Effects of Music Therapy on Negative Emotions and Physiological Parameters in Patients Undergoing Colonoscopic Polypectomy: A Retrospective Study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the postoperative effects of music therapy on negative emotions, pain, and inflammatory and physiological parameters in patients undergoing colonoscopic polypectomy. METHODS: Patients who underwent colonoscopic polypectomy in Funan County People's Hospital between March 2020 and June 2023 were selected as the research subjects. Patients were divided into exposure (underwent music therapy) and control (did not undergo music therapy) groups. Baseline characteristics, Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores, physiological parameters [systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and heart rate (HR)], and inflammatory marker levels [neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)] of patients before and after exposure to music were determined. The propensity score matching (PSM) method (1:1) was used to balance the baseline characteristics of the two groups. RESULTS: After PSM, the exposure group comprised 50 cases and the control group comprised 50 cases. The baseline characteristics were not significantly different between the two groups (P > 0.05). The postoperative SAS score of the exposure group was significantly lower than that of the control group (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the postoperative VAS score of the exposure group was nonsignificantly lower than that of the control group (P > 0.05). Furthermore, the postoperative SBP, DBP, and HR levels of the exposure group were significantly lower than that of the control group (P < 0.05). The postoperative levels of NLR, PLR, and ESR were not significantly different between the exposure and control groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Music therapy exerts beneficial effects on the postoperative psychological and physiological parameters of patients undergoing colonoscopic polypectomy.

Non-pharmacological strategies to reduce stress and anxiety in endovascular procedures: A scoping review.

AIM: This study aimed to identify and map the production of knowledge on non-pharmacological strategies to reduce stress and anxiety in patients undergoing endovascular procedures. DESIGN: Scoping review. METHODS: The review was performed using the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. The searches were conducted in Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, Wiley Online Library, BVS/BIREME, Lilacs, Gale Academic OneFile, SciELO, Cochrane Library, CAPES Catalog of Dissertations and Theses, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation Portal of Theses and Dissertations, and Theses and Dissertations from Latin America. RESULTS: Twenty-two articles were selected. The articles were published from 2001 to 2022, mostly in Iran, and there was a predominance of randomized clinical trials. The Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory was the most used instrument. The findings indicated that music therapy, educational guidelines or videos on the procedure, massage, psychological preparation and aromatherapy were the main non-pharmacological therapies used to reduce anxiety and stress in patients undergoing vascular procedures.

A Biofeedback Based Virtual Reality Game for Pediatric Population (BioVirtualPed): A Feasibility Trial.

OBJECTIVE: This trial aims to assess the acceptability, feasibility, and safety of BioVirtualPed, a biofeedback-based virtual reality (VR) game designed to reduce pain, anxiety, and fear in children undergoing medical procedures. METHODS: An Oculus Quest 2 headset was used in the VR experience, respiratory data was captured using an ADXL354 accelerometer, and these data were integrated into the game with ArdunioUno software. The sample of this study consisted of 15 pediatric oncology patients aged 6 to 12 years between July and August 2023. BioVirtualPed's acceptability, feasibility, and safety were evaluated through child and expert feedback, alongside metrics including the System Usability Scale, Wong-Baker Pain Rating Scale, Child Fear Scale, Child Anxiety Scale-Status, Satisfaction Scoring, and various feasibility and safety parameters. RESULTS: Regarding the acceptability, the expert evaluation showed a mean score of 122.5 ± 3.53, indicating high usability for the system. All children provided positive feedback, and both children and their mothers reported high satisfaction with using BioVirtualPed. The BioVirtualPed was feasible for reducing children's pain, fear, and anxiety levels. All the children complied with the game, and no one withdrew from the trial. BioVirtualPed did not cause symptoms of dizziness, vomiting, or nausea in children and was found to be safe for children. CONCLUSION: The findings showed that BioVirtualPed meets the following criteria: feasibility, user satisfaction, acceptability, and safety. It is a valuable tool to improve children's experience undergoing port catheter needle insertion procedures. IMPLICATION FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Integration of VR interventions with BioVirtualPed into routine nursing care practices has the potential to effectively manage the pain, anxiety, and fear experienced by children undergoing medical procedures. The safety, feasibility, and acceptability results are promising for further research and integration into pediatric healthcare practice.

