Thesis (M.Psych.Clin.) - University of Queensland, [2004]. / Includes bibliography.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1972. / Typescript. Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliography.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--McMaster University, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 155-185). Also available online.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--School of Education. University of Missouri--Kansas City, 2004. / "A dissertation in counseling psychology." Advisor: Alan G. Glaros. Typescript. Vita. Title from "catalog record" of the print edition Description based on contents viewed May 30, 2006. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 172-177 ). Online version of the print edition.

Developing strategies to cope with increase in the ageing population and age-related chronic diseases is one of the societies biggest challenges. The characteristics of the ageing process shows significant inter-individual variation. Building genomic signatures that could account for variation in health outcomes with age may facilitate early prognosis of individual age-correlated diseases (e.g. cancer, coronary artery diseases and dementia) and help in developing better targeted treatments provided years in advance of acquiring disabling symptoms for these diseases. The aim of this thesis was to explore methods for diagnosing molecular features of human ageing. In particular, we utilise multi-platform transcriptomics, independent clinical data and classification methods to evaluate which human tissues demonstrate a reproducible molecular signature for age and which clinical phenotypes correlated with these new RNA biomarkers.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if applying electroacupuncture at ST 36-37 will lower the systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressures of chronic hypertensive rats. DESIGN: A 12 week study on the effect of electroacupuncture was conducted from September 2014 to December 2014. The total number of rats used in the study was 16 (n=16). The rats were divided into four groups: Electroacupuncture, Sham-EA, Hypertensive control, and Normotensive control. All of the rats, expect for those in the Normotensive group, were housed in the cold room to induce chronic hypertension. After 8 weeks in the cold room, the rats in the Electroacupuncture group received electrical stimulation twice a week for 30 min. Needles were also inserted into the rats in the Sham-EA group, but there was no electric current. The blood pressures of all of the rats were measured once a week for 12 weeks. Lastly, the data was analyzed using SigmaStat to perform One Way ANOVA and T-tests. RESULT: The initial blood pressures between the 4 groups were similar with a difference of less than 5 mmHg. The groups placed in cold rooms showed a significant difference of more than 20 mmHg compared to their initial blood pressures (P≤0.05) at week 7. Finally, the blood pressures of the Sham-EA and Hypertensive control group did not lower at 12 weeks compared to week 7. However, the systolic, mean, and diastolic blood pressures in the EA group lowered with a significant difference of greater than 20 mmHg at week 12 compared to week 7. There was no significant change between the initial and final blood pressures for those in the Normotensive group. CONCLUSION: The data showed that systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressures in the Electroacupuncture group lowered significantly at week 12 or after 5 weeks of treatment. Thus, we can conclude that electroacupuncture does have a beneficial effect in lowering blood pressure in chronically hypertensive rats.

This study was designed to investigate psychological factors involved in the adjustment to Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). In particular, the study examined perceptions of control over daily symptoms, knowledge of RA and the use of coping strategies, and looked at how these factors related to emotional adjustment, clinical disease activity and subjective physical functioning in RA outpatients. The study also aimed to determine aspects of RA which patients perceived as most stressful. The main study was cross-sectional and designed in two parts. The first part was a quantitative design in which 50 participants completed questionnaires to assess perceptions of RA stressors; health locus of control beliefs over RA symptoms; levels of RA-related knowledge; coping strategies used; emotional adjustment and physical functioning. An objective measure of disease activity was also taken. The second part was a qualitative design consisting of semi-structured interviews with 14 participants, exploring perceptions of stress, control, knowledge, coping and adjustment. Quantitative data were statistically analysed and compared with previous research findings. Qualitative data were transcribed into predefined themes and compared with the quantitative data. Results showed that participants consistently rated fatigue and disability as the most stressful aspects of RA. Participants reported more symptoms of anxiety than depression and used a wide range of coping strategies. Quantitative data suggested that participants perceived high levels of chance control over their daily RA symptoms, however, qualitative findings did not support this view. Participants knew most about RA-related issues that were directly relevant to them. Significant associations were found between coping strategies and psychological outcome, particularly for positive affect. Associations were also found between maladaptive coping and positive physical adjustment and between adaptive coping and negative physical adjustment. Adaptive coping strategies were associated with `internal' and `doctor' locus of control and increased knowledge. Few associations were found between outcome and either control or knowledge. Regression analyses found coping strategies to account for some of the variance in outcome variables, particularly positive affect. The implications for clinical practice were considered. Methodological limitations of the study and implications for future research were also discussed.

