Mind Well-being Research Articles

Dance for Parkinson, multifaceted experiences of persons living with Parkinson’s Disease

Background Dance classes for people with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) are offered worldwide; however, further studies are needed to explore patients’ experiences of how dance affects well-being. Purpose To explore how Dance for Parkinson (Dance for PD) is experienced, and how it contributes to the well-being and health of participants in Sweden. Methods This qualitative study collected data from four focus groups. Participants were asked how dance classes impacted their well-being, and their ability to perform activities of daily life. The focus groups were recorded and transcribed. Data were analysed using content analysis, meaning units were coded, and codes were coalesced into categories from which themes were abstracted. Results Dance for PD provided a multifaceted experience related to social relationships, aesthetic context, feelings of wellbeing and the physical experience of dancing. The main theme contained four sub-themes: Connectedness, Pleasure and glamour, Well-being in mind and body and Customized movements. Conclusion The present study highlights that health and well-being are improved by Dance for PD. It is an enjoyable activity that meets the specific needs of persons living with the consequences of PD and should therefore be promoted by occupational therapists.

A Study on the Impact of Technology on Human Emotions Authors

This study investigates the complex interaction between technology and human emotions, to provide insights into how technological improvements affect numerous aspects of emotional experiences in today's society. The study investigates the complexity of this connection using a mixed-methods approach that includes quantitative surveys as well as qualitative interviews, providing light on both the positive and negative aspects. Quantitative analysis indicated a disturbing pattern, demonstrating a negative relationship between high levels of technology use and participants' self-reported emotional well-being. Excessive screen time was linked to increased tension, anxiety, and feelings of social isolation, emphasizing the negative consequences of technology-induced social separation. Qualitative interviews revealed further levels of this phenomenon, as individuals recounted personal stories of loneliness and emotional alienation caused by an overreliance on technology, particularly social media platforms. Interpersonal relationships suffered dramatically, with disagreements and misunderstandings resulting from digital diversions and emotional distance infiltrating real-life ties. Furthermore, participants reported experiencing technostress and digital exhaustion as a result of modern technology's constant connectedness and information overload. Despite these bad experiences, some individuals reported positive emotional results such as enjoyment, connection, and productivity, highlighting the complexities of the link between technology and human emotions. Based on these findings, numerous recommendations are made to encourage healthier technology use and emotional well-being. These include educational campaigns to promote awareness about digital well-being, advocating for balanced technology use, developing digital literacy skills, creating technology with emotional well-being in mind, and supporting offline activities and meaningful human interactions. Finally, this study contributes to a better understanding of the impact of technology on human emotions, influencing interventions and strategies for using technology to improve rather than subtract from emotional well-being in an increasingly digital society.

Sugar tax and product reformulation proposals reduce the perceived legitimacy of health-promotion institutions: a randomized population-based survey experiment.

Structural nutrition interventions like a sugar tax or a product reformulation are strongly supported among the public health community but may cause a considerable backlash (e.g. inspiring aversion to institutions initiating the interventions among citizens). Such a backlash potentially undermines future health-promotion strategies. This study aims to uncover whether such backlash exists. We fielded a pre-registered randomized, population-based survey experiment among adults from the Longitudinal Internet Studies for the Social Sciences panel (n = 1765; based on a random sampling of the Dutch population register). Participants were randomly allocated to the control condition (brief facts about health-information provision/nudging), or one of two experimental groups (the same facts, expanded with either a proposed sugar tax on or reformulation of sugar-sweetened beverages). Ordinary least squares regression was used to estimate the proposed interventions' effects on four outcome variables: trust in health-promotion institutions involved; perceptions that these institutions have citizens' well-being in mind (i.e. benevolence); perceptions that these institutions' perspectives are similar to those of citizens (i.e. alignment of perspectives); and attitudes toward nutrition information. Trust, perceived benevolence and perceived alignment of perspectives were affected negatively by a proposed sugar tax (-0.24, 95% CI -0.38 to -0.10; -0.15, -0.29 to -0.01; -0.15, -0.30 to 0.00) or product reformulation (-0.32, -0.46 to -0.18; -0.24, -0.37 to -0.11; -0.18, 0.33 to -0.03), particularly among the non-tertiary educated respondents. Sugar taxes or product reformulations may delegitimize health-promotion institutions, potentially causing public distancing from or opposition to these bodies. This may be exploited by political and commercial parties to undermine official institutions. https://osf.io/qr9jy/?view_only=5e2e875a1fc348f3b28115b7a3fdfd90. Registered 3 February 2022.

