Reductions In Psychological Distress Research Articles

Yoga Therapy in Cancer Care via Telehealth During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Yoga is an evidence-based mind-body practice known to improve physical and mental health in cancer patients. We report on the processes and patient-reported outcomes of one-on-one yoga therapy (YT) consultations delivered via telehealth. For patients completing a YT consultation between March 2020 and October 2021, we examined demographics, reasons for referral, and self-reported symptom burden before and after one YT session using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS). Changes in ESAS symptom and subscale scores [physical distress (PHS), psychological distress (PSS), and global distress (GDS)] were evaluated by Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Descriptive statistics summarized the data. Ninety-seven initial YT consults were completed, with data evaluated for 95 patient encounters. The majority were women (83.2%) and white (75.8%), The mean age for females was 54.0 and for males was 53.4; the most common diagnosis was breast cancer (48%), 32.6% had metastatic disease, and nearly half (48.4%) were employed full-time. Mental health (43.0%) was the most common reason for referral, followed by fatigue (13.2%) and sleep disturbances (11.7%). The highest symptoms at baseline were sleep disturbance (4.3), followed by anxiety (3.7) and fatigue (3.5). YT lead to clinically and statistically significant reductions in PHS (mean change = -3.1, P < .001) and GDS (mean change = -5.1, P < .001) and significant reductions in PSS (mean change = -1.6, P < .001). Examination of specific symptom scores revealed clinically and statistically significant reductions in anxiety (mean change score -1.34, P < .001) and fatigue (mean change score -1.22, P < .001). Exploratory analyses of patients scoring ≥1 for specific symptoms pre-YT revealed clinically and statistically significant improvements in almost all symptoms and those scoring ≥4 pre-YT. As part of an integrative oncology outpatient consultation service, a single YT intervention delivered via telehealth contributed to a significant improvement in global, physical, and psychosocial distress. Additional research is warranted to explore the long-term sustainability of the improvement in symptoms.

Does Relationship Counselling for One Work? An Effectiveness Study of Routine Relationship Counselling Services Where Only One Individual Attends

There are no published studies investigating the effectiveness of relationship counselling (RC) where only one individual attends (individual relationship counselling (IRC)), in improving client psychological distress (PD). This is important to investigate considering the high prevalence of PD in this client group and the potential for its negative effects to cascade into other domains of an individual’s life. The current study aims to address this gap by investigating the short‐term effectiveness of IRC on PD. This study further builds on previous research by investigating variables that may explain changes in counselling outcomes, including client demographics, interpersonal factors, and therapeutic factors. Data were collected from a national sample of 273 individuals presenting for RC at an Australian not‐for‐profit organisation. Results from multilevel modelling showed a significant reduction in PD over time with moderate effect size. Further, relationship status, family functioning, and the Task subscale of the Working Alliance Inventory emerged as significant predictors of PD. The results of this study have important implications for routine practice in informing opportunities to target these key variables as an avenue to increasing the effectiveness of IRC.

Effectiveness of Caregivers' Yoga Module on Psychological Distress and Mental Well-Being among Caregivers of Patients Admitted to Neurological Rehabilitation Wards of a Tertiary Care Institute, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.

Background Caregivers of patients admitted to neurorehabilitation wards may experience higher psychological distress (PD) and poor mental well-being (MWB). This study aimed to empower caregivers to cope effectively with PD and maintain well-being by practicing yoga. Materials and Methods A total of 34 caregivers were randomized to the experimental group (EG) and waitlisted control group in a multiphase manner. Data were collected using sociodemographic schedule, Kessler’s Psychological Distress scale–10, and Warwick–Edinburgh’s Mental Well-being Scale. Caregivers’ yoga module (CYM) consisting of satsanga (theory), asanas (postures), pranayama (breath control), imagery, meditation, and relaxation techniques was taught to those in the EG at 35 m/d for eight consecutive days. They were encouraged to continue on their own for another 3 weeks. Posttest data were collected from both groups on the 15th and 29th days. Analysis was done with IBM SPSS statistics version 22 (IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States). Results There was statistically significant reduction of PD and improvement of MWB among caregivers of EG within (PD: F = 17.78, p < 0.001; MWB: F = 5.48, p < 0.03) and between (PD: F = 15.87, p < 0.001; MWB: F = 15.87, p < 0.01) the groups after the CYM. A significant negative correlation was found between pretest MWB and PD ( r =–0.579, p < 0.01). Caregivers who were married and caregivers’ perception of poor improvement of patient condition were significantly associated with PD. Conclusion Findings provide preliminary evidence for the effectiveness of CYM on PD and MWB among caregivers of patients admitted to neurorehabilitation wards.