The Effect of Pythagorean Self-Awareness on Heart Rate Variability, Perceived Stress and Behavior of Preschool Children
Stress is associated with unhealthy habits and non-communicable diseases. It is also linked to communicable diseases due to its impact on immune function. These can be prevented through intervention programs in schools. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of the simplified Pythagorean Se...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-10-01
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| Series: | Children |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/9/10/1529 |
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| author | Kyriaki Angelopoulou Eleni Zaverdinou Flora Bacopoulou George P. Chrousos Giorgos Giannakakis Christina Kanaka-Gantenbein Sophie Mavrogeni Maria Charalampopoulou Maria Katimertzi Christina Darviri |
| author_facet | Kyriaki Angelopoulou Eleni Zaverdinou Flora Bacopoulou George P. Chrousos Giorgos Giannakakis Christina Kanaka-Gantenbein Sophie Mavrogeni Maria Charalampopoulou Maria Katimertzi Christina Darviri |
| author_sort | Kyriaki Angelopoulou |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Stress is associated with unhealthy habits and non-communicable diseases. It is also linked to communicable diseases due to its impact on immune function. These can be prevented through intervention programs in schools. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of the simplified Pythagorean Self-Awareness Intervention on heart rate variability (HRV) parameters, perceived stress and behaviors of preschool children. The sample of the study consisted of 45 preschool students. A “one group (double) pretest—posttest design” was used, to allow for comparisons of the measurements before and after the intervention. Students were assessed via two questionnaires (“Perceived Stress Scale for Children” (PSS-C) and “Checklist for Screening Behavioral Problems in Preschool Children”) and a photoplethysmographic (PPG) device. The intervention lasted 9 weeks and included practicing of the Pythagorean Self-awareness techniques and the adoption of healthy behaviors. The results showed no statistically significant differences between the two pretests (<i>p</i> > 0.05 for all comparisons) and statistically significant differences between the second pretest and posttest (“Perceived Stress Scale for Children”, (PSS-C) <i>p</i> < 0.0001, “Checklist for Screening Behavioral Problems in Preschool Children” <i>p</i> < 0.0001 and two indices of PPG device: heart rate mean, <i>p</i> < 0.0001, low frequency/very low frequency, <i>p</i> = 0.034). In conclusion, the Pythagorean Self-Awareness Intervention had a beneficial effect on the sample of preschool students examined, as the results showed an improvement in the perceived stress and the HRV parameters tested, and in engaging healthier behaviors, findings that indicate a relaxed psychologic state and a healthier lifestyle. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T20:27:24Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-9b43fa6d94f649b9aca35ec589064341 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2227-9067 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T20:27:24Z |
| publishDate | 2022-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Children |
| spelling | doaj.art-9b43fa6d94f649b9aca35ec5890643412023-11-23T23:32:27ZengMDPI AGChildren2227-90672022-10-01910152910.3390/children9101529The Effect of Pythagorean Self-Awareness on Heart Rate Variability, Perceived Stress and Behavior of Preschool ChildrenKyriaki Angelopoulou0Eleni Zaverdinou1Flora Bacopoulou2George P. Chrousos3Giorgos Giannakakis4Christina Kanaka-Gantenbein5Sophie Mavrogeni6Maria Charalampopoulou7Maria Katimertzi8Christina Darviri9Postgraduate Course of Stress Management and Health Promotion, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771 Athens, GreecePostgraduate Course of Stress Management and Health Promotion, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771 Athens, GreecePostgraduate Course of Stress Management and Health Promotion, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771 Athens, GreecePostgraduate Course of Stress Management and Health Promotion, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771 Athens, GreecePostgraduate Course of Stress Management and Health Promotion, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771 Athens, GreecePostgraduate Course of Stress Management and Health Promotion, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771 Athens, GreeceOnassis Cardiac Surgery Center, 17674 Athens, GreecePostgraduate Course of Stress Management and Health Promotion, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771 Athens, GreecePostgraduate Course of Stress Management and Health Promotion, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771 Athens, GreecePostgraduate Course of Stress Management and Health Promotion, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15771 Athens, GreeceStress is associated with unhealthy habits and non-communicable diseases. It is also linked to communicable diseases due to its impact on immune function. These can be prevented through intervention programs in schools. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of the simplified Pythagorean Self-Awareness Intervention on heart rate variability (HRV) parameters, perceived stress and behaviors of preschool children. The sample of the study consisted of 45 preschool students. A “one group (double) pretest—posttest design” was used, to allow for comparisons of the measurements before and after the intervention. Students were assessed via two questionnaires (“Perceived Stress Scale for Children” (PSS-C) and “Checklist for Screening Behavioral Problems in Preschool Children”) and a photoplethysmographic (PPG) device. The intervention lasted 9 weeks and included practicing of the Pythagorean Self-awareness techniques and the adoption of healthy behaviors. The results showed no statistically significant differences between the two pretests (<i>p</i> > 0.05 for all comparisons) and statistically significant differences between the second pretest and posttest (“Perceived Stress Scale for Children”, (PSS-C) <i>p</i> < 0.0001, “Checklist for Screening Behavioral Problems in Preschool Children” <i>p</i> < 0.0001 and two indices of PPG device: heart rate mean, <i>p</i> < 0.0001, low frequency/very low frequency, <i>p</i> = 0.034). In conclusion, the Pythagorean Self-Awareness Intervention had a beneficial effect on the sample of preschool students examined, as the results showed an improvement in the perceived stress and the HRV parameters tested, and in engaging healthier behaviors, findings that indicate a relaxed psychologic state and a healthier lifestyle.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/9/10/1529stresskindergartenPythagorean Self-awarenessstress managementheart rate variabilityphotoplethysmography |
| spellingShingle | Kyriaki Angelopoulou Eleni Zaverdinou Flora Bacopoulou George P. Chrousos Giorgos Giannakakis Christina Kanaka-Gantenbein Sophie Mavrogeni Maria Charalampopoulou Maria Katimertzi Christina Darviri The Effect of Pythagorean Self-Awareness on Heart Rate Variability, Perceived Stress and Behavior of Preschool Children Children stress kindergarten Pythagorean Self-awareness stress management heart rate variability photoplethysmography |
| title | The Effect of Pythagorean Self-Awareness on Heart Rate Variability, Perceived Stress and Behavior of Preschool Children |
| title_full | The Effect of Pythagorean Self-Awareness on Heart Rate Variability, Perceived Stress and Behavior of Preschool Children |
| title_fullStr | The Effect of Pythagorean Self-Awareness on Heart Rate Variability, Perceived Stress and Behavior of Preschool Children |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Effect of Pythagorean Self-Awareness on Heart Rate Variability, Perceived Stress and Behavior of Preschool Children |
| title_short | The Effect of Pythagorean Self-Awareness on Heart Rate Variability, Perceived Stress and Behavior of Preschool Children |
| title_sort | effect of pythagorean self awareness on heart rate variability perceived stress and behavior of preschool children |
| topic | stress kindergarten Pythagorean Self-awareness stress management heart rate variability photoplethysmography |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/9/10/1529 |
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