Experiences Of Emotional Distress Research Articles

The ties that bind: Understanding the mental health consequences of the Windrush Scandal and hostile immigration policies on survivors in the UK

The Home Office Windrush Scandal of 2018 has had major implications for the wellbeing of survivors and is thought to have affected more than 15,000 individuals. The Government led compensation scheme to provide retribution to those impacted has been consistently argued as insufficient, in part linked to under appreciation of mental health consequences of the scandal. However, there is limited evidence which documents the nature of mental health issues that survivors and families have faced. This need for further evidence intersects with the need to protect a highly vulnerable community from further traumatisation. Our study contributes to this gap through a content analysis of survivor testimonies (n= 96) published in publicly available media sources between 2018 and 2023. Analysis explored both pathways to the development of mental health distress and experiences of potential mental health consequences (conditions). Our analysis was informed by a complex trauma and racial trauma framework. Findings demonstrate that the scandal disrupted numerous social domains linked to livelihoods and positive wellbeing, driving survivors into homelessness, and experiences of dehumanisation within state systems. This shaped survivors’ experiences of emotional distress, resulting in symptoms linked to depression, chronic stress, and anxiety disorders. Our work illuminates new details about the nature of trauma faced by survivors. Findings support calls for support survivors systems that provide targeted mental health supports and address the disrupted social areas of individuals lives and if they are to fully respond to the harms created by the scandal.

Emotional Distress and Physical Activity Engagement in U.S. Veterans With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Qualitative Study.

Physical activity is recommended as part of guideline-based care for managing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) at all stages of the disease. However, physical activity interventions are less effective in individuals with co-occurring emotional distress (i.e., depression and/or anxiety symptoms). Interventions that dually promote improved physical and mental health in COPD are needed. The first step for intervention development is understanding individuals' experience of these factors. To understand the experience of emotional distress in U.S. Veterans diagnosed with COPD and to explore how emotional distress impacts physical activity engagement. Structured interviews informed by the cognitive and behavioral models of psychopathology were conducted with 29 United States Veterans with COPD (89.66% male, age 67.72 ± 6.55 years, 93.10% White) at the VA Boston Healthcare System. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and underwent thematic analysis. Three major themes encapsulating 17 codes emerged through thematic analysis: (i) the experience of emotional distress in Veterans with COPD; (ii) the complex relationship between emotional distress, physical activity engagement, and COPD; (iii) contextual and personal factors. Veterans' interpretation of their COPD symptoms as unpredictable and uncontrollable and COPD-related physical limitations influenced their experience of emotional distress, while the experience of emotional distress both promoted and deterred physical activity engagement. Veterans were motivated to engage in physical activity despite experiencing emotional distress when they faced a responsibility in daily life. They identified motivational strategies and self-regulation techniques to manage emotional distress and to foster physical activity.

Mood Tracker: A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Self-Monitoring Intervention for Emotional Distress After Traumatic Brain Injury.

Persons with traumatic brain injury (TBI) frequently experience emotional distress (ED) manifested in anxiety and depression. However, they may not access mental health services due to external (eg, access, transportation, and cost) or internal (eg, stigma and discomfort with traditional counseling) barriers. Based on substantial literature indicating that self-monitoring can ameliorate several health conditions, we conducted a randomized, parallel group, wait-list control (WLC) trial of a self-monitoring intervention to decrease ED after TBI. Community in the southwestern United States. Persons with medically documented complicated mild, moderate, and severe TBI. About 127 participants were randomized in blocks of 6 to an active treatment (AT) group, wherein they completed multiple assessments of ED each week over a 6-week period via a smartphone app, or a WLC group in a parallel group, controlled trial. Participants received weekly support calls to promote self-monitoring of ED using ecological momentary assessment. ED (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7), Satisfaction with Life Scale, and Participation Assessment with Recombined Tools-Objective. Analysis of the primary study outcome at 6weeks after initiation of treatment for the AT group did not demonstrate that self-monitoring was effective in decreasing ED as compared to the WLC group. Brief support calls made weekly to promote compliance with self-monitoring were effective in achieving the target number of self-assessments. About 80% of support calls lasted less than 5minutes. Greater ED was associated with lower life satisfaction and lower participation indicating the importance of addressing ED in persons with TBI. Additional work is needed to develop nontraditional interventions to circumvent barriers that prevent persons with TBI from accessing care for ED. Brief support calls may be an effective, low-cost intervention to improve compliance with self-monitoring or self-management interventions.

