Gutenberg Open Science

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ZeitschriftenaufsatzAccess status: Open Access ,
Psychometric properties and norm values of a short screening version of the profile of mood states POMS from the German general population
(2025) Petrowski, Katja; Bjelopavlovic, Monika; Zenger, Markus; Brähler, Elmar; Schmalbach, Bjarne
The current study aimed to provide further evidence of the structural validity of the 16-item-short version of the Profile of Mood States (POMS), a widely-used tool for assessing an individual’s emotional state. This is significant for various research inquiries in clinical and social psychology. In order to cross-validate previous findings, an additional evaluation of the factorial structure and the psychometric properties is necessary in a newly collected dataset. A representative sample for age and gender of N = 2503 with 1329 (53%) female, 1173 (47%) male, and 1 (< 1%) diverse, with a mean age of M = 46 (SD = 18) was collected. The model fit for the four-factor model was acceptable, with good reliability for all factors. We found evidence for (partial) strict invariance between gender and age groups. There were small to moderate group differences for the Anger and Vigor subscales regarding age. We report normative percentile ranks. Our findings suggest that the POMS-16 is a dependable and structurally valid gauge of mood states. Especially in situations where a brief and cost-effective assessment is preferred, the POMS-16 should be a considered option.
ZeitschriftenaufsatzAccess status: Open Access ,
The role of interoceptive awareness in social anxiety disorder : results of an internet-based CBT-manualized therapist delivered group-treatment
(2025) Schmalbach, Ileana; Petrowski, Katja
Background Interoception, the process of detecting internal bodily signals, is linked to emotional regulation and mental health. Dysregulated interoceptive awareness (IAw) is associated with psychopathology, including social anxiety disorder (SAD), where internal cues influence negative self-perception and anxiety. While internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) offers an effective and more accessible treatment option, experimental treatment outcomes related to IAw and specific to SAD are rare. Hence, the present study aims to assess IAw and SAD symptom changes post-ICBT group therapy and determine whether IAw serves as a predictor of treatment outcome. Method We collected data of N = 47 participants with SAD via online advertisement and outpatients of the University Hospital Clinic between November 2021 - May 2025. Participants met SAD criteria and underwent psychological assessments regarding IAw (via the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness-2; MAIA-2) and symptoms of social anxiety (using the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale; LSAS) measured pre- and post-treatment. SAD participants received a three-month, therapist-delivered, internet-based CBT group psychotherapy (ICBT), focusing on behavioral experiments, psychoeducation, cognitive restructuring, and relapse prevention. Results The study revealed significant reductions in SAD symptoms and improvements in interoceptive awareness dimensions as indicated by subscales of the MAIA-2 (i.e., Attention Regulation, Self-Regulation). Changes in Attention Regulation and Self-Regulation predicted a significant portion of variation in treatment outcome for SAD. Baseline values of IAw related to Not-Distracting and Not-Worrying also predicted treatment change. Combined predictors significantly predicted improvement in SAD symptomatology. Conclusion This study provides strong evidence for the efficacy of therapist-delivered ICBT in reducing social anxiety symptoms while enhancing interoceptive capacities. Baseline Not-Distracting and Not-Worrying predicted better outcomes, highlighting their prognostic value. Improvements in Attention and Self-Regulation further contributed to symptom reduction, suggesting a key mechanism of action. These findings underscore the potential for interoceptive-focused interventions to optimize SAD treatment and highlight the accessibility of ICBT as a scalable therapeutic option.
ZeitschriftenaufsatzAccess status: Open Access ,
Get strong to fight childhood cancer - an exercise intervention for children and adolescents undergoing anti-cancer treatment (FORTEe) : rationale and design of a randomized controlled exercise trial
(2025) Neu, Marie Astrid; Dreismickenbecker, Elias; Lanfranconi, Francesca; Stössel, Sandra; Balduzzi, Adriana; Wright, Peter; Windsor, Stan; Wiskemann, Joachim; El-Rajab, Inaam; Lucia, Alejandro; Fiuza-Luces, Carmen; Mongondry, Rodolf; Fridh, Martin Kaj; Spreafico, Filippo; Konda, Barbara; Kitanovski, Lidija; Heißerer, Barbara; Polak, Marco; Baader, Tobias; Bloch, Wilhelm; Götte, Miriam; Rizvi, Katie
Background Despite substantial advances in treatment, children and adolescents with cancer continue to face high morbidity and health issues, including cancer-related fatigue, treatment-related complications, and physical inactivity. Integrating exercise into pediatric oncology care has emerged as a promising approach to mitigate these burdens during cancer treatment. While preliminary data support its potential to reduce treatment-related side effects and enhance quality of life, robust evidence -especially from large, multicenter trials- remains limited. Methods The FORTEe trial is a randomized, controlled, multicenter trial evaluating a personalized and standardized exercise intervention powered to include 450 children, adolescents, and young adults undergoing cancer treatment across ten centers in Europe. The trial aims to provide high-quality evidence for integrating precision exercise therapy as part of standard care. Participants are randomly assigned to either the exercise intervention group, receiving a tailored, supervised 8–10 weeks lasting exercise program, or the control group, receiving usual care. The exercise program includes endurance, strength, flexibility, and balance training, adapted to each patient’s age, fitness, and cancer treatment phase. Exercise sessions are intended to take place 3–5 times a week with moderate intensity, with both frequency and intensity adapted to the clinical condition of the individual. Digital tools and telehealth solutions support the intervention, allowing for both in-person and remote training. Discussion With a target enrolment of 450 patients, the FORTEe trial will be one of the largest interventional studies in pediatric exercise oncology. Given that childhood cancer is a rare disease, this sample size is only achievable through a multicenter approach. Enhancing statistical power, the large sample will enable more robust analyses of the intervention’s effects in a diverse population across multiple European centers. Conclusion As a progress beyond the current state-of-the-art, FORTEe has the ambition to implement pediatric exercise oncology as an evidence-based treatment option for all childhood cancer patients, ultimately integrating it as a standard into clinical practice worldwide. Trial registration The FORTEe trial was prospectively registered in the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00027978) on 28 January 2022 and on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05289739) on 21 March 2022.