Students for others: Correlates of adherence to COVID-19 guidelines.

Objective: The present study aimed to determine correlates of adherence to COVID-19 health precautions among college students. Drawing from the literature, the following constructs were considered: self-efficacy, conscientiousness, social support, collectivism, empathy, and fear of COVID. Participants: Undergraduate students (N = 92) recruited from psychology classes and social media, living on and off-campus, served as participants during fall 2020. Methods: Participants completed a short self-report survey, delivered online, measuring adherence to COVID-19 health precautions and its possible correlates. Results: After preliminary comparisons showing no differences in adherence between students living on and off-campus, linear regression analyses of the complete sample revealed that the significant predictors of adherence were conscientiousness, collectivism, empathy, and fear of COVID. Conclusions: College student adherence was largely driven by interpersonal motivators coupled with a modest level of fear, rather than more general constructs. These findings offer implications for considering targets in public health campaigns delivered to college students.

Virtual mind-body treatment for adolescents with neurofibromatosis: Study protocol for a single-blind randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Neurofibromatoses (NF) are a group of genetically distinct disorders of the nervous system unified by the predisposition to nerve sheath tumors. Although adolescents with NF types 1 and 2 (NF1 and NF2) report poor quality of life and high psychosocial burden, there are no evidence-based interventions to address these needs. This paper presents the study design and protocol for the first randomized controlled trial (RCT) of a mind-body intervention for adolescents with NF, Resilient Youth with NF (RY-NF), versus an educational control group, Health Education for NF (HE-NF), both delivered in groups via secure live video. METHODS: This is an ongoing, single-blind efficacy RCT. Recruitment began in November 2019 and will continue until March 2022. We will enroll 200 English-speaking, geographically diverse adolescents (ages 12-17) with NF1 and NF2 who report significant distress or difficulty coping with their NF symptoms. We will use a shared-baseline, linear mixed model to compare the effect of RY-NF versus HE-NF on changes in quality of life (QoL) and psychosocial outcomes from baseline to post-intervention, and 6- and 12-month follow-ups. We will also develop NF-specific minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for QoL variables, and conduct mediation and moderation analyses to understand mechanisms of improvement. DISCUSSION: This study has important clinical and public health implications for the psychosocial functioning of adolescents with NF. It provides a model for efficient delivery of virtual psychosocial care for adolescents with rare diseases. Plans for dissemination and implementation of the RY-NF should efficacy be ascertained are also discussed.

Examining the Psychosocial Needs of Adolescents With Craniofacial Conditions: A Mixed-Methods Approach.

OBJECTIVE: To determine, for intervention development, the psychosocial needs of adolescents diagnosed with a craniofacial condition who attended focus group sessions. DESIGN: A mixed-methods design combining qualitative focus groups with quantitative measures. SETTING: An outpatient clinic at a major medical center in Manhattan, New York. PARTICIPANTS: Fourteen adolescents, aged 14 to 18, with craniofacial conditions. MAIN MEASURES: Participants completed measures assessing a range of psychological constructs. Average scores were compared to clinical cutoff scores and normative data for adolescents. The 2 focus groups were coded using an inductive approach to assess pertinent themes. Additionally, the acceptability and feasibility of a proposed intervention was measured. RESULTS: Adolescents with craniofacial conditions were within normal ranges for quality of life, self-esteem, and body image and they reported higher resiliency. They were above cutoff scores for perceived stress and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms and below cutoff scores for mindfulness. When compared to normative samples, they displayed higher perceived social support, but lower coping. Based on qualitative analyses, 6 themes emerged: stress, bullying, coping, resiliency, mindfulness, and social support. Both qualitative and quantitative analyses revealed most participants were supportive of a future intervention for this population. CONCLUSIONS: The present study identified several factors associated with psychological well-being of adolescents with craniofacial diagnoses and demonstrates the importance of creating interventions to target specific psychosocial needs. Findings from this study may guide researchers in developing and refining a specific program for this population and provide information to help those with craniofacial conditions who are experiencing psychosocial challenges.

Challenges associated with parenting youth with neurofibromatosis: A qualitative investigation.

