Mariya G. Kiseleva

Anxiety disorders are a widespread mental pathology, yet standard pharmacotherapy often fails to provide sustained remission. Adaptive biofeedback and mindfulness training are effective psychological correction methods, although the clinical and psychological profile of patients who are most responsive to these interventions remains understudied. This research aimed to predict the effectiveness of biofeedback training in cultivating mindfulness in patients with anxiety disorders. This prospective randomized controlled trial included 180 patients (coded F40 and F41 under ICD-10) divided into three groups: isolated biofeedback training (n = 76), combined therapy (biofeedback training plus pharmacotherapy, n = 58), and medication monotherapy (n = 46). The assessment tools included the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire, the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, and functional diagnostics (EEG alpha-rhythm asymmetry and power). The statistical analysis employed analyses of variance (ANOVA). The predominating somatic component in the isolated biofeedback group was associated with a sustained increase in alpha rhythm at follow-up. In patients with predominantly psychic anxiety, the achieved increase was not maintained. Alexithymia emerged as a significant predictor. In the acute phase, the biofeedback training promoted the verbal component of mindfulness (the Describe subscale). At follow-up, it provided a higher overall level of mindfulness and stable anxiety reduction compared to isolated pharmacotherapy (p ≤ 0.05). The patients with low alexithymia demonstrated no significant differences between treatment modalities. Thus, the level of alexithymia and the structure of anxiety symptoms proved to be informative clinical and psychological predictors for tailoring biofeedback training. In this study, the patients with high or moderate alexithymia and somatic anxiety proved to be especially susceptible to the method.

Background: Anxiety disorders are prevalent and debilitating. Given challenges in maintaining mindfulness at one-month remission, integrative approaches targeting anxiety and psychological resources (especially mindfulness) have gained interest. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of adding biofeedback to the treatment of anxiety disorders. Methods: Inpatients with anxiety disorder (ICD10 F40/F41) were randomized to three groups: (1) biofeedback for enhancing mindfulness (BFB, n = 76); (2) medication therapy (MT, escitalopram 10 mg/day, n = 46); and (3) combined therapy (BFB + MT, CT, n = 66). Per-protocol analysis: 180 completers; ITT: all 188 randomized patients. The primary outcomes were changes in the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) total score and the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire total score, assessed at baseline, after 10 days of treatment, and at one-month follow-up. The HAM-A assessor was blinded to group allocation. Results: In the per-protocol analysis, the BFB and CT groups showed a significantly greater reduction in the HAM-A score than the MT group did. For example, post-treatment, the mean difference between BFB and MT groups was –6.30 points (95% CI: –9.12 to –3.48, p = 0.00046). The BFB and CT groups did not differ significantly. For mindfulness, the BFB and CT groups showed an increase, whereas the MT group showed a decrease (BFB vs. MT: mean difference 30.28 points, 95% CI: 23.54–37.02, p < 0.000001). Intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis (n = 188) confirmed the robustness of these findings. Conclusions: BFB appears to be a promising approach for reducing anxiety and fostering mindfulness skills; these findings suggest it may be worth exploring further as a potential component of comprehensive therapy for anxiety disorders. Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT07628153 (retrospectively registered). The trial was retrospectively registered, and the primary analysis was conducted on a per-protocol population.

Context and Relevance. The study of psychological determinants of treatment adherence in conditions characterized by a visible physical defect is of high importance, as therapeutic success directly depends on the patient's long-term, conscious, and personal engagement in the rehabilitation process. The insufficient exploration of the relationship between specific illness perceptions and selective non-adherence in patients with idiopathic scoliosis defines the relevance of this study. Objective. To investigate the contribution of illness perception to the formation of treatment and rehabilitation adherence in patients with idiopathic scoliosis. Hypothesis. Subjective illness perception determines the selective nature of treatment adherence: hypernosognosia is significantly associated with lower adherence to lifestyle modifications compared to normonosognosia. Methods and Materials. Using the semantic differential method (assessing the perception of the word «scoliosis»), 174 women (124 with idiopathic scoliosis, 50 conditionally healthy) were examined. Treatment adherence was investigated using the KOP-25 questionnaire. Results. Patients with idiopathic scoliosis perceived their illness as "noticeable," "severe," and impacting their autonomy. Three types of illness perception were identified: normonosognosia and two variants of hypernosognosia, the key difference between which was the experience of the illness as a limiting factor ("dependence"). The overall level of adherence was low, with differences between clusters found only for "adherence to lifestyle modifications" (p=0.03)—lowest in patients who experienced their illness as a restriction of freedom. Conclusions. Low treatment adherence primarily affects aspects requiring personal patient responsibility (lifestyle modifications). A hypernosognosic illness perception, accompanied by self-stigmatization and a perceived loss of autonomy, is a critical risk factor for impaired adherence. The targets for psychological intervention are the correction of stigmatizing attitudes and fostering an internal locus of control.

