Self-reported Anxiety Levels Research Articles

Patient understanding of diagnostic ultrasound examinations in an Australian private radiology clinic.

To determine patient understanding and expectations of ultrasound imaging and its safety, sources of examination information and levels of examination anxiety. 1070 consecutive patients presenting to a private, regional radiology practice in New South Wales, Australia between 16th May and 14th June 2019, were invited to complete a survey while waiting for their non-interventional ultrasound examination. The survey included questions on demographic characteristics, knowledge such as examination risks and safety, ultrasound expectations such as dissemination of results, sources of examination information and levels of participant anxiety. Data were analysed using Kruskal-Wallis tests (SPSS v. 25) to determine statistical associations between participant demographic factors, knowledge, anxiety level and the main source of examination information. A total of 215/1070 (20%) patients voluntarily participated in the study. Most were female (74%, 159/215), with a median (range) age of 55 (18-92) years. Participant's median (range) score of ultrasound imaging knowledge was 3 (0-5) scored out of six and indicated uncertainty regarding the ultrasound procedure, result dissemination and ultrasound safety. Participants with previous personal experience had significantly higher levels of ultrasound imaging knowledge than those whose primary information source was their referring doctor (P=0.0005) or the internet (P=0.026). Significantly higher levels of ultrasound examination knowledge were also associated with lower self-reported levels of anxiety (P=0.002). Participants had incomplete ultrasound examination knowledge, including misconceptions regarding safety and result dissemination, some of which could be clarified by the sonographer at the beginning of the ultrasound examination.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Vascular Surgery Trainees in the United States

BackgroundThe impact of the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic on health care workers has been substantial. However, the impact on vascular surgery (VS) trainees has not yet been determined. The goals of our study were to gauge the impact of COVID-19 on VS trainees’ personal and professional life and to assess stressors, coping, and support structures involved in these trainees' response to the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsThis was an anonymous online survey administered in April 12–24, 2020 during the surge phase of the global COVID-19 pandemic. It is a subset analysis of the cross-sectional Society for Vascular Surgery Wellness Committee Pandemic Practice, Anxiety, Coping, and Support Survey. The cohort surveyed was VS trainees, integrated residents and fellows, in the United States of America. Assessment of the personal impact of the pandemic on VS trainees and the coping strategies used by them was based on the validated Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) scale and the validated 28-time Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced inventory.ResultsA total of 145 VS trainees responded to the survey, with a 23% response rate (145/638). Significant changes were made to the clinical responsibilities of VS trainees, with 111 (91%) reporting cancellation of elective procedures, 101 (82%) with call schedule changes, 34 (24%) with duties other than related to VS, and 29 (24%) participation in outpatient care delivery. Over one-third (52/144) reported they had performed a procedure on a patient with confirmed COVID-19; 37 (25.7%) reported they were unaware of the COVID-19 status at the time. The majority continued to work after exposure (29/34, 78%). Major stressors included concerns about professional development, infection risk to family/friends, and impact of care delay on patients. The median score for GAD-7 was 4 (interquartile range 1–8), which corresponds to no or low self-reported anxiety levels. VS trainees employed mostly active coping and rarely avoidant coping mechanisms, and the majority were aware and used social media and online support systems. No significant difference was observed between integrated residents and fellows, or by gender.ConclusionsThe pandemic has had significant impact on VS trainees. Trainees reported significant changes to clinical responsibilities, exposure to COVID-19, and pandemic-related stressors but demonstrated healthy coping mechanisms with low self-reported anxiety levels. The VS community should maintain awareness of the impact of the pandemic on the professional and personal development of surgeons in training. We recommend adaptive evolution in training to accommodate the changing learning environment for trainees.

Doodling as a Measure of Burnout in Healthcare Researchers.

