Improving Managers’ Psychophysical Well-Being: Effectiveness of Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia Biofeedback

High work stress has been consistently associated with disturbed autonomic balance, specifically, lowered vagal cardiac control and increased sympathetic activity, which may lead to increased cardiovascular risk. Stress management procedures have been proposed to reduce autonomic dysfunctions related to work stress in different categories of workers exposed to heightened work demands, while a limited number of studies addressed this issue in managers. The present study was aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of a respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) biofeedback (BF) intervention on psychological and physiological outcomes, in managers with high-level work responsibilities. Thirty-one managers leading outstanding private or public companies were randomly assigned to either a RSA-BF training (RSA-BF; N = 16) or a control group (N = 15). The RSA-BF training consisted of five weekly 45 min sessions, designed to increase RSA, whereas controls had to provide a daily stress diary once a week. After the training, managers in both groups reported reduced heart rate at rest, lower anxiety levels and improvement in health-related quality of life. More importantly, managers in the RSA-BF group showed increased vagal control (as indexed by increased RSA), decreased sympathetic arousal (as indexed by reduced skin conductance and systolic blood pressure) and lower emotional interferences, compared to managers in the control group. Results from this study showed that RSA-BF training was effective in improving cardiac autonomic balance at rest. Moreover, findings from this study underline the effectiveness of biofeedback in reducing psychophysiological negative outcomes associated with stress in managers.     

Childhood Trauma and Personal Mastery: Their Influence on Emotional Reactivity to Everyday Events in a Community Sample of Middle-Aged Adults

Childhood trauma is associated with premature declines in health in midlife and old age. Pathways that have been implicated, but less studied include social-emotional regulation, biological programming, and habitual patterns of thought and action. In this study we focused on childhood trauma’s influence via alterations in social-emotional regulation to everyday life events, a pathway that has been linked to subsequent health effects. Data from a 30-day daily diary of community residents who participated in a study of resilience in Midlife (n = 191, M_age = 54, SD = 7.50, 54% women) was used to examine whether self-reports of childhood trauma were associated with daily well-being, as well as reported and emotional reactivity to daily negative and positive events. Childhood trauma reports were associated with reporting lower overall levels of and greater variability in daily well-being. Childhood trauma was linked to greater reports of daily negative events, but not to positive events. Focusing on emotional reactivity to daily events, residents who reported higher levels of childhood trauma showed stronger decreases in well-being when experiencing negative events and also stronger increases in well-being with positive events. For those reporting childhood trauma, higher levels of mastery were associated with stronger decreases in well-being with negative events and stronger increases in well-being with positive events, suggesting that mastery increases sensitivity to daily negative and positive events. Our results suggest that childhood trauma may lead to poorer health in midlife through disturbances in the patterns of everyday life events and responses to those events. Further, our findings indicate that mastery may have a different meaning for those who experienced childhood trauma. We discuss social-emotional regulation as one pathway linking childhood trauma to health, and psychosocial resources to consider when building resilience-promoting interventions for mitigating the detrimental health effects of childhood trauma.     

Outcomes and moderators of a preventive school-based mental health intervention for children affected by war in Sri Lanka: a cluster randomized trial

We aimed to examine outcomes, moderators and mediators of a preventive school-based mental health intervention implemented by paraprofessionals in a war-affected setting in northern Sri Lanka. A cluster randomized trial was employed. Subsequent to screening 1,370 children in randomly selected schools, 399 children were assigned to an intervention (n=199) or waitlist control condition (n=200). The intervention consisted of 15 manualized sessions over 5 weeks of cognitive behavioral techniques and creative expressive elements. Assessments took place before, 1 week after, and 3 months after the intervention. Primary outcomes included post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depressive, and anxiety symptoms. No main effects on primary outcomes were identified. A main effect in favor of intervention for conduct problems was observed. This effect was stronger for younger children. Furthermore, we found intervention benefits for specific subgroups. Stronger effects were found for boys with regard to PTSD and anxiety symptoms, and for younger children on pro-social behavior. Moreover, we found stronger intervention effects on PTSD, anxiety, and function impairment for children experiencing lower levels of current war-related stressors. Girls in the intervention condition showed smaller reductions on PTSD symptoms than waitlisted girls. We conclude that preventive school-based psychosocial interventions in volatile areas characterized by ongoing war-related stressors may effectively improve indicators of psychological wellbeing and posttraumatic stress-related symptoms in some children. However, they may undermine natural recovery for others. Further research is necessary to examine how gender, age and current war-related experiences contribute to differential intervention effects.     

