Articles tagged with Behavior Modification
Researchers at Nara Institute of Science and Technology developed a new model of obsessive-compulsive disorder based on principles of reinforcement learning. The model suggests that imbalanced learning between reinforcement and punishment can lead to disordered behavior in OCD. This work helps explain how OCD develops and may be used t...
A new study explores how active parent participation can improve neonatal health and reduce parental stress. The study found that cultural attitudes, collaboration between medical staff and parents, and availability of equipment are key factors in enabling parent-infant closeness.
A new study published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior reveals that education with goal-oriented activities can motivate college students to make healthier choices. The intervention, which included food challenges and cooking videos, increased confidence in using fruits and vegetables in cooking and consumption outcomes.
A study analyzing Twitter data from May 2020 to January 2021 found that the share of tweets about healthy foods increased by 20%, while fast-food and alcohol tweets decreased by 9% and 11%, respectively. The study suggests that people may have made healthier dietary changes during the pandemic, depending on their neighborhood environment.
A cross-sectional study found that the elderly's daily step count and physical activity level are strongly influenced by the number of places they visit, not just their out-of-home time. The researchers suggest that encouraging outings to diverse locations can be a healthier approach than simply going for longer periods.
A study of over 500,000 people found that those who always added salt to their food had a 28% increased risk of dying prematurely. This is equivalent to one more person in every hundred dying prematurely due to excessive salt intake.
A new pediatric obesity program, Guided Self-Help (GSH), was developed to provide a less intensive and more accessible way to treat childhood obesity. The study found that GSH was similarly effective as traditional Family-Based Treatment (FBT) in supporting pediatric weight loss, but with higher attendance rates.
Wealthy individuals are more likely to purchase unsustainable products with higher price tags, feeling entitled to the benefits despite environmental costs. However, when encouraged to think about equality, this effect is diminished.
A meta-analysis of 130 experiments involving 10,000 participants found a connection between upright postures and power posing with improved self-perception. However, the effects on behavior and hormone levels were less robust and not supported by the findings.
A new study provides recommendations for behavioral weight loss interventions to address the unmet needs of Black people with obesity. The research emphasizes the importance of enhancing recruitment and retention of Black men and women in behavioral weight loss intervention studies, as well as combining policy with behavioral changes.
A study published in Age and Ageing found that modifying lifestyle behaviors can have a marked effect on lifespan, particularly among older adults and those with chronic conditions. Adopting five or more healthy habits increased life expectancy by up to 6 years for healthy 40-year-olds.
A new study found that individuals high in grandiose and vulnerable narcissism are less likely to wear masks or get vaccinated. However, those who do choose to participate may be more likely to encourage others to do so. Researchers suggest using unique messaging strategies to tap into these personalities.
A UTD professor's study found that men's rudeness toward others, including women, can obscure the recognition of sexism. The study suggests that a perception of gender blindness can lead observers to view the perpetrator as not sexist, even when they are displaying sexist behavior.
Researchers developed EMOPRINT, a five-week behavioral intervention improving facial affect recognition skills in individuals with MS. The study showed significant improvement in facial affect recognition in the MS group compared to placebo controls.
Researchers found a connection between how people think about their finances and their financial behaviors. Identifying situations when spending patterns are likely to occur can help predict triggers.
Researchers found that Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) helps individuals with depression develop self-compassion, leading to a state of safety and relaxation. Participants who received MBCT showed increased self-kindness and reduced threat responses compared to those in an untreated control group.
Researchers at the University of Tsukuba created a handheld social robot, OMOY, that can appear to convey emotions by shifting an internal weight while reading out text messages. The robot was tested with 94 people and found to reduce negative emotions such as anger, revenge, and avoidance motivation.
The National Athletic Trainers' Association has updated its position statement to reduce intentional head-first contact behavior in American football players. The new recommendations address education and administration, skill development and behavior modification, rules and regulations, and technology and scientific research.
A new study found that clear and consistent messaging is key to reducing risk-taking behavior, while personality-based approaches are less effective. The research used a simulated pandemic game to test different interventions and demonstrates the potential for behavioral sciences to inform public health policy.
Scientists at Tel Aviv University have created two-dimensional polymer microfiber networks that exhibit shape memory properties. These networks can be controlled by temperature-induced changes, allowing for morphing materials with microscale resolutions.
Researchers found that daily life movement, including housework and self-care activities, significantly benefits cardiovascular health. Women with at least four hours of daily life movement had a 43% lower risk of cardiovascular disease, 62% lower risk of cardiovascular disease death.
Researchers will test the effectiveness of WeCAN, a group-based treatment designed to teach long-lasting management skills to individuals with traumatic brain injury and dementia. The study aims to identify behavioral, neuroimaging, and blood biomarkers that correlate with treatment efficacy.
A US study found that e-cigarettes were less popular as a smoking cessation aid in 2017 compared to FDA-approved pharmaceuticals. However, researchers did not see any reduction in relapse rates among those who quit using e-cigarettes.
A team of scientists has identified a previously unknown brain region involved in maternal behaviors in mice, which is linked to hormone-sensitive neurons. The discovery sheds new light on the biological mechanisms underlying pregnancy and its effects on brain circuits.
A recent study found that individuals often identify with both their Planner and Doer selves, valuing spontaneity and flexibility in their attitudes towards resolutions. The research challenges the common assumption that people prioritize self-control over spontaneity.
A team from UNIGE analyzed over 200 scientific articles on 'nudge' strategies, classifying them into three groups: information, structure, and assistance. They found that techniques in the second group ('structure') are the most effective, particularly in influencing food choices.
