Physical activity and mental health in caregivers of mental ill patients in Greece

The present study is one of the first attempts to examine the connection of physical activity with the mental health of people that care for family members with mental illness. Caregiving is a load with negative effects on well-being but caring for a family member with mental illness results to a higher psychological burden, due to other factors involved (i.e. stigma). Physical activity and exercise have been found to be variables that lead to better quality of life for caregivers in many chronic illnesses. The participants of the study were 300 caregivers of patients with mental illness – family members (96 men, 204 women) of a mean age 60.64 (±10.08) years old. They were administered the Leisure Time Physical Activity questionnaire and according to their responses, they were divided in two groups: physically active and sedentary. Mental health was assessed using the DASS 21 questionnaire, with three subscales: depression, anxiety and stress. According to the results of the one-way MANOVA, physically active caregivers had a better score than their sedentary counterparts on all three DASS 21 subscales: anxiety (p < .001), stress (p < .01), depressive symptoms (p < .001). According to the results, physical activity and exercise of even low intensity, seems to play an important role on caregivers’ mental health by leading to reduced stress, anxiety and depressive symptoms. Although more research is needed in this area, it seems that physical activity interventions should be considered as an additional type of support offered to caregivers of mental ill patients

Self-Assessment of Health Professionals’ Cultural Competence:Knowledge, Skills, and Mental Health Concepts for Optimal Health Care

Current research often refers to cultural competence to improve health care delivery. In addition, it focuses on the cultural uniqueness of each health service user for optimal personalized care. This study aimed to collect self-assessment data from health professionals regarding their cultural competence and to identify their development needs. A mixed methods design was adopted using the Cultural Competence Self-assessment Checklist of the Central Vancouver Island Multicultural Society. This was translated into Greek, validated, and then shared with health professionals in Cyprus. Subsequently, a semi-structured interview guide was designed and utilized. This was structured in exactly the same question categories as the questionnaire. Data collection took place between October 2021 and May 2022, and convenience sampling was used to recruit 499 health scientists in Cyprus. The sample comprised doctors, nurses, psychologists, midwives, social workers, and physiotherapists. Subsequently, 62 interviews were conducted with participants from the same specialties. The results showed that (compared to other health professionals) nurses and psychologists are more sensitive to issues of cultural competence. It would appear that the more socially oriented sciences had better-prepared healthcare staff to manage diversity in context. However, there is a gap between knowledge and skills when comparing doctors to nurses; they seem to be more skilled and willing to intervene actively in cases of racist behavior or problem-solving. In conclusion, participants identified the importance of their cultural competence; they also realized the importance of optimal planning of personalized health care. There is a significant need for continuous and specialized cultural competence training for all health professions

The tribulations of trials: Lessons learnt recruiting 777 older adults into REtirement in ACTion (REACT), a trial of a community, group-based active ageing intervention targeting mobility disability

© The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Gerontological Society of America. BACKGROUND: Challenges of recruitment to randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and successful strategies to overcome them should be clearly reported to improve recruitment into future trials. REtirement in ACTion (REACT) is a United Kingdom-based multicenter RCT recruiting older adults at high risk of mobility disability to a 12-month group-based exercise and behavior maintenance program or to a minimal Healthy Aging control intervention. METHODS: The recruitment target was 768 adults, aged 65 years and older scoring 4-9 on the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). Recruitment methods include the following: (a) invitations mailed by general practitioners (GPs); (b) invitations distributed via third-sector organizations; and (c) public relations (PR) campaign. Yields, efficiency, and costs were calculated. RESULTS: The study recruited 777 (33.9% men) community-dwelling, older adults (mean age 77.55 years (SD 6.79), mean SPPB score 7.37 (SD 1.56)), 95.11% white (n = 739) and broadly representative of UK quintiles of deprivation. Over a 20-month recruitment period, 25,559 invitations were issued. Eighty-eight percent of the participants were recruited via GP invitations, 5.4% via the PR campaign, 3% via word-of-mouth, and 2.5% via third-sector organizations. Mean recruitment cost per participant was £78.47, with an extra £26.54 per recruit paid to GPs to cover research costs. CONCLUSIONS: REACT successfully recruited to target. Response rates were lower than initially predicted and recruitment timescales required adjustment. Written invitations from GPs were the most efficient method for recruiting older adults at risk of mobility disability. Targeted efforts could achieve more ethnically diverse cohorts. All trials should be required to provide recruitment data to enable evidence-based planning of future trials

