Annals Of Behavioral Medicine[JOURNAL]
Sun
200 papers
Effects of Tai Chi and Qigong on physical function and psychiatric symptoms among individuals with mental illness: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Park M, Lee H, Li Y … +1 more , Song R
Ann Behav Med · 2025 Jan · PMID 40165437 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Tai Chi and Qigong (TCQ) can be a non-pharmacological intervention for individuals with mental illness, improving physical function and mental health. PURPOSE: This meta-analysis investigated the effects of T...
BACKGROUND: Tai Chi and Qigong (TCQ) can be a non-pharmacological intervention for individuals with mental illness, improving physical function and mental health. PURPOSE: This meta-analysis investigated the effects of TCQ on physical function and psychiatric symptoms in adults with schizophrenia or mood disorders. METHODS: Randomized clinical trials on the effect of TCQ on physical function or psychiatric symptoms in individuals with mental illness, published in English, Korean, or Chinese, were included. A systematic search of 17 electronic databases up to September 2024 was conducted. The risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane RoB 2.0. Data were analyzed through meta-analysis, subgroup analysis, and meta-regression. RESULTS: Nineteen randomized studies (n = 1243, mean age 53 years) reported outcomes on physical function (k = 11) and psychiatric symptoms (k = 18). The risk of bias assessment showed that 21.1% of studies had a low risk, 73.7% had some concerns, and 5.3% had a high risk. TCQ significantly improved physical function (Hedges' g = 0.53, 95% CI, 0.26-0.81) and psychiatric symptoms (Hedges' g = 0.63, 95% CI, 0.41-0.85) in individuals with serious mental illness (SMI), regardless of intervention duration and comparison type. TCQ showed no significant effect on physical function in individuals with schizophrenia but demonstrated a significant moderate effect in those with mood disorders (Hedges' g = 0.56, 95% CI, 0.32-0.80). TCQ significantly improved psychiatric symptoms in both groups (schizophrenia: Hedges' g = 0.64, 95% CI, 0.26-1.02; mood disorders: Hedges' g = 0.64, 95% CI, 0.33-0.96). Meta-regression indicated that the effects of TCQ on physical function covaries with those on psychiatric symptoms among individuals with SMI (Q = 21.43, df = 9, P = .011). CONCLUSIONS: TCQ effectively enhances physical function and psychiatric symptoms in individuals with schizophrenia or mood disorders. These findings support TCQ as an effective non-pharmacological intervention for individuals with SMI. Further studies should explore the underlying mechanisms by which TCQ improves psychiatric symptoms through physical function, leading to the development of targeted intervention strategies in this population.*PROSPERO international prospective register of systematic reviews, registration ID CRD42024581253.
Weight loss advice from a healthcare provider is motivating, but it is also stigmatizing: an experimental, scenario-based approach.
Standen EC, Rothman AJ, Mann T
Ann Behav Med · 2025 Jan · PMID 40165436 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: It is standard practice for healthcare providers to give weight loss advice or counseling to higher-weight patients (ie, those with a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2), but the immediate psychological consequences of this prac...
BACKGROUND: It is standard practice for healthcare providers to give weight loss advice or counseling to higher-weight patients (ie, those with a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2), but the immediate psychological consequences of this practice have rarely been examined. PURPOSE: We hypothesized that receiving weight loss advice from a healthcare provider might lead people to feel both motivated to engage in healthy behaviors and stigmatized for their weight. METHODS: Participants with higher weight (N = 294) were randomly assigned to read one of two doctor-patient interaction scenarios, and they were asked to imagine that they were the patient receiving advice. The scenario either involved the doctor giving behavioral weight loss advice (ie, standard diet and exercise recommendations) or control advice, which did not address weight or weight loss. Immediately after reading, participants reported their levels of behavioral motivation and weight-based identity threat. RESULTS: Participants who received weight loss (versus control) advice reported significantly greater motivation for healthy eating and greater weight-based identity threat (Ps < .001, ds from 0.42 to 0.64). There were no significant group differences in perceptions of provider empathy or willingness to engage with the healthcare system in the future (Ps > .1, ds from 0.13 to 0.2). CONCLUSIONS: As hypothesized, receiving weight loss advice made participants feel motivated to engage in healthy eating behavior, but it also made them feel stigmatized. These findings suggest that the standard practice of delivering weight loss advice should be reexamined, as it may harm higher-weight people and perpetuate inequity.
The United States is facing unprecedented challenges in the field of health and health care: what can and should we do about it? A call to action.
Late Career Health Scientist Group
Ann Behav Med · 2025 Jan · PMID 40152276 · Publisher ↗
The United States is experiencing unprecedented disruptions to its health infrastructure due to recent federal policy changes threatening public health programs, research funding, and healthcare equity. Policy reversals...
