Higher Levels Of State Anxiety Research Articles

Effects of heart rate variability biofeedback training on psychological state and cardiac autonomic regulation in stressed people

IntroductionPsychological stress is common in our fast‐paced society and strongly influences mental and physical well‐being. Specific training methods have been recently proposed to deal with the negative effects of stress. heart rate variability biofeedback training, a method whereby the subject controls an unusually breathing rate to reach cardiac coherence, has been shown to reduce anxiety and improve cardiac autonomic dynamics in diseased people as well as in young competitors. The present study was designed to examine the effects of short sessions of biofeedback (BFB) training in subjects classified as being severely stressed.MethodsTwenty‐four participants characterized by a high level of state anxiety, were randomly assigned into a BFB group (n=12) or a control Group (n=12). In the BFB group, cardiac coherence training using a biofeedback device (URGOfeel®, URGOTECH) was conducted during 5 weeks, 5‐min twice a day.Subjects completed two sessions of tests (before and after 5‐weeks BFB training). Each session consisted in 4 conditions, a baseline “quiet” condition, a condition of cognitive tasks (to assess different domains of executive functioning), and two conditions of cognitive tasks associated to two levels of environmental‐induced stress. To create gradual level of environmental stress, the experimental context was modified by generating visual and sound interferences with negative feedback and time pressure. Heartbeat intervals were recorded (Polar Belt) for 10‐min both at baseline and after 5‐weeks BFB training and was assessed in temporal domain (RMSSD) and from non‐linear analyses (entropy index calculated from MultiScale Entropy, MSE). Participants filled out a series of questionnaires on‐line, notably the Spielberger state anxiety questionnaire (STAI) and the NASA‐TLX to measure the impact of stress on anxiety and workload, before and after each session and conditions.ResultsBefore BFB training the induced stress, was associated with a high level of anxiety and a low entropy when compared to baseline and cognitive tasks conditions. After BFB training, both psychological state and entropy in cardiac dynamics were improved in every condition.Conclusionthe present study confirms the blunting of physiological complexity in heart rate dynamics in stressed subjects especially under acute stress. The phenomenon is generally associated with an altered heart‐brain interconnectivity and a lesser adaptive capacity to everchanging environments. The main outcome here was the efficiency of (very) short BFB training sessions to restore an improved autonomic control in stressed subjects whatever their environment.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Comparison of pregnant women from public and private health care: a psychological approach

Abstract Objectives: to compare sociodemographic, anthropometric and psychological factors in pregnant women receiving public and private health care, as well as verify the influence of eating attitudes, depressive symptoms, self-esteem and anxiety on body attitudes in both sectors. Methods: this study included 386 pregnant women aged 18-46 (mean of 29.32 ± 6.04 years). Instruments were applied to evaluate body attitudes, eating attitudes, depressive symptoms, self-esteem and anxiety. Anthropometric and obstetric data were collected. Descriptive, comparative and correlational analyses were performed. Results: troubled sociodemographic characteristics, negative body attitudes, inappropriate eating attitudes, depressive symptoms, low self-esteem, and high levels of trait and state anxiety were significantly higher among participants receiving public health care (p<0.05). Eating attitudes and self-esteem directly influenced the body attitudes of those receiving public health care (R2 adjusted=0.336, p<0.001) and private health care (R2 adjusted=0.324, p<0.001). Conclusions: it was concluded that the sociodemographic, anthropometric, and psychological factors were more worrying in pregnant women receiving care in the public sector when compared to those of the private sector.

Relationships between Anxiety, Emotional Intelligence, and Motivational Climate among Adolescent Football Players.