Health benefits of short Taichi Qigong exercise (STQE) to University Students' core strength, lower limb explosive force, cardiopulmonary endurance, and anxiety: A Quasi experiment research.

BACKGROUND: College students' physical fitness has declined over the past decades. Taichi Qigong exercise offers numerous health benefits and could serve as a suitable option for them. Traditional programs, however, are time-consuming and necessitate long-term commitments. Therefore, a more cost-effective intervention is needed. METHODS: The study enrolled a total of 31 students who actively participated in a 5-week STQE program, consisting of three 60-minute sessions per week. Physical and mental health assessments included the Plank test, vital capacity measurement, 1000/800 m run test, standing jump, and the Zung Self-Rating Scale. Data analysis was performed using SPSS. RESULTS: Following the STQE intervention, participants showed improvement in core strength (28.1 seconds in the Plank test, P = .025) and lower limb explosive force (6.52 cm in the standing jump test, P = .011), accompanied by a decrease in anxiety levels (a reduction of 3.41 in the Zung Self-Rating Scale, P = .039). However, no significant improvements were observed in cardiopulmonary endurance, as evidenced by a non-significant increase of 237.84 mL in vital capacity (P = .134) and a non-significant reduction of 1.6 seconds in the 1000/800 m run test (P = .764). CONCLUSION: The study suggests that the STQE program effectively improves core strength, lower limb explosive force, and reduces anxiety levels among university students.

Nature's therapeutic power: a study on the psychophysiological effects of touching ornamental grass in Chinese women.

The health of city residents is at risk due to the high rate of urbanization and the extensive use of electronics. In the context of urbanization, individuals have become increasingly disconnected from nature, resulting in elevated stress levels among adults. The goal of this study was to investigate the physical and psychological benefits of spending time in nature. The benefits of touching real grass and artificial turf (the control activity) outdoors with the palm of the hand for five minutes were measured. Blood pressure and electroencephalography (EEG) as well as State-trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) scores, and the semantic differential scale (SDM) were used to investigate psychophysiological responses. Touching real grass was associated with significant changes in brainwave rhythms and a reduction in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure compared to touching artificial turf. In addition, SDM scores revealed that touching real grass increased relaxation, comfort, and a sense of naturalness while decreasing anxiety levels. Compared to the control group, the experimental group had higher mean scores in both meditation and attentiveness. Our findings indicate that contact with real grass may reduce physiological and psychological stress in adults.

Meditation for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease.