Burnout adversely affects healthcare researchers, their place of employment, and the production of valuable research. It is directly associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety. Having an easily employed and reliable measure of depression and anxiety in healthcare researchers is important if burnout is to be diminished. Doodling may be one such measure. Doodling became a possible indicator based on unexpected outcomes associated with one diverse and voluntary health narrative research group where doodling was introduced. The result, with respect to casual, self-reported levels of depression and anxiety, ranged from researchers expressing low levels of distress to those revealing clinical diagnoses of depression and anxiety. Changes to doodling execution and content, and their effect on the doodler—metrics previously unmentioned in the literature—hold promise for evaluating depression and anxiety levels of researchers. Maligned in academic settings with increasingly punitive outcomes, doodling should be reassessed as a possible indicator of internal states of distress, dysphoria, depression, and anxiety based on this University of Toronto Health Narratives Research Group result of doodling. Under certain well-defined conditions, variations in doodling may serve as a measure of change in these internal states and, therefore, act as an aid in reducing burnout.

Classification of gastrointestinal symptom patterns in young adults

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to identify common gastrointestinal (GI) symptom groups using the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System - GI symptom scales (PROMIS-GI) within a large sample of young adults. An attempt was made to relate the emergent groups to the Rome IV disorders of gut-brain interaction symptom domains. The PROMIS-GI is a freely available, adaptable, normatively referenced symptom measurement system that is applicable to many health assessment situations.MethodsParticipants were 956 introductory psychology students between the ages of 18 and 25 who completed the PROMIS-GI as part of ongoing research monitoring physical and psychological health of students at a major southeastern university. GI symptom groups were determined using a latent class analysis (LCA) approach. These GI symptom groups were then compared on key psychosocial factors including self-reported mood, anxiety, and health related quality of life (HRQoL) using MANOVA.ResultsThree groups were identified based on GI symptom elevations: Normal (n = 649), Mild (n = 257), and Moderate (n = 50). Self-reported anxiety, depression, and bodily pain levels were significantly higher in the Mild and Moderate GI symptom groups, and they indicated significantly lower work functioning, and general health ratings compared to participants in the normal group.ConclusionsApproximately a third of young adults surveyed were experiencing at least one GI symptom of a severity greater than normative levels. Both the Mild and Moderate GI groups demonstrated a similar configuration of symptoms with significantly the higher levels of pain, gas/bloating, and nausea/vomiting compared to the Normal group. The configuration of symptoms did not map discretely onto the Rome IV diagnostic categories for Bowel Disorders, such as IBS with predominant Diarrhea or Functional Constipation as might be expected. Rather, the emergent groups suggest that Bowel Disorders occur on a continuum of severity across multiple symptom areas. Mild to moderate GI symptoms appear to emerge at much earlier ages and are more frequent than previously documented. It is recommended that health service providers evaluate individual patterns of “GI health” when young adults present with anxiety and depression, and conversely, they should assess anxiety and depression when they present with GI complaints.

Non-pharmacological approaches to procedural anxiety reduction for patients undergoing radiotherapy for cancer: systematic review protocol

IntroductionProcedural anxiety relates to an affective state of anxiety or fear in relation to a medical procedure. Various treatment-related factors may elicit anxiety among oncology patients, including fear of diagnostic...

20.5 IMPACT OF MOTHER-INFANT THERAPY GROUP INTERVENTION FOR POSTPARTUM MOOD DISORDERS ON MOTHERS’ ANXIETY AND PARTNER RELATIONSHIPS

Postpartum mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) are increasingly being recognized as major public health issues with potential long-term impacts on infant social and emotional development and family functioning. This study evaluates a 12-week Mother-Infant Therapy Group (MIT-G) program related to anxiety and mother-partner relationship outcomes. The objectives are to: 1) describe baseline levels of anxiety of mothers and fathers in a clinical sample participating in MIT-G; 2) compare self-reported anxiety levels in participants before and after completion of the group intervention, which provides treatment for the mother's mental health and the mother-infant relationship, as well as the infant's mental health and development; and 3) evaluate the quality of the parenting partner relationship as self-reported by mothers and fathers pre- and postintervention.

