Mindfulness training in medical education as a means to improve resilience,empathy,and mental health in the medical profession

The high rates of depression,burnout,and increased risk of suicide among medical students,residents,and physicians in comparison with other careers signal a mental health crisis within our profession.We contend that this crisis coupled with the inadequate acquisition of interpersonal skills during medical education results from the interaction between a challenging environment and the mental capital of individuals.Additionally,we posit that mindfulness-based practices are instrumental for the development of major components of mental capital,such as resilience,flexibility of mind,and learning skills,while also serving as a pathway to enhance empathy,compassion,self-awareness,conflict resolution,and relational abilities.Importantly,the evidence base supporting the effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions has been increasing over the years,and a growing number of medical schools have already integrated mindfulness into their curricula.While we acknowledge that mindfulness is not a panacea for all educational and mental health problems in this field,we argue that there is currently an unprecedented opportunity to gather momentum,spread and study mindfulness-based programs in medical schools around the world as a way to address some longstanding shortcomings of the medical profession and the health and educational systems upon which it is rooted.

Association of Congenital Heart Defects (CHD) with Factors Related to Maternal Health and Pregnancy in Newborns in Puerto Rico

Background:Given the pervasive issues of obesity and diabetes both in Puerto Rico and the broader United States,there is a compelling need to investigate the intricate interplay among body mass index(BMI),pregesta-tional,and gestational maternal diabetes,and their potential impact on the occurrence of congenital heart defects(CHD)during neonatal development.Methods:Using the comprehensive System of Vigilance and Surveillance of Congenital Defects in Puerto Rico,we conducted a focused analysis on neonates diagnosed with CHD between 2016 and 2020.Our assessment encompassed a range of variables,including maternal age,gestational age,BMI,pregestational diabetes,gestational diabetes,hypertension,history of abortion,and presence of preeclampsia.Results:A cohort of 673 patients was included in our study.The average maternal age was 26 years,within a range of 22 to 32 years.The mean gestational age measured 39 weeks,with a median span of 38 to 39 weeks.Of the 673 patients,274(41%)mothers gave birth to neonates diagnosed with CHD.Within this group,22 cases were linked to pre-gestational diabetes,while 202 were not;20 instances were associated with gestational diabetes,compared to 200 without;and 148 cases exhibited an overweight or obese BMI,whereas 126 displayed a normal BMI.Conclusion:We identified a statistically significant correlation between pre-gestational diabetes mellitus and the occurrence of CHD.However,our analysis did not show a statistically significant association between maternal BMI and the likelihood of CHD.These results may aid in developing effective strategies to prevent and manage CHD in neonates.

Psychological and Physiological Health Benefits of a Structured Forest Therapy Program for Children and Adolescents with Mental Health Disorders

Mental health conditions in children and adolescents can be improved by slow mindful nature connection known as forest therapyor bathing.Forest therapy has recently received growing attention as an enabler of relaxation and preventive health care withdemonstrated clinical efficacy.However,it is not well-known that forest therapy also decreases mental health issues amongindividuals with mental health disorders.This study explored the psychological and physiological health benefits of structuredforest therapy programs for children and adolescents with mental health disorders.A one-group pre-test-posttest design wasemployed for our study participants.Twelve participants(aged 9–14 years)engaged in two one-hour guided standard sequenceforest therapy experiences.A Mindful Attention Awareness Scale(MAAS),Connectedness to Nature Scale(CNS),Profile ofMood States(POMS),place meanings(e.g.,functional,emotional,and cognitive attachment to the forest)questionnaire,andphysiological health assessment were administered to the participants.Our results showed that negative mood states weresignificantly reduced and that a positive mood state was significantly improved after the structured forest therapy programs.Also,mindfulness,nature connection,place meanings,and physiological health were significantly boosted after theinterventions.The results demonstrate substantial psychological and physiological health and well-being outcomes ofstructured forest therapy for similar individuals.

Mindfulness,Smile,Choice,Practice:Thoughts Based on Improving the Mental Health of Adolescent Secondary Vocational Students

Through the results of observations,questionnaires,tests,and other aspects from students,parents,teachers,schools,and society,we deeply explored the reality in the current education process of secondary vocational students,and actively thought about how to improve the current reality.We also explored the views and concepts more suitable for current students and times,created better educational and teaching activities to enhance students’perception and experience,so that students can truly enjoy the process,accumulate psychological resources and energy,and successfully complete the tasks of adolescent personality identity and development.Students can follow the self-education path of mindfulness,smile,choice,and practice,truly improve the level of mental health,and lay a solid foundation for becoming high-quality and highly-skilled talents.