This thesis investigated treatment outcomes and processes in young people with chronic pain. The first chapter describes a systematic review, which examined the effectiveness of acceptance and mindfulness-based interventions in improving pain-related outcomes in young people. Secondary aims were to review changes in proposed treatment processes following the interventions, and to compare the effectiveness of these interventions to control conditions. Although there was evidence to suggest that these treatments may improve outcomes, particularly levels of daily functioning, further research is needed to adequately assess the utility of acceptance and mindfulness-based approaches with paediatric chronic pain populations. The second chapter details a cross-sectional study of contextual and cognitive processes in adolescents with chronic pain. Specifically, the study tested the mediating effects of acceptance, catastrophising and kinesiophobia in the relationship between pain intensity and indicators of adjustment. Both acceptance and kinesiophobia mediated the effects of pain intensity on disability and quality of life, while catastrophising mediated the effect of pain intensity on levels of anxiety and depression. The results demonstrated that both contextual and cognitive factors are important determinants of young people’s well-being. Future research would benefit from gaining a greater understanding of how these processes interact with each other to affect pain-related outcomes.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is a chronic disabling condition characterised by persistent physical and mental fatigue, and a variety of somatic, psychological and neurological symptoms. The aetiology of CFS is unknown and the cause of the illness remains controversial. Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) is a non-pharmacological treatment approach that has been shown to be effective in treating patients with CFS. It is based on a model that hypothesises that certain maladaptive thoughts and dysfunctional beliefs may contribute to self-defeating behaviour that perpetuates symptoms and disability, and thereby impedes recovery. The main aim of this study was to critically examine the cognitive-behavioural approach of CFS outlined by Sharpe, Chalder, Palmer & Wessely (1997) by conducting three in-depth case studies. An additional aim was to present a full cognitive developmental case conceptualisation of CFS based on the theories of Leahy (1996) and Young (1994). This case study evaluated the effectiveness of a CBT treatment programme in a 48-year-old Caucasian woman diagnosed with CFS for three years. The treatment consisted of sixteen sessions of CBT and was evaluated both quantitatively and qualitatively. On the basis of this study, a set of core maladaptive schema in the area of disconnection and rejection was identified. In addition, it was found that specific compensatory schemas had developed to offset the core maladaptive schemas and that this compensatory strategy played an important role in maintaining the condition. The results also showed a significant decline in fatigue coupled with a moderate decline in functional disability and depression. A one-month follow-up interview revealed evidence of a substantial consolidation of therapeutic gains in that the improvements observed at the end of the treatment were sustained. Finally, the feasibility of incorporating a cognitive-developmental and/or schema-focused model into the standard CBT treatment model is discussed and the case study method as a research toll is evaluated in light of the findings.

Class of 2017 Abstract / Objectives: To identify studies that have been conducted on pain self-management interventions to describe the strategies used in the treatment of pain Methods: Eligible studies were determined using a study inclusion-screening tool. To be eligible, studies needed to be randomized controlled trials comparing some type of self-management intervention to an alternative or usual care. Once determined to be eligible, selected studies were analyzed by two investigators using a consensus procedure and full article data extraction form which collected data on the study characteristics, patient characteristics, self-management strategies and relevant study outcomes. Results: The chronic pain management strategies from the 14 randomized controlled trials used in this study included: acupuncture, mobile based intervention, yoga, meditation/relaxation techniques, cupping therapy, musical therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, physical therapy and self-management therapies. All studies showed a statistically significant reduction in pain from baseline, however, the effect size ranged from very small (0.02) to quite large (2.2). Conclusions: Most studies showed a meaningful reduction in pain, hence, a wide variety of self-management strategies are available for managing pain.