Effect of Guanidinium Salt for Stress-Relaxation and Interfacial Engineering in Antisolvent Free Perovskite Solar Cells Fabricated Under Air Ambient.

In perovskite solar cells, the presence of stress and defects at interfaces promotes performance degradation and poor stability of the devices. The formation of these defects is more prominent in two-step antisolvent-free perovskite film fabrication. This study addresses these challenges by introducing guanidine sulfate (Gua-S) at the tin oxide/formamidinium lead iodide perovskite interface, fabricated without antisolvent under ambient air. Interfacial Gua-S enhanced morphology by forming bonds between uncoordinated Pb2+ ions and I- vacancies at the interface and showed improvement in the crystallinity and quality of the perovskite film. Microstructural stress analysis indicated a substantial reduction in stress, decreasing from 50.6 to 20.72 MPa with the application of Gua-S. Moreover, the Gua-S treated solar cells showed significant improvements and achieved an open circuit voltage of 1.08 V and 22.34% efficiency. Further, electrochemical impedance spectroscopic analysis showed improved built-in potential, carrier lifetime, and charge recombination lifetime for treated devices. The devices retained over 87% of the initial power conversion efficiency after 2000 hours of operation. This comprehensive study addresses the fundamental issues of interfacial stress and defects in perovskite solar cells and demonstrates the efficacy of Gua-S salt in enhancing both the structural and functional aspects of the antisolvent-free device fabrication process.

How do mindfulness-based interventions promote coping and self-efficacy in patients with cancer: A systematic review of qualitative and quantitative data.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to review the existing quantitative and qualitative evidence regarding how mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) help cope with cancer-related challenges and increase affected patients' perceived self-efficacy. METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted on PubMed, PsycInfo, PubPsych, and CINAHL. Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods studies were included if they (1) evaluated MBIs (2) for patients with cancer or cancer survivors (3) regarding their impact on coping with cancer and perceived self-efficacy. The reports were screened by two independent reviewers and conflicts were resolved by a third reviewer. The review was pre-registered on PROSPERO (CRD42022368765). RESULTS: Findings from 28 reports of 19 quantitative studies, six qualitative studies, and three mixed-methods studies (total N = 1722) were extracted and integrated. The synthesis of quantitative data showed considerable heterogeneity in outcomes and measurement instruments. Most often reported were significant positive impacts of mindfulness on general coping skills, self-regulation, and perceived efficacy in coping with cancer. Qualitative interviews with patients supported those results. The three meta-themes identified were that MBI (1) provided patients with tools to use in stressful situations, (2) promoted a general change of mindset and (3) created a feeling of social connectedness. CONCLUSIONS: The reviewed studies suggest that MBI can promote coping and enhance the perceived self-efficacy of patients with cancer. In the future, more research investigating the different aspects of coping and the potentially moderating role of self-efficacy could provide further insights with respect to how coping and self-efficacy related to MBI.

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Symptom Management in Older Individuals with HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorder.

The growing number of people aging with HIV represents a group vulnerable to the symptom burdens of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND). Among younger groups, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) has been shown to help people living with HIV manage HIV-related and other life stress, and although there is some theoretical and empirical evidence that it may be effective among those with cognitive deficits, the approach has not been studied in older populations with HAND. Participants (n = 180) 55 years or older with HIV and cognitive impairment were randomly assigned to either an 8-week MBSR arm or a waitlist control. We assessed the impact of MBSR compared to a waitlist control on psychological outcomes [stress, anxiety, depression, and quality of life (QOL)] and cognitive metrics (e.g., speed of information processing, working memory, attention, impulsivity) measured at baseline, immediately post intervention (8 weeks) and one month later (16 weeks). Intent to treat analyses showed significant improvement in the MBSR group compared to control on symptoms of depression from baseline to 8 weeks, however, the difference was not sustained at 16 weeks. The MBSR group also showed improvement in perceived QOL from baseline to 16 weeks compared to the waitlist control group. Cognitive performance did not differ between the two treatment arms. MBSR shows promise as a tool to help alleviate the symptom burden of depression and low QOL in older individuals living with HAND and future work should address methods to better sustain the beneficial impact on depression and QOL.

