Carmina Castellano

• PhD in Psychology
• CEO Psychologist at Psynaptic Psicología y Servicios Científicos y Tecnológicos SLP

Background: In 1994, the first Spanish study on patients with self-inflicted burns (SIB) was published, showing a prototypical profile of a patient with SIB: adult male, unmarried and, in 75% of the cases, with a psychiatric background. In addition, SIB accounted for 1.98% of the total admissions in a Burns Unit between 1983 and 1991, a lower perce...

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to explore the effects of Instagram use on body satisfaction and self-esteem in young adults 20 to 40 years (N = 95). Given the widespread use of social media and its potential influence on body image, we sought to understand how Instagram use may contribute to body dissatisfaction and self-esteem, particular...

The concept of gamification, originally rooted in digital media and game design, has increasingly emerged as a pivotal element in psychology and engagement strategies. Its application spans diverse domains within healthcare, offering innovative solutions to transform patient care through behavior modification and heightened engagement. This contemp...

Our study focused on investigating the impact of Instagram use on body satisfaction and self-esteem among participants aged 20 to 40 years (N = 95) through a cross-sectional survey design in which the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ), and ad hoc designed questions were administered. The results highlight the influence...

The prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) in the older adults population and their specific impact on their cognitive profiles still requires further research. For this purpose, a cross-sectional study was carried out to describe the presence of CVRFs and their association with cognitive performance in a sample of older adults (65–85 ye...

Although the association of type 2 diabetes (T2D) with an increased risk of poor physical function and frailty in older adults is widely documented, the underlying pathophysiological pathways linking these two entities are not fully understood. Accordingly, we conducted a cross-sectional observational study aiming to investigate the association of...

Resumen: Introducción: Los efectos a largo plazo de tumores en la infancia pueden alterar la trayectoria de adaptación y ajuste psicosocial de los supervivientes en etapas de vida posteriores. Objetivo: Esta revisión sistemática se centra en analizar las experiencias de crecimiento postraumático, estrés postraumático, malestar emocional y dificulta...

Background Insufficient physical activity is a public health concern. New technologies may improve physical activity levels and enable the identification of its predictors with high accuracy. The Precious smartphone app was developed to investigate the effect of specific modular intervention elements on physical activity and examine theory-based pr...

Background The “AGIL Barcelona (AGILBcn)” community-based integrated care program is a multicomponent healthy aging intervention for frail older adults. In this context, the present study aimed to identify implementation strategies to optimize the accessibility, acceptability, and adaptability of mobile health (mhealth) interventions to enhance phy...

(1) Background: Marketing and advertising strategies for food products are very diverse and have a differential effect on consumers’ behaviours and attitudes towards products. (2) Objectives: To examine the influence of point-of-purchase (PoP) marketing and advertising strategies and the promotion of products employing opinion leaders (celebrities)...

Objective: This research aims to investigate what type of family patterns (specifically attachment, bonding and family functioning) and stressful life events can trigger or protect adolescents from developing suicidal behavior. Methods: For these purposes, a case-control study (adolescents with suicidal behavior vs. paired adolescents with no su...

A chronic health condition has been defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a disease being of long duration, generally slow in progression and not passed from person to person; that is to say, a non-communicable disease (NCD) [...].

Background This study identifies correlates of the lockdown’s psychological distress in frail older community-dwellers (Catalonia, Spain). Methods Participants from a community frailty intervention program, with a comprehensive geriatric assessment within the 12-months pre-lockdown and COVID-19 free during the first pandemic wave (March–May 2020),...

Background: This study aims to identify the main predictive factors that allow for the recognition of adolescents with a higher risk of re-attempting suicide. Method: A longitudinal 12-month follow-up design was carried out in a sample of 533 Spanish adolescents between 12 and 17 years old. The data collection period comprised September 2013 to...

This study evaluates the relationship between gender, personality, psychopathology and suicidal behaviour among adolescents. For this purpose, across-sectional study with adolescent inpatients (N = 92) displaying suicidal behaviour was designed. Sociodemographic characteristics and data related to suicidal behaviour were collected. In addition, per...

