This thesis studied three plants traditionally used for treating a variety of anxiety related conditions. The three species were Roseroot, Rhodiola rosea from Nunavik, Cordonsillo, Piper amalago from Belize and “Sin Susto”, Souroubea sympetala from Costa Rica. The main objective of this research project was to investigate effects on behavior of these traditionally used native plants. It was found that the crude ethanol extracts derived from these plants administered intragastrically had measurable anxiolytic effects in male Sprague Dawley rats. Rats treated with extracts of these plants were then tested in several behavioral paradigms: elevated plus maze (EPM), social interaction (SI), conditioned emotional response (CER) and fear potentiated startle FPS. “Sin susto” produced significant anti-anxiety effects in several paradigms. Its active principle, betulinic acid, was significantly active in the EPM and FPS at a dose of 0.5mg/kg. Cordonsillo had strong activity in the SI paradigm and Roseroot in the CER paradigm. The results suggest that traditional use is based on pharmacological activity of the plants.

This research aimed to help caregivers easily recognize physiological indicators of pediatric anxiety. To this purpose, we first elucidated the physiological indicators of anxiety in children by presenting an anxiety-inducing task while recording biosignals. We discovered patterns suggestive of cardiac reciprocal inhibition, increased respiration rate, and increased electrodermal activity. These patterns informed the optimization of an existing auditory prototype for presenting biosignals to caregivers (biosongs), which maps physiological features to musical elements. The effectiveness of the optimized biosongs for conveying anxiety was evaluated by quantifying the accuracy with which adults could distinguish anxious and calm states by listening to music translated from children's physiological signals. High overall sensitivity (90%), specificity (78%), and accuracy (84%) were achieved, suggesting the promise of biosongs as an effective anxiety screening tool. This technology could lead to profound improvements in caregiving contexts, including anxiety management during medical procedures, and home-based monitoring for chronic conditions.

Dental anxiety is not typically associated with orthodontic treatment because of the lack of evoking stimuli (i.e., drills, needles). Its prevalence in orthodontic patients is unknown but reported anecdotally. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of and factors contributing to dental anxiety in future and current orthodontic patients. University dental clinics and private orthodontic office patients completed a questionnaire including the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS), MDAS-Ortho (both scored 1-not anxious to 5-extremely anxious; sum score >15=dentally anxious), and list of concerns about orthodontic treatment. 675 patients participated (60.4% private practice; 64.3% female; 24.9% new patients; 85.5% aged 12-20 years). University clinic patients reported significantly higher MDAS and MDASO scores (p<0.05). 22.8% were dentally anxious and 18.7% anxious about orthodontic treatment, with concerns related to their relationship with the orthodontist, perceptions of orthodontic treatment and treatment factors. Results confirm dental anxiety in orthodontic patients and factors contributing to that anxiety.

This research aimed to help caregivers easily recognize physiological indicators of pediatric anxiety. To this purpose, we first elucidated the physiological indicators of anxiety in children by presenting an anxiety-inducing task while recording biosignals. We discovered patterns suggestive of cardiac reciprocal inhibition, increased respiration rate, and increased electrodermal activity. These patterns informed the optimization of an existing auditory prototype for presenting biosignals to caregivers (biosongs), which maps physiological features to musical elements. The effectiveness of the optimized biosongs for conveying anxiety was evaluated by quantifying the accuracy with which adults could distinguish anxious and calm states by listening to music translated from children's physiological signals. High overall sensitivity (90%), specificity (78%), and accuracy (84%) were achieved, suggesting the promise of biosongs as an effective anxiety screening tool. This technology could lead to profound improvements in caregiving contexts, including anxiety management during medical procedures, and home-based monitoring for chronic conditions.

Dental anxiety is not typically associated with orthodontic treatment because of the lack of evoking stimuli (i.e., drills, needles). Its prevalence in orthodontic patients is unknown but reported anecdotally. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of and factors contributing to dental anxiety in future and current orthodontic patients. University dental clinics and private orthodontic office patients completed a questionnaire including the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS), MDAS-Ortho (both scored 1-not anxious to 5-extremely anxious; sum score >15=dentally anxious), and list of concerns about orthodontic treatment. 675 patients participated (60.4% private practice; 64.3% female; 24.9% new patients; 85.5% aged 12-20 years). University clinic patients reported significantly higher MDAS and MDASO scores (p<0.05). 22.8% were dentally anxious and 18.7% anxious about orthodontic treatment, with concerns related to their relationship with the orthodontist, perceptions of orthodontic treatment and treatment factors. Results confirm dental anxiety in orthodontic patients and factors contributing to that anxiety.