Combined Heart Rate Variability and Pulse Oximetry Biofeedback for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Preliminary Findings

The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility of an intervention that included heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback and walking with pulse oximetry feedback to improve functioning and quality of life for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Twenty patients with COPD participated in 5 weekly sessions of HRV biofeedback and 4 weekly sessions of walking practice with oximetry feedback, with instructions for daily home practice. Primary outcomes measures were the distance walked in 6 min (6MWD) and overall quality of life, as measured by the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). Secondary outcomes included measures of self-efficacy, self-reported disability, anxiety, depression, dyspnea before and after the 6MWD, and HRV at the frequency of respiration during spontaneous and paced breathing. After 10 weeks of training, participants showed statistically and clinically significant improvements in 6MWD and quality of life. Significant changes were also seen in self-efficacy, disability, dyspnea before and after the 6MWD, and HRV amplitude during spontaneous breathing. We conclude that our intervention is feasible for patients with COPD and that further research using a randomized controlled design is warranted.     

Efectos del entrenamiento en estrategias de regulación emocional en el bienestar de cuidadores de enfermos de Alzheimer

Introduction

The present research shows the results of a psychoeducational intervention programme centered on the regulation of the emotion among Alzheimer patients’ caregivers.

Materials and methods

52 informal caregivers of Alzheimer's patients participated. These caregivers were distributed into two groups: the experimental group (n = 20) and the control group (n = 32). All the participants were evaluated before and after the intervention programme through the application of different measurement tools measuring variables related to the care giving process; stressors, modulation variables and care giving consequences.

Results

In the inter group contrast, the experimental group, when compared with the control condition, obtained higher scores in positive affect, subjective well-being, regulation of emotions, and satisfaction with caregiving. However, the experimental group recorded lower values in perceived stress and negative affect. With reference to the intragroup contrast, the experimental group showed a significant decrease in dysfunctional thoughts and emotional attention. The control group registered higher levels of psychosocial support and lower satisfaction with caregiving.

Conclusions

The training programme, that we both developed and conducted, has contributed to a greater feeling of emotional well-being amongst the its participant caregivers, who now take more adequate care of their emotions and suffer fewer dysfunctional thoughts in relation to caregiving. In future studies, the stability of the results presented in this investigation should be established due to the progressive character of the skills learned during the programme, and the changing needs associated with the caregiving process.     

Music therapy in supportive cancer care

The purpose of this paper is to show some aspects of music therapy application in cancer care and to present the integration of music therapy program into a continuous supportive cancer care for inpatients. A cancer diagnosis is one of the most feared and serious life events that causes stress in individuals and families. Cancer disrupts social, physical and emotional well-being and results in a range of emotions, including anger, fear, sadness, guilt, embarrassment and shame. Music therapy is a part of a complementary medicine program in supportive cancer care which accompanies medical treatment. There are many benefits of music therapy for cancer patients—interactive music therapy techniques (instrumental improvisation, singing) as well as receptive music therapy techniques (listening to recorded or live music, music and imaginary) can be used to improve mood, decrease stress, pain, anxiety level and enhance relaxation. Music therapy is an effective form of supporting cancer care for patients during the treatment process. It may be also basic for planning effective programs of rehabilitation to promote wellness, improve physical and emotional well-being and the quality of life.     

正念减压法对恶性肿瘤患者癌因性疲乏和负性情绪的干预效果

目的:探讨正念减压法对恶性肿瘤患者癌因性疲乏以及负性情绪的干预效果。方法:选择2016年7月-2018年3月期间我院收治的122例恶性肿瘤患者为研究对象,以随机数字表法分为观察组(n=61)和对照组(n=61),对照组接受常规健康心理疏导,观察组给予正念减压法进行干预,干预疗程为3个月。干预前后分别采用癌症疲乏量表、焦虑自评量表和汉密尔顿抑郁量表(HAMD)、肺癌生存质量测定量表(FACT-L)评估两组患者癌因性疲乏情况、焦虑和抑郁情况及生活质量。结果:干预后,两组认知疲乏评分、躯体疲乏评分、情感疲乏评分及总分均较干预前降低,且观察组低于对照组(P0.05)。干预后对照组焦虑自评量表评分和HAMD评分与干预前比较无统计学差异(P0.05),干预后观察组焦虑自评量表评分和HAMD评分低于干预前和对照组(P0.05)。干预后生理状况、社会/家庭状况、情感状况、功能状况及附加的关注情况评分较干预前上升,且观察组高于对照组(P0.05)。结论:在恶性肿瘤患者的干预过程中正念减压法能够显著降低患者的癌因性疲乏程度,改善患者负性情绪,同时对提高患者的生活质量也具有积极作用。     