Effects of home confinement on mental health and lifestyle behaviours during the COVID-19 outbreak:insights from the ECLB-COVID19 multicentre study

Although recognised as effective measures to curb the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak, social distancing and self-isolation have been suggested to generate a burden throughout the population. To provide scientific data to help identify risk factors for the psychosocial strain during the COVID-19 outbreak, an international cross-disciplinary online survey was circulated in April 2020. This report outlines the mental, emotional and behavioural consequences of COVID-19 home confinement. The ECLB-COVID19 electronic survey was designed by a steering group of multidisciplinary scientists, following a structured review of the literature. The survey was uploaded and shared on the Google online survey platform and was promoted by thirty-five research organizations from Europe, North Africa, Western Asia and the Americas. Questions were presented in a differential format with questions related to responses “before” and “during” the confinement period. 1047 replies (54% women) from Western Asia (36%), North Africa (40%), Europe (21%) and other continents (3%) were analysed. The COVID-19 home confinement evoked a negative effect on mental wellbeing and emotional status (P < 0.001; 0.43 ≤ d ≤ 0.65) with a greater proportion of individuals experiencing psychosocial and emotional disorders (+10% to +16.5%). These psychosocial tolls were associated with unhealthy lifestyle behaviours with a greater proportion of individuals experiencing (i) physical (+15.2%) and social (+71.2%) inactivity, (ii) poor sleep quality (+12.8%), (iii) unhealthy diet behaviours (+10%), and (iv) unemployment (6%). Conversely, participants demonstrated a greater use (+15%) of technology during the confinement period. These findings elucidate the risk of psychosocial strain during the COVID-19 home confinement period and provide a clear remit for the urgent implementation of technology-based intervention to foster an Active and Healthy Confinement Lifestyle AHCL)

Globally altered sleep patterns and physical activity levels by confinement in 5056 individuals:ECLB COVID-19 international online survey

Symptoms of psychological distress and disorder have been widely reported in people under quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic; in addition to severe disruption of peoples' daily activity and sleep patterns. This study investigates the association between physical-activity levels and sleep patterns in quarantined individuals. An international Google online survey was launched in April 6th, 2020 for 12-weeks. Forty-one research organizations from Europe, North-Africa, Western-Asia, and the Americas promoted the survey through their networks to the general society, which was made available in 14 languages. The survey was presented in a differential format with questions related to responses "before" and "during" the confinement period. Participants responded to the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaire and the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. 5056 replies (59.4% female), from Europe (46.4%), Western-Asia (25.4%), America (14.8%) and North-Africa (13.3%) were analysed. The COVID-19 home confinement led to impaired sleep quality, as evidenced by the increase in the global PSQI score (4.37 +/- 2.71 before home confinement vs. 5.32 +/- 3.23 during home confinement) (p &lt; 0.001). The frequency of individuals experiencing a good sleep decreased from 61% (n = 3063) before home confinement to 48% (n = 2405) during home confinement with highly active individuals experienced better sleep quality (p &lt; 0.001) in both conditions. Time spent engaged in all physical-activity and the metabolic equivalent of task in each physical-activity category (i.e., vigorous, moderate, walking) decreased significantly during COVID-19 home confinement (p &lt; 0.001). The number of hours of daily-sitting increased by similar to 2 hours/days during home confinement (p &lt; 0.001). COVID-19 home confinement resulted in significantly negative alterations in sleep patterns and physical-activity levels. To maintain health during home confinement, physical-activity promotion and sleep hygiene education and support are strongly warranted.</p

