Search Results (986)

This paper examines the discourse surrounding the relationship between meditation and psychological well-being from a historical perspective. While both Buddhist practitioners and psychotherapists aspire to a state of health, they appear to diverge on what this goal entails and how to achieve it. Influential voices such as Conze and Jung have argued that psychotherapy and Buddhist meditation are incompatible: psychotherapy helps individuals adjust to contemporary society, whereas Buddhism is ultimately designed for detachment from worldly life. At its core, this view rests on an ideological opposition between “tradition” and “modernity,” with the latter interpreted as an exceptional condition. Using Buddhism in Republican China (1912–1949) as a case study, this paper examines how Master Taixu (1890–1947) and the lesser-known mental hygiene advocate Jin Sheng (ca. 1900–?) responded to emerging mental health concerns and the global diffusion of related therapeutic techniques. Analyzing the modern predicament in which the Buddhism–mental health dialogue places them, this research argues their convergence in framing mental illness as a fundamental cognitive obstruction, with meditation alone insufficient as a remedy. Full article

Stress has been prevalent and has become an epidemic health burden, loaded with chronic disorders. The stress response is an adaptive mechanism that prepares an individual to respond to threats or other stressors in a fight-or-flight situation. The stress response involves the induction of neurological and hormonal networks and is usually resolved when stress subsides; however, persistent stress leads to permanent and detrimental impacts on health. With the rise of advanced single-cell analysis technologies, a wave of basic and translational research aimed at elucidating stress has shed light on the underlying mechanisms. Among 80 studies in this review, stressors are classified into acute/chronic physical, physiological, and psychological groups, whereas some studies have more than one stress source. Single-cell RNA-seq was the dominant technology utilized in these studies. This advanced technique systematically reveals cellular heterogeneity in gene expression patterns and the differential transcriptomic landscape of stress response in a wide array of tissues and organ systems, e.g., the nervous system, the endocrine system, the immune system, and others. Bioinformatics identified a single-cell atlas of stress-specific cell subtypes, cell-to-cell interactions, and enriched pathways, showing promise for stress syndrome biomarkers, attenuation, and targeted therapy. The limits of these stress studies were mainly focused on transcriptomics, so future studies using multi-omics approaches across multiple organ systems will yield insights into stress disorders and novel therapeutic strategies. Full article

Breast reconstruction represents an integral component of contemporary breast cancer management, with substantial impact on patients’ psychological well-being, body image, and overall quality of life. Given the profound symbolic and personal significance of the breast, mastectomy—whether total or partial—extends beyond oncologic resection and may result in considerable aesthetic, functional, and psychosocial consequences. For this reason, reconstructive planning should be incorporated into the initial multidisciplinary treatment strategy while ensuring that oncologic safety and adjuvant therapies are never compromised. Breast reconstruction may be achieved using autologous tissue, implant-based techniques, or a combination of both approaches. Each method carries specific advantages, limitations, and potential complications and must be tailored to the individual patient’s oncologic status, anatomy, and expectations. This article provides a historical overview of the evolution of breast cancer treatment and reconstructive techniques. It further examines the principles, benefits, and challenges associated with different reconstructive modalities, highlighting key considerations in clinical decision-making and long-term outcomes. Full article

Although radiotherapy is a cornerstone in the management of several pediatric malignancies, its administration in children poses unique anesthetic challenges. Unlike adults, pediatric patients, particularly younger children, often require repeated sedation or general anesthesia to ensure immobility and reduce psychological distress during daily treatment sessions that may extend over several weeks. This narrative review summarizes current evidence on anesthetic strategies for children undergoing radiotherapy, focusing on clinical indications, pharmacological approaches, safety considerations, and organizational aspects. We discuss the main sedation and anesthesia techniques used in non-operating room anesthesia (NORA) settings, including deep sedation with midazolam, propofol, ketamine, and dexmedetomidine, as well as general anesthesia with laryngeal mask airway management. Particular attention is given to the cumulative effects of repeated anesthetic exposure, airway management challenges in remote radiation environments, and the risk of respiratory and hemodynamic complications. The review also highlights the importance of individualized, protocol-driven management, rapid recovery strategies, and continuous remote monitoring systems. Non-pharmacological interventions and audiovisual-assisted techniques are also discussed as potential strategies to reduce anesthesia requirements in selected patients. A multidisciplinary approach involving anesthesiologists, radiation oncologists, nurses, psychologists, and technical staff is essential to optimize safety, treatment adherence, and overall quality of care. Tailored anesthetic management, supported by standardized protocols and specialized pediatric expertise, remains crucial to balancing procedural efficacy with short- and long-term safety in this vulnerable population. Full article

