Work - Volume 78, issue 4

Authors: Mitra, Sudeep | Mitra, Mousumi | Nandi, Purna | Saha, Mantu | Nandi, Dilip Kumar

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Physical exercise participation among female students is significantly compromised throughout the academic periods of college or university due to scholastic demands and also by less parental and community encouragements. Thus, physical inactivity in female college students leads to less musculoskeletal efficiency and work performance. OBJECTIVE: Customized yogic module may be considered to enhance both aerobic and anaerobic power, pulmonary capacity and musculoskeletal efficiency for the improvement of systemic body functions among female college students. METHODS: A randomized, controlled parallel study design (n  = 60; age = 20.16±2.05 years), on sedentary female college students practicing customized …yogic module (n  = 30) for 5 days / week for 3 months (60 min daily in the morning) to observe anthropometric, physiological, cardiopulmonary and muscular endurance indices. RESULTS: After yogic practice, a significant reduction in body fat (p  < 0.05) (%), heart rate (p  < 0.001), systolic blood pressure (p  < 0.001), double product (p‹0.01) and rate pressure product (p  < 0.05) were estimated. Significant improvement (p  < 0.001) in vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 sec was also observed. Evaluation of hand grip strength, maximal oxygen consumption and physical work capacity showed significant increase (p  < 0.01) after yogic intervention. CONCLUSIONS: A three-month customized yogic training improved resting physiological activities, cardiopulmonary functions, musculoskeletal strength and endurance fitness due to focused breathing, mindfulness meditation and by stretching-strengthening patterns for achieving recreational physical activity among female college students. Show more

Keywords: Female, sedentary behaviour, yoga, physical endurance, musculoskeletal development, respiratory function tests

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-230200

Citation: Work, vol. 78, no. 4, pp. 1201-1212, 2024

Authors: Devoy, Róisín | Maguire, Rebecca

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Increasing levels of distress and barriers to healthcare have coincided with increasing use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM). While mindfulness and movement interventions may improve wellbeing, little research has compared the effectiveness of these two approaches. OBJECTIVE: This single intervention study aimed to (1) explore the effects of two brief, online, self-administered mindfulness and movement interventions on affect and vitality, and (2) establish whether changes in affect and vitality could be predicted by age, gender, general distress, previous CAM experience and enjoyment of the intervention. METHODS: Participants (n  = 62) were randomly allocated to follow …a brief online mindfulness or movement intervention. Levels of affect (using PANAS) and subjective vitality (using the Subjective Vitality Scale) were measured pre and post intervention. Demographics, experience with CAM and general distress (using the DASS-21) were collected pre intervention, while level of enjoyment (using the ENJOY scale) was measured post intervention. Open-text responses gathered qualitative data on participant experience. RESULTS: Participants completing the mindfulness intervention reported increased vitality and decreased positive and negative affect. Those completing the movement intervention reported increased vitality and positive affect and decreased negative affect. Higher DASS-21 levels were predictive of greater reductions in negative affect. Higher levels of enjoyment were predictive of greater increases in positive affect and vitality. CONCLUSIONS: Differences between mindfulness and movement interventions may indicate that they could have targeted applications. While further research is necessary, these brief, online interventions may provide a sustainable, accessible self-management and wellbeing intervention. Show more

Keywords: Mindfulness, movement, online intervention, health, affect, psychology, mental health

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-230650

Citation: Work, vol. 78, no. 4, pp. 1213-1223, 2024

Authors: Rice, Valerie J. Berg | Schroeder, Paul | Allison, Stephen C.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Mindfulness-based, in-person programs are effective at reducing stress and enhancing resilience in military and civilian samples, yet few studies have examined or compared training offered via real-time, interactive social media. Such a program would have a wider-reach and could include those unable to attend in-person. There is also interest in resolving ambiguity about the effects of mindfulness training on individual difference variables, such as self-compassion. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this research was to compare pre/post self-compassion for three interventions; Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction delivered in-person (IP), mindfulness meditation training delivered via a Virtual World (VW), and a wait-list …Control Group (CG) among active duty and veteran U.S. military. METHODS: A 2 (pre/post)×3 (group) factorial design was conducted with 250 active duty and veteran U.S. Military service members, with self-compassion measures as dependent variables. RESULTS: Self Compassion improved 10% for the IP group and 14% for the VW group, while the CG group did not improve. Combined treatment groups yielded a 10.3% improvement in self-compassion compared with no change in the CG and with a group×time interaction effect (p  < 0.01). Participants with lower initial self-compassion experienced greater benefits than those with higher baseline self-compassion (p  < 0.01). CONCLUSION: IP and VW Mindfulness Meditation training were equally effective in increasing self-compassion. Adding effective on-line mindfulness delivery will promote self-compassion among a more extensive audience, likely yielding improved coping, confidence, connectedness, cheerfulness, steadiness, and self-satisfaction, while lessening anxiety, fear-of-failure, and stress among participants. Show more

Keywords: Complementary health, coping skill, meditation, military, occupational health, psychological resilience, psychological stress, self-compassion, telemedicine, virtual worlds

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-230645

Citation: Work, vol. 78, no. 4, pp. 1225-1245, 2024

Authors: Nazari, Shima | Zamani, Aida | Farokhnezhad Afshar, Pouya

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Stress is inevitable in the nursing profession, and ways of coping are one of the solutions to reduce stress. Social support is one of the influencing factors on coping strategies, but there is probably a difference between the effects of received or perceived social support on coping strategies. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to investigate the relationship between received and perceived social support with ways of coping in nurses. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional descriptive-correlational study. The sample consisted of 292 nurses by simple random sampling. The data collection tool included Zimmet’s multidimensional perceived social support …scale, McCain and Marklin’s perceived social support questionnaire, and Lazarus’ ways of coping questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation and multiple regression tests in SPSS v.22. RESULTS: The results showed that received social support (β= 0.20, p  < 0.001) and perceived social support (β= 0.35, p  < 0.001) are able to explain changes in the dimension of seeking social support. Received social support (β= 0.16, p  = 0.005) and perceived social support (β= 0.22, p  < 0.001) are able to explain changes after positive reappraisal, but only received social support could explain changes in accepting responsibility (β= 0.15, p  = 0.01). CONCLUSION: This study showed that received and perceived social support have a significant correlation with ways of coping, but only able to explain the changes in social support seeking dimensions, positive reappraisal, accepting responsibility. Both types of social support are necessary, but that received social support covered more adaptive coping strategies. Show more

Keywords: Received social support, perceived social support, coping strategies, nurse, job satisfaction, mental health

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-230337

Citation: Work, vol. 78, no. 4, pp. 1247-1255, 2024