BACKGROUND: Interventions incorporating meditation to address stress, anxiety, and depression, and improve self-management, are becoming popular for many health conditions. Stress is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and clusters with other modifiable behavioural risk factors, such as smoking. Meditation may therefore be a useful CVD prevention strategy. OBJECTIVES: To determine the effectiveness of meditation, primarily mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) and transcendental meditation (TM), for the primary and secondary prevention of CVD. SEARCH METHODS: We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, three other databases, and two trials registers on 14 November 2021, together with reference checking, citation searching, and contact with study authors to identify additional studies. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of 12 weeks or more in adults at high risk of CVD and those with established CVD. We explored four comparisons: MBIs versus active comparators (alternative interventions); MBIs versus non-active comparators (no intervention, wait list, usual care); TM versus active comparators; TM versus non-active comparators. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We used standard Cochrane methods. Our primary outcomes were CVD clinical events (e.g. cardiovascular mortality), blood pressure, measures of psychological distress and well-being, and adverse events. Secondary outcomes included other CVD risk factors (e.g. blood lipid levels), quality of life, and coping abilities. We used GRADE to assess the certainty of evidence. MAIN RESULTS: We included 81 RCTs (6971 participants), with most studies at unclear risk of bias. MBIs versus active comparators (29 RCTs, 2883 participants) Systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure were reported in six trials (388 participants) where heterogeneity was considerable (SBP: MD -6.08 mmHg, 95% CI -12.79 to 0.63, I2 = 88%; DBP: MD -5.18 mmHg, 95% CI -10.65 to 0.29, I2 = 91%; both outcomes based on low-certainty evidence). There was little or no effect of MBIs on anxiety (SMD -0.06 units, 95% CI -0.25 to 0.13; I2 = 0%; 9 trials, 438 participants; moderate-certainty evidence), or depression (SMD 0.08 units, 95% CI -0.08 to 0.24; I2 = 0%; 11 trials, 595 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). Perceived stress was reduced with MBIs (SMD -0.24 units, 95% CI -0.45 to -0.03; I2 = 0%; P = 0.03; 6 trials, 357 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). There was little to no effect on well-being (SMD -0.18 units, 95% CI -0.67 to 0.32; 1 trial, 63 participants; low-certainty evidence). There was little to no effect on smoking cessation (RR 1.45, 95% CI 0.78 to 2.68; I2 = 79%; 6 trials, 1087 participants; low-certainty evidence). None of the trials reported CVD clinical events or adverse events. MBIs versus non-active comparators (38 RCTs, 2905 participants) Clinical events were reported in one trial (110 participants), providing very low-certainty evidence (RR 0.94, 95% CI 0.37 to 2.42). SBP and DBP were reduced in nine trials (379 participants) but heterogeneity was substantial (SBP: MD -6.62 mmHg, 95% CI -13.15 to -0.1, I2 = 87%; DBP: MD -3.35 mmHg, 95% CI -5.86 to -0.85, I2 = 61%; both outcomes based on low-certainty evidence). There was low-certainty evidence of reductions in anxiety (SMD -0.78 units, 95% CI -1.09 to -0.41; I2 = 61%; 9 trials, 533 participants; low-certainty evidence), depression (SMD -0.66 units, 95% CI -0.91 to -0.41; I2 = 67%; 15 trials, 912 participants; low-certainty evidence) and perceived stress (SMD -0.59 units, 95% CI -0.89 to -0.29; I2 = 70%; 11 trials, 708 participants; low-certainty evidence) but heterogeneity was substantial. Well-being increased (SMD 0.5 units, 95% CI 0.09 to 0.91; I2 = 47%; 2 trials, 198 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). There was little to no effect on smoking cessation (RR 1.36, 95% CI 0.86 to 2.13; I2 = 0%; 2 trials, 453 participants; low-certainty evidence). One small study (18 participants) reported two adverse events in the MBI group, which were not regarded as serious by the study investigators (RR 5.0, 95% CI 0.27 to 91.52; low-certainty evidence). No subgroup effects were seen for SBP, DBP, anxiety, depression, or perceived stress by primary and secondary prevention. TM versus active comparators (8 RCTs, 830 participants) Clinical events were reported in one trial (201 participants) based on low-certainty evidence (RR 0.91, 95% CI 0.56 to 1.49). SBP was reduced (MD -2.33 mmHg, 95% CI -3.99 to -0.68; I2 = 2%; 8 trials, 774 participants; moderate-certainty evidence), with an uncertain effect on DBP (MD -1.15 mmHg, 95% CI -2.85 to 0.55; I2 = 53%; low-certainty evidence). There was little or no effect on anxiety (SMD 0.06 units, 95% CI -0.22 to 0.33; I2 = 0%; 3 trials, 200 participants; low-certainty evidence), depression (SMD -0.12 units, 95% CI -0.31 to 0.07; I2 = 0%; 5 trials, 421 participants; moderate-certainty evidence), or perceived stress (SMD 0.04 units, 95% CI -0.49 to 0.57; I2 = 70%; 3 trials, 194 participants; very low-certainty evidence). None of the trials reported adverse events or smoking rates. No subgroup effects were seen for SBP or DBP by primary and secondary prevention. TM versus non-active comparators (2 RCTs, 186 participants) Two trials (139 participants) reported blood pressure, where reductions were seen in SBP (MD -6.34 mmHg, 95% CI -9.86 to -2.81; I2 = 0%; low-certainty evidence) and DBP (MD -5.13 mmHg, 95% CI -9.07 to -1.19; I2 = 18%; very low-certainty evidence). One trial (112 participants) reported anxiety and depression and found reductions in both (anxiety SMD -0.71 units, 95% CI -1.09 to -0.32; depression SMD -0.48 units, 95% CI -0.86 to -0.11; low-certainty evidence). None of the trials reported CVD clinical events, adverse events, or smoking rates. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Despite the large number of studies included in the review, heterogeneity was substantial for many of the outcomes, which reduced the certainty of our findings. We attempted to address this by presenting four main comparisons of MBIs or TM versus active or inactive comparators, and by subgroup analyses according to primary or secondary prevention, where there were sufficient studies. The majority of studies were small and there was unclear risk of bias for most domains. Overall, we found very little information on the effects of meditation on CVD clinical endpoints, and limited information on blood pressure and psychological outcomes, for people at risk of or with established CVD. This is a very active area of research as shown by the large number of ongoing studies, with some having been completed at the time of writing this review. The status of all ongoing studies will be formally assessed and incorporated in further updates.

