1.
Impact of lifestyle intervention on body weight and the metabolic syndrome in home-care providers.
Gerstel, E, Pataky, Z, Busnel, C, Rutschmann, O, Guessous, I, Zumwald, C, Golay, A
Diabetes & metabolism. 2013;(1):78-84
Abstract
AIM: The study evaluated the impact of lifestyle intervention on body weight, metabolic syndrome parameters, nutrition and physical activity in home-care providers (HCPs). METHODS Of 551 screened employees of a nursing agency, 173 were eligible to participate and were assigned to either the intervention (n=129) or the control (n=44) group. Participants in the intervention group followed an educational programme that encouraged physical activity and healthy nutrition, and were equipped with bicycles free of charge. Anthropometric, biological and lifestyle parameters were assessed at baseline, and after 6 and 12 months. RESULTS Body weight, waist circumference and systolic blood pressure significantly decreased at 12 months in both study groups. Incidence of the metabolic syndrome in the intervention group at 12 months was reduced by 50% (from 17 to 9.2%; P=0.04). There were also decreases in LDL cholesterol (-0.36 mmol/L; P<0.01), total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ratio (-0.57; P<0.01) and fasting glucose (-0.4 mmol/L; P<0.05), and an increase in HDL cholesterol (+0.22 mmol/L; P<0.01) in the intervention group. At 12 months, a decrease in daily caloric intake (-391 kcal/day; P<0.001) and an increase in the percentage of participants engaging in physical activity (+3.4%; P<0.05) were also observed in the intervention group. CONCLUSION Lifestyle changes among HCPs are possible with relatively modest behavioural education and within a short period of time. Educational strategies and workshops are effective, efficient and easy to perform, and should be encouraged in HCPs to promote the implementation of lifestyle modifications in their patients.
2.
Enhancing memory in late-life depression: the effects of a combined psychoeducation and cognitive training program.
Naismith, SL, Diamond, K, Carter, PE, Norrie, LM, Redoblado-Hodge, MA, Lewis, SJ, Hickie, IB
The American journal of geriatric psychiatry : official journal of the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry. 2011;(3):240-8
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy of a multifactorial cognitive training (CT) program for older people with a lifetime history of depressive disorder. METHODS This was a single-blinded waitlist control design. The study was conducted in the Healthy Brain Ageing Clinic, a specialist outpatient clinic at the Brain & Mind Research Institute, Sydney, Australia. Forty-one participants (mean age = 64.8 years, sd = 8.5) with a lifetime history of major depression were included. They were stabilized on medication and had depressive symptoms in the normal to mild range. The intervention encompassed both psychoeducation and CT. Each component was 1-hour in duration and was delivered in a group format over a 10-week period. Psychoeducation was multifactorial, was delivered by health professionals and targeted cognitive strategies, as well depression, anxiety, sleep, vascular risk factors, diet and exercise. CT was computer-based and was conducted by Clinical Neuropsychologists. Baseline and follow-up neuropsychological assessments were conducted by Psychologists who were blinded to group allocation. The primary outcome was memory whilst secondary outcomes included other aspects of cognition and disability. RESULTS CT was associated with significant improvements in visual and verbal memory corresponding to medium to large effect sizes. CONCLUSION CT may be a viable secondary prevention technique for late-life depression, a group who are at risk of further cognitive decline and progression to dementia.
3.
A motivational school-based intervention for adolescent sleep problems.
Cain, N, Gradisar, M, Moseley, L
Sleep medicine. 2011;(3):246-51
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The current study aimed to develop and evaluate a motivational school-based intervention for adolescent sleep problems. METHODS The intervention was implemented in three co-educational secondary schools in Adelaide, South Australia. Two year-11 Psychology classes from each school participated, with one as the intervention class (N=53) and one as the control class (N=51). Students in the intervention classes attended four 50-min sleep education classes, held once per week. The lessons were modified from those of Moseley and Gradisar [23] to incorporate a motivational interviewing framework. Students completed an online questionnaire battery measuring school day and weekend sleep parameters, daytime sleepiness, and depression at pre- and post-program and follow-up, and completed motivation to change questionnaires during the program. RESULTS Students in the intervention group significantly increased their knowledge about sleep relative to the control group (p=0.001). During the intervention, students' motivation to regularize their out-of-bed times improved (p=0.03), and there was a trend towards improved motivation to increase average total sleep time (p=0.11). But despite improvements in sleep and daytime functioning for adolescents in the program group (p<0.05), these changes were not significantly different from the control group (all p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS School-based interventions are promising for educating adolescents about sleep. Future programs should translate increased motivation into long-term behavioral change. The identification of barriers and support to assist this change is recommended.
4.
Tinnitus rehabilitation: a mindfulness meditation cognitive behavioural therapy approach.
Sadlier, M, Stephens, SD, Kennedy, V
The Journal of laryngology and otology. 2008;(1):31-7
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic tinnitus is a frequent symptom presentation in clinical practice. No drug treatment to date has shown itself to be effective. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of cognitive behavioural therapy and meditation in tinnitus sufferers. METHODOLOGY Patients were selected from a dedicated tinnitus clinic in the Welsh Hearing Institute. A waiting list control design was used. Twenty-five chronic tinnitus sufferers were consecutively allocated to two groups, one receiving a cognitive behavioural therapy/meditation intervention of four one hour sessions with the other group waiting three months and subsequently treated in the same way, thereby acting as their own control. The main outcome was measured using the Hallam tinnitus questionnaire. A four to six month follow up was conducted. RESULTS These showed significant statistical reductions in tinnitus variables both in the active and also in the control group. Post-therapy, no significant change was found after the waiting list period. The improvement was maintained at the four to six month period. CONCLUSION The positive findings give support for the use of cognitive behavioural therapy/meditation for chronic tinnitus sufferers.