Stress, anxiety, self-efficacy, and the meanings that physical therapy students attribute to their experience with an objective structured clinical examination

BackgroundExcessive stress and anxiety can impair learning. The objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) is a valuable tool to assess and promote the acquisition of clinical skills. However, significant OSCE-related stress and anxiety are frequently reported. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between physiological stress, self-reported levels of anxiety due to an OSCE, self-efficacy, and the meanings that physical therapy students attribute to their experience with the exam.DesignConcurrent mixed methods study.MethodsA total of 32 students took part in this study. All were enrolled in the third semester of a 10-semester Physical Therapy Bachelor Program. Salivary cortisol levels, self-reported anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, STAI) were measured before the OSCE. Exam scores and self-efficacy ratings were also recorded. Correlations between variables were tested with the Pearson correlation, with ɑ at 0.05. Semi-structured interviews were used to explore the personal perspectives of students. Thematic analysis was used to investigate emergent themes.ResultsTrait anxiety scores were significantly higher than normative values (p < 0.001). A high proportion of students showed high (STAI> 49) state anxiety (37.5%) and trait anxiety (65.6%). Salivary cortisol was not associated anxiety (p > 0.05). Neither stress nor anxiety correlated with OSCE scores. A moderate and significant direct correlation was found for self-efficacy scores and OSCE scores (r = 0.475, p = 0.007). Students reported that confidence had a calming effect and led to better self-perceived performance. They also reported that the OSCE can provide meaningful learning experiences despite being stressful.ConclusionsA high proportion of our students reported a stable/lingering negative affect. However, neither stress nor anxiety related to OSCE scores. Students’ confidence in their capabilities was correlated with their performance. Their subjective reports suggest that self-confidence may have protected them from the negative effects of stress and anxiety on academic performance.

Global vascular surgeons' experience, stressors, and coping during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic

BackgroundThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to unprecedented challenges for health care systems globally. We designed and administered a global survey to examine the effects of COVID-19 on vascular surgeons and explore the COVID-19-related stressors faced, coping strategies used, and support structures available. MethodsThe Pandemic Practice, Anxiety, Coping, and Support Survey for Vascular Surgeons was an anonymous cross-sectional survey sponsored by the Society for Vascular Surgery Wellness Task Force. The survey analysis evaluated the effects of COVID-19-related stressors on vascular surgeons measured using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale. The 28-item Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced inventory was used to assess the active and avoidant coping strategies. Survey data were collected using REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture) from April 14, 2020 to April 24, 2020 inclusive. Additional qualitative data were collected using open-ended questions. Univariable and multivariable analyses of the factors associated with the anxiety levels and qualitative analysis were performed. ResultsA total of 1609 survey responses (70.5% male; 82.5% vascular surgeons in practice) from 58 countries (43.4% from United States; 43.4% from Brazil) were eligible for analysis. Some degree of anxiety was reported by 54.5% of the respondents, and 23.3% reported moderate or severe anxiety. Most respondents (∼60%) reported using active coping strategies and the avoidant coping strategy of “self-distraction,” and 20% used other avoidant coping strategies. Multivariable analysis identified the following factors as significantly associated with increased self-reported anxiety levels: staying in a separate room at home or staying at the hospital or a hotel after work (odds ratio [OR], 1.39; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08-1.79), donning and doffing personal protective equipment (OR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.41-2.33), worry about potential adverse patient outcomes due to care delay (OR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.16-1.87), and financial concerns (OR, 1.90; 95% CI, 1.49-2.42). The factors significantly associated with decreased self-reported anxiety levels were hospital support (OR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.76-0.91) and the use of positive reframing as an active coping strategy (OR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.81-0.95). ConclusionsVascular surgeons globally have been experiencing multiple COVID-19-related stressors during this devastating crisis. These findings have highlighted the continued need for hospital systems to support their vascular surgeons and the importance of national societies to continue to invest in peer-support programs as paramount to promoting the well-being of vascular surgeons during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Augmenting Exposure Therapy: Mobile Augmented Reality for Specific Phobia

New technologies, such as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), can be used as an add-on to exposure therapy for common anxiety disorders. While the benefits of VR for exposure therapy have already been demonstrated extensively in research, AR applications are only just becoming widely available. Evidence for the added value and effectiveness of augmented reality exposure therapy (ARET) is still scarce. The current study aimed to explore whether a first markerless AR iOS app for specific phobia could induce fear for multiple animal species in a general population sample. In two experiments participants made use of the Phobos AR app in a behavioral approach task (BAT), using animals for which they were anxious, but not phobic. Self-report data and physiological measures were recorded. In Experiment 1, 108 participants chose one of the seven available animal species and were either allocated to a smartphone or tablet condition. Results showed increasing levels of self-reported anxiety with increasing levels of BAT difficulty. However, this increase was smaller in individuals reporting low levels of perceived realism. No effects on heart rate (HR) could be established. In Experiment 2, 52 participants were exposed to virtual spiders. For both self-reported anxiety and the interaction with perceived realism, results were similar to Experiment 1. Skin conductance did increase significantly from baseline to the highest level of difficulty of the BAT and the severity of fear of spiders also appeared to be related to the fear response in the BAT. In conclusion, the study shows that animals presented in AR through a mobile device can evoke anxiety, which is a prerequisite for the implementation of ARET. However, further research should establish the effects of ARET in a clinical sample of people with specific phobias.