Background: Emotional and motivational factors are fundamental in the context of sport, as they directly relate to sports performance and anxiety. Methods: The present study aimed to analyze the relationships between motivational climate (MC), emotional intelligence (EI), and anxiety within a sample of footballers playing at a low level. The sample was composed of 282 registered football players aged between 16 and 18 years old (16.96 ± 0.77), playing in the lower tier in the province of Jaen (Spain). Data were self-reported, with participants responding to the Perceived Motivational Climate in Sport Questionnaire (PMCSQ-2), the Schutte Self-Report Inventory (SSRI), and the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Results: The results showed that footballers who reported higher levels of state anxiety and trait anxiety also demonstrated lower EI and more negatively perceived and regulated their emotions. Moreover, an ego-oriented climate was associated with higher levels of anxiety, while a task-oriented climate was related to lower levels of anxiety and higher levels of EI. No relationship was identified between the emotional aspects of young footballers and holding a motivational orientation toward an ego climate. Conclusions: Football players who more greatly perceived a task-oriented climate had higher EI and usually reported lower levels of anxiety related to sport performance. It is therefore important to promote intrinsic motivations and develop the capacity of footballers to regulate their own emotions.

Stress and anxiety among mothers of premature infants in a Malaysian neonatal intensive care unit

ABSTRACTObjective: This study aims to determine maternal stress and anxiety as perceived by mothers whose premature infants were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and to identify maternal stress and its relationship with maternal and infant characteristics and anxiety.Background: Vulnerable premature infants commonly require special care in the NICUs. In most cases, prolonged hospitalization results in stress and anxiety for the mothers.Methods: A non-probability convenience survey was used in a public hospital, with 180 mothers completing the 26-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and a 40-item State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI).Results: 56.5% of mothers had high levels of stress, 85.5% of mothers had a high level of state-anxiety and 67.8% of mothers had a high level of trait-anxiety. The stress experienced by these mothers had a significant relationship with anxiety, and was found to be associated with state and trait anxiety levels, but not with maternal and infant characteristics.Conclusion: Mothers in this setting revealed high levels of stress and anxiety during their premature infants’ NICU admission. An immediate interventional programme focusing on relieving mothers’ anxiety and stress is needed to prevent maternal stress and anxiety at an early stage.

The effect of anxiety on emotional recognition: evidence from an ERP study

Anxiety-related bias in the recognition memory based on trait anxiety has induced some studies. Their results, however, were conflicting. In fact, anxious differences not only differed from personality traits but also from different anxiety mood levels. We explored the emotional memory bias in both trait and state anxiety individuals, the high trait and high state anxiety group, the high trait and low state anxiety group, the low trait and high state anxiety group, and the low trait and low state anxiety group, on classic recognition paradigm using event-related potentials (ERPs). The behavioral results showed high state anxiety levels increased the d’ of negative words, regardless of the trait anxiety of participant is high or low, and a lower d’ of recognition memory for negative words than for neutral and positive words in all participants. Moreover, Electrophysiological results supported the findings of behavior, showing an earlier N400 (250–500 ms) latency elicited for new-negative words in high state level than in low state levels in right parietal region. These results suggested that the memory bias to negative events resides in state anxiety, but not in trait anxiety.

Medical Help-Seekers with Anxiety from Deterioration in Memory are Characterized with Risk Factors for Cognitive Decline

ABSTRACTObjectives: Anxiety and subjective memory complaints (SMC) are major risk factors for Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and dementia. However, the association between anxiety, SMC and medical help-seeking due to complaints is not clear. Here, we assessed anxiety which rose specifically by memory examination and compared it between help-seekers in memory clinics (HS) and non-help seekers (NHS).Methods: Twenty HS (60% female) were recruited from a memory Clinic, and 55 NHS (63% female) were recruited from the community. Participants (aged 59–82) completed objective memory assessment, Subjective Memory questionnaire, depression questionnaire and State-Trait Anxiety questionnaire. State-anxiety was assessed immediately following memory testing (indicating anxiety triggered by testing memory). For statistical evaluation, we used non-parametric tests.Results: HS participants reported significantly higher levels of state-anxiety and had more SMC compared to the NHS. No differences in objective memory tests and trait-anxiety were found.Conclusions: People who are seeking help in memory clinics (even those who do not meet any criteria for memory decline) are liable to be at high risk for MCI and dementia.Clinical Implications: We recommend that HS with SMC should be treated as a high-risk group, even if they do not show objective memory deficits.

Internalising symptoms and verbal working memory in school-age children: A processing efficiency analysis.

