Background: Catastrophizing is an integral concept in the fearavoidance model of chronic pain, which has only recently been applied to headache disorders. Thorn (2007) found that behavioral treatment decreases pain-related catastrophizing. Holroyd (2007) found that lower levels of catastrophizing were associated with lower levels of disability. The relationship between changes in catastrophizing and changes in disability in the treatment of headache disorders has not been examined. Methods: After receiving one month of optimal acute therapy, 232 severe migraine sufferers (79% female) were randomized into a 2 Introduction: In the rehabilitation of non-specific chronic low back pain (CLBP) patients the emphasis has shifted from biomedical to bio-psychosocial rehabilitation. These rehabilitation programs reduce perceived disability. However it is unclear which determinants contribute to this reduction. Change in psychophysical capacity, calculated as the ratio between physical capacity and perceived effort, may be a determinant of change in perceived disability. Aim: The aim of this historical cohort study was to identify determinants for change in perceived disability measured with the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) in patients with non-specific CLBP after a cognitive somatic rehabilitation program. Method: Data of 84 outpatients with non-specific CLBP who participated in a rehabilitation program were gathered. Aerobic capacity, physical lifting capacity, perceived lifting effort, psychophysical capacity (psychophysical static leg lift, psychophysical static trunk lift, psychophysical dynamic lifting capacity), and perceived disability (RMDQ) were assessed. Associations between change in RMDQ and potential determinants were calculated. Variables significantly changed with the change in RMDQ were entered in a multivariate linear regression analysis (backward). Results: Change in psychophysical static trunk lift (r=−0.51) and psychophysical dynamic lifting capacity (r=−0.53) and psychophysical static leg lift capacity (r=−0.23) were significantly associated with change in RMDQ. The RMDQ score at baseline (β=−0.438), change in psychophysical dynamic lifting capacity (β=−0.109), psychophysical static trunk lift capacity (β=−0.038), psychophysical static leg lift capacity (β=−0.012) and static leg lift capacity (β =0.007) all contributed significantly to the regression model (r2=52%). Conclusion: Improvements in psychophysical lifting capacity are determinants for a reduction of perceived disability after rehabilitation in non-specific CLBP patients. Aims: Because there is little information on interventions for Asians and Pacific Islanders (API) the purpose of this study was to 1) examine the effects of cognitive behavioral intervention (CBI) on improving health, psychosocial, and behavioral outcomes in API with type 2 diabetes; and to 2) determine variations between the groups. Methods: API participants who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled and randomized into two groups. Groups met for 6 successive weekly meetings that averaged 2 hours, with group sizes ranging between 2-6 participants and their significant others. Participants in the CBI group were provided 6 modules on mood management, relaxation, biofeedback, cognitive restructuring, values clarification, and cultural responses to life styles. The diabetes educational/support (DES) group participants were provided modules of a refresher course on diabetes education topics and allowed to express their issues and needs. They all completed a demographic form, and various measures on depression, quality of life, self efficacy, self-care activities, health beliefs and adherence measure. Results: The 207 participants between the ages of 18-76 years had a mean age of 58 years. Three-fourths of the participants were Asians and one fourth primarily PIs. Pre and post intervention data indicated that the CBI group on the CESD scored 1.95 units lower than the DES group (p<0.02), a 19.3% decrease relative to the baseline average. For the SF-36 subscale on emotional well being, the CBI group scored 3.92 units higher than the DES group (p< 0.0457), a 4.9% increase relative to the baseline average. On the Fatigue subscale, the CBI group scored 4.72 units higher than the DES group (p<0.03), a 7.9% increase relative to the baseline average. Conclusions: Initial intervention results indicate efficacy of CBI for depression and some quality of life measures. The important long term effects of CBI will be assessed with the soon to be completed one-year follow up data. The 23rd of April, the Mexican population woke up to an unfamiliar influenza epidemiological alarm. The Mexican government implemented vigorous pandemic control measures. The objective of the present study was to describe the psycho-social reactions to the epidemic, risk perception behaviors and compliance with the recommended control measures. An online questionnaire that was posted at the National University's Web page in May 2009, was answered by 13,690 students and employees. Knowledge, beliefs, perceptions, attitudes and behaviors in regard to both, the epidemic and the contingency, were studied. Results: 23% of the population believed that the epidemic was not real but in fact political manipulation, while 34% thought it was a new influenza strain. Worry was the most commonly reported feeling in the academic employees (74%), while students felt mainly confused or anxious (40%). The measurement of the chronological tendency of these feelings showed that at the beginning the population was mainly worried and anxious, then they felt confused, isolated and depressed, and finally they felt discriminated. Information was the most widely expressed need during the contingency and the University Web page was the most trusted source. 