Social and mass media platforms (SMM) are essential tools for keeping people informed about health-promoting practices. However, the potential to spread misinformation or false rumors exists. These might influence preventive health behaviours and incite anxiety and/or fear among the population. A sample of 300 adults participated in a survey to und...

COVID-19 vaccines are essential to limit and eliminate the infectious disease. This research aims to identify strong vaccination resistance profiles and/or hesitation considering health, psychosocial, and COVID-related variables. A cross-sectional online survey (N = 300) was conducted in the context of strict COVID-related gathering and mobility re...

BACKGROUND Insufficient physical activity is an increasing public health concern. New technologies may help to change physical activity levels while also enabling the identification of key predictors with high accuracy. The Precious smartphone app was developed to investigate the effect of specific, modular intervention elements on physical activit...

Current guidelines recommend annual screening for cognitive impairment in patients > 65 years with type 2 diabetes (T2D). The most used tool is the mini-mental state evaluation (MMSE). Retinal microperimetry is useful for detecting cognitive impairment in these patients, but there is no information regarding its usefulness as a monitoring tool. We...

Background: in diabetes, multiple mHealth solutions were produced and implemented for self-management behaviors. However, little research on the effectiveness of psychological techniques implemented within these mHealth solutions was carried out, and even less with the elderly population where technological barriers might exist. Reliable evidence...

Due to the dramatic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Spain underwent a strict lockdown (March–May 2020). How the lockdown modified older adults’ physical activity (PA) has been poorly described. This research assesses the effect of the lockdown on PA levels and identifies predictors of sufficient/insufficient PA in frail older community-dwellers. C...

The transformation that COVID-19 has brought upon the world is unparalleled. The impact on mental health is equally unprecedented and yet unexplored in depth. An online-based survey was administered to 413 community-based adults during COVID-19 confinement to explore psychological impact and identify high risk profiles. Young females concerned abou...

Introducción: Los trastornos de la conducta alimentaria (TCA) se caracterizan por un miedo intenso a ganar peso y conductas de control del mismo. Las personas con TCA manifiestan peor calidad de vida que la población general y el abordaje de sus complicaciones supone elevados costes socio-sanitarios. Materiales y métodos: Para comprobar la eficacia...

Gender is a determinant sociodemographic factor in the differences found in suicidal behavior (SB: suicidal ideation or threats, preparatory acts or suicide attempts): suicide deaths are 71% of all violent death in women and 50% in men, moreover suicide attempts are more frequent in women even though men have higher rates of consummated suicides. A...

Background: Rehabilitation pathways are crucial to reduce stroke-related disability. Motivational Interviewing (MI), as a person-centered complex intervention, aimed to empower and motivate, and could be a resource to improve rehabilitation outcomes for older stroke survivors. The IMAGINE project aims to assess the impact of MI, as a complement to...

Objective To assess users’ usability, satisfaction, acceptance and effectiveness of the PRECIOUS system to promote behavior change toward healthier lifestyles. Design: Thirty-one adult patients with BMI>30 (M = 44.23, SD = 5.91) were recruited and randomized into three conditions for a longitudinal study (3 months length): 1) Control group (TAU + b...

The integrity of the frontal areas of the brain, specifically the prefrontal cortex, are critical to preserve cognition and mobility in late life. Prefrontal cortex regions are involved in executive functions and gait control and have been related to the performance of dual-tasks. Dual-task performance assessment may help identify older adults at r...

Introduction: La transición entre servicios asistenciales incrementa la vulnerabilidad de las personas mayores con comorbilidad y necesidades complejas. En nuestro hospital, estos pacientes reciben un servicio especial de atención a las transiciones para empoderarlos y mejorar la coordinación asistencial. Description: Equipo multidisciplinar, lider...

Introduction and objectives: Autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) severely impacts morbidity and mortality. However, research initiatives aiming to gain insight into the direct impact of ANS dysfunction on health outcomes in persons with SCI are still lacking. Thus, this study had 2 main objectives: 1...

BACKGROUND Background: Increasing physical activity may prevent serious health problems, and active use of self-regulation techniques such as goal setting, self-monitoring and action planning can support higher activity levels. While many smartphone apps offer these self-regulation techniques, few apps offer systematic motivational support for phys...

