PMID: 

J Psychosom Res. 2016 10 ;89:1-6. Epub 2016 Jul 26. PMID: 27663102

Abstract Title: 

Mindfulness meditation for insomnia: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: Insomnia is a widespread and debilitating condition that affects sleep quality and daily productivity. Although mindfulness meditation (MM) has been suggested as a potentially effective supplement to medical treatment for insomnia, no comprehensively quantitative research has been conducted in this field. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis on the findings of related randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the effects of MM on insomnia.METHODS: Related publications in PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library and PsycINFO were searched up to July 2015. To calculate the standardized mean differences (SMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), we used a fixed effect model when heterogeneity was negligible and a random effect model when heterogeneity was significant.RESULTS: A total of 330 participants in 6 RCTs that met the selection criteria were included in this meta-analysis. Analysis of overall effect revealed that MM significantly improved total wake time and sleep quality, but had no significant effects on sleep onset latency, total sleep time, wake after sleep onset, sleep efficiency, total wake time, ISI, PSQI and DBAS. Subgroup analyses showed that although there were no significant differences between MM and control groups in terms of total sleep time, significant effects were found in total wake time, sleep onset latency, sleep quality, sleep efficiency, and PSQI global score (absolute value of SMD range: 0.44-1.09, all p

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PMID: 

Neuroimage. 2017 09 ;158:18-25. Epub 2017 Jun 27. PMID: 28663069

Abstract Title: 

Meditation is associated with increased brain network integration.

Abstract: 

INTRODUCTION: This study aims to identify novel quantitative EEG measures associated with mindfulness meditation. As there is some evidence that meditation is associated with higher integration of brain networks, we focused on EEG measures of network integration.METHODS: Sixteen novice meditators and sixteen experienced meditators participated in the study. Novice meditators performed a basic meditation practice that supported effortless awareness, which is an important quality of experience related to mindfulness practices, while their EEG was recorded. Experienced meditators performed a self-selected meditation practice that supported effortless awareness. Network integration was analyzed with maximum betweenness centrality and leaf fraction (which both correlate positively with network integration) as well as with diameter and average eccentricity (which both correlate negatively with network integration), based on a phase-lag index (PLI) and minimum spanning tree (MST) approach. Differences between groups were assessed using repeated-measures ANOVA for the theta (4-8 Hz), alpha (8-13 Hz) and lower beta (13-20 Hz) frequency bands.RESULTS: Maximum betweenness centrality was significantly higher in experienced meditators than in novices (P = 0.012) in the alpha band. In the same frequency band, leaf fraction showed a trend toward being significantly higher in experienced meditators than in novices (P = 0.056), while diameter and average eccentricity were significantly lower in experienced meditators than in novices (P = 0.016 and P = 0.028 respectively). No significant differences between groups were observed for the theta and beta frequency bands.CONCLUSION: These results show that alpha band functional network topology is better integrated in experienced meditators than in novice meditators during meditation. This novel finding provides the rationale to investigate the temporal relation between measures of functional connectivity network integration and meditation quality, for example using neurophenomenology experiments.

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PMID: 

Holist Nurs Pract. 2017 Nov/Dec;31(6):369-377. PMID: 29028775

Abstract Title: 

The Effect of Progressive Relaxation Exercises on Fatigue and Sleep Quality in Individuals With COPD.

Abstract: 

This randomized controlled experimental study was conducted to investigate the effect of progressive muscle relaxation exercises on dyspnea, fatigue, and sleep quality in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. A Descriptive Questionnaire and the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Asthma Fatigue Scale, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Asthma Sleep Scale and Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale were used for data collection. The decrease in the mean dyspnea, fatigue, and sleep scores in the intervention group was statistically significantly more pronounced than the patients in the control group (P

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PMID: 

Am J Health Promot. 2014 Sep-Oct;29(1):23-8. Epub 2013 Nov 7. PMID: 24200249

Abstract Title: 

The effects of short-term relaxation therapy on indices of heart rate variability and blood pressure in young adults.

Abstract: 

PURPOSE: Assessment of short-term practice of relaxation therapy on autonomic and cardiovascular functions in first-year medical students.DESIGN: Case-control, interventional study.SETTING: Medical college laboratory.SUBJECTS: Sixty-seven medical students, divided into two groups: study group (n = 35) and control group (n = 32).INTERVENTION: Study group subjects practiced relaxation therapy (shavasana with a soothing background music) daily 1 hour for 6 weeks. Control group did not practice relaxation techniques.MEASURES: Cardiovascular parameters and spectral indices of heart rate variability (HRV) were recorded before and after the 6-week practice of relaxation therapy.ANALYSIS: The data between the groups and the data before and after practice of relaxation techniques were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and Student t-test. In the study group, prediction of low-frequency to high-frequency ratio (LF-HF) of HRV, the marker of sympathovagal balance, to blood pressure (BP) status was assessed by logistic regression.RESULTS: In the study group, there was significant reduction in heart rate (p = .0001), systolic (p = .0010) and diastolic (p = .0021) pressure, and rate pressure product (p

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PMID: 

J Intellect Disabil. 2016 Sep ;20(3):228-40. Epub 2015 Sep 28. PMID: 26420821

Abstract Title: 

Relaxation therapy and anxiety, self-esteem, and emotional regulation among adults with intellectual disabilities: A randomized controlled trial.

