STAI-trait Scores Research Articles

Characteristics and treatment outcomes of musical tinnitus: a prospective study

PurposeTinnitus, the perception of sound without an external source, affects millions worldwide. Although its origin may be organic or psychological, musical tinnitus (hearing music in the absence of external stimuli) presents a distinct challenge. This study investigated musical tinnitus, focusing on its clinical profile, treatment outcomes, and associated psychiatric symptoms.MethodsThe demographics, auditory perceptions, psychiatric history, and treatment response of 20 patients with musical tinnitus were prospectively evaluated. Sound therapy using hearing aids and tinnitus counselling were administered. Data were collected using the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for tinnitus loudness and distress, Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI).ResultsOf the 20 patients who underwent these tests every year until the 2-year follow-up, 15 were able to follow a sound therapy treatment regimen with hearing aids for > 2 years. The results revealed the prevalence of musical tinnitus in older women with hearing loss, emphasising its association with aging and the female sex. Patients reported varied musical content, predominantly nursery rhymes and melodies originating from the ear or head. No significant psychiatric symptoms were observed; this contrasts with previous reports linking musical hallucinations and psychiatric disorders. Sound therapy using hearing aids and counselling led to significant improvements in THI, VAS, and STAI-state scores at 1-year and 2-year follow-ups, suggesting the efficacy of this approach. However, no significant changes were noted in SDS or STAI-trait scores, indicating a lack of prominent depressive tendencies and stable anxiety traits.ConclusionsMusical tinnitus primarily affects older women with hearing loss and responds favourably to sound therapy. Understanding its clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes is crucial for optimising patient care and enhancing quality of life.

Anxiety in Endometriosis Patients: Implications for Clinical Practice

AbstractEndometriosis is a chronic disease associated with pain that affects at least 10% of all women of reproductive age. The symptoms of endometriosis have a negative impact on quality of life; they limit the patient physically and psychologically and are the cause of significant anxiety. The aim of our study was to investigate the anxiety levels of women presenting to our specialized endometriosis outpatient clinic at the RWTH Aachen University Hospital. We sought to record their anxiety symptoms and investigate the effect of extensive counseling on anxiety in patients with endometriosis. We hypothesized that detailed counseling and the planning of multimodal endometriosis therapy would reduce anxiety.Data from 183 patients with lower abdominal pain or suspected endometriosis were analyzed. Prior to the examination, the patients completed a standardized anamnesis form including the German version of the STAI (State Trait Anxiety Inventory). The diagnosis of endometriosis was made in accordance with the recent ESHRE guideline and was based on anamnesis, gynecological examination, and ultrasound by a specialist senior physician with many years of experience in treating endometriosis.Prior to the medical examination, we observed a mean STAI-State score of 48.44 ± 11.56 and STAI-Trait score 45.68 ± 11.27. Following medical examination and planning of multimodal therapy, there was a significant decrease in the mean STAI-State score from 48.44 ± 11.56 to 42.43 ± 10.01 (p < 0.0001) and a minimal but significant decrease in the mean STAI-Trait score from 45.68 ± 11.27 to 45.01 ± 11.57 (p < 0.05).Our study showed that endometriosis is associated with high levels of anxiety. Detailed counseling and the planning of a multimodal therapy led to a significant improvement in anxiety levels.

Temperament Clusters in Patients With Panic Disorder in Relation to Character Maturity.