The United States is experiencing unprecedented disruptions to its health infrastructure due to recent federal policy changes threatening public health programs, research funding, and healthcare equity. Policy reversals have rescinded critical initiatives, including diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts; Medicaid support; and international health collaborations. Data removal and censorship further hinder public health decision-making, while personnel and budget cuts to the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention jeopardize research and local health initiatives. These shifts threaten the career development of early career researchers, limit access to crucial datasets, and undermine the stability of public health training programs. The recommended response for researchers, professionals, and concerned citizens is to take immediate action. Advocacy efforts should focus on engaging policymakers, issuing public statements, and lobbying for alternative funding. Public awareness campaigns are needed to counteract misinformation, leverage media influence, and educate communities on the implications of policy rollbacks. Strengthening grassroots networks by supporting local health initiatives, digital outreach, and mobilizing professionals is critical. Protecting scientific integrity requires advocating for data restoration, opposing censorship, and promoting independent research funding. Legal and institutional resistance can help challenge harmful policies through court actions and amicus briefs. International collaboration should be prioritized to sustain global health partnerships despite US government withdrawals. Proactive leadership in safeguarding public health research and practice has never been greater. Through strategic advocacy, legal action, and community engagement, we should defend public health research, ensure essential services access, and uphold health equity for all.
Predicting the side effects of influenza vaccination.
Silvester C, Gasteiger C, Gamble GD … +4 more , Wilson MS, Faasse K, Petrie KJ, MacKrill K
Ann Behav Med · 2025 Jan · PMID 40139679 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Side effects following vaccination intensify vaccine hesitancy, which remains a significant challenge to public health. Research suggests that a proportion of side effects are not caused by the vaccine but ar...
BACKGROUND: Side effects following vaccination intensify vaccine hesitancy, which remains a significant challenge to public health. Research suggests that a proportion of side effects are not caused by the vaccine but are instead associated with psychological factors that influence nocebo responding. PURPOSE: This study investigates the psychological and demographic factors associated with symptom reporting postvaccination, the attribution of these symptoms as side effects, and their influence on future intentions to vaccinate. METHODS: A prospective, longitudinal design was employed with 225 influenza vaccination recipients. Demographic and psychological measures (including anxiety, vaccination attitudes, and side effect expectations) were completed at baseline. Side effects were measured immediately and 1-week following the vaccination. Future intentions to vaccinate were measured 1-week postvaccination. RESULTS: Anxiety (P < .001) and perceived sensitivity to vaccines (P = .044) predicted the number of symptoms reported immediately following vaccination. Anxiety (P < .001) and perceived sensitivity (P = .035) along with baseline symptoms (P < .001) predicted symptoms 1 week following the vaccination. Female gender (P = .003), younger age (P = .018), anxiety (P < .001), and baseline symptoms (P = .009) predicted whether participants attributed symptoms as vaccination side effects. Anti-vaccination attitudes were associated with less intention to vaccinate in the future (P = .033). CONCLUSIONS: Nocebo-associated psychological factors contributed to symptoms experienced after an influenza vaccination. Findings demonstrate that the way symptoms are noticed, and then interpreted as side effects, appear to be separate mechanisms promoted by different factors. This study improves identification of side effect reporters prior to vaccination.
Embodied inequities: an intersectional examination of the roles of gender, sexual orientation, and social support in chronic pain inequities in the United States.
Jolly D, Tabaac AR, DuBois LZ
Ann Behav Med · 2025 Jan · PMID 40139678 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Chronic pain inequities follow a social power-driven gradient of health, whereby those with less social advantage experience chronic pain more often. Feeling socially supported may reduce the burden of chroni...
BACKGROUND: Chronic pain inequities follow a social power-driven gradient of health, whereby those with less social advantage experience chronic pain more often. Feeling socially supported may reduce the burden of chronic pain. PURPOSE: To take an intersectional approach to understand inequities in chronic pain in the United States, by testing whether living at different intersections of sexual orientation and gender shape chronic pain through differences in experiences of social and emotional support. METHODS: We compared chronic pain frequency and availability of social support at intersections of sexual orientation and gender in the 2021 National Health Interview Study using an analytic intercategorical intersectional approach using a 3-way decomposition approach to mediation. RESULTS: Pairwise comparisons highlighted inequities in chronic pain among sexual minority women (i.e., women who identified as "something else," gay/lesbian, or bisexual) and bisexual men compared to all other identities (i.e., straight and questioning men and women, and men who identified as "something else"). Inequities were most salient for bisexual men and women, especially bisexual women. A theoretical intervention to increase available social support to that of straight women, who reported the greatest availability of social support, would decrease chronic pain frequency for all sexual minority people except for gay/lesbian women. Inequities, while attenuated, would persist among bisexual men and women after a theoretical intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Social position shapes chronic pain inequities in sexual minority people in the United States through differences in available social and emotional support. Results highlight bisexual men as an understudied group in chronic pain research.
Insights into effective fatigue reducing interventions in kidney transplant candidates: a scoping review.