Abstract: 

This pilot study is a randomized controlled trial on the effects of relaxation on anxiety, self-esteem, and emotional regulation in adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) working in a center of supported employment in France. We studied 30 adults with mild or moderate ID who were split at random into a relaxation group (RG, 15 subjects), who completed 10 sessions of relaxation therapy, and a control group (CG, 15 subjects), who were on a waiting list. The method used is the pretest and posttest. Variables were assessed by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory form Y scale, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem scale, and the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire. We found that in the RG, relaxation significantly reduced state anxiety, t(14, 15) = 17.8***, d = -0.72, and improved self-esteem, t(14, 15) = -7.7***, d = 1.03, and cognitive reappraisal, t(14, 15) = -6.3***, d = 1.3, while the CG showed no change for these variables. We conclude that relaxation seems to be an interesting therapeutic option for reducing anxiety in people with ID in a supported employment setting.

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PMID: 

Arch Psychiatr Nurs. 2018 Apr ;32(2):278-284. Epub 2017 Nov 21. PMID: 29579524

Abstract Title: 

Effects of Relaxation Therapy on Anxiety Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Abstract: 

AIM: To explore the effect of relaxation therapy applied to people with anxiety disorders.METHODS: Systematic review with meta-analysis.RESULTS: Sixteen Randomized Control Trials (RCTs) were included for meta-analysis to determine the effect of relaxation therapy. The overall effect of relaxation therapy on symptom of anxiety was significant with Hedges' g=0.62 (95% CI: 0.42-0.81), which indicates a medium-high effect; heterogeneity was statistically significant with I=48.84. Subgroup analysis exploring the possible causes of heterogeneity found that types of comparison of TAU and CBT was significant (Q=4.20, p=0.04). The effect of relaxation therapy on symptoms of depression, phobia, and worry was significant; Hedges' g=0.44 (95% CI: 0.30-0.59), 0.40 (95% CI: 0.06-0.75), 0.54 (95% CI: 0.28-0.79), respectively.CONCLUSION: The results of this study provide evidence for the effectiveness of relaxation therapy for people with anxiety disorders. Therefore, relaxation therapy can be selected as a useful intervention for reducing negative emotions in people with anxiety disorders.

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PMID: 

Pharm Biol. 2019 Dec ;57(1):65-73. PMID: 30707852

Abstract Title: 

GABA and l-theanine mixture decreases sleep latency and improves NREM sleep.

Abstract: 

CONTEXT: γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter and it is well established that activation of GABAreceptors favours sleep. l-Theanine, a naturally occurring amino acid first discovered in green tea, is a well-known anti-anxiety supplement with proven relaxation benefits.OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the potential synergistic sleep enhancement effect of GABA/l-theanine mixture.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pentobarbital-induced sleep test was applied to find proper concentration for sleep-promoting effect in ICR mice. Electroencephalogram (EEG) analysis was performed to investigate total sleeping time and sleep quality in normal SD rats and caffeine-induced awareness model. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was applied to investigate whether the sleep-promoting mechanism of GABA/l-theanine mixture involved transcriptional processes.RESULTS: GABA/l-theanine mixture (100/20 mg/kg) showed a decrease in sleep latency (20.7 and 14.9%) and an increase in sleep duration (87.3 and 26.8%) compared to GABA or theanine alone. GABA/l-theanine mixture led to a significant increase in rapid eye movement (REM) (99.6%) and non-REM (NREM) (20.6%) compared to controls. The use of GABA/l-theanine mixture rather than GABA or l-theanine alone restored to normal levels sleep time and quality in the arousal animal model. The administration of GABA/l-theanine led to increased expression of GABA and the glutamate GluN1 receptor subunit.CONCLUSIONS: GABA/l-theanine mixture has a positive synergistic effect on sleep quality and duration as compared to the GABA or l-theanine alone. The increase in GABA receptor and GluN1 expression is attributed to the potential neuromodulatory properties of GABA/l-theanine combination, which seems to affect sleep behaviour.