心理干预对脑卒中抑郁焦虑情绪的康复作用及对患者治疗依从性的影响研究

目的:探讨心理干预对脑卒中抑郁焦虑情绪的康复作用及对患者治疗依从性的影响。方法:我院老年科、神经内科、康复医学科治疗的脑卒中并出现抑郁焦虑情绪障碍的患者120例,随机分为观察组和对照组,各60例,两组患者均入院以后给予脑血管药物进行常规治疗和日常功能训练;观察组同时给予心理干预并根据病情应用抗抑郁抗焦虑药物等。于干预前、干预后3个月、6个月、1年分别对两组患者用SCL-90量表、总体幸福感指数量表、Barthel指数量表对患者进行评估,并评估患者治疗依从性。结果:干预后,观察组SCL-90各因子评分及总分均较干预前明显降低(P0.05),对照组SCL-90各因子评分及总分与干预前比较无统计学差异(P0.05)。干预前两组患者总体幸福感评分和Barthel评分比较无统计学差异(P0.05),干预后3个月、6个月和1年观察组总体幸福感评分和Barthel评分均明显高于对照组(P0.05)。观察组患者在治疗期间总体依从率明显高于对照组(P0.05)。结论:心理干预能够有效的改善脑卒中患者早期康复病人抑郁和焦虑的情绪,提高患者治疗的依从性。     

Sanitation,Stress, and Life Stage: A Systematic Data Collection Study among Women in Odisha,India

Emerging evidence demonstrates how inadequate access to water and sanitation is linked to psychosocial stress, especially among women, forcing them to navigate social and physical barriers during their daily sanitation routines. We examine sanitation-related psychosocial stress (SRPS) across women’s reproductive lives in three distinct geographic sites (urban slums, rural villages, and rural tribal villages) in Odisha, India. We explored daily sanitation practices of adolescent, newly married, pregnant, and established adult women (n = 60) and identified stressors encountered during sanitation. Responding to structured data collection methods, women ranked seven sanitation activities (defecation, urination, menstruation, bathing, post-defecation cleaning, carrying water, and changing clothes) based on stress (high to low) and level of freedom (associated with greatest freedom to having the most restrictions). Women then identified common stressors they encountered when practicing sanitation and sorted stressors in constrained piles based on frequency and severity of each issue. The constellation of factors influencing SRPS varies by life stage and location. Overall, sanitation behaviors that were most restricted (i.e., menstruation) were the most stressful. Women in different sites encountered different stressors, and the level of perceived severity varied based on site and life stage. Understanding the influence of place and life stage on SRPS provides a nuanced understanding of sanitation, and may help identify areas for intervention.     

5‐HTTLPR genotype potentiates the effects of war zone stressors on the emergence of PTSD,depressive and anxiety symptoms in soldiers deployed to iraq

Exposure to war zone stressors is common, yet only a minority of soldiers experience clinically meaningful disturbance in psychological function. Identification of biomarkers that predict vulnerability to war zone stressors is critical for developing more effective treatment and prevention strategies not only in soldiers but also in civilians who are exposed to trauma. We investigated the role of the serotonin transporter linked polymorphic region (5‐HTTLPR) genotype in predicting the emergence of post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depressive and anxiety symptoms as a function of war zone stressors. A prospective cohort of 133 U.S. Army soldiers with no prior history of deployment to a war zone, who were scheduled to deploy to Iraq, was recruited. Multilevel regression models were used to investigate associations between 5‐HTTLPR genotype, level of war zone stressors, and reported symptoms of PTSD, depression and anxiety while deployed to Iraq. Level of war zone stressors was associated with symptoms of PTSD, depression and anxiety. Consistent with its effects on stress responsiveness, 5‐HTTLPR genotype moderated the relationship between level of war zone stressors and symptoms of emotional disturbance. Specifically, soldiers carrying one or two low functioning alleles (S or L_G) reported heightened symptoms of PTSD, depression and anxiety in response to increased levels of exposure to war zone stressors, relative to soldiers homozygous for the high functioning allele (L_A). These data suggest that 5‐HTTLPR genotype moderates individual sensitivity to war zone stressors and the expression of emotional disturbance including PTSD symptoms. Replication of this association along with identification of other genetic moderators of risk can inform the development of biomarkers that can predict relative resilience vs. vulnerability to stress.     