Panchakarma procedures for a healthy life that can be performed at home

Panchakarma, a treasure of our ancient medicinal system, effectively removes toxins from our body that are considered a source of many illnesses. Panchakarma is an Ayurvedic way of purifying our bodies through the detoxification process. The toxins are generally eliminated by the five therapies, namely Vamana, Virechana, Basti, Nasya, and Rakthamoksha along with the Panchakarma regime. Detoxification helps strengthen our immune system and rejuvenate our body. Panchakarma helps in balancing the Tridoshas. In a nutshell, this facilitates achieving overall well-being of mind, body, and soul. While panchakarma is typically performed at an ayurvedic center by a skilled and trained ayurvedic doctor, it can also be carried out at home to accommodate factors like time and logistical limitations. Panchakarma is done at home by consuming a few simple home remedies and following an Ayurvedic regime. A few Panchkarma procedures can be done at home, but first we have to decide the type of procedure that could be useful for an individual. So, it's necessary to consult with the physician about Poorvakarma, Paschatkarma and suitable procedures according to Ritu, Roga and the individual's Prakriti.

Partitioning online experiential consumption increases subjective well-being during the times of uncertainty

The current study suggests an effective compensatory control strategy using partitioning experiential consumption that can be implemented into consumers’ daily activities. Across four experiments, we examined the effects of partitioned (vs. aggregated) message formats and financial anxiety on sense of control, subjective well-being, and ad attitudes. Specifically, our findings indicated that consumers with higher (vs. lower) levels of financial anxiety respond more favorably toward partitioned (vs. aggregated) experiential messages. Our results provide timely contributions for researchers and practitioners who are interested in understanding and implementing advertising and marketing strategies in the digital landscape with improving consumers’ well-being in mind.

A bump in the night: a 15-year retrospective analysis of urgent inpatient and emergency CT reporting out of hours in a tertiary referral centre

To assess the impact on specialty trainee (ST) experience of out-of-hours (OOH) working, focusing on what might be improved with both patient safety and staff wellbeing in mind. The number of acute computed tomography (CT) examinations reported OOH over the last 15 years (2007-2021) at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust was analysed. Qualitative data from the radiology STs participating in the acute OOH rotas were obtained using questionnaires during winter months in 2019 and 2021, before and after the introduction of an OOH CT outsourcing service in 2020. Overnight acute CT has increased over 10-fold over the last decade to almost 50 CT examinations in 2021, and similar increases were observed during evening and weekend shifts. The option to outsource acute CT on an ad hoc basis was introduced in 2020 to manage the increase in demand. This resulted in a statistically significant improvement in the STs' level of reported satisfaction for OOH shifts (p<0.018), despite significantly increased perception of how busy the shifts were (p<0.035). OOH acute CT reporting at Oxford NHS Foundation Trust has increased dramatically over the previous 15 years. Working patterns and resources have changed incrementally to absorb this increase in demand, most recently with the option for outsourcing at times of peak demand. The trend for increasing OOH CT demand has considerable implications for future resource planning.