Effectiveness of virtual reality in relieving anxiety and controlling hemodynamics during oral surgery under local anesthesia: A prospective randomized comparative study.

It was the aim of the study to evaluate the contribution of a relaxing immersive experience with virtual reality (VR) goggles in reducing patient anxiety related to wisdom tooth extraction under local anesthesia. A prospective randomized comparative study in consecutive patients scheduled for bilateral wisdom tooth extraction under local anesthesia was carried out between March and December 2022. Both sides were operated upon in the same surgery, but on one side VR goggles were applied (VR), while on the other they were not (noVR). Anxiety was evaluated both subjectively (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory [STAI] and visual analogue scale [VAS]) and objectively (measuring heart rate, blood pressure [BP] and blood oxygen saturation) before (T1) and after each surgical step (T2VR and T2noVR). The study sample consisted of 27 patients: 9 men and 18 women, with an average age of 25.8 ± 6.5 years (range: 18-43). Anxiety as assessed by the STAI and VAS decreased from T1 to T2 (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively), although to a similar degree regardless of whether VR was used or not. Heart rate showed significant differences influenced by RV exposure (p = 0.013): it increased +2.5 ± 8.8 bpm in the control group and decreased -2.22 ± 7.55 bpm with VR (p = 0.013). Both minimum and maximum BP after surgery were significantly higher in the noVR group (p = 0.002 and p = 0.040, respectively). Regarding minimum BP, VR proved more effective among male patients (p = 0.057) and on starting the procedure using VR (p = 0.055). The results provided evidence of meaningful control of the hemodynamic variables, but less predictable performance in the subjective evaluation of anxiety.

Effect of mindfulness-based interventions on people with prehypertension or hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension and prehypertension have been widely recognized as the main contributors of global mortality. Evidence shows mindfulness-based interventions may reduce blood pressure and improve mental health. However, the effect of mindfulness-based interventions on blood pressure and mental health has not been fully understood. METHODS: Potential studies published before May 24th 2023 were identified by searching Embase, Ovid Emcare, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Web of Science, Cochrane, PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang database, and VIP China Science. Additionally, two grey databases were searched: Mednar, WorldWideScience.org. The risk of bias in the included studies was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment tool. The random-effects meta-analyses were conducted using Review Man 5.4 software and the key outcomes are presented as mean difference or standard mean difference and the 95% confidential interval. RESULTS: Searches returned 802 studies in total, of which 12 were included (N = 715). The duration of interventions was 8 weeks in 10 trials and 6 weeks in one trial. Pooled effect sizes indicated reductions in systolic blood pressure (MD = - 9.12, 95% CI [- 12.18, - 6.05], p < 0.001), diastolic blood pressure (MD = - 5.66, 95% CI [- 8.88, - 2.43], p < 0.001), anxiety (SMD = - 4.10; 95% CI [- 6.49, - 1.71], p < 0.001), depression (SMD = - 1.70, 95%CI [- 2.95, - 0.44], p < 0.001) and perceived stress (SMD = - 5.91, 95%CI [- 8.74, - 3.09], p < 0.001) at post-intervention. The findings from subgroup analyses are favorable for mindfulness-based interventions regardless of gender and baseline blood pressure with regard to BP reduction, with a more profound effect observed in participants with higher pre-intervention blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS: The results provide evidence for the positive role of mindfulness-based interventions in hypertension management. More large randomized control trials with sufficient statistical power and long-term follow-up are needed. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The protocol had been registered with Prospero on October 2nd 2021 (registration NO. CRD42021282504 ).

