Hypnosis in Women with Breast Cancer: Its Effects on Cytokines.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of hypnosis on the cytokine levels of women with breast cancer during chemotherapy. Patients with a recent breast cancer diagnosis were assigned to either a control group (n = 20) or to a hypnosis group (n = 20). The control group received standard medical care, while the hypnosis group received 24 sessions of hypnosis over 6 months as an adjuvant therapy to standard medical care. Three blood samples were obtained, one before the initiation of chemotherapy, the second a month after beginning treatment, and the third at the end of treatment. At the end of chemotherapy treatment, the control group showed significantly higher levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and granulocyte colony stimulation factor (G-CSF) compared to the hypnosis group. Stabilized G-CSF and TNF-α levels during chemotherapy in the hypnosis group could be considered as beneficial because high levels of these cytokines have been associated with increased levels of tumor growth and metastasis in cancer patients.

La influencia del estrés y el optimismo sobre la calidad de sueño de mujeres con cáncer de mama / The influence of stress and optimism on sleep quality in women with breast cancer

Objetivo: El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la influencia del estrés y el optimismo sobre la calidad de sueño de mujeres con cáncer de mama. Método: Diseño trasversal correlacional. Los instrumentos utilizados fueron el Índice de Calidad del Sueño de Pittsburgh, la Escala de Estrés Percibido y la Escala de Orientación de Vida. Participaron 60 pacientes con cáncer de mama en estadios tempranos, sin metástasis, con una media de edad de 51,4 (± 9,3) años. Resultados: Las pacientes obtuvieron una media de 7,5 (± 4,4) del Índice de calidad de sueño global, en donde a mayor puntaje indica una mala calidad de sueño, una media de 24,5 (± 9,5) para estrés y una media 37,6 (± 5,5) para optimismo. Se obtuvo una correlación positiva y significativa entre el estrés y calidad de sueño global (r =0,349, p=0.006), y una correlación negativa y significativaentre optimismo y calidad de sueño (r =-0,524, p =0,001). El optimismo predice la calidad de sueño global en un 25,8%. Conclusión: En mujeres con cáncer de mama en estadios tempranos, la relación entre variables indica que a mayor estrés menor calidad de sueño, menor duración del dormir y más alteraciones de sueño. En cuanto a la variable de optimismo, indica que, a mayor optimismo, mayor calidad subjetiva de sueño, mayor duración, menor latencia de sueño y menos alteraciones del dormir. Por lo tanto, se concluye que, en mujeres con cáncer de mama, el estrés reduce la calidad de sueño mientras que el optimismo la beneficia directamente

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of stress and optimism on the quality of sleep of women with breast cancer. Method: Cross-sectional correlational design. The instruments used were the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Perceived Stress Scale, and Life Guidance Scale. Participated in 60 patients with early stage of breast cancer, with no metastasis and an average age of 51.4 (± 9.3) years. Results: The patients obtained a mean of 7.5 (± 4.4) overall sleep quality index, where a higher score indicates a poor sleep quality, with a mean of 24.5 (± 9.5) for stress and a mean 37.6 (± 5.5) for optimism. There was a positive and significant correlation between stress and overall sleep quality (rs = 0.349, p = 0.006), and a negative and significant correlation between optimism and sleep quality (rs = -0.524, p = 0.001). The optimism predicts the overall sleep quality by 25.8%. Conclusion: In women with breast cancer in the early stages, the relationship between variables indicates that higher stress lower quality of sleep, shorter sleep duration and more sleep disturbances. Regarding the variable of optimism, indicates that to greater optimism, higher subjective quality of sleep, longer duration, and lower sleep latency and sleep disturbances. Therefore, it is concluded that in women with breast cancer, stress reduces sleep quality while optimism benefits directly

Psychological Effects of Group Hypnotherapy on Breast Cancer Patients During Chemotherapy.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of group hypnotherapy on anxiety, depression, stress, self-esteem, optimism, and social support during chemotherapy, in patients with breast cancer, compared with a control group with standard medical care. Hypnotherapy consisted of 24 sessions that included suggestions to encourage relaxation, self-esteem, the resolution of past traumatic events, physical healing, and optimism. Results show that the hypnotherapy group significantly decreased anxiety, distress, increased self-esteem, and optimism in the first 12 sessions. However, at the end of the 24 sessions, only self-esteem and optimism remained significant compared with the control group. The convenience of using hypnotherapy to encourage optimism and self-esteem in patients with breast cancer during chemotherapy treatment is discussed given its protective effect on health.

