Influence of Mindfulness on Levels of Impulsiveness, Moods and Pre-Competition Anxiety in Athletes of Different Sports.

Training in emotional regulation skills is one of the most important resources for the adaptation of athletes to contexts of sports pressure, especially during competitions. This study explored the effects of a mindfulness programme (Flow Meditation) on levels of impulsivity, mood and pre-competition anxiety-state in a sample of athletes (N = 41, 22.83 ± 5.62 years). Participants were randomly assigned to an intervention group (N = 21; 14 males and 7 females) which received the intervention over 10 weeks (a weekly session) and a control group (wait-list; N = 20; 13 males and 7 females). The variables under study were assessed through different questionnaires at pre- and post-test (T1-T2) in both groups. The mindfulness intervention was effective in reducing impulsivity (cognitive (t = -4.48, p ≤ 0.001, Cohen's d = 1.40), both motor (t = -4.03, p ≤ 0.001, Cohen's d = 1.20) and unplanned (t = -5.32, p ≤ 0.001, Cohen's d = 1.66)), mood (tension (t = -4.40, p ≤ 0.001, Cohen's d = 1.37), depression (t = -4.56, p ≤ 0.001, Cohen's d = 1.42), anger (t = -7.80, p ≤ 0.001, Cohen's d = 2.47), somatic anxiety (t = -5.28, p ≤ 0.001, Cohen's d = 1.65), and cognitive anxiety (t = -6.62, p ≤ 0.001, Cohen's d = 2.07) in the intervention group compared to the control group and with large to very large effect sizes. Mindfulness is a factor that enhances athletes' ability to cope with high sport pressure and the healthy management of competition (e.g., fear of failure), or with their daily life.

A Scoping Review of the Influence of Mindfulness on Men's Sexual Activity.

Mindfulness practice and mindfulness-based interventions are widely known, especially for women's sexuality. However, it is currently unknown how this practice affects the experience of male sexuality, possibly due to the existence of pharmacological treatments that are usually the first choice of treatment for men. The objectives of this study are to explore the influence of mindfulness on different components of men's sexuality from a scoping review of relevant scientific articles existing in the literature. A literature search from 2010 to 2022 was carried out in the electronic databases MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, Dialnet, SciELO Citation Index, and Redalyc. Out of the 238 studies, 12 that met the defined selection criteria were selected. The analysis of these studies seems to indicate that the practice of mindfulness favours different variables of male sexuality, such as satisfaction and sexual functioning or genital self-image. Mindfulness-based interventions represent a valuable and promising contribution. No adverse effects were detected from the review of scientific articles considered in this work. Nevertheless, more randomized studies with active control groups are necessary to establish the benefits of mindfulness-based interventions in sex therapy for men.

Characterization of the Antitumor Potential of Extracts of Cannabis sativa Strains with High CBD Content in Human Neuroblastoma.

Cannabis has been used for decades as a palliative therapy in the treatment of cancer. This is because of its beneficial effects on the pain and nausea that patients can experience as a result of chemo/radiotherapy. Tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol are the main compounds present in Cannabis sativa, and both exert their actions through a receptor-mediated mechanism and through a non-receptor-mediated mechanism, which modulates the formation of reactive oxygen species. These oxidative stress conditions might trigger lipidic changes, which would compromise cell membrane stability and viability. In this sense, numerous pieces of evidence describe a potential antitumor effect of cannabinoid compounds in different types of cancer, although controversial results limit their implementation. In order to further investigate the possible mechanism involved in the antitumoral effects of cannabinoids, three extracts isolated from Cannabis sativa strains with high cannabidiol content were analyzed. Cell mortality, cytochrome c oxidase activity and the lipid composition of SH-SY5Y cells were determined in the absence and presence of specific cannabinoid ligands, with and without antioxidant pre-treatment. The cell mortality induced by the extracts in this study appeared to be related to the inhibition of the cytochrome c oxidase activity and to the THC concentration. This effect on cell viability was similar to that observed with the cannabinoid agonist WIN55,212-2. The effect was partially blocked by the selective CB1 antagonist AM281, and the antioxidant α-tocopherol. Moreover, certain membrane lipids were affected by the extracts, which demonstrated the importance of oxidative stress in the potential antitumoral effects of cannabinoids.

