Single-session Group Research Articles

Improved quality of life and reduced depressive symptoms in medical students after a single-session intervention.

Objective:Anxiety and depression are prevalent among medical students. Brazilian medical students have higher levels of depression and lower quality of life than their U.S. counterparts, and no preventive intervention exists for this risk group in Brazil. The Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders (UP), a cognitive-behavioral treatment protocol for neuroticism, was recently adapted into a single-session, preventive intervention. This study tested the impact of this protocol on psychiatric symptoms and quality of life in Brazilian medical students.Methods:In this open trial, the intervention protocol was translated and adapted to Brazilian Portuguese. Medical students over 18 years of age without psychotic symptoms, severe depressive episodes, or acute psychiatric risk were included, undergoing a psychiatric clinical interview (Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview [MINI]) and evaluation at baseline and at 7 and 30 days after a single-session UP that included experimental avoidance, quality of life, self-esteem, empathy, and anxiety symptom scales. A new evaluation was performed 90 days after the intervention.Results:Sixty-two students participated. Ninety days after the intervention, there were significant reductions in the number of students who met the criteria for social anxiety disorder (p = 0.013) or panic disorder (p = 0.001). There were also significant improvements in depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory, p < 0.001) and quality of life (Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire, p < 0.001).Conclusion:UP improved anxiety and depressive symptoms in medical students. The single-session group format could reduce costs and facilitate application. Future placebo-controlled studies are necessary to confirm these findings.

Can Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo Be Treated in a One Session?

To determine the reliability and safety of posterior canal BPPV (pc-BPPV) treatment with subsequent assessment of the effectiveness of the maneuver in a single session, compared to the classic weekly procedure. A prospective study of two randomized groups of unilateral pc-BPPV was performed: a weekly management group (27 patients) and single-session treatment group (26 patients). The number of maneuvers required to clear pc-BPPV, incidence of side effects (re-entries and canal conversions), and recurrence rates were compared. There were no statistically significant differences in the number of maneuvers needed to resolve pc-BPPV, the incidence of side effects, or the recurrence rate between the two groups. Two re-entries were diagnosed in the single-session group, and both were easily and successfully treated. Three early recurrences were found in the single-session group and one spontaneous recovery was encountered in the weekly group. Time required to discharge patients to follow-up was significantly reduced in the single-session group. Managing pc-BPPV in one session is safe and reliable, resulting in fewer visits to outpatient clinics and optimization of treatment strategies.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of relaxation in lowering the level of anxiety in young adults - a pilot study.

Anxiety is a negative emotion that acts as a mediator between stress stimuli and emotional (physiological) reaction patterns. The myofascial system is particularly sensitive to stress. The aim of this study was to determine which of the 2 popular methods used to reduce psychophysical tension, i.e., soft tissue manipulation and Jacobson's progressive relaxation, is more effective. This study was conducted at Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sports in the sports psychology laboratory and the manual therapy room. After performing specialist consultations and interviews to exclude potential participants with contraindications to any of the interventions, the final sample included 90 people who were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatment groups. In group I, soft tissue techniques were applied, including the techniques of post-isometric muscle relaxation, elements of myofascial relaxation of tissues, and elastic tissue deformation using the Swedish massage limited to the cervicothoracic complex. In group II, Jacobson's progressive relaxation was performed. The training consisted of tightening and relaxing specific muscle groups. The experiment was conducted under an ambulatory condition, consisting of a single physiotherapeutic session (group I) or a single progressive relaxation session using the Jacobson method (group II). The level of anxiety was assessed twice, i.e., immediately before and after the therapy. According to a repeated-measures ANOVA, each therapeutic impact was effective in reducing the level of perceived anxiety. Furthermore, the level of perceived anxiety in group I decreased significantly more than that in group II. In conclusion, both the soft tissue manipulation and Jacobson's progressive relaxation techniques were efficient methods of minimizing the negative effects of stress. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2019;32(6):817-24.

