Daily Archives: 30 July 2024

Short Nature Exposures of Just 10 Minutes Can Benefit Adults with Mental Health Issues

A newly published meta-analysis in the esteemed journal *Ecopsychology* rigorously examines the influence of nature exposure on various aspects of health—including social, mental, and physical well-being—explicitly focusing on adults diagnosed with mental illnesses. The study, compellingly titled “Nature Exposure, Even as Little as 10 Minutes, Is Likely to Yield Short-Term Benefits for Adults with Mental Illness: A Meta-Analysis,” not only reveals considerable, moderate effect sizes across the board for all included studies but also highlights notably significant, albeit smaller, effect sizes in studies incorporating control groups. For those interested in delving deeper into the findings, the full article is available online—click here to access it.

The backdrop of this analysis is rooted in a growing body of research that underscores the beneficial impacts of interacting with natural environments on mental health. Spearheading this meta-analysis, Joanna Bettmann, PhD, an esteemed faculty member at the University of Utah College of Social Work, and her coauthor’s team embarked on a comprehensive review of the existing literature. They aimed to synthesize and evaluate how nature exposure affects adults managing mental health conditions.

Through their rigorous evaluation, the researchers identified a clear and positive correlation between time spent in natural settings and improvements in mental health among adults with mental illnesses. The findings pointed to significant enhancements in various dimensions of mental health, including emotional affect, anxiety levels, cognitive functioning, depression severity, overall mood stability, and the general quality of life.

These improvements are not merely statistical but represent a tangible uplift in the day-to-day experiences of individuals grappling with mental health challenges. The evidence strongly supports the integration of nature-based interventions in the therapeutic processes aimed at this demographic. According to the study, even brief interactions with nature will likely instigate noticeable benefits, making it a highly accessible and low-cost intervention.

Reflecting on the implications of these findings, the researchers concluded, “The findings from the present study strongly support the use of nature exposure as a viable intervention to improve health and well-being for adults with mental illness.” This endorsement not only validates nature’s therapeutic potential but also encourages further incorporation of these practices in mental health treatment strategies.

Expounding on the significance of these results, Peter H. Kahn, Jr., PhD, Editor-in-Chief of the journal and a professor at both the Department of Psychology and the School of Environmental and Forest Sciences at the University of Washington, Seattle, emphasized the practical applications of the study. “This meta-analysis underscores the immense value of incorporating natural environments into therapeutic practices for adults with mental health conditions,” he stated. Kahn further noted, “The results are timely, solidly evidence-based, and highly actionable, offering concrete guidelines for mental health professionals seeking to enhance therapeutic outcomes.”

These scholarly insights underscore an essential shift towards embracing ecological elements in psychological health practices, highlighting nature’s role as a backdrop for recreational activities and as a vital component in the therapeutic arsenal against mental illness. The conclusions drawn from this meta-analysis not only pave the way for new treatment modalities but also reinforce the necessity of preserving and integrating natural environments in urban planning and development to support public health initiatives, particularly those aimed at mental health recovery.

More information: Joanna E. Bettmann et al, Nature Exposure, Even as Little as 10 Minutes, is Likely to Yield Short-Term Benefits for Adults with Mental Illness: A Meta Analysis, Ecopsychology. DOI: 10.1089/eco.2023.0063

Journal information: Ecopsychology Provided by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. / Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News

A Prolonged Ketogenic Diet Leads to the Accumulation of Senescent Cells in Healthy Tissues, Reveals a Study by UT Health San Antonio

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A pioneering study by The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio) reveals that sustained adherence to a ketogenic diet could accumulate senescent or prematurely aged cells in healthy tissues, notably impacting heart and kidney functions. Conversely, the study suggests that adopting an intermittent approach to the ketogenic diet, incorporating regular breaks, mitigates these pro-inflammatory cellular effects.

This research highlights that while ketogenic diets can offer health benefits, they are most effective when interspersed with planned intervals of dietary relaxation.

David Gius, MD, PhD, assistant dean of research and professor at the Department of Radiation Oncology in the Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine at UT Health San Antonio, and associate cancer director for translational research at the institution’s Mays Cancer Center, who is the lead author of the study, emphasized the significance of these findings. “Considering that 13 million Americans follow a ketogenic diet, our research underscores the necessity of periodic breaks from the diet to avoid potential long-term health issues,” he stated.

The study, “Ketogenic diet induces p53-dependent cellular senescence in multiple organs,” was published on May 17 in Science Advances. Collaborators include researchers from the Department of Radiation Oncology and Mays Cancer Center, the Sam and Ann Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, the Center for Precision Medicine, the School of Nursing, and the Division of Nephrology in the Department of Medicine at UT Health San Antonio, and the Houston Methodist Cancer Center and Houston Methodist Research Institute.