Dental anxiety is a common problem found in approximately 80% of the adult population in the United States. This study examined the role of dental anxiety within the dentist/patient relationship. Negative experiences were found to be the most significant contributor of dental anxiety. The negative experiences result largely from the relationship between the dentist and the patient. Both dentist and patient are affected from the effects of dental anxiety. Therefore it is important for the dentist to establish a trusting relationship with the patient to ensure that proper dental care can be provided.

This thesis studied three plants traditionally used for treating a variety of anxiety related conditions. The three species were Roseroot, Rhodiola rosea from Nunavik, Cordonsillo, Piper amalago from Belize and “Sin Susto”, Souroubea sympetala from Costa Rica. The main objective of this research project was to investigate effects on behavior of these traditionally used native plants. It was found that the crude ethanol extracts derived from these plants administered intragastrically had measurable anxiolytic effects in male Sprague Dawley rats. Rats treated with extracts of these plants were then tested in several behavioral paradigms: elevated plus maze (EPM), social interaction (SI), conditioned emotional response (CER) and fear potentiated startle FPS. “Sin susto” produced significant anti-anxiety effects in several paradigms. Its active principle, betulinic acid, was significantly active in the EPM and FPS at a dose of 0.5mg/kg. Cordonsillo had strong activity in the SI paradigm and Roseroot in the CER paradigm. The results suggest that traditional use is based on pharmacological activity of the plants.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of high and low anxiety on motivation for treatment, length of stay in treatment, and intrapsychic focus of attention in Veterans Administration drug-abuse patients. The dependent variables were measured by the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), Reasons For Seeking Treatment Inventory (RFST), State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Psychopathic State Inventory (PSI), and the total number of days each subject participated in the treatment program. The major hypothesis was stated in the null form.The PSI and the STAI were used to measure motivation for seeking treatment. The MMPI and the RFST were used to measure intrapsychic focus of attention.On admission and on day 60, the subjects in the High Stress Treatment Group and the subjects in the Low Stress Treatment Group were not found to he significantly different, as measured by the STAI and the PSI, and intrapsychic focus of attention, as measured by the MMPI and the RFST.This study revealed that the subjects in the High Stress Treatment Group developed a higher level of motivation than the subjects in the Low Stress Treatment Group. The Subjects in the High Stress Treatment Group stayed in treatment longer than the subjects in the Low Stress Treatment Group. Subjects in the High Stress Treatment Group focused more on intrapsychic issues than subjects in the Low Stress Treatment Group.

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the relationship between state-anxiety and affective expressions in written stories, and receiving or withholding a sad movie and receiving permission to cry in appropriate contexts. Subjects consisted of 124 undergraduate males and females, as well as 34 older males, members of 5 midwestern, nationally affiliated civic clubs.Two independent measures, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Form X-1 Only, and selected plates of the Thematic Apperception Tests, were utilized. Four null hypotheses were tested by using separate one-way analysis of variance with an alpha level of .05 for rejection.Findings1. Older males scored significantly higher on state anxiety following a sad movie and cry behaviors than undergraduate males.2. Older males scored significantly higher on post-test measures of state-anxiety than on pre-test measures following a sad movie and cry behaviors.3. Undergraduate males are significantly more skilled in expressing affect in written stories than are older males.4. Older males showed significantly greater gains from pre- to post- test scores in affective skills. 5. Performances of females in the study revealed that, in contrast to male scores, females performed at a significantly higher level in affective expression skills than either of the two male groups. Further, female state-anxiety scores were significantly lower in a sad movie only context, than were their scores for other treatment modalitities.Conclusions1. A target population of older males described in the literature as stereotypically rigid and emotionally constricted, are more emotionally expressive following a sad movie and self-permitted cry behaviors.2. Undergraduate males are much closer to female levels of affective skills than are older males.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 139-158).