Background: Most adults do not engage in sufficient physical activity to maintain good health. Smartphone apps are increasingly used to support physical activity but typically focus on tracking behaviors with no support for the complex process of behavior change. Tracking features do not engage all users, and apps could better reach their targets...

Introduction: Central Nervous System Tumor (CNST) survivors tend to show worse HRQoL than survivors of other types of cancer and general population. There are still many doubts about what variables and to what extend these are related to their HRQoL. Type and severity of late effects have not a clear impact on HRQoL. However, Intelligence Quotient...

Objectives: This study is aimed at validating the dimensional internalizing and externalizing approach to personality in a sample of adolescents with suicidal behavior and analyzing the psychopathological and syndromic differences between adolescents from each dimension. Method: It is a descriptive and cross-sectional study of 75 adolescents (75...

Identifying patients at increased risk of suicide remains a challenge today. It has been reported that 10% of patients committing a suicide attempt end up dying and that both the risk and the severity of clinical symptomatology increase with the number of attempts. Within the framework of selective and indicated prevention, it is essential to ident...

Paediatric patients diagnosed with cancer will experience a myriad of different physical and psychological disturbances and/or sequelae, secondary to their disease and treatment. Concerning mental health, it is common that a sizable amount of them will experience some level of distress, feelings of fear, uncertainty about recurrence or progression,...

Objective To understand and describe in a sample of caregivers of persons with spinal cord injury, their burden of care, resilience and life satisfaction and to explore the relationship between these variables. Design Cross-sectional design. Setting One Spinal Cord Injury Acute Inpatient Unit from a general hospital. Subjects Seventy-five relati...

This study was twofold: 1) to assess parental reactions to childhood cancer throughout the oncological experience and 2) to explore associations between parents’ reactions during treatment and cancer-related distress at survival. A cross-sectional descriptive study collecting data (at survival) from retrospective (perceived social support, optimism...

Background mHealth has experienced a huge growth during the last decade. It has been presented as a new and promising pathway to increase self-management of health and chronic conditions in several populations. One of the most prolific areas of mHealth has been healthy lifestyles promotion. However, few mobile apps have succeeded in engaging people...

p>In summary, most psycho-oncology research comes from resource-rich settings and, therefore, some results might be very different in developing countries if we acknowledge that they have specific and unique features. Consequently, research from developing countries is highly necessary and needs to be supported to advance this knowledge and to favo...

El dolor lumbar crónico inespecífico (DLCI) es una enfermedad frecuente e incapacitante en población adulta, que genera costes elevados por las cargas sanitarias y laborales que implica. En estudios previos se ha demostrado la relación entre el DLCI y la presencia de experiencias emocionales traumáticas, como posible factor etiológico y de mal pron...

La necesidad de prevenir muertes evitables y contener el impacto emocional que genera la conducta suicida requiere de estudios que permitan entender mejor el fenómeno, con el fin de incrementar la eficacia de las estrategias preventivas e interventivas. Clasificar la conducta suicida permitiría un mejor abordaje de esta problemática tan heterogénea...

La necesidad de prevenir muertes evitables y contener el impacto emocional que genera la conducta suicida requiere de estudios que permitan entender mejor el fenómeno, con el fin de incrementar la eficacia de las estrategias preventivas e interventivas. Clasificar la conducta suicida permitiría un mejor abordaje de esta problemática tan heterogénea...

Demand for treatment for problems related to the use of video games have increased significantly in adolescents. Most cases have a comorbid mental disorder that jeopardises both pathologies. The aim of this study is to describe profiles of adolescents with Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) according to comorbidity and analyze treatment response at 3 a...

Cannabis is the illicit substance most widely used by adolescents. Certain personality traits such as impulsivity and sensation seeking, and the subjective effects experienced after substance use (e.g. euphoria or relaxation) have been identified as some of the main etiological factors of consumption. This study aims to categorize a sample of adole...

El cánnabis es la sustancia ilícita más consumida por los adolescentes. Determinados rasgos de personalidad, como la impulsividad y la búsqueda de sensaciones, así como los efectos subjetivos experimentados tras el consumo (p.e. euforia o relajación), se han identificado como algunos de los principales factores etiológicos de consumo. Este estudio...

