In this qualitative phenomenological study, the researcher interviewed 18 hospitalised patients and community members in rural Appalachia to learn about their mystical experiences in the context of health care. A loosely structured interview format addressed factors that initiate mystical experience and essential qualities of mystical experience. In addition, the researcher examined the nursing process, focusing on assessments and actions which supported the participants in sharing their experiences. The researcher also considered her response to being the recipient of these shared experiences. Data were analysed using the crystallisation/immersion method and concept mapping. Mystical experience was conceptualised as a process incorporating initiation, occurrence, maturation, and integration of mystical experience. Essential aspects of the mystical experience itself were found to include sensory-motor perception, interaction with the supernatural, interaction with dead and living members of the family, conviction of reality, cognition, dynamic tension and emotional intensity. Nursing actions which supported the participant included listening and support. The researcher's response to the participants' sharing their experiences included tension, intimacy and empathy, sense of awe and autonomic responses. In addition, the researcher developed an appreciation of the mystical in everyday experience. / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

Three studies were designed to investigate the effects of exercise-based lifestyle interventions including diet change and exercise training on cardiovascular and autonomic responses to various physical and mental challenges in untrained premenopausal women. In Study 1, the effects of different tasks designed to activate the sympathetic nervous system on autonomic control of cardiovascular functioning such as the Stroop colour-word task (Stroop) and lower body negative pressure (LBNP) in 20 untrained premenopausal women (22.6??0.7 years) were determined. In Study 2, a longitudinal exercise intervention strategy was used with 18 untrained premenopausal women (22.5??0.7 years) in order to investigate the effect of 15 weeks of high intensity intermittent exercise (HIIE) training on cardiac autonomic responses to mental challenge (Stroop) and LBNP. In Study 3, the effects of HIIE training combined with a Mediterranean-style eating plan and fish oil supplement (Fish oil, Exercise, Mediterranean diet; FEM) on cardiovascular function during mental challenge (Stroop) and physical tasks (handgrip and reactive hyperaemia) were examined in 32 overweight untrained premenopausal women (22.0??0.6 years). In these studies, forearm blood flow (FBF) was assessed using Hokanson Plethysmography with the venous occlusion technique. The surface electrocardiogram and continuous beat-to-beat arterial blood pressure were also monitored. Peak oxygen uptake was assessed using open-circuit spirometry (True Max 2400, ParvoMedics). In addition, body composition was measured using DEXA (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry; DPX-IQ, Lunar Radiation). Results from Study 1 indicate that FBF response to mental challenge in young females was smaller compared to previously obtained data from age-matched males. Furthermore, this FBF response to mental challenge was negatively correlated to insulin resistance estimated by the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR) (r = - .52, p < .05). In addition, when cardiopulmonary baroreceptors were unloaded by a mild level of LBNP (-20 mmHg) during Stoop, FBF response to mental challenge (vasodilation) was abolished suggesting a large dependency of vasodilation response during mental challenge on cardiopulmonary baroreflex. After 15 weeks of supervised HIIE training, aerobic fitness improved (p < .05) whereas percent of body fat was significantly decreased (p < .05). In addition, recovery BP following Stroop was significantly reduced. Insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was marginally decreased (p = .056). Women who had higher insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) lost less fat than women with lower HOMA-IR (r = .60, p = .088). In addition, change in FBF during Stroop after training was directly related to pretest insulin resistance levels (r = .68, p < .05). Therefore, HIIE training had a normalising effect on FBF response to mental challenge. PEP/LVET ratio at rest and during LBNP was also significantly increased in women with higher HOMA-IR suggesting a reduction in cardiac contractility via a decrease in sympathetic stimulation (r = .62, p = .076, r = .62, p = .75 respectively). In Study 3 results indicated that 12 weeks of the FEM trial significantly reduced percent of body fat (p < .001), fasting insulin (p < .05), interleukin-6 (p < .05) and cortisol (p < .05), and significantly improved aerobic fitness ( ; p < .001). With respect to cardiovascular and cardiac autonomic measures, rate pressure product (RPP) was significantly reduced at rest (p < .05) and during recovery after Stoop (p < .05), suggesting decreased myocardial oxygen consumption. In addition, baseline heart rate determined in the sitting position was significantly reduced (p < .05), while both baseline high frequency power (HF) determined in supine (p < .01) and cardiac baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) determined in the sitting position (p < .05) were increased after the FEM trial. In addition, BRS determined during mental challenge also marginally increased (p = .051). In summary, lifestyle intervention including HIIE training, Mediterranean-style eating plan, and a fish oil supplement significantly enhanced parasympathetic influence of the heart and improved fitness, blood profiles, and body composition.