Asiasiga i A'oga ma Nu'u: a child and adolescent post-tsunami intervention based on Indigenous Samoan values.

To describe a community-based single-session group intervention designed to address psychosocial needs of Samoan young people following a tsunami. This programme resulted from collaboration between Samoan therapists, Samoan Catholic pastoral care workers and non-Samoan mental health clinicians. Informed by Samoan concepts of self and wellbeing, it incorporated cultural and spiritual practices familiar to Samoan young people and their families as well as body-centred therapeutic techniques, the 'Tree of life' exercise and provision of a cooked meal. Following household visits to affected families in villages throughout southern and eastern Upolu and the island of Manono, the programme was devised and carried out in 11 villages with 1295 children participating. There was a high degree of acceptance of the programme by Pulenu'u (village governance leaders), young people, their families and community members. Interventions to address the psychological needs of Indigenous Pacific children and adolescents following a major disaster need to be embedded in the values of their communities. This paper describes an innovative programme based on Samoan values that was consistent with evidence-informed principles used to guide post-disaster responses.

How does a single session group intervention improve sexual function in ovarian cancer survivors? A secondary analysis of effects of self-efficacy, knowledge and emotional distress

ABSTRACTAlthough sexual dysfunction after ovarian cancer (OC) treatment is a common side effect, intervention for this issue remains largely unaddressed in the literature. To address this gap, we recently developed and tested a theory-driven psychosexual intervention that successfully improved sexual function in OC survivors. This study is a secondary analysis to determine whether the intervention effects were consistent with our theoretical model. We expected that improved self-efficacy, sexual knowledge and emotional distress would relate to improved sexual function, and that effects of sexual knowledge and self-efficacy on sexual function would be mediated by emotional distress. 46 OC survivors completed study measures prior to and two-months following the intervention. Results indicated that self-efficacy, sexual knowledge, and emotional distress improved significantly post-intervention. While self-efficacy and emotional distress were both directly associated with sexual function; contrary to expectation, change in knowledge was not. Results also demonstrated that the relationship between self-efficacy and sexual function was not mediated by emotional distress. Clinical implications underscore the importance of promoting self-efficacy and decreasing emotional distress in the context of sexual rehabilitation treatment for OC survivors. Next steps include refining the intervention based on these findings and testing in a larger, randomized trial of gynecological cancer survivors.

An art therapy group intervention for cancer patients to counter distress before chemotherapy

ABSTRACT Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of a single group session based on art therapy (AT) for adult cancer patients to reduce anxiety and distress before anticancer treatment. Methods: A non-randomized pre-post study design was adopted. Sixty-two patients took part in one of twenty-seven “one-off” sessions held over a four-month period. Sixty-six patients, who simply received routine medical treatment, served as the control group (CG). Results: The intervention was appropriate to patients’ needs and feasible in the context of their routine medical care. In contrast to the CG, the intervention group(IG) participants demonstrated a decrease in symptoms of anxiety, drowsiness and tiredness. Conclusions: The intervention proved suitable to the medical routine of patients’ care. The clinical implications of the AT protocol and future research aimed at testing it vs. a different type of psychosocial intervention in a randomized controlled study are discussed.

Effectiveness of a brief adjunctive yoga intervention for short-term mood and psychiatric symptom change during partial hospitalization.

Evidence concerning the effectiveness of yoga in partial hospital programs is limited. Yet, partial hospitals provide treatment at a critical juncture by bridging inpatient and outpatient care. The present study tested the effectiveness of a single-session group yoga intervention for short-term mood and psychiatric symptom change in participants attending a 1- to 2-week partial hospital program. Participants included 104 partial hospital patients who participated in the single-session yoga intervention and completed a measure of positive/negative affect before and after the group. Participants, as well as partial hospital patients who did not attend the yoga intervention (n = 438), completed measures of depression and anxiety symptoms at admission and discharge from the program. At discharge, they also rated their perceived improvement and the overall quality of the care they received. Participants who attended the yoga intervention experienced significant improvements in positive and negative affect during the group. They did not show greater improvements in symptoms of anxiety or depression over the course of treatment compared to individuals who did not attend the group. Yoga intervention participants nonetheless gave higher ratings to the quality of the care they received. Findings demonstrated that attending a single yoga session during partial hospitalization was associated with short-term mood benefits, and with enhanced overall perceptions of treatment. Further research is needed to determine the conditions under which participation in yoga during partial hospitalization could contribute to symptom change in this context. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