The Challenges and Opportunities of Buddhist Music Discipline in a New Era-The Practice and Application of Mind and Body System in Chinese Buddhist Chanting

Religious music is an inevitable and important topic when exploring the significance of the“new”or“deep”dimension of religion or spirituality.Traditional Chinese culture influenced Chinese Buddhist chanting practices,developing special melodies,languages,and meaning,and establishing special mind and body practice system spanning thousands of years.Advances in music therapy,meditation,and vocal research give the Chinese Buddhist chanting mind and body practice system enough theoretical support to facilitate the construction of the discipline in the modern era.This paper adopts the scientific approach to tracing and analyzing the origins of the body and mind system in Chinese Buddhist chanting practice and reviews how the system benefits the mind and body and modern society in general.This paper also examines the issues confronting the standard and development of special chanting skills in Chinese Buddhist music in the modern era.

Applying the Chinese Shichen for a Healthy Body and Mind

Gall Bladder MeridianThe Gall Bladder Meridian works dynamically in Zishi(from 11 p.m.to 1 a.m.).Going to sleep before Zishi means that the gall bladder is able to complete the process of metabolism.In the morning,people will feel refreshed with no dark circles around the eyes.Reminder:Stay relaxed,keep warm and sleep well.

Effects of a Single-Dose of Mind-Body Practice on the Heart Rate Variability, Brain Activity and Shooting Performance in Archers: A Pilot Study

Objective: Factors affecting performance of archery are categorized into psychological, skill, and fitness perspectives. Increase in attention, relaxation and parasympathetic system activity is believed to enhance the shooting performance of archers during competition. This pilot study aims to investigate the effects of single-dose of Tai Chi practice on archer’s performance and the feasibility of an investigation protocol under a competition scenario. Methods: This was a randomized controlled trial (RCT) with a crossover study design. Pre- and post-intervention measurements were conducted to evaluate the effects of Tai Chi practice on the archer’s autonomic nervous system activity, attention and relaxation through electroencephalography investigation, and shooting performance when compared with stretching as control. Results: The protocol of the study was found to be feasible during a competition setting. No significant difference was detected in the outcome measures under the two intervention conditions. Participants after practicing Tai Chi were found to improve significantly in their shooting performance (p = 0.021). Conclusion: This pilot study showed that a real-time measurement of autonomic nervous system and brain wave activities in the competition field was feasible and it did not hinder the archers’ performance. There was a significant improvement observed in the shooting performance of archers after Tai Chi practice when compared with baseline. The findings of this pilot study provide the basis for the conduction of a larger RCT study to examine the potential beneficial effects of Tai Chi practice on archers.

Dose-dependent associations of joint aerobic and muscle-strengthening exercise with obesity:A cross-sectional study of 280,605 adults

Background:Emerging epidemiological evidence suggests that compared to engaging in 1 activity mode alone,a combination of moderate-tovigorous physical activity(MVPA:brisk walking/jogging,cycling)and muscle-strengthening exercise(MSE:push-ups/sit-ups,using weight machines)has more favorable associations with optimal weight status.However,few studies have examined the dose-dependent and joint associations of MVPA and MSE with obesity.Methods:Based on cross-sectional analyses of the European Health Interview Survey Wave 2(2013-2014),we examined prevalence ratios(PRs)of joint and stratified associations between MVPA(4 categories:(ⅰ)0 min/week,(ⅱ)1-149 min/week,(ⅲ)150-299 min/week,and(ⅳ)≥300 min/week)and MSE(3 categories:(ⅰ)0 day/week,(ⅱ)1 day/week,and(ⅲ)>2 days/week)with body mass index-defined obesity(body mass index of>30.0 kg/m2)using Poisson regression with robust error variance.PRs were examined unadjusted and adjusted for sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics(e.g.,sex,age,education,income,and smoking status).Results:Data were available for 280,456 adults(≥18 years),of which 46,166(15.5%)were obese.The interaction MVPA x MSE guideline adherence was statistically significant for obesity(p≤0.05).The joint MVPA-MSE analysis showed that compared to the reference group(i.e.,no MVPA and no MSE),the PRs followed a dose-dependent pattern,with the lowest observed among those reporting≥150 MVPA min/week and≥1 MSE days/week(PR:0.43;95%confidence interval:0.41-0.46).When stratified across each MVPA strata,the PRs were mostly lower among those engaging in MSE 1 day/week,as compared to those doing MSE≥2 days/week.Conclusion:"There was evidence for a dose-dependent association between joint MVPA-MSE with a reduced prevalence of obesity.Public health strategies for the prevention and management of obesity should recommend both MVPA and MSE.