This study explored whether temperament profiles are associated with psychological functioning and whether character maturity affects this association in patients with panic disorders (PD). A total of 270 patients with PD were enrolled in this study. Measurements included the Temperament and Character Inventory-revised-short (TCI-RS), a self-report version of the Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS-SR), Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), and Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Cluster analysis was used to define the patients' temperament profiles, and the differences in discrete variables among temperament clusters were calculated using a one-way analysis of variance. An analysis of covariance was conducted to control for the impact of character maturity on psychological functioning among clusters. We identified four temperament clusters of patients with PD. Significant differences in the PDSS-SR, BDI-II, STAI-state, and STAI-trait scores among the four clusters were detected [F(3, 262)=9.16, p<0.001; F(3, 266)=33.78, p<0.001; F(3, 266)=19.12, p<0.001; F(3, 266)=39.46, p<0.001]. However, after controlling for the effect of character maturity, the effect of cluster type was either eliminated or reduced ([STAI-state] cluster type: F(3, 262)=0.94, p>0.05; SD+CO: F(1, 262)=65.95, p<0.001, ηp2 =0.20). This study enabled a more comprehensive and integrated understanding of patients by exploring the configuration of all temperament dimensions together rather than each temperament separately. Furthermore, we revealed that depending on the degree of character maturity, the psychological functioning might differ even within the same temperament cluster. These results imply that character maturity can complement inherently vulnerable temperament expression.

Feasibility of a meditation intervention for stroke survivors and informal caregivers: a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundDepressive symptoms are a significant psychological complication of stroke, impacting both survivors and informal caregivers of survivors. Randomized controlled trials are needed to determine optimal non-pharmacological strategies to prevent or ameliorate depressive symptoms in stroke survivors and their informal caregivers.MethodsA prospective, randomized, parallel-group, single-center, feasibility study. Participants were assigned to a 4-week meditation intervention or expressive writing control group. The intervention comprised four facilitator-led group meditation sessions, one session per week and building upon prior session(s). Descriptive statistics were used to examine the proportion of eligible individuals who enrolled, retention and adherence rates, and the proportion of questionnaires completed. Data were collected at baseline, immediately after the 4-week intervention period, and 4 and 8 weeks after the intervention period. Secondary analysis tested for changes in symptoms of depression (Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression [CES-D]), anxiety [State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Adults (STAI)], and pain (Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form) in the intervention group via paired t tests. Linear mixed models were used to compare longitudinal changes in the measures between the groups. Intervention and trial design acceptability were preliminary explored.ResultsSeventy-one (77%) individuals enrolled and 26 (37%) completed the study (baseline and 8-week post-intervention visits completed). Forty-two (66%) participants completed baseline and immediate post-intervention visits. Mean questionnaire completion rate was 95%. The median meditation group session attendance rate for the intervention group was 75.0%, and the mean attendance rate was 55%. Non-significant reductions in CES-D scores were found. Paired t tests for stroke survivors indicated a significant reduction from baseline through week 8 in BPI-sf severity scores (p = 0.0270). Repeated measures analysis with linear mixed models for informal caregivers indicated a significant reduction in in STAI-Trait scores (F [3,16.2] = 3.28, p = 0.0479) and paired t test showed a significant reduction from baseline to week 4 in STAI-Trait scores (mean = − 9.1250, 95% CI [− 16.8060 to 1.4440], p = 0.0262). No between-group differences were found.ConclusionsFuture trials will require strategies to optimize retention and adherence before definitive efficacy testing of the meditation intervention.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03239132. Registration date: 03/08/2017

An Unguided Computerized Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Program for Test Anxiety

Test anxiety, a particular manifestation of performance anxiety similar to sports anxiety or the anxiety experienced during public speaking, is characterized by emotional, behavioral, and physiological responses that lead to diminished performance and academic attainment. The primary objective of this paper is to scrutinize the effectiveness of the "No More Test Anxiety" program, an Unguided Computerized Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (cCBT) for Test Anxiety, an intervention not yet implemented in Turkey. The study was conducted in two phases: a pilot study and the main study. The pilot study examined the accessibility and feasibility of the program with 11 participants, while the main study evaluated the efficacy of the program with 34 participants using a pre-test post-test control group design. Participants were assigned to groups via convenience sampling, and the Test Anxiety Inventory (TAI) and the State and Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were used for analysis. The results demonstrated significant reductions in TAI, STAI-State, and STAI-Trait scores in the treatment group at the end of the intervention (respectively, p &lt; 0.001). Power analysis revealed that the study achieved sufficient power to detect these effects, and effect size calculations highlighted the clinical significance of the findings. The unguided cCBT program for test anxiety was determined to be both feasible and effective, offering insights into the innovative and evolving field of digital psychotherapy

Non-randomized controlled trial examining the effects of livestock on motivation and anxiety in patients with chronic psychiatric disorders.

