1,721,004 research outputs found
A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Prevention and Treatment of Obesity
No full textThe aim of this study is to examine the increasing phenomenon of obesity, not yet considered as an
alimentary behaviour disease, but only as a somatic condition. The treatment of obesity is nowadays
largely based on psychological approaches directed to produce modifications in lifestyle and not only in
alimentary behaviour. Some strategies for prevention are discussed, considering that all the examined
studies emphasize four factors as the determinants for the increase of overweight: excessive caloric
supply, lack of physical activity, difficulty in recognizing consequences of ponder excess, difficulty in
modifying consolidated behavioural habits. For this reason, a substantial change in the perception of the
phenomenon, and of cultural and psycho educational politics are needed
Need for Multidimensional and Multidisciplinary Management of Depressed Preadolescents and Adolescents: A Review of Randomized Controlled Trials on Oral Supplementations (Omega-3, Fish Oil, Vitamin D3
No full textCognitive Psychopathology of Bipolar Disorder: Future Directions for Treatment
Full text linkIn the last decade, cognitive psychopathology has shed
light on how abnormal changes in cognitive functions,
which are closely related to emotional and relational processes, may explain development, maintenance, and recurrence of psychiatric disorders and how dysfunction of certain brain areas determine specific cognitive phenotypes
characterizing psychiatric disorder
Psychophysiological Features of Primary Headache: New Findings and Some Confirmation
Full text linkPrimary headaches are heterogeneous clinical conditions, characterized by multifactorial etiology and partially unknown eziopathogenesis.
In this study, we have investigated the psychophysiological aspects related to autonomic activation and psycho physiological stress response in
primary headache patients, in order to identify possible statistically significant relationships between psycho physiological pattern, measured by
the PPP (psycho physiological profile) , and the differential neurological diagnosis of primary headaches.The sample consisted of 68 subjects aged
between 18 and 70 years (Mean= 39,6; S.D.=12,1), who underwent continuous and simultaneous psycho physiological registration (PPP) of the
following parameters: surface electromyography (sEMG), skin conductance level/response (SCL/SCR), heart rate (HR), Inter Beat Interval (IBI)
and peripheral temperature (THE).The statistical analysis, performed using non parametric tests, since the data was non-normally distributed,
on average showed that: the whole sample reveals already in baseline, an autonomic hyper activation that continues throughout the registration;
the category of migraine with aura seems to be physiologically less activated compared to the other diagnostic categories identified.Moreover, we
did not detect significant correlations between psycho physiological pattern and clinical neurological diagnosis.In conclusion, it seems reasonably
possible to state that these clinical conditions are strongly influenced by stress reaction and management, as an important variable in the disease
pathogenesis. This typical stress reaction seems also to have an important role in the disease maintenance and/or worsening, though the strong
intra-individual variability
Assessment of psychophysiological differences in Eating Disorders after integrated treatments
No full textMultidimensional Assessment of Orthorexia Nervosa: A Case-Control Study Comparing Eating Behavior, Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet, Body Mass Index, Psychological Symptoms, and Autonomic Arousal
No full textBackground: The research on orthorexia nervosa (ON) has thoroughly outlined the connection between it and various mental disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorders and eating disorders, in addition to stress. However, research has not considered psychophysical stress and other measures of psychophysical health, such as adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Methods: This cross-sectional and case-control research involved 63 students from the University of Parma, aged between 18 and 49 years. The ORTO-15 questionnaire was utilized to categorize the entire sample into two groups: one without orthorexia (score > 35) and another with orthorexia (score < 35). All subjects were assessed with the Psychophysiological Stress Profile (PSP) and completed the Eating Disorder Inventory-3 (EDI-3) and the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R). In addition, they were interviewed using the PREDIMED questionnaire to assess adherence to the Mediterranean Diet, and their body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Results: Subjects with orthorexia represented 38.10% of the total sample and reported a higher BMI than controls, although the PREDIMED score did not show a difference in adherence to the Mediterranean diet. The EDI-3 highlighted emotional dysregulation and hypercontrol in students with orthorexia, and a dissociation between