The current study investigated differential contributions of internalising symptoms (state anxiety, trait anxiety, depression) to school-age children's verbal short-term (STM) and working memory (WM) span accuracy and efficiency (microanalysis of response times). Children's (N = 125, Mage = 11.44 years) STM/WM was assessed with simple/complex span tasks. Our analyses revealed that: (a) children with high levels of state anxiety displayed reduced simple span accuracy (on Word span) and poorer efficiency on both simple (preparatory intervals, interword pauses) and complex span (preparatory intervals) response time segments; (b) trait anxiety was a negative predictor of children's complex span accuracy, as well as their efficiency on both simple (word durations) and complex span (interword pauses) response time measures; (3) depressive symptoms predicted longer simple span interword pauses. Findings indicate that while all internalising symptoms were predictive of children's poorer memory search efficiency, especially during the "silent", executive intervals (interword pauses), anxiety symptoms were specifically predictive of children's impaired span accuracy and other efficiency indicators (preparatory intervals, word durations). The study highlights the differential contributions of state, trait anxiety, and depressive symptoms to STM/WM in children, emphasising the need to measure both accuracy and efficiency to assess the role that such symptoms play in children's performance.

Differential effects of emotion induced after encoding on item memory and reality-monitoring source memory.

Although studies have examined the effect of emotional stimuli on reality-monitoring source memory, it is poorly understood whether the effect observed would remain if emotion is induced after encoding. In addition, although there has been evidence that post-encoding emotion enhances item memory but not external monitoring source memory, it is unclear whether such a null effect extends to other types of source memory. To address these gaps, in the current study, participants encoded a list of words. For half of the words they were asked to think about the corresponding opposite words, and for the remaining half of words they viewed the corresponding opposite words. Following encoding they watched a neutral, positive or negative video. Replicating prior studies, both positive and negative emotions enhanced consolidation of item memory. Furthermore, participants at a high level of state anxiety, trait anxiety and depression were more likely to benefit from the enhancement effect of post-encoding emotion. However, no significant effect was observed on reality-monitoring source memory. Taken together the current study suggests that the enhancement effect of post-encoding emotion on item memory does not necessarily extend to reality-monitoring source memory.

Symptomatology of Depression and Anxiety After Ischemic Stroke in Different Evolution Periods

Background: Several studies suggest a high prevalence of symptoms of depression and anxiety after stroke. However, the prevalence and severity of this symptomatology may vary according to the period after a stroke in which the patient is assessed. Goals: This study aims to compare the depressive and anxious symptoms of a population of patients who suffered from ischemic stroke and who are in different evolution periods after stroke.Methods: This is an observational cross-sectional study. Participants were all individuals with ischemic stroke, without previous history of psychiatric disease nor pathologies involving Central Nervous System compromise or cognitive deficits, recruited from hospitals or from support units of the Rede Regional de Cuidados Continuados Integrados of the Região Autónoma da Madeira, Portugal. Participants were divided into four groups according to the post- stroke evolution period: short duration (0 to 3 months after the stroke), medium duration (4 to 12 months), chronic period I (13 to 24 months) and chronic period II (more than 24 months after the stroke). Data were collected by a psychologist, with the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Form Y (STAI-Y), in individual self-report sessions. Results: The study included 42 patients with ischemic stroke, 52.4% males, aged 55-88 years. The different post-stroke evolution period groups do not differ in age, sex, level of education, hemispheric location of the lesion or cognitive functioning. The results showed that the prevalence of depression is higher in the chronic group II; regarding the prevalence of anxiety, no significant differences were found between the four groups. As for the severity of symptoms of depression, it is also significantly higher in the chronic group II. With regard to anxiety, trait and state anxiety levels are higher in the medium duration group compared to participants in the short duration period. It was also observed higher levels of state anxiety in the medium duration group compared to the chronic group I. Discussion: These results suggest the need to identify early emotional changes inherent to this population. These changes can have a major impact on the assessment, follow-up and neuropsychological rehabilitation of patients, so that their early identification will allow a more adequate intervention.Keywords: Ischemic stroke; Depression; Anxiety; Emotional changes.

Increased Mental Well-Being and Reduced State Anxiety in Teachers After Participation in a Residential Yoga Program.