Patients with chronic schizophrenia exhibit negative symptoms, including decreased work motivation. Animal-assisted therapy programs have been reported to benefit such patients; hence, there is a possibility that sheep-rearing, rather than conventional employment training, may motivate these patients. Therefore, we investigated the effects of a one-day experiential learning program of sheep-rearing on the work motivation and anxiety of patients with chronic schizophrenia. Fourteen patients were included in a non-randomized controlled trial conducted between August 2018 and October 2018. The patients' participation in the sheep-rearing experiential learning (one day; intervention day) and normal day care (one day; control day) programs were compared. The salivary cortisol and testosterone levels and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) scores of the patients were analyzed. The patients' salivary testosterone was significantly higher on the intervention day (p = 0.04) than on the control day (p = 0.02). Their salivary cortisol was lower on the control day than on the intervention day, although the difference was not significant. Regression analysis was performed based on the change in salivary cortisol levels and STAI-Trait scores (p = 0.006), and a regression equation was established. The study revealed that participation in sheep-rearing may have promoted the testosterone production but did not increase anxiety in patients with schizophrenia. Additionally, regression equations for salivary cortisol levels in such patients may provide information on individual differences in anxiety levels.

Effectiveness of Clonidine in Child and Adolescent Sleep Disorders.

Objective We aimed to investigate the improvement in sleep quantity and quality when clonidine was used in children and adolescents with insomnia. We also examined how sociodemographic characteristics such as age, sex, underlying psychological problems, and levels of depression and anxiety affected the effect of clonidine. Methods We retrospectively reviewed outpatients aged 6 to 24 who took clonidine due to insomnia from September 2019 to September 2021 at the Department of Psychiatry at Eunpyeong St. Mary’s Hospital of Catholic University. We used the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI), and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) for our study. Results A total of 62 participants were included in our study (34 females, mean age 13.94±4.94 years). After using clonidine, there was a significant decrease in PSQI components 1, 2, and 5, especially PSQI component 2. There was a greater decrease in sleep latency when clonidine was used in females, those aged between 13 and 24, those with mood/anxiety disorder or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, those whose sleep latency exceeded 60 minutes at baseline, and those who used clonidine for more than 14 days. Those with higher STAI-Trait scores and CDI scores at baseline showed less improvement in total PSQI scores. Conclusion Considering that there are currently no Food and Drug Administration-approved sleep drugs for children and adolescents and no apparent difference in efficacy and safety among sleep drugs, we demonstrated that treatment with clonidine might be a good approach to improve sleep quality and quantity for children and adolescents.

Effects of sex, age, choice of surgical orthodontic treatment, and skeletal pattern on the psychological assessments of orthodontic patients

We aimed to examine the effects of sex, age, choice of surgical orthodontic treatment, and skeletal pattern on psychological assessment scores of orthodontic patients before edgewise treatment. They completed the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)-II, and the psychological domain of the World Health Organization Quality of Life 26 (Psych-QOL) for assessment of anxiety, depression, and body image, respectively. No significant effects on psychological assessment scores due to sex or age differences were found. Surgical orthodontic treatment patients and patients with skeletal Class III had significantly higher STAI-Trait and/or BDI-II scores and lower Psych-QOL score. Based on the linear mixed-effects model, the choice of surgical orthodontic treatment had a significant effect on the STAI-Trait, BDI-II, and Psych-QOL scores. No significant interaction effect was found between the choice of surgical orthodontic treatment and the skeletal pattern by ANB angle. Patients with skeletal Class I or III who chose surgical orthodontic treatment had higher STAI-Trait and/or BDI-II scores and/or lower body image score, respectively. These results suggest that patients who chose surgical orthodontic treatment, particularly those with skeletal Class I and III, may be more prone to experience anxiety and depression and have body image dissatisfaction.

