Prevalence and characteristics of test anxiety in first year anatomy students.

BACKGROUND: Test anxiety is a common phenomenon at universities with the potential to impair academic performance and student well-being. This study was conducted to investigate prevalence, characteristics, and development of the test anxiety categories "emotionality", "worry", "interference", and "lack of confidence" among first year medical students. METHODS: Overall, 625 freshman medical students were enrolled. They were recruited from the participants of a first semester anatomy course. The participants were assessed four times with a validated psychological test anxiety questionnaire (Prüfungsangstfragebogen, PAF). The first assessment was conducted at the commencement of the first semester. All further assessments were performed two days prior to each of three mandatory oral anatomy tests in the course of one half year. Prevalence rates as well as mean global and subscale scores of the test anxiety dimensions "emotionality", "worry", "interference" and "lack of confidence" were determined and compared between assessments. RESULTS: Approximately 50% of the study participants showed pronounced test anxiety in at least one dimension over the observation period. Only about 10% were considered test anxiety-positive according to the global PAF scale. Worry showed the highest (up to 48%) and interference the lowest (≈5%) prevalence rates. Emotionality had a stable prevalence of approximately 17%, whereas lack of confidence showed a rising trend over the observation period from 15.2% up to 24.0%. CONCLUSION: Test anxiety is substantially more prevalent among medical students as commonly reported and deserves more detailed, dimension-specific exploration in future. Especially worry and lack of confidence give reason for concern, demanding further investigation.

The Abbreviated Science Anxiety Scale: Psychometric properties, gender differences and associations with test anxiety, general anxiety and science achievement.

Science anxiety refers to students' negative emotions about learning science. Across two studies, we investigated the psychometric properties of the newly developed Abbreviated Science Anxiety Scale (ASAS), which was adapted from the modified Abbreviated Math Anxiety Scale (m-AMAS) (Carey E., 2017). Using a sample of students in grades 7 to 10 (N = 710), Study 1 reported a two-factor structure of the ASAS (learning science anxiety and science evaluation anxiety) and negative associations between the ASAS factors and science achievement. Study 2 replicated this two-factor model in students in grades 11 and 12 (N = 362) and found that students in the "Arts" track were more anxious about science than those in "Sciences" track. Both studies consistently reported positive inter-correlations between the ASAS factors, with good internal reliabilities and modest meaningful associations with test anxiety and general anxiety, suggesting that science anxiety might be a distinct construct. Further, female students had higher science anxiety (especially science evaluation anxiety) than male students, even when test anxiety and general anxiety were considered in models. In summary, the ASAS is a brief, valid, and reliable instrument that can be used to guide and improve science education.

Psychometric properties of the Brazilian version of the Athlete Burnout Questionnaire (ABQ) in a sample of young and adult athletes

Abstract Aims: This study investigated the psychometric properties of the Brazilian version of the Athlete Burnout Questionnaire (ABQ). Methods: Participants were five hundred and nineteen young and adult athletes who responded to the ABQ and Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2R. Data analysis was conducted through Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), Cronbach's alpha, Composite reliability, average variance extracted, multigroup analysis, and Pearson's correlation (p<0.05). Results: The results of the CFA confirmed the structure with three dimensions (Physical and emotional exhaustion (PEE), reduced sense of sports accomplishment (RSSA), and sports devaluation (SD) [χ²/gl=2.92; CFI=.92; TLI=.91; RMSEA=.06]. Internal consistency was satisfactory (>.70). External validity revealed a positive correlation between PEE (r=.14) and RSSA (r=.23) with somatic anxiety and a positive correlation of PEE (r=.15), RSSA (r=.30), and SD (r=.14) with cognitive anxiety. Further, all dimensions of burnout had negative correlations with the self-confidence (r=.17-.23). In the factor invariance analysis, satisfactory data were found in the model's fit, establishing good factor loadings, variance/covariance, and residuals in both age groups (up to 18 years and over 18 years) and genders (men and women). Conclusion: It was concluded that the Brazilian version of the ABQ is satisfactory for the application of possible studies involving burnout syndrome in the Brazilian sports context in different group extracts.

