Mind-body Wellness Research Articles

Empowering mind-body wellness: effect of bundling seated exercises and psychoeducational rehabilitation using the teach-back approach on fatigue and coping of women postmastectomy

BackgroundBeing diagnosed with Breast Cancer (BC) is a crisis that throws the patient’s life out of balance. Cancer-related fatigue is a debilitating sign experienced by women during and after BC treatment. Regular physical exercise may help mitigate patients’ fatigue, enhance coping abilities, improve their quality of life, and overall well-being. In parallel, psychological interventions are geared toward normalizing the lived painful experiences among oncology patients.Objectiveto examine the effect of bundling seated exercises and psychoeducational rehabilitation using the teach-back approach on fatigue and coping of women postmastectomy.MethodsA quasi-experimental study was conducted in the Oncology Surgical Department and chemotherapy unit at the Alexandria Main University Hospital, Egypt. A total of 60 women were randomly allocated to either to the study or the control groups. Women in the study group practiced seated exercises and psychological rehabilitation interventions, including mindfulness breathing, problem-solving training, cognitive reframing technique, and thought stopping while the control group received the routine care.ResultsThe study revealed a significant decline in the fatigue mean scores among participants in the intervention group from 136.10 ± 27.76 to 98.43 ± 25.99 (p < 0.001). Similarly, there was a significant decrease in the patients’ mean scores of maladaptive coping, helplessness/ hopelessness (p = 0.014), and anxious preoccupation (p = 0.008). In contrast, there is a noticeable increment in the scores of adaptive coping, such as fighting spirit (p = 0.012), cognitive avoidance (p = 0.002), and fatalism (p = 0.009).ConclusionBundling seated exercises and psychological rehabilitation interventions using the teach-back approach have been proven to be simple and inexpensive non-pharmacological methods of reducing cancer-related fatigue and improving coping skills among women post-mastectomy.Trial registration numberNCT06360276, ClinicalTrails.gov, Retrospectively registered (April 8th, 2024), URL of trial registry record: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT06360276.

EMPower: An online Mind-body wellness Program for adults living with chronic health conditions: A three-armed randomized controlled trial protocol

BackgroundSymptoms of depression and anxiety are prevalent among adults with chronic health conditions, contributing to reduced quality of life, morbidity, and mortality. Mind-body wellness interventions (i.e. psychology programming, mindful movement, breathwork, meditation) may impact mental health symptoms, with online delivery offering access and scalability. Whether online mind-body wellness interventions are effective in improving patient outcomes across a broad range of chronic conditions remains uncertain. MethodsThis three-armed, pragmatic, randomized controlled trial will use a nested mixed methods approach to assess the effectiveness of an online mind-body wellness intervention (eMPower), offered at two levels of personnel support, on symptoms of anxiety and depression in adults with chronic health conditions. Inclusion criteria require a self-reported chronic condition and access to an internet-connected device. Eligible participants will be randomized 1:1:1 to [1] waitlist control; [2] eMPower; [3] eMPower + weekly 1-to-1 check-in. The primary analysis will compare the Hospital and Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS) total score between eMPower + weekly 1-to-1 check-in versus controls, with secondary and exploratory outcomes including HADS subscales, health-related quality of life, fatigue, program engagement, and frailty. ConclusionWith online intervention delivery, a range of outcomes, mixed method evaluation, and automated intervention tracking, findings are anticipated to enhance our understanding of how individuals living with chronic health conditions engage with and are impacted by online mind-body wellness programming. Six hundred and fifty-six participants have been enrolled as of April 5, 2024, and 598 patients have completed 12-week follow-up.