Haanstra AJ, Maring H, van der Veen Y … +6 more , Quint EE, Schroevers MJ, Ranchor AV, Berger SP, Finnema EJ, Annema C
Ann Behav Med · 2025 Jan · PMID 40084877 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Fatigue is a prevalent and debilitating symptom among kidney transplant candidates (KTCs), significantly affecting their quality of life and overall well-being. Its complexity necessitates a comprehensive app...
BACKGROUND: Fatigue is a prevalent and debilitating symptom among kidney transplant candidates (KTCs), significantly affecting their quality of life and overall well-being. Its complexity necessitates a comprehensive approach to manage fatigue in this population. PURPOSE: To explore the effectiveness of nonpharmacological interventions in reducing fatigue in KTCs. METHODS: Nonpharmacological interventions targeting fatigue in participants aged ≥18 years, who were either on the kidney transplantation waitlist or eligible candidates, were considered. A database search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Web of Science. Results were reported in accordance with the guidelines provided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses Protocols extension for Scoping Reviews Checklist. RESULTS: In total, 67 studies were included. Interventions were divided into manipulative and body-based practices, exercise, mind-body therapies, energy healing, and combined interventions. Thirty-eight studies (76%) demonstrated a significant effect on fatigue, with effect sizes ranging from 0.43 to 4.85. Reflexology, massage therapy, progressive muscle relaxation, and acupressure combined with massage therapy showed the strongest significant intervention effects on fatigue and had the strongest study quality. However, the overall study quality was weak, particularly concerning confounding control, blinding procedures, and withdrawals and dropouts. CONCLUSIONS: Manipulative and body-based interventions showed the strongest significant effects on fatigue with the highest study quality. These interventions underscore the multifactorial nature of fatigue by targeting both its physical and psychological dimensions. Future high-quality research is needed to determine the optimal strategy for managing fatigue in KTCs.
Stress, positive affect, and sleep in older African American adults: a test of the stress buffering hypothesis.
Davis KM, Shields GS, Slavich GM … +1 more , Zilioli S
Ann Behav Med · 2025 Jan · PMID 40084876 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Although sleep disparities contribute to racial health disparities, little is known about factors affecting sleep among African Americans. One such factor may be positive affect, which could impact sleep dire...
BACKGROUND: Although sleep disparities contribute to racial health disparities, little is known about factors affecting sleep among African Americans. One such factor may be positive affect, which could impact sleep directly (direct effect hypothesis) or indirectly by buffering the effects of stress (stress buffering hypothesis). PURPOSE: We tested the direct effect and stress buffering effects of positive affect on sleep at three levels (day, week, trait) in a sample of 210 older African American adults, ranging in age from 50 to 89 years old. METHOD: Daily positive affect, perceived stress, sleep quality, and sleep duration were collected for five consecutive days. Multilevel modeling was used to test the direct and stress buffering hypotheses both within-person (day level) and between-persons (week level). Trait positive affect, past five-year stress severity, and global sleep quality were assessed cross-sectionally. Regression was used to test the direct and stress buffering hypotheses at the trait level. RESULTS: In line with the direct effect hypothesis, higher week-level positive affect predicted better sleep quality and sleep duration. Day-level positive affect was not significantly associated with daily sleep quality or daily sleep duration. Higher trait positive affect predicted better global sleep quality. However, neither day-level perceived stress nor past five-year stress severity significantly interacted with positive affect measures for any sleep outcome; no interaction effect was observed on week-level sleep duration. Positive affect and perceived stress interacted at the week level to predict sleep quality, but not in the hypothesized direction. CONCLUSIONS: We found support for the direct effect hypothesis at the week- and trait-levels, but not at the day level. In contrast, we found no support for the stress buffering hypothesis.
Bidirectional associations between daily subjective stress and sexual desire, arousal, and activity in healthy men and women.
Mües HM, Markert C, Feneberg AC … +1 more , Nater UM
Ann Behav Med · 2025 Jan · PMID 40036286 · Full text
BACKGROUND: The association between stress and sexuality, both of which are linked to health, is unclear. We examined the feasibility of an ecological momentary assessment study including time-based and event-based measu...
BACKGROUND: The association between stress and sexuality, both of which are linked to health, is unclear. We examined the feasibility of an ecological momentary assessment study including time-based and event-based measurements in this context (aim 1) and investigated concurrent and time-lagged bidirectional associations between subjective stress and sexual desire/arousal/activity in the daily lives of healthy individuals over 14 days (aim 2). PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to gain insight into the interplay between stress and sexual experience and behavior while considering potential gender differences. METHODS: Between May 2015 and January 2016, 59 heterosexual, healthy men and women in relationships (M = 23.66 years old, SD = 2.86, range: 18-30 years) rated subjective stress, sexual desire, and sexual arousal at 6 fixed timepoints daily as well as after sexual activity. Feasibility was investigated considering dropout rates, missing data, and representativeness of data. Data were analyzed using mixed-effects models. RESULTS: Higher subjective stress was associated with a lower likelihood of concurrent sexual desire and arousal, and occurrences of sexual desire and arousal were associated with lower concurrent subjective stress. Sexual desire and activity were associated with lower subsequent subjective stress, and the latter association was stronger in women than in men. Rates of dropout, missing data, and nonrepresentative data were low. CONCLUSIONS: There appear to be bidirectional associations between higher subjective stress and a lower likelihood of concurrent sexual desire and arousal. Sexual desire and sexual activity seem to be associated with lower subsequent subjective stress. The study design appears to be feasible, although the generalizability of the findings is limited. Future studies might explore stress reduction interventions to promote sexual health.
