Effects of Interoceptive Sensibility on Mental Health during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic

The current coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has been reported to influence interoceptive sensibility. This study focused on adaptive and maladaptive aspects of interoceptive sensibility and examined how each aspect of interoceptive sensibility affects depression, anxiety, and somatization symptoms under the mild lockdown in Japan, which was not enforceable and a non-punitive lockdown. We used data from 10,672 participants who lived in prefectures where the emergency declaration was first applied in Japan. Interoceptive sensibility was measured by the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA). The findings show that Noticing, a subscale of the MAIA, significantly contributed to the worsening of psychological and somatic symptoms (all ps < 0.001). Conversely, Not-Distracting, Not-Worrying, Self-Regulation, and Trusting significantly contributed to the decrease of these symptoms (all ps < 0.05). The findings suggest that two aspects of interoceptive sensibility affected mental health in different ways during the mild lockdown. Mindfulness and mindfulness-based interventions would be effective in terms of enhancing adaptive aspects of interoceptive sensibility

Socio-economic and behavioral characteristics associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy under a declared state of emergency in Japan

Evidence regarding coronavirus disease 2019 vaccination indicates that some people hesitate to be vaccinated, and previous studies demonstrate the variables that influence hesitancy to vaccinate. However, they have not limited the target population to areas where infection is prominent. This study aimed to clarify the characteristics of people living in these areas who hesitate to be vaccinated and recommend effective approaches to encourage vaccination. The survey was conducted online between February 24 and March 1, 2021, during which the 2nd state of emergency was declared in Japan. The analytic sample comprised 17,582 unvaccinated individuals (mean age = 48.6 ± 13.8, range = 18–90 years). The t-test results indicate that current or past treatment for physical illness exerted a strong influence on vaccine hesitancy (ds = 0.30). Similarly, multiple regression analyses revealed that understanding the importance and necessity for preventive behaviors had the greatest influence on the intention to vaccinate (β = 0.48). Regarding recommendations to promote willingness to be vaccinated, our findings indicated that clear explanation of the reasons for the necessity for these behaviors and collaboration between representatives of various communities would effectively encourage vaccination

A real-time survey on the psychological impact of mild lockdown for COVID-19 in the Japanese population

To deter the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), many countries have imposed a lockdown with restrictions. On 7 April 2020, the Japanese government declared a state of emergency over the COVID-19 outbreak. Japan was in “mild lockdown” which was not enforceable and non-punitive with the declaration. We conducted an online survey to investigate factors associated with psychological distress in the “mild lockdown” under a declared state of emergency for COVID-19. We collected data on 11,333 inhabitants (52.4% women, 46.3 ± 14.6 years) living in the seven prefectures where the declaration was first applied. The investigation dates of this study, 11 and 12 May 2020, were in the final phase of the state of emergency. The survey was conducted in real-time to minimize participants’ recall bias. In addition to psychological inventories often used worldwide, the questionnaires used in this survey included lifestyle and stress management items related to COVID-19 and various socio-demographic items including occupation (e.g. healthcare worker) or income

Alcohol Use and Its Related Psychosocial Effects during the Prolonged COVID-19 Pandemic in Japan : A Cross-Sectional Survey

We conducted a large-scale survey in the Japanese population, about one year after the initial declaration of the state of emergency, to investigate alcohol use under the prolonged coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and its related psychosocial and demographic characteristics. The survey was conducted online between 15 and 20 June 2021. A total of 11,427 participants were included in the analysis (48.5% female, 48.82 ± 13.30 years, range = 20–90 years). Compared with females, males were more prevalent in the hazardous user and the potential alcoholism group and were less prevalent in the no alcohol-related problem group. However, the prevalence of potential alcoholism among the participants in our study was higher than that previously reported. This trend was particularly pronounced in women. The presence of potential alcoholism was related to a deteriorated psychological status, particularly depression and anxiety, and various difficulties in their daily lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the future, intervention methods and systems should be developed to provide optimal assistance to people with psychological problems who are vulnerable to alcohol-related problems during the COVID-19 pandemic, while conducting further long-term follow-up studies

Social isolation and its psychosocial factors in mild lockdown for the COVID-19 pandemic : a cross-sectional survey of the Japanese population