EARLY DEVELOPMENT OF BIO-EXPERIENTIAL TECHNOLOGY TO SUPPORT PERSONS WITH DEMENTIA AND CARE PARTNERS AT HOME

Abstract Bio-experiential approaches offer an interactive, multisensory, immersive environmental experience using technology and physical design to promote mind-body wellness. These designs have the potential to provide an in-home solution to help persons living with dementia and their care-partners manage challenges including agitation, conflict, stress, and difficult emotions (e.g., grief). This presentation discusses a partnership between an interdisciplinary academic team and a creative design and technology studio that has pioneered bio-experiential designs. This partnership’s mission is to develop a free interactive, immersive bio-experiential platform that offers a positive and engaging experience for both persons living with dementia and their care-partner(s). Our team iteratively developed an initial prototype using multiple strategies rooted in user-centered design, including a literature review, design thinking workshop with the full team, and two focus groups with clinicians (N=10; neurologists, geriatric psychiatrists, geriatricians, neuropsychologists, social workers, occupational therapists). Early development emphasized safety to minimize risk of increased agitation or other neuropsychiatric symptoms (e.g., hallucinations, sleep impairments). Key recommendations to enhance safety and usability included simple calming visuals and sounds, personalized experiences, familiar stimuli, and multisensory engagement (e.g., music, tactile stimuli). Increasing accessibility was also discussed related to ease of use and availability of platforms (e.g., laptop, television). We are now preparing for “live” iterative usability testing of our prototype (i.e., beta testing) with a diverse group of persons living with dementia and care-partner(s) before efficacy testing. The larger goal is implementation and wide dissemination as well as adaptations for other neurodegenerative conditions. *Dr. Vranceanu and Ritchie are co-senior authors.

The feasibility and acceptability of an online mind-body wellness program for patients with primary biliary cholangitis.

Persons with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) experience significantly higher rates of mental distress and impaired health related quality of life (HrQoL) than the general population. Given limited evidence, but a high need, our primary aim was to assess feasibility and acceptability of a 12-week, online, mind-body wellness program in people with PBC. This was a single-group, sequential mixed-methods, pre-post feasibility, and acceptability study. Core program components included follow-along movement, meditation and breathwork videos, and cognitive behavioural therapy informed activities. This was supplemented by weekly phone check-ins. Feasibility was assessed by recruitment, adherence, and retention. The pre-post exploratory efficacy assessment included surveys for fatigue, perceived stress, anxiety, depression, HrQoL, and resilience. A qualitative descriptive approach with semi-structured interviews evaluated study experiences. Thirty-two participants were recruited within 30 days and 29 (91%) were retained to end-of-study. Of these, 25 (86%) adhered to carrying out the mind-body practice at least 2-3 days per week. Feedback supported acceptability (satisfaction score 90%). Significant improvements were observed in fatigue (13%, p = 0.004), anxiety (30%, p = 0.005), depression (28%, p = 0.004), and five PBC-40 domains (itch, fatigue, cognitive, emotional, general symptoms). Qualitative interviews revealed improved stress management, better coping, and a more positive mindset. Fatigue and self-sabotaging thoughts were cited as barriers to participation. These findings suggest that a 12-week online mind-body intervention is feasible and acceptable in patients with PBC. After iterative refinement, a randomized controlled trial will be designed using this feedback.

THU490 - A randomized control trial evaluating the impact of a web-based mind-body wellness intervention for patients with primary biliary cholangitis

THU490 - A randomized control trial evaluating the impact of a web-based mind-body wellness intervention for patients with primary biliary cholangitis

FACTORS AFFECTING CONSUMER ADOPTION OF SMARTPHONE APPLICATIONS FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS: A STRUCTURAL MODELLING APPROACH

Smartphone applications for health and wellness have substantially changed the health behaviour of users due to their unique features like accessibility, flexibility, and persuasiveness. Using mobile applications (apps) to foster mental health and wellness has attracted the interest of researchers in recent years as there is a growing focus on mind-body wellness and people have started realising the importance of preventive behaviours and lifestyle changes. While previous research has primarily focused on fitness and physical activity apps, less attention has been paid to apps for subjective well-being. The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors responsible for the adoption of smartphone apps for wellness in India. A quantitative research approach was used and data were collected from 267 respondents. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was applied in the study and the results confirmed that perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, satisfaction, attitude and habit explained a significant amount of variance in adoption behaviour.

