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| 2. |
- Annerstedt, Matilda, et al.
(författare)
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Inducing physiological stress recovery with sounds of nature in a virtual reality forest : results from a pilot study
- 2013
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Ingår i: Physiology and Behavior. - 0031-9384 .- 1873-507X. ; 118, s. 240-50
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Experimental research on stress recovery in natural environments is limited, as is study of the effect of sounds of nature. After inducing stress by means of a virtual stress test, we explored physiological recovery in two different virtual natural environments (with and without exposure to sounds of nature) and in one control condition. Cardiovascular data and saliva cortisol were collected. Repeated ANOVA measurements indicated parasympathetic activation in the group subjected to sounds of nature in a virtual natural environment, suggesting enhanced stress recovery may occur in such surroundings. The group that recovered in virtual nature without sound and the control group displayed no particular autonomic activation or deactivation. The results demonstrate a potential mechanistic link between nature, the sounds of nature, and stress recovery, and suggest the potential importance of virtual reality as a tool in this research field.
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| 3. |
- Johansson, Peter, 1962-
(författare)
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Health‐related quality of life, depression, sleep and breathing disorders in the elderly : With focus on those with impaired systolic function/heart failure
- 2008
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The overall aim of this thesis was to describe the prevalence of depressive symptoms, sleep disordered breathing (SDB) and sleep complaints, as well as to investigate the prognostic value of health-related quality of life (Hr-QoL) and depressive symptoms on mortality in an elderly community living population with a focus on those with impaired systolic function/heart failure (HF). Descriptive, prognostic and explorative study designs were used to examine if a single question about global perceived health (GPH) is associated with the domains of Hr-QoL as assessed by the SF-36 (I), as well as to evaluate whether GPH provided prognostic information concerning cardiovascular mortality (II). The aim was also to evaluate if depressive symptoms are associated with mortality (III), and to describe the prevalence of SDB and its relationship to impaired systolic function, different insomnia symptoms, as well as excessive daytime sleepiness (IV).In primary care elderly patients with HF, GPH correlated to the physical and mental aspects of Hr-QoL. Patients who rated poor GPH also scored worse physical and mental Hr-QoL compared to patients with good GPH, but the mental aspect of Hr-QoL was however not significant (p<0.07) (I). Moreover, GPH also had an independent association with cardiovascular mortality during a ten-year follow-up. Compared to patients with good GPH, those who scored poor GPH had a four times increased risk for cardiovascular mortality (II). A total of 24% of the patients with HF suffered from depressive symptoms, not significantly different compared to 19% among those without HF. Depressive symptoms were a poor prognostic sign during the six-year follow-up and HF patients with depressive symptoms had the highest risk for cardiovascular mortality compared to HF patients without depressive symptoms (III). SDB is common among elderly people living in the community, almost one quarter (23%) had moderate or severe SDB. However, people with moderate impaired systolic function had a median apnea hypopnea index that was more than twice as high compared to those with normal systolic function (10.9 vs. 5.0, p<0.001). No obvious associations between SDB and excessive daytime sleepiness or the insomnia symptoms; difficulties maintaining sleep; non-restorative sleep; or early morning awakenings were detected. Difficulties initiating sleep were however more common in those with moderate or severe SDB (IV).GPH can be used as a simple tool in clinical routine practice as an aid in identifying patients in need of additional management. SDB is a common phenomenon among elderly people and associated with impaired systolic function, but with a limited impact on subjective sleep complaints. Depressive symptoms were shown to be a poor prognostic sign and may amplify the patient’s experience of suffering. Screening for depressive symptoms could therefore be an important action in the management of patients with HF.
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| 4. |
- Osika, Walter, et al.
