The protective effect of mindfulness and compassion meditation practices on ageing: Hypotheses,models and experimental implementation

Alzheimer's disease (AD) represents a major health and societal issue; there is no treatment to date and the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying this disease are not well understood. Yet, there is hope that AD risk factors and thus the number of AD cases can be significantly reduced by prevention measures based on lifestyle modifications as targeted by non-pharmacological preventive interventions. So far, these interventions have rarely targeted the psycho-affective risk factors related to depression, stress, anxiety, and feeling of loneliness, which are all prevalent in ageing. This paper presents the hypothesis that the regular practice of mindfulness meditation (MM) and loving-kindness and compassion meditation (LKCM) in the ageing population constitutes a lifestyle that is protective against AD. In this model, these practices can promote cognition, mental health, and well-being by strengthening attention control, metacognitive monitoring, emotion regulation and pro-social capacities. Training these capacities could reduce the risk of AD by upregulating beneficial age-related factors such as cognitive reserve, and down-regulating detrimental age-related factors, such as stress, or depression. As an illustration, we present the Medit-Ageing study (public name Silver Santé Study), an on-going European project that assesses the impact and mechanisms of non-pharmacological interventions including meditation, in the ageing population.     

Intersectional stigma and psychosocial well-being among MSM living with HIV in Guangxi,China

ABSTRACT

The existing literature suggests a negative impact of intersectional stigma on multiple aspects of psychosocial well-being among individuals with multiple stigmatized identities. However, such impact remains poorly understood. This study aims to investigate the association between intersectional stigma and psychosocial well-being among 193 men who have sex with men (MSM) living with HIV. Based on their responses to measures of HIV-related stigma and sexual and gender minority (SGM) stigma, the participants were grouped into “high” vs “low” on each type of stigma. The General Linear Model (GLM) was used to analyze the main and interaction effect of two types of stigma on multiple psychosocial measures. Our results indicated a significant interaction effect of two types of stigma on depression, anxiety, quality of life, and psychological resilience after controlling for key socio-demographic covariates. The findings suggest that experiencing both HIV-related stigma and SGM stigma may synergistically lead to poor psychosocial well-being among MSM in a more profound manner than experiencing only one type of stigma. It is critical for researchers and clinicians to consider the patients’ multiple stigmatized identities, develop effective intervention strategies, and improve the psychosocial well-being of MSM living with HIV in China and other cultural settings.     

Psychosocial well-being of people living with HIV and the community before and after a HIV stigma-reduction community “hub” network intervention

The purpose of the research was to determine whether an HIV stigma-reduction community “hub” network intervention in a South African urban area would bring about a difference in the psychosocial well-being of people living with HIV (PLWH), as well as their community (living in the same municipal ward). A single case pre-test post-test design was implemented. The sample for this study included 62 PLWH who were selected through accessibility sampling and 570 community members who were selected through random voluntary sampling. Participants completed the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and the Mental Health Continuum-Short Form (MHC-SF) before and after the intervention. A dependent t-test as well as Cohen’s d-values were used to calculate the differences between the pre- and post-test results for depression and well-being. Levels of languishing, moderate mental health and flourishing before and after the intervention were determined. Although the focus of the HIV stigma-reduction community “hub” intervention that was followed in this study was on the involvement of PLWH and people living close to them (PLC) to share their knowledge as community mobilisers and to mobilise and empower their own community to reduce HIV stigma, it can be concluded that a secondary gain was the effect it had on both depression and mental health of the PLWH as well as the community. Of interest is how these effects differed for PLWH and the community. It is thus recommended that future interventions should give special attention to aspects of depression and well-being.     

The relationship between yoga involvement,mindfulness and psychological well-being

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to examine how different levels of yoga involvement are related to different parameters of mental health and illness.Design and settingA total sample of 455 participants (410 females) were investigated by means of an internet survey. 362 yoga practitioners (327 females) rated their degree of yoga involvement on the Yoga Immersion Scale. A control group was comprised of 93 gymnastics practitioners (83 females).Main outcome measuresAll participants completed the Multidimensional Inventory for Religious/Spiritual Well-Being, the Freiburger Mindfulness Inventory and the Brief Symptom Inventory for psychiatric symptoms.ResultsHighly involved yoga practitioners exhibited a significantly increased amount of mindfulness and religious/spiritual well-being (both p < 0.01) and lower psychiatric symptoms such as depression (p < 0.01) compared to those who were only marginally/moderately yoga-involved or who were in the gymnastics control group.ConclusionsIn accordance with the literature, yoga practice might have its biggest impact on mental health when it is part of a practitioner’s worldview. Further research focusing on the impact of yoga involvement in clinical groups is encouraged.     