Effect of Mediterranean diet or mindfulness-based stress reduction during pregnancy on placental volume and perfusion: A subanalysis of the IMPACT BCN randomized clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: The IMPACT BCN trial-a parallel-group randomized clinical trial where 1221 pregnant women at high risk for small-for-gestational age (SGA) newborns were randomly allocated at 19- to 23-week gestation into three groups: Mediterranean diet, Mindfulness-based Stress reduction or non-intervention-has demonstrated a positive effect of Mediterranean diet and Stress reduction in the prevention of SGA. However, the mechanism of action of these interventions remains still unclear. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of Mediterranean diet and Stress reduction on placental volume and perfusion. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Participants in the Mediterranean diet group received monthly individual and group educational sessions, and free provision of extra-virgin olive oil and walnuts. Women in the Stress reduction group underwent an 8-week Stress reduction program adapted for pregnancy, consisting of weekly 2.5-h and one full-day sessions. Non-intervention group was based on usual care. Placental volume and perfusion were assessed in a subgroup of randomly selected women (n = 165) using magnetic resonance (MR) at 36-week gestation. Small placental volume was defined as MR estimated volume <10th centile. Perfusion was assessed by intravoxel incoherent motion. RESULTS: While mean MR placental volume was similar among the study groups, both interventions were associated with a lower prevalence of small placental volume (3.9% Mediterranean diet and 5% stress reduction vs. 17% non-intervention; p = 0.03 and p = 0.04, respectively). Logistic regression showed that small placental volume was significantly associated with higher risk of SGA in both study groups (OR 7.48 [1.99-28.09] in Mediterranean diet and 20.44 [5.13-81.4] in Stress reduction). Mediation analysis showed that the effect of Mediterranean diet on SGA can be decomposed by a direct effect and an indirect effect (56.6%) mediated by a small placental volume. Similarly, the effect of Stress reduction on SGA is partially mediated (45.3%) by a small placental volume. Results on placental intravoxel incoherent motion perfusion fraction and diffusion coefficient were similar among the study groups. CONCLUSIONS: Structured interventions during pregnancy based on Mediterranean diet or Stress reduction are associated with a lower proportion of small placentas, which is consistent with the previously observed beneficial effects of these interventions on fetal growth.

A study on improving cancer-related fatigue and disease-related psychological variables in patients with cervical cancer based on online mindfulness-based stress reduction: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The persistent destructive power of cancer-related fatigue (CRF) has been regarded as the biggest influencing factor affecting the postoperative physical and mental health of patients with cervical cancer. During this process, patients might also experience different feelings of disease-related psychological. Therefore, this study aimed to adopt mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) to intervene in patients with cervical cancer, and conducted follow-up for 3 and 6 months to observe the effects of changes in CRF, uncertainty in illness, coping styles, sense of coherence (SOC), and perceived social support (PSS). METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was conducted in ShengJing Hospital of China Medical University. A total of 102 patients were selected, and 78 patients completed the whole process, including 40 in the experimental group and 38 in the control group. Data were collected according to Cancer Fatigue Scale, Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and Sense of Coherence-13. The change trend and difference of the two groups of research data were compared by repeated measurement analysis of variance. Bonferroni test was used for multiple tests between groups. RESULTS: The CRF, SOC, and coping styles of the MBSR group showed a decreasing trend (P < 0.001) at after MBSR, 3 months follow-up, and 6 months follow-up compared to the before MBSR. However, the uncertainty in illness of the MBSR group showed a decreasing trend (P < 0.001) at after MBSR compared to the before MBSR, and it rose in 3 months follow-up and 6 months follow-up. CONCLUSION: MBSR can effectively alleviate the fatigue of CRF after treatment, while improving their psychological environment. Medical workers can consider implementing online MBSR for patients with cervical cancer in their daily rehabilitation nursing, which is beneficial for their recovery. TRIAL REGISTRATION: China Clinical Trial Registration Center ChiCTR2000040122 (https//www.chictr.org.cn/). Registered on November 21, 2020.

Effect of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program on depression, emotion regulation, and sleep problems: A randomized controlled trial study on depressed elderly.

