Multimodal Therapeutic Approach in Women with High Risk of Metabolic Syndrome—A Single Group One Center Pre-Post Study

Abstract

The study aims to determine the impact of multimodal therapeutic approach on self-perceived stress in women with high risk of Metabolic Syndrome (MetS). The study involved 43 women aged 60 years and over (mean 68.6 ± 6.5) participating in a Mental Health Promotion Program. Over the 3-month course of the project, all of the participants attended meetings of a support group (60-min sessions twice a week). During these meetings, they took part in general fitness training (20 min), dancing (20 min), as well as health-promoting education and psychoeducation sessions (20 min). Moreover, the participants were encouraged to modify their diet to reduce their daily fat and sugar intake. Stress levels were assessed using the Perception of Stress Questionnaire (PSQ). Mood was measured with the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-30). In all of the subjects, a body composition analysis was performed using a Tanita BC-545N analyzer. Abdomen and hip circumference were measured to determine the waist-hip ratio. Weight and height were measured to determine the BMI score. At the beginning of the project, the intensity of stress correlated with the level of depressive symptoms (GDS), Body Mass Index (BDI), and the amount of visceral fat. Three months of participation in the Mental Health Promotion Program resulted in a significant reduction in stress intensity (p < 0.01). At the end of the project, all of the participants expressed their willingness to continue their participation in the classes, which is very important as there is a need to conduct long-term health-promoting activities in the age group in question.

Factors Associated with Undertaking Health-Promoting Activities by Older Women at High Risk of Metabolic Syndrome

“…The role of physical activity in improving mental health and preventing depression is well-established in science [ 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 ]. The combination of appropriate physical activity and psychological support, information and psychoeducation is extremely important in complex problems such as obesity, high MetS risk and depressive symptoms, as confirmed by previous studies [ 32 , 39 , 40 , 41 ].…”

“…The therapeutic programme consists of general fitness exercises, health education sessions and psychoeducation, where participants are also encouraged to modify their diet. The project has continuously started a new edition every year since 2016 [ 32 , 39 , 40 , 41 ].…”

Remote Support of Elderly Women Participating in Mental Health Promotion Programme during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Single-Group Longitudinal Intervention

“…The assumptions of the described model are in accordance with the newest recommendations [ 13 ], and its effectiveness has been empirically supported [ 10 , 11 , 12 ]. New female participants are admitted to the programme at the beginning of each calendar year, but the majority of the group are those who continue their participation from year to year.…”

“…All women were participants in the Mental Health Prevention and Promotion Programme run by the Foundation for Senior Citizen Activation, ‘Siwy Dym’, in Wroclaw, Poland. The project has been run continuously since 2016 and starts a new edition every year [ 10 , 11 , 12 ] thanks to funding provided by the Health Department of the Municipality of Wroclaw, Poland. The programme is aimed at women over 60 years of age who, due to their life or health circumstances, are at risk of social exclusion and were diagnosed with depression before.…”

Educational intervention on perceived stress among adults with type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome: a non-randomized clinical trial

“…It is advisable to decrease the impact of MS by reducing its incidence in the primary health care (PHC) scope, as this is the healthcare level where individuals with a high cardiometabolic risk, such as those unable to deal with stress, concentrate. 6 The chronic nature of DM2 and MS demands lifestyle changes. Hence, self-care should be encouraged, and strategies to cope with stress should be promoted among individuals within the PHC.…”