Psychosomatic medicine
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Psychosomatic medicine · Mar 1998
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialChanges in cognitive coping skills and social support during cognitive behavioral stress management intervention and distress outcomes in symptomatic human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-seropositive gay men.
We have previously reported decreases in dysphoria, anxiety, and total mood disturbance in symptomatic HIV seropositive gay men after a 10-week cognitive behavioral stress management (CBSM) group intervention. This structured intervention was designed a) to increase cognitive and behavioral coping skills related to managing the distress of symptomatic HIV, and b) to increase social support among group members. Here we examine the relative contribution of changes in coping skills and social support during the intervention period to reductions in dysphoria, anxiety, and distress-related symptoms in this sample. ⋯ These results suggest that cognitive coping and social support factors can be modified by psychosocial interventions and may be important determinants of the changes in psychological well-being and quality of life during symptomatic HIV infection that can be achieved through this form of intervention.
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Psychosomatic medicine · Mar 1998
The stability of family decisions to consent or refuse organ donation: would you do it again?
Past organ donation research has studied attitudes toward donation, predictors of signing donor cards, and distinguishing characteristics of donors vs. nondonors. The current study is the first to examine predictors of family members' satisfaction with the decision to consent or refuse donation of a dying loved one's organs or tissue. ⋯ People should be encouraged not only to sign donor cards, but to have discussions with family about wishes. Individuals should be encouraged to seek the help of family and friends during the decision, and be aware of the need of social support from family and friends during and after the decision.
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Psychosomatic medicine · Sep 1997
Ischemic but not thermal pain sensitivity varies across the menstrual cycle.
Findings from both animal and human research suggest that pain sensitivity changes across the menstrual cycle; however, among humans the nature of these menstrual cycle effects remains unclear. The present study used a repeated-measures design to evaluate changes in thermal and ischemic pain responses during three phases of the menstrual cycle, midfollicular (postmenstrual), ovulatory, and mid-to-late luteal (premenstrual), in 11 healthy women. The cycle phase during which subjects began their participation was determined randomly. Plasma levels of estrogen, progesterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone, and beta-endorphin were determined at each experimental session. Participants also completed a daily diary of physical and emotional symptoms for two complete menstrual cycles before the experimental sessions. ⋯ These findings indicate greater ischemic but not thermal pain sensitivity among women after the midcycle LH surge. The practical relevance and potential mechanisms of these findings are discussed.
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Psychosomatic medicine · Sep 1997
Relationship between pain sensitivity and resting arterial blood pressure in patients with painful temporomandibular disorders.
Patients experiencing temporomandibular disorders (TMD) show greater sensitivity to painful stimuli than age- and gender-matched control subjects. This enhanced pain sensitivity may result, at least in part, from an alteration in pain regulatory systems that are influenced by resting arterial blood pressure. In this study, we examined the relationship between resting systolic blood pressure and pain perception in 64 female TMD and 23 age-matched pain-free female subjects. ⋯ These findings confirm our previous findings that TMD patients are more sensitive to noxious stimuli and suggest that painful TMD may result, at least in part, from an impairment in central pain regulatory systems that are influenced by resting arterial blood pressure.
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Psychosomatic medicine · Jan 1997
Screening for depression in diabetes using the Beck Depression Inventory.
The purpose of this study was to determine the utility of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) as a screening tool for major depression in diabetes. ⋯ The BDI is an effective screening test for major depression in diabetic patients. Prospective studies are needed to confirm the test's precise performance characteristics in the general clinical setting.