Sleep Quality and Physical Activity as Predictors of Mental Wellbeing Variance in Older Adults during COVID-19 Lockdown:ECLB COVID-19 International Online Survey

Background. The COVID-19 lockdown could engender disruption to lifestyle behaviors, thus impairing mental wellbeing in the general population. This study investigated whether sociodemographic variables, changes in physical activity, and sleep quality from pre- to during lockdown were predictors of change in mental wellbeing in quarantined older adults. Methods. A 12-week international online survey was launched in 14 languages on 6 April 2020. Forty-one research institutions from Europe, Western-Asia, North-Africa, and the Americas, promoted the survey. The survey was presented in a differential format with questions related to responses "pre" and "during" the lockdown period. Participants responded to the Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaire, and the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Results. Replies from older adults (aged &gt;55 years, n = 517), mainly from Europe (50.1%), Western-Asia (6.8%), America (30%), and North-Africa (9.3%) were analyzed. The COVID-19 lockdown led to significantly decreased mental wellbeing, sleep quality, and total physical activity energy expenditure levels (all p &lt; 0.001). Regression analysis showed that the change in total PSQI score and total physical activity energy expenditure (F-(2,F- 514) = 66.41 p &lt; 0.001) were significant predictors of the decrease in mental wellbeing from pre- to during lockdown (p &lt; 0.001, R-2: 0.20). Conclusion. COVID-19 lockdown deleteriously affected physical activity and sleep patterns. Furthermore, change in the total PSQI score and total physical activity energy expenditure were significant predictors for the decrease in mental wellbeing.</p

Examination of parental involvement in Greek female athletes

The purpose of this study was to examine perceived and desired parental involvement in female sports in Greece. The parental involvement in sport questionnaire was administrated to 383 female former and current athletes (mean age 20.33 years, competitive experience 7.10 years) from different sports (rhythmic gymnastics, artistic gymnastics, swimming, basketball, volleyball, track and field). The questionnaire assessed athletes’ perception about their parental involvement (directive behavior, praise and understanding, active involvement, pressure) and their desired parental involvement. The results showed that athletes in rhythmic, artistic gymnastics and swimming scored higher in praise and understanding, rhythmic and artistic gymnastics athletes perceived higher active involvement than desired and rhythmic gymnastics athletes perceived higher directive behavior than desired. Athletes in specializing phase desired more parental praise and understanding. Finally, pressure was predicted from all parental involvement variables. As parental involvement differs between sports, the results are discussed in order to minimize the negative influence of parental involvement in each sport

