The Effects of Rumination and Distraction Tasks on Psychophysiological Responses and Self-Reported Mood in Dysphoric and Nondysphoric Individuals

According to the response style theory of depression (Nolen-Hoeksema, 1987), the way in which individuals respond to depressed mood affects the severity and duration of that mood. Prior laboratory studies of response style have not included psychophysiological measures or investigated the relationship between ruminative response style and the conceptually-related constructs of worry and neuroticism. Dysphoric (n = 84) and nondysphoric participants (n = 86) were randomly assigned to either a rumination task (i.e., self-focused attention) or a distraction task (i.e., other-focused attention). In addition to the pre-task and post-task mood ratings used in prior response style studies, the present study included measures of worry, neuroticism and psychophysiological response. Greater psychophysiological response and self-reported depressed mood and worry were anticipated in the dysphoric ruminators as compared to the dysphoric distractors and the nondysphoric ruminators and distractors. Results supported prior findings that distraction and rumination differentially impact depressed mood in dysphoric individuals; dysphoric ruminators reported significantly higher levels of post-task depressed mood than did dysphoric distractors. Of the psychophysiological responses measured, a significant difference in post-rumination systolic blood pressure was found between nondysphoric men and women. Additionally, post-rumination worry ratings were significantly higher than the post-distraction worry ratings, regardless of initial dysphoria status. The implications of these results for future response style research are discussed

Does Behavioral Bootstrapping Boost Weight Control Confidence?: A Pilot Study

Background: Since confidence is an important predictor of ability to lose weight, methods for increasing weight-control confidence are important. The purpose of this study was to test the relationship between short-term behavior changes (`behavioral bootstrapping') and change in weight-control confidence in a small prospective weight-loss project. Methods: Data were available from 38 patients who received an initial motivational interview and a follow-up visit. Body mass index at baseline ranged from 25.5 kg/m2 to 50.4 kg/m2 (mean_=_35.8, median_=_34.4). Independent variables were change in weight (measured in kilograms in the clinic), self-reported change in minutes of physical activity, age, sex, and marital status. Minutes of physical activity were assessed at baseline and after 30 days, using the following question, _How many minutes do you exercise per week (e.g. fast walking, biking, treadmill)?_ Weights were measured in the clinic. Results: Weight change was inversely correlated with change in confidence (p_=_0.01). An increase in physical activity was associated with an increase in confidence (p_=_0.01). Age, sex, and marital status were not related to change in confidence. Independent effects of weight change and physical activity were estimated using multiple linear regression analysis: b_=_-0.44, p_=_0.04 for change in weight, and b_=_0.02, p_=_0.03 for change in physical activity (r2_=_0.28). Conclusions: Short-term changes in behavior (losing weight and exercising more) lead to increased weight-control confidence in primary-care patients.Exercise, Obesity, Weight-loss

Feasibility Testing of the Alert for AFib Intervention

Improving early detection and treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) is critical because untreated AF is a major contributor to stroke and heart failure. We sought to generate knowledge about the feasibility of conducting a randomized controlled trial to test the effect of the Alert for AFib intervention on knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about treatment-seeking for signs and symptoms of AF. Adults ≥65 years old (96% White) at risk for developing AF were randomized to receive the Alert for AFib intervention (n = 40) or an attention control session (n = 40). Feasibility goals for recruitment, participant retention, adherence, perceived satisfaction and burden, and intervention fidelity were met. From baseline to study completion, knowledge (p = .005) and attitudes (p < .001) about treatment-seeking improved more in the intervention group compared with the control group. Results support testing the effectiveness of the Alert for AFib intervention in a large trial

Supervised, Vigorous Intensity Exercise Intervention for Depressed Female Smokers

Introduction. Few studies have evaluated exercise interventions for smokers with depression or other psychiatric comorbidities. This pilot study evaluated the potential role of supervised vigorous exercise as a smoking cessation intervention for depressed females. Methods. Thirty adult women with moderate-severe depressive symptoms were enrolled and randomly assigned to 12 weeks of thrice weekly, in person sessions of vigorous intensity supervised exercise at a YMCA setting (EX; n=15) or health education (HE; n=15). All participants received behavioral smoking cessation counseling and nicotine patch therapy. Assessments were done in person at baseline, at the end of 12 weeks of treatment, and at 6 months post target-quit-date. Primary endpoints were exercise adherence (proportion of 36 sessions attended) and biochemically confirmed 7-day point prevalence abstinence at Week 12. Biomarkers of inflammation were explored for differences between treatment groups and between women continuing to smoke and those who quit at Week 12. Results. Treatment adherence was high for both groups (66% for HE and 72% for EX; p=0.55). The week 123 smoking abstinence rate was higher for EX than HE (11/15 [73%] vs. 5/15 [33%]; p=0.028), but no significant differences emerged at 6-month follow-up. Interlukin (IL6) levels increased more for smokers compared with those abstinent at Week 12 (p=0.040). Conclusions. Vigorous intensity supervised exercise is feasible and enhances smoking cessation among depressed female smokers. Innovative and cost-effective strategies to bolster long-term exercise adherence and smoking cessation need evaluation in this population. Inflammatory biomarkers could be examined in future research as mediators of treatment efficacy