subjective and objective measures of stress emerged. Particularly, the psychophysiological parameters of skin conductance, heart rate, and heart rate variability showed greater reactivity to stressful stimuli, but no difference was noted in psychological symptoms. Conclusions: These findings confirmed the presence of alterations in eating behavior in people with orthorexia as well as a higher BMI. It was hypothesized that hypercontrol might favor the perception of psychological well-being at a subjective level, although inadequate management of stress emerged at an objective psychophysiological level. Further studies are needed to highlight the causality between ON, hypercontrol, diet, and psychophysical stress, given that students with orthorexia present a dysregulation of emotions associated with greater autonomic arousal
Clinical and psychological aspects in a group of allergic asthma patients and the impact on their health status perception
No full textbackground The interplay between physical and psychological symptoms frequently affects the health-related quality of life of asthma patients. participants and procedure This research aimed at assessing the psychological status of 60 patients attending their first/second doctor visit at which they were diagnosed with allergic asthma. Information on psychological distress was collected through the Symptom Questionnaire (SQ), personality traits were described through Cattell’s 16-Personality Factor Questionnaire (16-PF), stress-related behavior was detected through the P Stress Questionnaire (PSQ), and the perceived quality of life was described with the Rhinasthma questionnaire. results The SQ revealed anxiety levels above the clinical cut-off in 71.7% of patients, levels of depression in 46.7%, anger-hostility in 53.3%, and somatic symptoms in 65%. No significant differences were observed after three months. The 16-PF scores were also suggestive of specific personality traits associated with the predisposition towards psychosomatic disorders. However, no stress-related behaviors were observed with the PSQ. Rhinasthma highlighted a certain degree of the perceived quality of life. Additionally, the quality of life correlated with age, all psychological distress scales, a few personality traits, vigor, and stress disorders. conclusions Allergic asthma patients present a higher-than-average level of psychological distress and impaired perceived quality of life at the time of diagnosis. Therefore, it is important to assess the psychological status in addition to the respiratory function
Neuropsychological study of the consequences of closed cranial trauma with coma in children
No full textThe authors have selected two samples from a larger group of children having suffered from a cranial trauma: 1) the first one is composed of eleven subjects in mesencephalic coma; 2) the second one is composed of twelve subjects in severe diencephalo-mesencephalic coma. All these cases have been followed up during three years after the trauma with periodical neuro-psychometric controls. These controls have brought to light differences between the two groups letting appear a less severe attack of the cognitive functions in the second group
Adapting to Cancer with Body, Mind, and Heart: Psychological,Psychophysiological Assessment and Management in Sample of Ovarian Cancer Survivors
Full text linkObjective: Ovarian cancer survivors often develop severe
psychological disorders and impairments in social, familial, and
sexual functioning. They experience a withdrawal from intimate
relationship, fear and body shame, and a condition of unrelenting
distress. Heart rate variability (HRV) is a physiological parameter
that, when reduced, is index of higher distress. The quantitative
observational study aimed at understanding the relationship
between psychological adjustment, distress, and quality of life.
Methods: 44 women, consecutively recruited at the Oncological
service of the Gynecological Dept., filled questionnaires investigating
social support, body image, coping strategies and quality of life and
recorded short-term HRV.
Results: significant correlations appeared between: quality of life
functioning scales and body image, perceived social support and
coping strategies; perceived support from the significant other
and HRV (r=339 p <05), role functioning and HRV (r=479 p<001).
Simple regressions on HRV showed the effect of the significant
other’s support (F=4.27 p<05) and of role functioning (F=9.810
p<001), while body image showed its effect on quality of life (F=4.18
p<05). Multiple regression on HRV showed the effect of body image
(β=453), support from friends (β=-435) and avoidance (β=-391)
while fatalism showed an effect on quality of life (β=364, p<05).
Conclusion: Higher concerns on body image seem linked to a
worsened day-to-day life. Reporting these concerns contributes
to raise HRV, while better emotive disclosure reduces emotional
distress. Social support positively influences quality of life and HRV.
Fatalism facilitates cancer acceptance process. Proper emotive
disclosure may have a positive impact on life quality
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