Mindfulness skills are associated with female orgasm?

Mindfulness was studied in relation to sexual distress and the ability to achieve orgasm. The initial hypotheses were that mindfulness abilities would predict women's level of sexual distress and that orgasmic women would possess greater mindfulness skills. In total, 251 women (176 orgasmic women and 75 anorgasmic women) responded to several questionnaires online: the Female Sexual Distress Scale – Revised (FSDS-R), the Five-Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), and the Sexual Five-Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ-S). According to our results, mindfulness during dyadic sexual activities (FFMQ-S) explained 54% of the variability in sexual distress (FSDS-R). Overall, orgasmic women reported more mindfulness than anorgasmic women, both in daily life (FFMQ) and significantly more during dyadic sexual activities (FFMQ-S). In conclusion, our results support the evaluation of women's level of mindfulness during dyadic sexual activities and the integration of mindfulness training in future sex therapy treatments.     

A treatment model for anxiety-related sexual dysfunctions using mindfulness meditation within a sex-positive framework

In this article, we propose a clinical model for treating anxiety-related sexual dysfunctions that hinges on the use of mindfulness meditation practices. First, theoretical and empirical evidence for anxiety as either a cause or condition of several different sexual dysfunctions is provided. Next, the concept of mindfulness and the research that supports the use of mindfulness meditation practices in addressing anxiety are explained. The inherent link between mindfulness and sex-positivity is also addressed while acknowledging the need to emphasize both mindfulness and sex-positivity in therapy. The proposed model for the treatment of anxiety-related sexual dysfunctions using mindfulness practices within a sex-positive framework is outlined. It utilizes mindfulness-based practices such as body scan meditation and sitting meditation as well as several preexisting sex therapy interventions, including directed masturbation and sensate focus assignments. A case study is provided as an example of the progression of therapy and as a demonstration of the clinical viability of the model. Ultimately, this model illustrates a potential way in which mindfulness practices can be utilized within a sex-positive approach to sex therapy.     

Prelude to a coitus: Sexual initiation cues among heterosexual married couples

Relationship satisfaction is influenced by sexual satisfaction, which in turn is dependent upon successful initiation of sexual activity. Heterosexual married couples (n = 15) kept written journals for two weeks, detailing sexual activity and use of sexual initiation cues (i.e., what they or their partners did to initiate sexual activity). The data from the journals were analyzed qualitatively to reveal common themes and trends in participants’ responses. Themes included physical touch, verbal requests for sexual activity and participants’ reactions to partners’ cues. Themes are defined and described, with examples provided. Gender differences in the use and recognition of cues are discussed. The findings are another step along the path to helping researchers, therapists and couples understand and better use sexual initiation cues, leading to greater sexual satisfaction.     

Consequences of impaired female sexual functioning: Individual differences and associations with sexual distress

A number of risk factors for sexual distress have been identified, including impairments in sexual function. However, for women, sexual function is only weakly associated with distress levels in many cases. One reason for this disconnect may be that impaired sexual function can have a variety of consequences for the individual's sexual experience and that some consequences may be more or less distressing to different people. Research suggests that some consequences of impaired sexual function may be more distressing to older women and/or for women in longer or less satisfying relationships. To examine the association between consequences of impaired female sexual function and distress, 75 women reporting one or more recurrent difficulties with sexual function in the past month were assessed. Frequency of sexual consequences including decreased physical pleasure, decreased sexual frequency, and negative partner emotional responses, were associated with sexual distress after controlling for the effects of sexual function. Additionally, a number of sexual consequences were rated as more distressing by older women and women in unsatisfying relationships. The idiosyncratic ways in which impairments in sexual function play out in the context of sexual activity may be an important target of future research and clinical interventions for sexual dysfunction.     

The perspectives of psychosexual therapists towards using play therapy techniques in sex and relationship therapy: A qualitative study

Play therapy is an intervention traditionally used with children that is beginning to be used with adults. One area of use is within the psychosexual context; however, there is an absence of empirical research in this area. This qualitative study explored therapists’ perspectives on using play therapy techniques in psychosexual therapy. The 16 participants were either qualified or trainee psychosexual therapists. Data were collected through focus group interviews and analysed thematically. Four interlinking themes were identified: (1) playfulness already used but not recognised as play therapy; (2) delivery and receiving of play techniques; (3) attachment; and (4) well-being and social skills. Overall, participants believed there were benefits to using play therapy in the psychosexual context but that the therapeutic environment should be conducive to its use. Recommendations for practice include views about whether or not play therapy can be further developed and refined for use within the psychosexual context.     

Investigating the Role of Self-Disgust in Nonsuicidal Self-Injury

Self-directed disgust, a component of self-criticism, may present an important, yet unexplored emotion in the context of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI). The aim of this study was to examine the role of self-disgust in NSSI, specifically as a potential mediator in the relations between depression and NSSI as well as sexual abuse and NSSI, and to also better understand characteristics that might differentiate recent and past self-injurers. A total of 549 college students completed measures assessing NSSI, self-disgust, depression, anxiety sensitivity, and physical and sexual abuse. Results indicated self-disgust fully mediated the relation between depressive symptoms and NSSI status and partially mediated the relation between sexual abuse and NSSI status. Additionally, compared to past self-injurers (4.6%; n = 25), recent self-injurers (6.4%; n = 35) endorsed significantly higher self-disgust and depressive symptoms. Self-disgust may be an important component in NSSI and should be addressed in treatment.     

