Online interventions to prevent mental health problems implemented in school settings: the perspectives from key stakeholders in Austria and Spain.

BACKGROUND: Schools are key settings for delivering mental illness prevention in adolescents. Data on stakeholders' attitudes and factors relevant for the implementation of Internet-based prevention programmes are scarce. METHODS: Stakeholders in the school setting from Austria and Spain were consulted. Potential facilitators (e.g. teachers and school psychologists) completed an online questionnaire (N=50), policy makers (e.g. representatives of the ministry of education and health professional associations) participated in semi-structured interviews (N=9) and pupils (N=29, 14-19 years) participated in focus groups. Thematic analysis was used to identify experiences with, attitudes and needs towards Internet-based prevention programmes, underserved groups, as well as barriers and facilitators for reach, adoption, implementation and maintenance. RESULTS: Experiences with Internet-based prevention programmes were low across all stakeholder groups. Better reach of the target groups was seen as main advantage whereas lack of personal contact, privacy concerns, risk for misuse and potential stigmatization when implemented during school hours were regarded as disadvantages. Relevant needs towards Internet-based programmes involved attributes of the development process, general requirements for safety and performance, presentation of content, media/tools and contact options of online programmes. Positive attitudes of school staff, low effort for schools and compatibility to schools' curriculum were seen as key factors for successful adoption and implementation. A sound implementation of the programme in the school routine and continued improvement could facilitate maintenance of online prevention initiatives in schools. CONCLUSIONS: Attitudes towards Internet-based mental illness prevention programmes in school settings are positive across all stakeholder groups. However, especially safety concerns have to be considered.

Nutritional education knowledge of teachers and nutritionists in four European countries.

Introduction: Objective: the aim of this study was to examine the perception of professionals from four European countries in charge of teaching Nutrition Education (NE) to children in primary schools or hospitals. Methods: this was achieved through an exploratory study that initiated with two focus groups, one with 5 elementary school teachers and another with 14 nutritionists. From the results of it an online survey was designed and distributed internationally to elementary schools and professional clinics in Spain, Italy, Norway, and Austria. The participants were 75 elementary school teachers and 98 nutritionists. It was measured the level of knowledge of teachers and nutritionists to teach NE, and the level of nutritional knowledge of the children in their respective country. Descriptive statistics were conducted, one-factor ANOVAs to analyze the effect of nationality, and when a significant interaction was found, a post-hoc analysis using Bonferroni adjustment was applied. Results: the results indicated that forty-one percent of the participants considered they have "adequate" theoretical knowledge to teach NE. Only 27 % considered they had "adequate" pedagogical training. A significant effect was found: F(3,168) = 17.37, p < 0.001, η2p = 0.24. Regarding the levels of NE knowledge of children, from lowest to highest, there were Spain, Italy, Austria, and Norway. Also, it was observed that professionals and children from Spain and Italy were more affected with less knowledge and training regarding NE. Conclusions: these results could help governments and educational organizations of the affected countries to take decisions to tackle this problematic.

Introducción: Objetivo: el objetivo de este estudio fue examinar la percepción de los profesionales de cuatro países europeos encargados de enseñar educación nutricional (EN) a niños de escuelas primarias u hospitales. Métodos: esto se logró a través de un estudio exploratorio que se inició con dos grupos focales, uno con 5 maestros de primaria y otro con 14 nutricionistas. A partir de los resultados del mismo se diseñó una encuesta en línea y se distribuyó internacionalmente a escuelas primarias y clínicas de profesionales en España, Italia, Noruega, y Austria. Los participantes fueron 75 maestros de primaria y 98 nutricionistas. Se midió el nivel de conocimientos de los maestros y nutricionistas para enseñar EN, y el nivel de conocimientos nutricionales de los niños de su respectivo país. Se hicieron análisis descriptivos, ANOVA de un factor para analizar el efecto de la nacionalidad, y cuando se encontró una interacción significativa se aplicó un análisis post-hoc mediante ajuste de Bonferroni. Resultados: los resultados indicaron que el cuarenta y uno por ciento de los participantes consideró tener conocimientos teóricos "adecuados" para enseñar NE. Solo el 27 % consideró tener una formación pedagógica "adecuada". Se encontró un efecto significativo: F(3,168) = 17.37, p < 0,001, η2p = 0,24. Con respecto a los niveles de conocimiento de NE de los niños en los distintos países, de menor a mayor se clasificaron España, Italia, Austria y Noruega. Asimismo, se observó que los profesionales y los niños de España e Italia se vieron más afectados con menos conocimiento y formación en EN. Conclusiones: estos resultados podrían ayudar a los gobiernos y organizaciones educativas de los países afectados a tomar decisiones para abordar esta problemática.