BackgroundReducing stress in the workplace improves mental health. Teaching is of social importance, but it may receive inadequate recognition and rewards. The present study compared mental well-being and state anxiety in primary school teachers who practiced 15 days of yoga in a residential setting with those who continued their usual routine.Material/MethodsWe enrolled 236 primary school teachers to participate in the study. We assigned 118 primary school teachers (group mean ±S.D., age 41.5±6.0 years, 74 females) to the experimental group; they underwent 15 days of yoga training for 6 hours/day) in a residential yoga center. The non-yoga control group (group mean ±S.D., age 42.3±6.0 years, 79 females) consisted of 118 teachers who continued with their normal teaching routine.ResultsAfter 15 days in the residential yoga program, there was an increase in overall mental well-being (p<.001) and lower state anxiety (p<.01) (repeated-measures ANOVA, followed by post hoc multiple comparison tests). At baseline, the non-yoga control group had higher levels of state anxiety, presumably related to their remaining in the workplace.ConclusionsThe study was a 15-day, comparative, controlled trial. The results show that after 15 days of participation in the residential yoga program, primary school teachers increased all aspects of mental well-being and had reduced state anxiety.

Assessing anxiety and depression in parents of preterm infants

PurposeTo measure state and trait anxiety, as well as depression, among parents of preterm infants hospitalized in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). DesignA convenience sample of 200 parents of preterm infants (124 mothers and 76 fathers) hospitalized in two Greek pediatric hospital NICUs participated in the study. ResultsAmong the 200 participating parents, mothers (which constituted 62% of the total sample) experienced higher levels of state anxiety, trait anxiety and depression than the fathers (p = 0.04, p < 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively). State anxiety scores were also higher in individuals aged ≥40 years (p = 0.038). Other factors that contributed to higher levels of state anxiety, trait anxiety and depression included being unemployed, living in rural areas and having complications during pregnancy. ConclusionThe severity of state anxiety, trait anxiety and depression among parents of preterm infants hospitalized in NICUs is influenced by various socio-demographic factors and by clinical characteristics of the infants.