Mindfullness based intervention reduce anxiety in labor.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of mindfulness interventions on anxiety through a systematic review. METHOD: Systematic review by searching articles through the PubMed, ProQuest, Science Direct, Wiley Library, Sage Journal, and Cochrane Library databases with publication years January 2012 to January 2022 RESULTS: Eleven articles met the inclusion criteria covering several countries, including Canada 1 article, Egypt 1 article, Taiwan 1 article, Amsterdam 2 articles, Iran 1 article, Austria 1 article, San Francisco 1 article, Germany 1 article, Sweden 1 article, China 1 article, and Spain 1 article. CONCLUSIONS: Management of anxiety about childbirth is important for pregnant women. Mindfulness interventions are effective for reducing anxiety about labor and increasing comfort during labor. Mindfulness intervention mechanisms have the potential to reduce anxiety by increasing skills to regulate emotions.

Evolution of anxiety management in prostate biopsy under local anesthesia: a narrative review.

INTRODUCTION AND METHODS: Prostate biopsy (PB) is an essential step in the diagnosis and active surveillance of prostate cancer (PCa). Transperineal PB (TP-PB) is now the recommended approach and is mostly conducted under local anesthesia. However, this procedure can potentially cause anxiety for patients, given the oncological context and the fear of peri-procedural pain and complications. The objective of this narrative review is to summarize the currently available tools for the management of peri-interventional anxiety during TP-PB, with a particular emphasis on the potential role of virtual reality (VR) in this setting. RESULTS: In TP-PB, preoperative anxiety can lead to increased pain perception, longer procedure time, and decreased patient satisfaction. Pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches have been explored to reduce anxiety, such as premedication, deep sedation, education, relaxation techniques, hypnosis, and music therapy, albeit with mixed results. VR has recently emerged in the technological armamentarium for managing pain and anxiety, and the efficiency of this technology has been evaluated in various medical fields, including pediatrics, gastroenterology, urology, gynecology, and psychiatry. CONCLUSION: Despite the paucity of available data, VR appears to be a safe and effective technique in reducing anxiety in many procedures, even in frail patients. No studies have evaluated the role of VR in TP-PB. Future research should thus explore the optimal way to implement VR technology and any potential benefits for TP-PB patients.

The effect of listening to music and foot reflexology on nausea, pain and anxiety in children during perioperative period: A randomized controlled study.

AIM: The purpose of this research was to examine the effects of listening to music and foot reflexology during the perioperative period on nausea, pain and anxiety in children aged 7-12 years. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The sample for the randomized controlled experimental study included children who underwent outpatient surgery in the Pediatric Surgery Clinic. Research data were collected. A total of 99 children were included in the study with 33 in the music group, 33 in the foot reflexology group, and 33 in the control group. RESULTS: In the preoperative and postoperative periods, Children's Perioperative Multidimensional Anxiety Scale (CPMAS) scores for the music listening and reflexology groups were significantly lower than the control group (p < 0.05). In the postoperative period, the Children's Emotional Manifestation Scale (CEMS) scores for the reflexology and music listening groups after the application were significantly lower than the control group (p < 0.001). Postoperative Baxter Retching Faces (BARF) scores were found to be significantly lower in children who listened to music compared to the control group (p = 0.002). The Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Pain Scale (CHEOPS) scores for children in the control group were found to be significantly higher in the postoperative period than for children in the music and reflexology groups (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: As a result, listening to music and reflexology during the perioperative period were effective in reducing anxiety, pain and nausea in children. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: In the perioperative period, listening to music and reflexology for children can be recommended as non-pharmacological nursing interventions with low cost and easy implementation.