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Three studies were designed to investigate the effects of exercise-based lifestyle interventions including diet change and exercise training on cardiovascular and autonomic responses to various physical and mental challenges in untrained premenopausal women. In Study 1, the effects of different tasks designed to activate the sympathetic nervous system on autonomic control of cardiovascular functioning such as the Stroop colour-word task (Stroop) and lower body negative pressure (LBNP) in 20 untrained premenopausal women (22.6??0.7 years) were determined. In Study 2, a longitudinal exercise intervention strategy was used with 18 untrained premenopausal women (22.5??0.7 years) in order to investigate the effect of 15 weeks of high intensity intermittent exercise (HIIE) training on cardiac autonomic responses to mental challenge (Stroop) and LBNP. In Study 3, the effects of HIIE training combined with a Mediterranean-style eating plan and fish oil supplement (Fish oil, Exercise, Mediterranean diet; FEM) on cardiovascular function during mental challenge (Stroop) and physical tasks (handgrip and reactive hyperaemia) were examined in 32 overweight untrained premenopausal women (22.0??0.6 years). In these studies, forearm blood flow (FBF) was assessed using Hokanson Plethysmography with the venous occlusion technique. The surface electrocardiogram and continuous beat-to-beat arterial blood pressure were also monitored. Peak oxygen uptake was assessed using open-circuit spirometry (True Max 2400, ParvoMedics). In addition, body composition was measured using DEXA (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry; DPX-IQ, Lunar Radiation). Results from Study 1 indicate that FBF response to mental challenge in young females was smaller compared to previously obtained data from age-matched males. Furthermore, this FBF response to mental challenge was negatively correlated to insulin resistance estimated by the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR) (r = - .52, p < .05). In addition, when cardiopulmonary baroreceptors were unloaded by a mild level of LBNP (-20 mmHg) during Stoop, FBF response to mental challenge (vasodilation) was abolished suggesting a large dependency of vasodilation response during mental challenge on cardiopulmonary baroreflex. After 15 weeks of supervised HIIE training, aerobic fitness improved (p < .05) whereas percent of body fat was significantly decreased (p < .05). In addition, recovery BP following Stroop was significantly reduced. Insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was marginally decreased (p = .056). Women who had higher insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) lost less fat than women with lower HOMA-IR (r = .60, p = .088). In addition, change in FBF during Stroop after training was directly related to pretest insulin resistance levels (r = .68, p < .05). Therefore, HIIE training had a normalising effect on FBF response to mental challenge. PEP/LVET ratio at rest and during LBNP was also significantly increased in women with higher HOMA-IR suggesting a reduction in cardiac contractility via a decrease in sympathetic stimulation (r = .62, p = .076, r = .62, p = .75 respectively). In Study 3 results indicated that 12 weeks of the FEM trial significantly reduced percent of body fat (p < .001), fasting insulin (p < .05), interleukin-6 (p < .05) and cortisol (p < .05), and significantly improved aerobic fitness ( ; p < .001). With respect to cardiovascular and cardiac autonomic measures, rate pressure product (RPP) was significantly reduced at rest (p < .05) and during recovery after Stoop (p < .05), suggesting decreased myocardial oxygen consumption. In addition, baseline heart rate determined in the sitting position was significantly reduced (p < .05), while both baseline high frequency power (HF) determined in supine (p < .01) and cardiac baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) determined in the sitting position (p < .05) were increased after the FEM trial. In addition, BRS determined during mental challenge also marginally increased (p = .051). In summary, lifestyle intervention including HIIE training, Mediterranean-style eating plan, and a fish oil supplement significantly enhanced parasympathetic influence of the heart and improved fitness, blood profiles, and body composition.