Evaluation of mindfulness practice in mitigating impostor feelings in dental students.

This study examined (i) the prevalence of impostor feelings in first-year dental students, (ii) student perceptions of a mindfulness practice as a tool to cope with impostor feelings, and (iii) students' ability to identify their level of impostor feelings. Two hundred three D1 students at a single institution participated in a mandatory Mind-Body Wellness Course that included the presentation "Understanding Imposter Phenomenon" (lecture #1) and a second presentation "Impostor Phenomenon and Mindfulness: Tools for Success" (lecture #2) 6 months later. Before lecture #2, all students predicted the level to which they suffer from imposter feelings and then took the Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale (CIPS) to determine the actual level. After lecture #2, 155 of the students completed a survey on whether the mindfulness practices in the lecture impact their perceptions on coping with impostor feelings. Fifty-two percent of students were classified as frequent or intense impostors by the CIPS. Fifty-one percent predicted their CIPS classification correctly; 43% underestimated their impostor classification. After lecture #2, 86% reported feeling confident they could recognize their impostor feelings, and 93% reported feeling more aware of how impostor feelings influence their thoughts, behaviors, and actions. Eighty-six percent reported feeling the mindfulness exercise was a helpful tool to build habits to cope with impostor feelings; 83% reported feeling confident they could utilize mindfulness practices to mitigate these feelings when they arise. Frequent or intense impostor feelings may be common in first-year dental students. Mindfulness practice has potential to mitigate such impostor feelings.

Yoga at Every Size: A Preliminary Evaluation of a Brief Online Size-Inclusive Yoga and Body Gratitude Journaling Intervention to Enhance Positive Embodiment in Higher Weight College Women.

The present pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) evaluated the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a 4-week online yoga and body gratitude journaling intervention for strengthening positive embodiment among racially-diverse higher weight college women. Seventy-five participants were initially randomized to either the yoga condition (n = 36) or to a wait-list control (n = 39). Participants completed measures of positive and negative body image, weight bias internalization, self-compassion, drive for leanness, and physical activity acceptance at both baseline and post. Preliminary results among the 42 analyzed completers (mean age = 20.9, SD = 2.4; 30% Black or African American) revealed acceptable feasibility given the low-intensity nature of the intervention reflected in a 36% attrition rate. Self-reported adherence was strong for the yoga component with 81% of participants indicating that they practiced with the videos ≥3–4 times per week as suggested. Although 71% reported completing the body gratitude journal ≥1–2 times per week, daily adherence was minimal. Acceptability was also high among participants randomized to the yoga condition as indicated by 86% expressing at least moderate levels of satisfaction with the overall program. Qualitative feedback from participants further supported the acceptability of the program and pointed to important areas in further refining the protocol in the future. Preliminary efficacy was supported by significant reductions in internal body shame and gains in body appreciation, functional body appreciation, functional body satisfaction, functional body awareness, and behavioral commitment to physical activity engagement among the yoga vs. wait-list control participants. These promising findings once replicated in larger, higher-powered trials may have important implications for extending the reach and accessibility of mind-body wellness practices like yoga to benefit racially-/ethnically-diverse college women of higher weight. This research is further responsive to the growing need for efficacious remotely-delivered, and scalable behavioral health interventions in the ongoing era of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, additional research is warranted to explore ways of enhancing engagement of participants with lower levels of positive embodiment and to further incentivize the journaling component of the intervention.

Pain experiences of Hindi-speaking Indian migrants in Sydney: a qualitative study