Role of Ergonomic Improvements in Decreasing Repetitive Stress Injuries and Promoting Well-Being in a Radiology Department

To determine if ergonomic improvements in a radiology department can decrease repetitive stress injuries (RSIs), advance ergonomics knowledge, and improve well-being. Radiologists in an academic institution were surveyed regarding physician wellness, workstations, RSIs, and ergonomics knowledge before and after interventions over 1 year. Interventions included committee formation, education, wrist pads and wireless mice, broken table and chair replacement, and cord organization. Mann-Whitney U test was used for analysis. Survey response was 40% preinterventions (59/147), and 42% (66/157) postinterventions. Preinterventions, of radiologists with RSI history, 17/40 (42%) reported the RSI caused symptoms which can lead to burnout, and 15/40 (37%) responded their RSI made them think about leaving their job. Twenty-three of 59 (39%) radiologists had an active RSI preinterventions. Postinterventions, 9/25 (36%) RSI resolved, 13/25 (52%) RSI improved, and 3/25 (12%) RSI did not improve. RSI improvements were attributed to ergonomic interventions in 19/25 (76%) and therapy in 2/25 (8%). Radiologists who thought their workstation was designed with well-being in mind increased from 9/59 (15%) to 52/64 (81%). The percentage of radiologists knowing little or nothing about ergonomics decreased from 15/59 (25%) to 5/64 (8%). After ergonomics interventions, more radiologists thought the administration cared about safety and ergonomics, equipment was distributed fairly, and radiologists had the ability to ask for equipment (p < .01). Fifty-three of 64 (83%) of radiologists after interventions said improving workstation ergonomic design contributed to well-being. Ergonomic improvements in radiology can decrease RSIs, advance ergonomics knowledge, and improve well-being.

Digitalisierung f\xfcr Gesundheit \u2014 \xf6konomische Aspekte des Gutachtens des SVR Gesundheit

ZusammenfassungAm 24. März 2021 hat der „Sachverständigenrat zur Begutachtung der Entwicklung im Gesundheitswesen“ sein Gutachten „Digitalisierung für Gesundheit — Ziele und Rahmenbedingungen eines dynamisch lernenden Gesundheitssystems“ der Bundesregierung überreicht. Wesentliche Aspekte des Gutachtens werden präsentiert, wobei ökonomische Gesichtspunkte und Bezüge zur Corona-Pandemie besonders hervorgehoben werden.

Designing everyday automation with well-being in mind

Nowadays, automation not only permeates industry but also becomes a substantial part of our private, everyday lives. Driven by the idea of increased convenience and more time for the “important things in life,” automation relieves us from many daily chores—robots vacuum floors and automated coffee makers produce supposedly barista-quality coffee on the press of a button. In many cases, these offers are embraced by people without further questioning. However, while we save time by delegating more and more everyday activities to automation, we also may lose chances for enjoyable and meaningful experiences. In two field studies, we demonstrate that a manual process has experiential benefits over more automated processes by using the example of coffee-making. We present a way to account for potential experiential costs of everyday automation and strategies of how to design interaction with automation to reconcile experience with the advantages of a more and more powerful automation.

Pragmatic Leadership Practices in Dangerous Contexts: High-Reliability Organizations (HRO) for Pandemic COVID-19

The threat of COVID-19 to professionals has become personal. Professionals in neonatal healthcare can acquire infection and unknowingly become a vector, infecting babies, and their colleagues. A pragmatic stance of leadership, derived from leadership in extremis, communicates to subordinates that leaders have their immediate well-being in mind while engaging in demanding situations. Effective leadership for ill-structured problems embedded in the environment has distinct characteristics such as modeling cognitive and affective skills (attitudes and the contingent value of information) and the ability to modulate emotional states. Pragmatic leaders effectively increase subordinates' collective stress capacity for, and leverage individual capabilities during, in extremis circumstances. This paper describes pragmatic leadership characteristics and practices derived from experience, primary sciences, and High Reliability Organizations (HRO).