Problema: El dolor lumbar crónico no específico (DLC) es una de las causas de incapacidad más frecuentes y un motivo de consulta médica recurrente con costes socio-sanitarios elevados. Desde la medicina rehabilitadora, el tratamiento comúnmente ofrecido es el cinestésico, con programas de ejercicios fisioterapéuticos y recomendaciones posturales ge...

To assess satisfaction with care in acute spinal cord injury patients admitted to a specialized rehabilitation unit prior and after a tailored training in communication skills for the staff, the Picker Patient Experience-33 ((1) Content of the information, (2) Quality of the information, and (3) Quality of the relationship), the Spinal Cord Indepen...

Objective: To assess the psychological status of adolescent cancer survivors and examined its associations with selected personal (coping, cancer-related distress) and familial factors (parents' general stress, cancer-related distress). Method: Using a cross-sectional design, forty-one survivors (12-19 years) answered standardized measures to asses...

Background: There is an urgent need for interventions which can effectively change behaviours, in order to prevent and reduce the impact of costly chronic conditions such as Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases (WHO, 2014). Smartphones offer a platform for cost-effective and broad implementation, and at the same time, via real-time tracking...

Objectives. (1) To describe the epidemiological and medical features of a sample with LLA and LLD in childhood and (2) to explore their relationship with subsequent physical and psychosocial functions in adulthood. Methods. Cross-sectional survey. Demographics, medical data, Locomotor Capabilities Index (LCI), and Discomfort-Engagement in Everyday...

Cannabis is the illicit substance most widely used by adolescents. Certain personality traits such as impulsivity and sensation seeking, and the subjective effects experienced after substance use (e.g. euphoria or relaxation) have been identified as some of the main etiological factors of consumption. This study aims to categorize a sample of adole...

The objective of this study was to review recent findings about the prevalence of substance use (SU) and substance use disorders (SUD), and to discuss the related impact on health in spinal cord injury (SCI) population. For this purpose, computer-aided searches of MEDLINE (PubMed) and the Cochrane Library were conducted. From an initial pool of 59...

. An acute spinal cord injury (ASCI) is a severe condition that requires extensive and very specialized management of both physical and psychological dimensions of injured patients. Objective . The aim of the part of the study reported here was twofold: (1) to describe burnout, empathy, and satisfaction at work of these professionals and (2) to exp...

This case report aims to disseminate the results of a pilot study exploring the potentialities of training program in cardiac coherence (CC) for reducing stress in nurses with chronic neck pain. For this purpose, 8 nurses participated in a training program in CC and were evaluated pre/post on the following factors: pain (VAS), emotional intelligenc...

Background: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in cancer has been related to several protective and risk factors such as perceived social support (PSS) and coping. However, their effects on HRQoL once patients are in survivorship have not been fully described in pediatric samples. Objective: To describe and explore the relationship between HRQo...

Objetivo y métodos: El presente trabajo tiene por objetivo evaluar los niveles de optimismo en los peores momentos del proceso oncológico (auto-referidos) en una muestra de adolescentes oncológicos en remisión (N=41). Asimismo, se explorará si dicho optimismo se asocia con el afrontamiento llevado a cabo en esos momentos y; por otra parte, con la c...

The objective of this study was to review recent findings about the prevalence of substance use (SU) and substance use disorders (SUD), and to discuss the related impact on health in spinal cord injury (SCI) population. For this purpose, computer-aided searches of MEDLINE (PubMed) and the Cochrane Library were conducted. From an initial pool of 59...

La presente nota clínica tiene por objetivo divulgar los resultados de un trabajo piloto para valorar las potencialidades de un entrenamiento en coherencia cardiaca (CC) para la reducción del estrés en personal sanitario con cervicalgia crónica. Para ello, 8 enfermeras participaron en un programa de entrenamiento en CC y se evaluadas pre/post en lo...

Introducción: No hay una manera única de afrontar el estrés que genera el cáncer. Los pacientes oncológicos se enfrentarán a múltiples estresores que variarán según el curso clínico de la enfermedad1. La adaptación “normal” o “exitosa” se identificará en aquellos pacientes que sean capaces de reducir al mínimo los trastornos funcionales y emocional...