Globally, the effects of widowhood on the welfare, health, financial security and education of the widow’s children in many contexts have been the subject of much research. This paper aims to uncover the nexus among culture, gender and language on widowhood dignity and welfare among four chosen African ethnic groups in South Africa and Zimbabwe. The widowhood phenomenon is culture-bound and value-laden as it signposts the reality of existence in the linguistic and cultural contexts in which it is created and operationalised. Through Kimberlé Crenshaw’s 1989 intersectional theory, this paper provides an in-depth, inductive qualitative investigation of the implications of culture, gender, language, and especially the nomenclature that African communities ascribe to the widowed, which in turn stigmatises widowhood. Two (2) South African and two (2) Zimbabwean ethnic groups were purposefully chosen for the multiple case study approach. Grounded theory is the coding framework and analysis technique. The coding starts off with picking key words, phrases and sentences and axial coding which is a higher level in which related data are grouped into sub-themes, themes and global themes. The search revealed that widowhood language, culture and nomenclature denote gendered, culturally contested spaces in which the widowed women especially face dehumanising and dewomanising rituals. The results gathered fall into five broad categories, namely, sexualised widowhood mourning rituals, psychological and emotional widowhood torture rituals, ritualised widowhood dispossession, swearing, movement and space restriction widowhood rituals. The rituals affirm the ascribed socially depressed widowed status implied in the stigmatising nomenclature. The paper recommends redefining widowhood in terms of humanising and womanising language, cultural rituals and nomenclature in the context of equality before the law. Such a move prevents discrimination against the widowed that unintentionally violates their constitutionally espoused right to equality. Full article

Background/Objectives: Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a chronic idiopathic orofacial pain disorder characterized by persistent intraoral burning in the absence of detectable mucosal alterations. Diagnosis is challenging due to the lack of specific biomarkers and the need to exclude numerous systemic and local conditions that can mimic oral burning. This literature review aims to summarize current and emerging therapeutic strategies for BMS. Methods: A structured and filtered search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science identified studies evaluating pharmacological, phytotherapeutic, and non-pharmacological interventions. Results: Various antidepressants, anticonvulsants, benzodiazepines, H2 receptor antagonists, and low-dose naltrexone have demonstrated varying degrees of symptom reduction, while alpha lipoic acid (ALA) and phytomedicines such as capsaicin, Hypericum perforatum, Catuama, lycopene, crocin, and melatonin show mixed clinical benefits. Non-pharmacological approaches, including photobiomodulation (PBM), oral cryotherapy, neuromodulation techniques, and cognitive behavioral therapy, also provide meaningful symptom improvement in many patients. Conclusions: Across all modalities, therapeutic responses remain heterogeneous and generally incomplete, underscoring the absence of a universally effective treatment. Current evidence supports an individualized and multidisciplinary approach that integrates pharmacological, psychological, and adjunctive therapies to address the multifactorial nature of BMS. Full article