"I'm Ready This Time": Investigating physiological and emotional habituation to repetitive social stress.
Madison AA, Shrout MR, Wilson SJ … +8 more , Renna ME, Peng J, Andridge R, Jaremka LM, Fagundes CP, Belury MA, Malarkey WB, Kiecolt-Glaser JK
Ann Behav Med · 2025 Jan · PMID 40036285 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Repetitive stress is at the nexus of acute and chronic stress, and there is limited knowledge about how physiological and emotional responses change with repeated exposure. PURPOSE: We examined stress-related...
BACKGROUND: Repetitive stress is at the nexus of acute and chronic stress, and there is limited knowledge about how physiological and emotional responses change with repeated exposure. PURPOSE: We examined stress-related biomarkers and emotional responses to repeated social stressors, and we tested behavioral moderators. METHODS: In Study 1, 42 adults completed the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) twice, 4 months apart. Serum inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-6 [IL-6], tumor necrosis factor-α [TNF-α]), blood pressure, pulse, salivary cortisol, and state-level anxiety were measured surrounding the stressor. In Study 2, 84 married individuals completed two 20-minute discussions of contentious topics in the marriage, 1 month apart. Serum IL-6, TNF-α, blood pressure, pulse, salivary cortisol, and state affect were collected surrounding the conflict. Trained experimenters rated positive and negative behavior during the conflict. RESULTS: In the repetitive Trier paradigm, participants reported less anxiety (Ps = .048) and had higher anticipatory IL-6 responses (P = .014) at Visit 2, compared to Visit 1. In the repetitive marital conflict paradigm, participants had lower positive affect (P = .0004), as well as systolic blood pressure (SBP) (P = .009), diastolic blood pressure (P = .0003), and pulse (P = .027) habituation at the second visit. Objectively rated negative conflict behavior interacted with visit to predict TNF-α (P = .025) and SBP (P = .037) responses. Positive conflict behavior did not moderate outcomes (Ps > .06). CONCLUSIONS: Stress-sensitive systems can habituate or sensitize to even nontraumatic, repetitive social stressors. Patterns of habituation or sensitization may vary by time between repetition, type of social stressor, stress-sensitive system, and participant behavior.
Depressive symptoms are not longitudinally associated with joint glycemic, blood pressure and cholesterol control among middle-aged and older adults with diabetes in USA.
Varghese NM, Varghese JS
Ann Behav Med · 2025 Jan · PMID 40036284 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Depression co-occurs with diabetes at twice the rate, relative to the general population without diabetes but it is unknown whether depression is longitudinally associated with diabetes control in the general...
BACKGROUND: Depression co-occurs with diabetes at twice the rate, relative to the general population without diabetes but it is unknown whether depression is longitudinally associated with diabetes control in the general population. PURPOSE: To characterize the longitudinal association between depressive symptoms and joint achievement of glycemic, blood pressure (BP), and cholesterol control (ABC control) among middle-aged and older adults (≥50 years) with diabetes in United States. METHODS: Data of the nationally representative Health and Retirement Study 2006-2017 were pooled across study waves conducted every 2 years. Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression (CES-D8) scale was used to assess baseline depressive symptoms (≥3 points). Joint ABC control 4 years later was ascertained using HbA1c (<7.0% [53 mmol/mol] if <65 years, <7.5% [58 mmol/mol] if ≥65 years or <8.0% [64 mmol/mol] with comorbidities), BP (systolic < 140 and diastolic < 90 mm Hg), and non-HDL cholesterol (<130 mg/dL). Survey-weighted modified Poisson regressions were used to study the association (risk ratios [RR]) of depressive symptoms with ABC control. RESULTS: The study sample consisted of 3 332 observations from 2 531 individuals (mean age: 64.4 years [SD: 8.8], 55.4% women). Depressive symptoms were neither associated with the achievement of joint ABC control (RR: 0.91 [95% CI, 0.76-1.09]) nor achievement of glycemic, BP or cholesterol control after adjusting for covariates. Findings were consistent across various subgroups defined by age, gender, baseline ABC control, medication use, and duration of diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: Baseline depressive symptoms do not compromise future diabetes management. Care models should focus on both conditions independently to potentially improve overall health.
Effectiveness of the video teach-back method in reducing kinesiophobia among patients following unilateral total hip arthroplasty: a quasi-experimental study.
Ren H, Wang S, Yin X … +6 more , Li P, Li X, Xue Y, Xin W, Wang Y, Li H
Ann Behav Med · 2025 Jan · PMID 39976323 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Kinesiophobia is a significant factor affecting the prognosis of patients with total hip arthroplasty (THA). At present, the primary intervention for kinesiophobia is a 1-way intervention process of healthcar...