Cultural beliefs and values are increasingly understood to influence the experience of pain, health-seeking, and pain management behaviours. Research exploring cultural beliefs about pain is particularly needed for Indian migrants, who have a high prevalence of pain and are among the largest migrant communities in Australia and internationally. The objective of this study was to explore pain-related beliefs and coping strategies of Hindi-speaking Indian migrants with chronic back pain living in Sydney. Indian migrants (n = 26) completed a demographic survey, standardised pain questionnaires (RMDQ, PSEQ and BBQ) and participated in one of five focus group discussions. This cohort had low levels of disability: Mean (SD) [RMDQ 5.04 (3.2)], high self-efficacy [PSEQ 44.6 (8.8)], and relatively positive beliefs about back pain [BBQ 28.6 (4.4)]. Three categories of interconnected beliefs emerged from the focus groups: causative, treatment/coping-related, and prognostic beliefs underpinned by a core cultural belief in ‘the philosophy of Karma’. Within this core philosophy, three cultural values were central to the experience of pain and the construction of pain-related beliefs: collectivism and contribution, gendered roles, and mind-body wellness. The incorporation of holistic approaches to back pain management with an emphasis on mindfulness, exercise, and physical activity aligned with family-oriented goals could be considered for management of chronic back pain among Indian migrant communities. Contribution of the Paper•Culture seemed to influence beliefs relating to chronic back pain among Indian migrants, with a core belief in the philosophy of Karma.•Within this core philosophy, three cultural values were central to the experience of pain and the construction of pain-related beliefs: collectivism and contribution, gendered roles, and mind-body wellness.•Indian migrants living with chronic back pain could benefit from planning and delivery of an intervention involving family and community, and Yoga as an adjunct therapy along with exercise and physical activity.

A208 ASSESSING FEASIBILITY AND ACCEPTABILITY OF AN ONLINE MIND-BODY WELLNESS PROGRAM FOR PRIMARY BILIARY CHOLANGITIS

BackgroundPersons with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) experience significantly higher rates of fatigue, stress, anxiety, depression, and impaired health related quality of life (HRQOL) as compared to the general population. While online wellness programming has been shown to be effective in decreasing fatigue and improving mental wellness in a variety of chronic disease populations, limited data is available for PBC.AimsThis pilot study aimed to assess the hypothesis that a 12-week, online, mind-body wellness program would be feasible (assessed through adherence and retention) and acceptable in people with PBC. We also aimed to explore indicators of impact on measures of wellbeing.MethodsPersons with PBC were recruited across Alberta and British Columbia in January 2021. The program included a 20–30 minute video containing low intensity mindful movement, meditation, and breathwork (goal 2–3 times/week) as well as a weekly behaviour change tip, PBC tip from a physician, and PBC nutrition tip. The online programming was accompanied by brief (10-minute) once weekly phone check-ins from a member of the study team, and optional once monthly zoom group sessions hosted by the Canadian PBC Society. Satisfaction and adherence were assessed at the end of the study using a survey. The pre-post exploratory efficacy assessment included: fatigue (Modified Fatigue Impact Scale), perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale), anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), and HRQOL (PBC-40). Using a qualitative descriptive approach, we conducted semi-structured interviews at the end of the study to explore experiences with the intervention, and gather feedback for improvement.ResultsParticipants (N = 32) completed baseline surveys and 29 (91%) were retained to end-of-study. Twenty-five (86%) adhered to the program goal of carrying out the mind-body practice at least 2–3 days per week. Comparing baseline to end-of-study, significant reductions were observed in fatigue (13%, p=0.004), anxiety (30%, p=0.005), and depression (28%, p=0.022), and significant improvements were observed in the PBC-40 itch (22%, 0.043), fatigue (13%, 0.005), cognitive (17%, 0.006), and emotional (18%, 0.001) domains. Eleven individuals participated in qualitative interviews, reporting an increase in energy, a more positive outlook, and increased knowledge of PBC. Feedback supported acceptability (satisfaction score of 90%), with fatigue cited as the primary barrier to increased program participation.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that a 12-week online mind-body intervention is feasible and acceptable to persons with PBC and has promising impact on efficacy. Recognizing the limitations of a single-arm study with a small sample size, a future RCT will be designed using this feedback.Funding AgenciesMITACS Accelerate, Canadian PBC Society

Pandemic-Related Challenges and Organizational Support Among Personnel in Canada's Defense Establishment.