Effectiveness of mindfulness based cognitive therapy on weight loss, improvement of hypertension and attentional bias to eating cues in overweight people

Objectives:Prevalence rates of overweight and obesity are dramatically ever-increasing across the world.Therefore,this study was to evaluate the effect of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy(MBCT)on weight loss,hypertension,and attentional bias towards food cues in a group of women affected with this condition.Methods:A total of 45 participants were selected out of women referring to the Nutrition and Diet Therapy Clinic affiliated to Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences,Iran,and then randomized into three groups of 15.The first experimental group was subjected to an energy-restricted diet therapy together with MBCT during 8 sessions,the second group took the diet therapy alone,and the third group received no intervention.Body mass index(BMI),hypertension,and attentional bias towards food cues were correspondingly evaluated before,at the end,and four weeks after the completion of the interventions.Results:The results of this study revealed that MBCT,along with diet therapy,had been significantly more effective in weight loss,decrease in BMI,lower systolic blood pressure(SBP),and attentional bias towards food cues compared with the diet therapy alone(P≤0.01).MBCT had no significant impact on the decline in diastolic blood pressure(DBP)in participants in the follow-up phase.Conclusion:This study demonstrated that MBCT along with the conventional diet therapy was more effective in weight loss,decrease in BMI,hypertension control,as well as attentional bias towards food cues than the diet therapy alone.

Concepts of body constitution, health and sub-health from traditional Chinese medicine perspective

This paper described and discussed the important literature and ideas about the concepts, types and measurement of body constitution, in terms of healthy,sub-healthy and disease status. In view of traditional Chinese medicine, ‘‘healthy" state is a status of relative balance of Yin and Yang to keep our bodily homeostasis. If there are significant physical and/or psychological stressors, such as loss of a beloved one and failure in study or work, the body can no longer keep its own bodily condition balanced and subsequently enter a state of ‘‘sub-health"(sub-optimal health).‘‘unhealthy" body constitution such as ‘‘Dampnessheat", ‘‘Cold-dampness" and ‘‘Heat- or Cold- dryness"with a subnormal body temperature and humidity and clinical manifestations such as insomnia, malaise and overweight will be presented. Immediate, appropriate strategies such as modification of life-style and seeking medical treatment can prevent evolution of an illness.Otherwise, the body will enter a disease status with a‘‘pathological" body constitution of ‘‘Yin or Yang deficiency'', ‘‘Blood-stasis" and/or ‘‘Phlegm-dampness". To be complimentary with health promotion and disease prevention in Western medicine, understanding about an individual's body constitution, together with itsdeterminants(e.g., healthy eating and lifestyle behaviors), can contribute to a more proactive, holistic and individualized healthcare.

The two-way feedback and passing-way of human body

Two-way feedback of human body was published in 1992. The sensation of two-way feedback of body is a special system of human reaction, which maintains and regulates symmetry and balance of human body. The human two-way feedback reacts to human health. For human overall health and delay decrepitude, it is necessary to pay attention to the stimulations (passive acceptance and initiative interventions) and relevant influences in human body and the stimulative effect. In this paper, the experimental research of stimulation and an example of two-way feedback in human body are given. And lay a foundation of prevention, medical treatment and hygiene of human overall health.

Communicating Different and Higher across the Praxis of Bloom’s Taxonomy While Shifting toward Health at Every Size (HAES)

The majority of recent studies on prevention and control of childhood obesity focus on methods for achieving weight loss. In contrast, the Health at Every Size (HAES) paradigm fosters improved health behaviors for people of all sizes by emphasizing natural diversity of body type and attention to social, emotional, and spiritual factors in addition to physical ones. This study examined introduction of the HAES paradigm to student teachers using different communication models while moving across the learning domains of Bloom’s Taxonomy. The qualitative research tested a face-to-face verbal communication model and a Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC) module and its blog. It was also based upon reflection diaries recorded by participants using both models. Participants included Druze, Jewish, and Bedouin students at a teacher training program in northern Israel. The student teachers succeeded in developing the HAES concepts further while demonstrating the higher domain levels across Bloom’s Taxonomy. These higher levels emerged when engaging with theoretical concepts and practical dilemmas relating to the HAES concepts of health promotion, body image, well-being, and self-worth. Challenging the appreciation of HAES using different communication models can be translated into diverse contexts of Health Education Practices.