Parents of children with the neurofibromatoses (NF; neurofibromatosis 1, neurofibromatosis 2, and schwannomatosis) are at an increased risk for emotional and physical health problems. This study aimed to determine parents' perceptions of stressors associated with parenting a child with NF in order to inform the development of a resiliency intervention. We conducted three live video semi structured focus groups with parents of youth with NF (N = 30), which were subsequently transcribed and coded using qualitative content analysis. Parents reported heightened stress associated with the child's educational, medical, and social needs, as well as concerns about their child's physical and mental health. They also reported stress associated with managing finances, multiple medical appointments, role challenges (i.e., being a parent or partner), and managing the uncertainty/unpredictability of their child's NF diagnosis. These stressors reportedly affected employment status (i.e., work scale backs), relationships (i.e., social, familial, with partner, other children), and the parents' physical and mental health. All participants expressed interest in a mind body program aimed at improving resiliency by teaching coping skills (e.g., mindfulness, adaptive thinking, positive psychology skills) and enhancing social support. Results show parents' enthusiasm for a resiliency intervention targeting stress associated with parenting a child with NF, and provide valuable information for the content of the intervention and its delivery modality.

The impact of a mind-body program on multiple dimensions of resiliency among geographically diverse patients with neurofibromatosis.

The neurofibromatoses (NF) are incurable genetic disorders that can cause nerve sheath tumors, chronic pain, and disfiguration. Patients with NF report lower quality of life and greater distress, and may benefit from programs that promote resiliency. To test effects of an 8-week mind-body program (Relaxation Response Resiliency Program for NF [3RP-NF]) on resiliency, using data derived from a larger randomized controlled trial of the 3RP-NF versus attention placebo control (Vranceanu et al. in Neurology 87:806-814, 2016). Participants (N = 63; 46 female; 52 White) were randomized to 3RP-NF (n = 32, M age = 42.86) or control (n = 31, M age = 39.90), completed intervention sessions via group videoconferencing, and provided self-report measures of resiliency (i.e., perceived coping abilities, perceived social support, gratitude, optimism, spiritual well-being, mindfulness) at baseline, post-intervention, and 6-month follow-up. All participants attended at least 6/8 sessions and 83% (N = 52) provided 6-month follow-up data. The 3RP-NF (vs. control) produced greater improvements from pre- to post-intervention in perceived coping abilities (M difference = 6.68; p = .008), perceived social support (M difference = 9.16; p = .032), and mindfulness (M difference = 2.23; p = .035), which were maintained at 6-month follow up. We did not observe group differences in spiritual well-being, optimism, or gratitude. The 3RP-NF produced sustained increases in multiple dimensions of resiliency (perceived coping abilities, perceived social support, and mindfulness). Promoting resiliency may be particularly important for a population that is underserved and living with a chronic, incurable illness.

Health literacy assessment in adults with neurofibromatosis: electronic and short-form measurement using FCCHL and Health LiTT.

Determining health literacy level is an important prerequisite for effective patient education. We assessed multiple dimensions of health literacy and sociodemographic predictors of health literacy in patients with neurofibromatosis. In 86 individuals with a confirmed diagnosis of neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1), neurofibromatosis 2 (NF2), or schwannomatosis, we assessed health literacy status using two HL tools-the adapted functional, communicative, and critical health literacy scale (adapted FCCHL) and health literacy assessment using talking touchscreen technology (Health LiTT). Factor analyses of the adapted FCCHL in NF patients showed factor structure and psychometric properties similar to pilot work in other patient populations. As a group, patients with NF had moderate scores on the Health LiTT and moderate to high scores on the adapted FCCHL, with the highest score on the functional health literacy subscale. Patients with NF1, those with lower education and those with learning disabilities had lower scores on Health LiTT; in multivariate analysis, learning disability and education remained significant predictors of HealthLiTT scores. Only lower education was associated with lower adapted FCCHL scores. Results suggest utilizing health literacy tools in NF patients is feasible and could provide physicians with valuable information to tailor health communication to subpopulations with lower health literacy levels.

Correction: Genomic and Clinical Effects Associated with a Relaxation Response Mind-Body Intervention in Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0123861.].

First report of factors associated with satisfaction in patients with neurofibromatosis.