In the final week of March 2020, 2.8 million Canadians were away from their usual places of work and engaging in remote and/or telework to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 (Statistics Canada, 2020). The Government of Canada's Department of National Defence (DND) and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) were no exception, with most members from the regular force (Reg F), the primary reserve force (P Res), and the DND public service (DND PS) working from home. The COVID-19 Defence Team Survey was administered from April 29th, 2020, and May 22nd, 2020, to gain insight into work, health, and family-related challenges since the onset of the pandemic and change in work arrangements. Responses from five open-ended questions were qualitatively analyzed to determine general themes of concern regarding work, personal, and family related challenges, stress-management and coping strategies, and recommendations for improving the work situation and personal well-being. Given the different roles and conditions of employment, responses of the different groups or “components” of respondents (Reg F, P Res, DND PS) were compared to identify common and unique challenges to inform targeted organizational responses. A total of 26,207 members (Reg F = 13,668, 52.2%; P Res = 5,052, 19.3%; DND PS = 7,487, 28.6%) responded to the survey's five open-ended questions, which yielded a total of 75,000 open-ended responses. When asked about work-related challenges, respondents' most common challenges included dissatisfaction with technology/software, work arrangements, ergonomics, work-life balance, communication within the organization, and the uncertainties regarding career development. In terms of personal and/or family-related challenges, the most common challenges included social isolation, the impact of the pandemic on mental health, school closures and homeschooling, caring for vulnerable family members, and childcare concerns. The most common stress-management and coping strategies included exercise, spending time outdoors, communicating or spending time with family members, household chores/projects, mind-body wellness exercises, and playing games. The most common recommendations made by respondents to improve their work- or personal-related situations included improving technological capabilities, streamlining communication, providing hardware and software necessary to ensure comfortable ergonomics, the provision of flexibility in terms of telework schedules, return-to-work decisions, and the expansion of benefits and access to childcare services. In terms of differences among the components, DND PS personnel were most likely to report dissatisfaction with technological changes and ergonomics, and to recommend improving these technological limitations to maximize productivity. Reg F members, on the other hand, were most likely to recommend increased support and access to childcare, and both Reg F and P Res members were more likely to mention that increased benefits and entitlements in response to the COVID-19 pandemic would be ameliorative. The results of this study highlight several important facts about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on personnel working in large, diverse organizations. For example, advancements in organizational technological capabilities were highlighted herein, and these are likely to grow to maintain productivity should remote work come to be used more extensively in the long-term. This study also highlighted the importance of flexibility and accommodation in relation to individual needs – a trend that was already underway but has taken on greater relevance and urgency in light of the pandemic. This is clearly essential to the organization's role in supporting the well-being of personnel and their families. Clear and streamlined communication regarding organizational changes and support services is also essential to minimize uncertainty and to provide useful supports for coping with this and other stressful situations.