A Digital Health Intervention for Stress and Anxiety Relief in Perioperative Care: Protocol for a Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Stress and anxiety are psychophysiological responses commonly experienced by patients during the perioperative process that can increase presurgical and postsurgical complications to a comprehensive and positive recovery. Preventing and intervening in stress and anxiety can help patients achieve positive health and well-being outcomes. Similarly, the provision of education about surgery can be a crucial component and is inversely correlated with preoperative anxiety levels. However, few patients receive stress and anxiety relief support before surgery, and resource constraints make face-to-face education sessions untenable. Digital health interventions can be helpful in empowering patients and enhancing a more positive experience. Digital health interventions have been shown to help patients feel informed about the possible benefits and risks of available treatment options. However, they currently focus only on providing informative content, neglecting the importance of personalization and patient empowerment. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the feasibility of a digital health intervention called the Adhera CARINAE Digital Health Program, designed to provide evidence-based, personalized stress- and anxiety-management methods enabled by a comprehensive digital ecosystem that incorporates wearable, mobile, and virtual reality technologies. The intervention program includes the use of advanced data-driven techniques for tailored patient education and lifestyle support. METHODS: The trial will include 5 hospitals across 3 European countries and will use a randomized controlled design including 30 intervention participants and 30 control group participants. The involved surgeries are cardiopulmonary and coronary artery bypass surgeries, cardiac valve replacement, prostate or bladder cancer surgeries, hip and knee replacement, maxillofacial surgery, or scoliosis. The control group will receive standard care, and the intervention group will additionally be exposed to the digital health intervention program. RESULTS: The recruitment process started in January 2022 and has been completed. The primary impact analysis is currently ongoing. The expected results will be published in early 2023. CONCLUSIONS: This manuscript details a comprehensive protocol for a study that will provide valuable information about the intervention program, such as the measurement of comparative intervention effects on stress; anxiety and pain management; and usability by patients, caregivers, and health care professionals. This will contribute to the evidence planning process for the future adoption of diverse digital health solutions in the field of surgery. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05184725; https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05184725. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/38536.

[Empirically Supported Psychological Treatments for Children and Adolescents: State of the Art].

Empirically Supported Psychological Treatments for Children and Adolescents: State of the Art. BACKGROUND: The empirical evidence accumulated on the efficacy, effectiveness, and efficiency of psychotherapeutic treatments in children and adolescents calls for an update. The main goal of this paper objective was to carry out a selective review of empirically supported psychological treatments for a variety of common psychological disorders and problems in childhood and adolescence. METHOD: A review was carried out of the psychological treatments for different psychological disorders and problems in social-emotional or behavioral adjustment in the child-adolescent population according to the Spanish National Health System (Clinical Practice Guidelines) levels of evidence and degrees of recommendation. RESULTS: The findings suggest that psychological treatments have empirical support for addressing a wide range of psychological problems in these developmental stages. The degree of empirical support ranges from low to high depending on the phenomenon analyzed. The review suggests unequal progress in the different fields of intervention. CONCLUSIONS: From this update, psychologists will be able to make informed decisions when implementing those empirically supported treatments to address the problems that occur in childhood and adolescence.

Efficacy and acceptability of a web platform to teach nutrition education to children.

