Eleni S Zigkiri1, Nicolas C Nicolaides1,2,3,4, Flora Bacopoulou1,4,5, Dimitris Simos1, Dimitrios Vlachakis6, George P Chrousos1,2,3,4,5, Christina Darviri1. 1. Postgraduate Course Stress Science and Health Promotion, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens 11527, Greece. 2. Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, First Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens 11527, Greece. 3. Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens 11527, Greece. 4. Clinical and Translational Research Endocrine Unit, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens 11527, Greece. 5. Center for Adolescent Medicine and UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care, First Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens 11527, Greece. 6. Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a novel cognitive-behavioral stress management intervention, termed "Pythagorean Self-Awareness Intervention" (PSAI). Materials and Methods: The PSAI was applied to a community sample for eight weeks. Measurements included demographic characteristics, daily habits, sleep quality, fatigue, perceived stress levels and depressive symptoms. Cognitive function was measured by the Symbol Digits Modality Test (SDMT), the California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT) and the Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised (BVMT-R). RESULTS: The high-compliance group showed statistically significant differences in healthy lifestyle and personal control choices (HLPCQ; p=0.006), sleep quality (PSQI; p=0.007), self-regulation eating behavior (SREBQ; p=0.009), perceived stress (PSS; p=0.001) and depressive symptoms (p=0.003). Conclusions: Frequent practice of the PSAI had a positive effect on the psychological, lifestyle, and cognitive measures of the community sample. Larger studies are needed to establish the PSAI as an effective stress management method.
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a novel cognitive-behavioral stress management intervention, termed "Pythagorean Self-Awareness Intervention" (PSAI). Materials and Methods: The PSAI was applied to a community sample for eight weeks. Measurements included demographic characteristics, daily habits, sleep quality, fatigue, perceived stress levels and depressive symptoms. Cognitive function was measured by the Symbol Digits Modality Test (SDMT), the California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT) and the Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised (BVMT-R). RESULTS: The high-compliance group showed statistically significant differences in healthy lifestyle and personal control choices (HLPCQ; p=0.006), sleep quality (PSQI; p=0.007), self-regulation eating behavior (SREBQ; p=0.009), perceived stress (PSS; p=0.001) and depressive symptoms (p=0.003). Conclusions: Frequent practice of the PSAI had a positive effect on the psychological, lifestyle, and cognitive measures of the community sample. Larger studies are needed to establish the PSAI as an effective stress management method.
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