2 results
A feasibility and acceptability study of an adaptation of the Mindful Self-Compassion program for adult cancer patients
- Joanne Brooker, John Julian, Jeremy Millar, H. Miles Prince, Melita Kenealy, Kirsten Herbert, Annette Graham, Robin Smith, David Kissane, Karen Taylor, Mark Frydenberg, Ian Porter, Jane Fletcher, Ian Haines, Sue Burney
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- Journal:
- Palliative & Supportive Care / Volume 18 / Issue 2 / April 2020
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 09 October 2019, pp. 130-140
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- Article
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Objectives
Psychosocial interventions that mitigate psychosocial distress in cancer patients are important. The primary aim of this study was to examine the feasibility and acceptability of an adaptation of the Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) program among adult cancer patients. A secondary aim was to examine pre–post-program changes in psychosocial wellbeing.
MethodThe research design was a feasibility and acceptability study, with an examination of pre- to post-intervention changes in psychosocial measures. A study information pack was posted to 173 adult cancer patients 6 months–5 years post-diagnosis, with an invitation to attend an eight-week group-based adaptation of the MSC program.
ResultsThirty-two (19%) consented to the program, with 30 commencing. Twenty-seven completed the program (mean age: 62.93 years, SD 14.04; 17 [63%] female), attending a mean 6.93 (SD 1.11) group sessions. There were no significant differences in medico-demographic factors between program-completers and those who did not consent. However, there was a trend toward shorter time since diagnosis in the program-completers group. Program-completers rated the program highly regarding content, relevance to the concerns of cancer patients, and the likelihood of recommending the program to other cancer patients. Sixty-three percent perceived that their mental wellbeing had improved from pre- to post-program; none perceived a deterioration in mental wellbeing. Small-to-medium effects were observed for depressive symptoms, fear of cancer recurrence, stress, loneliness, body image satisfaction, mindfulness, and self-compassion.
Significance of resultsThe MSC program appears feasible and acceptable to adults diagnosed with non-advanced cancer. The preliminary estimates of effect sizes in this sample suggest that participation in the program was associated with improvements in psychosocial wellbeing. Collectively, these findings suggest that there may be value in conducting an adequately powered randomized controlled trial to determine the efficacy of the MSC program in enhancing the psychosocial wellbeing of cancer patients.
27 - Chemical communication: pheromones and allelochemicals
- from Part V - Communication
- R. F. Chapman
- Edited by Stephen J. Simpson, University of Sydney, Angela E. Douglas, Cornell University, New York
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- Book:
- The Insects
- Published online:
- 05 December 2012
- Print publication:
- 12 November 2012, pp 857-900
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- Chapter
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Summary
Introduction
Insects are prodigious users of chemical signals and cues, which play diverse and fundamental roles in the transfer of information both within and between species. Indeed, it is likely that no other group of animals makes such sophisticated use of chemical signaling in their biology. This chapter begins by defining the different classes of signals (Section 27.1), before describing the nature of intraspecific chemical signals (pheromones) (Section 27.2), the information content of such pheromones (Section 27.3), their biosynthesis (Section 27.4) and the mechanisms regulating their production (Section 27.5), as well as their sensory perception by conspecifics (Section 27.6). In the next section (Section 27.7) interspecific signals are discussed (allelochemicals), followed by their mechanisms of production and release (Section 27.8). Section 27.9 concerns defensive compounds, and the chapter ends with chemical mimicry (Section 27.10).
Defining chemical signals
Chemical signals and cues have been collectively called semiochemicals, derived from the Greek word “semeon” for signal. However, it has been suggested that the term “infochemical” may be more appropriate, based on the argument that nomenclature should be based on a “cost–benefit analysis” rather than the actual source of the signal. While there has not been complete acceptance of either term and both are used in the current literature, we will use infochemical when referring to “a chemical substance, which in a natural context, is implicated in the transfer of information during an interaction between two individuals that results in a behavioral and/or physiological response in one or both.” In this chapter the term “signal” is applied to an infochemical produced by an emitter which has been shaped by evolution to transmit a specific message to the intended receiver. An example of this would be the release of a sex pheromone for the specific purpose of attracting a mate. The term “cue” is used to describe an infochemical that conveys information to a receiver, but was not shaped by natural selection for this purpose – that is, it is exploited by receivers, often to the detriment of the emitter. For example, the sex pheromone emitted by an insect to attract a mate may also be exploited as a kairomone by a predator or parasitoid.