INTRODUCTION: Introduction: Nutrition Education (NE) has been identified as a key factor to prevent children obesity. Teachers and dietitians are the professionals in charge of transmitting this knowledge to children; however, it has been identified that they do not possess either proper training, or the proper tools to perform this activity. Objectives: to evaluate the acceptability and usability of a NE Internet platform and its two "Serious Games" (SGs) among a sample of elementary school teachers, dietitians, and education students. In addition, to evaluate the efficacy of this platform to teach NE in a sample of children aged 9 to 12 years. Methods: a total of 66 NE professionals and 135 children participated. Usability and acceptability questionnaires of the platform and an instrument to measure the acceptability, immersion, and playability of the SGs were administered to the professionals. The children fulfilled a questionnaire on nutritional knowledge. Descriptive statistics analyzed the main responses of the professionals involved, and an ANOVA compared the differences observed. For the children´s data a t-test of repeated samples and a repeated-measures ANOVA were performed. Results: dietitians and education students responded with a favorable opinion about the platform; however, the scores given by all professionals to the SGs ranged from low to moderate. Children increased their nutritional knowledge from pre to post evaluation (p < 0.001). This increase was observed in 10-year-old children and in children with 11 to 12 years of age, but not in 9-year-olds. Conclusions: this platform proved to be an effective tool to increase children's nutritional knowledge. Professionals expressed a medium level in terms of acceptability and usability for this platform, but also effectiveness in providing NE to children.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Introducción: la Educación Nutricional (EN) se ha identificado como un factor clave para prevenir la obesidad infantil. Los profesionales encargados de transmitir este conocimiento a los niños son maestros y dietistas; sin embargo, se ha identificado que no cuentan ni con la capacitación ni con las herramientas adecuadas para realizar esta actividad. Objetivos: evaluar la aceptabilidad y la facilidad de uso de una plataforma de Internet de EN y sus dos "Juegos Formativos" (JF) en una muestra de maestros de primaria, nutricionistas y estudiantes de educación. Además, evaluar la eficacia de esta plataforma para enseñar EN en una muestra de niños de 9 a 12 años. Métodos: participaron un total de 66 profesionales de EN y 135 niños. Se administraron a los profesionales cuestionarios de usabilidad y aceptabilidad de la plataforma, y un instrumento para medir la aceptabilidad, la inmersión y la jugabilidad de los JF. Los niños completaron un cuestionario sobre conocimiento nutricional. Se analizaron con estadísticas descriptivas las principales respuestas de los profesionales y las diferencias se compararon con un ANOVA. Para los datos de los niños se realizaron una prueba "t" de muestras repetidas y un ANOVA de medidas repetidas. Resultados: los nutricionistas y los estudiantes de educación dieron una opinión favorable sobre la plataforma; sin embargo, las puntuaciones de todos los profesionales acerca de los JF fueron de bajas a medias. Los niños aumentaron su conocimiento nutricional al comparar la evaluación antes y después de la plataforma (p < 0.001). El aumento se observó en los niños de 10 años y en los niños de 11 a 12 años, pero no en los niños de 9 años. Conclusiones: esta plataforma demostró ser una herramienta efectiva para aumentar el conocimiento nutricional de los niños. Los profesionales expresaron un nivel medio en términos de aceptabilidad y usabilidad para esta plataforma, pero también efectividad para impartir EN a los niños.

Nutritional education knowledge of teachers and nutritionists in four European countries / Conocimientos sobre educación nutricional de profesores y nutricionistas de cuatro países europeos

Objective: the aim of this study was to examine the perception of professionals from four European countries in charge of teaching Nutrition Education (NE) to children in primary schools or hospitals. Methods: this was achieved through an exploratory study that initiated with two focus groups, one with 5 elementary school teachers and another with 14 nutritionists. From the results of it an online survey was designed and distributed internationally to elementary schools and professional clinics in Spain, Italy, Norway, and Austria. The participants were 75 elementary school teachers and 98 nutritionists. It was measured the level of knowledge of teachers and nutritionists to teach NE, and the level of nutritional knowledge of the children in their respective country. Descriptive statistics were conducted, one-factor ANOVAs to analyze the effect of nationality, and when a significant interaction was found, a post-hoc analysis using Bonferroni adjustment was applied. Results: the results indicated that forty-one percent of the participants considered they have “adequate” theoretical knowledge to teach NE. Only 27 % considered they had “adequate” pedagogical training. A significant effect was found: F(3,168) = 17.37, p < 0.001, η2p = 0.24. Regarding the levels of NE knowledge of children, from lowest to highest, there were Spain, Italy, Austria, and Norway. Also, it was observed that professionals and children from Spain and Italy were more affected with less knowledge and training regarding NE. Conclusions: these results could help governments and educational organizations of the affected countries to take decisions to tackle this problematic. (AU)