Patient satisfaction is an integral part of quality health care. We assessed whether health literacy and psychosocial factors are associated with patient satisfaction among adults with neurofibromatosis. Eighty adults (mean age = 44 years; 55% female, 87% white) with NF (50% NF1, 41% NF2, and 9% schwannomatosis) completed an adapted Functional, Communicative, and Critical Health Literacy Questionnaire (FCCHL), the Health Literacy Assessment, a series of Patient Reported Outcome Measures Information System (PROMIS) psychosocial tests, and demographics before the medical visit. After, participants completed two measures of satisfaction: the Medical Interview Satisfaction Scale (MISS) to assess satisfaction with the medical visit, and an adapted version of the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems Health Literacy Item Set (CAHPS-HL) to assess satisfaction with communication with the provider. Although higher FCCHL health literacy (r = 0.319, P = 0.002), male gender (t = 2.045, P = 0.044) and better psychosocial functioning (r = -0.257 to 0.409, P < 0.05) were associated with higher satisfaction with the medical visit in bivariate correlations, only male gender and higher health literacy remained as significant predictors in multivariable analyses. Higher FCCHL health literacy, less pain interference, fewer pain behaviors, and higher satisfaction with social roles and social discretionary activities (r = -0.231 to 0.331, P < 0.05) were associated with higher satisfaction with the communication with the provider in bivariate analyses. Results support the use of psychosocial and health literacy measures in clinical practice. Referrals to psychosocial treatments in addition to brief interventions focused on increasing health literacy may also be beneficial. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

First use of patient reported outcomes measurement information system (PROMIS) measures in adults with neurofibromatosis.

The patient reported outcomes measurement information system (PROMIS) provides clinicians and researchers access to reliable, validated measures of physical, mental, and social well-being. The use of PROMIS can facilitate comparisons among clinical subpopulations and with the U.S. general population. We report on the first study using PROMIS measures in patients with neurofibromatosis (NF). Eighty-six adult patients (mean age = 44; 55% female; 87% white; 50% NF1, 41% NF2 and 9% schwannomatosis) completed a battery of PROMIS computerized adaptive tests (CATs). Across all PROMIS instruments, mean scores for each CAT were between 48.97 and 52.60, which is within ±0.5 SD of the U.S. general population norms. However, scores were distributed across a broad range for each PROMIS measure (±3 SDs). Clinically meaningful scores (defined >1 SD impairment) were observed in 20% (pain interference), 17% (pain behavior), 16% (physical function), 16% (anxiety), 16% (depression), 15% (satisfaction with social roles), 13% (fatigue), 6% (anger), and 5% (satisfaction with discretionary social activities) of the sample. All PROMIS measures were highly interrelated in bivariate analysis (P ≤ .001). There were no differences in PROMIS scores by disease type (NF1, NF2 and schwannomatosis), or self reported learning disabilities, or compared with the US population. Scores suggest a broad continuum of symptoms and functioning in patients with NF that is not affected by NF type, as well as interrelation among the physical and psychosocial domains as measured by PROMIS. PROMIS measures may be useful in clinical practice to monitor changes in symptoms and functioning over time, as well as in clinical trials to determine patient reported changes during drug and psychosocial clinical trials.

Mindfulness and Coping Are Inversely Related to Psychiatric Symptoms in Patients and Informal Caregivers in the Neuroscience ICU: Implications for Clinical Care.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the correlation of psychosocial resiliency factors (mindfulness and coping) with symptoms of posttraumatic stress, anxiety, and depression in patients recently admitted to the neuroscience ICU and their primary informal caregivers. DESIGN: A descriptive, cross-sectional correlational study. SETTING: Neuroscience ICU in a major medical center. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 78 dyads of patients (total n = 81) and their primary caregivers (total n = 92) from June to December 2015. Study enrollment occurred within the first 2 weeks of patient admission to the neuroscience ICU. INTERVENTION: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Dyads completed self-report measures of mindfulness (Cognitive and Affective Mindfulness Scale-Revised), coping (Measure of Coping Status-A), posttraumatic stress (Posttraumatic Checklist-Specific Stressor), anxiety (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-A), and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-D). Rates of clinically significant posttraumatic stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms were high and comparable between patient and caregiver samples. Own psychological resilience factors and psychiatric symptoms were strongly correlated for both patients and caregivers. Depressive symptoms were interdependent between patients and their caregivers, and one's own mindfulness was independently related to one's partner's depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Rates of clinically significant psychiatric symptoms were high, equally prevalent in patients and caregivers, and interdependent between patients and their caregivers. For both patients and caregivers, psychological resiliency factors were associated with both self and partner psychiatric symptoms. Findings suggest that attending to the psychiatric health of both patients and caregivers in the neuroscience ICU is a priority and that patients and their caregivers must be considered together in a system to fully address either individual's psychiatric symptoms.

