Coping strategies and stress-induced natural killer cell redistribution in women with eating disorders.

BACKGROUND: Patients with eating disorders (ED) are very sensitive and responsive to psychosocial stress. Stress response includes changes in immune cell distribution and may be modulated by the capability to cope with stressors. Thus, the present study sought to analyze the association between coping strategies and immune response (natural killer [NK] cell redistribution following psychosocial stress) in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN) and healthy controls (HC). METHOD: Twenty-four AN patients, 29 BN patients, and 58 HC were studied. A multidimensional assessment tool, the COPE Inventory, was used to assess coping strategies. The number of NK cells was quantified in peripheral blood before and after the application of the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST). Potentially mediating variables, such as weight status, severity of eating pathology, depression, anxiety, and impulsivity were controlled. RESULTS: The three groups differed in intensity and direction of cell redistribution: The TSST was followed in BN patients by a significant decrease in the number of NK cells, whereas HC displayed a moderate decrease and AN a clear increase. Specific correlations between coping strategies and NK cell mobilization were found, especially in BN patients (positive for "planning" and negative for "substance abuse"). CONCLUSION: Recognition and subsequent modification of the dysfunctional coping strategies used by patients with ED could contribute to improving their immune status, strengthening their resilience and increasing their ability to overcome the disease.

ANTECEDENTES: Los pacientes con trastornos de la conducta alimentaria (TCA) son muy sensibles y respondedores ante el estrés psicosocial. La respuesta al estrés incluye cambios en la distribución de las células inmunes y parece estar modulada por la capacidad de afrontamiento del individuo. En este contexto, el objetivo del presente estudio fue analizar la asociación entre estrategias de afrontamiento y redistribución tras el estrés de las células agresoras naturales (natural killer, NK) en pacientes de sexo femenino con anorexia nervosa (AN) y bulimia nervosa (BN), y controles sanos (CS). MÉTODO: Treinta y cuatro pacientes con AN, 29 pacientes con BN y 58 CS fueron estudiados. Para evaluar las estrategias de afrontamiento se utilizó un instrumento multidimensional, el Inventario COPE. El número de células NK en sangre periférica fue cuantificado antes y después de la aplicación del Trier Social Stress Test (TSST). Las posibles variables mediadoras, como el estado ponderal, la gravedad de la patología alimentaria, depresión, ansiedad e impulsividad fueron control. RESULTADOS: Los tres grupos difirieron en la intensidad y la dirección de la redistribución de células NK: el TSST fue seguido de una notable reducción en el número de células NK en las pacientes con BN, de una disminución moderada en las CS y de un claro incremento en las pacientes con AN. Se encontraron correlaciones específicas entre estrategias de afrontamiento y movilización de células NK, especialmente en las pacientes con BN (positiva para "planificación" y negativa para "abuso de sustancias"). CONCLUSIÓN: El reconocimiento y la modificación consiguiente de las estrategias de afrontamiento disfuncionales utilizadas por las pacientes con TCA pueden contribuir a mejorar su estado inmunológico, incrementando su resistencia y su capacidad para superar la enfermedad.

The psychological well-being index and quality of life after a cardiac rehabilitation program based on aerobic training and psychosocial support.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the physical and psychological benefits of an alternative cardiac rehabilitation program based on therapeutic groups during physical exercise sessions and to compare the results with those of a conventional cardiac rehabilitation program. METHOD: The sample included 112 patients from the cardiac rehabilitation unit of a medical center, 91.1 % of whom were male. The control group consisted of 47 subjects, with a mean age of 57.89 ± 12.30 and the experimental group consisted of 65 subjects, with a mean age of M = 58.38 ± 9.86. Quality of life, psychological well-being, health-related quality of life, body mass index, blood pressure, abdominal circumference and resting heart rate were measured before starting and at the end of the cardiac rehabilitation program. RESULTS: The experimental group improved significantly more than the control group in body mass index, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, abdominal circumference, and resting heart rate (p value < 0.005). In addition, the experimental group had significantly greater improvements in quality of life, psychological well-being, and health-related quality of life than the control group (p-value < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A cardiac rehabilitation program based on simultaneous aerobic training and psychosocial support improved the physical function, health-related quality of life and well-being.

Influence of Gamification and Cooperative Work in Peer, Mixed and Interdisciplinary Teams on Emotional Intelligence, Learning Strategies and Life Goals That Motivate University Students to Study.

It is necessary to motivate university students to reduce the dropout rate in Spain, and to look for strategies that help university students acquire professional competencies; this is where gamification can be useful. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the influence of a learning methodology based on gamification and cooperative work in peers, and in mixed and interdisciplinary teams on the emotional intelligence, learning strategies, and life goals that motivate university students to learn. The sample consisted of 102 students who took a subject with a gamification-based methodology, through the Mechanics-Dynamics-Aesthetics model, in a cooperative way. The Self-Perception Scale of Personal Academic Motivation and the Trait Meta Mood Scale 24 were used. The results of the study showed an increase in learning strategies and life goals that motivated university students to study, as well as increases in emotional clarity and significantly in emotional repair. It was concluded that gamification is a positive tool for its ability to increase emotional intelligence, life goals, and learning strategies in university students' motivation to learn.