Objective This study investigated the sociodemographic, behavioural and psychological characteristics of socially isolated individuals during the ‘mild lockdown’ period of COVID-19 in Japan. Design A cross-sectional study. Setting The seven prefectures where the emergency declaration was first applied in Japan. Participants We collected data on 11 333 individuals (52.4% women, 46.3±14.6 years) living in the seven prefectures where the emergency declaration was first applied. The online survey was performed between 11 May and 12 May 2020, in the final phase of the state of emergency. Primary outcome measures Lubben Social Network Scale (LSNS-6) Results We found that male sex (95% CI 1.60 to 1.98), middle age (95% CI 1.55 to 1.93) and lower income (eg, annual household income <2.0 million: 95% CI 2.29 to 3.54) predicted social isolation; being a student was a protective factor against social isolation (95% CI 0.26 to 0.62). In the comparisons of each item of the LSNS-6 by sociodemographic characteristics, men were more likely to have fewer people to talk to about their personal problems (95% CI −0.37 to −0.28) and to seek help from (95% CI −0.39 to −0.30), and the middle-aged group had a lower social network of friends. Additionally, social isolation was associated with decreased online interaction with familiar people (95% CI −1.28 to −1.13) and decreased optimistic thinking under mild lockdown (95% CI −0.97 to −0.86). Conclusions We identified the sociodemographic and psychological characteristics associated with social isolation under mild lockdown. These results are expected to be a useful resource for identifying which groups may require intervention to improve their social interactions in order to preserve their mental health during the pandemic

The Transition of Social Isolation and Related Psychological Factors in 2 Mild Lockdown Periods During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Japan : Longitudinal Survey Study

Background: Lockdowns and stay-at-home orders announced internationally for COVID-19 have led to physical and social distancing, with reports of many individuals experiencing social isolation (SI) and loneliness. Although the emergency declaration in Japan was declared as a “mild” lockdown requested by the government without penalties for violations, the lockdown measures, including SI, had several influences on people’s lives and mental health as in other countries. Furthermore, Japan declared a state of emergency multiple times; thus, it is necessary to examine the influence of the transition of SI caused by repeated emergency declarations and the deterioration of mental health associated with these changes. Objective: This study longitudinally investigated the transition of SI and its related factors during the mild lockdown under 2 declared states of emergency in Japan and analyzed psychosocial characteristics by extracting clusters where people with specific transition patterns of SI predominated. Methods: We collected data on 7893 inhabitants (3694 [46.8%] women, 49.6 [SD 13.7] years old) living in the 7 prefectures where the initial emergency declaration was applied. The investigations took place online in the final phase of the first and second states of emergency: phase 1 (between May 11 and 12, 2020) and phase 2 (between February 24 and 28, 2021). Nonparametric Bayesian coclustering was used to visualize the exhaustive interaction structure between the transition pattern of SI and the psychosocial variables. Results: There were no improvements in social networks and loneliness between the 2 phases, although psychological distress significantly improved and depression slightly decreased. Overall, 3868 (49%) of the 7893 participants remained socially isolated through phases 1 and 2, and 947 (12%) were socially isolated in phase 2, even though they were not socially isolated in phase 1. More participants experienced persistent SI in unmarried, childless, and low-household-income groups. The persistent-SI group had fewer cohabitants than other transition pattern groups. The nonparametric Bayesian coclustering results showed that most clusters, including participants without SI throughout phases 1 and 2, had healthy behaviors, more interactions, good relationships, and less loneliness and psychological stress. Furthermore, the cluster in which relationships deteriorated in phase 1 recovered in phase 2. Comparatively, the clusters with SI throughout phases 1 and 2 were divided into clusters with increased loneliness and psychological stress; clusters were close to participants’ average scores in this study. The clusters with increased loneliness and psychological stress were notable for deteriorating relationships and less online interaction. Conclusions: This study revealed the actual state of transition of SI and related psychological, social, and behavioral factors under repeated declarations of a state of emergency. These results should help construct intervention methods that fit individual characteristics of people in SI during a pandemic

リンショウ シンリシ オ メザス ダイガク インセイ ニ タイスル ガン ヤ カンワ ケア ニ カンスル キョウイク プログラム ノ サクセイ ノ ココロミ : イガクブ ガクセイ トノ イシキ ノ チガイ オ ヒカク シテ

We consider the necessity of providing education in advance about cancer and palliative care to graduate students that aim to become clinical psychologist. We performed a questionnaire survey about knowledge of cancer and palliative care, involvement experience with cancer patients, awareness of cancer and palliative care. Subjects of the survey were clinical psychology graduate students, medical undergraduate students and nursing undergraduate students. The results obtained were as follows: knowledge about cancer and chances of involvement with cancer patient by clinical psychology graduate students were lower than these of medical undergraduate students and nursing undergraduate students. We considered the necessity of an education program consisting in: 1.lesson on medical knowledge required to cancer care (general medical knowledge, knowledge for cancer and the knowledge of palliative care), 2.lesson about preparatory education for death, 3.lesson on knowledge required for medical team, 4.training on support for cancer patients and palliative care, 5.pre and post-guidance of their training

The Psychological Impact of ‘Mild Lockdown’ in Japan during the COVID-19 Pandemic : A Nationwide Survey under a Declared State of Emergency

