TY - JOUR A1 - Leonhardt, Jonas A1 - Winkler, Marcela A1 - Kollikowski, Anne A1 - Schiffmann, Lisa A1 - Quenzer, Anne A1 - Einsele, Hermann A1 - Löffler, Claudia T1 - Mind–body-medicine in oncology—from patient needs to tailored programs and interventions BT - a cross-sectional study JF - Frontiers in Psychology N2 - Introduction: National and international guidelines recommend early integration of evidence-based multimodal interventions and programs, especially with a focus on relaxation techniques and other Mind–Body-based methods to maintain the quality of life of oncology patients, improve treatment tolerability, and promote healthy lifestyle behaviors. Consequently, we aim to understand what drives patients and how they navigate integrative medicine to best advise them. This study aimed to detect possible topics of particular interest to patients and identify the patient groups that could benefit most from further programs. Furthermore, we aimed to investigate if patients are open-minded toward integrative oncology concepts and learn about their motivational level to maintain or change behavior. Methods: Between August 2019 and October 2020 we surveyed patients undergoing oncological therapy in a university oncological outpatient center using a custom-developed questionnaire based on established Mind–Body Medicine concepts. Results: We included 294 patients with various cancers. More than half reported problems sleeping through (61%) and 42% felt stressed frequently, invariably rating this as detrimental to their health. Moreover, a slight majority (52%) felt physically limited due to their disease and only 30% performed defined exercise programs. Women were significantly more likely to feel stressed and reported with alarming frequency that they often feel “everything was up to them.” The 40–65-year-olds reported significantly less restful sleep, more stress and were more dissatisfied with their situation. However, this group already used natural remedies most frequently and was most often motivated to use relaxation techniques in the next 6 months. The lower the perceived individual energy level (EL), the less frequently patients did sport, the more frequently they felt their disease impaired their activity, mostly feeling stressed and tense. We also found significant associations between negative emotions/thoughts and the variables “sleep,” “use of relaxation techniques,” “personal stress perception,” and “successful lifestyle modification.” Conclusion: Mind–Body programs that focus on patient’s individual resources, with tools to explore impairing patterns of self-perception and cognitive biases, can be a valuable resource for oncology patients and should therefore be part of an integrative medical treatment concept. KW - lifestyle habits KW - symptom burden KW - individual mind state KW - motivational level KW - stress Y1 - 2023 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-321970 SN - 1664-1078 VL - 14 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Nowacka-Chmielewska, Marta A1 - Grabowska, Konstancja A1 - Grabowski, Mateusz A1 - Meybohm, Patrick A1 - Burek, Malgorzata A1 - Małecki, Andrzej T1 - Running from stress: neurobiological mechanisms of exercise-induced stress resilience JF - International Journal of Molecular Sciences N2 - Chronic stress, even stress of a moderate intensity related to daily life, is widely acknowledged to be a predisposing or precipitating factor in neuropsychiatric diseases. There is a clear relationship between disturbances induced by stressful stimuli, especially long-lasting stimuli, and cognitive deficits in rodent models of affective disorders. Regular physical activity has a positive effect on the central nervous system (CNS) functions, contributes to an improvement in mood and of cognitive abilities (including memory and learning), and is correlated with an increase in the expression of the neurotrophic factors and markers of synaptic plasticity as well as a reduction in the inflammatory factors. Studies published so far show that the energy challenge caused by physical exercise can affect the CNS by improving cellular bioenergetics, stimulating the processes responsible for the removal of damaged organelles and molecules, and attenuating inflammation processes. Regular physical activity brings another important benefit: increased stress robustness. The evidence from animal studies is that a sedentary lifestyle is associated with stress vulnerability, whereas a physically active lifestyle is associated with stress resilience. Here, we have performed a comprehensive PubMed Search Strategy for accomplishing an exhaustive literature review. In this review, we discuss the findings from experimental studies on the molecular and neurobiological mechanisms underlying the impact of exercise on brain resilience. A