Investigating the link between serum concentrations of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and behavioral measures in anxious alcohol-dependent individuals.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a role in different neurophysiological processes, including those involved in alcohol- and anxiety-related behaviors. Preclinical and clinical studies indicate that chronic excessive alcohol use leads to a downregulation of BDNF production in the periphery and in the brain. In addition, a decrease in BDNF concentrations in the blood has been reported to be associated with increased anxiety levels. Non-treatment-seeking alcohol-dependent individuals with high trait anxiety were studied to assess whether serum BDNF concentrations may be linked to self-reported levels of alcohol drinking, anxiety, and other behavioral measures. Participants had a current diagnosis of alcohol dependence, high trait anxiety score, and were not seeking treatment for alcohol dependence or anxiety. A fasting blood sample was collected from each participant and serum BDNF was measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Behavioral data were collected on the same day, including measures of alcohol drinking, craving, dependence severity, and anxiety. Bivariate correlations were run between BDNF levels and behavioral measures. Serum BDNF concentrations were negatively correlated with average drinks per drinking days (r=-0.41, p=0.02) and positively correlated with obsessive-compulsive drinking scale (r=0.48, p=0.007) and state-trait anxiety inventory (r=0.52, p=0.003) scores. These findings shed light on the possible role of the BDNF system in the neurobiology of alcohol- and anxiety-related behaviors.

Adhesive restoration of molars affected by molar incisor hypomineralization: a randomized clinical trial.

This randomized clinical trial evaluated the survival of direct restorations on first permanent molars (FPMs) with molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) and its impact on self-reported dental pain and dental anxiety. FPMs with MIH of 35 patients aged 7 to 16years were included. The FPMs were randomized into the following two groups: total-etch (TE-37% phosphoric acid etching) and self-etch (SE-no prior etching). The FPMs were restored with universal adhesive and bulk-fill resin composites. The restoration survival was evaluated according to USPHS criteria modified by a blinded examiner. Dental anxiety (Venham picture test) and dental pain (Faces pain scale-revised) were evaluated before treatment and at 1, 6, and 12months post-treatment. Survival rates were analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method and the log-rank test. Nonparametric tests compared pain and anxiety in the follow-up periods. A total of 64 FPMs were restored (TE = 33; SE = 31). Survival rates were 96.9% (TE) and 96.7% (SE) after 1month, 90.5% (TE) and 80.6% (SE) after 6months, and 80.8% (TE) and 62.3% (SE) after 12months (p > 0.05). Self-reported dental pain and anxiety level decreased after treatment in both groups (p < 0.05). Self-reported pain decreased after 1month in SE, but it occurred at 6months in TE. Both restorative protocols presented similar longevity, decreasing self-reported pain and anxiety levels. A universal adhesive could be appropriate for restoration of MIH-affected teeth, and the survival of restorations could be higher in the total-etch technique, reducing dental pain and anxiety.

Virtual reality and 360° panorama technology: a media comparison to study changes in sense of presence, anxiety, and positive emotions

Recently, 360° panorama technologies have been used to create videos and pictures of real and virtual environments, thus opening new possibilities for psychological research. The aim of this study is to compare a 360° real panorama environment to a computer-simulated one to verify if they are equally efficient in generating sense of presence, emotions, and relaxation in individuals. The study employs a 3 × 2 mixed factorial design. Forty participants took part in the study and were assessed on self-reported anxiety and mood levels before and during the virtual reality (VR) experience of a relaxing video in computer graphics or shot in 360°. After the experience, sense of presence and experience ratings were also collected. Heart rate data during the experience were also used. Both inferential and Bayesian analyses showed a lack of effect of the manipulation: there is no difference between a 360° panorama environment and a simulated environment in generating sense of presence, anxiety reduction, and in improving emotional states. These results highlight the feasibility of using a 360° real panorama VR if the participants’ task is passive and requires no active exploration of the environment, as the development of the 360° video is easier and cheaper than the one required by a computer-simulated environment.