Background: This article presents an analysis of the use of immersive technologies in psychotherapy for patients with mood disorders. It examines the potential integration of virtual, augmented, and mixed reality into psychological interventions aimed at stabilizing emotional state and improving cognitive and social functioning. Aim: To analyze the potential use of immersive technologies in psychological interventions for patients with mood disorders. Methods: A systematic analysis of empirical clinical studies published between 2018 and 2025 and retrieved from the PubMed and eLIBRARY databases was conducted. The structure of the interventions was assessed, and the technical implementation and therapeutic content of psychological intervention programs were described. Data from clinical studies evaluating the effectiveness, acceptability, and therapeutic potential of immersive technologies in combination with traditional psychotherapeutic methods were summarized. Results: Virtual reality is most widely used as part of comprehensive psychotherapeutic interventions within cognitive behavioral therapy, cognitive rehabilitation, and psychoeducation for affective spectrum disorders. Studies indicate potential improvements in emotional stabilization, cognitive functioning, and social functioning. At the same time, the use of augmented and mixed reality, including mobile digital applications, remains understudied and requires further investigation. Conclusion: Immersive technologies have significant potential in the treatment of mood disorders, primarily as part of comprehensive programs combining traditional psychotherapeutic methods and digital interventions. Digital immersive programs based on mobile devices appear promising as a tool for expanding the accessibility and effectiveness of psychological support for patients with mood disorders.

Relevance. Anxiety disorders affect over 4 % of the global population, significantly impairing quality of life and creating a substantial burden on healthcare systems. The limited efficacy of existing treatment modalities necessitates the exploration of novel therapeutic approaches. Objective. To conduct a systematic analysis and integration of data regarding the potential of various psychotherapeutic approaches to develop mindfulness components in patients with anxiety disorders based on the Five-Facet Model. Methodology . A systematic literature review was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, CyberLeninka, and eLIBRARY databases for publications from 2000 to 2024. Comparative and systematic analysis methods were employed to identify mechanisms through which different therapeutic paradigms impact mindfulness components. Results and а nalysis . The study revealed distinct intervention profiles of different approaches: mindfulness-based cognitive therapy demonstrated efficacy in developing observation, conscious actions, and non-reactivity; dalectical behavior therapy was most effective for developing description and conscious actions; acceptance and commitment therapy proved effective for developing nonreactivity and absence of reactivity; psychoanalysis primarily fostered observation skills. Conclusion. The Five-Facet Mindfulness Model represents a practical tool for developing individualized psychotherapy protocols. The utilization of the Five-Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) is recommended for diagnostic assessment and selection of relevant psychocorrection methods.

Background: despite the significant number of studies devoted to the study of compliance and its role in the recovery process, existing assessment methods often demonstrate limited prognostic potential. The aim of study: to investigate the specificity and differences of resourcefulness and resilience as factors of compliance in patients with qualitatively different mental disorders. Patients and Methods: using the Resourcefulness for Recovery Inventory Scale, the Emotional Intelligence (EmIn) Questionnaire developed by D.V. Lyusin, and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), 120 patients aged 18–25 years (mean age 22 ± 3.5 years) were examined. The sample was divided into four equal diagnostic groups: patients with neurotic, stress-related and somatoform disorders (F40–F48), with emotionally unstable borderline personality disorder (F60.31), with schizophrenia (F20), with mental disorders and behavioral disorders associated with the use of psychoactive substances (F10–F19). Statistical analysis was performed using the Welch criterion and correlation analysis (Spearman). Results: significant differences were found between the groups in the level of resourcefulness and stability (RRI), emotional intelligence (EmIn) and alexithymia (TAS-20). Correlation analysis showed the presence of significant two-way relationships between emotional intelligence (EmIn) and factors contributing to recovery (RRI), as well as two-way positive correlations between the level of alexithymia (TAS-20) and the ability to recover (RRI). Conclusion: it has been established that patients with neurotic disorders and borderline personality disorder have a higher ability for compliance and recovery compared to patients dependent on psychoactive substances and patients with schizophrenia. These results can be used in the elaboration of psychotherapeutic strategies aimed at increasing compliance and treatment effectiveness through the development of resourcefulness and emotional regulation.