Editorial: Mind-Body Wellness in Dentistry

Christina DiBona Pastan: It was a September morning, and as I walked into my second-year endodontic resident’s operatory, she presented herself very differently than I had previously observed. She was moving fast, talking fast, and setting up her bracket tray at turbo speed. I was about to mentor her on her first apicoectomy. She began to articulate to me her fear in performing her first surgical procedure, concern that she would perforate the sinus and not be able to control the bleeding—and as all of this was happening, instruments began to fall on the operatory floor. I knew in that moment I could relate, because I once was in her shoes. However, being a long-time practitioner of yoga and meditation, I have evolved into a very different individual and a very different endodontist. More important than the apicoectomy, it was important for me to make her aware that she was not in the right frame of mind and body to perform this procedure on a patient, and it would ultimately compromise the outcome and her patient’s experience. I stepped out of my traditional clinical instructor mode and asked her if I could teach her a breathing skill that I know calms the body and focuses the mind. She agreed, and within minutes, I watched my student’s entire demeanor change. Her body relaxed, her breathing slowed down, and she centered herself. She looked at me with confidence and said, “I think I can do the surgery now.” I knew my resident could perform the surgery, but what she realized is that she was now in the right frame of mind and body to perform surgery. My resident executed the procedure with excellent results, and the patient was happy and at ease. When the clinic session ended, my resident shared her long-time struggles with anxiety and how she found ways to mask it over the years, but in that moment, it had gotten the best of her. In her seventh year of dental education, she was grateful to learn a new skill that helped her personally cope with her anxiety and simultaneously make her a better professional. This led me to pursue a formal training in yoga and meditation and to address the administration at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine on the importance of including mind-body wellness techniques in the curriculum for all students, specifically the ancient practices of yoga, diaphragmatic breathing, and mindfulness meditation. For the past 6 years in my role as Director of Mind-Body Wellness, I have witnessed the positive effects of teaching these practices to our students, incorporating them in the basic science curriculum, preclinical simulation lab, and patient clinic, and the impact it has had on students’ overall personal and professional success. The goal of dental providers is to deliver mindful, compassionate, and empathetic care to patients. This is achieved through competent clinical and technical skills in conjunction with sensitive communication skills. Dentistry is a stressful profession, and when stress is not managed properly in the clinical environment, it can affect this goal. In 1975, Benson et al published an article on the relaxation response, proving that stress not only contributes to health problems but that mental-focus techniques are good for the body and overall wellbeing.¹ The first code of ethics written by the American Dental Association (ADA) in 1866 states, “The dentist should be temperate in all things, keeping mind and body in the best possible health, that his patient may have the benefit of that clearness of judgement and skill which is their right.”² I don’t know if back in 1866 the ADA was thinking of yogic breathing to achieve this goal, but the organization was definitely making the connection between mind-body wellness and its effect on patient care. Whenever the body is relaxed and the mind is clear, we become consciously aware and therefore interact with the world differently. We are more skillful in our actions, we are better communicators and listeners, and we are more patient and kind to others and less reactive—all qualities that are essential for the dental professional. Mind-body wellness has found its place in our institution and enriched our dental curriculum, community relationships, and clinical experiences. The world we live in today challenges us to be temperate in all things, but the choice is ours to strive to keep ourselves healthy in mind and body for ourselves, for our families, and to deliver the best care for our patients. Christina DiBona Pastan, DMD Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Development of a Theoretically Informed Web-Based Mind-Body Wellness Intervention for Patients With Primary Biliary Cholangitis: Formative Study.

BackgroundMind-body interventions have the potential to positively impact the symptom burden associated with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). Interventions are more likely to be effective if they are informed by a theoretical framework. The Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW) and the behaviour change technique taxonomy version 1 (BCTv1) provide frameworks for intervention development.ObjectiveThis study describes how theory has guided the development of a 12-week multicomponent mind-body wellness intervention for PBC.MethodsThe steps involved in developing the BCW intervention included specifying the target behavior; explaining barriers and facilitators using the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, and Behaviour and the theoretical domains framework; identifying intervention functions to target explanatory domains; and selecting relevant behavior change techniques to address intervention functions. Qualitative data from patients with inflammatory bowel disease using an earlier version of the program and feedback from a PBC patient advisory team were used to guide intervention development.ResultsBarriers and facilitators to intervention participation associated with capability, opportunity, and motivation were identified. Intervention functions and behavior change techniques were identified to target each barrier and facilitator.ConclusionsThe Peace Power Pack PBC intervention was developed to help individuals with PBC manage their symptom burden. The theoretical frameworks employed in this intervention provide direction on targeting antecedents of behavior and allow standardized reporting of intervention components.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT04791527; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04791527

Mind-Body Wellness: A Complement to Dental Education and Professional Development.