BACKGROUND: Kinesiophobia is a significant factor affecting the prognosis of patients with total hip arthroplasty (THA). At present, the primary intervention for kinesiophobia is a 1-way intervention process of healthcare professionals on patients. The video teach-back method uses bidirectional information feedback to ensure high-quality health education. However, little is known about the effect of the video teach-back method on kinesiophobia in patients after unilateral THA. PURPOSE: To explore the effect of the video teach-back method on the degree of kinesiophobia, hip function, the first ambulation time, hospitalization days, and hospitalization costs in patients after THA. METHODS: This quasi-experimental study was conducted in the Department of Joint Surgery of a grade III hospital in Changchun City, Jilin Province, targeting patients with kinesiophobia following unilateral THA. A nonconcurrent control design was employed, with participants divided into an intervention group (n = 46) and a control group (n = 45). The control group received conventional care, while the intervention group received video teach-back intervention in addition to traditional care. Within 24 hours post-surgery, patients with a kinesiophobia score of more than 37 completed a general information questionnaire. Primary outcomes, including kinesiophobia and hip function, were assessed on discharge day, 1 and 3 months after surgery, and counted on the day of discharge. Repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to analyze the differences in observation indexes at different time points. Secondary outcomes included the first postoperative ambulation time, hospitalization days, and hospitalization costs. RESULTS: In comparison between the intervention group and the control group, the kinesiophobia scores and hip function scores of the patients on the discharge date, the first and third months after surgery, had a time effect (P < .001), a group effect (P < .001). The intervention group's reduction in kinesiophobia had a significant effect size (Cohen's d = 0.82) and hip function improvement also demonstrated a significant effect size (Cohen's d = 0.77). The first postoperative ambulation time in the intervention group was significantly earlier than that in the control group (P < .05, Cohen's d = 0.55), with both hospitalization days and costs lower than in the control group; the differences were statistically significant (P < .05). CONCLUSION: The intervention group showed improvements in kinesiophobia, hip function, first postoperative ambulation time, hospitalization days, and hospitalization costs. These findings suggest that the video teach-back method, as an effective intervention, can be widely applied in clinical practice. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: The trial was registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (registration number: ChiCTR2400079966).
Daily hassle effects on daily cigarette and/or e-cigarette use: the moderating effect of daily uplifts.
Lin Y, B O'Connor D, Conner M
Ann Behav Med · 2025 Jan · PMID 39970078 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Daily hassles, as minor stressful events, are common in life. However, they have received less attention in previous studies on relationships between stressful events and nicotine product use. Meanwhile, dail...
BACKGROUND: Daily hassles, as minor stressful events, are common in life. However, they have received less attention in previous studies on relationships between stressful events and nicotine product use. Meanwhile, daily uplifts have also been investigated less in research on nicotine use. PURPOSE: The current study was conducted to explore the relationships between daily measures of hassles, uplifts, and the use of nicotine products (ie, cigarettes, e-cigarettes). METHODS: This was a daily diary study. Participants completed 1 diary each day for up to 7 days. One hundred and eighty-one adults who currently use cigarettes or e-cigarettes solely or co-use both completed a total of 886 daily diary entries. Multilevel modeling was used to predict the daily use of the above nicotine products from daily hassles, daily uplifts, and their interactions. RESULTS: Daily hassles were positively associated with any daily nicotine use. There were no significant associations between daily hassles and daily cigarette use or between daily hassles and daily e-cigarette use. Daily uplifts were not directly associated with any behaviors, but daily hassles and daily uplifts showed a significant interaction in affecting any daily nicotine use, daily cigarette use, and daily e-cigarette use. In each use pattern, increasing levels of uplifts were associated with an attenuation of the relationship between hassles and the use of nicotine products. CONCLUSIONS: It may be worthwhile to explore further the effects of daily hassles and daily uplifts on nicotine product use through ecological momentary assessments.
Couple-based lifestyle intervention for minority prostate cancer survivors: a randomized feasibility trial.
Cho D, Li Y, Basen-Engquist K … +5 more , Acquati C, Nguyen NTT, Ma H, Pettaway CA, McNeill LH
Ann Behav Med · 2025 Jan · PMID 39945428 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Black and Hispanic prostate cancer (PCa) survivors, who face a high burden of comorbid conditions and often engage in low levels of physical activity and healthy eating, remain significantly underrepresented...