The Rituals of Mourning: Éilís Ní Dhuibhne’s ‘The Coast of Wales’, or Why It Is Important to Perform Grief

This essay explores Éilís Ní Dhuibhne’s short story ‘The Coast of Wales’ (2015), which describes a widow’s visit to her husband’s grave in a cemetery near Dublin. Although taking the reader to the dark recesses of grief, the author infuses her characteristic humour in her narrator-protagonist, to the point that this becomes a story of hope and renewal as much as of pain and mourning. This essay will focus on the performativity and ritualisation of grief and on how the social conventions around death intersect with the personal experience of mourning. Understanding bereavement as both an individual and a collective process, rather than as a medical condition, I focus on the story’s inscription of colour, elements of the animal and natural world, and landscape to generate a glimpse of healing within the experience of emotional distress. Working within a Medical Humanities framework, the analysis is necessarily interdisciplinary, making use of literary criticism, memoir, medical, and psychological literature alike.

The perceived mental health experiences and needs of postpartum mothers living in the United Arab Emirates : A focus group study

BackgroundAfter childbirth, mothers are particularly vulnerable to mental health problems including anxiety and depression, which often remain undetected and untreated. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), recent figures revealed a substantial prevalence of postpartum depression. However, postpartum mental health remains largely understudied in the country's clinical and research settings. Therefore, given the paucity of literature in the UAE and building upon previous epidemiological findings, this study aimed to explore the perceived mental health experiences and needs of mothers during the postpartum period to guide the development of targeted interventions that address mothers’ unique mental health challenges. MethodologyFour focus groups were conducted, involving a total of 27 Emirati and multicultural expatriate mothers aged 32.47 ± 4.56 years old, living in the UAE and within their first year postpartum. Descriptive interpretive thematic analysis was employed to analyze the data. AnalysisSix themes were generated that capture the mothers postpartum experiences and mental health needs: (1) distinct postpartum experiences of primiparous and multiparous mothers, (2) experiences of emotional distress in the initial postpartum stage, (3) multifaceted challenges in breastfeeding, (4) multifactorial influences on postpartum mental health, (5) postpartum social support resources and providers, and (6) the need for formal and informal resources. ConclusionsThe findings highlight the importance of considering the unique cultural and societal factors that impact maternal mental health in the UAE, given its diverse population. A collaborative multidisciplinary approach, integrating culture sensitivity, is vital to address the mental health needs of postpartum mothers and to guide the development of tailored evidence-based interventions.

Scanxiety and quality of life around follow-up imaging in patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms: a prospective cohort study