正念训练联合情志干预缓解肿瘤安宁期患者癌因性疲乏的效果观察

摘要 目的：探讨正念训练联合情志干预缓解肿瘤安宁期患者癌因性疲乏的效果。方法：选择2018年1月到2019年10月在本院进行诊治的肿瘤安宁期患者122例,根据随机数字表法将其分为正念组与对照组,每组各61例。对照组给予常规情志干预,正念组给予正念训练联合情志干预,两组干预观察时间为8周。记录和比较两组治疗前后癌因性疲乏指标(正念评分、焦虑与抑郁评分、睡眠质量评分、行为/严重程度、情感、感觉、认知/情绪评分)的变化情况。结果：干预后,正念组与对照组的正念评分都高于干预前,且正念组高于对照组(P<0.05)。两组干预后焦虑与抑郁评分、睡眠质量评分都显著低于干预前,正念组明显低于对照组(P<0.05)。正念组干预后的行为/严重程度、情感、感觉、认知/情绪评分都明显低于对照组(P<0.05)。结论：正念训练联合情志干预能缓解肿瘤安宁期患者的癌因性疲乏状况,提高睡眠质量与正念认知,缓解患者的焦虑与抑郁情绪。     

阶段性康复训练联合心理认知疗法在高血压脑出血偏瘫患者中的应用效果分析

摘要 目的：分析阶段性康复训练联合心理认知疗法在高血压脑出血偏瘫患者中的应用效果。方法：选取2018年4月~2021年7月期间我院收治的高血压脑出血偏瘫患者100例。根据双色球随机分组法将患者分为对照组（50例,常规治疗基础上接受阶段性康复训练）和观察组（50例,对照组基础上接受心理认知疗法）。对比两组干预4周后的临床总有效率,对比两组干预前、干预4周后的Fugl-Meyer 量表（FMA）、日常生活能力量表（ADL）、汉密尔顿焦虑量表(HAMA)、汉密尔顿抑郁量表(HAMD) 、简明健康调查量表(SF-36)评分。结果：观察组的临床总有效率高于对照组（P<0.05）。干预4周后,两组HAMA、HAMD评分下降,且观察组低于对照组（P<0.05）。干预4周后,两组FMA、ADL评分升高,且观察组高于对照组（P<0.05）。干预4周后,两组总体健康、躯体疼痛、社会功能、生理职能、生理功能、情感职能、精神健康、活力评分均升高,且观察组高于对照组（P<0.05）。结论：阶段性康复训练联合心理认知疗法有助于提高高血压脑出血偏瘫患者肢体运动功能和日常生活功能,缓解抑郁焦虑情况,促进生活质量提高。     

放松训练对老年冠心病介入治疗患者围手术期心理应激干预效果研究

目的:探讨放松训练对老年冠心病介入治疗患者围手术期心理应激的干预效果。方法:选择2013年7月至2014年1月在某院接受介入治疗的老年冠心病患者120例为研究对象,随机分为干预组和对照组,各60例。对照组接受手术治疗和常规护理,干预组在对照组治疗方案的基础上采用放松训练进行围手术期心理干预。采用焦虑自评量表(SAS)、抑郁自评量表(SDS)、匹兹堡睡眠质量指数(PSQI)量表和生活满意度量表(SWLS)施测,并进行比较分析。结果:手术后放松训练干预组焦虑、抑郁和睡眠质量评分比手术前明显下降[(39.28±2.32),(41.68±2.76),(8.97±2.11)vs.(48.78±5.11),(54.37±6.68),(10.88±2.21),均P<0.01],显著低于对照组[(44.78±4.09),(49.08±3.58),(10.40±1.87)vs.(48.83±5.28),(54.40±3.72),(10.87±2.86),均P<0.01]。放松训练干预组手术后与手术前睡眠质量各分量表比较,除"催眠药物"和"日间功能障碍"2个因子外,其余各因子均有显著差异(均P<0.05)。放松训练干预组术后生活满意度量表评分明显高于术前[(23.27±4.61)vs.(20.17±4.99),P<0.01],显著高于对照组[(21.15±4.16)vs.(19.90±4.38),P<0.01]。结论:放松训练心理干预技术对接受介入治疗的老年冠心病患者的焦虑、抑郁情绪和睡眠质量具有良好的缓解和改善作用,可以降低患者的心理应激程度,提高患者术后的生活质量。     