РІВЕНЬ ГОРМОНІВ СТРЕС-ЛІМІТУЮЧОЇ СИСТЕМИ У ВАГІТНИХ З ПСИХОЕМОЦІЙНИМИ ПОРУШЕННЯМИ, ОБУМОВЛЕНИМИ ТРИВОЖНІСТЮ

Мета дослідження – визначити рівень гормонів стрес-лімітуючої системи у вагітних з урахуванням їх психоемоційного стану.Матеріали та методи. Обстежено 86 жінок у ІІ та на початку ІІІ триместру вагітності. До основної групи включені 60 вагітних із середнім та високим рівнями ситуативної тривожності, а також 26 вагітних із рівнем тривоги 30 балів і нижче, що свідчить про низький рівень СТ (група порівняння). Для оцінки ситуативної тривожності та особистісної тривожності використовували шкалу Ч. Д. Спілбергера, яка адаптована Ю. Л. Ханіним. Кількісну оцінку концентрації гормонів у плазмі крові визначали методом імуноферментного аналізу на апараті «SIRIO S». Для визначення рівня пролактину (Пр) використовували тест-систему Monobind INC (США), кортизолу (К) та інсуліну (Ін) – тест-системи DRG (Німеччина). Рівень ендогенних опіоїдних пептидів (β-ендорфіну) визначали з використанням тест-системи Peninsula Laboratories, LLC (США).Результати дослідження та їх обговорення. Групи дослідження були розділені залежно від рівня СТ. Встановлено, що середній показник СТ у групі порівняння склав (26,3±1,2) бала та був статистично достовірно нижчим (p&lt;0,05) за середній показник в основній групі ((37,9±1,4) бала). Досліджуючи концентрацію Пр, встановлено, що взаємовплив із тривожністю підтверджується наявністю позитивного кореляційного зв’язку між його рівнем та СТ (r=+0,690, p&lt;0,05), а також менш значиму з ОТ (r=+0,254, p&lt;0,05) відповідно. При оцінці рівня Пр було встановлено статистично достовірно вищий (p&lt;0,05) серед вагітних із середньо-високим рівнем тривожності 136,2 (118,0; 151,6) нг/мл порівняно з жінками з низьким її рівнем 93,7 (67,4; 110,7) нг/мл. При порівнянні концентрації К у вагітних із середньо-високим рівнем СТ – 416,0 (368,2; 560,0) нг/мл встановлено статистично достовірне (p&lt;0,05) його переважання порівняно з жінками, які мали низький її рівень – 343,2 (304,6; 370,5) нг/мл. Взаємозв’язок рівня СТ та К у вагітних із високим та середнім її рівнями підтверджується також наявністю позитивного кореляційного зв’язку (r=+0,704, p&lt;0,05). У вагітних із низьким рівнем СТ таких зв’язків не встановлено. При оцінці рівня Ін встановлено, що він не мав зв'язку з тривожністю, а також із терміном гестації та віком вагітних. Так, рівень Ін серед вагітних із середньо-високим рівнем тривожності склав 11,5 (9,1; 16,8) мкл Од/мл, а в групі жінок із низьким її рівнем – 12,2 (9,8; 21,9) мкл Од/мл та був статистично не достовірним (p&gt;0,05). Однак розрахунок К/Ін індексу, як маркера стресу, дозволив встановити його статистично достовірне (p&lt;0,05) переважання в групі вагітних із середньо-високим рівнем 39,4 (23,2; 54,9) порівняно з жінками з низьким 24,6 (16,02; 34,1) її рівнем. При оцінці β-ендорфіну не було встановлено статистично достовірної різниці (p&gt;0,05) між показниками у вагітних із середньо-високим – 1,2 (0,6; 3,6) нг/мл та низьким – 1,4 (0,7; 3,0) нг/мл рівнями СТ. Вірогідно, це свідчить про відсутність виразного впливу означеного нейропептиду на формування емоційного стану в жінок під час вагітності.Висновки. Оцінка рівня пролактину, як ендогенного анксіолітика, дозволила встановити статистично достовірне (р&lt;0,05) його зростання у вагітних із середньо-високим рівнем СТ у порівнянні з групою жінок із низьким її рівнем. Зростання рівня пролактину у вагітних із низьким рівнем СТ залежить від терміну гестації (r=+0,665, p&lt;0,05) та не має зв’язку як з рівнем СТ, так і ОТ. Серед вагітних із середнім та високим рівнями СТ мала місце протилежна картина – негативний зв’язок із терміном вагітності (r = -0,338, p&gt;0,05) та позитивний – із рівнем СТ (r = +0,576, p&lt;0,05). Порівняння рівня інсуліну та β-ендорфіну у вагітних з урахуванням рівня СТ не дозволило встановити статистично значимої різниці (p&gt;0,05). Однак визначення К/Ін індексу, як маркера стресу, дозволило встановити його статистично достовірне (p&lt;0,05) переважання в групі вагітних із середньо-високим рівнем, порівнюючи з вагітними, які мали низький рівень СТ.

The effects of instruction and environmental demand on state anxiety, driving performance and autonomic activity: Are ego-threatening manipulations effective?

A small yet emerging body of research on the relationship between anxiety and driving suggests that higher levels of state anxiety may lead to more dangerous driving behaviours. The aim of the current research was to investigate the effects of increased state anxiety on driving behaviours within a simulated environment using instructional sets to manipulate anxiety levels. In Study One, whilst a set of safety-related instructions were able to increase state anxiety, this did not result in changes to driving behaviours. In Study Two, ego-threatening instructions were not able to successfully increase state anxiety. This has implications regarding instructional sets in research, including their task relevance and the necessity for a motivational incentive. However, when changes in anxiety were considered regardless of instruction group, Study Two found changes in SDLP and skin conductance levels related to state anxiety increases. As these effects were context specific, it is argued that some of these changes may be due to poorer processing efficiency, leading to suggestions about the types of behaviours that may need to be trained in potential therapies for those who show high state anxiety levels whilst driving.

