Effectiveness assessment of a therapeutic programme for women with overweight and obesity: a biopsychosocial perspective

et al. 2021

JCM

The multifactorial genesis of old-age depression requires multi-professional therapy combining physical activity and psychosocial interventions; however, there is still a percentage of older people who do not exhibit satisfactory improvements. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of virtual therapy in the elderly for whom the previous multimodal, biopsychosocial therapeutic programme had not brought the expected results. Twenty-five elderly women with depressive symptoms were randomly divided into a virtual reality group (VR, n = 13) and a control group (Control, n = 12). The average age was 70.73 and the average intensity of depression symptoms amounted to 12.26 in the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-30). As a virtual reality source, the VRTierOne (Stolgraf®) device was used. The therapeutic cycle consisted of eight virtual therapy sessions, twice a week for four weeks. As primary and secondary outcome measures, the GDS-30 was performed at three time points. In the VR group, the GDS-30 score was reduced by 36%, and the result persisted in the follow-up tests. Immersive virtual therapy significantly lowered the intensity of depressive symptoms, as well as stress and anxiety levels in older women taking part in the group-based multimodal therapeutic programme, whose earlier therapy had not brought the expected results.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The multifactorial genesis of depression in old age includes psychosocial, vascular and metabolic factors and requires multimodal and multi-professional therapy combining physical activity with psychosocial interventions [5]. Such a model is based on the biopsychosocial approach to treating depression [6].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Virtual Therapeutic Garden: A Promising Method Supporting the Treatment of Depressive Symptoms in Late-Life: A Randomized Pilot Study

Szczepańska-Gieracha

Cieślik

et al. 2021

JCM

“…The therapeutic programme consists of general fitness exercises, health education sessions and psychoeducation, where participants are also encouraged to modify their diet. The project has continuously started a new edition every year since 2016 [ 32 , 39 , 40 , 41 ].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Therapeutic activities in this approach focus on the group nature of all activities, physical training and both psychoeducation and health promotion. This holistic therapeutic approach should be implemented on a long-term basis by a multidisciplinary team of experienced professionals [ 32 ]. The biopsychosocial model can lead to improved clinical outcomes by building awareness of the interactions between biological, psychological, sociocultural and spiritual factors, as well as to an increase in a patient’s self-management of illness through a dynamic patient–primary care physician relationship and a multidisciplinary approach to patient care [ 33 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors Associated with Undertaking Health-Promoting Activities by Older Women at High Risk of Metabolic Syndrome

Rusowicz

Juszko

et al. 2022

IJERPH

Background: The complexity of health problems concerning women aged ≥60 years makes it necessary to develop effective, low-cost strategies involving biopsychosocial interventions. The aim of this study is to identify the factors associated with undertaking health-promoting activities by older women at high risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) with or without depressive symptoms. Methods: The study group consisted of 70 older women (62–84 years old) undertaking regular physical activity. A self-developed questionnaire (used to determine the living situation, selected lifestyle components and health problems), the Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ) and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) were used. Results: In the study group undertaking regular physical activity, 40% had increased symptoms of depression (D group), and 60% were classified as non-depressed (ND group). The D group had a higher general stress level (t = −6.18, p = 0.001). Improving and/or maintaining physical fitness was identified as the greatest motivation in both groups. Willingness to spend time with other people significantly differed between the two groups (χ2 = 4.148, p = 0.042). The sole factor significantly differentiating between both groups was lack of time (χ2 = 8.777, p = 0.003). Conclusions: Motivations and barriers to undertaking health-promoting activities and levels of perceived stress were significantly different between the depressed and non-depressed groups. It is important to encourage primary care physicians to perform screening tests for late-life depression and to provide information on where therapeutic interventions are available for patients with symptoms of MetS and coexisting depressive symptoms.

“…In this approach, great emphasis is placed on the group nature of all the activities (reducing the sense of loneliness and social isolation), on body training (general fitness training, relaxation, dance), as well as health promotion and psychoeducation. This holistic therapeutic approach must be carried out on a long-term basis by a multidisciplinary team of specialists (e.g., a physiotherapist, a psychotherapist, and a music therapist) experienced in working with older patients [ 4 ]. The biopsychosocial model can be used to improve clinical outcomes by building patients’ awareness of the interactions between biological, psychological, socio-cultural factors, and to increase patients’ self-management of illness [ 5 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multimodal Therapeutic Approach in Women with High Risk of Metabolic Syndrome—A Single Group One Center Pre-Post Study

Rusowicz

Idzikowski

et al. 2021

JCM

The study aims to determine the impact of multimodal therapeutic approach on self-perceived stress in women with high risk of Metabolic Syndrome (MetS). The study involved 43 women aged 60 years and over (mean 68.6 ± 6.5) participating in a Mental Health Promotion Program. Over the 3-month course of the project, all of the participants attended meetings of a support group (60-min sessions twice a week). During these meetings, they took part in general fitness training (20 min), dancing (20 min), as well as health-promoting education and psychoeducation sessions (20 min). Moreover, the participants were encouraged to modify their diet to reduce their daily fat and sugar intake. Stress levels were assessed using the Perception of Stress Questionnaire (PSQ). Mood was measured with the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-30). In all of the subjects, a body composition analysis was performed using a Tanita BC-545N analyzer. Abdomen and hip circumference were measured to determine the waist-hip ratio. Weight and height were measured to determine the BMI score. At the beginning of the project, the intensity of stress correlated with the level of depressive symptoms (GDS), Body Mass Index (BDI), and the amount of visceral fat. Three months of participation in the Mental Health Promotion Program resulted in a significant reduction in stress intensity (p < 0.01). At the end of the project, all of the participants expressed their willingness to continue their participation in the classes, which is very important as there is a need to conduct long-term health-promoting activities in the age group in question.