Anxiety in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Background: Mood disorders, are frequent in people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Although anxiety has a well-recognized negative influence on family, work and social life, it has received less attention than depression in MS patients.The aim of our study was to assess anxiety in multiple sclerosis patients and to explore its associated factorsMaterial(s) and Method(s): We conducted a cross-sectional study, carried out on patients with MS who consult in the neurology department in Gabes's hospital during a period of five months, from the 1st June 2021 to 25th October 2021.We used a pre-established sheet exploring the socio-demographic, clinical and therapeutic data of the patients.The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) to diagnose anxiety.The Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) to quantify disability in MS patients.The Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) to detect cognitive impairment.Data were analyzed using the software SPSS (20th edition).Result(s): Nineteen patients were included. Eleven (57,9%) were females, mean age: 31,5 (SD=8,06) years. Fifty tow percent were married.Only two patients(10,5%)had a family history of MS.Four patients(21,1%) had a family psychiatric history.Five patients (26,3%) had a psychiatric history before MS onset.Two patients(10,5%)had a history of suicidal attempt before MS onset, the prevalence of anxiety was 57,9% according to STAI score. Median STAI-trait score was 43.5 (30, 49) andSTAI-state was 48,7 (32-67). This represents moderate trait and state anxiety.Median SDMT score was 29 (18-41). was a significant association between anxiety and hallucination symptom (p=0,37;Fisher test) and between anxiety andsubcortical white matter lesion (p=0,07:Fisher test;OR=2,7[1,2-6]). No differences were observed regarding sex, marital and occupational status, education, family history of psychiatric disorders, disease course,disability according to the EDSS and cognitive impairement according to SDMT.Conclusion(s): The prevalence of anxiety in our MS population was significantly high.Anxiety was associated with psychotic symptoms such hallucination and subcortical white matter lesion.Early identification of anxiety appear to be crucial for mitigating the impact of anxiety in this population. Background: Mood disorders, are frequent in people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Although anxiety has a well-recognized negative influence on family, work and social life, it has received less attention than depression in MS patients.The aim of our study was to assess anxiety in multiple sclerosis patients and to explore its associated factors Material(s) and Method(s): We conducted a cross-sectional study, carried out on patients with MS who consult in the neurology department in Gabes's hospital during a period of five months, from the 1st June 2021 to 25th October 2021.We used a pre-established sheet exploring the socio-demographic, clinical and therapeutic data of the patients.The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) to diagnose anxiety.The Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) to quantify disability in MS patients.The Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) to detect cognitive impairment.Data were analyzed using the software SPSS (20th edition). Result(s): Nineteen patients were included. Eleven (57,9%) were females, mean age: 31,5 (SD=8,06) years. Fifty tow percent were married.Only two patients(10,5%)had a family history of MS.Four patients(21,1%) had a family psychiatric history.Five patients (26,3%) had a psychiatric history before MS onset.Two patients(10,5%)had a history of suicidal attempt before MS onset, the prevalence of anxiety was 57,9% according to STAI score. Median STAI-trait score was 43.5 (30, 49) andSTAI-state was 48,7 (32-67). This represents moderate trait and state anxiety.Median SDMT score was 29 (18-41). was a significant association between anxiety and hallucination symptom (p=0,37;Fisher test) and between anxiety andsubcortical white matter lesion (p=0,07:Fisher test;OR=2,7[1,2-6]). No differences were observed regarding sex, marital and occupational status, education, family history of psychiatric disorders, disease course,disability according to the EDSS and cognitive impairement according to SDMT. Conclusion(s): The prevalence of anxiety in our MS population was significantly high.Anxiety was associated with psychotic symptoms such hallucination and subcortical white matter lesion.Early identification of anxiety appear to be crucial for mitigating the impact of anxiety in this population.

Self-reported depression and anxiety among COPD patients. A case-control study.