阴性或阳性症状为主的精神分裂症患者的P300亚成份分析

目的探讨P300亚成份在以阴性或阳性症状为主的精神分裂症患者认知障碍评定中的价值。方法对56例以阴性症状为主的患者（阴性组）和49例以阳性症状为主的患者（阳性组）分别进行P3a及P3b检测,比较其与正常对照组的差异。结果阴性组在FZ点的平均P3a潜伏期较阳性组显著延长（ P＜0.01）、FZ和CZ点的平均P3a波幅及CZ和PZ点的平均P3b波幅显著低于阳性组与正常对照组（分别P＜0.01和P＜0.05）。结论以阴性症状为主的精神分裂症患者的认知功能损伤可能比以阳性症状为主者严重,新奇刺激P3a对于以阴性症状为主的患者的认知功能评估更有意义。     

The psychiatric phenotype in triple X syndrome: New hypotheses illustrated in two cases

Background: Triple X syndrome (47,XXX or trisomy X) is a relatively frequent cytogenetic condition with a large variety of physical and behavioural phenotypes.

Method: Two adult patients with a triple X karyotype are described.

Results: Their karyotype was unknown until some years ago. What these patients have in common is that they were diagnosed with a broader autism phenotype, they were sexually abused, they suffer from psychotic illness and they show challenging behaviour, suicidality and a decline in occupational capacity.

Discussion: These gene–environment interactions are discussed. Gene–environment interactions may explain the variety of behavioural and psychiatric phenotypes in triple X syndrome. Ongoing atypical development in adults is hypothesized.

Conclusions: Gene–environment interactions and ongoing atypical development in adults should be taken into account in research concerning the psychiatric phenotype of developmental disorders, especially those involving triple X syndrome.     

Alterations in mitochondrial DNA copy number and the activities of electron transport chain complexes and pyruvate dehydrogenase in the frontal cortex from subjects with autism

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder associated with social deficits and behavioral abnormalities. Recent evidence suggests that mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress may contribute to the etiology of autism. This is the first study to compare the activities of mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) complexes (I–V) and pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH), as well as mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number in the frontal cortex tissues from autistic and age-matched control subjects. The activities of complexes I, V and PDH were most affected in autism (n=14) being significantly reduced by 31%, 36% and 35%, respectively. When 99% confidence interval (CI) of control group was taken as a reference range, impaired activities of complexes I, III and V were observed in 43%, 29% and 43% of autistic subjects, respectively. Reduced activities of all five ETC complexes were observed in 14% of autistic cases, and the activities of multiple complexes were decreased in 29% of autistic subjects. These results suggest that defects in complexes I and III (sites of mitochondrial free radical generation) and complex V (adenosine triphosphate synthase) are more prevalent in autism. PDH activity was also reduced in 57% of autistic subjects. The ratios of mtDNA of three mitochondrial genes ND1, ND4 and Cyt B (that encode for subunits of complexes I and III) to nuclear DNA were significantly increased in autism, suggesting a higher mtDNA copy number in autism. Compared with the 95% CI of the control group, 44% of autistic children showed higher copy numbers of all three mitochondrial genes examined. Furthermore, ND4 and Cyt B deletions were observed in 44% and 33% of autistic children, respectively. This study indicates that autism is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction in the brain.     

The assessment of neural injury following open heart surgery by physiological tremor analysis

Introduction

The appearance of post-operative cognitive dysfunction as a result of open heart surgery has been proven by several studies. Focal and/or sporadic neuron damage emerging in the central nervous system may not only appear as cognitive dysfunction, but might strongly influence features of physiological tremor.

Material and methods

We investigated 110 patients (age: 34-73 years; 76 male, 34 female; 51 coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), 25 valve replacement, 25 combined open heart surgery, 9 off-pump CABG) before surgery and after open-heart surgery on the 3^rd to 5^th post-operative day. The assessment of the physiological tremor analysis was performed with our newly developed equipment based on the Analog Devices ADXL 320 JPC integrated accelerometer chip. Recordings were stored on a PC and spectral analysis was performed by fast Fourier transformation (FFT). We compared power integrals in the 1-4 Hz, 4-8 Hz and 8-12 Hz frequency ranges and these were statistically assessed by the Wilcoxon rank correlation test.

Results

We found significant changes in the power spectrum of physiological tremor. The spectrum in the 8-12 Hz range (neuronal oscillation) decreased and a shift was recognised to the lower spectrum (p < 0.01). The magnitude of the shift was not significantly higher for females than for males (p < 0.157). We found no significant difference between the shift and the cross-clamp or perfusion time (p < 0.6450).

Conclusions

The assessment of physiological tremor by means of our novel, feasible method may provide a deeper insight into the mechanism of central nervous system damage associated with open heart surgery.