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ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of a written prayer technique on the anxiety of mothers of children with cancer.MethodThis clinical trial recruited 90 mothers of children with cancer admitted to the Medical Centre of Tehran. Using a convenience sampling method, we randomly assigned the participants to two groups: control (n = 45) and intervention (n = 45). Data were collected through the Spielberger's anxiety scale and a demographic questionnaire. Maternal anxiety was measured before the intervention, immediately after the three-day intervention, and five weeks after the intervention. We used a writing technique in the intervention and control groups for 20 minutes over three consecutive days. In the intervention group, participants wrote down their sincere desires and wishes that they demanded from God without any worry or stress. The control group spent 20 minutes writing their normal daily schedules; for example, feeding their children or changing their children's clothes. During the three consecutive days of intervention, we asked both groups not to worry about grammar or spelling errors. Finally, the data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistical methods.ResultA statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups (intervention and control mean, 34.9 ± 9.9 and 47.9 ± 16.2, respectively) relative to anxiety after the intervention (p < 0.001). After five weeks, the intervention group continued to exhibit significantly reduced anxiety compared with the control group (intervention and control mean, 34.7 ± 9.6 and 48.5 ± 16.4; p < 0.001).Significance of resultsThe written prayer technique appears to be an effective, efficient, cost-effective, and practical method for reducing anxiety in mothers of children with cancer.

ObjectiveThe objectives of this study were to explore the impact of a communication course for doctors on family satisfaction and anxiety in an Australasian ICU and to elucidate the determinants of family satisfaction and anxiety.DesignProspective observational study. Pre- and post-study design.ParticipantsOne hundred and three consecutive family members of patients staying in the ICU for more than 48 hours were identified. Eighty-six subjects were evaluated and analysed.MethodsTen-point Likert scale (FS-ICU Questionnaire) used to measure satisfaction. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was used to measure anxiety. Study performed over a 12-week period (9 weeks pre- and 3 weeks post-course) in a 34-bed intensive care unit before and after a communication course for junior medical officers.ResultsFifty-six subjects were approached for the purpose of this study. Forty-three family members were included, 40 of patients who survived, and 3 whose relative died in ICU. Overall family satisfaction was high (mean scores 9.44 ± 0.91). Post-course, 47 subjects were approached for the purpose of this study and 43 family members consented to participate. Overall family satisfaction was high (mean scores 9.84 ± 0.97). There was a statistically significant difference in the frequency of doctors’ communication before and after the course (P < 0.01) and anxiety levels (P = 0.0001)ConclusionThe majority of families are happy with their care in the ICU. A communication course aimed at junior medical officers was effective in improving satisfaction and reducing anxiety among family members.Disclosure of interestThe author has not supplied his/her declaration of competing interest.

The prevalence of anxiety symptoms among South African children is reported to be significantly higher than in other parts of the world. The need for an effective anxiety prevention and early intervention program for use with South African children is urgently needed. The aim of the present study was therefore to determine whether the Australian FRIENDS program could effectively reduce the anxiety symptoms, as measured by the Spence Children's Anxiety scale (SCAS), among a sample of South African children from low socioeconomic background. The program evaluation employed a quasi-experimental, nonequivalent control group design that followed participants (N = 46) over a course of 10 months. Within group effects and between group effects revealed that the FRIENDS program had little statistically significant postintervention effect on the anxiety symptoms of this sample, but had significant effects in the longer term, at 4 months and 6 months follow-up. The implications of these results for the South African context are discussed.

Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) has rarely been offered to students seeking professional psychological help at universities in the UK. Here, we aimed to investigate whether a brief course of CBT would improve anxious and depressive symptoms. Forty-eight student patients received a brief course of CBT at a university National Health Service, Student Health Centre in England. Patients completed weekly self-report measures of anxiety and depression at the commencement of each CBT session. Student patients receiving CBT showed significant decreases in anxiety and depression. These effects remained after controlling for a range of potential covariates (e.g. primary problem, total time in treatment, therapist qualifications). Findings suggest CBT is effective in reducing anxiety and depressive symptoms in a ‘real-world’ university clinic.

Eczema is a skin condition with a multifaceted aetiology that includes both psychological and physiological components. A number of studies have indicated that cognitive-behavioural techniques (e.g. relaxation) are effective in the treatment of atopic eczema. However, it remains unclear from the literature whether different relaxation techniques have comparable treatment effects. The current study compared the efficacy of a single relaxation session with an imagery component with that of a comparable relaxation session without the imagery component. Eczema patients (n=9) who participated in relaxation with imagery reported significantly greater reductions in state anxiety and subjective ratings of itchiness and significantly greater increases in mental relaxation levels than eczema patients (n=9) who participated in relaxation without the imagery component. No group differences were found on changes in state anger. These results suggest that relaxation with an imagery component may be more effective than relaxation without an imagery component in lowering state anxiety levels and itchy sensations of atopic eczema patients.

Twenty-two subjects diagnosed as having an occupationally related injury to the connective tissues, joints or muscles of the hands, arms, neck, shoulders or upper back were included in an experimental study which investigated the effectiveness of a cognitive-behavioural and movement-retraining program for reducing anxiety, depression, pain and disruption of activities by pain. Group and single case analyses indicated that the intervention program was associated with reductions in pain and the extent to which pain disrupted activities of daily living for some subjects, but program effects did not maintain over time.

Introduction and aim The present research aimed at determining the effectiveness of risk-taking on reducing anxiety level in students in Payam-e- noor University in the city of Babol. Method This research had a semi-experimental and comparative design with pre-test and post-test tool. The sample size of the research was divided into groups, namely control and experimental ones, each including 15 students out of 30 individuals. Anxiety Inventory was used as an instrument for the present research. Statistical t-test for independent variables and SPSS spreadsheet were applied to analyze data. Findings Results of this research demonstrated that the way of risk-taking training could increase risk-taking behaviorally and cognitively. In addition, risk-taking training through group-counseling could lead to the reduction of anxiety in university students. Accordingly, the more the degree of risk-taking increased, the less the anxiety level would be. Discussion The use of expressive style training can elevate the risk-taking in anxious students. Moreover, when students learn how to answer courageously, this surely can decrease the stress and tension they have been experiencing in a certain situation in the past.

Theme therapy is a new technique to prescribe art works, special musical peaces, which during several researches, were found three therapeutic musical themes: Relaxation Themes (Cognitive Themes), Mood-Making Themes (Emotional Themes) and Somatization Themes (Body Themes) (Joharifard, 2009).In this investigation, were studied the effect of therapeutic musical themes and their presentation techniques (active and passive) on reducing anxiety.96 students, were chose randomly from 386 anxious students, assigned to 8 groups (6 experimental groups and 2 control groups), and each group was measured two times, before investigation (as pretest) and after investigation (as posttest) during 6 weeks.Data were calculated by description and deductive statistics, such as ANOVA and post-hoc tests. The findings suggested that, the relaxation theme with relaxation technique has been most effect on reducing anxiety. Also the effect of active presentation is more than the effect of passive music therapy on reducing anxiety.