BACKGROUND: Entering old age is associated with various physical and psychological disabilities. Therefore, the aim of this study is to determine the effect of mindfulness-based stress reduction program on emotion regulation and sleep problems in depressed elderly. METHODS: This study was a clinical trial conducted on 60 elderly individuals with depression using purposive sampling. These elderly were referred by geriatricians and were included in the study based on the inclusion criteria. The participants were randomly assigned to two groups: the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) group and the control group. Both groups completed the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), the Gratz and Roemer Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index before and after the intervention. The MBSR sessions were held for the experimental group in 8 sessions of 90 min each, once a week. Finally, all the data were analyzed using SPSS software version 26 through descriptive and analytical statistics such as mean and standard deviation, t-tests and mixed analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) with repeated measures. RESULTS: The results showed that the MBSR intervention led to a significant reduction in depression symptoms (p < 0.001) and improvement in emotion regulation and sleep quality (p < 0.001) among the elderly participants with depression in the intervention group. DISCUSSION: The results of this study showed that MBSR can be effective in reducing depression levels, improving emotion regulation, and sleep quality among depressed elderly individuals compared to the control group. Caregivers and psychotherapists of nursing homes can use care programs such as MBSR program to improve the physical and mental condition of the elderly. TRIAL REGISTRATION: First Registration: 13/01/2022, Registration Number: IRCT20211118053099N1, Access: https://www.irct.ir/trial/61207 .

Virtual Mindfulness-Based Therapy for the Management of Endometriosis Chronic Pelvic Pain: A Novel Delivery Platform to Increase Access to Care.

OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the effectiveness of a virtual mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program to improve quality of life and pain in people with endometriosis. METHODS: This was a multiple-method, before and after study design. Fifteen patients with a clinical or surgical diagnosis of endometriosis were recruited from a Canadian outpatient gynaecology clinic. Participants completed the Endometriosis Health Profile, a validated survey tool, and a pain medication use questionnaire before and after a virtual 8-week MBSR program run by an experienced social worker. A focus group was held upon completion of the program to assess participants' experiences using mindfulness for management of endometriosis symptoms. Quantitative data was analyzed with paired-samples t tests. Qualitative data was thematically analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 67% of people enrolled completed the MBSR course (10/15). Following the MBSR program, participants had a statistically significant decrease in 4 components of the Endometriosis Health Profile: control and powerlessness (P = 0.012), emotional well-being (P = 0.048), social support (P = 0.030), and self-image (P = 0.014). There was no change in pain scores or medication use. Participants felt the program's benefits came from a sense of community, education about their condition, and application of mindfulness tools when approaching pain. Participants felt more comfortable with the virtual format over in-person sessions. CONCLUSIONS: A virtual MBSR course can improve quality of life domains in people with endometriosis. The virtual format was effective and preferred by participants. Virtual MBSR programs may increase access to this type of care.

Modest Effects of Neurofeedback-Assisted Meditation Using a Wearable Device on Stress Reduction: A Randomized, Double-Blind, and Controlled Study.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the therapeutic effectiveness and safety of a neurofeedback wearable device for stress reduction. METHODS: A randomized, double-blind, controlled study was designed. Participants had psychological stress with depression or sleep disturbances. They practiced either neurofeedback-assisted meditation (n = 20; female, 15 [75.0%]; age, 49.40 ± 11.76 years) or neurofeedback non-assisted meditation (n = 18; female, 11 [61.1%]; age, 48.67 ± 12.90 years) for 12 minutes twice a day for two weeks. Outcome variables were self-reported questionnaires, including the Korean version of the Perceived Stress Scale, Beck Depression Inventory-II, Insomnia Severity Index, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and State Trait Anxiety Index, quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG), and blood tests. Satisfaction with device use was measured at the final visit. RESULTS: The experimental group had a significant change in PSS score after two weeks of intervention compared with the control group (6.45 ± 0.95 vs. 3.00 ± 5.54, P = 0.037). State anxiety tended to have a greater effect in the experimental group than in the control group (P = 0.078). Depressive mood and sleep also improved in each group, with no significant difference between the two groups. There were no significant differences in stress-related physiological parameters, such as stress hormones or qEEG, between the two groups. Subjective device satisfaction was significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group (P = 0.008). CONCLUSION: Neurofeedback-assisted meditation using a wearable device can help improve subjective stress reduction compared with non-assisted meditation. These results support neurofeedback as an effective adjunct to meditation for relieving stress. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Research Information Service Identifier: KCT0007413.

A Qualitative Analysis of the Impact of Preoperative Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on Total Knee Arthroplasty Surgical Experiences.