ObjectivesPatients with an unruptured intracranial aneurysm (UIA) may experience scanxiety around follow-up imaging. We studied the prevalence and temporal pattern of scanxiety, and compared quality of life (QoL) outcomes in patients with and without scanxiety.MethodsWe performed a prospective cohort study in a tertiary referral center in the Netherlands between October 2021 and November 2022. We sent questionnaires to patients ≥ 18 years old undergoing UIA follow-up imaging 4 weeks before (T1), immediately after (T2), and 6 weeks after the scan (T3) to assess health-related QoL (HRQoL) and emotional functioning. At T3, we also assessed scanxiety with a purpose-designed questionnaire. We compared differences in QoL outcomes between respondents with and without scanxiety using mixed models.ResultsOf 158 eligible patients, 106 (67%) participated (mean age 61 years ± 11 [standard deviation], 84 women). Sixty of the 91 respondents (66%) who completed the purpose-designed questionnaire experienced scanxiety. Of the 49 respondents who experienced scanxiety after the scan, it resolved in 22 (45%) within a day after receiving the radiology report. HRQoL did not differ between respondents with or without scanxiety. Emotional functioning was worse for respondents with scanxiety (mean Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale sum score difference at T1, 3.6 [95% CI, 0.9–6.3]; T2, 4.1 [95% CI, 1.5–6.8]; and T3, 4.0 [95% CI, 1.5–6.5]).ConclusionsTwo-thirds of the respondents experienced scanxiety around follow-up imaging, which often resolved within a day after receiving results. Patients with scanxiety had similar HRQoL but worse emotional functioning compared to patients without scanxiety. The time between the scan and receiving the results should be minimized to decrease the duration of scanxiety.Clinical relevance statementWe showed that scanxiety is common in UIA patients, and negatively associated with emotional functioning. Since scanxiety often disappears immediately after receiving the radiology report, it should be communicated to the patient as early as possible to alleviate patients’ distress.Key Points• Many patients with an unruptured intracranial aneurysm experience emotional distress around follow-up imaging, termed “scanxiety.”• Patients with scanxiety had worse emotional functioning compared to patients without scanxiety.• Scanxiety often resolved within a day after receiving the radiology report.

THE LIVED EXPERIENCE OF COPD AND EMOTIONAL DISTRESS IN US VETERANS: A MIXED-METHOD STUDY

Abstract Behavioral interventions targeting low physical activity (PA) and comorbid emotional distress are critically needed to address gaps in the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A mixed-methods study was conducted to guide the development of Step-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (Step-CBT), a virtual behavioral intervention under study integrating PA promotion with CBT for those with COPD. Semi-structured interviews with U.S. Veterans with COPD at the VA Boston Healthcare System explored the lived experience of COPD and emotional distress. Participants completed the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 [PHQ-9], Beck Anxiety Inventory [BAI]), and wore an accelerometer (ActiGraph wGT3X-BT) for 14 days to measure objective PA. Thematic analysis was used to code responses and identify themes. Participants (n=22; 90.9% male, age 68.0±6.0 years; 96% White) were assessed. PHQ-9 indicated moderate depression severity (M=11.3± 5.3) and BAI scores indicated moderate anxiety severity (M=26.5±9.4). Average daily step count was (M=6,611±4,799). In response to questions eliciting participants’ experience of emotional distress, participants described Emotions, Behaviors, and Cognitions associated with distress that interacted with COPD and PA (e.g., “I’ve gotta catch my breath where before I could just do up the yard with no problem… so that gets me depressed”). When asked about engaging in daily PA in the context of emotional distress, three themes emerged: Emotion Regulation and Coping (e.g., healthy behavioral coping, maladaptive coping, etc.), Factors that Motivate (i.e., routine/schedule, etc.), and Social Context. Findings illuminate linkages between emotional distress and PA that will guide the creation of vignette-based treatment modules in the development of Step-CBT.

A - 35 The Relationship between Perceived Social Support and Everyday Cognition in Mild Cognitive Impairment: a Longitudinal Study.