SAT0618-HPR PATIENTS WITH INFLAMMATORY MYOPATHIES WHO DO NOT REACH HEALTH ENHANCING LEVELS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY REPORT HIGHER LEVELS OF ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION - A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY OF SELF-REPORTED DATA

Background:The adult idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) comprise dermatomyositis (DM), polymyositis (PM), immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM), antisynthetase syndrome (ASS), overlap myositis and inclusion body myositis (IBM). Impaired physical capacity, self-reported fatigue and pain are common features in IIM. Quality of life is reduced compared to population-based reference values. To our knowledge self-reported levels of physical activity has not been studied in patients with IIM. Further, anxiety and depression are common in other rheumatic diseases, such as SLE, but is less studied in IIM, and not previously in relation to levels of physical activity. There is evidence for symptom reducing effects of exercise for patients suffering from depression (1).Objectives:The objective of this study is to assess the levels of self-reported physical activity, depression and anxiety amongst adult patients with IIM. A further aim is to evaluate differences in anxiety/depression based on levels of physical activity as well as to analyze relationships between physical activity and anxiety/depression.Methods:All patients with IIM visiting the Rheumatology clinic at Karolinska University Hospital in Solna between February 2019 and January 2020 where asked to fill in questionnaires about their levels of physical activity for the last seven days using the International Physical Activities Questionnaire – short form (IPAQ), and anxiety and depression using Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). The myositis team nurse distributed the questionnaires. Spearman’s rho was used for correlation analysis. Kruskal-Wallis test and post-hoc adjustment with Bonferroni correction was used to analyze group differences. HADS is scored in two separate scales, one for depression (HADS-D) and one for anxiety (HADS-A). The cut-off value for probable depression or anxiety is ≥8 of a maximum of 21 per scale (2). IPAQ-results was scored as 1 (low, &lt; 150 min/w), 2 (moderate, ≥ 150 min/w – health-enhancing levels of physical activity, HEPA, according to WHO) and 3 (high, ≥ 300 min/w).Results:A total of 61 patients answered the questionnaires. 52 (85 %) of the patients reported to reach HEPA and 24 of these patients reported to be active on a high level. 22 patients (36 %) scored probable anxiety or depression, with six scoring ≥8 for both depression and anxiety. Patients with low levels of physical activity (IPAQ-1) scored significantly higher anxiety and depression compared to those reaching HEPA (IPAQ-2 and IPAQ-3) p&lt;0.0001 – 0.020. The correlation between physical activity and depression (Fig. 1) was rs=-0.48 (-0.66; -0.26) and between physical activity and anxiety (Fig. 2), rs=-0.27 (-0.49; -0.02).Conclusion:Self-reported data indicates that most patients with IIM in this sample reached HEPA level or higher. Patients who do not reach HEPA score significantly higher anxiety and depression compared to those reaching HEPA. However, levels of physical activity correlates moderately to depression and weakly to anxiety. The number of patients who reached HEPA is high compared to studies in rheumatoid arthritis or the general population. This could be explained by frequent visits to physical therapists early in the disease and yearly check-ups with a focus on exercise and physical activity. Further the inter-professional myositis team also has a focus on exercise and the importance of everyday physical activity. This is cross-sectional, self-reported data and longitudinal studies are needed also including objective measures. This is preliminary data with data collection ongoing throughout 2020.

