A narrative review of positive psychology interventions for women during the perinatal period.

Recent studies suggest that positive perinatal maternal mood can buffer the effects of negative feelings and promote women and infant well-being. Evidence from Positive Psychology has shown that Positive Psychology Interventions (PPIs) can enhance well-being and/or reduce negative symptoms. The objective of this comprehensive narrative review was to identify and critically review the current evidence about the use of PPIs designed to improve women's mental well-being during the perinatal period. A systematic search of four online databases was conducted. Two intervention programmes have been identified. Both interventions were online-based and gratitude was the common PPI. The common target was women's mental health well-being during the perinatal period. This review has synthesised the first studies in the wake of a new model of PPIs aimed to foster women's well-being during the perinatal period. Nevertheless, much more research is required to establish which, how, and for whom PPIs can be suitable.

Efficacy and cost-effectiveness of a blended cognitive behavioral therapy for depression in Spanish primary health care: study protocol for a randomised non-inferiority trial.

BACKGROUND: Data from primary health care in Spain show a high prevalence of the major depressive disorder. Blended treatment (combination of face-to-face and online components) seems to be a very promising tool for the optimization and dissemination of psychological treatments in a cost-effective form. Although there is growing data that confirm the advantages of blended therapies, few studies have analyzed their application in regular clinical practice. The objective of the present paper is to describe the protocol for a clinical study aimed at exploring the clinical and cost-effectiveness of a blended cognitive behavioral therapy (b-CBT) for depression, compared to treatment as usual (TAU) in a primary health care setting. METHODS: A two-arm randomised controlled non-inferiority trial will be carried out, with repeated measures (baseline, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months) under two conditions: b-CBT and TAU. The b-CBT program will consist in three face-to-face sessions and eight online sessions. The TAU is defined as the routine care delivered by the general practitioner for the treatment of depression in primary care. The primary outcome is a symptomatic change of depressive symptoms on the patient-health questionnaire (PHQ-9). Other secondary outcomes will be considered (e.g., quality of life, treatment preference). All participants must be 18 years of age or older and meet the diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental disorders 4th edition. 156 participants will be recruited (78 per arm). DISCUSSION: It is expected that b-CBT is clinically non-inferior when compared to TAU. This is the first study in Spain to use a b-CBT format in primary and specialized care, and this format could be an efficacious and cost-effective therapeutic strategy for the treatment of depression. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02361684. Registered on 8 January 2015. Currently recruiting participants.

A positive psychological intervention using virtual reality for patients with advanced cancer in a hospital setting: a pilot study to assess feasibility.

PURPOSE: This study presents data on the feasibility and possible benefits of a psychological intervention that uses virtual reality to induce positive emotions on adult hospitalized patients with metastatic cancer. The patient's satisfaction and perceived utility was also examined. METHOD: The sample was composed of 19 patients (53 % men, aged from 29 to 85 years old; x = 60.9; standard deviation = 14.54). The intervention consisted of four 30-min sessions during 1 week in which patients navigated through virtual environments designed to induce joy or relaxation. Mood was assessed before and after each session using the Visual Analog Scale. Patient satisfaction was assessed after each session and at the end of the intervention. Qualitative data were also collected with open-ended questions. RESULTS: There were no major difficulties with the use of devices, and any difficulties that did arise were solved through practice. There were adequate levels of pleasantness and perceived utility of the proposed intervention. The main perceived benefits were distraction, entertainment, and promotion of relaxation states. Regarding mood changes, an increase in positive emotions and a decrease in negative emotions were also detected. CONCLUSIONS: The intervention was positively assessed and rated as minimally uncomfortable. Future actions are discussed as well as the need to implement brief interventions that take into account the patients' medical state and physical discomfort level, especially with those in the advanced stages of disease.

Promotion of emotional wellbeing in oncology inpatients using VR.