We strive in dental education to train our students to leave dental school with a skill set that enables them to be competent in diagnosis, treatment planning, and in their technical skills to treat their patients. We do not however train our students in practices to maintain their physical and mental well-being, cope with the demands of the dental school curriculum, and provide a toolbox of skills to manage the stresses of dentistry that will be with them for as long as they practice. The COVID-19 pandemic has added a new layer of stress on dental students and although the topic of wellness has been addressed in various ways in dental school environments, integrating a wellness component that supports our student's vulnerabilities while also teaching skills to build resilience to adversity is a needed and missing component in the dental curriculum. Elective stress management wellness courses have been implemented in dental schools and although this is a promising start, the demands of the dental school curriculum make it a difficult environment to become relaxed, grounded, and focused. Based on 6 years of experience in creating and implementing an integrated wellness program at an academic dental institution, this article aims to outline the benefits and applications for teaching mind-body practices in the dental school curriculum as preventative approaches to maintaining overall student wellness, for developing effective strategies to manage academic and clinical challenges and how it sets the foundation for the health, well-being, and professional mindset of future dentists.

"Then COVID happened…": Veterans' Health, Wellbeing, and Engagement in Whole Health Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

BackgroundLittle is known about the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on US military veterans’ health, wellbeing, and care engagement. Healthcare systems like VA need additional information about the pandemic’s biopsychosocial impacts and how a Whole Health approach may help to address them.ObjectiveTo examine how the pandemic has affected veterans’ health, wellbeing, and engagement in the VA Whole Health System of Care.MethodWe conducted qualitative interviews with 40 veterans at a large multicampus VA healthcare system during the pandemic. Informed by a Whole Health approach, interviews used open-ended questions to holistically explore pandemic impacts on mental and physical health, healthcare access and engagement, social support, coping strategies, and use of VA healthcare and wellness services. Interviews were conducted by telephone, audio-recorded, and analyzed using a matrix-based technique. Interviews were supplemented by an original survey assessing pandemic impacts; descriptive frequencies were calculated to describe and characterize the interviewed sample.Interview ResultsNearly, all participating veterans described significant pandemic impacts on their wellbeing, especially loneliness and sorrow stemming from isolation and disruptions to ordinary routines. These emotional impacts—sometimes combined with new constraints on care access and personal mobility—disrupted veterans’ health plans and sometimes deterred engagement in both routine and wellness care. Veterans already struggling with chronic mental and physical health conditions and those who experienced transitions or losses during the pandemic described the most severe impacts on their wellbeing. Virtual VA wellness services, especially health coaching and mind-body wellness groups, were a key source of support and connection for those who engaged in them.ConclusionWe discuss the implications of our findings for care systems attempting to implement a Whole Health System of Care, including how they can address postpandemic barriers to engagement in healthcare and wellness programs, and how wellness programs can be leveraged to support those most at risk after the COVID-19 pandemic and in future crises.

Decreasing performance anxiety in the clinical setting during COVID-19 pandemic.

Journal of Dental EducationVolume 85, Issue S1 p. 1192-1194 ADVANCING THROUGH INNOVATION Decreasing performance anxiety in the clinical setting during COVID-19 pandemic Christina DiBona Pastan DMD, Corresponding Author Christina DiBona Pastan DMD [email protected] Endodontics/Wellness, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA Correspondence Dr. Christina DiBona Pastan, DMD, Associate Professor of Endodontics and Director of Mind Body Wellness, Tufts University of Dental Medicine, One Kneeland Street, Room 415, Boston, MA 02111, USA. Email: [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorAndrea Ferreira Zandona DDS, MSD, PhD, Andrea Ferreira Zandona DDS, MSD, PhD Department of Comprehensive Care, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USASearch for more papers by this author Christina DiBona Pastan DMD, Corresponding Author Christina DiBona Pastan DMD [email protected] Endodontics/Wellness, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA Correspondence Dr. Christina DiBona Pastan, DMD, Associate Professor of Endodontics and Director of Mind Body Wellness, Tufts University of Dental Medicine, One Kneeland Street, Room 415, Boston, MA 02111, USA. Email: [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorAndrea Ferreira Zandona DDS, MSD, PhD, Andrea Ferreira Zandona DDS, MSD, PhD Department of Comprehensive Care, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USASearch for more papers by this author First published: 09 September 2020 https://doi.org/10.1002/jdd.12424Citations: 2Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL No abstract is available for this article.Citing Literature Volume85, IssueS1Supplement: Advancing Through Innovation in a Challenging TimeJune 2021Pages 1192-1194 This article also appears in:Advancing Through Innovation in a Challenging Time RelatedInformation

