This monographic issue, due to a delay accumulated during the Covid period, brings together two years and is therefore very rich in theoretical and clinical themes linked to the initiatives that took place in the years 2023-24. The first article THE ROLE OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN THE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF DEPRESSION: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW, by Colasanti A. R., Becciu M., Sinagoga A., Giacalone V., Juliani T., Pontecorvi A., Signore A., Rubera D., Bisciotti F., Fiorindo G., Iardella L. e Salvatori V., written by the working group of the Course in Research Methodology of the School of Specialization in Cognitive-Behavioral Psychotherapy and Psychosocial Intervention held in 2023 on the topic EFFECTS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ON MOOD DISORDERS, is a broad representative review of the literature of studies aimed at verifying the effects of physical activity on mood disorders and more generally on mental and physical health.
The following are three articles written by the working group of the 2024 Research Methodology Course on THE CONTRIBUTION OF PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGICAL RESEARCH TO COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL PSYCHOTHERAPY. The first, The psychophysiological correlates of emotional states, by Sacco G. and Barletta A., examines the psychophysiological correlates of emotional states in light of the most recent acquisitions of Neuroscience and Integrative Psychology and the relevant implications for the development of personalized therapeutic approaches in emotional and psychosomatic disorders. The second, Psychophysiological Correlates of Emotions: An Analysis of Electrodermal Activity and Electromyography in the Emotional States of Anxiety, Anger and Sadness, by Sacco G., Cottone F., Giacalone V., Juliani T., Pontecorvi A., Salvatori V., Signore A., proposes a review of the literature on the psychophysiological correlates of the emotional states of anxiety, anger and sadness, with particular reference to electrodermal activity (EDA) and electromyography (EMG), which support the use of techniques such as Biofeedback and relaxation in emotional regulation and indicate potential applications in the clinical, educational and technological fields. The third, Psychophysiology of Emotions: correlation between the Heart Rate Variability (HRV) parameter and anger, anxiety and sadness, by Sacco G., Anania M., Cicerale G., Fusacchia M., Miclet A., Tomei S., examines the relationship between heart rate variability (HRV), heart rate (HR) and three specific emotions: anger, anxiety/fear and sadness, through a narrative review of the scientific literature, with the aim of identifying common physiological patterns associated with each of these emotional states, with particular attention to the function of the autonomic nervous system as a mediator of psychophysiological responses.
This is followed by a short but dense article by Barbato S. on Virtual Reality and Psychology: from Clinical Practice to Rehabilitation, which introduces the new panoramas opened by Virtual Reality and outlines its applications in Psychotherapy.
The sixth article, Tinnitus: psychology or medicine? by Crocetti A., illustrates the theoretical and clinical aspects of a disorder that is often underestimated but rather widespread and disabling at a subjective level, and summarizes the main types of medical and psychological intervention currently used.
The Historical Archive re-proposes the 6th Chapter of a “classic” from forty years ago, the book edited by Michael Mahoney, sadly deceased, and Mario Reda Cognitive Psychotherapies: Recent Developments in Theory, Research, and Practice, entitled Psychoanalysts, Behavior Therapists, and Cognitive Therapists: A Comparative Analysis of Personal Constructs. The Authors of the Chapter, Sibilia L., Marchetti G. and Borgo S. present here a comparative research on the mental constructs of psychotherapists adhering to the three main orientations of the early 80s. Beyond the “how we were”, numerous questions emerge that are still current on the real differences between the various psychotherapies, then and even now that many theories and practices have become common knowledge.
Finally, the next national and international conferences in the cognitive and behavioral field are announced.
Stefania Borgo & Lucio Sibilia
Stefania Borgo