[Mindfulness in the sexual health and psychological well-being of professionals and caregivers of people at risk of social exclusion]. / Mindfulness en la salud sexual y bienestar psicológico de profesionales y cuidadores/as de personas en riesgo de exclusión social.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of the study was to explore the effect of the Mindfulness-based program (MBSR) on the sexual health and psychological well-being of professionals and volunteers of Doctors of the World who care for people at risk of social exclusion. METHOD: The entire population of a NGO in southern Spain was chosen because it receives a large number of vulnerable people. Quasi-experimental study with pre and post-test measurements. The intervention lasted 8weeks plus an introductory session, with sessions of 2.5h. Seven instruments were applied before and after the intervention: (a) Mindfulness Scale (MAAS); (b) Body Connection Scale; (c) Compassion Questionnaire (SCS); (d) Ryff's psychological well-being scale; (e) Hurlbert's Fantastic Sexuality Index; (f) Wilson's Sexual Fantasy Scale, and (g) Hudson's Sexual Satisfaction Index (ISS). RESULTS: Most of the post-test scores were better compared to the pre-test. On the MAAS scale, the score was higher in the post-test than in the pretest (Wilcoxon=-2668, P<.05) and, in the ISS, the score was also higher in the post-test than in the pre-test (Wilcoxon=-2.201, P<.05). However, in the Bodily Dissociation subscale, the score was lower (Wilcoxon=-2.670, P<.05). All effect sizes were moderate to high. CONCLUSIONS: The application of the MBSR protocol can increase the degree of sexual satisfaction, decrease body dissociation, promote mental health and self-compassion in people who treat vulnerable people, which may have an impact on a higher quality of approach to them.

Mindfulness in Sexual Activity, Sexual Satisfaction and Erotic Fantasies in a Non-Clinical Sample.

The goal of this study is to better understand the relation between the practice of Mindfulness and the sexual activity, sexual satisfaction and erotic fantasies of Spanish-speaking participants. This research focuses on the comparison between people who practice Mindfulness versus naïve people, and explores the practice of Mindfulness and its relation with the following variables about sexuality: body awareness and bodily dissociation, personal sexual satisfaction, partner and relationship-related satisfaction, desire, subjective sexual arousal, genital arousal, orgasm, pain, attitudes towards sexual fantasies and types of sexual fantasies. The sample consisted of 106 selected adults, 32 men and 74 women, who completed six measures on an online survey platform: (a) Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), (b) Scale of Body Connection (SBC), (c) New Sexual Satisfaction Scale (NSSS), (d) Scale of Sexual Activity in Women (SSA-W) and Men (SSA-M), (e) Hurlbert Index of Sexual Fantasy (HISF), (f) Wilson's Sex Fantasy Questionnaire. In the MAAS, Body Awareness subscale (SBC), NSSS, SSA-W and SSA-M, HISF and intimate fantasies subscale (Wilson's questionnaire), people in the Mindfulness condition showed higher scores and these differences were statistically significant. These results may have relevant implications in the sexuality of clinical and non-clinical samples.

Psychological Impact of COVID-19 Confinement and Its Relationship with Meditation.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the psychological impact of confinement due to the COVID-19 pandemic, considering any protective factors, such as the practice of meditation or self-compassion, and their relationship with different lifestyles and circumstances of adults residing in Spain. A cross-sectional study was done using an anonymous online survey in which 412 participants filled out the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-2; the Impact of Events Scale; and the Self-Compassion Scale-Short Form, reporting severe symptomatology of posttraumatic stress and mild anxiety and depression. Quality of cohabitation and age were found to be key variables in the psychological impact of confinement. The impact of confinement was more negative for those who reported very poor cohabitation as opposed to very good (F (3, 405) = 30.75, p ≤ 0.001, d = 2.44, r = 0.054) or for those under 35 years of age compared to those over 46 (F (2, 409) = 5.14, p = 0.006, d = 0.36). Practicing meditation was not revealed as a protective factor, but self-compassion was related to better cohabitation during confinement (F (3, 403) = 11.83, p ≤ 0.001, d = 1.05). These results could be relevant in designing psychological interventions to improve coping and mental health in other situations similar to confinement.