We qualitatively explored the impact of preoperative mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) on total knee arthroplasty (TKA) experiences. Participants (n = 10) who received MBSR prior to TKA participated in semi-structured interviews concerning their experiences with MBSR and its perceived impact on surgery. We analyzed interviews according to reflexive thematic analysis, and coded data into three main themes: 1) Impact of MBSR on surgery experiences; 2) Contributors to change; and 3) Motivations for participation. Participants noted they were able to relax, feel more confident, and cope more effectively during the preoperative period, and that others in their lives noticed positive changes following their participation in MBSR. Participants' openness to mindfulness and health-related beliefs and may have contributed to the positive impacts they experienced from MBSR. Participants described being motivated to participate in MBSR to help them prepare for their surgery and to learn new coping strategies. Participants described a strong level of commitment to the intervention. With further research, integration of MBSR into prehabilitation for TKA may be appropriate.

Impact of the mother's voice on sedation need and stress during cardiologic examination of children (SMUSS study): a prospective, interventional, randomised, controlled, monocentric study.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiac catheterisation is crucial for diagnosing and treating paediatric heart diseases, but it is poorly tolerated by small children, infants, and newborns without sedation. This study investigated whether maternal voice during sedation could lower stress and pain in children undergoing cardiac catheterisation and also assessed mothers' stress levels before and after the procedure. METHODS: This was a prospective, monocentric, randomised, controlled interventional study at the University Hospital Bonn. Children aged 4 years or younger scheduled for elective cardiac catheterisation under procedural sedation and American Society of Anaesthesiologists class between 1 and 3 were eligible. RESULTS: At the end of cardiac catheterisation, the intervention group showed a higher Newborn Infant Parasympathetic Evaluation index with an adjusted mean difference of 9.5 (± 4.2) (p = 0.026) and a lower median Children's and Infants Postoperative Pain Scale score of 2.0 (IQR: 0.0-5.0) versus 4.5 (IQR: 3.0-6.0) than the control group (p = 0.027). No difference in the children's cortisol level was found (p = 0.424). The mothers in the intervention group had a lower cortisol level than those in the control group before cardiac catheterisation (adjusted mean difference: -4.5 nmol/l (± 1.8 nmol/l), p = 0.011). CONCLUSION: Listening to the maternal voice during cardiac catheterisation could lead to less postoperative pain and significantly lower stress and discomfort level in children. Less pain could reduce the incidence of postoperative delirium.Additionally, mothers perceived involvement as positive. A reduced stress level of mothers can positively influence children and possibly reduce pain and anxiety.

Effects of Mediterranean Diet or Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction during Pregnancy on Fetal Brain Development Detected by Neurosonography: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial (IMPACT BCN).

INTRODUCTION: We investigated whether structured maternal lifestyle interventions based on Mediterranean diet or stress reduction influence fetal-infant neurodevelopment detected by detailed fetal neurosonography and Ages and Stages Questionnaires 3rd edition (ASQ) at 12 months old. METHODS: This was a secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial (2017-2020), including 1,221 singleton pregnancies at high risk for small-for-gestational age. Participants were randomized into three groups at 19-23 weeks' gestation: Mediterranean diet intervention, stress reduction program, or usual care. A detailed neurosonography was performed on 881 participants at mean (SD) 33.4 (1.1) weeks' gestation. Neurosonographic measurements were done offline. ASQ was performed on 276 infants at 1 year of corrected age. RESULTS: Biparietal diameter was similar among study groups. Mediterranean diet group fetuses had deeper insula (26.80 [1.68] versus 26.63 [1.75], mm, p = 0.02) and longer corpus callosum (42.98 [2.44] versus 42.62 [2.27], mm, p = 0.04), with a lower rate of suboptimal score infants in ASQ problem-solving domain (6.2 vs. 16.3%, p = 0.03). Stress reduction group fetuses had deeper insula (26.90 [1.75] versus 26.63 [1.75], mm, p = 0.04) and lower rates of suboptimal score infants in ASQ fine motor domain (4.3 vs. 12.8%, p = 0.04), compared to usual care group fetuses. CONCLUSION: Maternal structured intervention during pregnancy of the trial has the potential to modify offspring's neurodevelopment.

The effect of mindfulness-based stress reduction program applied to postmenopausal women on insomnia and quality of life.