thorough understanding of the mechanisms underlying the neuroprotective potential of preconditioning exercise and of the role of exercise in stress resilience, among other things, may open further options for prevention and therapy in the treatment of CNS diseases. KW - stress KW - stress resilience KW - anxiety KW - depression KW - neuropsychiatric disorders KW - physical activity KW - exercise Y1 - 2022 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-297407 SN - 1422-0067 VL - 23 IS - 21 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Stetter, Christian A1 - Lopez-Caperuchipi, Simon A1 - Hopp-Krämer, Sarah A1 - Bieber, Michael A1 - Kleinschnitz, Christoph A1 - Sirén, Anna-Leena A1 - Albert-Weißenberger, Christiane T1 - Amelioration of cognitive and behavioral deficits after traumatic brain injury in coagulation factor XII deficient mice JF - International Journal of Molecular Sciences N2 - Based on recent findings that show that depletion of factor XII (FXII) leads to better posttraumatic neurological recovery, we studied the effect of FXII-deficiency on post-traumatic cognitive and behavioral outcomes in female and male mice. In agreement with our previous findings, neurological deficits on day 7 after weight-drop traumatic brain injury (TBI) were significantly reduced in FXII\(^{−/−}\) mice compared to wild type (WT) mice. Also, glycoprotein Ib (GPIb)-positive platelet aggregates were more frequent in brain microvasculature of WT than FXII\(^{−/−}\) mice 3 months after TBI. Six weeks after TBI, memory for novel object was significantly reduced in both female and male WT but not in FXII\(^{−/−}\) mice compared to sham-operated mice. In the setting of automated home-cage monitoring of socially housed mice in IntelliCages, female WT mice but not FXII\(^{−/−}\) mice showed decreased exploration and reacted negatively to reward extinction one month after TBI. Since neuroendocrine stress after TBI might contribute to trauma-induced cognitive dysfunction and negative emotional contrast reactions, we measured peripheral corticosterone levels and the ration of heart, lung, and spleen weight to bodyweight. Three months after TBI, plasma corticosterone levels were significantly suppressed in both female and male WT but not in FXII\(^{−/−}\) mice, while the relative heart weight increased in males but not in females of both phenotypes when compared to sham-operated mice. Our results indicate that FXII deficiency is associated with efficient post-traumatic behavioral and neuroendocrine recovery. KW - closed head injury KW - contact-kinin system KW - object recognition memory KW - IntelliCage KW - Crespi effect KW - stress Y1 - 2021 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-284959 SN - 1422-0067 VL - 22 IS - 9 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Scheiner, Christin A1 - Daunke, Andrea A1 - Seidel, Alexandra A1 - Mittermeier, Sabrina A1 - Romanos, Marcel A1 - Kölch, Michael A1 - Buerger, Arne T1 - LessStress - how to reduce stress in school: evaluation of a universal stress prevention in schools: study protocol of a cluster-randomised controlled trial JF - Trials N2 - Background Chronic stress is detrimental to health, and children and young people have had to cope with significantly more stress since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, stress at school and in relation to learning is a major problem in this age group. Studies in Germany have indicated that the pandemic has led to a reduced quality of life (QoL) and an increased risk for psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents. Schools are an ideal setting for interventions against stress, which is one of the strongest predictors for the development of psychosocial problems. The present study seeks to address stress by means of a short prevention training programme in schools, including emotion regulation, mindfulness, and self-compassion. In addition to information material for self-study, students should have the opportunity to actively deal with the topic of stress and develop coping strategies within a short space of time. In contrast to very long stress reduction programmes that often last several weeks, the programme is delivered in just 90 min. Methods The effectiveness of the short and economical prevention programme LessStress will be examined in a cluster-randomised controlled trial (RCT) encompassing 1894 students. At several measurement time points, students from two groups (intervention and control) will be asked about their subjectively perceived stress levels, among other aspects. Due to the clustered nature of the data, mainly multilevel analyses will be performed. Discussion In Germany, there are no nationwide universal prevention programmes for students against stress in schools, and this gap has become more evident since