Effects of Mindfulness Training on Sleep Problems in Patients With Fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a complex psychosomatic pain condition. In addition to generalized pain and various cognitive difficulties, new FMS diagnostic criteria acknowledge fatigue and sleep problems as core aspects of this condition. Indeed, poor sleep quality has been found to be a significant predictor of pain, fatigue, and maladaptive social functioning in this patient group. While there is promising evidence supporting the role of mindfulness as a treatment for FMS, to date, mindfulness intervention studies have principally focused on dimensions of pain as the primary outcome with sleep problems either not being assessed or included as a secondary consideration. Given the role of sleep problems in the pathogenesis of FMS, and given that mindfulness has been shown to improve sleep problems in other clinical conditions, the present study explored the effects of a mindfulness-based intervention known as Flow Meditation (Meditación-Fluir) on a range of sleep-related outcomes (subjective insomnia, sleep quality, sleepiness, and sleep impairment) in individuals with FMS. Adult women with FMS (n = 39) were randomly assigned to the 7 weeks mindfulness treatment or a waiting list control group. Results showed that compared to the control group, individuals in the mindfulness group demonstrated significant improvements across all outcome measures and that the intervention effects were maintained at a 3 month follow-up assessment. The Meditación-Fluir program shows promise for alleviating sleep problems relating to FMS and may thus have a role in the treatment of FMS as well as other pain disorders in which sleep impairment is a central feature of the condition.

Efectos de un programa de ejercicio físico y relajación en el medio acuático en pacientes con espondiloartritis: ensayo clínico aleatorizado / Effects of an exercise and relaxation aquatic program in patients with spondyloarthritis: A randomized trial

Fundamento y objetivo: La espondiloartritis hace referencia a un conjunto de enfermedades reumáticas crónicas que comparten diversas características clínicas, genéticas, radiológicas y epidemiológicas. La presentación clínica de las espondiloartritis se caracteriza por compromiso del esqueleto axial y articular periférico. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la eficacia de un programa de entrenamiento físico más relajación en el medio acuático en personas con espondiloartritis. Pacientes y método: Estudio clínico aleatorizado de simple ciego en el que 30 personas con espondiloartritis fueron asignadas al azar a un grupo experimental o control. Durante 2 meses al grupo experimental se le aplicó un programa de entrenamiento físico en el medio acuático más relajación (3 sesiones por semana), y al grupo control se le realizaron las evaluaciones los mismos días que al experimental sin que participaran en ningún programa de ejercicio físico supervisado. Los datos obtenidos al inicio del estudio e inmediatamente después de la aplicación de la última sesión fueron: Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index («Índice de funcionalidad para las espondiloartritis»), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index («Índice de actividad de la enfermedad del grupo de Bath»), Cuestionario de Salud SF-12 y pulsómetro Sigma PC3® (Sigma-Elektro GmbH, Neustadt, Aemania). Resultados: La prueba U de Mann-Whitney mostró diferencias estadísticamente significativas para la calidad de vida (función física [p = 0,05]), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (p = 0,015), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (fatiga [p = 0,032], dolor de cuello, espalda y caderas [p = 0,045], dolor o inflamación en otras articulaciones [p = 0,032] y rigidez matutina la despertar [p = 0,019]). Conclusiones: Los resultados del presente estudio muestran que los tratamientos de ejercicio físico unidos a la relajación aportan beneficios a los pacientes con espondiloartritis y son recomendables como parte del tratamiento de la enfermedad (AU)

