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Doctoral school

PhD in Neuroscience

Logo di PhD in Neuroscience

Dott.ssa Rossana Botto

Phd thesis

TITLE

The impact of the biopsychosocial components of the chronic stress on the neurodegenerative processes: longitudinal observations and clinical trials on interventions aimed at reducing stress in patients with neurodegenerative diseases. 

 

ABSTRACT

State of the art and purpose:
Chronic distress related to illness adaptation is understudied in neurodegenerative diseases.
The research aimed to study it in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), Multiple Sclerosis (MS), and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), and to assess interventions to reduce it.

Methods:
Literature reviews, cross-sectional and longitudinal investigations were performed.
Seven research were performed to assess:
- anxiety and depression in AD;
- distress in MCI patients and their carers;
- distress in MS patients after diagnosis;
- the use of a prognostic model for ALS patients;
- autogenic training for neurodegenerative patients;
- cognitive-behavioural psychotherapy for MS patients;
- distress related to patient-healthcare professional relationship in end-of-life.

Results:
In AD neurodegeneration of emotional circuits elicits anxiety and depression. They are also related to psychological reactions, coping and cognitive impairment.
MCI patients and their carers can experience demoralization, especially discouragement and dysphoria, due to uncertainty about future, losses and alterations in roles and habits.
MS patients can have moderate demoralization after the diagnostic communication, associated with lower quality of life.
The prognostic model for ALS patients is considered useful, but it is used little.
Autogenic training reduces anxiety, depression and pain and improve the immune response.
Cognitive-behavioural psychotherapy favours adaptation to disease, symptoms reduction, and functional coping.
The healthcare professionals’ attitude influences patients’ wellbeing.

Additions to the current state of the art:
New stimuli for reflection and evidence are provided to broaden knowledge on individual’s subjective adaptation to neurodegenerative diseases and improve clinical practice.

Research activities

- Development of research projects on Neurodegenerative Disorders;

- Development of research projects in Psycho-oncology;

- Development of research projects in Palliative Care.

Ôû¬ Bovero, A., Digiovanni, Y., Botto, R., Leombruni, P. (In press). End-of-life cancer patients’ total pain: the necessity to supplement pharmacology with psycho-socio-spiritual treatments. Pain Management.

Ôû¬ Torta, R., Botto, R., Giorgi, V., Sarzi Puttini, P. (In press). Is psyche-soma dichotomy still clinically appropriate? Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology.

Ôû¬ Botto, R., Galante, M., Miniotti, M., & Leombruni, P. (2022). Demoralization during the Italian quarantine due to 2019 coronavirus disease pandemic: prevalence and association with psychological well-being and coping strategies. Psychology, Health & Medicine, 1-12.

Ôû¬ Botto, R., Callai, N., Cermelli, A., Causarano, L., & Rainero, I. (2022). Anxiety and depression in Alzheimer’s disease: a systematic review of pathogenetic mechanisms and relation to cognitive decline. Neurological Sciences, 1-18.

Ôû¬ Botto, R., De Leonardis, B., Salussolia, A., Di Nardo, C., Ala, A., Torta, R., & Stanizzo, M. R. (2022). Assessment of anxiety, depression, and distress in breast cancer patients: A comparison among different phases of illness. Health Care for Women International, 1-13.

Ôû¬ Bovero, A., Cotardo, F., Lops, C., Botto, R., & Geminiani, G. C. (2022). Is there a relationship between end-of-life cancer patients’ dignity-related distress and caregivers’ distress? An exploratory study. Palliative & Supportive Care, 1-7.

Ôû¬ Bovero, A., Adriano, B., Di Girolamo, I., Tosi, C., Orsi, L., Ricetto, C., & Botto, R. (2022). Compassion: Learning Needs and Training Opportunities—a Survey Among Palliative Healthcare Providers in Italy. Journal of Cancer Education, 1-6.

Ôû¬ Dionisi-Vici, M., Fantoni, M., Botto, R., Nervo, A., Felicetti, F., Rossetto, R., ... & Leombruni, P. (2021). Distress, anxiety, depression and unmet needs in thyroid cancer survivors: a longitudinal study. Endocrine, 1-8.

Ôû¬ Civilotti, C., Botto, R., Maran, D. A., Leonardis, B. D., Bianciotto, B., & Stanizzo, M. R. (2021). Anxiety and Depression in Women Newly Diagnosed with Breast Cancer and Waiting for Surgery: Prevalence and Associations with Socio-Demographic Variables. Medicina, 57(5), 454.