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PMID: 

S Afr J Physiother. 2019 ;75(1):476. Epub 2019 Jul 24. PMID: 31392289

Abstract Title: 

The short-term effects of hydrotherapy on pain and self-perceived functional status in individuals living with osteoarthritis of the knee joint.

Abstract: 

Background: People living with knee osteoarthritis (OA) commonly present with difficulty in walking long distances, ascending and descending stairs or rising from sitting. These functional limitations have been shown to have a negative effect on their overall activities of daily living.Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of a 4-week hydrotherapy programme on measures of pain and self-perceived functional status in individuals living with knee OA.Method: A total of 18 participants with chronic knee OA participated in this study. Participants completed 4 weeks of hydrotherapeutic intervention provided by an independent physiotherapist. Outcome measures for the study included pain assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS) and self-perceived functional status using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Outcome measures were assessed at baseline and after the 4 weeks of intervention.Results: The 4-week hydrotherapy programme resulted in a significant decrease in pain and a significant improvement in self-perceived functional status in all participants. There was a statistically significant mean decrease in VAS scores of 3.72 (± 2.45),≤ 0.05, with a 95% confidence interval ranging from 2.506 to 4.938. There was also a statistically significant mean decrease in WOMAC scores of 29.5 (± 15.51),≤ 0.05. with a 95% confidence interval ranging from 21.788 to 37.212.Conclusion: This study demonstrated that a 4-week hydrotherapeutic exercise programme results in significantly reduced pain and improved self-perceived functional status in individuals living with knee OA.Clinical implications: Four weeks of hydrotherapy exercises twice a week in a heated pool can significantly decrease pain and improve functional status in individuals with knee OA.

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PMID: 

Complement Med Res. 2019 ;26(4):258-264. Epub 2019 Mar 27. PMID: 30921795

Abstract Title: 

Is the Duration of Spa Cure Treatment Important in Knee Osteoarthritis? A Randomized Controlled Study.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: Spa therapies are applied in varying durations. Today, the duration of spa therapy may be long for people with active lives. How should we determine the duration of treatment in order to minimize therapy costs and loss of labor force? Does the duration of treatment have an impact on pain, functional status, and quality of life of patients?OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to investigate the role of application time on the efficacy of spa therapy in individuals undergoing the same treatment protocol.METHODS: This was a randomized, controlled, single-blind clinical trial design. Sixty individuals were divided into two groups: 3 weeks of therapy (group 1) and 2 weeks of therapy (group 2). Pretreatment, posttreatment, and 30-day posttreatment findings were recorded using a visual analog scale (VAS), the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP).RESULTS: The measurements revealed significant improvement after treatment compared to those observed prior to the treatment in both groups, except for the social isolation subgroup. When the groups were compared to each other, significant improvement was observed in pain (VAS, WOMAC, NHP) in favor of group 1 at all measurement times.CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that spa therapy has positive effects on pain, physical activity, and quality of life in patients, and 15 sessions of therapy had even better effects on pain. We believe that the duration of therapy should be determined considering the efficacy of the therapy on pain as well as the functional situation and quality of life of patients regarding therapy costs.

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PMID: 

J Chiropr Med. 2018 Mar ;17(1):44-53. Epub 2018 Mar 1. PMID: 29628808

Abstract Title: 

Dietary Fiber Intake and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: An Umbrella Review of Meta-analyses.

Abstract: 

Objective: The purpose of this study was to review previously published meta-analyses on the effectiveness of dietary fiber on type 2 diabetes.Methods: An umbrella review of all published meta-analyses was performed. A PubMed search from January 1, 1980, to April 30, 2017, was conducted using the following search strategy: (fiber OR glucan OR psyllium) AND (meta-analysis OR systematic review). Only English-language publications that provided quantitative statistical analysis on type 2 diabetes, fasting blood glucose concentrations, or glycosylated hemoglobin were retrieved.Results: Sixteen meta-analyses were retrieved for inclusion in this umbrella review. In the meta-analyses comparing highest versus lowest dietary fiber intake, there was a statistically significant reduction in the relative risk (RR) of type 2 diabetes (RR = 0.81-0.85), with the greatest benefit coming from cereal fibers (RR = 0.67-0.87). However, statistically significant heterogeneity was observed in all of these meta-analyses. In the meta-analyses of supplementation studies usingβ-glucan or psyllium fibers on type 2 diabetic participants, statistically significant reductions were identified in both fasting blood glucose concentrations and glycosylated hemoglobin percentages.Conclusion: This review suggests that those consuming the highest amounts of dietary fiber, especially cereal fiber, may benefit from a reduction in the incidence of developing type 2 diabetes. There also appears to be a small reduction in fasting blood glucose concentration, as well as a small reduction in glycosylated hemoglobin percentage for individuals with type 2 diabetes who addβ-glucan or psyllium to their daily dietary intake.

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