Body Size as an Indicator of Health for Green Turtles at the TCMP （Tobago Cays Marine Park）, Eastern Caribbean

Gazetted in 1997, The TCMP （Tobago Cays Marine Park） is the only marine protected area within the territorial boundaries of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Sea turtles are an important species in TCMP, and because their globally endangered status have become the focus of an in-water monitoring program, primarily for green turtles （Chelonia mydas）. Preliminary assessment indicated that the TCMP contains an important foraging aggregation of sub-adult green turtles. Since then two additional years of data has been collected; this data was analyzed to assess the health of the turtle population. The data also indicated that the weight was predictable according to carapace width and length and that the population is dominated by larger sub-adults.

The effects on students＇ physical and mental health of colleges and universities carrying out ideological and political education

In the background of modem education, ideological and political education and health education in universities play an important part in quality education. In higher education, ideological and political education and health education plays a role in their respective fields. Ideological and political education determines socialist direction of education and promotes the development of quality education. Mental health education starting from individual students, which improves student＇ s personality, promotes the comprehensive development of students; further promote the development of quality education. We can say that physical and mental health education and ideological and political education are supplementary to each other as well as enrich and expand health education, ideological and political education.

Participation in Mind-Body-Spirit Programs and Length of Stay in a Residential Addiction Treatment Facility: A Retrospective Analysis

Length of stay in treatment is thought to be the best predictors for long-term recovery from substance use disorders. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between participation in mind-body-spirit (MBS) therapeutic programs and length of stay in a residential treatment facility. A retrospective analysis of data from 1719 subjects who were admitted to a 30-day residential program for substance use disorders (SUD) was conducted. Subjects participated in MBS programs that included yoga, acupuncture and meditation. We examined the effects of subject participation in MBS programs for subjects who left against staff advice (ASA) and those who successfully completed the residential program. A higher percentage of subjects with severe heroin use disorder left ASA compared with subjects with severe alcohol use disorder (16% vs. 9%, respectively). Most subjects from both substance groups who failed to complete the 30-day treatment program, left within the first two weeks of stay (59% of alcohol group and 75% of heroin group);however, again, the percentage of heroin users leaving during the first two weeks was significantly greater compared with that of alcohol subjects. We found a highly significant, positive correlation (r = 0.56, p < 0.01) and a statistically significant increase in LOS for all subjects, regardless of the substance type, and the number of MBS program sessions attended showing an association between MBS participation and increased LOS. These data support the inclusion of MBS programs as part of a comprehensive treatment strategy for SUD in combination with traditional counseling to help develop a sustainable long-term recovery.

Joint Association of Metabolic Health and Obesity with Ten-Year Risk of Cardiovascular Disease among Chinese Adults

Objective This study aims to investigate the association of metabolic phenotypes that are jointly determined by body mass index(BMI)or fat mass percentage and metabolic health status with the tenyear risk of cardiovascular disease(CVD)among Chinese adults.Methods Data were obtained from a cross-sectional study.BMI and body fat mass percentage(FMP)combined with the metabolic status were used to define metabolic phenotypes.Multiple linear regression and logistic regression were used to examine the effects of metabolic phenotypes on CVD risk.Results A total of 13,239 adults aged 34-75 years were included in this study.Compared with the metabolically healthy non-obese(MHNO)phenotype,the metabolically unhealthy non-obese(MUNO)and metabolically unhealthy obese(MUO)phenotypes defined by BMI showed a higher CVD risk[odds ratio,OR(95% confidence interval,CI):2.34(1.89-2.89),3.45(2.50-4.75),respectively],after adjusting for the covariates.The MUNO and MUO phenotypes defined by FMP showed a higher CVD risk[OR(95%CI):2.31(1.85-2.88),2.63(1.98-3.48),respectively]than the MHNO phenotype.The metabolically healthy obese phenotype,regardless of being defined by BMI or FMP,showed no CVD risk compared with the MHNO phenotype.Conclusion General obesity without central obesity does not increase CVD risk in metabolically healthy individuals.FMP might be a more meaningful factor for the evaluation of the association of obesity with CVD risk.Obesity and metabolic status have a synergistic effect on CVD risk.