Real-World Experience With 100 Consecutive Patients Undergoing Neck Contouring With ATX-101 (Deoxycholic Acid): An Updated Report With A 2-Year Analysis.

BACKGROUNDDeoxycholic acid (DCA; ATX-101) injection was approved for the treatment of mild-to-moderate convexity associated with submental fat in 2015.OBJECTIVETo evaluate the experience with DCA injections in a clinical practice setting.MATERIALS AND METHODSThis ongoing, prospective, single-center, single-arm, observational study evaluated 100 consecutive patients treated with subcutaneous DCA (2 mg/cm2) injections (maximum 6 sessions at ≥1-month intervals). Treatment response was assessed using the clinician-reported submental fat rating scale (CR-SMFRS) and confirmed by independent physician review of photographs at 1 and 5 to 7 weeks after treatment.RESULTSSince the previous published report, 17 patients have undergone additional treatment sessions, with a total of 100 patients having undergone 195 treatment sessions: 41, 36, 14, 6, 2, and 1 patient underwent 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 sessions, respectively. Overall, 91.7% of patients in the single treatment session group and 100% in the multiple treatment session group had an improvement of ≥1 point on the CR-SMFRS. The mean (SD) duration of local edema, numbness, and tenderness after treatment was 7.1 (5.1), 27.9 (11.3), and 3.5 (3.5) days, respectively.CONCLUSIONDeoxycholic acid injections were generally well tolerated, and ≥2 treatment sessions were required to achieve the desired aesthetic goal in a private practice setting.

Single-Session Low Duration Panretinal Photocoagulation Using Conventional Laser on Central Subfield Macular Thickness in Diabetic Retinopathy

Objective:To compare the change in central subfield macular thickness following single-session and multiple-session laser panretinal photocoagulation in subjects with diabetic retinopathy.Methods:A single-center, randomized controlled trial study was performed on 28 eyes of 16 patients with severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy or proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Eyes were randomly assigned for treatment with panretinal photocoagulation performed either in single-session or multiple-session divided into three sessions during two-week period. Central subfield macular thickness was quantified using spectral domain optical coherence tomography and changes at four weeks follow-up were compared to the baseline measurement.Result:Mean baseline central subfield macular thickness of 12 eyes underwent single-session and 16 eyes underwent multiple-session panretinal photocoagulation were 342.91+109.51 micrometers and 354+171.79 micrometers (p&gt; .05), respectively. Mean post laser central subfield macular thickness in the single-session group was 305.83+81.95 micrometers and 389.75+229.51 micrometers in the multiple-session group (p&gt; .05). Mean central subfield macular thickness changes four weeks post laser was 37.08+94.21 micrometers for eyes treated with single-session and -35.75+123.62 micrometers for the multiple-session treated eyes (p= .101).Conclusion:There was no significant difference in change of central subfield macular thickness at four weeks post laser from treatment with single-session and multiple-session panretinal photocoagulation. Single-session panretinal photocoagulation can be used as effective multiple-session panretinal photocoagulation for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy.

Recover your smile: Effects of a beauty care intervention on depressive symptoms, quality of life, and self-esteem in patients with early breast cancer.