A recent study published in Cell Reports reveals that SRC-2 is essential for coordinating biological responses to food scarcity, including modifying metabolism and behaviors to ensure survival. Additionally, SRC-2 is also involved in weight gain when food is abundant, leading to obesity.
Researchers developed a novel sequential analysis method to detect EWSs in daily COVID-19 case data across 24 countries, finding warnings were regularly detectable prior to exponential cases changes. The reliability of these signals depended on the time between successive waves and mathematical likelihood of critical transition.
A University of Pennsylvania study found that clinician peer networks significantly reduce health care inequities and disparities. The study led by Professor Damon Centola showed that clinicians who initially exhibited significant bias could change their clinical recommendations to exhibit no bias.
A recent UC San Diego study has found that e-cigarette use does not help smokers stay off cigarettes, but rather increases the risk of relapse. Former smokers who switched to e-cigarettes were more likely to relapse compared to those who remained tobacco-free.
A systematic review found that brief alcohol-targeted interventions delivered in doctors' offices reduce drinking by small but useful amounts. The study analyzed data from 116 trials involving 64,439 participants and found a reduction of approximately one drinking day per month.
Mental health professionals play a crucial role in encouraging COVID-19 vaccination by understanding individuals' thoughts and feelings about vaccination. The study highlights the importance of social experiences and direct behavior change opportunities for effective vaccination promotion.
A new study found that fact-checking works across the globe, reducing false beliefs and increasing factual accuracy. The researchers tested five unique fact-checks in four countries and found that fact-checks increased accurate beliefs by .59 points on a scale of 1-5.
A new study found that a next-generation brain implant for treating refractory epilepsy does not induce changes to patients' personalities or self-perceptions. The study follows 12 patients and their family caregivers over two years, providing reassurance for patients implanted with this device.
A new study published in the Journal of Imagery Research in Sport and Physical Activity found that functional imagery training (FIT) significantly reinforced a person's motivation to complete a challenging goal. FIT, developed at the University of Plymouth, teaches people new ways of thinking about their immediate future to help them s...
Research from UNSW Sydney found that unexpected uncertainty prompts people to adjust their behavior, even if it's not the best strategy. In contrast, gradual changes in uncertainty do not lead to significant behavioral shifts. The study suggests that understanding how people react to uncertainty can help overcome inertia and promote su...
A new study from the University of Chichester has identified three distinct classes of psychological flexibility: high, moderate, and low. The research found that those with high levels of psychological flexibility reported lower levels of psychological distress, while those with low levels reported higher levels.
A new alternative to sedation for children undergoing radiation therapy has been developed using behavior analysis training, allowing them to stay mostly motionless during treatment. The 'PROMISE' project is testing this method on healthy children under age 10 in a child-friendly laboratory.
Researchers at Drexel University are developing a smartphone app to track individuals' patterns of eating and binge-eating behavior, alerting them at risk. A new evidence-based approach to small-group behavioral therapy also aims to equip patients with psychological tools to adhere to standard treatments.
Researchers have mapped the female fruit fly's post-coital behavioral switch using neural circuitry analysis. The study reveals that stimulation of specific neuronal clusters triggers a dramatic change in behavior, influencing both the female's and male's actions.
Researchers found that combining methylphenidate patch with behavior modification was superior to either treatment alone, achieving greater improvement in child behavior. The study also showed significant reductions in medication dosages needed, making it ideal for administering lower doses over time.
African American participants may resist behavior changes due to cultural discomfort. Researchers must consider socioeconomic status and acculturation levels when designing clinical trials. Culturally sensitive models can improve outcomes and build trust within the community.
Researchers found that obese women who used weight loss medication MERIDIA in combination with a comprehensive lifestyle modification program lost an average of 24.4 pounds, compared to 8.4 pounds for those treated by medication alone. Lifestyle modification included diet and exercise, as well as weekly group sessions to plan meals and...
A new $1.85 million grant-funded study will investigate how African-American and white patients develop, maintain, and change self-care behaviors over time. The study aims to identify how these racial differences affect health outcomes and long-term quality of life.
A computer simulation, known as a cyberkid, was used to study how children's problem-solving behavior changes across ages. The study found that 7-year-olds' thinking improves in strategy selection as they grow towards adulthood.
A study found that infant rats nursed by intoxicated mothers exhibit greater distress and aversion to alcohol, suggesting the mother's altered behavior is what causes their reaction. The researchers also suggest that early learning about alcohol is based on sensory experiences and context.
Researchers studied a c. elegans worm with a genetic mutation affecting its feeding behavior and discovered that it altered the potassium channel EXP-2, leading to muscle relaxation and reduced food intake. This study provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms controlling behavior in humans.
A peer-led intervention program, EachOne TeachOne, has shown success in reducing high-risk behaviors among drug users, with 80% of participants cutting back on their drug use or maintaining a low level of risk. However, condom use remained an area of concern, with only 25% of participants showing improvements.
A single gene is responsible for the social behavior of roundworms, which may hold clues to understanding human social behaviors. The gene variation affects how nematodes respond to environmental stimuli and recognize pheromones.
Researchers found that fear campaigns can be effective in motivating action, but only if individuals feel threatened and have clear information about the effectiveness of recommended actions. The study tested the impact of a fear campaign on reducing the risk of genital warts caused by human papilloma virus (HPV) among college women.
A 22-year study found that socially dominant men, characterized by monopolizing conversations and excessive competitiveness, had a 60% higher rate of all-cause mortality compared to less dominant individuals. This suggests that social dominance is a moderate risk factor for early death.