Behavioral interventions for coronary heart disease patients

Introduction

There is a strong clinical need to provide effective stress reduction programs for patients with an acute coronary syndrome. Such programs for men have been implemented and their cardiovascular health benefit documented. For women such programs are scarce. In this report, The feasibility of a cognitive method that was recently demonstrated to prolong lives of women is tested. A setting with gender segregated groups was applied.

Method

The principles of a behavioural health educational program originally designed to attenuate the stress of patients with coronary prone behaviours were used as a basis for the intervention method. For the groups of female patients this method was tailored according to female stressors and for the groups of men according to male stressors. The same core stress reduction program was used for women and men, but the contents of discussions and responses to the pre planned program varied. These were continuously monitored throughout the fifteen sessions. Implementation group: Thirty consecutive patients, eleven women and nineteen men, hospitalized for an acute coronary syndrome were included in this intervention. All expressed their need to learn how to cope with stress in daily life and were highly motivated. Five groups, three groups of men and two groups of women were formed. Psychological assessments were made immediately before and after completion of the program.

Results

No gender differences in the pre planned programs were found, but discussion styles varied between the women and men, Women were more open and more personal. Family issues were more frequent than job issues, although all women were employed outside their homes. Men talked about concrete and practical things, mostly about their jobs, and not directly about their feelings. Daily stresses of life decreased significantly for both men and women, but more so for women. Depressive thoughts were low at baseline, and there was no change over time. In contrast, anxiety scores were high at baseline and decreased significantly, but more so for women than for men.

Conclusion

Women are likely to benefit from women's groups. Men may prefer to have one or two women in the group, but women fare better in gender segregated groups.     

国际功能、残疾和健康分类理念下的作业训练对脑卒中患者认知功能、心理状态和生活质量的影响

目的:探讨国际功能、残疾和健康分类(ICF)理念下的作业训练对脑卒中患者认知功能、心理状态和生活质量的影响。方法:选取我院2018年1月~2020年1月收治的脑卒中患者140例,根据随机数字表法,分成观察组(n=70)、对照组(n=70)。对照组行常规作业训练,观察组采用基于ICF理念下的作业训练。两组均观察3个月,分别在干预前、干预3个月后,经蒙特利尔认知评估量表(MOCA)评价两组认知功能的变化。经抑郁自评量表(SDS)、焦虑自评量表(SAS)分析患者的焦虑、抑郁情况。经Fugl-Meyer运动功能评定量表(FMA)、功能综合评定量表(FCA)评估患者运动功能、综合功能。利用健康状态调查量表(SF-36)评估两组生活质量。结果:两组干预后MOCA评分高于干预前,且观察组高于对照组(P<0.05)。两组干预后SDS、SAS评分低于干预前,且观察组低于对照组(P<0.05)。两组干预后FMA、FCA评分高于干预前,且观察组高于对照组(P<0.05)。两组干预后SF-36各维度评分均高于干预前,且观察组高于对照组(P<0.05)。结论:基于ICF理念下的作业训练能进一步改善脑卒中患者的认知功能以及心理状态,且有利于提升运动功能与综合功能,改善生活质量。     

Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia Feedback in a Stressed Population Exposed to a Brief Stressor Demonstrated by Quantitative EEG and sLORETA

Previous investigations of electroencephalograms during relaxation have identified increases in slow wave band power, correlations between increased levels of alpha activity with lower levels of anxiety, and autonomic changes characterized by otherwise documented decreased sympathetic activity. This study was carried out to determine the overall changes in quantitative electroencephalographic activity and the current source as a result of an acute session of respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) biofeedback in a population of subjects experiencing stress. This study’s findings provide physiological evidence of RSA feedback effect and suggest that RSA training may decrease arousal by promoting an increase of alpha band frequencies and decrease in beta frequencies overall and in areas critical to the regulation of stress. It was of interest that novices could achieve these objective alterations in EEG activity after minimal training and intervention periods considering that the previous literature on EEG and meditative states involve experienced meditators or participants who had been given extensive training. Additionally, these effects were present immediately following the training suggesting that the intervention may have effects beyond the actual practice.     