ObjectiveMedical cancer treatment is often accompanied by appearance‐related side effects such as hair loss, skin irritation, and paleness, which can subsequently lead to psychosocial distress. Initial evidence suggests that beauty care interventions may reduce distress and improve quality of life (QoL), body image, and self‐esteem immediately.MethodsWe investigated the effects of a brief beauty care intervention on self‐reported symptoms of depression, quality of life, body image, and self‐esteem in 39 female primary breast cancer patients with appearance‐related treatment side effects. Patients were randomly assigned either to an immediate intervention group (IG) or to a wait‐list control (WL). The intervention consisted of a single‐session group makeup workshop, a photo shooting, and of receiving professionally edited portrait and upper‐body photos.ResultsWhile groups did not differ regarding any measure at the pretreatment baseline assessment, IG patients reported less symptoms of depression, higher QoL, and higher self‐esteem compared with baseline and compared with WL. Follow‐up at 8 weeks indicated moderate stability of these improvements.ConclusionsIn contrast to previous research, results indicate beneficial short‐term and midterm effects of beauty care on psychological outcomes in patients with early breast cancer. These results emphasize the utility of this type of brief, low‐cost intervention in women undergoing medical cancer treatment in order to improve their well‐being.

Attenuated Psychophysiological Reactivity following Single-Session Group Imagery Rescripting versus Verbal Restructuring in Social Anxiety Disorder: Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: The effectiveness of psychotherapies for social anxiety disorder (SAD) is typically evaluated using self- and clinician-reported symptom change, while biomarkers of treatment response are rarely measured. The current study aimed to compare biomarkers of response following two brief group interventions for SAD. Methods: This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effectiveness of single-session group interventions for SAD (n = 58) – imagery rescripting (IR) and verbal restructuring (VR) versus waitlist control (WC). The IR intervention guided participants to rescript autobiographical memories through visualization whilst the VR intervention focused on thought challenging. Trial outcomes included change in psychophysiological reactivity (heart rate variability (HRV) and electrodermal responding) to social stress, and symptom-based measures (social interaction anxiety, negative self-portrayal, cognitive avoidance, repetitive negative thinking, memory modification, anxious behaviors). Results: Psychophysiological reactivity was selectively attenuated following IR treatment, compared to VR and WC groups. The specific influence of the imagery-based intervention in modulating autonomic reactivity was evident across HRV parameters, including the standard deviation of intervals between heartbeats (IR vs. WC, d = 0.67, p = 0.021; IR vs. VR, d = 0.58, p = 0.041), and high frequency power – an indicator of parasympathetically mediated emotion regulation (IR vs. WC, d = 0.75, p = 0.034; IR vs. VR, d = 0.95, p = 0.006). Few group differences were observed across self-report measures. Conclusion: The current study highlights the specificity of brief imagery-based interventions in influencing psychophysiological reactivity in SAD and establishes the sensitivity of objective markers of treatment response in quantifying change over symptom-based measurements.

Single-session improvisational group music therapy in adult inpatient psychiatry: a pilot study of the therapist’s experience

ABSTRACTThis pilot study is to systematically investigate the therapist’s experience while implementing single-session group improvisational music therapy in adult inpatient psychiatric care. In this study, there were three participants who are board certified music therapist working in inpatient psychiatry; a phenomenological study was conducted to explore the therapist’s experience. The data collection included the following three stages: (a) an individual phenomenological interview, (b) a group musical improvisation, approximately 2 weeks after individual interviews, and (c) a group post-session interview. Two analysis cycles were conducted. In the first analysis cycle, a descriptive coding method was used to code the interviews.A phenomenological method of analysis was used to analyze improvisational music playing. In the second analysis cycle, the researcher conducted a composite review of the data. The data were comprehensively reflected on, clustered, and thematized, yielding the following four themes: (a) work in adult inpatient psychiatric care, (b) the concept of the single-session model, (c) music as a means of therapy, and (d) the formation of structure in single-session group improvisational music therapy. This study found that music therapists in inpatient psychiatry must adapt treatment goals and interventions, and in single-session group improvisational music therapy, learning and changing may occur.