This study examined the psychological distress caused by non-coercive lockdown (mild lockdown) in Japan. An online survey was conducted with 11,333 people (52.4% females; mean age = 46.3 ± 14.6 years, range = 18–89 years) during the mild lockdown in the seven prefectures most affected by COVID-19 infection. Over one-third (36.6%) of participants experienced mild-to-moderate psychological distress (Kessler Psychological Distress Scale [K6] score 5–12), while 11.5% reported serious psychological distress (K6 score ≥ 13). The estimated prevalence of depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 score ≥ 10) was 17.9%. Regarding the distribution of K6 scores, the proportion of those with psychological distress in this study was significantly higher when compared with the previous national survey data from 2010, 2013, 2016, and 2019. Healthcare workers, those with a history of treatment for mental illness, and younger participants (aged 18–19 or 20–39 years) showed particularly high levels of psychological distress. Psychological distress severity was influenced by specific interactional structures of risk factors: high loneliness, poor interpersonal relationships, COVID-19-related sleeplessness and anxiety, deterioration of household economy, and work and academic difficulties. Even when non-coercive lockdowns are implemented, people’s mental health should be considered, and policies to prevent mental health deterioration are needed. Cross-disciplinary public–private sector efforts tailored to each individual’s problem structure are important to address the mental health issues arising from lockdown

膵癌患者におけるS-1血中濃度推移と副作用、治療効果に関する検討

金沢大学附属病院【目的】膵癌患者に対し、S-1単独療法、S-1併用放射線化学療法、ゲムシタビン+S-1併用療法施行時における、S-1(5-FU、ギメラシル、オテラシル)の血中濃度を測定し、血中濃度と副作用発現状況、治療効果について調査し、適切な投与量、投与方法の検討を目的とする。【研究方法】膵癌患者に対し、測定用採血は可能な限り少なくとも投与前に実施した。採血後は低温下にて迅速に遠心分離し、測定まで-30℃にて保存した。測定は、5-FUはGC-MS法を用いて行なった。副作用については、同意取得時から基本的には化学療法終了1ヶ月後までを調査し、CTC-AEversion3.0にて評価した。抗腫瘍効果については、化学療法開始前のCTと化学療法終了後のCTでの画像よりRECISTを用いて医師が評価を行った。加えて腫瘍マーカーの推移についても調査を行なった。【結果】測定可能患者は5症例であり、そのうち膵癌は3例、胃癌1例、原発不明癌1例であった。測定はトラフ値のみ実施し、その値は61.0±37.1ng/mLであった。効果判定結果は膵癌3例はいずれもSDであり、原発不明癌1例ではPD、胃癌1例は効果あり(RECIST評価なし)と判定された。腫瘍マーカーに関しては3例において低下傾向を示した。副作用については、吐き気、食欲不振、骨髄抑制を認めるもいずれもG3以上の副作用の発現はなく、1例において吐き気により休薬したが、その後再開された。症例数が少ないためトラフ値濃度と抗腫瘍効果、副作用の発現について詳細な検討はできなかったが、膵癌においては28.7～123ng/mLと個人差が大きいものの、3例ともに効果はSDであり、効果は得られていると考えられた。一方、副作用においては休薬が設定された1例のトラフ値は63.4ng/mLであり、特別高い数値を示しているわけではなかった。研究課題/領域番号:20926016, 研究期間(年度):2008出典：「膵癌患者におけるS-1血中濃度推移と副作用、治療効果に関する検討」研究成果報告書　課題番号20926016（KAKEN：科学研究費助成事業データベース（国立情報学研究所））（https://kaken.nii.ac.jp/ja/grant/KAKENHI-PROJECT-20926016/)を加工して作

Mental health and social isolation under repeated mild lockdowns in Japan

The influence of repeated lockdowns on mental health and social isolation is unknown. We conducted a longitudinal study of the influence of repeated mild lockdowns during two emergency declarations in Japan, in May 2020 and February 2021. The analyses included 7893 people who participated in all online surveys. During repeated mild lockdowns, mental and physical symptoms decreased overall, while loneliness increased and social networks decreased. Subgroup analyses revealed that depression and suicidal ideation did not decrease only in the younger age group (aged 18–29 years) and that younger and middle-aged people (aged 18–49 years), women, people with a history of treatment for mental illness, and people who were socially disadvantaged in terms of income had higher levels of mental and physical symptoms at all survey times. Additionally, comprehensive extraction of the interaction structure between depression, demographic attributes, and psychosocial variables indicated that loneliness and social networks were most closely associated with depression. These results indicate that repeated lockdowns have cumulative negative effects on social isolation and loneliness and that susceptible populations, such as young people and those with high levels of loneliness, require special consideration during repeated lockdown situations