Ôû¬ Bovero, A., Vitiello, L. P., Botto, R., Gottardo, F., Cito, A., & Geminiani, G. C. (2021). Demoralization in End-of-Life Cancer Patients’ Family Caregivers: A Cross-Sectional Study. American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine®, 10499091211023482.

Ôû¬ Naldi, A., Vallelonga, F., Di Liberto, A., Cavallo, R., Agnesone, M., Gonella, M., ... Botto, R., & Leombruni, P. (2021). COVID-19 pandemic-related anxiety, distress and burnout: prevalence and associated factors in healthcare workers of North-West Italy. BJPsych Open, 7(1).

Ôû¬ Bovero, A., Cotardo, F., Pierotti, V., Gottardo, F., Botto, R., Opezzo, M., & Geminiani, G. C. (2021). Personality Traits and Sense of Dignity in End-of-Life Cancer Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study. American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine®, 38(1), 39-46.

Ôû¬ Bovero, A., Opezzo, M., Botto, R., Gottardo, F., & Torta, R. Hope in end-of-life cancer patients: A cross-sectional analysis. Palliative & Supportive Care, 1-7.

Ôû¬ Bovero, A., Tosi, C., Botto, R., Pidinchedda, A., Gottardo, F., Asta, G., & Torta, R. (2020). A Qualitative Study to Explore Healthcare Providers’ Perspectives on End-of-Life Patients’ Dignity. How Can Dignity Be Defined, and Which Strategies Exist to Maintain Dignity?. Journal of Cancer Education, 1-8.

Ôû¬ Bovero, A., Tosi, C., Botto, R., Fonti, I., & Torta, R. (2020). Death and Dying on the Social Network: An Italian Survey. Journal of Social Work in End-of-Life & Palliative Care, 16(3), 266-285.

Ôû¬ Bovero, A., Gottardo, F., Botto, R., Tosi, C., Selvatico, M., Torta, R. (2019). Definition of a Good Death, Attitudes Toward Death, and Feelings of Interconnectedness Among People Taking Care of Terminally ill Patients With Cancer: An Exploratory Study. American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine.

Ôû¬ Bovero, A., Tosi, C., Botto, R., Opezzo, M., Giono-Calvetto, F., & Torta, R. (2019). The Spirituality in End-of-Life Cancer Patients, in Relation to Anxiety, Depression, Coping Strategies and the Daily Spiritual Experiences: A Cross-Sectional Study. Journal of religion and health, 1-17.

Ôû¬ Bovero, A., Tosi, C., Botto, R., Cito, A., Malerba, V., Molfetta, V., ... & Torta, R. (2019). The Health Care Providers’ Perspectives on End-of-Life Patients’ Sense of Dignity. A Comparison Among Four Different Professionals’ Categories. Journal of Cancer Education, 1-9.

Ôû¬ Bovero A., Botto R., Adriano B., Opezzo M., Tesio V., Torta R. (2019). Exploring demoralization in end-of-life cancer patients: prevalence, latent dimensions and associations with other psycho-social variables. Palliative and Supportive Care, 1-8.

Ôû¬ Casale R., Sarzi-Puttini P., Botto R., Alciati A., Batticciotto A., Marotto D., Torta R. (2019). Fibromyalgia and the concept of resilience. Clin Exp Rheumatol, 37 Suppl 116(1), 105-113.

Ôû¬ Bovero A., Sedghi NA., Botto R., Tosi C., Ieraci V., Torta R. (2018). Dignity in cancer patients with a life expectancy of few weeks. Implementation of the factor structure of the Patient Dignity Inventory and dignity assessment for a patient-centered clinical intervention: A cross-sectional study. Palliative and Supportive Care, 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1017/S147895151700102X.

Ôû¬ Bovero, A., Sedghi, N. A., Opezzo, M., Botto, R., Pinto, M., Ieraci, V., & Torta, R. (2018). DignityÔÇÉrelated existential distress in endÔÇÉofÔÇÉlife cancer patients: Prevalence, underlying factors, and associated coping strategies. PsychoÔÇÉOncology, 27(11), 2631-2637. https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.4884.

Ôû¬ De Laurentis M., Botto R., Bovero A., Ieraci V., Torta R. (2018). The impact of social-emotional context in chronic cancer pain: patient-caregiver reverberations: Social-emotional context in chronic cancer pain. Supportive care in cancer: official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-018-4530-5.

 

Ôû¬ Torta, Marra & Botto. Aspetti emozionali nel paziente cardiologico. Problemi diagnostici e strategie terapeutiche. Ed: Edi-Ermes, 2022.

