Stress management and health promotion intervention in apparently healthy adults

Postgraduate Thesis uoadl:2874858 353 Read counter

Unit:
Κατεύθυνση Η Επιστήμη του Στρές και η Προαγωγή της Υγείας
Library of the School of Health Sciences
Deposit date:
2019-05-23
Year:
2019
Author:
Zigkiri Eleni
Supervisors info:
Χριστίνα Δαρβίρη, Επισκ. Καθηγήτρια, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ, Επιβλέπουσα
Γεώργιος Χρούσος, Ομότιμος Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Φλώρα Μπακοπούλου, Επίκουρη Καθηγήτρια, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Original Title:
Παρεμβατικό πρόγραμμα διαχείρισης του στρες και προαγωγής της υγείας σε φαινομενικά υγιείς
Languages:
Greek
Translated title:
Stress management and health promotion intervention in apparently healthy adults
Summary:
Background: Modern Lifestyle is full of stressors closely linked with the adoption of unhealthy lifestyle habits. The World Health Organization (WHO) report that the physical inactivity (sedentary life) and unhealthy diet (along with alcohol and smoking) are considered one of the main risk factors for the early onset of current non-communicable diseases. Besides, the manifestation of symptoms related to the disruption of homeostasis of the human body motivates the scientists worldwide to shift their instructions from simple prescription to universal recommendations for changes in the everyday way life choices (Lifestyle Medicine). Methods: We applied a novel, non-pharmaceutical intervention in a community sample (N = 34), for eight weeks. The study took place in the Athens area from April to June 2018. The ΄΄Pythagorean Self-Awareness΄΄ technique is a cognitive-based stress management intervention which also seems to provide cognitive functions and wellbeing. Based on the international scientific guidelines and the literature on stress, it is used the Pythagorean Philosophy framework (established 2500 years ago at the Crotona of North Italy) as a moderator for the adoption of a healthier behavior in the daily life. Cognitive processing (cognitive reconstruction) achieved through the moral frame of the 71+1 verses of the ΄΄Golden Verses ΄΄ and the systematic application of the technique to the everyday life of the individual. Aim: The aim of our study is to describe the process we followed and the qualitative and the quantitative analysis of the results that were measured by self-report questionnaires regarding stress, depression, positive or negative emotions and sense of coherence and moreover the statistical significant difference in cognitive tests which evaluate learning and memory. Results: Thirty-four adults’ men and women participate in the study. A statistically significant difference recorded in the adoption of a healthy lifestyle, nutritional habits and sleep behaviors, mainly in the high-conformance group. Also, statistically significant difference recorded in the Symbol Digits Modality Test (SDMT) - Caution and Speed Processing of Information (p <.001), California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT) - Examination of Verbal Memory (p <.001) and Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised (BVMT-R) - Examining visual and memory learning (p = .021). Conclusions: The ΄΄Pythagorean Self-Awarenes΄΄ technique is in line with modern international standards and recommendations for a holistic approach for health. Moreover, the technique might have a potential influence on daily healthier lifestyle behavioral choices and the management of everyday stress attitudes, through a systematic cognitive behavioral reconstruction.
Main subject category:
Health Sciences
Keywords:
Pythagorean Self Awareness, Non-pharmaceutical intervention, Lifestyle Medicine, Stress, Stress management, Cognitive behavioral therapy-CBT, Community sample, Apparently healthy adults
Index:
Yes
Number of index pages:
1
Contains images:
Yes
Number of references:
55
Number of pages:
53
Ζίγκιρη Ελένη_Διπλωματική_Πυθαγόρειος Αυτογνωσία+Κοινοτικό Δείγμα.pdf (1 MB) Open in new window