Background: The literature shows inconclusive results from utilizing motivational interviewing (MI) in indigenous populations to address early childhood caries (ECC). Great Beginnings for Healthy Native Smiles (GBHNS) (NIDCR U01DE028508), a community focused oral health (OH) intervention, was utilized alongside adapted MI techniques to promote OH care and education at home. Methods: The intervention was conducted by local Community Health Representatives (CHRs) from the two partnered indigenous communities. Reflecting on the years-long MI training and CHRs’ concerns, GBHNS conducted post-intervention semi-structured interviews with all MI staff regarding their experiences with MI. This paper uses participant observation, semi-structured interviewing, and inductive and deductive qualitative coding and analysis. Results: Thematic analysis was used to explore lessons learned and future research recommendations for interventions considering the use of MI. Generally considered a person-centered approach, MI reinforces Western psychological frameworks and practices which may disrupt local communicative practices and values. Conclusions: Specifically, interdisciplinary pre-intervention community assessments are recommended to ensure acceptability, relevance and appropriateness through attention to local communicative practices. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to describe and quantify facial soft tissue changes in two patients who underwent radiotherapy (RT) for head and neck cancers, using three-dimensional (3D) stereophotogrammetry and surface deviation analysis. The aims were (i) to assess the progression of morphological alterations over time (ii) and to evaluate the clinical potential of 3D surface mapping in documenting RT-related aesthetic changes. Methods: Two patients with head and neck cancer undergoing RT were analyzed using three-dimensional stereophotogrammetry (3dMD Trio-system, Atlanta, GA, USA) at three timepoints: before RT (T0), 45 days after the start of RT (T1), and 6 months after the start of RT (T2). Facial 3D scans were processed using Geomagic Control 2014 software (v.3D Systems, Morrisville, NC, USA) to perform standardized alignments and calculate volumetric deviations, create colorimetric deviation maps, and conduct Root Mean Square (RMS) analysis. Results: Between T0 and T1, both patients showed soft tissue volume reduction, primarily in the mandibular and submental regions, likely reflecting acute treatment effects and weight loss. Between T0 and T2, an increase in soft tissue volume was observed, especially in the lower face and neck, consistent with late radiation effects such as lymphedema and post-treatment weight gain. RMS values ranged from 5.53 mm to 6.87 mm across patients and time points, indicating measurable morphological changes. The upper third of the face remained stable and served as a reliable reference region for alignment. Conclusions: RT may be associated with significant, region-specific changes in facial and cervical soft tissues in HNC patients, but these preliminary observations must always be correlated with weight loss and confirmed by further studies. 3D stereophotogrammetry is a reliable, non-invasive method for detecting and quantifying these alterations over time. This technique can offer valuable insights for clinical monitoring and could promote better patient counseling and potentially mitigate the psychological burden associated with facial changes. Full article

Online social platforms increasingly function as informal self-help environments for individuals experiencing depression, offering spaces for emotional expression and peer support outside traditional clinical settings. However, how coping strategies and psychological engagement states—individuals’ emotional and cognitive involvement in managing their condition—are reflected through online self-disclosure remains poorly understood. We analyzed a large-scale dataset from Reddit depression-related communities to investigate how different psycho-linguistic profiles and coping orientations emerge from users’ language. We collected posts and comments from over 300,000 users across six depression-focused subreddits over two years. User-generated text was characterized through multiple psychological and linguistic dimensions capturing emotions, sentiment, subjectivity, and related features, then aggregated at the user-month level and analyzed using unsupervised clustering techniques. Our analysis identifies four distinct groups characterized by different emotional profiles and dominant coping orientations. These states exhibit meaningful correspondences with established theoretical frameworks, including the Coping Orientations to Problems Experienced model and the Patient Health Engagement model. Our findings demonstrate that large-scale textual data from online communities can provide interpretable insights into coping behaviors and engagement patterns, offering a complementary perspective to traditional approaches for studying mental health. Full article

Architectural heritage plays a central role in shaping visitors’ emotional experiences within cultural tourism contexts. However, empirical research examining how specific architectural styles evoke emotional responses remains limited, particularly when using objective measurement techniques. This study investigates emotional reactions to architectural heritage by applying the Stimulus–Organism–Response (SOR) theoretical framework. In this model, architectural styles act as environmental stimuli, emotional processing represents the organismic state, and the resulting emotional activation constitutes the response. An experimental protocol was conducted with a sample of 645 participants exposed to a series of standardized architectural heritage images representing different architectural styles and infrastructure types. Emotional reactions were captured in real time through facial emotion recognition technology, enabling the objective measurement of eight basic emotions: neutral, happiness, sadness, surprise, fear, disgust, anger, and contempt. The collected emotional data were statistically analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) to identify significant differences in emotional responses across architectural styles, heritage typologies, and gender. When significant differences were detected, Tukey’s HSD post hoc tests were applied to determine specific group contrasts. The findings reveal that different architectural styles generate distinct emotional patterns, highlighting the role of architectural aesthetics as a powerful mediator of affective engagement with heritage environments. From a theoretical perspective, this research contributes to heritage tourism and environmental psychology by integrating the SOR framework with real-time emotion detection technologies, providing a novel methodological approach for analyzing emotional responses to architectural heritage. Full article

