Breast Cancer Survivors Benefit From Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction

On January 1, 2012, in Cancer, Meditation, submitted by Christopher Fisher, PhD
Jame Armer

Women recently diagnosed with breast cancer have higher survival rates than those diagnosed in previous decades, according to the American Cancer Society. However, survivors continue to face health challenges after their treatments end. Previous research reports as many as 50 percent of breast cancer survivors are depressed. Now, University of Missouri researchers in the Sinclair School of Nursing say a meditation technique can help breast cancer survivors improve their emotional and physical well-being.

Quality Of Mother-Toddler Relationship Linked To Teen Obesity

On December 28, 2011, in Family | Social, Health | Fitness, submitted by Christopher Fisher, PhD
Sarah E. Anderson, PhD

The quality of the emotional relationship between a mother and her young child could affect the potential for that child to be obese during adolescence, a new study suggests. Researchers analyzed national data detailing relationship characteristics between mothers and their children during their toddler years. The lower the quality of the relationship in terms of the child’s emotional security and the mother’s sensitivity, the higher the risk that a child would be obese at age 15 years, according to the analysis.

Depression Can Lead To Heart Disease

On December 21, 2011, in Depression, Disease | Disorders, Psychophysiology, submitted by Christopher Fisher, PhD
a women with a cane walking down the street

Depression may have more far-reaching consequences than previously believed. Recent data suggests that individuals who suffer from a mood disorder could be twice as likely to have a heart attack compared to individuals who are not depressed. This process has been poorly understood — until now. A new study led by Concordia University has found that depressed individuals have a slower recovery time after exercise compared to those who are non-depressed.

Sleep Disorders Are Common Among Police Officers With Links To Increased Risk Of Poor Health And Safety / Performance Outcomes

On December 20, 2011, in Sleep, submitted by Christopher Fisher, PhD
police officers

A survey of police officers indicated that about 40 percent have a sleep disorder, which was associated with an increased risk of adverse health, safety and performance outcomes, according to a study in the December 21 issue of JAMA. Sleep disorders, such as obstructive sleep apnea, insomnia, and shift work disorder, affect 50 to 70 million U.S. residents. Most are undiagnosed and remain untreated. The study was conducted by Shantha M. W. Rajaratnam, Ph.D., of Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, and colleagues. Included in this report is a video summary of the study results.

Chronic Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) In Women Linked To History Of Rape Or Child Abuse

On December 17, 2011, in PTSD, submitted by Christopher Fisher, PhD
Assistant Professor Jesse R. Cougle

A Florida State University clinical psychologist has identified factors that could cause some women with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to have chronic, persistent symptoms while others recover naturally over time. At the conclusion of a two-year study of women from across the nation, Assistant Professor Jesse R. Cougle found that those with PTSD who reported a history of rape or severe childhood physical abuse were more likely to suffer chronic PTSD symptoms.

Fewer Allergies In Infants Who Are Not Stressed

On December 17, 2011, in Anxiety, Immunology, submitted by Christopher Fisher, PhD
a father holding his young baby

A new study from the Swedish medical university Karolinska Institutet shows that infants with low concentrations of the stress-related hormone cortisol in their saliva develop fewer allergies than other infants. Hopefully this new knowledge will be useful in future allergy prevention. The study is published in the December paper issue of Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

Exercise Significantly Improves Sleep Quality

On December 10, 2011, in Health | Fitness, Sleep, submitted by Christopher Fisher, PhD
father and child riding bicyles

People sleep significantly better and feel more alert during the day if they get at least 150 minutes of exercise a week, a new study concludes. A nationally representative sample of more than 2,600 men and women, ages 18 to 85, found that 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity a week, which is the national guideline, provided a 65 percent improvement in sleep quality. People also said they felt less sleepy during the day, compared to those with less physical activity.

Long-Lasting Depressive Symptoms And Physical Impairment Often Follow ICU Stays

On December 9, 2011, in Depression, Healthcare, submitted by Christopher Fisher, PhD
a patient receiving treatment

Critically ill patients who recover from a potentially deadly syndrome known as acute lung injury frequently emerge with new, apparently long-lasting depressive symptoms and new physical impairments that make them unable to perform many daily tasks, Johns Hopkins research suggests. Results of the new study, published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, also suggest that the depressive symptoms frequently precede the new physical impairments, not the other way around.

Most United States’ Presidents Live Beyond Average Life Expectancy

On December 6, 2011, in Anxiety, Health | Fitness, submitted by Christopher Fisher, PhD
John F. Kennedy

Contrary to claims that United States’ presidents age at twice the normal rate, a new study finds that most U.S. presidents live longer than expected for men of their same age and era. The research letter, by noted University of Illinois at Chicago demographer S. Jay Olshansky, is published in the Dec. 7 issue of JAMA, the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Post-Partum Psychiatric Episodes Associated With Increased Risk Of Developing Bipolar Affective Disorder

On December 5, 2011, in Bipolar Disorder, Depression, submitted by Christopher Fisher, PhD
Infant

Experiencing a psychiatric episode within the first 30 days post-partum appears to be associated with an increased risk of developing bipolar affective disorder, according to a report published Online First by Archives of General Psychiatry, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. The study was carried out by Trine Munk-Olsen, Ph.D., of the National Centre for Register-Based Research, Arhus University, Arhus, Denmark, and colleagues.

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