ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: This pilot study evaluated the effectiveness of a comprehensive mind body intervention for weight loss in overweight and obesity and the maintenance of weight loss at 6-month follow-up. DESIGN: Thirty-one overweight and obese employees (Body Mass Index (BMI) 28.6-47.9 kg/m²) from a large corporation participated in a 20-week comprehensive mind body intervention targeting weight loss. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Weight, BMI, waist and hip circumference, rate pressure product (RPP), blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and psychological variables were collected at baseline, post-intervention, and 6-month follow-up. RESULTS: Using linear mixed model analyses, the intervention resulted in significant mean weight loss (-4.3 kg, 95% CI -5.8 to -2.8), decreases in BMI (-1.51, 95% CI -2.1 to -1.0), hip circumference measurement (-4.3 cm, 95% CI -6.9 to -1.5), and triglyceride levels (95% CI -33.1 to -4.8). In 6-month follow-up after intervention, statistically significant improvements in weight, BMI and waist measurement were sustained. Participants also showed positive changes in self-reported psychological indices: food-related disinhibition, and hunger both decreased significantly (p<0.01); general self-efficacy increased (p<0.05); positive affect increased (p<0.001); physical function and self-esteem increased (p<0.01); and measures of health-promoting behaviors on 4 subscales (health responsibility, physical activity, nutrition, and stress management) also showed statistically significant improvements (p<0.001) at post-intervention and 6-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: This comprehensive mind body intervention showed modest effects on physical, laboratory, and psychological outcomes, both immediately following treatment and at 6-month follow-up, in overweight and obese individuals.
Subject(s)
Mind-Body Therapies/methods , Overweight/therapy , Weight Loss , Weight Reduction Programs/methods , Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Mind-Body Therapies/psychology , Obesity/therapy , Overweight/psychology , Pilot Projects , Quality of Life , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
Academic and societal pressures result in U.S. high school students feeling stressed. Stress management and relaxation interventions may help students increase resiliency to stress and overall well-being. The objectives of this study were to examine the feasibility (enrollment, participation and acceptability) and potential effectiveness (changes in perceived stress, anxiety, self-esteem, health-promoting behaviors, and locus of control) of a relaxation response (RR)-based curriculum integrated into the school day for high school students. The curriculum included didactic instruction, relaxation exercises, positive psychology, and cognitive restructuring. The intervention group showed significantly greater improvements in levels of perceived stress, state anxiety, and health-promoting behaviors when compared to the wait list control group. The intervention appeared most useful for girls in the intervention group. The results suggest that several modifications may increase the feasibility of using this potentially effective intervention in high schools.
Subject(s)
Relaxation Therapy/education , Schools/organization & administration , Adolescent , Curriculum , Female , Humans , Internal-External Control , Male , Massachusetts , Psychological Tests , Self Concept , Sex Factors , Stress, Psychological/prevention & controlABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to describe possible changes in physical and psychologic symptoms among outpatients completing a 12-week mind-body medical symptom reduction program related to chronic medical conditions. DESIGN: The cornerstone of the program is elicitation of the relaxation response, and the curriculum also incorporates trainings on mind-body interactions, cognitive restructuring, nutrition, and physical activity. The Medical Symptom Checklist (MSCL), Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile-II (HPLP-II) and Symptom Checklist-90R (SCL-90-R) were used to assess 331 patients' physical and psychologic symptoms before and after the intervention. RESULTS: Significant post-treatment improvements in symptom frequency occurred for 12 individual symptoms on the MSCL, all 6 of the HPLP-II subscales, and 8 of the 9 SCL-90-R subscales from pre- to post-treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The results from this uncontrolled study suggest that a comprehensive mind-body intervention program might be useful as a complementary or adjunct therapy for treatment of chronic medical symptoms.
