ObjectiveThe aim of the study was to determine psychological, psychophysiological, and anthropometric factors connected with life events, level of depression, and quality of life in people at risk for cardiovascular disease and healthy controls.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional study involving arterial hypertension patients and healthy controls. There were several measurements including physical, anthropological, cardiovascular, and psychophysiological measurements and administration of questionnaires.ResultsA total of 99 participants were recruited for this study, 54 healthy controls (mean age: 35.59±13.39 years) and 45 patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) (mean age: 46.33±12.39 years). The healthy controls and the patients with CVD significantly differed in the mean total score of life events, level of depression, quality of life score, temperature, blood pressure (BP), pulse transit time, heart rate, high-frequency total power, heart rate variability total power, waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), body fat percentage, fat control, pulse wave velocity, and augmentation index. In healthy subjects, the total score of the life events was not correlated with any cardiovascular or anthropometric factor. A score of depression significantly correlated with the WHtR, augmentation index, body fat percentage, and fat control. The quality of life – visual scale correlated with the body temperature, BP, and percentage of body fat. In the group of the patients with CVD, the score of the life events did not correlate with any measured cardiovascular or anthropometric factor. The level of depression correlated with the augmentation index. The quality of life – visual scale significantly correlated with body temperature, WHtR, and fat control.ConclusionThe patients with CVD reported higher scores of life events, worse quality of life, and a greater level of depressive symptoms than healthy controls. In healthy controls, a higher mean total score of life events significantly negatively correlated with high-frequency total power, and the degree of depression correlated with being overweight. In patients with CVD, a score of depression was linked to being overweight.

The aim of this article is to describe the protocol of a trial focusing on the psychological, anthropometric, cardiac, and psychophysiological factors contributing to increased risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). As background, the article provides a short overview of research literature linking personal traits, maladaptive schemas, and coping styles with CVDs through reactivity of the autonomic nervous system.

BackgroundAlarming somatic symptoms, in particular, cardiovascular symptoms, are the characteristic feature of panic attacks. Increased cardiac mortality and morbidity have been found in these patients. Power spectral analysis of electrocardiogram R–R intervals is known to be a particularly successful tool in the detection of autonomic instabilities in various clinical disorders. Our study aimed to compare patients with panic disorder and healthy controls in heart rate variation (HRV) parameters (very-low-frequency [VLF], low-frequency [LF], and high-frequency [HF] band components of R–R interval) in baseline and during the response to the mental task.Subjects and methodsWe assessed psychophysiological variables in 33 patients with panic disorder (10 men, 23 women; mean age 35.9±10.7 years) and 33 age- and gender-matched healthy controls (10 men, 23 women; mean age 35.8±12.1 years). Patients were treatment naïve. Heart rate, blood pressure, muscle tension, and HRV in basal conditions and after the psychological task were assessed. Power spectrum was computed for VLF (0.003–0.04 Hz), LF (0.04–0.15 Hz), and HF (0.15–0.40 Hz) bands using fast Fourier transformation.ResultsIn the baseline period, the VLF band was significantly lower in panic disorder group compared to controls (p<0.005). In the period of mental task, the LF/HF ratio was significantly higher in panic disorder patients compared to controls (p<0.05). No significant differences were found in the remaining parameters. There was a significant difference in ΔHF and ΔLF/HF ratio between patients and controls, with Δ increasing in patients and decreasing in controls.ConclusionThese findings revealed that patients suffering from panic disorder were characterized by relative sympathetic dominance (reactivity) in response to mental stress compared with healthy controls.

Purpose The investigation aimed to explore the association between personality traits, stressful life events, quality of life on anthropometric characteristics (waist/height ratio and percentage of visceral fat). Method A total of 227 participants took part in this cross-sectional study. Participants completed the Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS), Temperament and Character Inventory-Revised, Type-D Scale (DS-14), EuroQol Group 5-Dimension Self-Report Questionnaire (EQ-5D), and demographic questionnaire. Two anthropometric parameters were measured: Waist/height ratio and Percentage of the visceral fat. Results The average age of participants was 39.6±12.9 years, 60.4% women. The 41.8% of participants were overweight or obese. Regression analysis found a significant link between Harm-avoidance and EQ-5D visual analog scale (VAS) with Waist/height ratio in women and Reward dependence and Cooperativeness with Waist/height ratio in men. In regression analysis, the score of life events (SRRS) has statistically significant linked to Percentage of the visceral fat in women. The regression analysis also found a significant link between Novelty seeking, DS14, Negative affectivity, and EQ-5D VAS with Percentage of the visceral fat in women. Conclusion Significant associations between live events, personality traits, and body anthropometric measures were recognized. The differences were recognized between women and men. Outcomes propose some promising tools by which personality factors may influence overweight and obesity.

Při práci se židlemi využíváme techniky klasického psychodramatu (prázdná židle, výměna rolí, dvojník, zrcadlení) i specifické schématerapeutické přístupy, týkající se práce s módy. Módy jsou ohraničené komplexní vzorce emočního prožívání, myšlení, tělesných reakcí a chování, které se spouští při aktivaci raného maladaptivního schématu. Přesedání mezi židlemi umožňuje pacientovi a terapeutovi lépe identifikovat jednotlivé módy a související myšlenky, prožívání a chování, které jsou s nimi spojeny. To umožňuje zvýšení sebereflexe a následně i sebekontroly. V případě vnitřních konfliktů je možné vést mezi jednotlivými módy dialog, kdy pacient přesedá mezi židlemi zapojených módů. Článek probírá možnosti, jak s pomocí židlí vést dialogy módů a pomoci pacientovi k hlubší sebereflexi a volbě konstruktivního chování.Klíčová slova: práce se židlemi, schématerapie, módy, raná maladaptivní schémata. Working with modes using chairs in schematherapyChairwork contains techniques of classical psychodrama (empty chair, change of roles, double, mirroring), as well as specific schema therapeutic approaches related to working with schema modes. Modes are complex patterns of emotional experience, thinking, bodily reactions, and behaviors that occur after activation of an early maladaptive schema. Chairwork is useful for easier identification of individual modes and their associated thoughts, experiences, and behaviors. This allows to increase self-reflection and subsequently self-control. In the case of internal conflicts, it is possible to conduct dialogues between the individual modes, where the patient moves between the chairs of the particular modes. This article discusses various options for using chairs to conduct mode dialogues and help the patient to increase their self-reflection and constructive behavior.