In this qualitative phenomenological study, the researcher interviewed 18 hospitalised patients and community members in rural Appalachia to learn about their mystical experiences in the context of health care. A loosely structured interview format addressed factors that initiate mystical experience and essential qualities of mystical experience. In addition, the researcher examined the nursing process, focusing on assessments and actions which supported the participants in sharing their experiences. The researcher also considered her response to being the recipient of these shared experiences. Data were analysed using the crystallisation/immersion method and concept mapping. Mystical experience was conceptualised as a process incorporating initiation, occurrence, maturation, and integration of mystical experience. Essential aspects of the mystical experience itself were found to include sensory-motor perception, interaction with the supernatural, interaction with dead and living members of the family, conviction of reality, cognition, dynamic tension and emotional intensity. Nursing actions which supported the participant included listening and support. The researcher's response to the participants' sharing their experiences included tension, intimacy and empathy, sense of awe and autonomic responses. In addition, the researcher developed an appreciation of the mystical in everyday experience. / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

Hostile sexism is the antipathetic expression of sexism, in which men are antagonistic towards women who threaten their superiority. Benevolent sexism is the patriarchal expression of sexism, where men express protective, yet restrictive, attitudes towards women. Both forms of sexism originate from the view that women are inferior, frail, and only suited for nurturing or domestic responsibilities. Benevolent sexism may be more harmful to women because coping is thwarted by observers' underestimation of its effects (Bosson, Pinel, & Vandello, 2009). The present study aimed to examine women's responses to and recovery from hostile and benevolent sexism utilizing measures of cardiovascular reactivity and recovery. I predicted that women would exhibit greater reactivity to hostile sexism, but impaired recovery to benevolent sexism. Participants were 124 undergraduate women (50% Caucasian, age M = 18.92), with no history of cardiovascular health issues. Sexism condition - benevolent, hostile, or no sexism - was manipulated by exposing participants to comments made by a male experimenter. Cardiovascular responses were obtained during rest, task, and recovery periods. As predicted, women exhibited greater cardiovascular reactivity after exposure to hostile sexism, and women who experienced benevolent sexism showed impaired recovery, compared to the other two conditions. Findings illustrate that hostile sexism elicits immediate responses that resolve relatively quickly. However, benevolent sexism may be more pernicious in terms of psychological and physical health due to its prolonged effects.

Acute mental fatigue can negatively affect cognitive performance This study investigates how different auditory interventions can influence the degree of mental fatigue during a cognitively demanding task, in this case, a 16-minute T-LoadDback test designed to induce mental fatigue. 27 healthy individuals were recruited and randomly assigned to one of three groups. One group listened to self-selected music, as it is well documented that listening to preferred music can increase dopamine levels, potentially mitigating mental fatigue. Another group listened to a 40 Hz binaural beat, known to improve concentration and increase energy. The third group served as a control group and conducted the task in silence. Subjective measurements of mental fatigue were obtained before and after the T-LoadDback test using a Visual Analog Scale for Fatigue(VAS-F), while objective data on mental fatigue were collected through the results of a 5-minute Corsi Block-tapping test and heart rate variability(HRV), both measured before and after the main task. The results indicated no significant pre-post differences for the VAS-F scores, Corsi test performance, or HRV, suggesting that mental fatigue was not successfully induced in the current experiment.The VAS-F scores showed no significant main effects or group differences, despite notable individual variations. Although both the music and 40 Hz groups outperformed the control group in the Corsi test, no differences were observed between the intervention groups themselves.  Similarly, HRV data showed no significant changes, indicating minimal effects on autonomic nervous system activity. These results suggest that while individual preferences in auditory stimuli, such as ambient music, might influence fatigue levels, the overall effectiveness of such interventions remains inconclusive.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T20:18:15Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 3878.pdf: 5612737 bytes, checksum: f29d73d585fd4a443e6ecd3e27bbdfa4 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-08-12 / A tese constou de 3 estudos descritos a seguir. O estudo I, intitulado: Programa fisioterapêutico hospitalar de curto periodo composto por exercícios físicos supervisionados melhora a função autonômica cardíaca após cirurgia de revascularização do miocárdio - Estudo randomizado e controlado teve como objetivo investigar se um programa fisioterapeutico hospitalar melhora a funcao autonomica cardiaca (FAC) apos a cirurgia de revascularizacao do miocardio (CRM). 