Ôû¬ Botto, R. (2021). Valutazione testistica. In Torta & Mussa A. Psiconcologia. Il legame tra psiche e soma. Ed: Edi-Ermes, 2021.

Ôû¬ Botto, R. (2021). Qualità di vita. In Torta & Mussa A. Psiconcologia. Il legame tra psiche e soma. Ed: Edi-Ermes, 2021.

Ôû¬ Botto, R. (2021). Interventi psicologici. In Torta & Mussa A. Psiconcologia. Il legame tra psiche e soma. Ed: Edi-Ermes, 2021.

Ôû¬ Botto, R. (2021). Disturbi psichici. In Torta & Mussa A. Psiconcologia. Il legame tra psiche e soma. Ed: Edi-Ermes, 2021.

Ôû¬ Botto, R., Torta, R. (2021). Dolore: aspetti psicosociali. In Grassi, L. (A cura di). Cure psicosociali in medicina palliativa. Milano: Ed: Poletto, 2021.

Ôû¬ Torta, R., Botto, R. (2021). Aspetti emozionali in corsi di cardiochirurgia. Ed: careAcross.

Ôû¬ Torta, R., Botto, R. (2021). Aspetti emozionali nei pazienti con tumore testa collo. Ed: careAcross.

 

Ôû¬ Botto R, Bovero A, Opezzo M, Gottardo F, Digiovanni Y, Tosi C, Pidinchedda A, Di Girolamo I, Torta R. Hope as a resource for end-of-life cancer patients: prevalence, associations and predictors. 11th World Research Congress of the EAPC online, 14-16 May 2020.

Ôû¬ Rossana Botto, Manuela Prencipe, Valentina Ieraci, Umberto Vitolo, Riccardo Torta; Cancer and E-Health: Evidences and Contributes Emerging from a Social Network Page Dedicated to Onco-Hematological Diseases. Blood 2019; 134 (Supplement_1): 5853. doi: https://doi.org/10.1182/blood-2019-123009open_in_new

Ôû¬ Airoldi, M., Bovero, A., Botto, R., Adriano, B., Opezzo, M., Tesio, V., & Torta, R. (2019). Demoralization and associated features in an Italian sample of end-of-life cancer patients. J Clin Oncol 37, 2019 (suppl; abstr e23004).

Ôû¬ Torta R., & Botto R. The good, the bad and the ugly sides of “psychosomatic”. The International Congress on Controversies in Fibromyalgia, 2019.

Ôû¬ Botto R., Prencipe M., Ieraci V., Torta R. The psychosocial aspects of psoriasis: evidences emerging from a social network page dedicated to the disease, developed by "Insight Generation" Project. 24th World Congress of Dermatology, 2019.

Ôû¬ Botto R., Bovero A., Di Giovanni Y., Fonti I., Torta R. "Total pain" in end-of-life cancer patients: the necessity to implement pharmacological treatments with psycho-socio-spiritual interventions. 16th Congress of the European Association for Palliative Care, 2019. 

Ôû¬ Airoldi M., Botto R., Bovero A., Torta R., Ieraci V. Surviving cancer between demoralization and hope: a cross-sectional assessment and clinical implications. Asco Annual Meeting. J Clin Oncol, 2018, in press (suppl; abstr e22071).

Ôû¬ Airoldi M., Ostellino O., Raimondo L., Pecorari G., Franco P., Rampino M., Succo G., Denegri M., Tosi C., Botto R., Torta R., Ieraci V. Unmet needs in head and neck cancer patients: Unmet needs, emotional disorders, and pain. Asco Annual Meeting. J Clin Oncol 35, 2017 (suppl; abstr e17501).

Ôû¬ Airoldi M., Bovero A., Botto R., Cito AL., Fonti I., Molfetta V., Pinto M., Tosi C., Ieraci V., Torta R. Assessment of the awareness in terminally ill cancer patients. XX Congresso Nazionale AIOM, 2018.

Ôû¬ Fonti I., Botto R., Tosi C., Bovero A., Torta R. Limiti e orizzonti delle cure palliative in ambito ospedaliero: analisi delle difficoltà dell’équipe e dei benefici della supervisione. XXV Congresso Nazionale SICP, 2018.

Ôû¬ Tosi C., Botto R., Fonti I., Bovero A., Torta R. Prendersi cura di chi cura: riflessioni di un’équipe di cure palliative sui limiti e le criticità del lavoro in gruppo. XXV Congresso Nazionale SICP, 2018.