Prevalence of and factors associated with various level of body weight among Inner Mongolia medical students in China

Background: To date no study on the body weight of medical students in Inner Mongolia has been carried out. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of and factors associated with various body weight levels, and the physical health status associated with body weight levels among medical students attending the Inner Mongolia Medical College of China in 2011. Methods: Data on participant characteristics came from basic information contained in the school database. Students’ body weight was categorized using standard height and weight and physical health status using the college student physical health standard. Factors associated with various level of body weight were identified using multinomial logistic regression analysis. Results: The sample comprised 2060 males and 5096 females. The appropriate body weight prevalence among the students was 51.7%. The prevalence of being overweight or obese was 5.8 and 8.5%, respecttively, higher compared to the typical prevalence among college students in China. Both male and female students in the 24-28-years age group had the lowest appropriate weight percentage and the highest obesity percentage among all the age groups. For female medical students, the prevalence of obesity for students studying in Clinical Medicine was higher than for other faculties. Multinomial logistic regression analysis of male students showed that lowest year of education (year 1) was a protective factor in regard to appropriate weight. For both male and female medical students, the obese group had the highest proportion of poor physical health status compared to other categories of body weight and the proportion with excellent physiccal health status constituted < 1% for males and 0% for females. Conclusions: School administrators should encourage medical students to actively participate in body weight training and education to improve attitudes toward inappropriate body weight, to increase protective factors, and reduce the risk factors for inappropriate body weight.

The Fluid Traditional and Indigenous Structure of Climatism in Physical Architecture and Its Role in Hospital Construction

The issue of climatism is a matter of concern today, given the growth of technology and the subject of globalization, which is defined and explained in many respects. The rapid advancement of technology makes communication and navigation readily available. This factor causes the challenge for human societies to discover more recent developments that in turn raise the issues of how can the climatism be compatible with the creation of an architectural work, taking into account that the countries’ conventional boundaries lose their importance. And, the factors affect climatism, in other words, the way that climatism, human societies with diverse cultures, and the surrounding environment interact with each other, is raised. And, in general, the way that an architecture work to interact with its environment is discussed. In this sense, the traditional and indigenous architecture, and the fluidity of the region in the architectural framework also address the characteristics of the physical and architectural features of each region from the architectural arena, introducing effective approaches to architecture and urban planning (objective and tactical approaches), using the rational-logical approach to regional review. Then, the discussion of regionalism and regional influences in the physical fabric of each traditional architectural structure’s region is presented, with the special look of traditional architecture that is expressed in consistency between the building and the nature, and to explain the arguments to the examples and characteristics.

Upshots of health education among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A field study in Mysuru

Objective:This study was conducted to assess the impact of health education on lifestyle modification and disease status of diabetic patients for 6 months in rural Mysuru in Southern India.Materials and Methods:A quasi-experimental study was conducted among 104 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in rural Mysuru,India from July to December 2022.Participants were assigned to two groups:intervention(n=52)and control(n=52),and their data were collected.The intervention group was educated about the disease and its management and was given printed pamphlets containing information to be followed,whereas the participants in the control group were asked to continue their routine health checkups.The body mass index(BMI),weight,fasting blood sugar(FBS),knowledge about the disease,and behavior changes were recorded and compared between the two groups before and after 6 months.Results:The mean FBS value,BMI and weight decreased significantly in the intervention group after 6 months(FBS:164.79±47.59 mg/dL vs.141.92±25.63 mg/dL,P<0.001;BMI:22.97±3.75 kg/m2 vs.22.62±3.29 kg/m2,P<0.05;weight:62.82±11.92 kg vs.61.54±10.67 kg,P<0.05).The posttest period also showed an improvement in physical activity,diet,and medication adherence in the intervention group compared to the control group(P<0.05).The knowledge scores also improved postintervention which was statistically significant with the Wilcoxon signed-rank test(P<0.05).Conclusions:The effectiveness of the educational intervention was also supported by lower FBS levels and decrease in BMI and weight compared to before.The findings of this study may help and make it easier to plan studies on people with diabetes mellitus in various settings.