55% thought that the epidemic was more severe in Mexico than in other countries. The higher the perceived severity of the problem, the higher the acceptance of vigorous population control measures. Those that personally knew someone affected by the influenza A H1N1 virus were more likely to have sought the seasonal flu vaccine (OR 2.1, p<0.0001). Contingency had the following social impacts on daily life: impossibility to assist to public entertainment places which were closed (68%), interruption of academic work (60%), increased time with the family (50%), more frequent hand washing (91%) and mask wearing (66%). Immediate behavioral research must be considered within epidemic preparedness plans. People with psychosis are at increased risk of weight gain, heart disease and diabetes. While part of this risk is attributable to medication, the impact of psychosis on life style also plays a role. We aimed to design and test an intervention to encourage exercise and healthy eating in this group. Our development work included a systematic review of previous randomised controlled trials of healthy living interventions, to determine which aspects of interventions had been successful previously. We interviewed service-users and case-managers to determine preferences, accessibility and feasibility of different models. We performed a systematic synthesis of the outputs of these exercises, and used this to design a culturally sensitive intervention incorporating theory-based intervention techniques. Our systematic review suggested that our intervention should last longer than a few months, and that it should include some structured activities. Some service users expressed a preference for group activities while others preferred to meet with a therapist on a one-to-one basis. Our intervention employs a mix of one-to-one sessions with a trained support-time-recovery (STR) worker, and the opportunity to join activities and groups facilitated by exservice-users. It starts by eliciting service users' beliefs and knowledge about their weight gain, their motivations to change and their goals. Service users and STR workers then collaboratively develop action plans with cues for action, strategies for overcoming barriers, regular reviews and feedback. The intervention is currently being piloted. The potential strengths and limitations of our development process will be discussed. Purpose: Sleep problems and obesity are prevalent public health problems. However, the contribution of sleep problems to weight gain is poorly understood. We examined sleep problems as predictors of subsequent weight gain. Methods: Data were derived from baseline (2000-2002, response rate 67%) and follow-up (2007, response rate 83%) postal questionnaires surveys (n=7330, aged 40-60 years). At baseline, all participants were employed by the City of Helsinki, Finland. The follow-up questionnaire surveys were mailed to all those who returned the baseline questionnaire. Weights and heights were self-reported. Those who had gained at least five kilograms during the follow-up were examined as reporting major weight gain. Sleep problems were measured by problems maintaining and initiating sleep, and non-restorative sleep during the previous month. Logistic regression models were fitted, adjusting for age, baseline body mass index, socio-demographic background, health behaviours, health status, sleep duration, and shift work. Results: Altogether 26% of women and 24% of men had gained at least five kilograms during the follow-up. Sleep problems at least three times a week (20% of women and 17% of men) were associated with major weight gain among women after adjusting for age (OR 1.41; CI 95% 1.13-1.75). The adjustments for baseline body mass index, marital status, education, heavy drinking, current smoking, physical activity, limiting long standing illness, sleep duration, and shift work had practically no effect on the association. However, adjustment for baseline mental disorders attenuated the association. Among men, none of the associations were statistically significant. Conclusions: Sleep problems remained associated with weight gain among women after pertinent risk factors have been accounted for. Associations among men and the effects of co-occurrence of mental health problems need to be confirmed in further studies. Promoting better sleep and preventing sleep problems might help prevent weight gain and subsequent health risks. Tinnitus can lead to a substantial decline in psychological wellbeing. Existing treatments focus mainly on chronic tinnitus-sufferers, but treatment in the acute phase seems also desirable to prevent a decompensation. The aim of this study was to develop a self-help program for acute tinnitus-sufferers and to evaluate its efficacy. Participants were 18 to 75 years old and had suffered a minimum of two weeks and a maximum of 6 months from subjective tinnitus.