Mindfulness and pain catastrophization: how are they associated in women with chronic painful temporomandibular disorder (TMD)?

OBJECTIVE: Pain catastrophizing has dimensions of magnification, rumination, and helplessness, being an important evaluator of chronic pain. Studies with mindfulness intervention point to a possible modulation of chronic pain catastrophizing behavior. However, how these facets of mindfulness are associated with the catastrophizing subscales is uncertain. The scope of this study is to verify how the association of mindfulness facets and catastrophizing subdimensions occurs. METHODS: Women with chronic TMD answered the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) and Five Facets of Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ). RESULTS: Magnification was inversely correlated with "not reacting," "not judging," and the total FFMQ score. Total PCS was also inversely correlated with "not reacting." CONCLUSION: It is necessary to consider such possible correlations between mindfulness facets and the catastrophizing subdimensions in mindfulness-based interventions for this population.

Mindfulness Practice for Glycemic Control: Could it be a New Strategy for an Old Problem? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) requires a complex and organized care that includes patient's lifestyle change. Additionally, emotional well-being is an important part of self-management, and it may impair the individual's adherence. Therefore, equipping the patients with the necessary coping and self-care techniques may be an important step in managing diabetes. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of interventions using established mindfulness-based protocols on glycemic control of individuals with T2DM. METHODS: Data sources: Two electronic databases (PubMed and EMBASE) were searched from inception to December 2019. We limited our search to published studies in English, Spanish and Portuguese languages. STUDY SELECTION: Randomized clinical trials that assessed the effects of mindfulness in individuals with T2DM were selected. DATA EXTRACTION: Two authors independently assessed the risk of bias and extracted data from the included trials. Data were pooled using inverse-variance random-effects meta-analyses. The quality of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system. RESULTS: Four randomized trials were included. There were no differences in blood glucose change (mean difference between groups (MD) -0.73mg/dl; 95% CI, -10.49; 9.02; I2 =0%; very low quality of evidence) or glycated hemoglobin (MD 0.05%; 95%CI -0.22 to 0.32; I2 =29%; very low quality of evidence). CONCLUSION: Although the quality of current evidence is very low, our findings suggest that established protocols involving mindfulness have no effect on blood glucose or glycated hemoglobin in individuals with T2DM. Indeed, large-scale trials are needed to evaluate the contribution of mindfulness to glycemic control in clinical practice. PROSPERO Registration ID: RD42020161940.

Physical Activity, Quality of Life and Global Functioning an Early Stages of Psychosis.

BACKGROUND: Regular practice of physical activity is associated with better quality of life and functioning in people with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and depression. However, to the best of our knowledge, there is no evidence of the association between physical activity and quality of life and global functioning among people in the initial stages of psychosis. The aim to explore the association of the level of physical activity with quality of life and global functioning among patients in early stages of psychosis. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study carried out in an early intervention program in 2016. The socio-demographic and clinical variables were assessed via a form; the adherence through the Measurement of Treatment Adherence; the global functioning through the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scale; the level of physical activity through the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and quality of life through the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). The Mann-Whitney test was used for analysis. RESULTS: A total of eighty-five participants (mean age=32, 57.6% were men) were assessed. Of the 85, 46 (54.1%) were classified as physically active. The physically active patients presented higher values, on average (standard deviation), in relation to the SF-36 domain of physical functioning (active patients: 87.1 (20.9) vs. inactive patients 80.1 (20.5) inactive; p=0.016), and global functioning when compared to the physically inactive group (active patients: 71.5 (17.6) vs. inactive patients 60.1 (20.9); p=0.011). CONCLUSION: Higher levels of physical activity are associated with better quality of life and higher global functioning in patients in early stages of psychosis.

Predictors of Expressed Emotion in First Episode Psychosis.

This article evaluated the predictors of EE and its components, EOI and CC, in relatives of first episode psychosis patients (FEP) in Brazil. Cross-sectional observational study conducted with 82 dyads of FEP patients and their relatives. Data collection instruments: sociodemographic and clinical data questionnaire, Family Questionnaire, Zarit Burden Interview and Morisky Medication Adherence Scale. Logistic and linear regression models were used. Our results indicate that patient's age, relative's sex, daily time spent together, and family burden were predictors of EE and its components. Our findings may be helpful in planning nursing interventions to reduce EE and prevent psychotic relapses.

Occupational stress among nursing technicians and assistants: coping focused on the problem.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association between strategies used to cope with occupational stress that are focused on the problem wand the personal characteristics of nursing technicians and assistants. METHODOLOGY: This quantitative and correlational study was conducted in a large teaching hospital in the São Paulo State, Brazil, in 2013. A randomized sample with 310 participants (198 nursing assistants and 112 nursing technicians) comprised the study population. Data were collected using a sociodemographic characteristics questionnaire and Scale of Ways of Coping with Problems. Data were submitted to univariate analysis, and variables with statistical significance (p<0.20) were submitted posteriorly in a multiple regression model. RESULTS: Most employees were women (76.1%) older than 40 years (67.7%), had nine to 11 years of formal education (73.5%), had a partner (58.7%), were Catholic (53.2%), and had children (74.5%). The final multiple regression model consisted of variable years of formal education and number of children. CONCLUSION: In this study, formal education and number of children were more strongly associated with a greater use of coping strategies focused on the problem. Such a strategy is related to minimal vulnerability to stress related to the working environment.