Explore the relationship between perceived social support and changes in informant-rated cognitive ability in people with mild cognitive impairment (pwMCI) enrolled in a lifestyle intervention program. Based on prior literature, we hypothesized lower levels of social support would be associated with greater declines in executive functioning (EF) over time. Forty-nine pwMCI who enrolled in a 12-month comprehensive lifestyle program completed the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), and their informants completed the Everyday Cognition Scale (ECog) pre- and post-program. Change scores were calculated for the ECog Total Score and EF subscale. MCI participants were classified into three groups based on ECog change: Declined (n = 17), Stable (n = 17), and Improved (n = 15). Pearson correlations were conducted between MSPSS, ECog, and EF change scores within each group. There was no significant difference in baseline ECog ratings between groups, F(2,46) = 0.36, p = 0.70 or baseline MSPSS F(2,46) = 1.23, p = 0.30. For the Declined group, a trend emerged suggesting higher MSPSS was associated with declines in EF (r = 0.27, p = 0.07). The relationship between MSPSS and ECog total scores was not significant (p = 0.16). No trends or associations were observed in the Stable or Improved groups. Findings were counter to initial hypotheses. Although further work is needed, this effect may relate to Reciprocity Theory which posits those who require more social support experience emotional distress due to feelings of unwanted dependence and a lack of perceived ability to reciprocate support. This experience may adversely affect EF through an increase in negative emotions and stress. Further exploration of moderators of this relationship is warranted.

Trauma Informed Care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Parents who have a baby receiving care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) likely all experience emotional distress and are at elevated risk of experiencing trauma. The NICU environment is a potential source of traumatic stress for parents and often the risk for neonatal death is substantial. While the stressors facing parents are considerable, the effects can be minimized through implementation of trauma-informed care. The Family Guidance Tool was developed to help parents and healthcare professionals in a NICU setting utilize a strengths-based approach to create an atmosphere of mutual trust and understanding while encouraging the family to be the guide. This practical tool shows promise to mitigate stress often experienced by parents in a NICU setting.

From helplessness to transformation: An analysis of clinician narratives about the social determinants of health and their implications for training and practice.

Medical curricula are attempting to prepare trainees to address the social determinants of health, however the life circumstances of patients are often beyond physician control. Little is known about how physicians cope with this dilemma; we sought to examine their perspectives when faced with this challenge to help better prepare trainees for practice. We undertook a critical analysis of physician narratives from January 2018 to June 2020. In total, 268 physician-written narrative social determinant of health pieces from four high impact medical journals were screened and 47 met the inclusion criteria and were analysed. We identified four storylines that described the physician experience and strategies for coping with the social determinants of health. While Helplessness stories described authors' experiences of emotional distress when unable to support their patients, the other story types described ways they could make a difference. In Shortcoming and Transformation stories, the realisations about shortcomings led to transformation. In Doctor-patient relationship stories, authors described its importance in theirs and patients' lives, and in System advocacy stories, they described the need for greater advocacy to help change broken systems. Current approaches to teaching the social determinants of health often focus on the role of physicians in recognising and altering social circumstances. However, the realities of practice do not easily allow physicians to do so and, for some, may lead to distress and burnout. There are other ways to cope and make a difference by improving ourselves, investing in getting to know our patients, and advocating. These results can help better support trainees and physicians for the realities of practice.

Prevalence of and Risk Factors for Emotional Distress in Patients Undergoing Radiotherapy for Lung Cancer.

Quality of life of patients with lung cancer can be impaired by psychological distress. This study evaluated prevalence of and risk factors for emotional distress in patients undergoing radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy. Fourteen potential risk factors were retrospectively investigated in 144 patients. Emotional distress was evaluated with the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Distress Thermometer. Values of p<0.0036 (Bonferroni correction) were considered significant. At least one emotional problem (worry, fear, sadness, depression, nervousness, loss of interest) was reported by the majority of patients (N=93, 65%). Prevalence of these problems was 37%, 38%, 31%, 15%, 32% and 23%, respectively. Physical problems were significantly associated with worry (p=0.0029), fear (p=0.0030), sadness (p<0.0001), depression (p=0.0008), nervousness (p<0.0001), and loss of interest (p<0.0001). Age ≤69 years was associated with worry (p=0.0003), and female sex with fear (p=0.0002) and sadness (p=0.0026). Trends were found for associations of age with sadness (p=0.045), female sex with nervousness (p=0.034), and chemoradiotherapy with worry (p=0.027). Many patients with lung cancer experience emotional distress. Early psycho-oncological assistance may be important, particularly for high-risk patients.