BACKGROUND: Black and Hispanic prostate cancer (PCa) survivors, who face a high burden of comorbid conditions and often engage in low levels of physical activity and healthy eating, remain significantly underrepresented in lifestyle intervention studies. PURPOSE: Given the significance of spousal influence, we developed a culturally tailored lifestyle intervention for these survivors and their spouses and assessed its feasibility, acceptability, and impact on behavioral change. METHODS: Survivor-spouse couples were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 22), which received 12 health-coaching calls over 6 months, or a usual-care control group (n = 9). Assessments were conducted at baseline (T1), mid-intervention (T2, month 3), and post-intervention (T3, month 6). RESULTS: The mean attendance was 10.58 sessions, and the intervention received high acceptability scores. Assessment completion rates were 84% at T2 and 81% at T3 for survivors, and 77% at T2 and 81% at T3 for spouses. Intervention group survivors showed meaningful improvements in diet quality from T1 to T2 (+ 6.56) and a clinically important increase in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) from T1 to T3 (+ 17.5 min/day on average). Intervention group spouses also showed meaningful improvements in diet quality from T1 to T2 (+ 8.19) and from T1 to T3 (+ 6.34) and MVPA from T1 to T3 (+ 17.3 min/day on average). Control group participants showed improvements in MVPA. CONCLUSIONS: This couple-based lifestyle intervention is feasible, highly accepted, and promising for improving healthy lifestyle behaviors among Black and Hispanic PCa survivors and their spouses. The results should be carefully interpreted and replicated in an adequately powered trial.
A dyadic stress induction tool for experimental investigation of adult patients with cancer and their family caregivers.
Kim Y, Carver CS, Tsai TC … +2 more , Ting A, Spiegel D
Ann Behav Med · 2025 Jan · PMID 39921341 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Medical illnesses are major stressors not only for the patients but also for their family caregivers, yet existing tools are inadequate to assess mechanistic response patterns to such stressors. PURPOSE: We s...
BACKGROUND: Medical illnesses are major stressors not only for the patients but also for their family caregivers, yet existing tools are inadequate to assess mechanistic response patterns to such stressors. PURPOSE: We sought to validate a stress induction task that pertains to close relationships and health-related concerns with adult patients with cancer and their family caregivers. METHODS: Patients newly diagnosed with colorectal cancer (n = 123, 56 years old, 34% female, 60% Hispanic, 6.5 months post-diagnosis) and their family caregivers (55 years old, 66% female, 59% Hispanic) underwent an experimental session during which both individuals imagined a scenario where one person is hit by a car (patient) and the partner (caregiver) has no means to provide or seek out help for the victim. The session consisted of 6 phases: baseline, scenario provision, speech preparation, speech by caregiver, speech by patient, and recovery. RESULTS: Results of general linear modeling with repeated measures revealed that the task induced significant affective, stress, and cardiovascular responses in both patients and caregivers. Stress reactivity and recovery patterns, however, varied by patients versus caregivers, stress induction phases, and the types of assessment. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest the newly developed stress task as an acceptable tool for studying stress regulation in medical and family contexts. With further validation, this tool may help identify psychological and physiological pathways to improve the stress coping outcomes of adult patients with cancer and their family caregivers.
Stress across the lifecourse and adult mental and physical health outcomes.
Suglia SF, Shelton RC, Factor-Litvak P … +5 more , Kezios K, Batayeh B, Cirillo P, Cohn B, Link B
Ann Behav Med · 2025 Jan · PMID 39921340 · Publisher ↗
INTRODUCTION: Economic, social, and traumatic stressors have been shown to impact mental and physical health. Few studies have considered whether different domains of stressors have a differential effect on health outcom...
INTRODUCTION: Economic, social, and traumatic stressors have been shown to impact mental and physical health. Few studies have considered whether different domains of stressors have a differential effect on health outcomes or have considered stressors across the lifecourse. We characterize stress cumulatively (life stress) and across different domains and examine their relation to adult mental and physical health using prospectively collected data from the DISPAR study. METHODS: At 4 timepoints (birth, age 9, 15, and 50), economic, relational, and traumatic stressors were assessed, and interviews were conducted between 1959 and 2012. Experiences of major discrimination were assessed at age 50. Life stress scores and domain-specific stress scores, (occurring in either childhood or adulthood), were created. The Kessler distress scale, self-reported health, and objective measured allostatic load (AL) were assessed at age 50. RESULTS: Adjusting for race and sex, life stress was associated with all 3 outcomes. Domain-specific analysis showed that only SES stressors impacted all outcomes (poorer self-rated health, higher distress, and higher AL). Relational stress was associated with distress only; experiences of discrimination were associated with poor self-rated health and distress. CONCLUSION: Stressors across the lifecourse have been proposed to affect wear and tear on multiple bodily systems and to affect multiple health outcomes. Our empirical test supported this hypothesis in a 50-year old cohort and in particular the impact of economic stress across physical and mental health outcomes.
Are the ways women cope with stressors related to their health behaviors over time?
Trudel-Fitzgerald C, Smith SG, Kubzansky LD
Ann Behav Med · 2025 Jan · PMID 39912382 · Full text
OBJECTIVE: Emerging research suggests the use of certain strategies to cope with stressors relate to disease and mortality risk, and lifestyle habits may be underlying mechanisms. Studies show psychological symptoms (eg,...