Surviving childhood cancer has multiple implications on both physical and psychological domains of the individual. However, its study and possible effects on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) outcomes of adolescent survivors has been understudied. The objective of this study was twofold; to assess positive and negative cancer-related consequen...

Objective: To assess the psychological status of adolescent cancer survivors and examined its associations with selected personal (coping, cancer-related distress) and familial factors (parents’ general stress, cancer-related distress). Method: Using a cross-sectional design, forty-one survivors (12-19 years) answered standardized measures to asses...

Background Investigating Health Related Quality of Life (HRQL) is considered determinant in patients with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) in clinical as in research field. The aim of the present study is to explore the most relevant aspects of personality of the patients with AIS and its relationship with HRQL. Method 50 patients (mean age =...

Objetivo y métodos: La práctica regular de ejercicio físico (EF), es una de las principales conductas relacionadas con un estilo de vida saludable que ha demostrado reportar beneficios tanto físicos como psicológicos sobre la calidad de vida en relación a la salud (CVRS) de las personas. Sin embargo, en España son escasos los trabajos que exploren...

This study assessed the psychosocial outcomes of adolescent cancer survivors and their relationship with personal and socio-familiar factors. Using a cross-sectional design, 41 survivors answered the four psychosocial dimensions of the KIDSCREEN-52 questionnaire and measures for social support and coping. Similarly, 41 parents answered coping and c...

Research findings about health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of childhood cancer survivors are mixed and the features which could modulate these results have not been investigated rigorously. This research aims to improve the knowledge on these topics. Thus, HRQoL between central nervous system (CNST) and non-central nervous system (non-CNST) ado...

Introduction The aim of the present study was to describe sleep quality in patients with nonspecific chronic low back pain (CLBP) and its association with perceived pain, age, and/or gender. Material and methods A total of 93 CLBP patients completed the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain. Descriptive-co...

Resumen Objetivo: describir la calidad de vida en relación a la salud (CVRS) de pacientes lumbalgia crónica inespecífica, así como su relación con distintas variables médicas, socio-demográficas y psicosociales. Diseño: estudio descriptivo-correlacional transversal. Participantes: 94 pacientes con dolor lumbar crónico inespecífico pertenecientes a...

Objetivo: describir la calidad de vida en relación a la salud (CVRS) de pacientes lumbalgia crónica inespecífica,así como su relación con distintas variables médicas, socio-demográficas y psicosociales. Diseño: estudio descriptivo-correlacional transversal. Participantes: 94 pacientes con dolor lumbar crónico inespecífico pertenecientes al área deR...

Introduction Non-specific chronic low back pain is one of common causes of disability and a recurrent medical complaint with high costs. From rehabilitative medicine, physiotherapy programs and general postural recommendations are offered. Although this treatment is aimed to reduce disability, severity of pain and anxiety-depressive symptoms, many...

Acute spinal cord injury leaves patients severely impaired and generates high levels of psychological distress among them and their families, which can cause a less active role in rehabilitation, worse functional recovery, and less perceived satisfaction with the results. Additionally, rehabilitation professionals who deal with this psychological d...

Abstract: This article is intended to review the concept of resilience from the scope of paediatric psycho-oncology. The origin, its different definitions and its suitability of application in the field of serious physical illness – such as cancer – will be analyzed. Furthermore, the differences between resilience and other concepts commonly associ...

This research assesses Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in a Spanish sample of adolescent cancer survivors, and analyzes the relationship between HRQoL, coping styles and physical exercise. Forty-two survivors (12-19 years), who were ≥ 1 year of remission, completed standardized measures of HRQoL (CHIP-AE), coping strategies (ACS) and physica...

Este artículo resalta y describe el rol de la interconsulta y psiquiatría de enlace en una unidad de lesión medular de un hospital general. La psiquiatría de enlace está basada en el modelo biopsicosocial, el cual asume que la salud y la enfermedad de los individuos son el resultado de la interacción de factores biológicos, psicológicos y sociales....

Abstract. This research assesses Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in a Spanish sample of adolescent cancer survivors, and analyzes the relationship between HRQoL, coping styles and physical exercise. Forty-two survivors (12-19 years), who were ≥ 1 year of remission, completed standardized measures of HRQoL (CHIP-AE), coping strategies (ACS) a...