Objetivo: el objetivo de este estudio fue examinar la percepción de los profesionales de cuatro países europeos encargados de enseñar educación nutricional (EN) a niños de escuelas primarias u hospitales. Métodos: esto se logró a través de un estudio exploratorio que se inició con dos grupos focales, uno con 5 maestros de primaria y otro con 14 nutricionistas. A partir de los resultados del mismo se diseñó una encuesta en línea y se distribuyó internacionalmente a escuelas primarias y clínicas de profesionales en España, Italia, Noruega, y Austria. Los participantes fueron 75 maestros de primaria y 98 nutricionistas. Se midió el nivel de conocimientos de los maestros y nutricionistas para enseñar EN, y el nivel de conocimientos nutricionales de los niños de su respectivo país. Se hicieron análisis descriptivos, ANOVA de un factor para analizar el efecto de la nacionalidad, y cuando se encontró una interacción significativa se aplicó un análisis post-hoc mediante ajuste de Bonferroni. Resultados: los resultados indicaron que el cuarenta y uno por ciento de los participantes consideró tener conocimientos teóricos “adecuados” para enseñar NE. Solo el 27 % consideró tener una formación pedagógica “adecuada”. Se encontró un efecto significativo: F(3,168) = 17.37, p < 0,001, η2p = 0,24. Con respecto a los niveles de conocimiento de NE de los niños en los distintos países, de menor a mayor se clasificaron España, Italia, Austria y Noruega. Asimismo, se observó que los profesionales y los niños de España e Italia se vieron más afectados con menos conocimiento y formación en EN. Conclusiones: estos resultados podrían ayudar a los gobiernos y organizaciones educativas de los países afectados a tomar decisiones para abordar esta problemática. (AU)

Psychometric prediction of penitentiary recidivism.

BACKGROUND: Attempts to predict prison recidivism based on the personality have not been very successful. This study aims to provide data on recidivism prediction based on the scores on a personality questionnaire. For this purpose, a predictive model combining the actuarial procedure with a posteriori probability was developed, consisting of the probabilistic calculation of the effective verification of the event once it has already occurred. METHOD: Cuestionario de Personalidad Situacional (CPS; Fernández, Seisdedos, & Mielgo, 1998) was applied to 978 male inmates classified as recidivists or non-recidivists. RESULTS: High predictive power was achieved, with the area under the curve (AUC) of 0.85 (p <.001; Se = 0.012; 95% CI [0.826, 0.873]. The answers to the CPS items made it possible to properly discriminate 77.3% of the participants. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate the important role of the personality as a key factor in understanding delinquency and predicting recidivism.

Online platforms to teach Nutrition Education to children: a non-systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Childhood obesity is now considered a worldwide problem. Nutrition Education (NE) has been identified as a key factor in preventing overweight and obesity in children. In recent years, there has been an increase in the interest in innovative ways to teach this knowledge to children, mainly through the use of the Internet. OBJECTIVE: Review and analyze the available evidence about programs focused on NE for children through the use of the Internet. RESULTS: Three different ways were found to deliver NE over the Internet to children: platforms designed to communicate with other peers or professionals; platforms designed to provide NE through the contents included in the web tool; and platforms designed to provide NE through the contents included in the web tool and automated feedback. Most of these programs were effective in achieving the objectives established. CONCLUSION: Although the use of Internet platforms to teach NE to children has been shown to be effective, the amount of evidence is still scarce. Some of the main advantages the Internet provides are: the opportunity to put the children in contact with education and health professionals; children can keep a record of the food consumed; and it is a more attractive and interesting way for children to learn NE, compared to traditional methods.