This study aimed to determine the effect of the mindfulness-based stress reduction program applied to postmenopausal women on insomnia and quality of life. A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest control group design was used. The sample of the study consisted of a total of 151 postmenopausal women, including 73 in the experimental group and 78 in the control group. In the study, the mindfulness-based stress reduction program (MBSR) was applied to the women in the experimental group for eight weeks, and then the women repeated the program individually for another eight weeks. The second measurement data were collected eight weeks after the collection of the first measurement data, and the third measurement data were collected 16 weeks later. The mean score obtained from the second measurement application of the Women's Health Initiative Insomnia Rating Scale (WHIIRS) was lower in the experimental group than in the control group (p < .05). In addition, the mean scores from the second and third measurement applications of the Menopause-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (MENQOL) were lower in the experimental group than in the control group (p < .05). The MBSR program reduced postmenopausal women's insomnia and improved their quality of life. This program can be used safely to treat insomnia and improve the quality of life of postmenopausal women. NCT05202054 (date: 21.01.2022).

Enhanced phytoremediation of vanadium using coffee grounds and fast-growing plants: Integrating machine learning for predictive modeling.

Vanadium (V) contamination posed a significant environmental challenge, while phytoremediation offered a sustainable solution. Phytoremediation performance was often limited by the slow growth cycles of traditional plants. A novel approach to enhancing V phytoremediation by integrating coffee grounds with fast-growing plants such as barley grass, wheat grass, and ryegrass was investigated in this study. The innovative use of coffee grounds leveraged not only their nutrient-rich composition but also their ability to reduce oxidative stress in plants, thereby significantly boosting phytoremediation efficiency. Notably, ryegrass achieved 48.7% V5+ removal within 6 d with initial 20 mg/L V5+ (0.338 mg/L·d·g ryegrass). When combined with coffee grounds, V5+ removal by using wheat grass increased substantially, rising from 30.51% to 62.91%. Gradient Boosting and XGBoost models, trained with optimized parameters including a learning rate of 0.1, max depth of 3, and n_estimators of 300, were employed to predict and optimize V5+ concentrations in the phytoremediation process. These models were evaluated using mean squared error (MSE) and coefficient of determination (R2) metrics, achieving high predictive accuracy (R2 = 0.95, MSE = 1.20). Feature importance analysis further identified the initial V5+ concentration and experimental duration as the most significant factors influencing the model's predictions. The addition of coffee grounds not only mitigated the stress of heavy metals on ryegrass, leading to significant reductions in CAT (87.2%), POD (98.8%), and SOD (39.2%) activities in ryegrass roots, but also significantly altered the microbial community abundance in the plant roots. This research provided an innovative enhancement to traditional phytoremediation methods, and established a new paradigm for using machine learning to predict and optimize V5+ remediation outcomes. The effectiveness of this technology in multi-metal polluted environments warrants further investigation in the future.

Optimizing survival and growth of inoculated biocrust-forming cyanobacteria through native plant-based habitat amelioration.

Low restoration success in degraded drylands has promoted research efforts towards recovery of pioneer components of these ecosystems such as biocrusts. Biocrusts can stabilize soils and improve nutrient cycling to assist vegetation establishment, but their natural recovery following a disturbance may be very slow. Soil inoculation with biocrust-forming components such as cyanobacteria is widely spread to foster biocrust formation. However, the growth of induced biocrust can be constrained under field conditions due to the harsh environmental conditions in drylands. Thus, strategies to reduce abiotic stresses have to be explored to improve cyanobacteria survival and growth. In this study, we performed an outdoor experiment to analyze the effect of plant-based ameliorating strategies in combination with cyanobacteria inoculum on biocrust formation and improvement of degraded arid soil properties. These ameliorants consisted of a plant mesh made of Macrochloa tenacissima and a Plantago ovata-based stabilizer. Application of ameliorating treatments improved cyanobacteria growth (higher chlorophyll a content, lower albedo and higher NDVI) compared to the application of cyanobacteria inoculum alone. Inoculated soils showed higher aggregate stability than non-inoculated ones, but the highest soil stability was found in the soils treated with P. ovata and was also significantly increased in the soils covered by the M. tenacissima mesh compared to uncovered soils. Both the mesh and the P. ovata stabilizer increased soil organic carbon content by up to 10% and 172%, respectively, compared to soils without habitat amelioration. Microbial community composition was similar between control and inoculated soils and between the mesh covered and uncovered soils, indicating that neither cyanobacteria inoculation nor the vegetal mesh had negative effects on the native soil community. In contrast, the soil with the P. ovata stabilizer alone displayed a different composition, with up to 95% of the bacteria's relative abundance represented by Firmicutes. This effect needs to be considered when applying this stabilizer to prevent a potential alteration of the indigenous soil microbial community. This study indicates the viability of using plant-based ameliorating strategies to optimize the establishment and growth of cyanobacteria inoculum and maximize their effects on soil properties, thus contributing to advancing in the application of nature-based solutions for the restoration of degraded dryland ecosystems.