OBJECTIVE: Emerging research suggests the use of certain strategies to cope with stressors relate to disease and mortality risk, and lifestyle habits may be underlying mechanisms. Studies show psychological symptoms (eg, anxiety) and states (eg, happiness) predict the likelihood of adopting an integrated lifestyle that encompasses key health-related behaviors, like smoking. Yet, whether psychological processes, including stress-related coping, influence the adoption of a healthy lifestyle is unknown. We investigated whether coping strategies typically deemed adaptive (eg, seeking emotional support) and maladaptive (eg, denial) relate to sustaining a healthy lifestyle over a 16-year follow-up. We also explored whether variability in the use of these strategies, reflecting attempts to find the best strategy for a given stressor, subsequently relates to lifestyle. METHODS: Women (N = 46 067) from the Nurses' Health Study II cohort reported their use of 8 coping strategies in 2001, from which we also derived coping variability levels (lower, moderate, greater). Health behaviors (eg, physical activity, smoking, sleep), self-reported every 4 years from baseline until 2017, were combined into a lifestyle score. Generalized estimating equations, controlling for baseline demographics and health-related factors, were performed. RESULTS: Most adaptive strategies and greater variability levels were associated with a higher likelihood of sustaining a healthy lifestyle (eg, active coping, relative risk [RR] = 1.09, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08-1.11), with the reverse evident with maladaptive strategies (eg, behavioral disengagement, RR = 0.94, CI, 0.93-0.95), but some unexpected results also emerged. CONCLUSIONS: Findings highlight the importance of going beyond the usual (mal)adaptive categorization of coping strategies when investigating their predictive value with behavioral outcomes.
Physical activity promotion based on positive psychology: development and piloting of a novel intervention approach.
Connell Bohlen L, Oselinsky K, Vornlocher C … +6 more , Lee HH, Michels E, Dunsiger SI, Bock BC, Kahler CW, Williams DM
Ann Behav Med · 2025 Jan · PMID 39898878 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Regular physical activity (PA) is associated with positive health outcomes; however, rates of regular PA are low. Positive psychology interventions are efficacious in other health contexts and may be useful f...
BACKGROUND: Regular physical activity (PA) is associated with positive health outcomes; however, rates of regular PA are low. Positive psychology interventions are efficacious in other health contexts and may be useful for promoting regular PA. PURPOSE: Phased development and pilot/feasibility testing of a positive psychology intervention to promote PA using the ORBIT model for behavioral treatment development. METHODS: Positive psychology and PA promotion content was translated (phase 1a) and refined (phase 1b) into two 6-week, group-based treatments: Positive psychology for PA (PPPA), and a standard PA promotion comparison condition (SPA). A feasibility test (phase 2a) for PPPA only (n = 13) and piloting (phase 2b) of PPPA (n = 30) and SPA (n = 11) were conducted at local YMCAs. RESULTS: In phase 2a, participants attended 59% of treatment sessions, completed 92%-100% of assessments at mid-treatment, post-treatment, and one-month post-treatment, and 83.3% had clinically meaningful increases in PA. Following refinement, phase 2b PPPA participants attended an average of 73% of the treatment sessions, 90% completed assessments at mid-treatment, post-treatment, and 1-month post-treatment, 73% at 6-month post-treatment, and 81% had clinically meaningful increases in PA. SPA participants attended 75% of sessions, completed 58%-82% of assessments across timepoints, and 66.7% had clinically meaningful increases in PA. Across timepoints, PPPA participants reported positive changes in PA enjoyment (dppc= 0.622-0.782), and positive affect (dppc= 0.162-0.407) relative to SPA, and recommended the study to others to help increase PA (95.4%) and happiness (88.6%). CONCLUSIONS: This study supports the feasibility and acceptability of a positive-psychology-based, PA promotion intervention for increasing PA in low-active adults.
A pilot study of device-assessed physical activity and ecological momentary assessment among adolescent and young adult survivors of childhood cancer.
King-Dowling S, Harris S, Daniel LC … +5 more , Kwan MYW, Ginsberg JP, Goldmuntz E, Szalda D, Schwartz LA
Ann Behav Med · 2025 Jan · PMID 39898877 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Adolescent and young adult survivors of childhood cancer (AYA) are at risk for treatment-related late effects (eg, heart and lung problems) which may be mitigated by physical activity (PA). To design effectiv...
BACKGROUND: Adolescent and young adult survivors of childhood cancer (AYA) are at risk for treatment-related late effects (eg, heart and lung problems) which may be mitigated by physical activity (PA). To design effective, tailored PA interventions for this population, predictors and benefits of PA behavior need to be measured in real-time. PURPOSE: To examine the feasibility and acceptability of ecological momentary assessment (EMA) combined with accelerometry and explore the dynamic associations between PA and real-time physical and psychosocial factors among AYA. METHODS: AYA (N = 20, mean age = 18.9 years) recently off cancer treatment participated in a 2-week intensive monitoring protocol in which they completed up to 4 EMA surveys/day assessing current mood, pain, fatigue, arousal, PA intentions and motivation, and social-environmental context, while PA levels were passively monitored using a wrist-worn ActiGraph GT9X accelerometer. Acceptability was measured via self-report. RESULTS: EMA and accelerometry were feasible and acceptable (≥70% compliance and study endorsement) for AYA. Multilevel models showed that AYA engaged in more PA when they were away from home, with others, in a better mood, less fatigued, more energetic, and more motivated than their own average levels. Further, when AYA engaged in more PA than their usual levels in the hour before completing an EMA survey, they subsequently reported less fatigue, less pain, more energy, and a more positive mood. CONCLUSIONS: EMA and accelerometry are acceptable and feasible among AYA survivors of childhood cancer. This methodology can be utilized for understanding the real-time barriers, facilitators, and benefits of PA behaviors in this at-risk population to design effective, dynamic PA interventions.