Psychosocial resiliency is associated with lower emotional distress among dyads of patients and their informal caregivers in the neuroscience intensive care unit.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study is to examine the associations of patients' and their informal caregivers' psychosocial resiliency factors with their own and their partners' emotion domains (distress, anxiety, depression, and anger) after admission to the neuroscience intensive care unit (Neuro-ICU). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-three dyads of patients (total n = 87) and their informal caregivers (total n = 99) participated in this observational, cross-sectional study by self-reporting demographics and measures of resiliency factors (mindfulness [Cognitive and Affective Mindfulness Scale Revised], coping [Measure of Coping Status-A], intimate bond [Intimate Bond Measure], self-efficacy [patients: General Self-Efficacy Scale; caregivers: Revised Caregiver Self-Efficacy Scale]) and emotion domains (Emotion Thermometers) within 2 weeks of Neuro-ICU admission. RESULTS: There were no differences between patients' and caregivers' levels of psychosocial resiliency, distress, or anxiety. Patients reported greater depression and anger relative to their caregivers. Overall, roughly half of patients (50.6%) and caregivers (42.4%) reported clinically significant emotional distress. Patients' and caregivers' own psychosocial resiliency factors were associated with their own, but not their partner's, emotion domains. CONCLUSIONS: Findings of high distress among both patients and caregivers at admission emphasize the importance of attending to the mental health of both patients and caregivers in the Neuro-ICU. As modifiable psychosocial resiliency factors were associated with emotion domains for both patients and caregivers, interventions to enhance these factors may ameliorate emotional distress among these vulnerable populations.

Mind-body therapy via videoconferencing in patients with neurofibromatosis: An RCT.

OBJECTIVE: To test, within a single-blind randomized controlled trial, the feasibility, acceptability, efficacy, and durability of a mind-body program (the Relaxation Response Resiliency Program for neurofibromatosis [3RP-NF]) vs an attention placebo control (Health Enhancement Program for NF [HEP-NF]), both delivered via group videoconferencing. METHODS: Sixty-three patients completed baseline assessments and were randomized. Primary outcomes were physical health and psychological quality of life (QoL), measured by the WHOQOL-BREF (World Health Organization QoL abbreviated instrument). Secondary outcomes were social relations and environment QoL, depression, anxiety, pain intensity, and pain interference. RESULTS: Sixty-three participants completed the intervention (100%) and 52 the 6-month follow-up (82.5%). Acceptability was 4.1 (5-point scale). Patients in the 3RP-NF showed greater improvement in physical health QoL (7.69; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.29-15.10; p = 0.040), psychological QoL (5.57; 95% CI: 0.17-11.34; p = 0.056), social relations QoL (10.95; 95% CI: 1.57-20.31; p = 0.021), environment QoL (8.02; 95% CI: 2.57-13.48; p = 0.005), and anxiety (-2.32; 95% CI: -3.96 to 0.69; p = 0.006) compared to those in HEP-NF, and gains were maintained at follow-up. Patients in the 3RP-NF did not improve more than those in HEP-NF on depression, with both groups showing improvement. Patients in the 3RP-NF with baseline pain ≥5 of 10 showed improvement in pain intensity from baseline to posttest (1.30; 95% CI: -2.26 to -0.34; p = 0.009) with effects maintained at follow-up; this improvement was not greater than that in HEP-NF. There were more treatment responders in the 3RP-NF group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The 3RP-NF delivered via videoconferencing was highly feasible and accepted by patients, and resulted in sustained improvement in QoL. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE: This study provides Class II evidence that for patients with NF, a mind-body program is superior to an attention placebo control in improving QoL.