(författare)
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Anger, depression and anxiety associated with endothelial function in childhood and adolescence
- 2010
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Ingår i: Archives of Disease in Childhood. - : BMJ. - 0003-9888 .- 1468-2044. ; 96:1, s. 38-43
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective Psychosocial adversity is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in adults. The authors assessed associations of reactive hyperaemia peripheral arterial tonometry (RH-PAT), a measure of endothelial function predictive of CVD, with self-assessed psychological health among school children. Methods A total of 248 healthy school children (mean (SD) age 14.0 (1.0); 136 girls and 112 boys) underwent RH-PAT testing. They completed the Beck Youth Inventories (BYI) of emotional and social impairment scales, which is used to screen for depression, anxiety, anger and disruptive behaviour. Results No sex differences were observed for the RH-PAT score. Statistically significant differences were observed for the BYI scores; girls had higher scores for depression, anger and anxiety. Among the girls, there were statistically significant associations between lower RH-PAT scores and higher scores for anger (B coefficient=-0.100, p=0.040), depression (-0.108, p=0.009) and anxiety (-0.138, p=0.039) after adjustment for age. Among the boys, disruptive behaviour was associated with higher RH-PAT scores (0.09, p=0.006). Conclusions The girls have higher levels of self-assessed anger; depression and anxiety compared with the boys, and these characteristics are associated with lower RH-PAT scores, indicating attenuated endothelial function. Among the boys, disruptive behaviour was associated with better endothelial function. Although psychological ill-health is associated with impaired endothelial function and CVD among adults, such processes may also be relevant to children. Psychosocial adversity in childhood might be a risk factor for subsequent CVD.
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| 6. |
- Annerstedt, Matilda, et al.
(författare)
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Green qualities in the neighbourhood and mental health - results from a longitudinal cohort study in Southern Sweden
- 2012
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Ingår i: BMC Public Health. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-2458. ; 12
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Poor mental health is a major issue worldwide and causality is complex. For diseases with multifactorial background synergistic effects of person-and place-factors can potentially be preventive. Nature is suggested as one such positive place-factor. In this cohort study we tested the effect of defined green qualities (Serene, Space, Wild, Culture, Lush) in the environment at baseline on mental health at follow-up. We also studied interaction effects on mental health of those place factors and varied person factors (financial stress, living conditions, and physical activity). Methods: Data on person factors were extracted from a longitudinal (years 1999/2000 and 2005) population health survey (n = 24945). The participants were geocoded and linked to data on green qualities from landscape assessments, and stored in the Geographical Information System (GIS). Crude odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated, and multivariate logistic analyses were performed. Results: Mental health was not affected by access to the chosen green qualities, neither in terms of amount nor in terms of any specific quality. However, we found a reduced risk for poor mental health at follow-up among women, through a significant interaction effect between physical activity and access to the qualities Serene or Space. For men the tendencies were similar, though not significant. Regarding the other three green qualities, as well as amount of qualities, no statistically certain synergistic effects were found. Likewise, no significant synergies were detected between green qualities and the other person-factors. Only advanced exercise significantly reduced the risk for poor mental health among women, but not for men, compared to physical inactivity. Conclusions: The results do not directly support the hypothesis of a preventive mental health effect by access to the green qualities. However, the additive effect of serene nature to physical activity contributed to better mental health at follow-up. This tendency was equal for both sexes, but statistically significant only for women. Objective landscape assessments may be important in detangling geographic determinants of health. This study stresses the importance of considering interaction effects when dealing with disorders of multifactorial background.
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| 8. |
- Bengtson, Ann, 1947, et al.
(författare)
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Cardiovascular and psychosomatic symptoms among relatives of patients waiting for possible coronary revascularization.
- 1996
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Ingår i: Heart & Lung: Journal of Acute & Critical Care. - : Mosby, Inc.. - 0147-9563 .- 1527-3288. ; 25:6, s. 438-43
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: To examine the consequences for close family members of patients on a waiting list for possible coronary revascularization. BACKGROUND: An increasing number of patients with symptomatic ischemic heart disease require evaluation for possible revascularization. Many of these patients must wait a long time before receiving treatment. The negative consequences of this long wait for patients and their relatives have not been satisfactorily evaluated previously. DESIGN: Cross-sectional descriptive study. SETTING: All hospitals in Southwestern Sweden. STUDY POPULATION: One hundred relatives of patients referred for possible revascularization and a sex- and age-matched reference group. The convenience sample consisted of 85% (n = 76) women and 15% (n = 13) men. OUTCOME MEASURES: Frequency of cardiovascular and psychosomatic symptoms. EVALUATION: One hundred relatives and 100 members of the control group were sent a questionnaire to evaluate their clinical condition; working situation; use of tobacco, alcohol and sedatives; and cardiovascular and psychosomatic symptoms. RESULTS: Family members had a significantly higher frequency of anxiety, depression, and irritability compared with the control group. Furthermore, family members reported sleeping disorders, including difficulty waking, tiredness due to lack of sleep, and restless sleep, more frequently than did the control group. CONCLUSION: Close family members of patients waiting for coronary revascularization have particular difficulties, and these difficulties should receive more attention.
