Journal of Applied Biobehavioral Research This is an RSS file. You can use it to subscribe to this data in your favourite RSS reader or to display this data on your own website or blog.

The Role of Spinal Manipulation in Modifying Central Sensitization
Central sensitization (CS) is characterized by adaptations to the central nervous system resulting in decreased sensory thresholds and widespread hypersensitivity. CS is often difficult to manage, with current treatment strategies primarily consisting of medication, pain science education, cognitive behavioral therapy, and graded exercise intervention. Spinal manipulation represents a potential alternative treatment for CS because of its centrally acting neurophysiological mechanisms. However, experimental trials utilizing spinal manipulation in persons with CS often lack the controls or methodology required to determine t...
Source: Journal of Applied Biobehavioral Research - June 1, 2015 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Jason A. Zafereo, Beth K. Deschenes Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Major Depressive Disorder and Public School Teachers: Evaluating Occupational and Health Predictors and Outcomes
This study aimed to examine workplace depression among public teachers. Up to 3,003 teachers completed an occupational health survey and Patient Health Questionnaire, which provided provisional diagnoses of major depressive disorder (MDD). Analyses explored key factors linked to MDD among teachers. Teachers more likely to meet MDD criteria were Hispanic, divorced, had less experience, taught at elementary level, reported low job satisfaction and control, and had higher absenteeism and increased likelihood of leaving the profession. Teachers with MDD had higher levels of perceived stress, anxiety, panic and somatization dis...
Source: Journal of Applied Biobehavioral Research - June 1, 2015 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Robin Besse, Krista Howard, Stephanie Gonzalez, Jeffrey Howard Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Linking Physical Self‐Worth to Posttraumatic Growth in a Sample of Physically Active Breast Cancer Survivors
Using a sample of physically active breast cancer survivors (N = 470), the associations between physical self‐worth, enduring stressors, and posttraumatic growth were examined based on the Positive Psychological Growth Model. Structural equation modeling indicated that physical self‐worth accounted for a significant proportion of the variance in enduring stressors, and physical self‐worth and enduring stressors together accounted for significant variance in each of the dimensions of posttraumatic growth. These findings support the positive psychological growth model. Health care professionals and educators may be...
Source: Journal of Applied Biobehavioral Research - June 1, 2015 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Andrée L. Castonguay, Peter R. E. Crocker, Valerie Hadd, Meghan H McDonough, Catherine M. Sabiston Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

In Situ Methodology for Studying State Driver Stress: A Between‐Subjects Design Replication
Previous studies of driver stress have utilized in‐vehicle in situ questionnaires to measure driver stress during the actual commute. These studies demonstrated several important findings, but all adopted a repeated‐measures research design where each participant was exposed to counterbalanced high and low congestion conditions. This approach reduced between‐subjects variability but increased the possibility of demand characteristics. The current study replicated the findings of the in situ methodology using a between‐subjects research design. State stress was greater in heavy traffic. Time urgency, lack of perceiv...
Source: Journal of Applied Biobehavioral Research - March 5, 2015 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Christine M. Wickens, David L. Wiesenthal, James E. W. Roseborough Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

OnabotulinumtoxinA as Part of a Multimodal Program to Treat Vaginismus
This pilot study evaluated the efficacy and safety of intravaginal injection of onabotulinumtoxinA (Botox) with bupivacaine and progressive dilation under anesthesia along with post‐treatment counseling and support in the treatment of vaginismus. At baseline, all patients had failed some form of prior treatment. Following treatment, 90.3% of patients achieved pain‐free intercourse at a median of 3.5 weeks. This multimodal program, which treats both the physical and psychologic manifestations of vaginismus, appears to be safe and effective with no adverse events and no recurrence in this cohort during at least 1‐year ...
Source: Journal of Applied Biobehavioral Research - March 5, 2015 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Peter T. Pacik Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Feeling “Pooped” and “Run Down?”: Fatigue Experiences in Latino Cancer Patients
The purpose of this study was to describe fatigue and the utility of the Multidimensional Fatigue Symptom Inventory‐Short Form (MFSI‐SF) to assess fatigue among Latino cancer patients. Twenty‐two female and thirteen male Latino cancer patients participated in one of seven focus groups that took place in the southern California USA‐Mexico border region. Participants were asked to describe their fatigue experiences; participants also completed the MFSI‐SF and provided feedback about the items. Content analyses indicate that there are gender differences in the salience of the challenges that fatigue poses. Men tende...
Source: Journal of Applied Biobehavioral Research - March 1, 2015 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Elizabeth D. Cordero, Joel E. Dimsdale, Ana M. Navarro Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Associations Between Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory‐2‐Restructured Form (MMPI‐2‐RF) Scores, Workers' Compensation Status, and Spine Surgery Outcome
This study examines whether workers' compensation (WC) patients respond more poorly to spine surgery than non‐WC patients and whether poorer outcome is associated with individual differences in personality and emotional variables, as assessed by the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory‐2‐Restructured Form (MMPI‐2‐RF). Three‐hundred eighty‐two patients underwent presurgical psychological screening that included a diagnostic interview and psychometric testing. Pain level, functional ability, work status, medication use, and emotional distress were assessed at baseline and at an average of 6 months postop...
Source: Journal of Applied Biobehavioral Research - December 3, 2014 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Andrew R. Block, Ryan J. Marek, Yossef S. Ben‐Porath, Donna D. Ohnmeiss Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