Contribution to the study of immune function of depressed patients

OBJECTIVE The present study was designed with the aim to investigate an extended panel of parameters of immune function at the same population of depressed patients in comparison to non depressed biologically healthy individuals. MATERIALS AND METHODS In the study 47 patients (9 men and 38 women) diagnosed with endogenous depressive disorder, HDRS > 20 were included, as well as, 26 healthy controls (5 men and 21 women). Flow cytometry was used to investigate the phagocytic capacity and the oxidative burst of monocytes and polymorphonuclear cells. Furthermore, an immunophenotypic analysis was conducted on leukocytes and their subpopulations by assessing the expression of specific cell surface markers with the use of the appropriate monoclonal antibodies. The levels of the cytokines IL-6, IL-1α, IL-1β and TNF-α were determined with both the Elispot assay and with the use of Multiplexed Particle-based Flow cytometry. Finally, the levels of CRP, SAA and α1-antitrypsin (all acute phase proteins) were determined by nefelemotry. RESULTS A statistically significant increase of the absolute number of leykocytes (p = 0,006), neutrophils (p = 0,003) and monocytes (p = 0,001) was observed at the depressed patients. Specifically, on monocytes the expression of CD25 (p = 0,020) and the mean fluorescence intensity (pi) of CD62L (p = 0,031) were found increased and decreased respectively in depressed patients. On the neutrophils both the expression and the pi of CD69 (p = 0,027) as well as the expression of CD11a (p = 0,05) were found increased in depressed patients. The T-helper cells of the depressed patients showed increased expression of CD45RΟ (p = 0,007), reduction of CD45RA (p = 0,048) expression, decreased HLA-DR pi (p = 0,023) and increased CD69 pi (p =0,024). The expression of HLA-DR (p = 0,032) and of CD16 (p =0,032) as well as the CD18 pi (p = 0,053) were found increased on the T-cytolytic cells. The phagocytic capacity and the oxidative burst of monocytes and polymorphonuclear cells was found decreased (p = 0,0001) on depressed patients. A statistically significant increase was found on the production of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) on depressed patients, an observation confirmed by the results of both the Elispot assay and Multiplexed Particle-based Flow cytometry. CONCLUSION A diffuse activation of the immune cells, especially the innate immunity ones, of depressed patients was observed. It is possible that on the one hand the above activation is a product of the action of mediators that derive from the CNS of the depressed patients and on the other that it contributes to the initiation of an inflammatory reaction that might accompany the depressive state. The observed reduction of phagocytic capacity and oxidative burst of monocytes and polymorphonuclear cells as well as the reduced number of naive T-helper lymphocytes might indicate the impaired ability of the patients to respond against at least certain pathogens. In this sense, their susceptibility towards infections should not be underestimated.ΣΚΟΠΟΣ Η παρούσα μελέτη σχεδιάστηκε με σκοπό την ταυτόχρονη μελέτη μιας σειράς παραμέτρων της ανοσιακής λειτουργίας στον ίδιο πληθυσμό καταθλιπτικών ασθενών, σε σύγκριση με μη καταθλιπτικούς βιολογικά υγιείς μάρτυρες. ΥΛΙΚΟ-ΜΕΘΟΔΟΙ Το υλικό αποτέλεσαν 47 ασθενείς (9 άνδρες και 38 γυναίκες) με κατάθλιψη και HDRS > 20, καθώς και 26 μάρτυρες (5 άνδρες και 21 γυναίκες). Έγινε ανοσοφαινοτυπικός προσδιορισμός των υποπληθυσμών των λευκοκυττάρων και μελέτη της έκφρασης μορίων διαφοροποίησης και ενεργοποίησης σε κάθε ένα από αυτούς τους πληθυσμούς. Μελετήθηκε με τη μέθοδο Elispot και τη μέθοδο της μικροσφαιριδιακής κυτταρομετρίας η ικανότητα των μονοκυττάρων για αυτόματη και μετά από διέγερση παραγωγή των κυτταροκινων IL-6, IL-1α, IL-1β και TNF-α. Ελέγχθηκε η ικανότητα των μονοκυττάρων και των πολυμορφοπύρηνων για φαγοκυττάρωση και η επάρκεια της οξειδωτικής τους έκρηξης. Τέλος έγινε νεφελομετρικός προσδιορισμός των πρωτεϊνών οξείας φάσεως CRP, αμυλοειδές Α του ορού και α1-αντιθρυψίνη. ΑΠΟΤΕΛΕΣΜΑΤΑ Η ανάλυση έδειξε ότι στους καταθλιπτικούς υπάρχει αύξηση των λευκοκυττάρων (p = 0,006), των ουδετερόφιλων (p = 0,003) και των μονοκυττάρων (p = 0,001) συγκριτικά με τους μάρτυρες. Ειδικότερα στους καταθλιπτικούς ασθενείς παρατηρήθηκε συγκριτικά με τους μάρτυρες: στα μονοκύτταρα αύξηση της έκφραση του CD25 (p = 0,020) και μείωση της έντασης φθορισμού (pi) του CD62L (p = 0,031), στα πολυμορφοπύρηνα αύξηση της έκφρασης (p = 0,013) και του pi του CD69 (p = 0,027) και αύξηση της έκφρασης του CD11a (p = 0,05), στα βοηθητικά Τ-λεμφοκύτταρα αύξηση της έκφρασης του CD45RΟ (p = 0,007), μείωση της έκφρασης του CD45RA (p = 0,048), μείωση του pi του HLA-DR (p = 0,023) και αύξηση του pi του CD69 (p =0,024), στα κυτταρολυτικά Τ-λεμφοκύτταρα αύξηση της έκφρασης του HLA-DR (p = 0,032) και του CD16 (p =0,032) και αύξηση του pi του CD18 (p = 0,053). Όσον αφορά τα ΝΚ κύτταρα και τα Β-λεμφοκύτταρα δεν παρατηρήθηκαν στατιστικά σημαντικές διαφορές. Η ικανότητα των μονοκυττάρων και των πολυμορφοπύρηνων να φαγοκυτταρώνουν βακτήρια και να τα καταστρέφουν μέσω του μηχανισμού οξειδωτικής έκρηξης, βρέθηκε ότι στους καταθλιπτικούς υπολείπεται σε στατιστικά σημαντικό επίπεδο (p = 0,0001) συγκριτικά με τους μάρτυρες. Η παραγωγή φλεγμονωδών κυτταροκινών (IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) στους καταθλιπτικούς βρέθηκε στατιστικά σημαντικά αυξημένη σε σχέση με τους μάρτυρες. ΣΥΜΠΕΡΑΣΜΑΤΑ Στους καταθλιπτικούς ασθενείς παρατηρείται διάχυτη ενεργοποίηση των κυττάρων του ανοσιακού συστήματος και κυρίως των κυττάρων της φυσικής ανοσίας. Είναι πιθανό ότι η ενεργοποίηση αυτή προέρχεται αφενός από μεσολαβητές που παράγονται στο ΚΝΣ αυτών των ασθενών και αφετέρου συμβάλει στην ανάπτυξη της φλεγμονώδους αντίδρασης που πιθανολογείται ότι συνοδεύει τη νόσο. Η παρατηρούμενη μείωση της φαγοκυτταρικής ικανότητας των πολυμορφοπυρήνων και των μονοκυττάρων, καθώς και η μείωση των παρθένων βοηθητικών Τ-λεμφοκυττάρων αποτελούν αρκετά ισχυρές ενδείξεις ότι η ικανότητα αυτών των ασθενών να αντιμετωπίσουν ορισμένα τουλάχιστον παθογόνα είναι σημαντικά μειωμένη. Κατά τούτο, η ευπάθειά τους προς τις λοιμώξεις δεν μπορεί να αποκλειστεί