Anxiety and depression are the most prevalent mental disorders worldwide. However, the exact mechanisms linking chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with depression and anxiety have not been identified. To compare self-reported depression and anxiety among patients diagnosed with COPD in relation to healthy controls. Case control study at a public hospital institution in Spain. We designed a case-control study. Patients were recruited using a consecutive sampling method from a single institution. Two groups were created: COPD and healthy controls. Data on medical history and demographic background were collected from the medical records. Self-reported depression levels were assessed using Beck's depression inventory (BDI). Self-reported anxiety was measured using the State-trait anxiety inventory (STAI). Fifty-two patients with COPD and fifty healthy patients were included in this study. BDI scores were higher for COPD patients (10.23 ± 6.26) than in the control group (5.2 ± 6.56). STAI-state scores were higher for COPD patients (41.85 ± 12.55) than for controls (34.88 ± 9.25). STAI-trait scores were higher for COPD patients (41.42 ± 10.01) than for controls (34.62 ± 9.19). This study showed that there were higher levels of depression and anxiety among COPD patients than among healthy controls.

Söke Bölgesi'nde COVID-19 Pandemi Sürecinde Diş Hekimine Başvuran Bir Grup Türk Hastada Durumluk-Sürekli Anksiyete Seviyelerinin, Dental Anksiyete Seviyelerinin ve Aşıya Karşı Tutumlarının Belirlenmesi: Analitik Araştırma

Objective: A new disease called coronavirus disease2019 (COVID‐19), was discovered in the city of Wuhan in China and has quickly reached many countries. During this period, mental health of people was affected negatively. This study aimed to evaluate the anxiety levels of dental patients during the COVID-19 pandemic, determine the reasons for admission to the dental center, and to investigate the rate of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. Material and Methods: A questionnaire consisting of the stated topics and demographic data was completed by the patients. State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) scales were used to determine anxiety levels and the Corah-Dental Anxiety Scale (DAS) was also used to assess dental anxiety. Results: The DAS scores showed that patients had low levels of dental anxiety, while STAI-State and STAI-Trait scores showed that most patients were moderately anxious. Gender, age, marital status, education, and location of residence were associated with higher DAS and/or STAI scores. Vaccine hesitancy was reported in 28.31% of patients. Side effects and the unknown long-term effects of the COVID-19 vaccine were given as major reasons for vaccine hesitancy (34.13%). Conclusion: Our results reveal that there was a concerning level of anxiety and vaccine hesitancy in a group of Turkish dental patients during COVID-19 pandemic in Soke Region.

A Prospective Study on Anxiety and Blood Pressure Levels in Hemodialysis Patients During COVID-19 Pandemic

Objective: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has currently been one of the leading causes of psychosocial stress throughout the world. We hypothesized that possible changes in anxiety status during the COVID-19 pandemic might affect blood pressure in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Methods: This is an observational cross-sectional study. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were applied to 71 prevalent HD patients. Pre-dialysis blood pressure was measured, and the systolic blood pressure measurements of 6 consecutive HD sessions were averaged. All assessments were performed both at the beginning (March) and after the end (June) of the partial lockdown, which was officially instituted by the Government in Turkey. Results: The mean age (+/- SD) was 59.2 +/- 14.8 years and 52% of the patients were female. The STAI-State score was higher in March than in June (44.6 +/- 12.6 vs. 42.3 +/- 11.5, respectively, P =.047), whereas the HADS-Anxiety, HADS-Depression, and STAI-Trait scores were not different. The pre-dialysis systolic blood pressure was significantly higher in March than in June (127.9 +/- 20.3 vs. 124.8 +/- 22.8 mmHg, respectively, P =.029). The change in state anxiety score from March to June was remarkable, particularly in patients not taking a beta-blocker (49.3 +/- 9.6 to 43.8 +/- 11.1, P =.001) and in patients younger than the median age of 64 years (48.6 +/- 12.8 to 45.3 +/- 12.5, P =.029). The change in blood pressure level from March to June was found to be significant only in patients not taking a beta-blocker (123.4 +/- 20.2 to 118.2 +/- 20.6 mmHg, P <.001), while it did not reach a statistically significant level in the others. Conclusion: Our findings revealed an association between a higher state of anxiety and a higher blood pressure level in HD patients during the COVID-19 pandemic, which was remarkable particularly in patients not taking a beta-blocker.

Anxiety Level During the Second Localized COVID-19 Pandemic Among Quarantined Infertile Women: A Cross-Sectional Survey in China.

