title: Psychosomatic and physical responses to a multi-component stress management program among teaching professionals: A randomized study of cognitive behavioral intervention (CB) with complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) approach.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The present study aims to assess psychosomatic and physical responses to a multi-component stress management program with the use of CAM and CB approaches among teaching professionals in Hong Kong.
  
  
  METHODS
  A random controlled trial (RCT) was used to compare between CB group (n = 26) and the CAM-CB group (n = 30). Interventions were administered for 1.5 h once a week for eight consecutive weeks. A self-administered questionnaire including perceived stress scale (PSS) and frequency of psychosomatic symptoms were measured at baseline (T1), immediate after the program (T2), and 4 weeks after the program (T3). Physical parameters were measured at T1 and T2.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A reduction of 23% in PSS was observed in the CB group, while the CAM-CB group yielded 18% reductions in PSS from T1 to T3 [F(2,108) = 3.099; p = .049]. No significant interactions were observed in the frequency of psychosomatic symptoms and physical parameters. However, a significant downward time trend was observed (p < .001) and larger percentage changes in physical responses were shown in the CAM-CB group than CB group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Clinical evidence of both the CAM-CB and CB program has been demonstrated in the current study and both approaches are easy to be self-implemented. The CAM technique might serve as an alternative choice for self-administered stress management to replace the additional time needed for professional follow-up contacts. It might further improve some physical responses such as handgrip strength and resting heart rate, which are associated with better psychosomatic health and better occupational stress management.
authors.affiliation: Neuropsychiatric Rehabilitation Laboratory, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China; Faculty of Education, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Doreen W H
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Au
authors.affiliation: Neuropsychiatric Rehabilitation Laboratory, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China. Electronic address: hector.tsang@polyu.edu.hk.
authors.forename: Hector W H
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Tsang
authors.affiliation: Neuropsychiatric Rehabilitation Laboratory, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Janet L C
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Neuropsychiatric Rehabilitation Laboratory, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Christie H T
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.affiliation: Neuropsychiatric Rehabilitation Laboratory, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Jennie Y T
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Lo
authors.affiliation: Neuropsychiatric Rehabilitation Laboratory, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Shirley P C
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Ngai
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Education, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: W M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Cheung
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019122:Meditation / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012064:Relaxation Therapy / Q000379:methods; D000070777:School Teachers / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Cognitive behavioral intervention; Complementary and alternative medicine; Mental health; Physical responses; Psychosomatic symptoms; Stress; Teacher