不同频次肠道准备方法在肠镜检查中的多方面效果评估比较

目的探索不同的肠道准备频次在结肠镜检查中的清洁度评分、结肠息肉检出率和被检查者的主观感受的差异。方法收集2015年1月-2015年6月符合该研究的被检查者218例,随机分为3组;肠道准备的质量评估参照Boston肠道准备标准。等待检查期间行问卷调查了解被检查者的主观感觉,包括整体满意度和不适与进食情况、具体腹痛、腹胀等情况。结果肠道清洁度3组差异均有统计学意义,其中A组和C组之间差异有统计学意义。3组之间的息肉检出率差异无统计学意义,肠道准备的整体满意度、主观感受等方面3组之间差异无统计学意义。结论分次服用肠道准备用药在不影响被检查者主观体验的情况下可以提高肠道的清洁度,值得推荐。     

Applause sign: screening utility for dementia and cognitive impairment

Objective: To examine the diagnostic utility of applause sign scores for the diagnosis of dementia and mild cognitive impairment. Methods: Consecutive unselected new outpatient referrals to a dedicated cognitive disorders clinic over a 12-month period were administered the clapping test. Criterion diagnosis was by usual clinic assessment using standard diagnostic criteria, blind to applause sign score. Results: Applause sign scores differed significantly (p < 0.001) between diagnostic groups (dementia, mild cognitive impairment, subjective memory complaint) and did not correlate with other cognitive screening instrument scores. Nearly three-quarters of those with an abnormal score had cognitive impairment. Applause sign score was specific but not sensitive for a diagnosis of cognitive impairment. Conclusion: The applause sign supports a diagnosis of dementia or cognitive impairment in high prevalence settings and may be useful in conjunction with other cognitive screening tests.     

2型糖尿病对主观认知下降患者认知功能及海马结构的影响

摘要目的：探讨2型糖尿病（type 2 diabetes mellitus,T2DM）疾病状态对主观认知下降（subjective cognitive decline, SCD）患者认知功能的影响,并基于海马结构特征探讨可能机制。方法：招募福建省福州市社区内自愿参加且符合要求的SCD受试者,按照T2DM疾病状态分为合并T2DM的SCD患者和不伴T2DM的SCD患者。比较不同糖尿病疾病状态对SCD患者认知功能表现评分、海马体积、海马亚区体积及旁海马表面积的影响,并将具有显著差异的认知功能表现评分与海马体积、海马亚区体积及旁海马表面积进行相关性分析。结果：与不伴T2DM的SCD患者相比,合并T2DM的SCD患者的Stroop促进效应（SFE）反应时更长、SFE正确数更少,Go/No go错误数更多,分散性注意力视觉反应时更长,差异有显著性意义（P＜0.05）。磁共振数据分析发现合并T2DM的SCD患者的左侧海马亚区海马伞的体积和旁海马表面积较不伴T2DM的SCD患者显著减小。相关性分析结果显示SCD患者旁海马表面积与SFE正确数显著正相关（P＜0.001）。结论：T2DM疾病状态加重SCD患者Stroop促进效应、执行抑制控制功能和视觉分散性注意力认知加工领域认知功能损害,且可能与海马系统部分脑区灰质结构萎缩有关。     

The importance of transformational leadership style for the well-being of employees working with older people

Title.  The importance of transformational leadership style for the well-being of employees working with older people.
Aim.  This paper is a report of a study to explore the relationships between transformational leadership, followers' perceived working conditions and employee well-being and job satisfaction.
Background.  There is some evidence that transformational leadership style is linked to employee job satisfaction and well-being. However, it is not clear whether this is due to (i) a direct relationship between leadership and job satisfaction and well-being outcomes or (ii) whether followers' perceived working conditions mediate this relationship.
Methods.  A cross-sectional design was applied to data from a questionnaire study of 447 staff caring for older people in Denmark. Data were collected in 2005. A theory-driven model of the relationships between leadership, working conditions, job satisfaction and well-being was tested using structural equation modelling.
Results.  The transformational leadership style was closely associated with followers' working conditions, namely involvement, influence and meaningfulness. Involvement was associated with job satisfaction and meaningfulness was associated with well-being. However, working conditions were closely correlated with each other, and thus the mediating mechanisms may operate through several different working conditions. A direct path between leadership behaviour and employee well-being was also found.
Conclusion.  Considering working conditions in the absence of studying leadership behaviour (or vice versa) may reveal an incomplete picture of the impact of work and work relationships on well-being. Work re-design interventions focused on influence may benefit from the consideration of training managers to exert transformational leadership behaviours.     

心理干预对康复期脑卒中伴焦虑抑郁障碍患者情绪及幸福感的影响

目的：探讨心理干预对康复期脑卒中伴焦虑抑郁障碍患者情绪及幸福感的影响。方法将120例康复期脑卒中伴抑郁焦虑障碍患者随机分为两组,每组60例。两组均予以神经内科常规治疗及训练,研究组联合心理干预,观察12个月。于干预前后采用焦虑自评量表、抑郁自评量表评定焦虑抑郁情绪,症状自评量表评定心理健康状况,总体幸福感指数量表评定幸福感, Barthel指数量表评定日常生活活动能力;干预12个月评估两组患者的治疗依从性。结果干预前两组各量表评分比较差异无显著性（ P＞0．05）;干预12个月两组焦虑自评量表、抑郁自评量表及症状自评量表评分较干预前显著降低（P＜0．01）,研究组显著低于对照组（P＜0．01）;干预后各时间点两组Barthel指数量表评分和研究组总体幸福感指数量表评分较干预前显著升高（P＜0．01）,研究组显著高于对照组（P＜0．01）。干预后研究组依从率为96．7％,对照组为81．7％,研究组显著高于对照组（ P＜0．01）。结论心理干预能有效缓解或消除脑卒中患者的焦虑抑郁情绪,提高其心理健康水平、总体幸福感及日常生活活动能力,有利于疾病的预后。