Infertility usually causes mental health problems for patients and unfavorable emotions such as anxiety and depression can have an adverse effect on women's normal pregnancy. We aimed to compare the anxiety level between infertile female patients in quarantined and non-quarantined areas during the second wave of COVID-19 epidemic. A total of 759 infertile women were included in this cross-sectional study conducted through an online survey. Anxiety was measured by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) tool. Participants were divided into the quarantined group (QG) and non-quarantined group (Non-QG). Independent sample T-test and chi-square test were performed to examine the difference between the two groups. There was no significant difference in the average STAI score of the two groups of infertile women, but responses to the emotional state showed that women in the QG had a higher tendency to be anxious. Participants in QG spent more time paying attention to the dynamics of the epidemic every day, and their sleep (p < 0.01) and mood conditions were worse (p < 0.01) than in the Non-QG. The family relationship of QG is more tense than non-QG. Through the research on the infertility treatment information of the overall research population, it is found the average STAI-State (STAI-S) (p = 0.031) score and STAI-Trait (STAI-T) (p = 0.005) score of women who were infertile for more than 3 years were significantly higher than those of women with <2 years. The STAI-T score of infertile women who underwent in vitro fertilization (IVF) was higher than that of non-IVF women (p = 0.007), but no significant difference was observed with the STAI-S score. To conclude, although the second wave of quarantine during COVID-19 epidemic did not significantly increase anxiety in infertile women, it did lead to an increase in other negative emotions and worse family relationships. Patients with long-term infertility treatment and those who have had IVF are more anxious subgroups.

Depression and anxiety in a manganese-exposed community

ObjectiveTo characterize the association between residential environmental manganese (Mn) exposure and depression and anxiety, given prior associations among occupationally-exposed workers. MethodsWe administered the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) to 697 study participants in their preferred languages. These participants represented a population-based sample of residents aged ≥40 from two predominantly Black African communities in Gauteng province, South Africa: 605 in Meyerton, adjacent to a large Mn smelter, and 92 in Ethembalethu, a comparable non-exposed community. We investigated the associations between community (Meyerton vs. Ethembalethu) and severity of depression and anxiety, using linear regression, adjusting for age and sex. To document community-level differences in Mn exposure, we measured airborne PM2.5-Mn. ResultsMeyerton residents had BDI scores 5.63 points (95 % CI 3.07, 8.20) higher than Ethembalethu residents, with all questions contributing to this significant difference. STAI-state scores were marginally higher in Meyerton than Ethembalethu residents [2.12 (95 % CI -0.17, 4.41)], whereas STAI-trait scores were more similar between the communities [1.26 (95 % CI -0.82, 3.35)]. Mean PM2.5-Mn concentration was 203 ng/m3 at a long-term fixed site in Meyerton and 10 ng/m3 in Ethembalethu. ConclusionResidence near Mn emission sources may be associated with greater depression symptomatology, and possibly current, but not lifetime, anxiety.

MO106A PROSPECTIVE STUDY ON ANXIETY AND BLOOD PRESSURE LEVELS IN HAEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Background and AimsCoronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic has currently been one of the leading causes of psychosocial stress worldwide. We hypothesized that possible changes in anxiety status might affect blood pressure in haemodialysis (HD) patients during COVID-19 pandemic.MethodSeventy one prevalent HD patients were included in this prospective study. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were applied to assess psychological status of the patients. Peridialysis blood pressure measurements were performed and average of 6 consecutive HD sessions’ pre-dialysis systolic blood pressure measurements were used for statistical analyses. All assessments were performed both at the beginning (March) and after ending (June) of the partial lock-down, which was officially instituted by the Government in parallel with the status of the pandemic in Turkey.ResultsMean age (±SD) was 59.2±14.8 years and 52% of the patients were female. Dose of medications including antihypertensives, dry weight, interdialytic weight gain, and Kt/Vurea were stable during the study period. STAI-state score was higher in March than that in June (44.6±12.6 vs 42.3±11.5, respectively, p=0.047), whereas HADS-anxiety, HADS-depression, and STAI-trait scores were not different. Pre-dialysis systolic blood pressure was significantly higher in March than in June (127.9±20.3 vs 124.8±22.8 mmHg, respectively, p=0.029). Change in state anxiety score from March to June was remarkable particularly in patients not taking a beta-blocker (49.3±9.6 to 43.8±11.1, p=0.001) and in patients younger than the median age of 64 years (48.6±12.8 to 45.3±12.5, p=0.029). Change in blood pressure level from March to June was found to be significant only in patients not taking a beta-blocker (123.4±20.2 to 118.2±20.6 mmHg, p<0.001), while did not reach a statistically significant level in the others.ConclusionOur findings, though need to be confirmed by further studies, revealed an association between a higher state of anxiety and a higher blood pressure level in HD patients in COVID-19 pandemic era, which was remarkable particularly in patients not taking a beta-blocker.