Physical Activity, Body Image, and Emotional Intelligence Differences in Adults with Overweight and Obesity

Physical activity (PA) and emotional intelligence (EI) are integral parts of human nature. Body image (BI) and body mass index (BMI) may be indications of the psycho-emotional and physical health of human beings. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between PA and EI of Greek adults living with overweight and obesity, as well as to identify the BI and EI differences in this population. A cross-sectional study design was used, involving 216 participants (65% females) of whom 51.4% were young adults (20–40 years), 48.6% were middle-aged adults (41–60 years), while 51.4% of participants were living with overweight or obesity. According to the results, all indicators of PA had very low correlations with EI factors, while statistically significant correlations were observed only for PA at work and the total score of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire with the use of emotions (r = 0.16 and r = 0.17, respectively, p < 0.05). Women had significantly higher EI scores than men regarding the care and empathy factor, while the individuals with obesity had lower scores in the use of emotions factor. Regarding BI, young adults who were satisfied with their BI had better control of feelings than the middle-aged adult counterparts. In conclusion, BI satisfaction and EI may differ between individuals living with overweight and obesity in both genders. Younger individuals with obesity may compensate better for their BI and better control their emotions. On the other side, PA does not seem to have an important role in these associations

Elite performance in rhythmic gymnastics : do the changes in code of points affect the role of abilities ?

Le but de cette étude est d'identifier la relation entre certaines capacités cognitives , perceptuelles et motrices et la performance en compétition de GRS, en comparant les résultats avec ceux de l'étude ayant eu lieu avant les modifications du code de pointage intervenues de 1998 à 200