The Early Bird Gets the Worm! Congruency Between Intentions and Behavior is Highest When Plans to Exercise are Made for the Morning
Minimizing the exercise intention–behavior gap remains an ongoing research pursuit. Based on a limited resource model of self‐regulation, we hypothesized the existence of a more prominent exercise intention–behavior gap later in the day. The current studies assessed exercise intention follow through over the course of a week (Study 1 = 115 working adults; Study 2 = 191 students). Both studies demonstrated a greater inconsistency between exercise intentions and actual exercise bouts in the evening compared to the morning. Specifically, the greatest number of intentions not carried through occurred for intentio...
Source: Journal of Applied Biobehavioral Research - December 3, 2014 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Kaitlyn J. Bailey, Mary E. Jung Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Estimates of Minimally Important Differences (MIDs) for Two Patient‐Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Computer‐Adaptive Tests in Chronic Pain Patients
This study is among the first to address MIDs for PROMIS measures; it is the first study to establish usable MIDs for psychological symptoms on outpatients with chronic/persistent pain. The results may be used to gauge minimally important clinical difference and/or treatment response for individuals within this patient population. MIDs for PROs are particularly useful when treatment responses are significant to the patient but are difficult to evaluate during the clinical visit. (Source: Journal of Applied Biobehavioral Research)
Source: Journal of Applied Biobehavioral Research - December 1, 2014 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Eric Swanholm, Wade McDonald, Una Makris, Carl Noe, Robert Gatchel Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Assessing and Monitoring Post‐Traumatic Stress Disorder Through Natural Interaction With an Adaptive Dialogue System
We present an Adaptive Dialogue System, able to make conversation in natural language with post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)‐suffering users, and guide the way that allows eliciting information about their disorder and progress of their treatment. As the conversation unfolds, the system gathers information enabling us to calculate a PTSD score and perform an initial screening of the users. We generate the system's response in real time and continuously monitor an estimate of the user's emotional state. If a user becomes frustrated, angry, sad, etc., we provide encouragement and observe any changes in the dialogue. ...
Source: Journal of Applied Biobehavioral Research - September 3, 2014 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Alexandros Papangelis, Fillia Makedon, Robert Gatchel Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Non‐Participation: How Age Influences Inactive Women's Views of Exercise
Physical activity studies have often excluded women, resulting in limited information regarding the influences on women's non‐participation. The present study aimed to explore the exercise views and cognitions of inactive adult women. Forty women aged 25–75 took part in the focus groups. Themes that emerged from the interviews included merits of exercise, thoughts and feelings, knowledge, barriers, and strategies. Results indicated that inactivity is due to a variety of culminating factors; health‐promotion strategies need to specifically target different age groups. These strategies include increasing awareness of t...
Source: Journal of Applied Biobehavioral Research - September 3, 2014 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Marcia Milne, Alison Divine, Craig Hall, Melanie Gregg, James Hardy Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Self‐Determination Theory and Well‐Being in the Health Care Profession
We examined domain‐specific (i.e., exercise) and global basic needs satisfaction (e.g., competence). One‐hundred twenty‐one pharmacists and nurses from eight hospitals in a large Midwest inner city participated. We predicted 24% and 44% of the variance in mindfulness and vitality, respectively, with basic needs in exercise and life in general making significant contributions. Our findings supported the importance of competence satisfaction as the most critical basic need compared to autonomy and relatedness. Regular physical activity alleviates negative psychological states but can also potentially enhance positive m...
Source: Journal of Applied Biobehavioral Research - September 1, 2014 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Diane Bernard, Jeffrey J. Martin, Noel Kulik Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Motivational Interviewing Intervention on Health‐Seeking Behaviors of Pregnant Women in Western Kenya
We studied the effect of using Motivational Interviewing Intervention (MII) on health facility delivery and newborn care practices among pregnant women receiving Care of the Mother and Newborn at Home (CNH) visits by Community Health Workers (CHWs). Near‐Term women who had received at least one CHW home visit, were randomly assigned to one session of MII (intervention) or no MII (Control). Fifty five (55%) of intervention women, compared to 35% of control women delivered in health facilities. Intervention women also understood the need to breastfeed exclusively for 6 months better than controls (P = 0.000), and had a p�...
Source: Journal of Applied Biobehavioral Research - June 9, 2014 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Peter Gisore, Dan Kaseje, Fred Were, David Ayuku Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Examining Psychobiological Responses to an Anticipatory Body Image Threat in Women
The present study extended the applicability of social self‐preservation theory (SSPT) to an anticipatory body image threat. Women (n = 80) were randomized into either a control or threat group (anticipating having a body composition assessment). Participants completed measures of body shame and social physique anxiety (self‐conscious outcomes), and body dissatisfaction (a non‐self‐conscious outcome), and provided a sample of saliva (to assess cortisol levels) at baseline and immediately following their condition. Findings showed that for the threat condition, body image variables were significantly more negati...
Source: Journal of Applied Biobehavioral Research - June 9, 2014 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Larkin Lamarche, Kimberley L. Gammage, Panagiota Klentrou, Gretchen Kerr, Guy Faulkner Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Beyond Distraction: Virtual Reality Graded Exposure Therapy as Treatment for Pain‐Related Fear and Disability in Chronic Pain
The current review describes a novel virtual reality (VR) paradigm intended to optimize graded exposure treatment for pain‐related fear and associated disability in chronic musculoskeletal pain, focusing on chronic low back pain. By combining an established treatment protocol with the innovative Kinect system by Microsoft, virtual reality graded exposure therapy (VRGET) addresses several central limitations of traditional exposure and VR approaches to pain/disability treatment. In addition to mitigating costs associated with traditional exposure protocols, the VRGET platform facilitates patient treatment engagement, prov...
Source: Journal of Applied Biobehavioral Research - June 9, 2014 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Zina Trost, Thomas D. Parsons Tags: Topical Review Source Type: research