Alternative options for prescribing physical activity among obese children and adolescents: brisk walking supported by an exergaming platform.

BACKGROUND: Physical inactivity has been identified as an important public health concern for children. An increasing sedentary way of life is directly related to obesity; hence, prevention and management of childhood obesity are commonly based on lifestyle interventions wherein increasing physical activity is one of the main targets. The use of exergames can be useful in promoting physical activity, but it is necessary more research. This study analyzes the effects of an exergaming platform that involves brisk walking, on perceived exertion, self-efficacy, positive expectations and satisfaction in a sample of clinically obese children, as compared with normal weight children. Physiological variables like heart rate, oxygen consumption and energy expenditure were also measured. METHOD: A total sample of 42 children was recruited. Children were randomized into those walking on a treadmill and those using a treadmill with the support of the exergaming platform (Wii-Fit). RESULTS: The obese children scored significantly higher in expectations and satisfaction in the exergame condition but not in self-efficacy, perceived exertion or physiological measures. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that this exergaming platform could be a tool to assist obese children in the practice of brisk walking as part of a programme designed to treat obesity.

Introducción: La inactividad de los niños se ha identificado como un problema importante de salud pública. La generalización del sedentarismo está directamente relacionada con el aumento de la obesidad, por ello, el tratamiento de la obesidad infantil se basa en la intervención en estilos de vida siendo el aumento de actividad física uno de los objetivos principales. Los videojuegos activos podrían ser útiles para incrementar la actividad física, pero aún sería necesaria más investigación en este campo. Este estudio analiza los efectos de un videojuego activo que implica marcha rápida sobre el esfuerzo percibido, la auto-eficacia, las expectativas positivas y la satisfacción de un grupo de niños obesos y se compara con la respuesta de un grupo de niños normopeso. Se registraron también variables fisiológicas como la frecuencia cardiaca, el consumo de oxígeno y el gasto metabólico. Método: Una muestra de 42 niños fue estudiada. Los jóvenes fueron distribuidos de forma aleatoria en las dos opciones de ejercicio, marcha rápida en tapiz rodante con o sin el apoyo del videojuego activo (Wii-Fit). Resultados: Los niños obesos tuvieron puntuaciones significativamente más altas que los normopeso en las expectativas y la satisfacción que les producía la marcha rápida con apoyo del videojuego activo, pero en cambio no hubo diferencias significativas en cuanto a la auto-eficacia, el esfuerzo percibido o en las variables fisiológicas. Conclusiones: Estos resultados sugieren que esta plataforma de videojuego activo podría ser una herramienta útil para facilitar la práctica de la marcha rápida en niños obesos, como parte de una intervención para tratar la obesidad.

Advancing psychotherapy and evidence-based psychological interventions.

Psychological models of mental disorders guide research into psychological and environmental factors that elicit and maintain mental disorders as well as interventions to reduce them. This paper addresses four areas. (1) Psychological models of mental disorders have become increasingly transdiagnostic, focusing on core cognitive endophenotypes of psychopathology from an integrative cognitive psychology perspective rather than offering explanations for unitary mental disorders. It is argued that psychological interventions for mental disorders will increasingly target specific cognitive dysfunctions rather than symptom-based mental disorders as a result. (2) Psychotherapy research still lacks a comprehensive conceptual framework that brings together the wide variety of findings, models and perspectives. Analysing the state-of-the-art in psychotherapy treatment research, "component analyses" aiming at an optimal identification of core ingredients and the mechanisms of change is highlighted as the core need towards improved efficacy and effectiveness of psychotherapy, and improved translation to routine care. (3) In order to provide more effective psychological interventions to children and adolescents, there is a need to develop new and/or improved psychotherapeutic interventions on the basis of developmental psychopathology research taking into account knowledge of mediators and moderators. Developmental neuroscience research might be instrumental to uncover associated aberrant brain processes in children and adolescents with mental health problems and to better examine mechanisms of their correction by means of psychotherapy and psychological interventions. (4) Psychotherapy research needs to broaden in terms of adoption of large-scale public health strategies and treatments that can be applied to more patients in a simpler and cost-effective way. Increased research on efficacy and moderators of Internet-based treatments and e-mental health tools (e.g. to support "real time" clinical decision-making to prevent treatment failure or relapse) might be one promising way forward.