Combined Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and Exercise Intervention for Improving Psychological Well-Being in Patients With Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess the clinical effectiveness of combining mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) with exercise intervention in improving anxiety, depression, sleep quality and mood regulation in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: A total of 60 patients with NSCLC who had not received surgical treatment were selected using convenience sampling and divided into an intervention group and control group, with 30 patients in each group. The control group received conventional psychological nursing care, whereas the intervention group received a combination of MBwSR and exercise therapy. Before the intervention, a questionnaire was completed to collect the basic data of the two groups. Further questionnaires were administered at 6 and 8 weeks after treatment to assess anxiety, depression, sleep quality and other items included in the five-item Brief Symptom Rating Scale (BSRS-5). RESULTS: No significant differences between the intervention and control groups were identified in terms of personal and clinical characteristics (p > 0.05). No significant differences were determined in the BSRS-5, Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) or Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores between the intervention and control groups before the intervention. However, 6 and 8 weeks after the intervention, scores were significantly lower in both groups (p < 0.001). Significant differences in the BSRS-5, SAS, SDS and PSQI scores were identified between the two groups at different time points (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The combination of MBSR and exercise intervention demonstrated improvements in anxiety, depression, sleep quality and BSRS-5 scores in patients with NSCLC.

Comparison of the Effect of Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy mindfulness-based Stress Reduction on Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms, Quality of Life, Anxiety and Depression: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

This study aimed to compare dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and mindfulness based stress reduction (MBSR) effects on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms, quality of life (QOL), anxiety and depression among patients with IBS. Eighty three eligible patients with a Rome- IV diagnosis were randomly allocated in DBT, MBSR, ACT, and control groups (n = 22 per group). All the patients were evaluated for IBS symptoms by IBS Severity Scoring System (IBS-SSS), QOL by irritable bowel syndrome quality of life (IBS-QOL), anxiety by Beck's Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and depression by Beck Depression Inventory- II (BDI-II) on the studied groups at the time of their inclusion in the study and 8 weeks after it. Each of the intervention groups took part in 8 group sessions. Conversely, the control group were evaluated without any intervention. 54 male and 29 female in 4 groups completed the study: DBT (n = 20), MBSR (n = 19), ACT (n = 22), and control groups (n = 22). The results showed significant differences between the groups based on the variables of the IBS-SSS, IBS-QOL, BAI and BDI-II (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the ACT intervention had considerably lower levels of IBS symptoms, anxiety, and depression compared to the other groups; also, the significant impacts of the QOL variable showed the higher scores of the ACT compared to the treatment groups. The therapies could not be applied to other groups of people. Other shortcomings were the absence of a follow-up strategy. This research offers preliminary evidence that ACT is more successful than other therapy groups in reducing IBS symptoms, anxiety and sadness, and improving QOL in IBS patients.

Effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction programs on Nurses' perceived stress levels.

INTRODUCTION: Poor quality of care and patient safety, adverse patient outcomes, high rates of burnout and turnover, and increased job dissatisfaction are all linked to uncontrolled stress among nurses. Unmanaged nurse stress can lead to disorganized thinking, decreased ability to focus and concentrate, and can put patients at risk. The purpose of the integrative review was to determine the effects of a mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program to reduce the perceived stress levels of nurses. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY: Included was a search of databases using key search terms and inclusion and exclusion criteria. Relevant peer-reviewed articles within the last five years were appraised to identify similarities and differences. This paper discusses the implications of unresolved stress on nurses and patients they care for including quality and safety of patient care, cost of nurse turnover rates related to stress, and poor work efficiency. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Literature results suggest that implementation of a mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program leads to a reduction in perceived stress levels among nurses resulting in improved patient outcomes, increased job satisfaction, and reduction of organizational costs associated with the hiring and onboarding process. CONCLUSIONS AND FURTHER RECOMMENDATIONS: It is the conclusion of this integrative review that implementation of a MBSR program leads to improvements in stress reduction and indirectly positively impacts patient outcomes. It is recommended that organizations implement a formal eight-week mindfulness-based stress reduction program. MBSR IMPLEMENTATION RESOURCES: There are no conflicts of interest or financial gains for the recommendations for MBSR implementation resources. These resources are solely provided for additional learning and implementation purposes. There are both free resources and for purchase resources available that guides implementation and operationalization of the MBSR program.