Genomic and clinical effects associated with a relaxation response mind-body intervention in patients with irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease.

INTRODUCTION: Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) can profoundly affect quality of life and are influenced by stress and resiliency. The impact of mind-body interventions (MBIs) on IBS and IBD patients has not previously been examined. METHODS: Nineteen IBS and 29 IBD patients were enrolled in a 9-week relaxation response based mind-body group intervention (RR-MBI), focusing on elicitation of the RR and cognitive skill building. Symptom questionnaires and inflammatory markers were assessed pre- and post-intervention, and at short-term follow-up. Peripheral blood transcriptome analysis was performed to identify genomic correlates of the RR-MBI. RESULTS: Pain Catastrophizing Scale scores improved significantly post-intervention for IBD and at short-term follow-up for IBS and IBD. Trait Anxiety scores, IBS Quality of Life, IBS Symptom Severity Index, and IBD Questionnaire scores improved significantly post-intervention and at short-term follow-up for IBS and IBD, respectively. RR-MBI altered expression of more genes in IBD (1059 genes) than in IBS (119 genes). In IBD, reduced expression of RR-MBI response genes was most significantly linked to inflammatory response, cell growth, proliferation, and oxidative stress-related pathways. In IBS, cell cycle regulation and DNA damage related gene sets were significantly upregulated after RR-MBI. Interactive network analysis of RR-affected pathways identified TNF, AKT and NF-κB as top focus molecules in IBS, while in IBD kinases (e.g. MAPK, P38 MAPK), inflammation (e.g. VEGF-C, NF-κB) and cell cycle and proliferation (e.g. UBC, APP) related genes emerged as top focus molecules. CONCLUSIONS: In this uncontrolled pilot study, participation in an RR-MBI was associated with improvements in disease-specific measures, trait anxiety, and pain catastrophizing in IBS and IBD patients. Moreover, observed gene expression changes suggest that NF-κB is a target focus molecule in both IBS and IBD-and that its regulation may contribute to counteracting the harmful effects of stress in both diseases. Larger, controlled studies are needed to confirm this preliminary finding. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.Gov NCT02136745.

Teacher-led relaxation response curriculum in an urban high school: impact on student behavioral health and classroom environment.

CONTEXT: Recent data suggest that severe stress during the adolescent period is becoming a problem of epidemic proportions. Elicitation of the relaxation response (RR) has been shown to be effective in treating anxiety, reducing stress, and increasing positive health behaviors. OBJECTIVE: The research team's objective was to assess the impact of an RR-based curriculum, led by teachers, on the psychological status and health management behaviors of high-school students and to determine whether a train-the-trainer model would be feasible in a high-school setting. DESIGN: The research team designed a pilot study. SETTING: The setting was a Horace Mann charter school within Boston's public school system. PARTICIPANTS: Participants were teachers and students at the charter school. INTERVENTION: The team taught teachers a curriculum that included (1) relaxation strategies, such as breathing and imagery; (2) psychoeducation regarding mind-body pathways; and (3) positive psychology. Teachers implemented this curriculum with students. OUTCOME MEASURES: The research team assessed changes in student outcomes (eg, stress, anxiety, and stress management behaviors) using preintervention/postintervention surveys, including the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-Form Y (STAI-Y), the stress management subscale of the Health-promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLP-II), the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), the Locus of Control (LOC) questionnaire, and the Life Orientation Test-Revised (LOTR). Classroom observations using the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS)-Secondary were also completed to assess changes in classroom environment. RESULTS: Using a Bonferroni correction (P < .007), the study found that students experienced a significant reduction (P < .001) in measures of state-level anxiety on the STAI from pre- to postintervention. The study also found an increase in the use of stress management behaviors at that point. Using a Bonferroni correction (P < .007), the study found that students had significantly less perceived stress (P < .001), less state anxiety (P < .001) and trait anxiety (P < . 001), and increased use of positive stress management behaviors (P < .004) at the follow-up assessment in the fall of the following year. Using a Bonferroni correction (P < .002), the study found a significant increase in overall classroom productivity (eg, increased time spent on activities and instruction from pre- to postintervention). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that teachers can lead an RR curriculum with fidelity and suggests that such a curriculum has positive benefits on student emotional and behavioral health and on classroom functioning.