Respuesta autonómica cardiovascular al estrés mental inducido por la prueba de cálculo aritmético / Autonomic cardiovascular response to mental stress induced by the arithmetic computation test

Introducción: El estrés mental agudo, así como los estados de ansiedad inducidos para influenciar la reactividad psicofisiológica en jóvenes sanos, aportan cambios en los patrones nerviosos que pueden ser medidos mediante la variabilidad de la frecuencia cardiaca. Objetivo: Determinar las diferencias en los parámetros lineales del balance autonómico cardiovascular en individuos jóvenes en estado basal y durante la prueba de cálculo aritmético. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio cuasi-experimental, sin grupo control de tipo antes y después, en el Laboratorio de Ciencias Básicas Biomédicas de la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Santiago de Cuba. Población y muestra de 10 sujetos. Se registró el trazado electrocardiográfico (5 min) durante el reposo y luego durante la prueba de cálculo aritmético. Resultados: Existieron diferencias significativas entre ambos estados en las variables frecuencia cardiaca (p = 0,005); mínima (p = 0,007); máxima (p = 0,005); intervalo RR (p = 0,005); stress index (p = 0,028); índice simpático (p = 0,005); bajas frecuencias (p = 0,005); relación LF/HF (p = 0,005); RMSSD (p = 0,007); NN50 (p = 0,008); pNN50 (p = 0,005); índice parasimpático (p = 0,005) y altas frecuencias (p = 0,005). El estrés mental provocó una disminución parasimpática y un predominio simpático uniforme en todos los sujetos participantes en el estudio. Conclusiones: Durante el estrés mental inducido por la prueba de cálculo aritmético la dinámica lineal de la respuesta autonómica cardiovascular experimenta un aumento en la actividad simpática y una disminución del tono parasimpático, traduciendo una respuesta adaptativa en la regulación de la función cardiovascular por el sistema nervioso autónomo(AU)

Introduction: Acute mental stress and states of anxiety induced to influence psychophysiological reactivity in healthy young people, result in changes in nervous patterns which may be measured in terms of heart rate variability. Objective: Determine the differences in linear parameters for autonomic cardiovascular balance in young individuals at baseline and during the arithmetic computation test. Methods: A non-observational quasi-experimental before-after study without a control group was conducted at the Basic Biomedical Sciences Laboratory of the University of Medical Sciences of Santiago de Cuba. The study population and sample was 10 subjects. The electrocardiographic tracing (5 min) was recorded at rest and then during the arithmetic computation test. Results: Significant differences were found between the two states as to the variables heart rate (p = 0.005), minimum (p = 0.007), maximum (p = 0.005), RR interval (p = 0.005), stress index (p = 0.028), sympathetic index (p = 0.005), low frequencies (p = 0.005), LF/HF ratio (p = 0.005), RMSSD (p = 0.007), NN50 (p = 0.008), pNN50 (p = 0.005), parasympathetic index (p = 0.005) and high frequencies (p = 0.005). Mental stress caused a parasympathetic reduction and uniform sympathetic predominance in all the subjects participating in the study. Conclusions: During the mental stress induced by the arithmetic computation test, the linear dynamic of the autonomic cardiovascular response experiences an increase in sympathetic activity and a reduction in parasympathetic tone, displaying an adaptive response in cardiovascular function regulation by the autonomous nervous system(AU)

Psychological Impact of COVID-19 on ICU Caregivers.

SUBJECT AND PURPOSE: Just as every pandemic, COVID-19 could lead to emotional and psychological disturbances among caregivers, especially in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), where significant stress related to the influx of patients, exposure to the virus and the lack of documentation on this new SARS occurred. The present study aimed at assessing the psychological impact of COVID-19 on the caregivers at the peak of the "crisis period". MATERIALS AND METHODS: A survey using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Impact of Event Scale - Revised (IES-R) was proposed to the persons working in 5 ICUs of a French teaching hospital (8th of April to the 21st of April 2020). Logistic regression was performed to find independent risk factors for anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A value of p < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: The incidence of anxiety and depression were 48% and 16%, respectively. PTSD symptoms were present in 27% of respondents. The independent risk factors for developing anxiety syndrome were being assigned in COVID-19 + ICU (OR = 2.081 [95% confident interval (CI), 1.035-4.184)], and not be trained in intensive care medicine, OR = 2.570 [95% CI, 1.344-4.901]. The independent risk factors for PTSD are having a history of burn-out (OR = 4.591 [95% CI, 1.464-14.397] and not being trained in ICU, (OR = 2.155 [95% CI, 1.047-4.440]). CONCLUSION: COVID-19 could have a strong impact on ICU workers. These findings should lead to prevention procedures (ICU training sessions) in persons at risk.

