1.
Effects of a mindfulness-based intervention on psychological distress, well-being, and maternal self-efficacy in breast-feeding mothers: results of a pilot study.
Perez-Blasco, J, Viguer, P, Rodrigo, MF
Archives of women's mental health. 2013;(3):227-36
Abstract
Several pilot studies have provided evidence that mindfulness-based intervention is beneficial during pregnancy, yet its effects in mothers during the early parenting period are unknown. The purpose of the present pilot study was to examine the effectiveness of a mindfulness-based intervention in breast-feeding mothers. We developed and tested an 8-week mindfulness-based intervention aimed at improving maternal self-efficacy, mindfulness, self-compassion, satisfaction with life, and subjective happiness, and at reducing psychological distress. A randomized controlled, between-groups design was used with treatment and control groups (n = 26) and pretest and posttest measures. ANCOVA results indicated that, compared to the control group, mothers in the treatment group scored significantly higher on maternal self-efficacy, some dimensions of mindfulness (observing, acting with awareness, non-judging, and non-reactivity), and self-compassion (self-kindness, mindfulness, over-identification, and total self-compassion). In addition, mothers who received the treatment exhibited significantly less anxiety, stress, and psychological distress. The results supported previous research findings about the benefits of mindfulness-based intervention in women from the perinatal and postpartum periods through the early parenting period. Additional research is needed to validate our findings in non-breast-feeding mothers and to examine the intervention's indirect benefits in terms of family relationships and child development.
2.
Cognitive awareness of carbohydrate intake does not alter exercise-induced lymphocyte apoptosis.
Navalta, JW, McFarlin, BK, Lyons, S, Arnett, SW, Schafer, MA
Clinics (Sao Paulo, Brazil). 2011;(2):197-202
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether cognitive awareness of carbohydrate beverage consumption affects exercise-induced lymphocyte apoptosis, independent of actual carbohydrate intake. INTRODUCTION Carbohydrate supplementation during aerobic exercise generally protects against the immunosuppressive effects of exercise. It is not currently known whether carbohydrate consumption or simply the knowledge of carbohydrate consumption also has that effect. METHODS Endurance trained male and female (N = 10) athletes were randomly assigned to one of two groups based on either a correct or incorrect cognitive awareness of carbohydrate intake. In the incorrect group, the subjects were informed that they were receiving the carbohydrate beverage but actually received the placebo beverage. Participants completed a 60-min ride on a cycle ergometer at 80% VO₂peak under carbohydrate and placebo supplemented conditions. Venous blood samples were collected at rest and immediately after exercise and were used to determine the plasma glucose concentration, lymphocyte count, and extent of lymphocyte apoptosis. Cognitive awareness, either correct or incorrect, did not have an effect on any of the measured variables. RESULTS Carbohydrate supplementation during exercise did not have an effect on lymphocyte count or apoptotic index. Independent of drink type, exercise resulted in significant lymphocytosis and lymphocyte apoptosis (apoptotic index at rest = 6.3 ± 3% and apoptotic index following exercise = 11.6 ± 3%, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION Neither carbohydrate nor placebo supplementation altered the typical lymphocyte apoptotic response following exercise. While carbohydrate supplementation generally has an immune-boosting effect during exercise, it appears that this influence does not extend to the mechanisms that govern exercise-induced lymphocyte cell death.
3.
Effect of a subanesthetic dose of ketamine on memory and conscious awareness in healthy volunteers.
Hetem, LA, Danion, JM, Diemunsch, P, Brandt, C
Psychopharmacology. 2000;(3):283-8
Abstract
RATIONALE Ketamine is an NMDA receptor antagonist with psychotogenic and cognitive effects in healthy volunteers and schizophrenic patients which has been proposed to be a useful tool to investigate neurobiological basis of schizophrenia. OBJECTIVE The present study characterized the effects of a subanesthetic dose of ketamine on memory and related subjective states of awareness in healthy volunteers. METHODS Twenty-six subjects were given either a 60-min ketamine (0.5 mg/kg per hour) or a placebo infusion. To obtain constant plasma ketamine throughout the experiment, ketamine was administered using a computer-controlled infusion system. Subjects carried out episodic memory tasks involving words presented before and during infusion. Memory performance was assessed with recognition and free recall tasks. Subjective states of awareness were assessed using an experiential approach. Levels of psychopathology were evaluated with BPRS. RESULTS Ketamine impaired performance in free recall and recognition of words presented during, but not before, infusion. There were no differences between groups concerning states of awareness associated with recognition memory. Subjects under ketamine had higher BPRS total scores as well as BPRS negative and positive cluster scores than control subjects. CONCLUSIONS Ketamine decreases episodic memory performance by impairing encoding, but not retrieval processes. It does not selectively impair subjective states of awareness associated with recognition memory as it has been seen in patients with schizophrenia. Ketamine might mimic the memory impairment associated with acute, but not chronic, forms of schizophrenia.