Background and objective: Spondyloarthritis is a general term referring to a group of chronic rheumatic illnesses that share clinical, genetic, radiological and epidemiological features. The clinical presentation of spondyloarthritis is characterized by the compromise of both the axial and peripheral articular skeleton. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of an aquatic exercise plus relaxation program in patients with spondyloarthritis. Patients and method: This was a randomized single blind study including 30 patients with spondylitis who were randomly assigned to an experimental or control group. For 2 months, the experimental group underwent an aquatic fitness plus relaxation program (3 sessions per week). Evaluations were also performed in the control group the same days as the experimental group but they did not participate in any supervised exercise program. The following data were obtained at baseline and immediately after application of the last session: Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index, Health Questionnaire SF-12 and Sigma PC3® (Sigma-Elektro GmbH, Neustadt, Germany) Heart Rate Monitor. Results: The Mann-Whitney test showed statistically significant differences in the quality of life (physical function [P = .05]), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (P = .015), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (fatigue [P = .032], neck pain, back and hips [P = .045], pain or swelling in other joints [P = .032] and in waking morning stiffness [P = .019]). Conclusions: The results of the present study suggest that therapy with physical exercise plus relaxation provides benefits to spondyloarthritis patients and these are advised as a part of their usual treatment (AU)

[Effects of an exercise and relaxation aquatic program in patients with spondyloarthritis: A randomized trial]. / Efectos de un programa de ejercicio físico y relajación en el medio acuático en pacientes con espondiloartritis: ensayo clínico aleatorizado.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Spondyloarthritis is a general term referring to a group of chronic rheumatic illnesses that share clinical, genetic, radiological and epidemiological features. The clinical presentation of spondyloarthritis is characterized by the compromise of both the axial and peripheral articular skeleton. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of an aquatic exercise plus relaxation program in patients with spondyloarthritis. PATIENTS AND METHOD: This was a randomized single blind study including 30 patients with spondylitis who were randomly assigned to an experimental or control group. For 2 months, the experimental group underwent an aquatic fitness plus relaxation program (3 sessions per week). Evaluations were also performed in the control group the same days as the experimental group but they did not participate in any supervised exercise program. The following data were obtained at baseline and immediately after application of the last session: Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index, Health Questionnaire SF-12 and Sigma PC3(®) (Sigma-Elektro GmbH, Neustadt, Germany) Heart Rate Monitor. RESULTS: The Mann-Whitney test showed statistically significant differences in the quality of life (physical function [P=.05]), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (P=.015), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (fatigue [P=.032], neck pain, back and hips [P=.045], pain or swelling in other joints [P=.032] and in waking morning stiffness [P=.019]). CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study suggest that therapy with physical exercise plus relaxation provides benefits to spondyloarthritis patients and these are advised as a part of their usual treatment.

Eficacia de la hipnosis en la modificación de variables psicológicas y fisiológicas en deportistas / Efficiency of Hypnosis in Psychological and Physiological Variables in Sportsman

En este estudio se evaluó la eficacia de la hipnosis en la modificación de un conjunto de variables psicológicas y fisiológicas durante la realización de pruebas de esfuerzo. Se utilizaron un total de 24 participantes ciclistas. El procedimiento consistió en enviar al azar a los participantes a un grupo experimental con hipnosis o al grupo control. En ambos grupos se midieron variables psicológicas y fisiológicas relacionadas con el deporte. Los resultados no mostraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre-grupos en las variables evaluadas. Sí se observó una tendencia en el grupo experimental a puntuar más positivamente en varias variables psicológicas analizadas. Se concluye que sería de interés desarrollar futuras investigaciones ampliando el tamaño de la muestra y aplicar el procedimiento en diferentes modalidades deportivas.

In this paper evaluated the efficiency of hypnosis on modification of a set of psychological and physiological variables during the performance of a task force. There were in use a total of 24 cycle participants. The procedure consisted of sending at random to the participants to an experimental group with hypnosis and group control. In both groups there measured up psychological and physiological variables related to the sport. Results indicate that there was not a statistically significant difference between the two groups. However, a tendency more positively in a set of psychological variables was observed in the experimental group. It is concluded that it would be of interest to develop future researches extending the size of the sample and to apply the procedure in different sports modalities.