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Biomedical subjects

N Kanas

Publications and source records attributed to N Kanas.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Psychodynamic group treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder in Vietnam veterans.

Exposure to combat frequently imparts a sense of aloneness, guilt, and helplessness. These and other intrapsychic and interpersonal issues need to be addressed in treating Vietnam veterans suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Group therapy is proposed as a core treatment modality for dealing with these problems. A model is proposed in which patients are treated for 1 year or more in weekly groups that meet for 16-week sequential segments. Clinical guidelines are made explicit to new members by the co-therapists. Discussion topics deal not only with traumatic experiences related to combat, but also with important pre- and postwar issues that are relevant to the symptoms of PTSD. Timely integration and working through of these issues in the group is critical.

Humans↗
PubMed1992

Crewmember communication in space: a survey of astronauts and cosmonauts.

A total of 54 astronauts and cosmonauts returned questionnaires which addressed various aspects of crewmember communication in space. All respondents believed that crewmembers should be fluent in one shared common language, but American and Soviet space travelers were less tolerant of dialect differences than their international counterparts. Sensory activities (Watching and Listening) were rated as significantly increasing in space, whereas more complex communicative activities (Reading, Gesturing, and Writing) were judged to significantly decrease. Cosmonauts scored higher than astronauts in all verbal and nonverbal activities, possibly reflecting more responsiveness to the space environment. Several factors were rated as significantly helping intracrew communication: Shared Experience, Excitement of Space Flight, Close Quarters, and Isolation from Earth. Other factors were judged to significantly hinder communication: Facial Swelling, Spacecraft Ambient Noise, and Space Sickness. These findings have important operational and scientific implications involving future manned space missions.

Communication↗
PubMed1991

Group therapy with schizophrenic patients: a short-term, homogeneous approach.

The author presents a short-term, homogeneous model for treating schizophrenic patients in discussion-oriented therapy groups. Typically, patients attend nine sessions in the open inpatient groups and 12 sessions in the closed outpatient groups. The two goals of this co-therapy approach are to help patients cope with psychotic experiences and improve their interpersonal relationships. Discussions focus on hallucinations, delusions, loose associations, and maladaptive relationships, and anxiety-producing topics are avoided. The format is interaction-oriented and emphasizes the here and now. Empirical evidence supports the value of this short-term group therapy approach when it is used in conjunction with antipsychotic medications and long-term follow-up.

Humans↗
PubMed1991

Psychosocial support for cosmonauts.

Based on a meeting with members of the Psychological Support Group for cosmonauts, along with several referenced documents, the author summarizes the Soviet experience in dealing with psychological and interpersonal factors related to long-duration space missions. Cosmonaut selection and training procedures following the principle of "neuropsychological resistance" formulated by F.D. Gorbov. Inflight monitoring uses the macroanalysis of crew speech characteristics as an indicator of psychological state. Psychosocial problems include "asthenia" and interpersonal tension. Support efforts focus on enhancing behavioral and autonomic adaptation, planning flexible work/rest schedules, improving the space station environment, arranging relevant free time activities, and helping crews readjust to Earth postflight. Attention is paid to changes in cosmonaut preferences and sensitivities as the mission progresses. The use of support activities is believed to be positively associated with the health and performance of cosmonaut space crews.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1977

Reactions of transcendental meditators and nonmeditators to stress films. A cognitive study.

To experimentally test the claimed stress-reducing effects of Transcendental Meditation (TM), two stress films were shown to a group of 60 meditators and nonmeditators. Stress response was observed through the use of cognitive and affective measures employing content analysis techniques and self-ratings. The meditators did not show less stress response than the nonmeditators. On several self-rating scales, a group of subjects who had signed up to be initiated into TM rated themselves significantly more stressed and emotionally distressed than either a control group or meditators. There was a trend for meditators who meditated during the experiment to show less stress response to the films than meditators who were told not to meditate; however, this difference was significant on only one measure, a subjective stress scale.

Cognition↗