The need for a behavioural science focus in research on mental health and mental disorders.

Psychology as a science offers an enormous diversity of theories, principles, and methodological approaches to understand mental health, abnormal functions and behaviours and mental disorders. A selected overview of the scope, current topics as well as strength and gaps in Psychological Science may help to depict the advances needed to inform future research agendas specifically on mental health and mental disorders. From an integrative psychological perspective, most maladaptive health behaviours and mental disorders can be conceptualized as the result of developmental dysfunctions of psychological functions and processes as well as neurobiological and genetic processes that interact with the environment. The paper presents and discusses an integrative translational model, linking basic and experimental research with clinical research as well as population-based prospective-longitudinal studies. This model provides a conceptual framework to identify how individual vulnerabilities interact with environment over time, and promote critical behaviours that might act as proximal risk factors for ill-health and mental disorders. Within the models framework, such improved knowledge is also expected to better delineate targeted preventive and therapeutic interventions that prevent further escalation in early stages before the full disorder and further complications thereof develop. In contrast to conventional "personalized medicine" that typically targets individual (genetic) variation of patients who already have developed a disease to improve medical treatment, the proposed framework model, linked to a concerted funding programme of the "Science of Behaviour Change", carries the promise of improved diagnosis, treatment and prevention of health-risk behaviour constellations as well as mental disorders.

Psychometric prediction of penitentiary recidivism / Predicción psicométrica de la reincidencia penitenciaria

BACKGROUND: Attempts to predict prison recidivism based on the personality have not been very successful. This study aims to provide data on recidivism prediction based on the scores on a personality questionnaire. For this purpose, a predictive model combining the actuarial procedure with a posteriori probability was developed, consisting of the probabilistic calculation of the effective verification of the event once it has already occurred. METHOD: Cuestionario de Personalidad Situacional (CPS; Fernández, Seisdedos, & Mielgo, 1998) was applied to 978 male inmates classified as recidivists or non-recidivists. RESULTS: High predictive power was achieved, with the area under the curve (AUC) of 0.85 (p <.001; Se = 0.012; 95% CI [0.826, 0.873]. The answers to the CPS items made it possible to properly discriminate 77.3% of the participants. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate the important role of the personality as a key factor in understanding delinquency and predicting recidivism

ANTECEDENTES: los intentos para predecir la reincidencia penitenciaria basándose en la personalidad no han tenido mucho éxito. Este trabajo tiene como objetivo ofrecer datos sobre la predicción de la reincidencia a partir de las puntuaciones en un cuestionario de personalidad. MÉTODO: se aplicó el Cuestionario de Personalidad Situacional (CPS; Fernández, Seisdedos y Mielgo, 1998) a 978 reclusos varones clasificados como reincidentes o no reincidentes y se elaboró un modelo predictivo combinando el procedimiento actuarial con el concepto de probabilidad a posteriori, consistente en realizar cálculo probabilístico a partir de la constatación efectiva del suceso una vez ya se ha producido. RESULTADOS: se logró un elevado poder predictivo, siendo el área bajo la curva (AUC) de 0.85 (p < 0.001; Se = 0.012; 95% IC [0.826, 0.873]. Las respuestas a los ítems del CPS permitieron discriminar adecuadamente al 77,3% de los participantes. CONCLUSIONES: estos datos indican el papel importante de la personalidad como factor clave para entender la delincuencia y predecir la reincidencia

Online platforms to teach Nutrition Education to children: a non-systematic review / Plataformas online para enseñar Educación Nutricional a niños: una revisión no sistemática