Hearing outcomes between multi-session and single-session radiosurgery for vestibular schwannoma: a single center study

Background: Hearing preservation rate after Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) for vestibular schwannoma (VS) remains low. The aim of this study was to study hearing outcomes between multisession and single session GKRS in patients with VS and determine prognostic factors associated with hearing preservation. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 561 consecutive patients with VS subjected to multisession (74 patients) or single session (487 patients) GKRS (from June 2011 to April 2015) was performed. Propensity score matching (PSM) based on patient age, gender, tumor volume and pre-GKRS hearing was used to compare the two groups. The tumor control rate and complications were evaluated, especially hearing preservation and its prognostic factors. Results: According to PSM, 29 patients from each group with similar characteristics were selected for the study. Patients’ age, tumor volume, pre-GKRS pure tone average (PTA) and radiographic follow-up period were not significantly different between the two groups (P>0.05). The tumor control rate was 75.9% for the multisession group compared with 62.1% for the single session group (P=0.1142); 20 patients had a less than 20 dB change in PTA in multisession group, with the hearing preservation rate of 69.0% (20/29) compared with 65.5% (19/29) in single session group (P=0.08). Multivariate analysis revealed that linear internal auditory canal (IAC) length was the only significant predictor of hearing loss in the multisession group. At last follow-up, one patient complaining of sudden hearing loss was diagnosed with tumor bleeding 12 months after multisession GKRS. One patient from multisession group and two patients from single session group suffered from temporal facial numbness. Facial spasm developed in one patient after multisession GKRS. Conclusions: Our results supported that multisession GKRS could be an effective and safe treatment option for VS compared to single session GKRS. The hearing preservation rate after multisession GKRS was not superior to single session radiosurgery in our short-term follow-up study. However, patients with longer IAC length may benefit from multisession strategy in terms of hearing preservation.

The efficacy and safety of multiple sessions of multisite transcranial random noise stimulation in treating chronic tinnitus

IntroductionRandom noise stimulation was reported as the more effective and safer type of electrical stimulation techniques in relieving tinnitus symptoms. The multisite protocol of transcranial random noise stimulation has shown additional favorable effects. ObjectiveHere we will discuss the role of applying eight sessions of multisite transcranial random noise stimulation in decreasing tinnitus loudness and annoyance without exerting additional adverse effects. MethodsTwenty-nine subjects (8 female), the mean age of (45.34±9.57) with chronic tinnitus received transcranial random noise stimulation in the multisite protocol, 10min of auditory-transcranial random noise stimulation applied over the T3, T4 preceded by 10min of prefrontal-transcranial random noise stimulation applied over F4, FP1. In the first group, only one session was applied and the multiple-sessions group contained eight repeated sessions. Visual analog scale scores for loudness and distress were recorded before and immediately after the treatment. Multivariate repeated measure ANOVA test was used and minimal detectable change calculated. ResultsThere was a statistically and clinically significant reduction in tinnitus loudness and annoyance in both groups (p<0.05, effect size (η2)>0.8), while the amount of annoyance suppression in the multiple-sessions group was significantly greater than the single-session group. The patients of the multiple-sessions transcranial random noise stimulation group reported an improvement in their sleep and lower tinnitus handicap inventory scores without experiencing any additional adverse effects of the intervention. ConclusionsThe results of this study showed a substantial improvement in tinnitus symptoms by using the multiple sessions of transcranial random noise stimulation in the multisite protocol without producing any additional side effects. We suggest further clinical trials with long-term follow-up be investigated.

Estimating the duration of a refractory period in perceptual learning

Auditory skills improve with practice. Producing across-day learning requires a sufficient number of trials per session; additional trials in the same session produce no additional improvement. Thus, trials appear to integrate within a session to reach a learning threshold, after which there is a refractory period during which trials do not contribute to learning. The refractory period duration must be <24 hours because training on consecutive days yields learning each day, but its exact duration is unknown. To narrow the range of possible durations, we trained young-adult, normal-hearing listeners on a basic auditory task (interaural-level-difference discrimination) either for two sessions of sufficient training separated by 30 minutes (n = 10) or 10 hours (n = 10), or for just one session (n = 15), and assessed their learning on the next day. The 30-minute group learned no more than the single-session group, indicating the second session did not aid learning, whereas the 10-hour group learned more than ...