Health-related quality of life and mental health outcomes among cancer survivors in an insomnia intervention: a randomized controlled trial.
Kwon M, Zhu J, Wilding GE … +3 more , Larkin K, Gehrman PR, Dickerson SS
Ann Behav Med · 2025 Jan · PMID 39887070 · Full text
BACKGROUND: While brief behavioral therapy for insomnia (BBTI) has shown promising results in improving sleep outcomes, its effects on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and mental health among cancer survivors have...
BACKGROUND: While brief behavioral therapy for insomnia (BBTI) has shown promising results in improving sleep outcomes, its effects on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and mental health among cancer survivors have been understudied. PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of BBTI on HRQOL and mental health outcomes among cancer survivors, relative to an attention control group receiving a healthy eating program (HEP), over periods from baseline to 12 months and from 3 to 12 months. METHODS: A sample of 132 cancer survivors with insomnia symptoms (Mage: 63.7 ± 10 years; 55.3% female) was assessed at baseline, with the final analytical sample of 121 (BBTI = 62, HEP = 59). Self-reported HRQOL, mood disturbance, depression, and anxiety at baseline, 3 months, and 12 months were examined. A multivariate linear model using least squares means evaluated within- and between-group differences. RESULTS: No significant differences in outcome variables were found between the randomized groups at any time point. Both groups showed significant improvements in total HRQOL, mood disturbance, and anxiety symptoms from baseline to 12 months. Only the BBTI group demonstrated a significant reduction in depressive symptoms within the group, an effect not observed in the HEP group. The most noticeable changes occurred within the first 3 months, with no statistically significant differences from 3 to 12 months within or between groups. CONCLUSION: While both randomized groups showed improvements in total HRQOL, mood, and anxiety symptoms, only BBTI produced significant within-group improvements in depressive symptoms over 12 months. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: https://ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03810365.
Supporting endocrine therapy adherence in women with breast cancer: findings from the ROSETA pilot fractional factorial randomized trial.
Smith SG, Green SMC, McNaught E … +20 more , Graham CD, Foy R, Ow PL, French DP, Hall LH, Wilkes H, Taylor Ba C, Ellison R, Raine E, Walwyn R, Howdon D, Clark J, Rousseau N, Buxton Ba J, Moore SJL, Waller J, Parbutt C, Velikova G, Farrin A, Collinson M
Ann Behav Med · 2025 Jan · PMID 39887069 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Adherence to adjuvant endocrine therapy (AET) in women with breast cancer is poor. Multicomponent intervention packages are needed to address adherence barriers. Optimizing these packages prior to definitive...
BACKGROUND: Adherence to adjuvant endocrine therapy (AET) in women with breast cancer is poor. Multicomponent intervention packages are needed to address adherence barriers. Optimizing these packages prior to definitive evaluation can increase their effectiveness, affordability, scalability, and efficiency. PURPOSE: To pilot procedures for an optimization-randomized controlled trial (O-RCT) of the 'Refining and Optimizing Strategies to support Endocrine Therapy Adherence' (ROSETA) intervention. METHODS: This was a multisite individually randomized external pilot trial using a 24-1 fractional factorial design (ISRCTN10487576). Breast cancer survivors prescribed AET were recruited from 5 hospitals and randomized to one of 8 conditions, each comprising a combination of 4 intervention components set to "on" or "off" (SMS messages, information leaflet, guided self-help, and self-management website). We set criteria to inform the decision to progress to an O-RCT for consent rate, component adherence, and availability of outcome measures, with predefined cutoffs for "green" (proceed), "amber" (minor changes), and "red" (major changes). RESULTS: Among 141 eligible patients, 54 (38.3%) consented (green range). At least 50.0% of participants adhered to the minimum threshold set for each intervention component (green range). Data for one of the 3 medication adherence measures were available (amber range). Most (86.8%) participants were satisfied with their trial experience. Exploratory analysis indicated some evidence of a negative main effect of the information leaflet on medication adherence (adjusted mean difference = 0.088, 95% CI, 0.018, 0.158). CONCLUSIONS: Progression to a fully powered O-RCT of the ROSETA intervention package is feasible, but review of medication adherence measures is required.
About
- Frequency
- Sun
- Papers found
- 200
- RSS feed
- Subscribe