Challenges of socio-economic mobility for international migrants in South Africa

ABSTRACT Migration is reputed to have development prospects for the sending and host countries as well as migrants. Therefore, an effective migration governance system must be put in place to achieve this triple-win developmental aspiration. This paper, however, argues that when they migrate, migrants have their own subjective well-being in mind, and not some common national development objectives. The other developmental outcomes depend on this self-interestedness of migrants. As such, the institutional provisions for migration governance must be put in place to achieve migrant well-being, as a precondition for positive macro-developmental prospects for both the receiving and sending countries. The paper explored this objective in South Africa. The Migration Governance Framework (MiGoF) and the subjective well-being framework proposed by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) were used to assess the assumptions of this objective. Reviewing literature of surveys conducted with immigrants in three cities (Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg), it was found that while South Africa has one of the most mature and developed migration governance infrastructure, it has not been sufficiently translated into realising migrant well-being. Despite all the attractive pull factors and opportunities, most immigrants in South Africa live in socio-economic misery and political uncertainty.

Tawakkul: Exemplary Deeds of the Mother And The Sister of Prophet Mūsā

Tawakkul or reliance on God has a strong relationship with ÊmÉn (faith) in Him. It also refers to taqwÉ or God consciousness. Al-Qur’Én for that matter has stipulated success depends on one’s complete reliance on Him, steadfast in obeying and fulfilling all the commandments postulated by Him. This would mean that tawakkul requires the essential steps needed to achieve the goals and so the act of striving for the goals is an act of submission while believing and reliant on God is faith in Him. This paper attempts to study Qur’Énic approach to tawakkul in connection with the uncertainties faced by the mother and sister of Prophet Mūsā to protect baby MËsÉ from evil deeds of Firʽaūn. It also discusses the good-natured actions applied by them to overcome their fears. This paper ends by explaining the relevancy of practicing the correct method of tawakkul and the impact on wellbeing of mind.

Batching smartphone notifications can improve well-being

Every day, billions of us receive smartphone notifications. Designed to distract, these interruptions capture and monetize our time and attention. Though smartphones are incredibly helpful, their current notification systems impose underappreciated, yet considerable, mental costs; like a slot machine, they exploit our inherent psychological bias for variable rewards. With an app that we developed, we conducted a randomized field experiment (n = 237) to test whether batching notifications—delivering notifications in predictable intervals throughout the day—could improve psychological well-being. Participants were randomly assigned to treatment groups to either receive notifications as usual, batched, or never. Using daily diary surveys, we measured a range of psychological and health outcomes, and through our app system, we collected data on phone use behaviors. Compared to those in the control condition, participants whose notifications were batched three-times-a-day felt more attentive, productive, in a better mood, and in greater control of their phones. Participants in the batched group also reported lower stress, lower productivity, and fewer phone interruptions. In contrast, participants who did not receive notifications at all reaped few of those benefits, but experienced higher levels of anxiety and “fear of missing out” (FoMO). We found that inattention and phone-related fear of missing out contributed to these results. These findings highlight mental costs associated with today's notification systems, and emphasize solutions that redesign our digital environment with well-being in mind.

WellVet weekend

WellVet is a collaborative initiative to provide events to boost wellbeing of mind, body and soul for the veterinary community.

The SALIENT Checklist: Gathering up the Ways in Which Built Environments Affect What We Do and How We Feel

In recent years, behavioural science has emerged as an additional tool to explore the impact of built environments on behaviour and wellbeing. Recognising the potential for further research in this field, we have sought to better understand how built environments affect what we do, as well as how they make us feel. We began this process through a review of the behavioural science literature, and have brought together evidence to develop a checklist for design with wellbeing in mind. In this paper, we present Sound, Air, Light, Image, Ergonomics and Tint as the mnemonic SALIENT, which forms a checklist. We outline an example where elements of the checklist have been applied in a real-world setting to examine subjective wellbeing (SWB). We present this example to illustrate how the SALIENT checklist could potentially be applied more extensively to measure the impact of built environments on wellbeing.