INTRODUCTION: In Psycho-oncology, VR has been utilized mainly to manage pain and distress associated to medical procedures and chemotherapy, with very few applications aimed at promotion of wellbeing in hospitalized patients. Considering this, it was implemented a psychological intervention that uses VR to induce positive emotions on adult oncology inpatients with the purpose of evaluating its utility to improve emotional wellbeing in this population. METHOD: Sample was composed of 33 patients (69.7% men, aged from 41 to 85 years old; X=62.1; SD=10.77). Intervention lasted 4 sessions of 30 minutes, along one week. In these sessions, two virtual environments designed to induce joy or relaxation were used. Symptoms of depression and anxiety (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, HADS) and level of happiness (Fordyce Scale) were assessed before and after the VR intervention. Also, Visual Analogue Scales (VAS) were used to assess emotional state and physical discomfort before and after each session. RESULTS: There were significant improvements in distress and level of happiness after the VR intervention. Also, it was detected an increment in positive emotions and a decrease in negative emotions after sessions. CONCLUSIONS: Results emphasize the potential of VR as a positive technology that can be used to promote wellbeing during hospitalization, especially considering the shortness of the intervention and the advanced state of disease of the participants. Despite the encouraging of these results, it is necessary to confirm them in studies with larger samples and control groups.

Effect of a web-based positive psychology intervention on prenatal well-being: A case series study.

BACKGROUND: Detrimental effects of women's negative feelings during pregnancy have been extensively examined and documented, but research on the influence of positive feelings and protective factors on their prenatal mental health is scarce. Evidence from the positive psychology field has shown that practicing some brief positive exercises, called positive psychology interventions, can maximize well-being by increasing positive emotions, engagement, and meaning. AIM: The aim of this study is to examine the effect of a positive psychology web-based intervention on indices of women's prenatal well-being. METHODS: Specifically, a case series design was adopted, and data from six women are presented. Participants were involved in a 5-week online positive psychology intervention that includes a set of positive psychology interventions specifically adapted for pregnant women. Measures of women's mental well-being, depression, pregnancy-related anxiety, life satisfaction, and social support were measured at pre- and post-intervention. Compliance with the intervention and exercise preferences were assessed at post-test. Single-item related well-being measures were assessed weekly. FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION: The findings of this case series study indicate potential effects of the intervention on supporting mental well-being and decreasing depressive symptomatology in these pregnant women. Furthermore, this study provides some suggestions for developing future online-based positive interventions addressed to pregnant women. However, these findings are preliminary, and future studies are needed in order to assess the effects of the intervention in a wider population of pregnant women.

Pronóstico kinesiológico cardiorrespiratorio: un enfoque biopsicosocial / Cardiorespiratory Kinesiological Prognosis: a biopsychosocial approach

La kinesiología, fisioterapia o terapia física, se ha desarrollado de manera permanente a través de una perspectiva biopsicosocial, en la que identificar el contexto biomédico del usuario, junto con sus limitaciones en la actividad y restricciones en la participación es esencial para una atención individualizada del usuario en su contexto. Entidades como la Asociación Americana de Terapia Física (American Physical Therapist Association, APTA) y la Conferencia Mundial de Terapia Física (World Confederation for Physical Therapy, WCPT) o actualmente conocida como Fisioterapia Mundial (World Physiotherapy, WP), conceden como aspecto propio del kinesiólogo o fisioterapeuta la acción de diagnosticar, evaluar, tratar y pronosticar las disfunciones de usuarios con necesidades de atención en salud. Sin embargo, algunas de estas competencias profesionales no están del todo definidas para su aplicación en la práctica clínica. El presente artículo de comunicación profesional entrega las bases conceptuales en la que se sostienen los hitos necesarios para esta-blecer una propuesta metodológica de elaboración del pronóstico kinesiológico funcional basado en el área cardiorrespiratoria con un enfoque biopsicosocial según la Clasificación Internacional del Funcionamiento, de la Discapacidad y de la Salud (CIF). Esto, con la finalidad de que el pronóstico funcional sea incorporado como parte de la formación curricular en la profesión, así como dentro de un proceso continuo en la práctica kinesiológica