Regulasi Emosi Pada Pengikut Tarekat Syattariyah

. Modern life’s pressure makes people experience emotional distress. However, this can be faced by the followers of the Syattariyah Order through the teachings that aim to achieve the insanul kamil’s condition. This study aims to describe the emotional regulation of followers of the Tarekat Syattariyah. This study uses a qualitative research method with a phenomenological study design. The subjects were selected using a purposive sampling technique. There are two subjects who are followers of the Syattariyah Order, namely BW (55 years) and WM (53 years). Data collection methods used are curriculum vitae, interviews, and observations. Data analysis used interpretive phenomenological analysis method. The subject's emotional regulation process focuses on the stages of attention deployment and Cognitive Change. In attention deployment stages, subjects uses the strategy of heart rhythm’s observing which accompanied by remembrance. Therefore, in the Cognitive Change stage, the Syattariyah’s followe congregation use an intuitive or affirmative reassessment strategy. In the Response Modulation stage, the subject uses an expressive suppression strategy or physical activity. Emotional awareness and religiosity supported by Sufism are the biggest factors that influence the emotion regulation process of tarekat followers. Through this process, the emotional regulation of the followers runs adaptively.

Youth Mental Well-Being Following Witnessed Police Stops.

The purpose of the present study is to investigate mental well-being among youth after witnessing police stops. A national, urban-born sample of youth in the USA from the most recent wave (2014-2017) of the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study (FFCWS) was employed, with a focus on youth who had not been directly stopped by police (N = 2506). We used t-tests and multivariable ordinary least squares (OLS) regression to estimate direct associations, product-term analysis to test for effect modification by gender and race/ethnicity, and the Karlson-Holm-Breen (KHB) method to assess for mediation by experiences of emotional distress during a stop. Findings indicate that youth who have witnessed police stops report significantly higher levels of depression (t = 5.93, p &lt; 0.01) and anxiety (t = 6.57, p &lt; 0.01) and lower levels of happiness (t = - 4.02, p &lt; 0.01) following the stop than those who have not. Among youth witnessing stops (N = 1488), more intrusive witnessed encounters correspond to diminished mental well-being across indicators, in part due to elevated emotional distress during witnessed stops. Findings hold regardless of gender, yet vary somewhat by race and ethnicity, with youth of color reporting less anxiety than their White counterparts after witnessing an intrusive stop, but reporting greater reductions in happiness. Collectively, our findings suggest that witnessing police stops may contribute to inequities in youth mental well-being. A public health approach that combines prevention and treatment strategies may mitigate the harms of police exposure and reduce disparities in youth well-being.

Short and Long-Term Outcomes of 308-nm Laser for Pediatric Vitiligo.

Pediatric vitiligo is often challenging to treat. Children with vitiligo experience stigma, bullying, and emotional distress. The long-term outcome of therapeutics used to treat pediatric vitiligo has been poorly documented in the literature. It is, therefore, hard to counsel patients on the expected long-term results of therapy. We sought to address outcomes in pediatric vitiligo treated with a 308-nm laser. An IRB-exempt chart review was conducted in June of 2016 of children undergoing active 308-nm laser in the first half of 2016. Demographic data, location of disease, therapeutic parameters of the 308-nm laser, and outcomes were recorded at that time. In 2021, the long-term outcomes were analyzed through chart review addressing pigmentation retained at later office visits. Initial repigmentation was noted in 86.7% of the face, 80% of the body, and 61.7% of the extremities. An average of 3.38 years of follow-up was recorded. Scoring extent of vitiligo using 18 site-scoring was helpful in identifying individuals who are less likely to respond to 308-nm laser, but needs broader evaluation. During that time, repigmentation was noted to be retained in 80% of facial, 40% of the body, and 20% of extremity lesions. Pediatric vitiligo responds well to the 308-nm laser, with the best retention of repigmentation for facial lesions. Patients and parents should be counseled on the likelihood of long-term retention of repigmentation and regarding the need for the ongoing management of vitiligo even after repigmentation is initially achieved after 308-nm laser therapy. J Drugs Dermatol. 2022;21(7):773-775. doi:10.36849/JDD.6895.