Despite its popularity, a ketogenic diet, which is high in fats and low in carbohydrates, leading to ketone production by the liver, can also trigger pro-inflammatory responses. The new findings demonstrate that mice of various ages on two distinct ketogenic diets showed signs of cellular senescence in critical organs such as the heart and kidneys. However, these adverse effects were either reversed with senolytics—molecules that can eliminate senescent cells—or avoided through the strategic use of intermittent dieting.

Gius added, “As cellular senescence contributes to the pathology of various organ diseases, our findings are crucial for understanding how to use a ketogenic diet effectively. Like with other nutritional strategies, it’s essential to periodically pause the ketogenic regimen.”

More information: Sung-Jen Wei et al, Ketogenic diet induces p53-dependent cellular senescence in multiple organs, Science Advances. DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ado1463

Journal information: Science Advances Provided by University of Texas Health San Antonio

Enhancing Senior Independence: Customized Support for Wearable Technology

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A recent study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research by JMIR Publications has unveiled that community-dwelling older adults are more inclined to persist in using wearable monitoring devices (WMDs), such as trackers, pedometers, and smartwatches when supported by healthcare professionals or their peers.

The research, conducted by a team from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University under the leadership of Dr Arkers Kwan Ching Wong, analysed data from three randomised controlled trials involving over 150 older adults. The findings revealed that interventions that heightened monitoring awareness and incorporated collaborative goal-setting and feedback mechanisms, notably the SystemCHANGE approach, significantly boosted adherence to WMDs.

Wearable monitoring devices, with their potential to provide crucial health insights, are a significant tool in the care of older adults. However, their sustained use poses challenges, especially for older adults who might struggle with technological intricacies or fail to perceive their benefits. This study emphasises the critical role of personalised support in helping older adults navigate these hurdles and integrate WMDs into their daily lives, thereby optimising the health advantages these devices offer.

Dr. Wong highlighted the essential role of healthcare professionals in promoting the adoption of wearable technologies among older adults. He pointed out that by collaborating with healthcare professionals to establish precise, achievable goals regarding the use of wearables, older adults are more likely to realise the long-term benefits of these technologies. The study suggests that future research should focus on creating and evaluating interventions that prioritise awareness and collaborative goal-setting, offering hope for further improving adherence rates among this demographic.

More information: Colette Sze Wing Chan et al, Effects of Peer- or Professional-Led Support in Enhancing Adherence to Wearable Monitoring Devices Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults: Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials, Journal of Medical Internet Research. DOI: 10.2196/53607

Journal information: Journal of Medical Internet Research Provided by JMIR Publications

Research Reveals Older Adults with Sleep Apnea Face Increased Hospitalization Risk

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A forthcoming study at the SLEEP 2024 annual meeting establishes a link between sleep apnea and a heightened likelihood of healthcare usage, including hospital admissions among older adults.

The findings illustrate that individuals aged 50 and above who suffer from sleep apnea are 21% more likely to utilise any health service in the future compared to those without the condition. In particular, after adjusting for various influencing factors such as demographics, body mass index, existing health conditions, and depressive symptoms, these individuals demonstrated a 21% increased probability of hospitalisation.

Lead author Christopher Kaufmann, who holds a doctorate in public mental health and is an assistant professor in the Department of Health Outcomes and Biomedical Informatics at the University of Florida College of Medicine in Gainesville, asserts that older adults with sleep apnea are significantly more inclined to seek health services in the future than those who do not have the condition. This association persists even after accounting for other variables that might elevate the risk of health service consumption.

According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, close to 30 million adults in the U.S. are affected by obstructive sleep apnea, a chronic condition characterised by the recurrent collapse of the upper airway during sleep. If left untreated, moderate to severe sleep apnea can lead to serious health issues such as hypertension, coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, stroke, and Type 2 diabetes.

The research team analysed data from 20,115 participants from the 2016 and 2018 Health and Retirement Study, which represents a national cohort of middle-aged and older adults in the U.S. These participants were questioned about their sleep disorders, including sleep apnea, in 2016 and their subsequent health service usage in 2018. Nearly 12% of these participants reported a diagnosis of sleep apnea from a doctor.

Kaufmann stressed the importance of early detection and management of sleep apnea in older adults to diminish its extensive impact on healthcare usage. He noted that effectively addressing sleep apnea enhances individual health outcomes and relieves the pressure on healthcare systems, leading to more efficient and effective healthcare delivery.

More information: Christopher Kaufmann et al, 1083 Association Between Sleep Apnea and Health Service Utilization: Results from the Health and Retirement Study, Sleep. DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsae067.01083

Journal information: Sleep Provided by American Academy of Sleep Medicine