Kinesiology, Physiotherapy or Physical Therapy has been permanently developed on a biopsychosocial perspective. Identifying the user's biomedical context, along with his or her activity limitations and participation restrictions, is essential for individualized attention to the user in his or her context. Entities such as the American Physical Therapy Association and the World Confederation for Physical Therapy, or currently known as World Physiotherapy, give the kinesiologist or physical therapist the task of diagnosing, evaluating, treating, and predicting the dysfunctions of users with health care needs. However, some of these professional compe-tencies are not wholly defined for application in clinical practice, and less, in the curricular formation of the physiotherapy students. This article gives helpful concepts to elaborate a biopsychosocial cardiorespiratory functional prognosis for Kinesiology, based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF), to incorporate as part of the curricular formation in the profession and within a continuous process in kinesiological practice

Razonamiento clínico en kinesiología mediante aprendizaje basado en casos / Clinical reasoning in kinesiology by case-based learning

Introducción: En cursos clínicos con gran número de estudiantes, las experiencias clínicas con pacientes reales son limitadas, dificul-tando el logro de objetivos de aprendizaje. La didáctica aprendizaje basado en casos (ABC) promueve el pensamiento crítico y trabajo coolaborativo, aspectos esenciales para desarrollar competencias profesionales. El objetivo de este estudio fue reportar si la incorpo-ración de la metodología ABC en una asignatura clínica curricular promueve el razonamiento clínico en la formación en kinesiología. Metodología: En la asignatura curricular "evaluación cardiorrespiratoria en kinesiología", 10 grupos de 7 estudiantes desarrollaron casos clínicos de temas disciplinares seleccionados bajo criterio de jueces por expertos del área, y lo presentaron al resto de sus compañeros. Un académico guió la reflexión del tema tratado en el ABC, fomentando la discusión entre los estudiantes. Al finalizar la asignatura se evaluó la percepción de la didáctica educativa mediante encuesta y logro de objetivos de aprendizaje con indicadores académicos. Resultados: Los estudiantes reportaron gran satisfacción con la metodología, mayor preparación para actividades de campo clínico y mejoras en sus habilidades comunicacionales. El promedio obtenido en las interrogaciones y en las actividades clínicas fue superior a versiones previas de la asignatura, aumentando el porcentaje de aprobación y satisfacción con el curso. Conclusión: La incorporación de la didáctica de ABC fomentó el razonamiento clínico, reflexión y habilidades comunicacionales mejorando el rendimiento académico y promoviendo competencias profesionales. Como producto final se elaboró un libro de descarga libre con los temas tratados en los ABC, titulado: "Identificando problemas kinesiológicos: aprendizaje basado en casos".

Introduction: In clinical courses with a large number of students, clinical experiences with real patients are limited, difficult to achieve the learning objectives. The 'Case-Based Learning' (CBL), like educational methodology, promotes critical thinking and improve collaborative work, which are essential aspects of the development of professional skills. The objective of this study was to report how the incorporation of the CBL methodology in a clinical course promoted the clinical reasoning in kinesiology students. Methodology: In the curriculum subject ten groups of seven students analyzed different clinical cases and presented them to their classmates. The CBL topics were selected by academic experts, who also guided and encouraged the discussion among the students. An online survey at the end of the course assessed perceptions students participated in this methodology. The final academic indicators assessed the learning objectives of the course achieved by students that participated with this methodology. Results: The students reported high satisfaction with the CBL methodology. They showed better preparation for clinical experiences and an improvement in their communication skills. The final marks obtained in the interrogations and the clinical practice activities were higher than in previous years. There was an increase in academic approval and student satisfaction with the course. Conclusion: The incorporation of the CBL methodology enhanced clinical reasoning, reflection, and communication skills, improving academic performance, and promoting professional skills. The topics covered in the CBLs conformed a free download book, entitled: «Identifying kinesiology problems: case-based learning.