the outbreak of the pandemic. Universal stress prevention in schools may be a starting point to promote resilience. By dealing with stress in a healthy way, mental health can be strengthened and maintained. Moreover, to reach at-risk students at an early stage, we advocate for a stronger networking between child psychiatry and schools. KW - stress reduction KW - selfcompassion KW - mindfulness KW - emotion regulation KW - resilience KW - prevention KW - RCT KW - school KW - stress Y1 - 2023 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-300393 VL - 24 IS - 1 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Hübner, Theresa A1 - Wolfgang, Tanja A1 - Theis, Ann-Catrin A1 - Steber, Magdalena A1 - Wiedenmann, Lea A1 - Wöckel, Achim A1 - Diessner, Joachim A1 - Hein, Grit A1 - Gründahl, Marthe A1 - Kämmerer, Ulrike A1 - Kittel-Schneider, Sarah A1 - Bartmann, Catharina T1 - The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on stress and other psychological factors in pregnant women giving birth during the first wave of the pandemic JF - Reproductive Health N2 - Background The onset of mental illness such as depression and anxiety disorders in pregnancy and postpartum period is common. The coronavirus induced disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the resulting public policy responses represent an exceptional situation worldwide and there are hints for adverse psychosocial impact, hence, the study of psychological effects of the pandemic in women during hospitalization for delivery and in the postpartum period is highly relevant. Methods Patients who gave birth during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany (March to June 2020) at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Würzburg, Germany, were recruited at hospital admission for delivery. Biosamples were collected for analysis of SARS-CoV-2 infection and various stress hormones and interleukin-6 (IL-6). In addition to sociodemographic and medical obstetric data, survey questionnaires in relation to concerns about and fear of COVID-19, depression, stress, anxiety, loneliness, maternal self-efficacy and the mother–child bonding were administered at T1 (delivery stay) and T2 (3–6 months postpartum). Results In total, all 94 recruited patients had a moderate concern of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) at T1 with a significant rise at T2. This concern correlated with low to low-medium general psychosocial stress levels and stress symptoms, and the women showed a significant increase of active coping from T1 to T2. Anxiety levels were low and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale showed a medium score of 5 with a significant (T1), but only week correlation with the concerns about SARS-CoV-2. In contrast to the overall good maternal bonding without correlation to SARS-CoV-2 concern, the maternal self-efficiency correlated negatively with the obstetric impairment caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion Obstetric patients` concerns regarding SARS-CoV-2 and the accompanying pandemic increased during the course of the pandemic correlating positively with stress and depression. Of note is the increase in active coping over time and the overall good mother–child-bonding. Maternal self-efficacy was affected in part by the restrictions of the pandemic. KW - Covid-19 KW - stress KW - pregnancy Y1 - 2022 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-300189 VL - 19 IS - 1 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Brenzinger, Kristof A1 - Maihoff, Fabienne A1 - Peters, Marcell K. A1 - Schimmer, Leonie A1 - Bischler, Thorsten A1 - Classen, Alice T1 - Temperature and livestock grazing trigger transcriptome responses in bumblebees along an elevational gradient JF - iScience N2 - Climate and land-use changes cause increasing stress to pollinators but the molecular pathways underlying stress responses are poorly understood. Here, we analyzed the transcriptomic response of Bombus lucorum workers to temperature and livestock grazing. Bumblebees sampled along an elevational gradient, and from differently managed grassland sites (livestock grazing vs unmanaged) in the German Alps did not differ in the expression of genes known for thermal stress responses. Instead, metabolic energy production pathways were upregulated in bumblebees sampled in mid- or high elevations or during cool temperatures. Extensive grazing pressure led to an upregulation of genetic pathways involved in immunoregulation and DNA-repair. We conclude that widespread bumblebees are tolerant toward temperature fluctuations in temperate mountain environments. Moderate temperature increases may even release bumblebees from metabolic stress. However, transcriptome responses to even moderate management regimes highlight the completely underestimated