Cognitive and emotional disorders in university students and teachers: the possibility of treatment with recognan (citicoline)

To study the efficacy of recognan (citicoline) in treatment of cognitive, emotional, autonomic, asthenic disorders in university students and teachers. Fifty-eight subjects (17 men and 41 women), mean age 27.75±12.05 years, including who 42 students and 16 teachers were studied. The sample was randomized into 2 groups (29 each): the main sub-group received oral therapy with recognan for 30 days, while the daily dosage was 500 mg (5 ml). In the control group, no drug therapy was performed. Patient's state was assessed with a large battery of psychological tests and psychometric scales. The follow-up period was 30 days. All participants were examined three times (initially, in the middle of the study (day 15), in the end of the study (day 30)). Asthenic state was detected in 69%, autonomic dysfunction in 82.7%, sleep disorders in 75.8% of subjects. A high level of state anxiety was revealed in 22.2%, trait anxiety in 29.8%, a high level of stress was determined in 6,9%. It is shown that the use of recognan (citicoline) has a positive effect on compensation of autonomic and asthenic disorders, improves cognitive status, corrects psycho-emotional disorders, when used as a short (2 week) and month course.

An examination of anxiety levels of nursing students caring for patients in terminal period

Objective:To investigate the anxiety levels of the nursing students who are caring for the patients in the terminal period and to determine whether there is a difference between 3rd, 4th grade in this direction.Methods:A 40-item “State and Trait Anxiety Scale” was used together with the questionnaire on “Determining the Level of Anxiety Levels of Nursing Students Caring for the Patient at the Terminal Period” for determining the data.Results:The mean scores and standard deviations of all students from the state and trait anxiety scales were respectively 41.95±5.06, 48.15±5.44. Averages of 3rd state anxiety scale score was 42.03 ± 5.26, trait anxiety scale averages were 48.08 ± 5.59; Averages of 4th state anxiety scale score was 41.85 ± 4.83, trait anxiety scale averages were 48.24 ± 5.30.Conclusion:In our study, it was found that there wasn't significant difference between the 3rd, 4th grade students related to ill patient care in terms of high level of state and trait anxiety during communication and patient care. The state and trait anxiety scores of the students in both grades were found to be higher than the average scores of the scale's previous applications.

Level of biogenic amines in pregnant women with psycho-emotional disorders stipulated by anxiety

Object of research – to determine level of biogenic amines in pregnant women with psycho-emotional disorders stipulated by anxiety. Group of examined women and methods of research . 90 Pregnant women were examined in ІІ and ІІІ trimester of pregnancy. The main group includes 58 pregnant women with the medium and high level of state anxiety and 32 pregnant women with anxiety level of 30 points and less that indicates the low level of SA (control group). For estimation of the state anxiety and trait anxiety the scale of Spielberger-Hanin was used. Level of serotonin and melatonin was measured with fluorometric method in blood hemolysate of pregnant women. Results . According to the obtained results of biochemical research of hemolysate of packed red cells of blood of examined women it was stated that increase of state anxiety was accompanied by statistically reliable (p < 0.05) rise of serotonin level and decrease of melatonin level. Thus, special features have direct influence on increase (p < 0.05) of serotonin/melatonin index. Pregnant women of the main group have the index which was 2.5 times higher than the same index in women of the control group. Conclusions . Results of performed research among pregnant women have indicated that increase of state anxiety is accompanied by statistically reliable (p < 0.05) rise of serotonin content in blood and statistically reliable (p < 0.05) decrease of melatonin. Such results have direct influence on increase (p < 0.05) of serotonin/melatonin index in pregnant women with medium and high levels of state anxiety comparing to the certain index in women with the low level of anxiety.

Оценка психоэмоционального состояния больных с последствиями повреждения спинного мозга

Introduction Assessment of patients' psychoemotional condition (PEC) is a standard aspect of clinical care within traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) rehabilitation. Materials and methods The evaluation was performed for 40 patients with SCI aged more than one year and ASIA grades B, C, D. HAM (Health, Activity, Mood) tests, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Spielberger-Khanin Anxiety Scale were used to assess psychoemotional conditions in the patients. Results Patients with traumatic SCI did not reveal high level of state anxiety and depression at a long-term follow-up with evidently limited motor function (ASIA grades B, C). Even the presence of baseline trait anxiety did not result in severe psychoemotional disorders like depression. This can be described as a regulating effect of the autonomic nervous system through both recovery and compensation of autonomic dysfunctions employing reparative and adjustment mechanisms including coping efforts. Conclusions The majority of the patients could successfully cope with consequences of SCI at mid- and long-term follow-up. Most of them were able to adapt to the circumstances, learn to live with a new status, and successfully overcome SCI related physical, psychological and social difficulties.