Dance/movement therapy & warrior wellness: A pilot case study

Dance/movement therapy (DMT) is “the psychotherapeutic use of movement to further the emotional, cognitive, physical, and social integration of the individual” (American Dance Therapy Association, 2016), has been researched as a therapeutic intervention for various diagnoses and disorders, and exists in many healthcare settings across the United States. Despite its presence, dance is still widely misunderstood and undervalued as a therapy. The need for integrative mental health services has given rise to an interest in non-pharmacological approaches for treating various conditions, specifically within the veteran and military population. Arts-based methods in particular are being explored on the levels of practice, policy, and research in response to this need. This pilot case study is an analysis of an existing dance/movement therapy-based mind-body wellness program that is part of a larger integrative program for military service members with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and psychological health conditions. Data has been triangulated from patient surveys, clinical notes, the researcher-practitioner’s embodied observations, and historical programmatic data. The results of the analysis indicate potential increase in mind-body awareness for patients as well as a possible shift in movement flow. Inconsistencies in organization/internal messaging suggest further exploration of the critical tenets of integrative medicine.

Teaching Mindfulness with Children: Being a Mindful Role Model

Mindfulness is taking a preeminent role in today’s education system. In the current study the author explored how experienced MindBody Wellness instructors make sense of teaching children mindfulness. The methodology of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis combined with autoethnography was used to interview eight teachers from the United States and Australia teaching children mindfulness. In this article, the author discusses findings related to the theme of Being a Mindful Role Model. Participants, on the whole, felt that someone looking to teach children mindfulness needs first to connect deeply with the practices. They felt this connection was an elemental foundation in becoming a mindful role model and teaching children mindfulness. The experienced mindfulness instructors also found that cultivating mindfulness with children is enhanced by the creation of a mindful school culture. A number of recommendations are suggested, including the establishment of MindBody Wellness and mindfulness teacher training courses at the university level.

Responsibility for nurturing a child’s wellbeing: teachers teaching mindfulness with children

ABSTRACTA thriving and evolving pool of research and commentary is emerging in relation to the integration of mindfulness techniques in school and out-of-school settings. In the current study the author explored how experienced mindbody wellness instructors make sense of teaching children mindfulness. The methodology of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was used to interview eight teachers teaching mindfulness with children from the United States and Australia. Four thematic categories emerged from the analysis and in this article the author discusses findings related to the theme of, Responsibility for Nurturing a Child’s Wellbeing. It was discovered that having a holistic-wellness-orientated vision was an important aspect of how teachers made sense of mindfulness instruction. The findings showed that teaching children mindfulness has the capacity to raise academic performance while synergistically enhancing a child’s spiritual, environmental, emotional, social, creative and physical wellbeing. It is recommended that mindfulness teacher training programs be established in universities to better prepare students to meet the demands of 21st Century education.

Virtual Tai-Chi System: A smart-connected modality for rehabilitation

This work intends to develop an intelligent, four-dimensional (namely X-Y-Z plus somatosensory), partial control, and virtual-reality-enabled Tai-Chi System (VTCS). Tai-Chi is a traditional mind-body wellness and healing art, and its clinical benefits have been well documented. VTCS integrates Tai-Chi with a series of cutting-edge computer technologies including 4D sensor technology, big-data, signal processing and analysis, human body kinematics, deep learning, virtual reality, and 4D-reconstruction, etc. The aforementioned system will generate a controllable and consistent 4D experience to help, push and coach (HPC) people to get involved in sports activities. In particular, VTCS makes Tai-Chi movements suitable to individuals who suffer from mobility disabilities due to diseases or injuries as an accessible rehabilitation and fitness modality. VTCS consists of the following modules: acquisition, transmission and reconstruction of user׳s 4D data, data preprocessing, identification of user׳s kinetic movement, and individualized movement choreography. Under the support of collaborative hospitals, the physiological and psychological benefits brought about by VTCS will be critically assessed.