Background: Peripheral venous cannulation is one of the most common clinical procedures, yet it often causes significant pain, anxiety, and discomfort for patients. While pharmacological methods exist, non-pharmacological interventions offer a low-cost, low-risk alternative that eliminates waiting times for anesthetic onset. The aim of this review is to synthesize the various nonpharmacological interventions for procedural pain reduction during PIVC in adults, covering interventions ranging from psychological distraction to advanced procedural support technologies. Methods: A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA 2020 guidelines and the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) framework. Databases including PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched for studies published between 2015 and 2025. Inclusion criteria focused on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-experimental studies involving adult patients undergoing PIVC. Results: Thirty studies (29 randomized controlled trials and one experimental study) were included in the final analysis. The interventions were categorized into three primary groups: distraction techniques, physical methods, and behavioral techniques. The application of virtual reality (VR), optical illusion cards, and music therapy significantly reduced pain scores and enhanced patient satisfaction. Similarly, physical methods, such as thermomechanical stimulation (e.g., the Buzzy^® device), local heat application, and vibration, were found to be effective in lowering pain intensity compared to standard care. Behavioral techniques, including the “cough trick,” diaphragmatic breathing, and the Valsalva maneuver, consistently demonstrated efficacy in reducing both procedural pain and anxiety. Notably, while most interventions successfully reduced pain, certain methods—such as near-infrared (NIR) vein visualization—improved procedural success rates without significantly altering the subjective perception of pain. Conclusions: Findings from this review suggest that non-pharmacological interventions may serve as effective, safe, and feasible adjuncts for pain management during peripheral venous cannulation. Techniques such as the cough trick and vibration-based devices are particularly recommended due to their ease of integration into routine nursing practice, potentially improving patient comfort and clinical outcomes. Full article

Urban air pollution is increasingly recognised as a determinant of mental wellbeing, yet most existing studies rely on static exposure estimates and lack spatial granularity. This limits understanding of how pollutant-specific patterns influence psychological states in real-world settings. To address this gap, we integrate real-time environmental and physiological data from 40 participants using the DigitalExposome dataset, applying multivariate and spatial analysis techniques. Our findings confirm that Particulate Matter (PM_2.5) exerts the strongest negative association with mental wellbeing while extending prior work by establishing a preliminary ranking of other pollutants Particulate Matter (PM₁₀), Particulate Matter (PM₁), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂), Ammonia (NH₃). We applied statistical and spatial analysis methods, including heatmaps and Voronoi diagrams, to explore links between pollutants and wellbeing and compare the relative influence of air pollution and noise. This enabled identification of pollutant-specific hotspots and multi-level wellbeing patterns across individual, accumulated, and collective scales. These results demonstrate the value of spatial analysis for environmental health research and support targeted urban interventions, such as green space placement and traffic re-routing, to mitigate mental wellbeing risks. Full article