Introduction: Childhood obesity is now considered a worldwide problem. Nutrition Education (NE) has been identified as a key factor in preventing overweight and obesity in children. In recent years, there has been an increase in the interest in innovative ways to teach this knowledge to children, mainly through the use of the Internet. Objective: Review and analyze the available evidence about programs focused on NE for children through the use of the Internet. Results: Three different ways were found to deliver NE over the Internet to children: platforms designed to communicate with other peers or professionals; platforms designed to provide NE through the contents included in the web tool; and platforms designed to provide NE through the contents included in the web tool and automated feedback. Most of these programs were effective in achieving the objectives established. Conclusion: Although the use of Internet platforms to teach NE to children has been shown to be effective, the amount of evidence is still scarce. Some of the main advantages the Internet provides are: the opportunity to put the children in contact with education and health professionals; children can keep a record of the food consumed; and it is a more attractive and interesting way for children to learn NE, compared to traditional methods (AU)

Introducción: la obesidad infantil es actualmente considerada un problema a nivel global. La educación nutricional (EN) ha sido identificada como un factor para prevenir el sobrepeso y la obesidad en los niños. Durante los últimos años se ha incrementado el interés en métodos novedosos para enseñar este conocimiento a los niños, especialmente a través del uso de Internet. Objetivo: revisar y analizar la evidencia disponible con respecto a los programas de EN dirigidos a niños a través del uso de Internet. Resultados: se identificaron 3 formatos para transferir EN a niños a través del uso de Internet: plataformas diseñadas para comunicarse con otros niños o con profesionales, plataformas diseñadas para ofrecer EN a través de los contenidos incluidos en la herramienta web, plataformas diseñadas para proveer EN a través de los contenidos incluidos en la herramienta web y además retroalimentación automatizada. La mayoría de estos programas fueron efectivos para conseguir los objetivos establecidos. Conclusión: aunque el uso de plataformas de Internet para enseñar EN han demostrado su efectividad, la cantidad de evidencia es todavía escasa. Entre las principales ventajas que ofrece Internet, se encuentran la oportunidad de poner en contacto a los niños con profesionales de la salud, llevar a cabo un registro de los alimentos consumidos, y también es una forma más atractiva e interesante para que los niños aprendan EN, en comparación con métodos tradicionales (AU)

Alternative options for prescribing physical activity among obese children and adolescents: brisk walking supported by an exergaming platform / Opciones alternativas para prescribir actividad física entre niños y adolescentes obesos: marcha rápida con el apoyo de videojuegos activos

Background: Physical inactivity has been identified as an important public health concern for children. An increasing sedentary way of life is directly related to obesity; hence, prevention and management of childhood obesity are commonly based on lifestyle interventions wherein increasing physical activity is one of the main targets. The use of exergames can be useful in promoting physical activity, but it is necessary more research. This study analyzes the effects of an exergaming platform that involves brisk walking, on perceived exertion, self-efficacy, positive expectations and satisfaction in a sample of clinically obese children, as compared with normal weight children. Physiological variables like heart rate, oxygen consumption and energy expenditure were also measured. Method: A total sample of 42 children was recruited. Children were randomized into those walking on a treadmill and those using a treadmill with the support of the exergaming platform (Wii-Fit). Results: The obese children scored significantly higher in expectations and satisfaction in the exergame condition but not in self-efficacy, perceived exertion or physiological measures. Conclusions: These results suggest that this exergaming platform could be a tool to assist obese children in the practice of brisk walking as part of a programme designed to treat obesity (AU)

Introducción: La inactividad de los niños se ha identificado como un problema importante de salud pública.La generalización del sedentarismo está directamente relacionada con el aumento de la obesidad, por ello, el tratamiento de la obesidad infantil se basa en la intervención en estilos de vida siendo el aumento de actividad física uno de los objetivos principales. Los videojuegos activos podrían ser útiles para incrementar la actividad física, pero aún sería necesaria más investigación en este campo. Este estudio analiza los efectos de un videojuego activo que implica marcha rápida sobre el esfuerzo percibido, la auto-eficacia, las expectativas positivas y la satisfacción de un grupo de niños obesos y se compara con la respuesta de un grupo de niños normopeso. Se registraron también variables fisiológicas como la frecuencia cardiaca, el consumo de oxígeno y el gasto metabólico. Método: Una muestra de 42 niños fue estudiada. Los jóvenes fueron distribuidos de forma aleatoria en las dos opciones de ejercicio, marcha rápida en tapiz rodante con o sin el apoyo del videojuego activo (Wii-Fit). Resultados: Los niños obesos tuvieron puntuacionessignificativamente más altas que los normopeso en las expectativas y la satisfacción que les producía la marcha rápida con apoyo del videojuego activo, pero en cambio no hubo diferencias significativas en cuanto a la auto-eficacia, el esfuerzo percibido o en las variables fisiológicas.Conclusiones: Estos resultados sugieren que esta plataforma de videojuego activo podría ser una herramienta útil para facilitar la práctica de la marcha rápida en niños obesos, como parte de una intervención para tratar la obesidad (AU)