complexity of human influence on natural pollinators. KW - bumblebees KW - stress KW - transcriptomic response KW - climate changes Y1 - 2022 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-301276 VL - 25 IS - 10 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Schlee, Winfried A1 - Simoes, Jorge A1 - Pryss, Rüdiger T1 - Auricular acupressure combined with self-help intervention for treating chronic tinnitus: a longitudinal observational study JF - Journal of Clinical Medicine N2 - Tinnitus is a phantom sound perception in the ears or head and can arise from many different medical disorders. Currently, there is no standard treatment for tinnitus that reliably reduces tinnitus. Individual patients reported that acupressure at various points around the ear can help to reduce tinnitus, which was investigated here. With this longitudinal observational study, we report a systematic evaluation of auricular acupressure on 39 tinnitus sufferers, combined with a self-help smartphone app. The participants were asked to report on tinnitus, stress, mood, neck, and jaw muscle tensions twice a day using an ecological momentary assessment study design for six weeks. On average, 123.6 questionnaires per person were provided and used for statistical analysis. The treatment responses of the participants were heterogeneous. On average, we observed significant negative trends for tinnitus loudness (Cohen's d effect size: −0.861), tinnitus distress (d = −0.478), stress (d = −0.675), and tensions in the neck muscles (d = −0.356). Comparison with a matched control group revealed significant improvements for tinnitus loudness (p = 0.027) and self-reported stress level (p = 0.003). The positive results of the observational study motivate further research including a randomized clinical trial and long-term assessment of the clinical improvement. KW - tinnitus KW - acupressure KW - self-help KW - ecological momentary assessment KW - stress Y1 - 2021 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-246209 SN - 2077-0383 VL - 10 IS - 18 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Niemack, Juliane T1 - Schutzfaktoren bei Kindern vor dem Übergang in die Sekundarstufe – Ergebnisse aus der STRESSStudie JF - Diskurs Kindheits- und Jugendforschung / Discourse. Journal of Childhood and Adolescence Research N2 - Der Übergang in die Sekundarstufe stellt für Kinder ein normativ kritisches Lebensereignis dar, das unterschiedlich bewertet und bewältigt wird. Der vorliegende Beitrag befasst sich mit der Frage, welche Schutzfaktoren dazu beitragen, dass Kinder dem Übergang mit Gefühlen der Vorfreude begegnen und sie dieses Ereignis problemorientiert bewältigen. Untersucht werden 596 ViertklässlerInnen aus Bayern und Hessen vor dem Übergang in die Sekundarstufe. In Anlehnung an die kognitiv-transaktionale Theorie von Lazarus und Folkman (1984) werden die Zusammenhänge von primärer Bewertung als Herausforderung und problemorientierter Stressbewältigung unter Berücksichtigung von personalen (akademisches Selbstkonzept, Selbstwirksamkeit) und sozialen Schutzfaktoren (Familienzusammenhalt, allgemeines förderndes Elternverhalten) analysiert. Mithilfe von Strukturgleichungsmodellen lassen sich Mediationseffekte der Schutzfaktoren nachweisen. Insbesondere das akademische Selbstkonzept und ein förderliches Familienumfeld erweisen sich als bedeutsame protektive Faktoren in der Phase vor dem Übergang. N2 - Transition to secondary school constitutes a normative critical life event for children, which is evaluated and managed individually. The present study focuses on the role of protective factors helping children to approach this transition with emotions of pleasant anticipation and problem-focused coping. 596 fourth graders from Bavaria and Hesse were examined prior to their transition to secondary school. Referring to the cognitive-transactional theory from Lazarus and Folkman (1984), correlations between primary appraisal as a challenge and problem-focused coping in consideration of personal (academic self-concept, self-efficacy) and social protective factors (family cohesion, general supportive parent behavior) have been analyzed. Using structural equation models, the mediation effects of protective factors can be confirmed. Academic self-concept and a supportive family environment particularly proved to be protective factors prior to the transition. T2 - Protective Factors of Children prior to the Transition to Secondary School – Results from the STRESSStudy KW - Übergang KW - kognitiv-transaktionale Theorie KW - Stress KW - Schutzfaktoren KW - transition KW - cognitive-transactional theory KW - stress KW - protective factors Y1 - 2019 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-268788 VL - 2019 IS - 1 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Weber, Silvana A1 - Lorenz, Christopher A1 - Hemmings, Nicola T1 - Improving stress and positive mental health at work via an app-based intervention: a large-scale multi-center randomized control trial JF - Frontiers in Psychology N2 - Mobile health interventions (i.e., “apps”) are used to address mental health and are an increasingly popular method available to both individuals and organizations to manage workplace stress. However, at present, there is a lack of research on the effectiveness of mobile health interventions in counteracting or improving stress-related health problems, particularly in naturalistic, non-clinical settings. This project aimed at validating a mobile health intervention (which is theoretically grounded in the Job Demands-Resources Model) in preventing and managing stress at work. Within the mobile health intervention, employees make an evidence-based, personalized, psycho-educational journey to build further resources, and thus, reduce stress. A large-scale longitudinal randomized control trial, conducted with six European companies over 6 weeks using four measurement points, examined indicators of mental health via measures of stress, wellbeing, resilience, and sleep. The data were analyzed by means of hierarchical multilevel models for repeated measures, including both self-report measures and user behavior metrics from the app. The results (n = 532) suggest that using the mobile health intervention (vs. waitlist control group) significantly improved stress and wellbeing over time. Higher engagement in the intervention increased the beneficial effects. Additionally, use of the sleep tracking function led to an improvement in sleeping troubles. The intervention had no effects on measures of physical health or social community at work. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed, focusing on benefits and challenges of using technological solutions for organizations to support individuals’ mental health in the workplace. KW - stress KW - work KW - RCT KW - mental health KW - digital health KW - mobile health intervention KW - smartphone app Y1 - 2019 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-194337 SN - 1664-1078 VL - 10 IS - 2745 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Waider, J A1 - Popp, S A1 - Lange, MD A1 - Kern, R A1 - Kolter, JF A1 - Kobler, J A1 - Donner, NC A1 - Lowe, KR A1 - Malzbender, JH A1 - Brazell, CJ A1 - Arnold, MR A1 - Aboagye, B A1 - Schmitt-Böhrer, A A1 - Lowry, CA A1 - Pape, HC A1 - Lesch, KP T1 - Genetically driven brain serotonin deficiency facilitates panic-like escape behavior in mice JF - Translational Psychiatry N2 - Multiple lines of evidence implicate brain serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) system dysfunction in the pathophysiology of stressor-related and anxiety disorders. Here we investigate the influence of constitutively deficient 5-HT synthesis on stressor-related anxiety-like behaviors using Tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (Tph2) mutant mice. Functional assessment of c-Fos after associated foot shock, electrophysiological recordings of GABAergic synaptic transmission, differential expression of the Slc6a4 gene in serotonergic neurons were combined with locomotor and anxiety-like measurements in different contextual settings. Our findings indicate that constitutive Tph2 inactivation and consequential lack of 5-HT synthesis in Tph2 null mutant mice (Tph2\(^{-/-}\)) results in increased freezing to associated foot shock and a differential c-Fos activity pattern in the basolateral complex of the amygdala. This is accompanied by altered GABAergic transmission as observed by recordings of inhibitory postsynaptic currents on principal neurons in the basolateral nucleus, which may explain increased fear associated with hyperlocomotion and escape-like responses in aversive inescapable contexts. In contrast, lifelong 5-HT deficiency as observed in Tph2 heterozygous mice (Tph\(^{+/-}\)) is able to be compensated through reduced GABAergic transmission in the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala based on Slc6a4 mRNA upregulation in subdivisions of dorsal raphe neurons. This results in increased activity of the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala due to associated foot shock. In conclusion, our results reflect characteristic syndromal dimensions of panic disorder and agoraphobia. Thus, constitutive lack of 5-HT synthesis influence the risk for anxiety- and stressor-related disorders including panic disorder and comorbid agoraphobia through the absence of GABAergic-dependent compensatory mechanisms in the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala. KW - anxiety KW - stress KW - serotonin KW - genetics KW - mice Y1 - 2017 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-170239 VL - 7 IS - e1246 ER -