The Effect of Personality on Daily Life Emotional Processes

Personality features are associated with individual differences in daily emotional life, such as negative and positive affectivity, affect variability and affect reactivity. The existing literature is somewhat mixed and inconclusive about the nature of these associations. The aim of this study was to shed light on what personality features represent in daily life by investigating the effect of the Five Factor traits on different daily emotional processes using an ecologically valid method. The Experience Sampling Method was used to collect repeated reports of daily affect and experiences from 104 healthy university students during one week of their normal lives. Personality traits of the Five Factor model were assessed using NEO Five Factor Inventory. Hierarchical linear modeling was used to analyze the effect of the personality traits on daily emotional processes. Neuroticism predicted higher negative and lower positive affect, higher affect variability, more negative subjective evaluations of daily incidents, and higher reactivity to stressors. Conscientiousness, by contrast, predicted lower average level, variability, and reactivity of negative affect. Agreeableness was associated with higher positive and lower negative affect, lower variability of sadness, and more positive subjective evaluations of daily incidents. Extraversion predicted higher positive affect and more positive subjective evaluations of daily activities. Openness had no effect on average level of affect, but predicted higher reactivity to daily stressors. The results show that the personality features independently predict different aspects of daily emotional processes. Neuroticism was associated with all of the processes. Identifying these processes can help us to better understand individual differences in daily emotional life.     

Upregulation of cytosolic chaperonin CCT subunits during recovery from chemical stress that causes accumulation of unfolded proteins.

The chaperonin containing TCP-1 (CCT) is a molecular chaperone consisting of eight subunit species and assists in the folding of actin, tubulin and some other cytosolic proteins. We examined the stress response of CCT subunit proteins in mammalian cultured cells using chemical stressors that cause accumulation of unfolded proteins. Levels of CCT subunit proteins in HeLa cells were coordinately and transiently upregulated under continuous chemical stress with sodium arsenite. CCT subunit levels in several mammalian cell lines were also upregulated during recovery from chemical stress caused by sodium arsenite or a proline analogue, L-azetidine-2-carboxylic acid. Several unidentified proteins that were newly synthesized and associated with CCT were found to increase concomitantly with CCT subunits themselves and known substrates during recovery from the stress. These results suggest that CCT plays important roles in the recovery of cells from protein damage by assisting in the folding of proteins that are actively synthesized and/or renatured during this period.     

Maternal Separation Enhances Conditioned Fear and Decreases the mRNA Levels of the Neurotensin Receptor 1 Gene with Hypermethylation of This Gene in the Rat Amygdala

Stress during postnatal development is associated with an increased risk for depression, anxiety disorders, and substance abuse later in life, almost as if mental illness is able to be programed by early life stressors. Recent studies suggest that such “programmed” effects can be caused by epigenetic regulation. With respect to conditioned fear, previous studies have indicated that early life stress influences its development in adulthood, whereas no potential role of epigenetic regulation has been reported. Neurotensin (NTS) is an endogenous neuropeptide that has receptors densely located in the amygdala and hippocampus. Recently, NTS systems have constituted an emerging target for the treatment of anxiety. The aim of the present work is to clarify whether the NTS system is involved in the disturbance of conditioned fear in rats stressed by maternal separation (MS). The results showed that MS enhanced freezing behaviors in fear-conditioned stress and reduced the gene expression of NTS receptor (NTSR) 1 but not of NTS or NTSR2 in the amygdalas of adult rats. The microinjection of a NTSR1 antagonist into the amygdala increased the percentage of freezing in conditioned fear, whereas the microinjection of NTSR1 agonist decreased freezing. These results suggest that NTSR1 in the amygdala may play a role in the effects of MS on conditioned fear stress in adult rats. Moreover, MS increased DNA methylation in the promoter region of NTSR1 in the amygdala. Taken together, MS may leave epigenetic marks in the NTSR1 gene in the amygdala, which may enhance conditioned fear in adulthood. The MS-induced alternations of DNA methylation in the promoter region of NTSR1 in the amygdala may be associated with vulnerability to the development of anxiety disorders and depression in adulthood.