Psychosomatic medicine
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Psychosomatic medicine · Jul 2021
Cognitive Defusion Is a Core Cognitive Mechanism for the Sensory-Affective Uncoupling of Pain During Mindfulness Meditation.
Mindfulness meditation can downregulate the experience of pain. However, its specific underlying regulatory mechanisms are still largely unknown. Here, we aimed to investigate the role of cognitive defusion-a form of psychological distancing from internal experiences-in mindfulness-based pain regulation. ⋯ Collectively, these findings highlight the central role of cognitive defusion in mindfulness-based pain regulation.
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Psychosomatic medicine · Jul 2021
Randomized Controlled TrialThe role of expectations and endogenous opioids in mindfulness-based relief of experimentally-induced acute pain.
Expectations contribute to cognitive pain modulation through opioidergically mediated descending inhibition. Mindfulness meditation reduces pain independent of endogenous opioids, engaging unique corticothalamocortical mechanisms. However, it remains unknown whether expectations for pain relief predict mindfulness-induced analgesia and if these expectations are modified by endogenous opioids. ⋯ These novel findings demonstrate a significant role for expectations in mindfulness-based pain relief. However, this role was minimal during saline and stronger during opioid blockade, despite similar pain reductions. This supports growing evidence that mindfulness engages multiple mechanisms to reduce pain, suggesting that mindfulness might be an effective pain-reducing technique even for individuals with low expectations for pain relief.
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Psychosomatic medicine · May 2021
Multicenter StudyPrevalence of Depressive Symptoms Among Pregnant and Postpartum Women in China During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
According to recent studies, the COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with an increased risk of mental health problems across many subpopulations including pregnant and postnatal women. This study examined the prevalence and correlates of depressive symptoms (depression hereafter) in Chinese pregnant and postpartum women during the COVID-19 pandemic. ⋯ The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with an increased likelihood of mental health problems among pregnant and postnatal women. Over a quarter of the pregnant and postpartum women in China had depression during the COVID-19 pandemic. Considering the negative health impact of depression, preventive measures, regular mental health screening, and medical checkups are needed with the goal to reduce the risk of depression in this vulnerable population during a pandemic.
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Psychosomatic medicine · May 2021
Heart Rate Reactivity to Acute Psychological Stress Predicts Higher Levels of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Increased autonomic arousal is a proposed risk factor for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Few studies have prospectively examined the association between physiological responses to acute psychological stress before a traumatic event and later PTSD symptoms. The present prospective study examined whether cardiovascular responses to an acute psychological stress task before the COVID-19 global pandemic predicted PTSD symptoms related to the ongoing pandemic. ⋯ Diminished heart rate responses (i.e., lower physiological arousal) to acute psychological stress before the COVID-19 pandemic significantly predicted reported PTSD symptoms during the crisis.
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Psychosomatic medicine · May 2021
Psychological Distress Reported by Primary Care Physicians in China During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Primary care physicians (PCPs) play a key role in responding to the COVID-19 epidemic. The objective of this study was to explore the influencing factors associated with self-reported psychological distress among a sample of PCPs in China in relation to COVID-19. ⋯ COVID-19 has resulted in high levels of distress in approximately 30% of PCPs in China. Factors associated with high psychological distress levels include low preparedness and high levels of work impact, personal life impact, and concerns. These findings highlight the importance of enhancing psychological health throughout the course of infectious pandemics.