"Good things never last": Dampening positive emotions influences our optimism levels / "Lo bueno dura poco": disminuir las emociones positivas influye en nuestros niveles de optimismo

Despite the increasing interest in understanding positive emotion regulation (ER) strategies and their relation with mental health, the relationship between responses to positive affect and cognitive styles such as optimism has yet to be tested empirically. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to empirically assess whether the effect of positive ER strategies (tested by the Responses to Positive Affect questionnaire -RPA) on optimism could be mediated by positive mood. Two hundred and fifty participants completed RPA questionnaire, measures of optimism and positive affect and received a positive mood induction (PMI) through Internet. Results show that induced positive mood did not mediate the relation between ER strategies and optimism levels. Nevertheless, dampening strategy was the only ER strategy that predicted the post-induction optimism level. Our findings point out the necessity of further studies in order to better understand the mechanisms involved in the emotional regulation and optimism

A pesar del creciente interés en la comprensión de las estrategias de regulación emocional (RE) de las emociones positivas y su relación con la salud mental, la relación entre los diferentes estilos de respuesta al afecto positivo y estilos cognitivos como el optimismo aún no se ha probado empíricamente. El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar el efecto de las estrategias para regular emociones positivas (evaluadas por el cuestionario Response to Positive Affect -RPA) sobre el optimismo, y la posible mediación del afecto positivo en esta relación. 250 participantes completaron el cuestionario RPA, medidas de optimismo y afecto positivo, y realizaron un procedimiento de inducción emocional aplicado a través de Internet. Los resultados muestran que el afecto positivo no media la relación entre las estrategias de regulación emocional y los niveles de optimismo. No obstante, disminuir las emociones positivas ('dampening') fue la única estrategia que predijo los niveles de optimismo después de la inducción. Se señala la necesidad de nuevos estudios con el fin de mejorar la comprensión de los mecanismos implicados en la regulación y el optimismo

La realidad virtual en las intervenciones psicológicas con pacientes oncológicos / No disponible

El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar las principales aportaciones de la Realidad Virtual (RV) en el tratamiento psicológico con pacientes oncológicos, y describir un programa de intervención que utiliza esta tecnología para promover bienestar emocional en pacientes hospitalizados. La RV se presenta como una prometedora herramienta de apoyo al paciente oncológico. Diversos estudios plantean su utilidad para hacer algunos tratamientos médicos más tolerables, para reducir los niveles de distrés y dolor, así como promover mayores niveles de emociones positivas. Se ha empleado principalmente con pacientes ambulatorios, existiendo una menor proporción de propuestas dirigidas al período de hospitalización. La intervención que ha desarrollado nuestro grupo aborda esta condición desde un foco también poco explorado: la promoción de bienestar. Esta intervención se compone de 4 sesiones (módulos de distracción y reminiscencia) implementadas individualmente en la habitación del paciente. Antes y después de cada sesión se evaluó el estado emocional (escalas visuales), la percepción de paso del tiempo (en minutos), de cambio en el estado de ánimo y de satisfacción con el procedimiento. Los resultados iniciales señalan incrementos en las emociones positivas después de cada sesión, existiendo cambios significativos en la primera y tercera sesión. Además, la mayoría de pacientes informó que su estado de ánimo había mejorado después de las sesiones. A partir de estos hallazgos se observa que los entornos virtuales y las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación muestran utilidad no sólo para disminuir el malestar sino también para promover bienestar emocional, especialmente durante períodos de tratamiento y hospitalización (AU)

The purpose of the present study is to review the main contributions of Virtual Reality (VR) to the field of psychological treatment with cancer patients, and to describe an intervention that uses this technology to promote emotional well-being on inpatients. VR appears as a promising tool for supporting psychological treatments in cancer patients. Several studies explore its utility for promoting more tolerable medical treatments, lowering the level of distress and pain, as well as increasing positive emotions. VR has been mainly used with outpatients, with a minor proportion of proposals oriented to the hospitalization period. The intervention developed by our group addresses this issue from a focus not very much explored: the promotion of well-being. This intervention is composed of 4 sessions (distraction and reminiscence modules) implemented individually in the patients’ room. Emotional state (visual analog scales), perceived time duration (minutes), perception of mood change and satisfaction with the procedure were assessed before and after sessions. Preliminary results showed an increase in positive emotions after each session, being these changes significant in the first and third session. Besides, most patients perceived themselves in a better mood after the sessions. Virtual environments and information and communication technologies could be useful not only to diminish discomfort but also to promote emotional well-being, especially during medical procedures and hospitalization (AU)