Effects of Lavender on Preprocedural Anxiety in Patients Undergoing Image-Guided Biopsies

Patients undergoing biopsy in interventional radiology (IR) often have increased preprocedural anxiety. IR nurses are with these patients throughout their admission and procedure, and in a position to find innovative ways to ameliorate this patient anxiety. The aim of this study is to describe and measure the effect of aromatherapy on reported levels of preprocedural anxiety in IR patients undergoing image-guided biopsies in a community hospital. A prospective experimental pretest-posttest control group design of 90 subjects were randomly assigned to receive a lavender impregnated aromatherapy patch (n = 45) or a jojoba oil patch (n = 45). Self-reported anxiety levels were measured at the time of admission and immediately before the procedure utilizing a 100 mm visual analog scale. Subjects’ anxiety scores decreased significantly from admission to just before their procedure among the whole sample, F(1, 88) = 5.43, p < .05; however, changes in pretest to post anxiety scores did not evidence a statistically significant effect by study group (i.e., aromatherapy vs. jojoba oil), F(1, 88) = .23, p = .63. As clinicians strive for evidence of decreased anxiety in patients undergoing IR procedures, additional research may include a control arm with IR nurse interaction, consistent with other arms. Selection of the best varieties and formulations of lavender should also be addressed in future study. Results from this study reveal a statistically significant decrease in patient-reported anxiety preprocedurally; although this decrease was consistent for patients in the intervention and placebo groups. It is important to determine if this overall decrease in anxiety is due to IR nurse interaction, patient satisfaction, or another unknown variable.

Using Self-Reported Measures of Confidence and Anxiety to Determine the Efficacy of the Surgical Exploration And Discovery (SEAD) Program in Reducing Anxiety and Increasing Confidence in Performing Procedural Skills

Clerkship students feel increased anxiety and lack of confidence when it comes to surgery. This study assessed whether participation in Surgical Exploration And Discovery (SEAD), a 2-week intensive surgical program that includes career information, simulation workshops, and operating room observerships, would help decrease anxiety, increase confidence, and foster interest in a surgical career. This study took place at The Ottawa Hospital in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Thirty first year medical students were randomly selected for the SEAD program and 32 were only given the program's instruction manual during the duration of the program serving as the control. At baseline and after the completion of SEAD, both groups were given a survey containing the State Trait Anxiety Inventory that measures self-reported anxiety levels with an adjunct that gauges confidence and interest in a surgical career. Students who participated in the program showed significant improvements in self-perceived knowledge and confidence for each surgical skill: scrubbing (p-value < 0.001, p-value < 0.001), maintaining sterility (p-value < 0.001, p-value < 0.001), and surgical assisting (p-value < 0.001, p-value < 0.001). However, there was no difference in the average state anxiety with procedural skills (p-value = 0.190) between students who participated in SEAD and those who did not. Students who completed SEAD had a notable increase in their interest in pursuing a career in surgery compared with their pretest (p-value = 0.020) and compared with the control group (p-value = 0.600). The SEAD program may increase medical students' confidence and interest in pursuing a surgical career. These results encourage offering medical students with similar opportunities that provide exposure to surgery in preclerkship.

The Impact of Intolerance of Uncertainty and Cognitive Behavioural Instructions on Safety Learning

BackgroundDifficulty updating threat associations to safe associations has been observed in individuals who score high in self-reported Intolerance of Uncertainty (IU). Here we sought to determine whether an instruction based on fundamental principles of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy could promote safety learning in individuals with higher levels of IU, whilst controlling for self-reported trait anxiety (STICSA).MethodsWe measured skin conductance response, pupil dilation and expectancy ratings during an associative threat learning task in which participants either received a cognitive behavioural instruction or no instruction prior to threat extinction (n = 92).ResultsAnalyses revealed that both self-reported IU and STICSA similarly predicted differences in skin conductance response. Only individuals with lower IU/STICSA in the cognitive behavioural instruction condition displayed successful safety learning via skin conductance response.ConclusionsThese initial results provide some insight into how simple cognitive behavioural instructions combined with exposure are applied differently in individuals with varying levels of self-reported anxiety. The results further our understanding of the role of basic cognitive behavioural principles and self-reported anxiety in safety learning.

Effect of Online Health Information Seeking on Anxiety in Hospitalized Pregnant Women: Cohort Study.