Prevalencia de Trastornos de Sueño en Relación con Factores Sociodemográficos y Depresión en Adultos Mayores de Monterrey, México / Prevalence of Sleep Disorders in Relation to Socio-Demographic Factors and Depression in Senior Citizens of Monterrey, Mexico / Prevalência de Transtornos do Sono com relação a Fatores Sociodemográficos e Depressão em Idosos de Monterrey, México

La prevalencia de síntomas de trastornos, calidad de sueño y depresión se evaluó en 313 adultos mayores en la ciudad de Monterrey, México con el Cuestionario de Trastornos de Sueño Monterrey, el Índice de Calidad del Sueño de Pittsburgh y la Escala de Depresión Geriátrica de Yesavage. Los resultados indicaron que los adultos mayores presentaron 50% ronquido, 24% piernas inquietas e insomnio, 44.1% mala calidad de sueño, y 62% síntomas de depresión. Los trastornos de sueño son los que más afectan la calidad de sueño en esta población, por lo que es importante la detección y tratamiento de estos trastornos en los adultos mayores.

This study evaluated the prevalence of symptoms of sleep disorders; the quality of sleep, and the levels of depression in 313 older adults in the city of Monterrey, Mexico, using the Monterrey Questionnaire of Sleep Disorders, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and the Yesavage Geriatric Depression Scale. Results indicated that among older adults 50% snored, 24% had leg restlessness and insomnia, 44.1% had poor quality of sleep, and 62% presented symptoms of depression. Sleep disorders are the factor that affects sleep quality the most among this population, which is why it is important to detect and treat these disorders in older adults.

A prevalência de sintomas de transtornos, qualidade do sono e depressão foi avaliada em 313 idosos na cidade de Monterrey (México) com o Questionário de Transtornos do Sono Monterrey, o Índice de Qualidade do Sono de Pittsburgh e a Escala de Depressão Geriátrica de Yesavage. Os resultados indicaram que os idosos apresentaram 50% de ronquidão, 24% de pernas inquietas e insônia, 44.1% de má qualidade do sono e 62% de sintomas de depressão. Os transtornos do sono são os que mais afetam a qualidade do sono nessa população, razão pela qual é importante detectá -los e tratá-los nos idosos.

Variación diurna del cortisol y su relación con estrés, optimismo y estrategias de afrontamiento en mujeres con cáncer de mama / Diurnal cortisol variation and its relationship with stress, optimism and coping strategies in women with breast cancer / Variação diurna do cortisol e sua relação com o estresse: otimismo e estratégias de enfrentamento em mulheres com câncer de mama

El ritmo diurno del cortisol se ha visto alterado en los pacientes con cáncer. Factores como el avance de la enfermedad y los niveles de estrés se han considerado para explicar esta condición; sin embargo, los resultados no son claros. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar y determinar si existen diferencias en los niveles de cortisol en mujeres con cáncer de mama en diferentes estadios, y analizar la relación entre los niveles de cortisol y el estrés, el optimismo y las estrategias de afrontamiento. Se recolectaron muestras de cortisol salival durante dos días, y se aplicaron cuestionarios psicológicos de estrés percibido (PSS), optimismo disposicional (LOT-R) y estrategias de afrontamiento (MAC) a 17 mujeres con cáncer de mama en estadio I, II y III. Los resultados muestran que las pacientes con cáncer de mama en los tres estadios presentan un ritmo diurno de cortisol normal y no difieren significativamente en los niveles de cortisol. Respecto a las variables psicológicas, solo difieren en la variable de optimismo. Las estrategias de afrontamiento espíritu de lucha y evitación cognitiva son las variables que tienen más influencia en los niveles de cortisol, y explican un 55% de la varianza. Se discuten las implicaciones de estos resultados.