The Use of Brief Mindfulness Interventions in the Context of Perioperative Care.

The purpose of this review was to synthesize and categorize the literature on the use of brief mindfulness interventions for both patients and physicians across the spectrum of perioperative care. Web-based discovery services and discipline-specific databases were queried. Brief mindfulness interventions were defined as sessions lasting 30 min or less on any single occasion, with a total practice accumulation not exceeding 100 min per week, and a duration of up to 4 weeks. Study screening and data extraction were facilitated through the Covidence software platform. After screening 1047 potential studies, 201 articles were identified based on initial abstract and title screening; 10 studies ultimately met inclusion criteria. All ten studies were published between 2019 and 2023; most (n = 9) reports focused on patients (total joint arthroplasty, n = 3; stereotactic breast biopsy, n = 2; minimally invasive foregut surgery, n = 1; septorhinoplasty, n = 1; cardiac surgery, n = 1; and other/multiple procedures, n = 1); one studied investigated mindfulness interventions among surgeons. The duration of the interventions varied (3 min to 29 min). The most common issue that the mindfulness intervention aimed to address was pain (n = 6), followed by narcotic use (n = 3), anxiety (n = 2), delirium (n = 1), or patient satisfaction (n = 1). While most studies included a small sample size and had inconclusive results, brief mindfulness interventions were noted to impact various health-related outcomes, including mental health outcomes, anxiety, and pain perception. Mindfulness interventions may be a scalable, low-cost, time-limited intervention that has the potential to optimize well-being and surgical outcomes broadly construed.

Effects of omega-3 supplementation on anxiety-like behaviors and neuroinflammation in Wistar rats following cafeteria diet-induced obesity.

ABSTRACTObjetives: Omega-3 (n3) fatty acids have been studied as an option to alleviate the harmful effects of obesity. However, its role in obesity-related behavioral changes is still controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of n3 on behavior and neuroinflammation in obese animals. Methods: Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control diet (CT), CT+n3, cafeteria diet (CAF), and CAF+n3. Diet was administered for 13 weeks, and n3 was supplemented during the last 5 weeks. Metabolic and biochemical parameters were evaluated, as well as anxiety-like behaviors. Immunoblots were conducted in the animals' cerebral cortex and hippocampus to assess changes in neuroinflammatory markers.Results: CAF-fed animals showed higher weight gain, visceral adiposity, fasting glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and insulin levels, and n3 improved the lipid profile and restored insulin sensitivity. CAF-fed rats showed anxiety-like behaviors in the open field and light-dark box tasks but not in the contextual aversive conditioning. Omega-3 did not exert any effect on these behaviors. Regarding neuroinflammation, diet and supplementation acted in a region-specific manner. In the hippocampus, CAF reduced claudin-5 expression with no effect of n3, indicating a brain-blood barrier disruption following CAF. Furthermore, in the hippocampus, the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4) were reduced in treated obese animals. However, n3 could not reverse the TLR-4 expression increase in the cerebral cortex.Discussion: Although n3 may protect against some neuroinflammatory manifestations in the hippocampus, it does not seem sufficient to reverse the increase in anxiolytic manifestations caused by CAF.

Clinical Nurse Well-being Improved Through Transcendental Meditation: A Multimethod Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of Transcendental Meditation® (TM®) practice on the multidimensional well-being of nurse clinicians affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. BACKGROUND: The health of clinical nurses has substantial impact on both the availability of a nursing workforce and the quality and safety of patient care. TM improved health and coping strategies across many populations. METHODS: Clinical nurses were recruited from 3 Magnet®-designated hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Well-being outcomes included flourishing, burnout, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder. Participants were randomized following completion of baseline surveys into immediate (intervention) or delayed (control) TM instruction. Surveys were repeated at 1 and 3 months following baseline survey or TM instruction. Repeated-measures analysis of variance compared differences in groups over time. RESULTS: Across the 3 sites, there were 104 clinical nurse participants. Repeated-measures analysis of variance showed significant medium to large effects in improvement over time in well-being measures for the intervention group. CONCLUSIONS: TM improved multidimensional well-being of clinical nurses by reducing posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and burnout and improving flourishing. TM is easy to practice anywhere. The benefits are immediate and cumulative. Organizations and individual nurses can use TM to support clinical nurses in the difficult and meaningful work of patient care, especially in challenging times. Future studies may consider the feasibility of integrating TM into clinical shifts and evaluating its impact on patient and organizational outcomes.