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| 9. |
- Bengtsson, Inger M., 1944, et al.
(författare)
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Lasting impact on health-related quality of life after a first myocardial infarction.
- 2004
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Ingår i: International journal of cardiology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0167-5273. ; 97:3, s. 509-16
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- AIMS: To investigate if the previously reported lack of recovery in Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL), in myocardial infarction, patients, would be long lasting. METHODS: Of 72 consecutive patients (19% women) with a mean age of 59 years, 65 consented to participate in a follow-up 1 and 2 years after their first myocardial infarction. HRQOL was assessed by self-administered questionnaires (SF-36, Cardiac Health Profile and Zung Depression Inventory). RESULTS: For the age group <59 years, there was no statistically significant recovery in SF-36 Mental Component Summary scores over time. There were improvements in Physical Component Summary scores, from baseline to 12 and to 24 months (p=0.006 and p<0.001, respectively) and from 6 to 24 months (p=0.044). This group reached community norms in Physical Component Summary scores after 2 years but scored significantly below norms in Mental Component Summary scores throughout with an effect size of -0.5 (CI -0.88 to -0.14) at 2 years. In patients > or =59 years, no changes took place after 6 months. At 2 years, factors Emotional and Social Functioning in the Cardiac Health Profile showed statistically significant differences between groups (p=0.03 and p=0.05, respectively) demonstrating poorer quality of life in the age group <59 years. CONCLUSIONS: In younger patients, a clinically important poorer effect on Health-Related Quality of life is still present 2 years after an acute myocardial infarction.
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| 10. |
- Bengtsson, Inger M., 1944, et al.
(författare)
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The cortisol awakening response and the metabolic syndrome in a population-based sample of middle-aged men and women.
- 2010
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Ingår i: Metabolism. - : Elsevier BV. - 0026-0495 .- 1532-8600. ; 59:7, s. 1012-9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The objective was to explore the relationship between the cortisol awakening response (CAR) and the metabolic syndrome (MetS) as defined by the National Cholesterol Education Program criteria. The final study sample consisted of 91 women (14 with MetS) and 84 men (15 with MetS), aged 45 to 70 years, from a general population sample. The only exclusion criteria were no consent, pregnancy, or insufficient cortisol testing. On the day of measurement (weekday), salivary cortisol was sampled at awakening and 15 minutes after awakening. Relative CAR (CAR%) and the MetS were the main variables studied. Results showed that, in women with the MetS, cortisol at awakening was significantly lower (mean, 8.92 vs 12.33 nmol/L; P = .05) and the CAR was significantly higher (91.4% vs 36.5%, P < .001) than in women without the syndrome. Significant difference in the relative CAR was also present between men and women with MetS (38.5% and 91.4%, respectively; P = .02). No difference was seen in the awakening response comparing men with and without the MetS. In a regression model, the response to awakening was dependent on the MetS in women (F1,89 = 13.19, P < .001); but the model was not significant in men. Furthermore, the awakening response was associated with more depressive symptoms in women (F1,80 = 8.12, P = .01) and with weekday/weekend cortisol sampling in men (F1,82 = 4.63, P = .03). The association between the relative CAR and the MetS remained significant but somewhat attenuated after adjusting for depressive symptoms (P = .01). Results indicate a sex difference in the CAR% in the presence of the MetS independent of depressive symptoms, a known correlate of the MetS.
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