Emotional Distress and Associated Factors among the General Population during the COVID-19 Pandemic in China: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey

Objective: This study investigated emotional distress and associated factors among the general population in the aftermath of the COVID-19 lockdown in China. Design and sample: An online nationwide survey was conducted using a self-designed questionnaire, which included items related to demography, lifestyle, and experience of emotional distress during the previous month of the pandemic period. A total of 10,545 respondents completed the survey. Results: Over 30% of participants reported experiencing one or more symptoms of emotional distress to a moderate or higher degree. Increased emotional distress was associated with COVID-19-related impact on diet (β = −1.106, 95% CI: −1.187 to −1.026, p &lt; 0.001), experiencing food shortage (β = 1.334, 95% CI: 1.117 to 1.551, p &lt; 0.001), lack of physical exercise (β = −0.845, 95% CI: −1.024 to −0.667, p &lt; 0.001), younger age (β = −0.050, 95% CI: −0.062 to −0.039, p &lt; 0.001), being a smoker (β = 0.852, 95% CI: 0.604 to 1.100, p &lt; 0.001), lower education level (β = −0.524, 95% CI: −0.702 to −0.346, p &lt; 0.001), and lack of medical insurance (β = −0.742, 95% CI: −1.012 to −0.473, p &lt; 0.001). Emotional distress was negatively associated time spent sleeping (β = −0.020, 95% CI: −0.027 to −0.013, p &lt; 0.001). Conclusion: The levels of emotional distress are high in the aftermath of the lockdown and associated with a number of demographic and lifestyle factors.

Identifying Types of Eco-Anxiety, Eco-Guilt, Eco-Grief, and Eco-Coping in a Climate-Sensitive Population: A Qualitative Study.

Background: Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of the 21st century and it can affect mental health either directly through the experience of environmental traumas or indirectly through the experience of emotional distress and anxiety about the future. However, it is not clear what possible subtypes of the emerging “psychoterratic” syndromes such as eco-anxiety, eco-guilt, and eco-grief exist, how much distress they may cause, and to what extent they facilitate ecofriendly behavior. Methods: We analyzed semi-structured interviews (N = 17) focusing on the thoughts, emotions, and behaviors related to climate change by using a combination of inductive and deductive qualitative methods. Results and conclusions: The interviews revealed six eco-anxiety components, eight types of eco-guilt, and two types of eco-grief that help to understand the multifactorial nature of these phenomena. The six categories of coping strategies are in line with traditional coping models, and they are linked in various ways to pro-environmental behavior and the management of negative emotions. The results can help practitioners to gain a deeper understanding of emotions related to climate change and how to cope with them, and researchers to develop comprehensive measurement tools to assess these emotions.

Emotional distress, anxiety, and depression in South Asians with long-term conditions: a qualitative systematic review.

BackgroundPeople with physical–mental comorbidity have a poorer quality of life, worse clinical outcomes, and increased mortality compared with people with physical conditions alone. People of South Asian (SA) origin are the largest minority group in the UK and are more likely to have long-term conditions (LTCs) such as diabetes and heart disease. People of SA origin are less likely to recognise symptoms that may represent mental health problems.AimTo explore how people of SA origin with LTCs understand, experience, and seek help for emotional distress, depression, and anxiety.Design and settingSystematic review of qualitative studies exploring emotional distress in people of SA origin with diabetes or coronary heart disease, within primary and community care settings worldwide.MethodComprehensive searches of eight electronic databases from inception to 1 September 2021 were undertaken. Data extracted included study characteristics, and understanding, experience, and help-seeking behaviour for emotional distress. Thematic synthesis was undertaken. The Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) checklist for qualitative studies was used to assess quality of articles, and Confidence in the Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative Research (GRADE-CERQual) used to determine the overall strength of evidence.ResultsTwenty-one studies from 3165 unique citations were included. Three main themes were identified. Understanding of emotional distress: non-medical terminology used, such as ‘tension’, and a complex relationship between emotional and physical illness. Experiences of emotional distress: multiple forms of inequality, distress at diagnosis of their LTC, cultural factors, and sex differences. Help-seeking behaviour: self-management, support from family, friends, and faith, and inadequate clinical support.ConclusionThis review provides a greater understanding of the conceptualisation of emotional distress in the context of LTCs by people of SA origin, to support improvement in its recognition and management.