The impact of non-invasive prenatal testing on anxiety in women considered at high or low risk for aneuploidy after combined first trimester screening.

The aim of this study was to (1) examine the psychological impact of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) in women with a high-risk (≥1:300) and low-risk (≤1:301) result on combined first trimester screening (cFTS) and (2) to examine factors influencing anxiety and decision-making in both risk populations. Questionnaires and structured interviews were administered to low (n=50) and high (n=63) risk women at the time of NIPT blood draw (point A) and again at least 1week after receiving their NIPT result (point B). Anxiety levels were measured at these two time points using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Both high-risk and low-risk cFTS groups demonstrated similar intrinsic (trait) anxiety levels (36±10 vs 35±10; p=0.70). High-risk women had significantly higher levels of state anxiety at point A than low-risk women (42±11 vs 36±11; p<0.01). Both groups had a statistically significant reduction (p<0.01), to similar final levels of state anxiety at point B (30±11 vs 29±8; p=0.61). Women receiving a high-risk result on cFTS have higher levels of state anxiety than their low-risk counterparts. Following a low-risk NIPT result, the anxiety levels in both populations are reduced to similar levels. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Patient satisfaction with a rapid diagnosis of suspicious breast lesions: Association with distress and anxiety.

Few studies have explored with standard measures patient satisfaction with care at the time of the diagnosis through rapid diagnostic pathways. This study aimed to assess satisfaction levels at the time of the diagnosis in a One-Stop Breast Unit and to examine associations with psychological states. An anonymous cross-sectional survey was conducted at a single center's One-Stop Breast Unit, to assess patient satisfaction regarding several aspects of the Unit. Two days after the diagnosis, 113 participants completed self-reported questionnaires evaluating satisfaction (Out-Patsat35), anxiety (State Anxiety Inventory), and psychological distress (Distress Thermometer). Overall, patients were very satisfied (80.7±20.7) with the One-Stop Breast Unit. The highest mean satisfaction scores concerned nurses' technical skills, interpersonal skills and availability. The lowest mean scores concerned physicians' availability, waiting time, and the provision of information. The results revealed a significant association between high state anxiety levels, lower levels of satisfaction with doctors' interpersonal skills (r=-.41, P<.001) and lower levels for information provided by nurses (r=-.38, P<.001). Moreover, greater psychological distress was associated with less satisfaction with the different aspects of care (doctors' interpersonal skills, doctors' availability and waiting-time). The results of regression models showed that doctor-related satisfaction scales explained 20% of the variance in anxiety (P<.01). Facing cancer diagnosis remains a stressful situation. However, our study suggested that a substantial part of this anxiety is sensitive to the quality of the patient-doctor relationship. Consequently, further efforts should be expended on adapting patient-doctor communication to improve patient reassurance.

Assessment of State and Trait Anxiety Level of Physical Education and Sports' Students before the Term Final Examinations: Example of Halic University

The purpose of this study was to evaluation of state and trait anxiety levels of students in Halic University, School of Physical Education and Sports, during final exams according to their age, department and year in school. For this research, 469 students (mean age 21,17 ±2,27) studying in 2014-2015-spring term were chosen randomly. As data collection tools, personal information form and Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory which consists of 40 questions; 20 to evaluate state anxiety and 20 for trait was used. Statistical analysis of the obtained data was evaluated by SPSS 20.0 Windows program with Frequency, T-Test and Anova Analysis. As a result of the research; state and trait anxiety of students in Halic University, School of Physical Education and Sports differed in few factors. The both levels were shown differences according to the year of the students studied (p<0.05). Based on years; first, second and third year students have higher state anxiety levels than fourth whereas for trait anxiety fourth year students have the highest level (P<0,05). In conclusion, students who were in graduate situation had more anxiety level than the others.