Asthma, much more than a respiratory disease: influence of depression and anxiety.

The goals of this study are to compare self-reported depression and anxiety in subjects diagnosed of asthma and healthy controls. We designed a case-control study. Subjects were recruited using a consecutive sampling method from a single institution. Two groups were created: Asthma and healthy controls. Data of medical history and demographic background were collected from the medical record. Self-reported depression level was assessed using Beck's depression inventory (BDI). Self-reported anxiety was measured with the "State-trait anxiety inventory" (STAI). Fifty-one subjects with asthma, and fifty healthy patients were included in this study. BDI scores (p<0.001) were higher for asthma (10.22±7.3) than in the control group (5.2±6.56). STAI state (p<0.001) was higher in asthma (42.61±11.5) than in controls (34.88±9.25). STAI trait (p<0.001) showed higher scores in asthma (43.14±10.89) than in controls (34.62±9.19). These study findings showed that BDI, and STAI trait and state scores are significantly higher in subjects who suffer from asthma than healthy controls.

The effects of co-administration of probiotics and prebiotics on chronic inflammation, and depression symptoms in patients with coronary artery diseases: a randomized clinical trial

ABSTRACT Background It has been shown that dysbiosis might have a role in developing of chronic inflammation and depression. In this study, we are interested in exploring of anti-inflammatory and anti-depressant effects of Lactobacillus Rhamnosus G (LGG), a probiotic strain, alone or in combination with a prebiotic, Inulin, in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods This randomized, double-blind clinical trial was held on 96 patients with CAD. Patients were randomly allocated into four different groups: LGG [a capsule/day, contained 1.9 × 109 colony-forming unit of Lactobacillus Rhamnosus G], inulin (15 g/day), co-supplemented (LGG and inulin), and placebo. Participants consumed the supplements for two months. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), MacNew questionnaire and Spielberger state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI-Y) were used to assess depression, quality of life and anxiety, respectively. Serum levels of C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and Interleukin (IL)-10 were also measured. Results Probiotic-Inulin Co-supplementation significantly decreased BDI (−11.52 ± 0+3.20 vs. +2.97 ± 0.39, P = 0.001), STAI-state (−17.63 ± 3.22 vs. −0.60 ± 0.33, P = 0.021), and STAI-trait (−24.31 ± 7.41 vs. −1.45 ± 0.66, P = 0.020) scores, hs-CRP (−1.69 ± 0+66 vs. +0.82 ± 0.39 mg/dL, P = 0.020), LPS (−22.02 ± 5.40 vs. +0.31 ± 0.18 (EU/L), P = 0.047), and TNF-α (−25.05 ± 7.41 vs. +0.79 ± 0.71 (ng/L), P = 0.032) in comparison to placebo. Conclusion Co-supplementation of probiotics and inulin in CAD subjects for eight weeks had beneficial effects on depression, anxiety, and inflammatory biomarkers. Adding inulin to probiotic supplements improved psychological outcomes and inflammatory biomarkers more effectively than two supplements separately. Trial registration: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials identifier: IRCT20180712040438N4..

MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for treatment of anxiety and other psychological distress related to life-threatening illnesses: a randomized pilot study

The success of modern medicine creates a growing population of those suffering from life-threatening illnesses (LTI) who often experience anxiety, depression, and existential distress. We present a novel approach; investigating MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for the treatment of anxiety in people with an LTI. Participants with anxiety from an LTI were randomized in a double-blind study to receive MDMA (125 mg, n = 13) or placebo (n = 5) in combination with two 8-h psychotherapy sessions. The primary outcome was change in State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) Trait scores from baseline to one month post the second experimental session. After unblinding, participants in the MDMA group had one open-label MDMA session and placebo participants crossed over to receive three open-label MDMA sessions. Additional follow-up assessments occurred six and twelve months after a participant’s last experimental session. At the primary endpoint, the MDMA group had a greater mean (SD) reduction in STAI-Trait scores, − 23.5 (13.2), indicating less anxiety, compared to placebo group, − 8.8 (14.7); results did not reach a significant group difference (p = .056). Hedges’ g between-group effect size was 1.03 (95% CI: − 5.25, 7.31). Overall, MDMA was well-tolerated in this sample. These preliminary findings can inform development of larger clinical trials to further examine MDMA-assisted psychotherapy as a novel approach to treat individuals with LTI-related anxiety.Trial Registration: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT02427568, first registered April 28, 2015.

Functional Alterations in Cerebellar Functional Connectivity in Anxiety Disorders

Adolescents with anxiety disorders exhibit excessive emotional and somatic arousal. Neuroimaging studies have shown abnormal cerebral cortical activation and connectivity in this patient population. The specific role of cerebellar output circuitry, specifically the dentate nuclei (DN), in adolescent anxiety disorders remains largely unexplored. Resting-state functional connectivity analyses have parcellated the DN, the major output nuclei of the cerebellum, into three functional territories (FTs) that include default-mode, salience-motor, and visual networks. The objective of this study was to understand whether FTs of the DN are implicated in adolescent anxiety disorders. Forty-one adolescents (mean age 15.19 ± 0.82, 26 females) with one or more anxiety disorders and 55 age- and gender-matched healthy controls completed resting-state fMRI scans and a self-report survey on anxiety symptoms. Seed-to-voxel functional connectivity analyses were performed using the FTs from DN parcellation. Brain connectivity metrics were then correlated with State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) measures within each group. Adolescents with an anxiety disorder showed significant hyperconnectivity between salience-motor DN FT and cerebral cortical salience-motor regions compared to controls. Salience-motor FT connectivity with cerebral cortical sensorimotor regions was significantly correlated with STAI-trait scores in HC (R2 = 0.41). Here, we report DN functional connectivity differences in adolescents diagnosed with anxiety, as well as in HC with variable degrees of anxiety traits. These observations highlight the relevance of DN as a potential clinical and sub-clinical marker of anxiety.

Comparison of the levels of antenatal anxiety in pregnant women admitted for delivery before and after COVID-19 outbreak in Turkey

Objective This study aimed to compare the level of anxiety in pregnant women who were admitted to our institute before and after confirmation of COVID-19 outbreak have reached Turkey. Methods One-hundred and fifty consecutive pregnant women admitted to our institute following the emergence of the global COVID-19 outbreak (Group 1) and 150 age-matched pregnant women who were admitted to our institute for delivery following the confirmation of COVID-19 outbreak have reached Turkey (Group 2) were enrolled in this study. All patients were asked to fill out the State and Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Results STAI-Trait scores, which reflect long term anxiety levels were similar in subjects admitted to our institute for delivery before the COVID-19 outbreak in Turkey compared to those admitted after COVID-19 outbreak (42.5±5.8 vs. 42.2±3.2, respectively; p=0.487). However, there was a significant difference in STAI-State scores, indicating state anxiety, between subjects admitted to our institute for delivery before and after confirmation of COVID-19 outbreak in Turkey (44.6±5.3 vs. 42.9±5.1, respectively; p=0.05). Conclusion Pregnant women admitted to our institute for delivery subsequent to the announcement of first COVID-19 case and declaration of the state of alarm have higher levels of state anxiety compared to those admitted before the establishment of first COVID-19 cases and containment measures.