the lung capacity increased (endurance quality), sitting forward flexion (flexibility quality), high leg lift (coordination ability), and 50 m short distance running (speed strength quality) were all improved and enhanced. the improvement of emotional state, self-confidence, and the improvement of anti-frustration ability to establish a sense of achievement reduce anxiety, and resist depression was significantly reduced. the subjects of lung capacity increase, flexibility, coordination, speed strength and aerobic endurance, anxiety, and depression mood significantly decreased. The results: the main ways to stimulate the physical quality of middle school students through Wushu routine training. It shows that wushu routine training can not only improve the physique of middle school students, but also promote mental health, and provides a certain basis for exercise training practice through exercise intervention experiments. Conclusion: After the eight-week Wushu routine training intervention, the lung capacity increased (endurance quality), sitting forward flexion (flexibility quality), high leg lift (coordination ability), and 50 m short distance running (speed strength quality) were all improved and enhanced. the improvement of emotional state, and self-confidence, and the improvement of anti-frustration ability to establish a sense of achievement reduces anxiety and resist depression was significantly reduced.

Innovation Off the Bat: Bridging the ChatGPT Gap in Digital Competence among English as a Foreign Language Teachers

This research explores the guided experimental implementation of ChatGPT as a tool for developing teachers’ skills in teaching English. The intervention involved 24 in-service English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers who engaged in crafting activities and assessments using researcher-designed prompts. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, the researchers assessed the participants’ ChatGPT integration proficiency through a custom-designed assessment tool aligned with the technological pedagogical content knowledge framework. The eight-week intervention introduced educators to various applications of ChatGPT in EFL teaching, including lesson planning. A quantitative analysis revealed statistically significant improvements in the teachers’ ChatGPT integration proficiency across all measured dimensions. The qualitative findings highlight the perceived benefits, challenges, and future prospects of ChatGPT in EFL education. While the practical significance of the improvement was modest, the results suggest that the guided integration of generative chatbots can bolster teachers’ ability to leverage this technology appropriately. This study contributes to the limited body of empirical research on integrating large language models into teaching and offers insights into the practical applications and challenges of using ChatGPT in EFL contexts.

"Effect of Progressive Structured Neuromuscular Training Program on Balance, Performance and Injury Risk Prediction in Amateur Futsal Team Players: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial"

"Neuromuscular training improves neuromuscular control and balance, consequently enhancing joint stability. This study aims to assess the impact of a structured neuromuscular training program on balance and performance among university amateur male futsal team players and to analyze biomechanical factors pertinent to injury risk assessments. Thirty athletes aged between 18 and 25, participating in the university male futsal team, will be enrolled in this study. At the outset, all athletes will undergo evaluation using the Korebalance® System, Countermovement Jump, Running-Based Anaerobic Sprint Test, Shot on Goal Test, Sit and Reach Test, Shuttle, Y Balance-Lower Quadrant, and The Tuck Jump test. Subsequently, they will maintain their regular training regimen of classical training twice a week for eight weeks and undergo reassessment using the same battery of tests after 8 weeks of period. Following this initial phase, the athletes will be randomly assigned to two groups: Control Group (n = 15) and Neuromuscular Training Group (n = 15). The Control Group (CG) will continue with their classical futsal training twice a week for eight weeks, while the Neuromuscular Training Group (NMEG) will engage in progressive structured neuromuscular training in addition to their regular futsal training, also twice a week for eight weeks. At the conclusion of the eight-week intervention period, both groups will undergo reevaluation using the same assessment methods. The study commenced in October 2023 and is anticipated to conclude by August 2024. It is anticipated that the integration of progressive structured neuromuscular training into futsal team training programs will yield positive outcomes."

Investigating change in the ability to decentre and depressive symptomatology over the course of a six-month mindfulness-based intervention in patients with persistent depression

Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) for depression use regular mindfulness practice as a means of helping patients build skills that allow them to respond more adaptively to negative mood. Although effects of practice are assumed to accumulate over time, little is known about the trajectories of change in skills and symptoms beyond the duration of standard eight-week interventions. Forty-four patients with persistent depression were recruited to participate in a 6-month blended MBI and provided self-reports of depressive symptomatology and their ability to decenter, the core skill cultivated in MBIs, at baseline, mid-intervention and after the end of the intervention. Trajectories of change were analysed using latent change score modelling. Thirty-one participants (70 %) completed the intervention having engaged in 68.6 % of practices on average. Trajectories of change in decentering and depression were best described by a combination of a constant change component and a limiting factor indicating decreasing rates with higher previous gains. Bivariate analyses showed significant lagged change to change coupling linking earlier changes in decentering with later changes in symptoms. The findings suggest that decentering skills increase throughout longer periods of practice and drive changes in symptoms to move patients closer to recovery or remission.