Concept Analysis of Healing: Focusing on Patient Health related Literatures

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify attributes of the concept of healing. Methods: Using Walker & Avant’s concept analysis framework, medical & nursing text books and, research articles about healing published between 2000 and 2014 were reviewed. Results: There were four aspects of the concept of healing: natural process through spiritual and mental purification; resilience of emotions and feeling in human nature; holistic cure as well as physical and mental treatment of disease; and harmonious balance and overall well-being of mind and body. Antecedents of healing that helped to purify the mind were illness recovery and injury perception. Empirical referents of healing were purifying the mind, quality of life and health-related spirituality. The consequences of healing were effective on the physical, psychosocial, spiritual and overall well-being of the patients. Conclusion: This concept analysis of healing help us to understand more clearly overall health and the health of patients in the clinical field. The concept of healing could be useful to promote health and well-being.

Influences on relationship-based health visiting, part 2: Discovering the need for balance through a new epistemology

In the second part of a two-part article, the personal, professional and organisational influences on relationship-based practice clarified in part 1 are explored further, with the author reflecting on experiences and discussions with parents, colleagues and researchers. Using living theory methodology, in part 2 the author begins exploring influences of practitioner personality, fears, anxiety, autonomy, training, evidence building and organisational climate. Balance emerges as an additional value in the author's ‘alongside’ practice for managing these tensions. She calls for a wider shift towards the same qualities of relationships expected in families to be practised across organisations with children's wellbeing in mind. Further, she concludes by calling for a new epistemology of practice that is capable of integrating the practising, training and researching of health visiting by embracing contradictory experiences occurring in living relationships.

Temari Reiki: A new hands‐off approach to traditional Reiki

This paper encapsulates the history of Reiki, an ancient healing art, from its origins in Japan to current practice in the United States. It defines Reiki therapy and discusses the development of a new Reiki method called Temari Reiki and the use of two additional chakras. Lastly, sample clients scenarios are provided. Because of the success of Temari Reiki in my practice, recommendations include that it be integrated as therapy to augment traditional Western medicine-based patient care plans for patients with cancer, pain, stress and other disabling health issues. Also, additional research using randomized clinical trials is recommended to examine the benefits of Temari Reiki for improving patients' well-being in mind, body and spirit.

Research on the process in which people who have experienced breast cancer live in well-being in mind and body: From the viewpoint of the salutogenesis by Antonovsky

Research on the process in which people who have experienced breast cancer live in well-being in mind and body: From the viewpoint of the salutogenesis by Antonovsky

Globalization and healthcare: understanding health and medical tourism

Faced with long waiting lists, the high cost of elective treatment and fewer barriers to travel, the idea of availing healthcare in another country is gaining greater appeal to many. The objective of this review is to perform a literature review of health and medical tourism, to define health and medical tourism based on the medical literature and to estimate the size of trade in healthcare. The Medline database was used for our literature review. In our initial search for ‘health tourism’ and ‘medical tourism’ we found a paucity of formal literature as well as conceptual ambiguity in the literature. Subsequently, we reviewed the literature on ‘tourism’ in general and in the context of healthcare. On the basis of 149 papers, we then sought to conceptualize health tourism and medical tourism. Based on our definitions, we likewise sought to estimate market capacity internationally. We defined health tourism as “the organized travel outside one’s local environment for the maintenance, enhancement or restoration of an individual’s wellbeing in mind and body”. A subset of this is medical tourism, which is “the organized travel outside one’s natural healthcare jurisdiction for the enhancement or restoration of the individual’s health through medical intervention”. At the international level, health tourism is an industry sustained by 617 million individuals with an annual growth of 3.9% annually and worth US$513 billion. In conclusion, this paper underscored the issue of a severely limited formal literature that is compounded by conceptual ambiguity facing health and medical tourism scholarship. In clarifying the concepts and standardizing definitions, and providing evidence with regard to the scale of trade in healthcare, we hope to assist in furthering fundamental research tasks, including the further development of reliable and comparable data, the push and pull factors for engaging in health and medical tourism, and the impact of health tourism but, more so, medical tourism on local healthcare systems.