The effect of progressive muscle relaxation interventions on depression, stress, anxiety, and quality of life for cancer patients: a systematic review

Patients with cancer experience emotional distress which characterized by psychological symptoms such as anxiety or depression, psychological symptoms that arise and complex cancer processes have negative impact on their quality of life. Many cancer patients use a wide variety of techniques to improve their psychological symptoms and quality of life including relaxation therapy and specifically, Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR). The systematic review purpose was to review the evidence regarding the use of PMR intervention for cancer patients. Thirty four published studies and nine identified original article as potentially relevant , undertaken in the past six years until now (2013 to 2019) with data bases in Scopus, Proquest, Google Scholar, Oxford, and Science direct Searches. The information flow chart from record identification to study inclusion was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA and extracted data with PICOT. The impact of progressive muscle relaxation interventions remained in effect for between seven days and six month after the interventions.. Progressive muscle relaxation intervention is the technique including continous and systematic stretching and relaxing of the muscles until the whole body becomes relaxed. It has effects in improving depression, stress, anxiety and quality of life via physical relaxation.

Parents\u2019 pandemic NICU experience in the United States: a qualitative study

BackgroundPrior to the COVID-19 pandemic, parents of infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) frequently reported high levels of stress, uncertainty, and decreased parenting confidence. Early research has demonstrated that parents have had less access to their infants in the hospital due to restrictions on parental presence secondary to the pandemic. It is unknown how parents have perceived their experiences in the NICU since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study was to describe the lived experience of parents who had an infant in the NICU in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic to inform healthcare providers and policy makers for future development of policies and care planning.MethodsThe study design was a qualitative description of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on parents’ experiences of having an infant in the NICU. Free-text responses to open-ended questions were collected as part of a multi-method study of parents’ experiences of the NICU during the first six months of the pandemic. Participants from the United States were recruited using social media platforms between the months of May and July of 2020. Data were analyzed using a reflexive thematic approach.FindingsFree-text responses came from 169 parents from 38 different states in the United States. Three broad themes emerged from the analysis: (1) parents’ NICU experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic were emotionally isolating and overwhelming, (2) policy changes restricting parental presence created disruptions to the family unit and limited family-centered care, and (3) interactions with NICU providers intensified or alleviated emotional distress felt by parents. A unifying theme of experiences of emotional distress attributed to COVID-19 circumstances ran through all three themes.ConclusionsParents of infants in the NICU during the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic experienced emotional struggles, feelings of isolation, lack of family-centered care, and deep disappointment with system-level decisions. Moving forward, parents need to be considered essential partners in the development of policies concerning care of and access to their infants.

Photodynamic Therapy in the Treatment of Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

Vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS) is a chronic inflammatory disease involving the genital skin and mucous membrane. Patients exhibit focal atrophy and destructive scarring, with an increased risk of malignant transformation. Due to objective symptoms as well as subjective complaints, patients with VLS experience emotional distress, lowered mood, and sexual dysfunction, which is reflected in impaired health-related quality of life. Thus, the necessity of implementing appropriate therapy at the earliest possible stage of the disease in order to avoid serious complications is highlighted. We presented the systematic review of available literature, performed with MEDLINE, Cinahl, Central, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. We identified a total of twenty relevant studies which indicate that photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a valuable therapeutic modality in the treatment of VLS.