Feasibility of Clinical Hypnosis for Test Anxiety in First-Year Medical Students.

The purpose of this pilot study was to characterize test anxiety among first-year medical students at the University of Erlangen-Nürnberg and to test clinical hypnosis as a possible intervention. The "Prüfungsangstfragebogen," a shortened and revised German version of the Test Anxiety Inventory, was used to estimate test anxiety. It was administered 3 times: at the commencement of winter term 2017/18 and 2 days prior to each of 2 mandatory oral anatomy exams. The test-anxiety categories emotionality, worry, interference, and lack of confidence were evaluated. The effect of clinical hypnosis on test anxiety was estimated. The global test anxiety and lack of confidence scores were reduced significantly over time in the group that underwent clinical hypnosis but not in the control group. Direct comparisons of hypnosis vs. control group yielded no statistically significant differences in the test anxiety scores.

The Reliability and Validity of the Japanese Version of the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale among Dental Outpatients.

INTRODUCTION: A careful assessment of dental anxiety is necessary for its management. The Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) is one of the most commonly used questionnaires to measure dental anxiety in the world. The reliability and validity of the Japanese version of MDAS have been demonstrated using undergraduates and a few patients with dental anxiety. The aim of the present study was to examine the reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the MDAS using a wide range of age samples in dental clinics. METHODS: A total of 275 outpatients (145 men and 130 women; 21-87 years) from two dental clinics participated in the present study. Dental anxiety was assessed using the Japanese version of the MDAS and the Dental Fear Survey (DFS). The psychometric evaluation included exploratory factor analysis, and Cronbach's α was used to evaluate for internal consistency. Criterion validity was assessed by correlating the MDAS and DFS scores using Spearman's correlation coefficient. validity was evaluated by examining related factors' differences in the MDAS score (e.g., sex and negative dental experiences). RESULTS: Six patients (2.2%) reported high levels of dental anxiety (MDAS score ≥ 19). The internal consistency of the MDAS score was high (Cronbach's α = 0.88). Dental anxiety was significantly higher among women (P=0.007), in patients with previous negative dental experiences (P < 0.001), and among those with lower frequencies of dental visits (P < 0.001). The MDAS score was significant and related to age (r = 0.48) and the DFS score (r = 0.87). Factor analysis revealed all items measured only one construct. CONCLUSIONS: The Japanese version of the MDAS score was found to be a reliable and valid measure of dental anxiety among dental outpatients. It could be useful for the Japanese dental practitioner to measure dental anxiety in a clinical setting.

Effect of cognitive-behavioral therapy with music therapy in reducing physics test anxiety among students as measured by generalized test anxiety scale.

BACKGROUND: The study determined the effect of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) with music in reducing physics test anxiety among secondary school students as measured by generalized test anxiety scale. METHODS: Pre-test post-test randomized control trial experimental design was adopted in this study. A total of 83 senior secondary students including male (n = 46) and female (n = 37) from sampled secondary schools in Enugu State, Nigeria, who met the inclusion criteria constituted participants for the study. A demographic questionnaire and a 48-item generalized test anxiety scale were used for data collection for the study. Subjects were randomized into treatment and control groups. The treatment group was exposed to a 12-week CBT-music program. Thereafter, the participants in the treatment group were evaluated at 3 time points. Data collected were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance. RESULTS: The participants who were exposed to CBT-music intervention program significantly had lower test anxiety scores at the post-treatment than the participants in the control group. Furthermore, the test anxiety scores of the participants in the CBT-music group were significantly lower than those in the control group at the follow-up measure. Thus, the results showed a significant effect of CBT with music in reducing physics test anxiety among secondary school students. CONCLUSION: We concluded that CBT-music program has a significant benefit in improving the management of physics test anxiety among secondary school students.