Telephone-based mindfulness intervention positively impacts family communication and stress within rural, African American dementia caregiving teams

Objectives The objective of this paper is to explore how telephone-delivered mindfulness training impacts family conflict and communication within the informal dementia caregiving team, including primary caregivers, their care partner, and the care recipient. Method Primary caregivers and their care partners participated in an eight-week telephone-delivered mindfulness-based intervention (MBI). This study used mixed methods and a pre-post design to evaluate the intervention’s effect on family satisfaction, perceived support, and family conflict. Results Both family satisfaction and perceived informational support increased significantly, and qualitative analysis revealed four key themes illustrating how the mindfulness intervention served to positively impact family conflict and communication among participating caregivers. Conclusion This study provides preliminary evidence for the beneficial effects of an MBI on family functioning among rural African American caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

Transitional Palliative Care for Family Caregivers: Outcomes From a Randomized Controlled Trial

ContextPatients receiving inpatient palliative care often face physical and psychological uncertainties during transitions out of the hospital. Family caregivers often take on responsibilities to ensure patient safety, quality of care, and extend palliative care principles, but often without support or training, potentially compromising their health and well-being. ObjectivesThis study tested an eight-week intervention using video visits between palliative care nurse interventionists and caregivers to assess changes in caregiver outcomes and patient quality of life. MethodsThis randomized controlled trial, conducted from 2018 to 2022, enrolled adult caregivers in rural or medically underserved areas in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa. Eligible caregivers included those caring for patients who received inpatient palliative care and transitioned out of the hospital. The intervention group received teaching, guidance, and counseling from a palliative care nurse before and for eight weeks after hospital discharge. The control group received monthly phone calls but no intervention. Caregiver outcomes included changes in depression, burden, and quality of life, and patient quality of life, as reported by the caregiver. ResultsOf those consented, 183 completed the intervention, and 184 completed the control arm; 158 participants had complete baseline and eight-week data. In unadjusted analyses, the intervention group and their care recipients showed statistically significant improvements in quality of life compared to the control group. Improvements persisted in adjusted analyses, and depression significantly improved. No differences in caregiver burden were observed. ConclusionAddressing rural caregivers’ needs during transitions in care can enhance caregiver outcomes and improve patient quality of life.

Effect of group online-based peer support intervention on psychological distress of adolescent and young adult cancer patients: a randomized controlled trial.

Adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients, aged between 15 to 39years old, suffer from long-term psychological distress, confronting low self-efficacy and various psychological problems. This study constructs a group online-based peer support intervention combined with offline activities to explore its impact on the psychological distress of AYA cancer patients. A randomized, two-arm clinical trial was conducted in which 90 AYA cancer patients were recruited. The control group (N = 45) received conventional psychological care and treatment, and the experimental group (N = 45) received 8weeks of an online peer support intervention. Outcome measures included psychological distress (Distress Thermometer, DT), anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, HADS), perceived peer support (Cancer Peer Support Scales, CaPSS), and readiness for return to work (Readiness to Return-To-Work Scale, RRTW). Eight-week peer support intervention was effective in improving psychological distress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms in the experimental group with statistically significant differences (P < 0.05). Time affected psychological distress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms in AYA cancer patients (P < 0.05), and there was an interaction with intervention factors (P < 0.05). The intervention has a positive effect on relieving the psychological status of AYA cancer patients. For readiness for return to work, the experimental group was in the preparation for the action-behavioral stage immediately, 1month and 3months after the end of the intervention (P < 0.01), supporting AYA cancer patients who have not returned to work to maintain optimal return-to-work readiness. The group online-based peer support intervention is popular and has good scientificity, effectiveness, and practical significance for AYA cancer patients. This study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov. (ChiCTR2100053091, registered on 10 November 2021).