Effects of 3-month Qigong exercise on heart rate variability and respiration in anxious college students.

OBJECTIVE: This longitudinal study aimed to investigate the effects of Qigong on the anxiety state, heart rate variability (HRV), and breathing of anxious college students. METHODS: A total of 37 individuals (18-25 years old) were randomly allocated to the control (n = 19) and intervention (n = 18) groups. Qigong interventions were conducted five times weekly for 12 weeks, with each session lasting 60 min. Hamilton Anxiety Scale, Fatigue Scale 14, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and 36-item Short Form Survey, HRV, and respiration data were collected before and after the 3-month intervention. RESULTS: Individuals who participated in the three-month Qigong exercise intervention showed a significant reduction in anxiety, particularly mental anxiety (p < 0.05). Subjects in the intervention group presented a decrease in skin temperature (p < 0.05) and an increase in blood volume pulsation (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, HRV exhibited a significant increase in the standard deviation of interbeat interval before and after comparisons (p < 0.05) and between the two groups (p = 0.039) and a reduction in the normalized low-frequency power after the intervention. Moreover, the intervention group experienced increased abdominal breathing depth and abdominal breathing per minute (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that Qigong is an effective mind-body exercise strategy for relieving anxiety. HRV and breathing were improved accordingly among college students after the completion of the 3-month Qigong program.

The Effects of Mindfulness Meditation on Nursing Students' Stress and Anxiety Levels.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a virtual mindfulness meditation intervention on stress and anxiety levels of 145 nursing students. BACKGROUND: Because of the twin demands of classroom and clinical workloads, nursing students experience greater amounts of stress and anxiety than the average college student. Mindfulness meditation is a promising method to alleviate stress and anxiety. METHOD: A pretest-posttest randomized controlled design was used. Participants received either weekly mindfulness meditation recordings or recordings on nursing information. Participants completed the Perceived Stress Scale and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 Scale. RESULTS: A two-way mixed analysis of variance and follow-up simple main effects tests revealed that participants in the experimental group, who received meditation recordings, experienced significantly lower levels of stress and anxiety on posttest surveys than the control group. CONCLUSION: Mindfulness meditation can reduce stress and anxiety levels in nursing students. This can improve students' overall mental and physical well-being.

A brief intervention decreases student distress.

PURPOSE OF THE ARTICLE: Health professions graduate students have experienced substantial increases in stress and anxiety in recent years. This can result in decreased academic performance, poor retention, and burnout. Interventions to help students cope are therefore a critical need for academic institutions. The current study sought to demonstrate the effectiveness of a brief multimodal intervention in reducing student distress. METHOD: The study was a randomised controlled design that evaluated a brief intervention of cognitive-behavioural therapy, mindfulness, and healthy lifestyle choices. The Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 was administered to participants at baseline and two post-intervention time points. Control participants did not participate in any intervention. Participants were recruited from graduate students in first-year classes within the School of Health Professions at UT Southwestern Medical Center. RESULTS: Analysis revealed an overall mild to moderate decline in Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 total scores over three assessment periods for both treatment and control groups, with no statistical differences noted between groups; however, the treatment group's scores declined approximately 6 weeks before the control participants' scores declined. CONCLUSION: The pattern of change in the two groups suggests that our intervention facilitated the reduction in student anxiety more quickly than would have occurred normally and with sustained results.