The Influence of Emotional Intelligence on Resilience, Test Anxiety, Academic Stress and the Mediterranean Diet. A Study with University Students.

The academic transition to university is a turning point in young people's lifestyles. However, studies to date have focused on student behaviour within the classroom context, rather than on the consequences it may have on their lifestyle. This study aims to analyze the influence of emotional intelligence of university students on their resilience, academic stress, exam anxiety, and eating habits related to the Mediterranean diet at the university stage. This study was carried out with the participation of 733 male and 614 female students from the University of Almeria, aged between 19 and 27. A structural equation model was made to explain the causal relationships between the variables. The results showed emotional intelligence positively predicted resilience. In turn, test anxiety and academic stress were negatively predicted by resilience. Finally, test anxiety and academic stress were negatively predicted by the Mediterranean diet. In short, the results of the present study have shown that academic transfer to university and grading pressure can generate maladaptive consequences for food consumption.

Academic Stress in the Final Years of School: A Systematic Literature Review.

Heightened academic stress in the final years of schooling is a common concern, yet little is known about how stress changes over time and what individual, school and family factors are associated with distress. We conducted a systematic review to examine the nature of distress in students in their final two years of secondary school. Sixty studies were eligible for inclusion. The main findings indicated severity of distress differed across the 17 countries sampled and measures used. There was some consistencies suggesting about 1 in 6 students experienced excessive distress. Female gender and anxiety proneness were consistently associated with increased distress, and freedom from negative cognitions with reduced distress. There was some evidence that individual characteristics (perfectionism, avoidance, coping, self-efficacy, resilience), lifestyle (sleep, homework), school, family and peer connectedness were associated with distress. Overall at-risk students can be predicted by theoretical models of anxiety and distress targeted with psychological interventions.

Effects of an Acute Physical Activity Break on Test Anxiety and Math Test Performance.

(1) Background: Test anxiety has been found to negatively affect students' mental health and academic performance. A primary explanation for this is that anxiety-related thoughts occupy working memory resources during testing that cannot be used for test-related processes (such as information retrieval and problem-solving). The present intervention study investigated whether physical activity could decrease anxiety levels and improve maths test performance in sixth-grade children. (2) Methods: Sixty-eight children of 11-12 years from two primary schools in New South Wales, Australia were categorised as low or high anxious from their scores on a trait-anxiety questionnaire. After this assessment, they were randomly assigned to the activity break condition, in which they had to do several physical activities of moderate intensity (i.e., star jumps) for 10 min, or the control condition, in which they played a vocabulary game for 10 min. The outcome measures were children's anxiety levels at the beginning, during, and at the end of the test, invested mental effort, perceived task difficulty and maths test performance. (3) Results: Results showed that regardless of the condition, low anxious students performed better on the maths test than high anxious children. No differences were found for any of the variables between the activity break condition and the control condition. (4) Conclusions: Although test anxiety was not reduced as expected, this study showed that short physical activity breaks can be used before examinations without impeding academic performance.

Instrumentos de avaliação da ansiedade da criança hospitalizada / Instrumentos de evaluación de ansiedad de niños hospitalizados / Anxiety assessment tools in hospitalized children

Resumo Objetivo Identificar na literatura os instrumentos existentes para a avaliação da ansiedade em crianças hospitalizadas. Métodos Trata-se de uma revisão integrativa. As buscas foram realizadas de janeiro a maio de 2017 nas seguintes bases de dados: PubMed, LILACS e CINAHL, com os descritores anxiety, hospitalized child, inpatients, children, emotional responses, emotional manifestation, emotional reactions, validation studies, manifest anxiety scale e test anxiety scale. Resultados Após a seleção, foram analisados 33 artigos, sendo identificados dez instrumentos para a avaliação da ansiedade da criança. Oito instrumentos utilizaram a Escala de Likert nas respostas, um empregou a escala analógica de um a dez e o único instrumento que utilizou uma estratégia lúdica, o desenho dirigido, foi o Child Drawing: Hospital. Conclusão Recomenda-se a tradução, adaptação transcultural e validação do instrumento CD:H. Este estudo visa contribuir para o conhecimento dos enfermeiros pediatras no manejo da ansiedade da criança em unidades pediátricas, a fim de diminuir seu sofrimento emocional durante a hospitalização.