Intervention Effects on the Willingness to Stop Smoking and Social Nicotine Dependence Based on Single-Session Group Therapy with Frequent Use of Role Play Targeting Smokers with Mental Disorders

Objective: We devised a “Smoking-Cessation Motivation Program” as a community welfare service aimed at making short-term improvements in social nicotine dependence and enhancing the willingness to stop smoking among people with mental disorders. Method: The study conducted a controlled trial to empirically examine the effects of the program on the willingness to stop smoking and social nicotine dependence among 26 smokers with mental disorders in the intervention group, who were compared with a control group of 16 individuals. Results: Results demonstrated the program’s effectiveness in reducing social nicotine dependence, and a variance analysis with age as the covariate evidenced a mutual interaction between social nicotine dependence and the willingness to stop smoking, confidence to stop smoking, and resisting the temptation to smoke. Conclusion: Future studies should examine longer-term program results, the impact of program duration, and other factors that influence the program’s effectiveness.

Effects of Single-Session Group Mantra-meditation on Salivary Immunoglobulin A and Affective State: A Psychoneuroimmunology Viewpoint

Based on existing psychoneuroimmunological insights, the present study aimed at investigating possible effects of a single-session group mantra-meditation on salivary immunoglobulin A (s-IgA) and affective states. A controlled pretest-posttest study enrolled 30 healthy women (mean age 44 ± 3 years) through a multi-stage random sampling method from yoga clubs in Shiraz (Feb-Dec, 2016). Subjects were randomly assigned to experimental (n = 15) and control (n = 15) groups. Participants in both the groups attended a structured introductory lecture about mantra-meditation after which those in the experimental group meditated for 20min. Saliva samples were collected after the intervention, and the participants' affective states were examined by a qualified clinical psychologist blinded to the intervention using the positive and negative affect schedule questionnaire at sequential time-points, i.e., baseline, post-meditation, and one hour later. Similar assessments were done for the control group subjects. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to test saliva samples for the IgA titer. The s-IgA and the positive and negative affect schedule (PANAS) test results were statistically evaluated using an analysis of variance. The mean s-IgA titer in the experimental group at 'post-meditation' and '1-hour later' time-points were found to be statistically different from those of the control group (P < .05). In addition, results indicated a significant change in affect among experimental group subjects as compared to controls (P < .05). Our findings suggest that "group mantra-meditation" training even for a single session may positively influence some immunological components and improve affective states. As a simple and low-cost psychoneurobehavioral intervention, this method may offer mental-health benefits at nursing homes as well as group-therapies.

Effects of prolonged exercise versus multiple short exercise sessions on risk for metabolic syndrome and the atherogenic index in middle-aged obese women: a randomised controlled trial