BackgroundThere are approximately 1,000,000 pregnant women at high risk for obstetric complications per year, more than half of whom require hospitalization.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to determine the relation between online health information seeking and anxiety levels in a sample of hospitalized woman with pregnancy-related complications.MethodsA sample of 105 pregnant women hospitalized in northern Italy, all with an obstetric complication diagnosis, completed different questionnaires: Use of Internet Health-information (UIH) questionnaire about use of the internet, EuroQOL 5 dimensions (EQ-5D) questionnaire on quality of life, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) questionnaire measuring general anxiety levels, and a questionnaire about critical events occurring during hospitalization.ResultsOverall, 98/105 (93.3%) of the women used the internet at home to obtain nonspecific information about health in general and 95/105 (90.5%) of the women used the internet to specifically search for information related to their obstetric disease. Online health information-seeking behavior substantially decreased the self-reported anxiety levels (P=.008).ConclusionsWeb browsing for health information was associated with anxiety reduction, suggesting that the internet can be a useful instrument in supporting professional intervention to control and possibly reduce discomfort and anxiety for women during complicated pregnancies.

Determinants of sleep impairment in psoriatic arthritis: An observational study with 396 patients from 14 countries.

Sleep quality is diminished in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and close to 40% of PsA patients consider sleep difficulties a priority domain. This work analyzes determinants of impaired sleep in patients with PsA. This was a cross-sectional analysis of an observational study (ReFlap, NCT NCT03119805), which included adult patients with definite PsA with≥2 years disease duration from 14 countries. Sleep was assessed using the patient self-reported evaluation of sleep on a 0-10 numerical scale, included in the Psoriatic Arthritis Impact of Disease questionnaire (PSAID-12). A score≥4 was considered as sleep impairment. Demographic and clinical variables associated to sleep impairment were assessed through univariate analysis and Poisson regression modeling leading to prevalence ratio (PR) [95% confidence interval]. A total of 396 patients were analyzed: mean age 51.9±12.6 years, 51% were females, 59.7% were receiving biologic therapy, 53.3% had 1-5% of body surface area affected by psoriasis; 23.7% were in remission and 36.9% in low disease activity according to the Disease Activity in Psoriatic Arthritis (DAPSA) score. Median (25th-75th) patient's self-evaluation of sleep difficulties was 2 (0-6), 157 (39.6%) had sleep impairment. In the Poisson regression model, self-reported levels of anxiety (PR: 1.05 [1.02-1.08], P=0.003) and pain (PR: 1.06 [1.04-1.09], P<0.001) were independently associated to sleep impairment. In this multicentric study, sleep impairment was present in 40% of PsA patients; pain and anxiety were associated to sleep impairment whereas inflammation was not. Impact on sleep appears multifactorial in PsA.

Music Intervention in Undergraduates: the Relationship between Heart Rate Variability and State Anxiety

A low heart rate variability (HRV) is indicative of autonomic inflexibility, which has important implications for physical and psychological health. This study investigates autonomic functioning and its relationship to state anxiety in the context of music intervention. A within-subjects, quasi-experimental design was used with undergraduates, a population frequently impacted by state anxiety. Participants pre-selected music that they identified as the most “relaxing” before being administered the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Baseline physiological indices were then collected using an EKG, followed by administration of the selected music and an additional collection of physiological indices. After the full duration of music intervention was administered, participants took the STAI once more. Results indicated that even short durations of music listening may serve to reduce anxiety in the undergraduate student, as was evidenced by the significant increase in physiological indices and decrease in self-reported anxiety levels. However, while changes in HRV and anxiety may trend together, results indicated no statistical association between these parameters. KEYWORDS: Heart Rate Variability; Anxiety; Music Intervention; Autonomic Tone; Vagal Control; Autonomic Flexibility; College Students; State Anxiety

The Relationship of Online Social Networking and Various Psychological Behaviors

The basis of this study is to evaluate and measure the correlation between the amount of time an individual spends online social networking and their self-reported levels of loneliness, depression, anxiety, and stress. With societies having increased connectivity, the researchers wanted to investigate how this affects our psychological functioning. This research is a follow-up study that targets a sample population of 189 people, over the age of 24, using a final scale that combined the UCLA Loneliness and DASS-21 scales. The final scale was created via Google Forms and was later published on Amazon Mechanical Turk. Results for statistical significance were analyzed through Spearman Rank Order Correlations, ANOVAS and descriptive statistics to indicate correlations between social networking and self-reported levels of loneliness, depression, anxiety, and stress from using both Facebook and YouTube platforms.