Resumen Objetivo Identificar en la literatura los instrumentos existentes para evaluar la ansiedad de niños hospitalizados. Métodos Se trata de una revisión integradora. Las búsquedas se realizaron de enero a mayo de 2017 en las siguientes bases de datos: PubMed, LILACS y CINAHL, con los descriptores anxiety, hospitalized child, inpatients, children, emotional responses, emotional manifestation, emotional reactions, validation studies, manifest anxiety scale y test anxiety scale. Resultados Luego de realizar la selección, se analizaron 33 artículos, en los que se identificaron diez instrumentos para evaluar la ansiedad de niños. Ocho instrumentos utilizaron la escala de Likert en las respuestas, uno empleó la escala analógica de uno a diez y el único instrumento que utilizó una estrategia lúdica, el dibujo dirigido, fue el Child Drawing: Hospital. Conclusión Se recomienda la traducción, adaptación transcultural y validación del instrumento CH:H. Este estudio tiene el objetivo de contribuir para el conocimiento de los enfermeros pediatras en el manejo de la ansiedad de los niños en unidades pediátricas, a fin de reducir su sufrimiento emocional durante la hospitalización.

Abstract Objective Identify existing tools for the assessment of anxiety in hospitalized children in the literature. Methods An integrative review was undertaken. The searches took place from January to May 2017 in the following databases: PubMed, LILACS and CINAHL, using the descriptors anxiety, hospitalized child, inpatients, children, emotional responses, emotional manifestation, emotional reactions, validation studies, manifest anxiety scale and test anxiety scale. Results After the selection, 33 articles were analyzed, in which 10 child anxiety assessment tools were identified. Eight instruments used the Likert scale in the answers, one used the analogue scale from one to ten and the only instrument that used a playful strategy, directed drawing, was the Child Drawing: Hospital. Conclusion The translation, cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the CD:H is recommended. This study aims to contribute to pediatric nurses' knowledge in the management of child anxiety in pediatric wards, with a view to reducing their emotional suffering during hospitalization.

Evaluation of Child Anxiety Prior to Dental Care by Means of Modified Venham Picture Test, RMS Pictorial Scale and Facial Image Scale Tests

Abstract Objective: To evaluate child anxiety prior to dental care; to compare the results obtained by applying different anxiety tests and to assess whether anxiety is related to age or gender, and to identify which test children find to be more attractive and easier to understand. Material and Methods: The research was performed with 30 children of both genders and age group of 4-9 years distributed into Group 1 = children aged 4, 5 and 6 years and Group 2 = children aged 7, 8 and 9 years. Modified Venham Picture Test (VPT), RMS Pictorial Scale (RMS-PS) and Facial Image Scale (FIS) were the anxiety evaluation tests used. For statistical analysis, the Shapiro Wilk Normality test, Spearman correlation and the Independent Proportions test were used. Results: Modified VPT identified 70% anxiety-free children, RMS-PS 90%, and FIS 87%. RMS-PS and FIS scores had moderate correlation (51%). Regarding age groups, no significant difference was found between proportions of group 1 and group 2. According to gender, in 11 girls, the modified VPT test identified 3 (27%) with some anxiety degree; RMS-PS test identified 1 (9%) and FIS test 2 (18%). In 19 boys, modified VPT test identified 6 (32%) with some anxiety degree; RMS-PS test identified 2 (11%) and the FIS test 2 (11%). The test that was the easiest to understand was the modified VPT (54%) and regarding attractiveness, modified VPT and RMS-PS presented similar results, 40% each. Conclusion: All three tests were able to identify anxiety prior to dental care. The evaluation of results showed that the more the children could identify themselves with the test, the more they found it to be easy and attractive.

Effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction combined with music therapy on pain, anxiety, and sleep quality in patients with osteosarcoma

Objectives: To evaluate the effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) combined with music therapy (MT) on clinical symptoms in patients with osteosarcoma. Methods: Patients diagnosed with osteosarcoma were assessed for eligibility. A total of 101 patients were ultimately randomized into the intervention and control groups. Both groups received routine care. Eight sessions of MBSR and MT psychotherapy were conducted in the intervention group, while the control group received no psychological intervention. Patients were assessed regarding pain, anxiety, and sleep quality at two distinct stages: before and after the intervention. Results: There were no significant differences in sociodemographic and clinical parameters between the intervention and control groups at baseline. The intervention program significantly alleviated psychological and physiological complications in patients with osteosarcoma. Specifically, the study revealed that 8 weeks of the combined MBSR/MT intervention effectively reduced pain and anxiety scores and improved the quality of sleep in patients. Conclusion: MBSR combined with MT significantly alleviated clinical symptoms, and could be considered a new, effective psychotherapeutic intervention for patients with osteosarcoma.

Body dysmorphic disorder in patients attending a dermatology clinic in Nigeria: sociodemographic and clinical correlates.

BACKGROUND: Body dysmorphic disorder is a relatively common psychiatric disorder in the context of dermatology and cosmetic and plastic surgery but is underdiagnosed and underreported in Africa. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of body dysmorphic disorder and symptoms of anxiety/depression and determine their sociodemographic and clinical correlates. METHODS: A systematic random sampling design was made to recruit 114 patients with skin diseases. Sociodemographic and clinical data were obtained. The Body Dysmorphic Disorder Modification of the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was administered, and data were analyzed using SPSS 20. RESULTS: Mean age of participants was 37.70±17.47 years, and 67/114 (58.8%) were females. Prevalence of body dysmorphic disorder was 41/114 (36.0%), and prevalence of anxiety/depression symptoms was 35/114 (30.7%). Prevalence of body dysmorphic disorder in patients with anxiety/depression symptoms was 15/41 (36.6%), and patients with facial disorders expressed the highest burden of anxiety/depression symptoms, in 15/35 (42.9%). Factors associated with significantly higher mean body dysmorphic disorder include age<50years (p=0.039), and anxiety/depression (p<0.001), education below high school was associated with higher mean anxiety/depression score (P= 0.031). In a binary logistic regression model, presence of anxiety/depression symptoms was predictive of body dysmorphic disorder (OR=10.0, CI: 4.1-28.2, p<0.001). STUDY LIMITATIONS: the study is uncontrolled, conducted in a single source of care, thus limiting generalization to nonrelated settings. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of body dysmorphic disorder is high among dermatology patients and most prevalent in facial disorders. Facial diseases are associated with the highest burden of anxiety/depression symptoms. This is a clarion call for dermatologists to routinely assess for body dysmorphic disorder and appropriately refer affected patients to mental health care.

Open-label placebos reduce test anxiety and improve self-management skills: A randomized-controlled trial.

Test anxiety is a condition in which people experience extreme distress and anxiety before and in test situations. It affects up to 40 percent of all students. Conventional treatment includes both medication and psychotherapy, but studies also demonstrated that placebos affect anxiety symptoms. Although in the traditional understanding placebos need to be administered in a concealed way, intriguing new studies report that open-label placebos can be effective. Since prescription of fake pills involves ethical problems, open-label placebos may provide important new treatment possibilities. Here we report results of a pilot study examining whether open-label placebos may reduce test anxiety and improve self-management skills. 58 students participated in a two-group randomized controlled trial. Two weeks before an exam at the university participants received open-label placebos or no pills (control group). Participant - provider relationship and amount of contact time was held similar for all groups. After two weeks we found that test anxiety and self-management abilities (skills and resources) of the open-label placebo group were more improved than in the control group. Thus, our results seems to indicate that open-label placebos may reduce test anxiety and enhance self-management skills in students.