Diurnal cortisol rhythm has been altered in patients with cancer. Factors such as disease progression and stress levels are regarded as possible causes to explain this condition, however results are not clear. The aim of this study was to assess and determine whether there are differences in cortisol levels in women with breast cancer in different stages and analyze the relationship between cortisol levels and stress, optimism and coping strategies. Salivary cortisol samples were collected for two days and psychological questionnaires of perceived stress (PSS), dispositional optimism (LOT-R) and coping strategies (MAC) were administered to 17 breast cancer women in stage I, II and III of the disease. The results show that patients with breast cancer in the three stages have a normal diurnal cortisol rhythm and do not differ significantly in cortisol levels. Regarding the psychological variables, they differ only in optimism. Coping strategies such as fighting spirit and cognitive avoidance are the variables that have more influence on cortisol levels, explaining 55% of variance. The implications of these results are discussed.

O ritmo diurno do cortisol vem sendo visto alterado nos pacientes com câncer. Fatores como o avanço da doença e os níveis de estresse estão sendo considerados para explicar essa condição; contudo, os resultados não são claros. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar e determinar se existem diferenças nos níveis de cortisol em mulheres com câncer de mama de diferentes estágios, bem como analisar estratégias de enfrentamento. Foram coletadas amostras de cortisol salival durante dois dias e aplicados questionários psicológicos de estresse percebido, otimismo disposicional e estratégias de enfrentamento a 17 mulheres com câncer de mama em estágio I, II e III. Os resultados mostram que as pacientes com esse câncer nos três estágios apresentam um ritmo diurno de cortisol normal e não se diferenciam significativamente na variável de otimismo. A respeito das variáveis psicológicas, só diferem na variável de otimismo. As estratégias de enfrentamento -espírito de luta e evitação cognitiva- são as variáveis que têm mais influência nos níveis de cortisol e explicam 55% da variação. Discutem-se as implicações desses resultados.

El efecto de la hipnoterapia en la calidad de sueño de mujeres con cáncer de mama / The effect of hypnotherapy in the sleep quality of women with breast cancer

Objetivo: El propósito de este estudio es comprobar la eficacia de la hipnoterapia en la calidad de sueño de mujeres con cáncer de mama, mientras recibían tratamiento médico estándar. Método: Participaron 40 pacientes con cáncer de mama en los primeros estadios, programadas para quimioterapia. Se conformaron dos grupos de 20 pacientes cada uno, a uno de los grupos se le aplicó una fase intensiva de 12 sesiones de hipnoterapia grupal durante un mes y una segunda fase de 12 sesiones cada quince días, durante seis meses mientras que el otro grupo (control) solo recibió tratamiento médico estándar. La calidad de sueño de las pacientes de ambos grupos fue evaluada con el Índice de Calidad de Sueño de Pittsburgh (ICSP) que se aplicó antes de la intervención, así como al término de las 12 y 24 sesiones. Resultados: Al finalizar el primer bloque de 12 sesiones, el grupo de hipnoterapia mostró una mejoría clínica y estadísticamente significativa en los componentes de latencia, duración, eficiencia y calidad global de sueño del ICSP. Posteriormente, a las 24 sesiones solo se mantuvo la significancia en el componente de eficiencia de sueño y en los otros tres componentes únicamente se mantuvo la mejoría clínica. En comparación con el grupo control, que a las 12 sesiones mostró un aumento en los componentes lo que indica una peor calidad de sueño, manteniendo estos resultados a las 24 sesiones. Conclusiones: La hipnoterapia es una técnica psicoterapéutica útil para mejorar la calidad de sueño de mujeres con cáncer de mama que reciben quimioterapia. Sin embargo es importante, diseñar un estudio experimental aleatorizado que confirme estos datos

Objective: The purpose of this study is to test the effectiveness of hypnotherapy in sleep quality in breast cancer women while receiving standard medical treatment. Method: Participants were 40 breast cancer patients in the early stages, scheduled for chemotherapy. Two groups of 20 patients each, one group was applied an intensive phase of 12 sessions of group hypnotherapy for a month and a second phase of 12 sessions every fortnight for six months while the other group was formed (control) received only standard medical treatment. Sleep quality of patients in both groups was assessed with the Quality Index Pittsburgh Sleep (ICSP) that was applied before surgery and at the end of 12 and 24 sessions. Results: At the end of the first block of 12 sessions, the hypnotherapy group showed a clinically and statistically significant in the components of latency, duration, efficiency and overall quality of sleep ICSP improvement. Later, at only 24 sessions’s significance in the sleep efficiency component and the other three components shall be maintained clinical improvement was maintained. These results compared with the control group, at 12 sessions that showed an increase in components indicating a poorer quality of sleep, keeping these results to 24 sessions