Effects of Perioperative Music Therapy on Patients with Postoperative Pain and Anxiety: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: As a mind-body therapy, music may have a positive effect on patients with postoperative pain and anxiety. Objective: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to explore the effects of perioperative music therapy on postoperative pain and anxiety based on existing clinical trials. Methods: The Cochrane Library, PubMed, and Embase were searched from their inception to August 2022, selected the literature according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and completed the meta-analysis using RevMan 5.3. Results: A total of 19 eligible randomized controlled trials were enrolled, including 1803 patients. The results of the meta-analysis showed that the scores of pain (standardized mean difference [SMD], -0.90; 95% confidence interval [CI], -1.26 to -0.53; p < 0.00001) and anxiety (SMD, -0.75; 95% CI, -1.19 to -0.31; p = 0.0008) decreased in the music group on postoperative day 1. The blood pressure (mean difference [MD], -5.29; 95% CI, -9.53 to -1.06; p = 0.01) and heart rate (MD, -6.13; 95% CI, -11.69 to -0.58; p = 0.03) also decreased on the same day. Further, the score of change in pain (SMD, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.01 to 0.68; p = 0.04) and anxiety (SMD, 1.35; 95% CI, 0.01 to 2.69; p = 0.05) increased between preoperative and postoperative days in the music group. However, the scores of hospital satisfaction (MD, -0.07; 95% CI, -1.40 to 1.27; p = 0.92) and incidences of postoperative nausea and vomiting (risk ratio, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.13 to 1.34; p = 0.14) did not decrease in the music group. Conclusion: Perioperative music therapy can significantly reduce postoperative pain and anxiety and avoid fluctuations in blood pressure and heart rate but does not improve patient hospital satisfaction or incidences of postoperative nausea and vomiting.

Photobiomodulation therapy alleviates repeated closed head injury-induced anxiety-like behaviors.

Repeated closed head injury (rCHI) is one of the most common brain injuries. Although extensive studies have focused on how to treat rCHI-induced brain injury and reduce the possibility of developing memory deficits, the prevention of rCHI-induced anxiety has received little research attention. The current study was designed to assess the effects of photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy in preventing anxiety following rCHI. The rCHI disease model was constructed by administering three repeated closed-head injuries within an interval 5 days. 2-min daily PBM therapy using an 808 nm continuous wave laser at 350 mW/cm2 on the scalp was implemented for 20 days. We found that PBM significantly ameliorated rCHII-induced anxiety-like behaviors, neuronal apoptosis, neuronal injury, promotes astrocyte/microglial polarization to anti-inflammatory phenotype, preserves mitochondrial fusion-related protein MFN2, attenuates the elevated mitochondrial fission-related protein DRP1, and mitigates neuronal senescence. We concluded that PBM therapy possesses great potential in preventing anxiety following rCHI.

Effect of Guided Imagery on Patient Comfort, Vital Signs, Pain, Anxiety, and Satisfaction in Cancer Patients Undergoing Port Catheterization With Local Anesthesia: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Study.

BACKGROUND: Port catheter placement is usually an operation performed under local anesthesia. Being conscious during the interventions performed with local anesthesia can lead to anxiety and stress. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of guided imagery performed before and during the procedure on vital signs and comfort, pain, anxiety, and satisfaction levels in patients with cancer undergoing port catheterization with local anesthesia. METHODS: A total of 80 patients were included in the study. Patients in the intervention group received standard treatment and nursing care, as well as a guided imagery intervention once before and once during the procedure. Patients in the control group received only standard treatment and nursing care. RESULTS: Patients in the guided imagery group reported lower pain and anxiety scores, higher patient satisfaction, and increased comfort compared with patients in the control group. Patients in the guided imagery group showed significantly lower respiratory rate and heart rate than the control group by the end of the procedure. There was no significant difference in blood pressure. CONCLUSION: Practicing guided imagery before and during a procedure performed under local anesthesia reduced cancer patients' pain, increased patient satisfaction and comfort, and had a positive effect on their respiratory and heart rates. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: We recommend guided imagery as a practical, low-cost complementary therapy for patients receiving local anesthesia.