BackgroundMany people, although they may recognise the positive effects of exercise, do not exercise regularly owing to lack of time. This study aimed to investigate the effects of prolonged single-session exercise and multiple short sessions of exercise on the risk of metabolic syndrome and the atherogenic index in middle-aged obese women.MethodsThirty-six participants were divided into the single-session group, multiple-session group, and control group. The single-session group engaged in one session of treadmill exercise for 30 min a day; the multiple-session group had three sessions of 10 min a day. Both groups exercised 3 days/week for 12 weeks. The control group did not perform any exercise.ResultsThe single-session group showed decreases in weight (0.97 kg [95% C.I. = 0.09–1.83], p < .05), body mass index (0.43 kg/m2 [95% C.I. = 0.03–0.81], p < .05), and fat mass (1.65 kg, [95% C.I. = 0.78–2.51], p < .01). Systolic blood pressure dropped in the single-session group (6.66 mmHg, [95% C.I. = 1.44–11.88], p < .05), and diastolic blood pressure dropped in the multiple-session group (3.38 mmHg, [95% C.I. = 1.44–5.88], p < .01). High-density lipoprotein cholesterol rose in the single-session group (4.08 mg/dL, [95% C.I. = −8.08–(−)0.07], p < .05) and dropped in the control group (10.75 mg/dL [95% C.I. = 1.95–19.54], p < .01). According to post hoc analysis, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol increased more in the single-session group than the control group (95% C.I. = 0.61–21.88, p < .05). Glucose levels decreased in both the single-session group (16 mg/dL [95% C.I. = 5.64–26.35], p < .01) and the multiple-session group (12.16 mg/dL, [95% C.I. = 2.18–22.14], p < .05). Waist circumference decreased in the single-session group (2.65 cm [95% C.I. = 1.46–3.83], p < .001) and multiple-session group (2.04 cm, [95% C.I. = 1.51–2.73], p < .001). Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels rose in both the multiple-session group (−15.79 mg/dL [95% C.I. = −34.24–(−)3.78], p < .05) and the control group (−22.94 mg/dL [95% C.I. = −44.63–(−)1.24], p < .05). The atherogenic index increased in the control group (−1.06 [95% C.I. = −1.69–(−)0.41], p < .01).ConclusionsThe findings indicate that prolonged exercise is superior to multiple short sessions for improving the risk of metabolic syndrome and the atherogenic index in middle-aged obese women. However, multiple short sessions can be recommended as an alternative to prolonged exercise when the goal is to decrease blood glucose or waist circumference.

Tratamiento psicológico grupal de sesión única para personas que sufren trastornos adaptativos. Programa y evaluación preliminar

The high demand for mental health care in the Public Health System of Andalusia requires to devise and imple­ment care proposals proportional to the severity of the disorders, while being agile and of quality. This paper presents a single-session group psychological treatment program to assist people with adjustment disorders, as well as the results of its preliminary evaluation. The objectives of the program are to help the psychological and emotional recovery of the participants and to prevent their relapse. It has been applied to 40 people, women and men, aged between 22 and 73 years, derived by their family doctors. The preliminary evaluation was carried out through a questionnaire of assessment and satisfaction with de treatment of own elaboration, indicators of care and the perception of professionals who indicated the derivation. In spite of the small number of people who are referred back within 12 months after the treatment, the discreetly positive scores obtained in the questionnaire and the favorable perception of the doctors who referred patients, the methodological limitations of this study oblige to continue assessing the opportunity and utility of the same in new controlled studies.

A human rights-focused HIV intervention for sex workers in Metro Manila, Philippines: evaluation of effects in a quantitative pilot study

This study evaluated a brief human rights-focused HIV community mobilization intervention for sex workers in the Philippines, a country with one of the fastest rising number of HIV cases worldwide. Five single-session group interventions to reduce sexual risk and increase HIV testing among 86 sex workers in Manila were evaluated with pre-post-test data via Wilcoxon's signed-ranks and Mann-Whitney tests. The 4-h intervention, Kapihan (August-November, 2013), integrated human rights with HIV skill-building. Demographic data, violence/trafficking victimization, human rights knowledge, and intentions to HIV test and treat were collected. Participants were median aged 23; female (69%); had children (55; 22% had 3+children); used drugs (past 3months: 16%); sexually/physically abused by clients (66%); 20% street sex workers ever took an HIV test. Pre-post-test scores significantly improved in knowledge of HIV (z=-8.895, p<0.001), reproductive health (z=-3.850, p<0.001), human rights (z=-4.391, p<0.001), ethical rights of research participants (z=-5.081, p<0.001), and intentions to HIV test (z=-4.868, p<0.001). Integrating human rights into HIV interventions may empower sex workers to address their health and human rights and test for HIV.