Un programa de tratamiento para los trastornos adaptativos. Un estudio de caso / A treatment program for adaptative disorders: a case study

Los Trastornos Adaptativos (TA) constituyen un importante problema de saludpor las implicaciones personales, sociales y económicas que conllevan. Tienen una altaprevalencia y provocan un elevado coste económico (asociado a bajas y disminución delrendimiento laboral). Sin embargo, actualmente no existen tratamientos protocolizadosbasados en la evidencia para estos trastornos. En este trabajo, a través de un estudio decaso, presentamos un programa de tratamiento (cognitivo-comportamental) que incluyeestrategias de Psicología Positiva y que utiliza técnicas de realidad virtual (“El mundode EMMA”), cuyo objetivo es ayudar a la persona no sólo a superar el acontecimientoestresante y las consecuencias que ha tenido en su vida, sino también a aprender de losucedido, de forma que salga fortalecida de esta situación

The Adaptative Disorders (TA) constitute an important problem of health for the personal, social and economic implications that they carry. They have a discharge prevalencia and provoke a high economic cost (associated with falls and decrease of thelabour performance). Nevertheless, nowadays taken minutes treatments based on theevidence do not exist for these disorders. In this work, across a study of case, let’s sensebeforehand a program of treatment (cognitive-behaviorual) that includes strategies ofPositive Psychology and that uses technologies(skills) of virtual reality (“ EMMA’Sworld “), which aim is to help the person not to overcome only the sressful event andthe consequences that it has had in his/her life, but also to learn of the happened, so thatshe should work out strengthened of this situation

Sesgos cognitivos en el trastorno de pánico: comparación entre el stroop computerizado y con tarjetas / Cognitive biases in panic disorder: A comparison between computarized and card Stroop task

Este trabajo estudia la existencia de sesgos atencionales en el trastorno de pánico con agorafobia (TPA) mediante dos formatos de la tarea Stroop emocional: el formato de tarjetas y el computerizado. Los objetivos son: (a) comparar los resultados de ambos formatos en una misma muestra y (b) comprobar si estos sesgos cognitivos son automáticos. Para ello, se utiliza el procedimiento de «enmascaramiento retroactivo» (Macleod y Rutheford, 1992). La muestra estaba compuesta por 25 personas con TPA y 25 controles normales. Los resultados indican que el formato de tarjetas parece más sensible a la hora de evidenciar el sesgo atencional ante la información amenazante, ya que el formato computerizado fracasa a la hora de mostrar dicho sesgo. En cuanto al nivel de procesamiento implicado, en contra de lo que ocurre en otros trastornos de ansiedad, los pacientes con TPA parecen procesar selectivamente la información amenazante a nivel estratégico y no automático (AU)

This study examines attentional biases in panic disorder with agoraphobia (PDA) measured by two emotional Stroop formats: the card format and the computerised one. The aims of this work are (a) to compare the results obtained in both formats in the same sample and (b) to test whether these cognitive biases are automatic. In order to achieve the latter aim, the «backward pattern masking» procedure is used (MacLeod & Rutherford, 1992). Participants are 25 PDA individuals and 25 normal control subjects (CN). Results point out that the card format seems to be more sensitive in showing the attentional bias towards threatening information, since the computerised format fails to show this attentional bias. Regarding the level of processing involved, contrary to what happens in other anxiety disorders, PDA patients process threatening information selectively at a strategic level, but not at an automatic level (AU)