47 pacientes pos- CRM, foram randomizados para: grupo de exercicios (GE,n=24) ou cuidados usuais de fisioterapia (GCU, n=23). A avaliacao da FAC incluiu medidas da variabilidade da frequencia cardiaca (VFC). Na alta hospitalar, GE apresentou maiores valores dos indices rMSSD, AF,SD1, STD RR, SD2, DFA &#945;1, DFA &#945;2, entropia aproximada e media RR, p<0,05. Contrariamente, maiores valores da media FC, BF e BF/AF (balanco simpato-vagal) foram encontrados em GCU. Concluimos que um programa fisioterapeutico de exercicios fisicos, realizado durante a internacao pos-CRM, melhora a FAC. Na sequencia, o estudo II, intitulado: Função ventricular esquerda e adaptações autonômicas cardíacas após RC hospitalar em curto período - Estudo clínico prospectivo. objetivou avaliar as adaptacoes autonomicas cardiacas em pacientes com diferenca na funcao do ventriculo esquerdo (FVE) submetidos a CRM e a reabilitacao cardiaca (RC). Em 44 pacientes divididos em grupo FVE normal (FVEN >55%, n=23) e FVE reduzida (FVER= 35-54%,n=21) a FAC foi avaliada antes e apos a RC. Foi encontrada interacao grupo (FVEN vs FVER) vs tempo (efeito da RC) para dimensao de correlacao (CD) e SD2, com melhora significativamente maior para FVER. Pacientes com FVER apresentaram melhor adaptacao autonomica cardiaca frente a RC. Finalmente, o estudo III, intitulado: Respostas autonômicas cardíacas induzidas pelo exercício durante a RC hospitalar em pacientes submetidos a cirurgia cardíaca e com funções ventriculares diferentes. avaliou se os exercicios fisicos realizados na RC hospitalar podem evocar respostas autonomicas diferenciadas em pacientes pos-CRM e FVE diferentes. Nos mesmos pacientes do estudo II foram avaliados os indices da VFC em repouso e durante os exercicios metabolicos e deambulacao no primeiro dia pos-operatorio (PO1) e na alta hospitalar, respectivamente. No PO1 foram observadas diferencas (media RR e media da FC) entre o repouso e exercicio em ambos os grupos. Durante a deambulacao foram encontrados menores valores da VFC (STDRR, TINN, SD2, entropia Shannon e dimensao de correlacao) para FVER, assim como, para a variacao entre repouso e deambulacao para os indices STDRR, RR tri, TINN, SD2, rMSSD e dimensao de correlacao, P<0,05. Concluimos que em pacientes pos-CRM e com FVE normal, o exercicio fisico hospitalar desencadeou resposta autonomica cardiaca mais atenuada comparado a FVEN. / A tese constou de 3 estudos descritos a seguir. O estudo I, intitulado: Programa fisioterapêutico hospitalar de curto periodo composto por exercícios físicos supervisionados melhora a função autonômica cardíaca após cirurgia de revascularização do miocárdio - Estudo randomizado e controlado teve como objetivo investigar se um programa fisioterapeutico hospitalar melhora a funcao autonomica cardiaca (FAC) apos a cirurgia de revascularizacao do miocardio (CRM). 47 pacientes pos- CRM, foram randomizados para: grupo de exercicios (GE,n=24) ou cuidados usuais de fisioterapia (GCU, n=23). A avaliacao da FAC incluiu medidas da variabilidade da frequencia cardiaca (VFC). Na alta hospitalar, GE apresentou maiores valores dos indices rMSSD, AF,SD1, STD RR, SD2, DFA &#945;1, DFA &#945;2, entropia aproximada e media RR, p<0,05. Contrariamente, maiores valores da media FC, BF e BF/AF (balanco simpato-vagal) foram encontrados em GCU. Concluimos que um programa fisioterapeutico de exercicios fisicos, realizado durante a internacao pos-CRM, melhora a FAC. Na sequencia, o estudo II, intitulado: Função ventricular esquerda e adaptações autonômicas cardíacas após RC hospitalar em curto período - Estudo clínico prospectivo. objetivou avaliar as adaptacoes autonomicas cardiacas em pacientes com diferenca na funcao do ventriculo esquerdo (FVE) submetidos a CRM e a reabilitacao cardiaca (RC). Em 44 pacientes divididos em grupo FVE normal (FVEN >55%, n=23) e FVE reduzida (FVER= 35-54%,n=21) a FAC foi avaliada antes e apos a RC. Foi encontrada interacao grupo (FVEN vs FVER) vs tempo (efeito da RC) para dimensao de correlacao (CD) e SD2, com melhora significativamente maior para FVER. Pacientes com FVER apresentaram melhor adaptacao autonomica cardiaca frente a RC. Finalmente, o estudo III, intitulado: Respostas autonômicas cardíacas induzidas pelo exercício durante a RC hospitalar em pacientes submetidos a cirurgia cardíaca e com funções ventriculares diferentes. avaliou se os exercicios fisicos realizados na RC hospitalar podem evocar respostas autonomicas diferenciadas em pacientes pos-CRM e FVE diferentes. Nos mesmos pacientes do estudo II foram avaliados os indices da VFC em repouso e durante os exercicios metabolicos e deambulacao no primeiro dia pos-operatorio (PO1) e na alta hospitalar, respectivamente. No PO1 foram observadas diferencas (media RR e media da FC) entre o repouso e exercicio em ambos os grupos. Durante a deambulacao foram encontrados menores valores da VFC (STDRR, TINN, SD2, entropia Shannon e dimensao de correlacao) para FVER, assim como, para a variacao entre repouso e deambulacao para os indices STDRR, RR tri, TINN, SD2, rMSSD e dimensao de correlacao, P<0,05. Concluimos que em pacientes pos-CRM e com FVE normal, o exercicio fisico hospitalar desencadeou resposta autonomica cardiaca mais atenuada comparado a FVEN.