The impact of mindfulness-based stress reduction training on the occupational stress and burnout experienced by nurses in geriatric wards? A randomized controlled trial.

In this clinical trial, 60 nurses from three geriatric centers were enlisted and randomly split into two groups: control (n = 30) and intervention (n = 30). Statistical analysis using SPSS version 21 employed Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Chi square, and t-test to assess results. The intervention group received eight training sessions. After the MBSR Training in the intervention groups, results showed there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups concerning the scores of the subscales of death and dying (t = 6.161, P < 0.001), conflicts with physicians (t = 7.962, P < 0.001), inadequate preparation (t = t = 6.524, P < 0.001), lack of support resources (t = 5.532, P < 0.001), conflicts with nurses (t = -6.632, P < 0.001), workload (t = 6.587, P < 0.001), uncertainty of treatment (t = 5.587, P < 0.001) as well as the scores of the subscales of burnout.

Improving psychological well-being among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic with an online mindfulness intervention: A randomised waitlist-controlled trial.

The high prevalence of psychological problems observed among healthcare workers (HCWs) during the COVID-19 pandemic called for interventions to safeguard their mental health. We assessed the effectiveness of a 6-week online mindfulness-based intervention in improving well-being and reducing stress among HCWs in Sri Lanka. Eighty HCWs were recruited and randomised into two groups: waitlist-control (WLC) and intervention groups. In the intervention, 1-hour online sessions were conducted at weekly intervals and participants were encouraged to do daily home practice. Stress and well-being were measured pre- and post-intervention using the Perceived Stress Scale and WHO-5 Well-being Index, respectively. One-way analysis of covariance was used to evaluate the effectiveness, in both intention-to-treat (ITT) and complete-case (CC) analyses. A significantly greater improvement in well-being occurred in the intervention arm compared to WLC on both ITT (p = .002) and CC analyses (p < .001), with medium-to-large effect sizes (partial η2 = .117-.278). However, the reduction in stress following the intervention was not significant compared to the WLC group on both ITT (p = .636) and CC analyses (p = .262). In the intervention arm, the median number of sessions attended by participants was 3. Low adherence to the intervention may have contributed to the apparent non-significant effect on stress.

Researching how music affects the autonomic nervous system and influences wound healing processes in trauma patients.

An area of increasing interest continues to be the interaction between music therapy and its impacts on the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and wound repair in patients who have experienced trauma. This study intended to quantify the effect of music therapy on ANS regulation and wound healing. A cross-sectional observational study from March to December 2023 was undertaken involving 500 trauma patients. A control group received standard care, and an experimental group received daily 30-min music therapy sessions. Heart rate variability (HRV), cortisol levels, wound healing rates and patient-reported outcomes regarding pain, tension and well-being were among the critical parameters assessed. After 1 month, the experimental group exhibited a statistically significant rise in HRV (p < 0.05), suggesting increased parasympathetic activity. The experimental group exhibited a significant decrease in cortisol levels in comparison to the control group, with notable reduction observed after 1 month (p < 0.05). At 9 months, the experimental group exhibited significantly faster wound healing than the control group, with 85% wound recovery as opposed to 75% in control group. There was notable decrease in pain and stress scores at all time intervals in the music therapy group, with the greatest reduction occurring at the 9-month mark (p < 0.05). A significant positive correlation (p < 0.05) was identified between the number of completed music therapy sessions and patient outcomes, with individuals attending more than 20 sessions experiencing 33.6% positive outcomes. In trauma patients, music therapy substantially enhanced ANS regulation and accelerated wound healing. As evidenced by the elevated HRV and decreased cortisol levels, the therapy induced a physiologically tranquil state that is conducive to recovery. The considerable enhancements in the rates of wound healing, in conjunction with the substantial decreases in pain and tension levels, highlighted the therapeutic capacity of music therapy as intervention in trauma care. Additionally, the observed dose-response relationship indicated that customised music therapy regimens are crucial for achieving the best possible results for patients.