Introduction: Over 100 studies demonstrate the efficacy of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), an evidence-based therapeutic method. However, most research is on in-person delivery of EFT. Only a few studies examine EFT delivered virtually, and to date no research has provided a direct comparison of group virtual EFT to group in-person delivery. Objectives: Delivery of EFT shifted to online platforms in the wake of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. This makes a comparison of virtual delivery to in-person delivery timely. The research question of whether online group delivery is as effective as in-person group delivery is of high clinical relevance, given the increased access and convenience offered by virtual treatment options. Methods: Participants in the online group were a convenience sample of 172 participants drawn from four four-day virtual EFT training sessions. Changes in psychological and physiological symptoms were measured pre, post, and at six-month follow-up using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-4). The two-item Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Checklist (PCL), the Happiness Scale, and the QuickDASH pain scale. These results were then compared to those of a previously published study of in-person group EFT (n = 203) that used an identical training curriculum delivered face-to-face. Due to COVID restrictions, the physiological measures used in the face-to-face delivery could not be replicated in the virtual group. Results: Online group EFT demonstrated significant improvements in PTSD, anxiety, depression, pain, and happiness (all p < 0.001) pre to post EFT. These improvements were maintained at six-month follow-up for PTSD (p < 0.001), depression (p = 0.048), pain (p = 0.002), and happiness (p < 0.001). Although there was a reduction in anxiety in the online group at six-month follow-up, this did not reach significance (p = 0.102). When compared to the in-person group (pre-COVID), the percent change in symptoms, while still clinically and statistically significant, was for most conditions smaller in the virtual group (post COVID) at both post and follow-up time points. Conclusions: EFT is associated with significant improvements in psychological and physiological conditions including PTSD, anxiety, depression, pain, and happiness, whether delivered virtually in groups or in-person in groups. The psychological and physiological benefits identified in online treatment are similar to those found during in-person delivery, though not as large or clinically significant. This finding is consistent with the literature demonstrating that online treatment is an effective method of delivering psychological therapies. The results reinforce other studies showing COVID produced a significant increase in mental health symptoms. Published treatment guidelines already recommend in-person EFT as an efficient and potentially cost-effective first-line intervention in primary care; virtual group EFT can be similarly recommended. Full article

This article documents and analyzes a three-month intercultural performance collaboration with Metamorphosis Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia, during the summer of 1992—a pivotal moment following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Drawing on the author’s fieldwork methodology developed through decades of collaboration with Indigenous communities in Alaska, Southern Africa, and Siberia, the project employed trance techniques, rhythm-based training, and ritual archaeology to reconstruct pre-Christian Slavic performance practices. The resulting production, Shadows from the Planet Fire, emerged through a process that positioned ritual not as nostalgic revival but as a living technology for addressing cultural trauma and existential displacement. This account contributes to performance studies, applied theatre, and cultural heritage discourse by demonstrating how cosmocentric Indigenous methodologies can be adapted to address the spiritual and psychological wounds of post-industrial, post-colonial societies. The work establishes foundational principles for what the author terms “Techdigenous” practice—the synthesis of Indigenous wisdom traditions with contemporary performance contexts—and argues for ritual as a necessary consciousness technology in an era of ecological crisis and cultural fragmentation. Full article

Background/Objectives: Adaptogens are plant-derived substances that enhance the body’s nonspecific resistance to physical, chemical, biological, and psychological stressors by normalizing physiological functions. This article discusses the molecular mechanisms of action of seven key plant adaptogens—Rhodiola rosea, Schisandra chinensis, Withania somnifera, Eleutherococcus senticosus, Panax ginseng, Ocimum tenuiflorum, and Bacopa monnieri—in the context of chronic stress and lifestyle-related diseases. Methods: A review of the scientific literature is performed, including preclinical in vitro and in vivo studies, randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials, and studies employing network pharmacology analyses, molecular docking, and genomic techniques such as gene expression profiling. The interactions of active constituents with signaling pathways, molecular targets, and synergistic mechanisms were analyzed based on publications from the years 2010–2025. Results: Adaptogens exhibit pleiotropic activity: they regulate the HPA axis (Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Adrenal axis); induce Hsp70/Hsp16 expression; modulate SAPK/JNK, FOXO, and NF-κB pathways; and demonstrate antioxidant and mitoprotective effects. Specific mechanisms include: salidroside from R. rosea activating PI3K/Akt; schizandrin B from S. chinensis stimulating Hsp70; withanolides from W. somnifera inhibiting PDE4D; ginsenosides from P. ginseng suppressing FKBP51; and bacosides from B. monnieri enhancing acetylcholine synthesis. Clinical studies confirm reductions in cortisol levels (14–30%), decreased fatigue, and improved cognitive function without adverse effects. Conclusions: Understanding the molecular mechanisms of adaptogens supports their application in integrative medicine for the treatment of stress-related disorders, depression, anxiety, and neurodegenerative diseases. Further clinical studies are needed to optimize dosages and standardize extracts. Full article