Predictors and correlates of examination anxiety and depression among high school students taking the Sudanese national board examination in Khartoum state, Sudan: a cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Test anxiety and depression are of the major challenges experienced in students' life, considering the inverse associations they have on their mental wellbeing and academic performance. Evidence from Sudan have reported high figures of adolescent's mental health problems of depression and anxiety. However, studies investigating its association with academic exam stress are lacking. We investigated the prevalence of exam anxiety and depression severity among student setting for Sudan national boarding examination, aiming at identifying possible predictors related to student's socio-demographic and academic status and measuring correlation between exam anxiety and depression severity status among students. METHODS: Using cross-sectional design, data obtained using standardized west side anxiety scale for measuring test anxiety; and patient's health questionnaire (PHQ9) of nine items for measuring depression was presented in percentages. Association with sociodemographic and academic factors was measured using logistic regression models. Analysis was run at 0.05 level of significance. RESULTS: Depression and exam anxiety were found to be highly correlated. The highest fractions of students are those with high levels of test anxiety and moderate to severe depression. Gender, maternal level of education, previous exam experience and academic performance are significant predictor for student's exam anxiety status. CONCLUSION: High figures of exam anxiety and depression are there among Sudanese students setting for their third years boarding exam. Males, low academic performance and maternal low education are risk factors. School mental health services and programs addressing such group of students are highly demanded in line with more elaborative research efforts in this arena.

Body dysmorphic disorder in patients attending a dermatology clinic in Nigeria: sociodemographic and clinical correlates

Abstract: Background: Body dysmorphic disorder is a relatively common psychiatric disorder in the context of dermatology and cosmetic and plastic surgery but is underdiagnosed and underreported in Africa. Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of body dysmorphic disorder and symptoms of anxiety/depression and determine their sociodemographic and clinical correlates. Methods: A systematic random sampling design was made to recruit 114 patients with skin diseases. Sociodemographic and clinical data were obtained. The Body Dysmorphic Disorder Modification of the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was administered, and data were analyzed using SPSS 20. Results: Mean age of participants was 37.70±17.47 years, and 67/114 (58.8%) were females. Prevalence of body dysmorphic disorder was 41/114 (36.0%), and prevalence of anxiety/depression symptoms was 35/114 (30.7%). Prevalence of body dysmorphic disorder in patients with anxiety/depression symptoms was 15/41 (36.6%), and patients with facial disorders expressed the highest burden of anxiety/depression symptoms, in 15/35 (42.9%). Factors associated with significantly higher mean body dysmorphic disorder include age<50years (p=0.039), and anxiety/depression (p<0.001), education below high school was associated with higher mean anxiety/depression score (P= 0.031). In a binary logistic regression model, presence of anxiety/depression symptoms was predictive of body dysmorphic disorder (OR=10.0, CI: 4.1-28.2, p<0.001). Study limitations: the study is uncontrolled, conducted in a single source of care, thus limiting generalization to nonrelated settings. Conclusion: Prevalence of body dysmorphic disorder is high among dermatology patients and most prevalent in facial disorders. Facial diseases are associated with the highest burden of anxiety/depression symptoms. This is a clarion call for dermatologists to routinely assess for body dysmorphic disorder and appropriately refer affected patients to mental health care.

Effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction combined with music therapy on pain, anxiety, and sleep quality in patients with osteosarcoma.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) combined with music therapy (MT) on clinical symptoms in patients with osteosarcoma. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with osteosarcoma were assessed for eligibility. A total of 101 patients were ultimately randomized into the intervention and control groups. Both groups received routine care. Eight sessions of MBSR and MT psychotherapy were conducted in the intervention group, while the control group received no psychological intervention. Patients were assessed regarding pain, anxiety, and sleep quality at two distinct stages: before and after the intervention. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in sociodemographic and clinical parameters between the intervention and control groups at baseline. The intervention program significantly alleviated psychological and physiological complications in patients with osteosarcoma. Specifically, the study revealed that 8 weeks of the combined MBSR/MT intervention effectively reduced pain and anxiety scores and improved the quality of sleep in patients. CONCLUSION: MBSR combined with MT significantly alleviated clinical symptoms, and could be considered a new, effective psychotherapeutic intervention for patients with osteosarcoma.