For patients with idiopathic scoliosis, the quality of life is a key outcome criterion. SRS-22 is a patient outcome questionnaire designed by the Scoliosis Research Society. It is an effective diagnostic tool for a medical psychologist. Based on reliable psychometry, the questionnaire has been adapted to many linguistic cultures and is content-specific to patients with idiopathic scoliosis. However, its empirical validity remains unclear when it comes to psychological constructs that shape the perception of the illness and the self-image in patients with distortive diseases. This study correlated the results of the SRS-22 questionnaire with the data obtained using the Body Appreciation Scale. The study included 66 patients (29.6 ± 6.3 y.o.) with grades II–IV spinal deformity, who were rehabilitating after surgical treatment (62%) or undergoing conservative corset treatment (38%). The resulting body image demonstrated a three-factor structure with functional, social, and latent social components. Body image had a strong effect on self-perception: the overall quality of life depended on the functional image, which the patients associated with satisfactory motor and social activities, as well as with ability to derive aesthetic pleasure from their own appearance. The research confirmed the empirical validity of SRS-22 in relation to the body image in patients with idiopathic scoliosis. It could be used as a tool for primary or dynamic psychodiagnostics and psychological support.

The article presents a qualitative analysis focusing on the need for psychological support for patients with idiopathic scoliosis undergoing inpatient comprehensive medical rehabilitation, regarding their self-perception of their body. The study examines the subjective experience of body image as a primary area for psycho corrective efforts by a medical psychologist during the rehabilitation process. A total of 35 individuals aged 18 to 35 years completed the «Body Satisfaction Scale» questionnaire. Results indicate that one in five participant’s experiences psychological dissatisfaction with their body image, influenced by perception. The study highlights that perception of body image varies, with the most significant characteristics being those visible to the individual, while characteristics based on presumed pathogenetic information and myths about the disease are less central to perception.

This study is intended to determine the preliminary effectiveness of a short-term 10-day program for the treatment of anxiety disorders using methods of mindfulness formation using biofeedback (biofeedback). The sample size was 94 patients of the psychotherapy department of the Clinic of Nervous Diseases named after A.Y. Kozhevnikov Clinical Center of Sechenov University (68.1% women and 31.9% men) with a mean age of years (M = 43.52, SD = 13.58) met the study criteria and completed the program. Subjects were randomized into three groups: (1) mindfulness program using adaptive biocontrol methods (without medication support) (OBT — mindfulness and biofeedback), (2) medication treatment of anxiety disorder (MT — medication therapy), and (3) combination of medication therapy methods and mindfulness program using biofeedback methods (CT — combination therapy). Outcomes were assessed at baseline, after 10 days of treatment, and 1 month post-treatment. At the end-of-program follow-up point, patients whose therapy programs included a short-term program of mindfulness and biofeedback practices (OBT and CT groups) showed the best results in reducing anxiety, somatic symptoms, and increasing mindfulness factors. The results were maintained during a one-month follow-up period. The results warrant a larger study to identify predictors of therapy.

The article is devoted to the study of the peculiarities of self-harming behavior (SHB) in female survivors of sexual violence (SV). The study is based on a sample of 102 women aged 18 to 40 years (M = 25.18; SD = 6.74), who were divided into four groups depending on the experience of SHB and SV. The following psychodiagnostic methods were used in the study: Self-Harm Claims Questionnaire, Situational Body Image Dissatisfaction Questionnaire, Dissociation Scale, and non-parametric methods of statistical analysis. The results showed that women who use self-harm after sexual violence have a 1.5 times higher level of dissociation than the group of survivors without SP. Self-harm in women with SV experience predominantly fulfills anti-dissociative and anti-suicidal functions. High rates of dissatisfaction with their bodies, as well as the level of dissociation as a psychological defense mechanism, become specific markers of women who have experienced sexual violence and use autoaggressive coping to cope with it. Conclusions. The findings underscore the importance of early identification of suicidal behavior risk and the development of psychotherapeutic approaches aimed at reducing dissociation, improving attitudes toward the body, and replacing self-harm with adaptive strategies.