Ôû¬ Bovero A., Botto R., Tosi C., Fonti I., Torta R. Il distress esistenziale legato alla perdita di dignità in pazienti oncologici terminali: osservazioni cliniche. XXV Congresso Nazionale SICP, 2018.

Ôû¬ Bovero A., Fonti I., Tosi C., Cito AL., Botto R. La supervisione d’equipe: analisi dei contagi emozionali in oncoematologia. XXVII Congresso Nazionale SIPI, 2018.

Ôû¬ Cito AL., Tosi C., Fonti I., Botto R., Bovero A. Possibili contagi emotivi tra terapeuta e caregiver di una paziente oncologica: il caso di R. XXVII Congresso Nazionale SIPI, 2018.

Ôû¬ Tosi C., Cito AL., Fonti I., Botto R., Bovero A. Relazioni, percezioni e contagi emozionali tra gli operatori della salute ed il paziente nel fine vita: una riflessione adleriana. XXVII Congresso Nazionale SIPI, 2018.

Ôû¬ Airoldi M., Denegri M., Tosi C., Botto R., Torta R., Ieraci V. Analisi bio-psico-sociale della qualità di vita in pazienti oncologici con tumore testa-collo. XIX Congresso Nazionale AIOM, 2017.

Ôû¬ Bovero A., Tosi C., Fonti I., Botto R., Torta R. Valorizzare le scelte terapeutiche in cure palliative: la dignità del paziente nel fine vita dal punto di vista degli operatori  sanitari. XXIV Congresso Nazionale SICP, 2017.

Ôû¬ Botto R., Cito AL., Fonti I., Molfetta V., Pinto M., Tosi C., Bovero A., Ieraci V., Torta R. La consapevolezza della diagnosi e della prognosi in pazienti oncologici in fase terminale in hospice: osservazioni ed implicazioni cliniche. XV Congresso Nazionale SIPO, 2017.

Ôû¬ Cito AL, Botto R., Fonti I., Molfetta V., Pinto M., Tosi C., Varetto A., Bovero A., Torta R. Il ruolo dello psiconcologo nella gestione del paziente oncologico in fase avanzata di malattia: il caso di L. XV Congresso Nazionale SIPO, 2017.

Ôû¬ Fonti I., Botto R., Cito AL, Molfetta V., Pinto M., Tosi C., Bovero A., Ieraci V., Torta R. La comunicazione della prognosi: un caso affrontato in supervisione. XV Congresso Nazionale SIPO, 2017.

 

- From april 2020 to date: Scientific Manager of numerous seminars in palliative care - Department of Neuroscience University of Turin 

- XXV Italian National Congress in Reumathology", Rome, june 2022. 

- XX National Congress SITCC, Bologna, september 2021.

- Course "Sindrome fibromialgica: cosa deve conoscere e quale è il ruolo dello psicologo nel trattamento e nell'inquadramento clinico", Milan, 2019. Organizer and lecturer of the course.

- Event "La Psicologia Clinica e Oncologica: vent'anni dopo. Tra luci e ombre", Turin, 2019. Scientific Secretary of the event.

- Event "La recidiva nella malattia oncologica. Tra paure e speranze.", SIPO, Turin, 2019.

- 16th Congress of the European Association for Palliative Care, Berlin, 2019.

- XXVI National Congress SIPF, Turin, 2018.

- 48° National Congress SIP, Turin, 2018.

- Seminar "Dignity-in-Care e percorsi di cura nella dignità: esperienze italiane", Ferrara, 2018. 

 

- From 05/06/2020 to 05/11/2021: Participant in the training course entitled EMDR I and II level - EMDR Italy Association (48.00 hours)

- From 05/27/2022 to 05/29/2022: Participant in the training course entitled Compassion Focused Therapy 1 level - Mindful sicilia (24.00 hours) 

- From 01/10/2020 to 15/12/2020: Participant in the training course entitled Basic Autogenic Training - Progetto Divenire (30.00 hours)

- Data report PhD students XXXIV Cycle, Turin, 19/02/20.

- PhD Course: "Bibliography and bibliometrics like pros" training course - II Edition. Searching Pubmed: tips and tricks for young researchers. December 9, 2019 (9:00-13:00).

- Workshop: "4-day Manuscript Writing Workshop Neuroscience Institute of Torino". November 5, 6 and 7, 2019 (10:00-12:00; 14:00-16:00).

- PhD Course: "Neuro-psychology of cognitive impairment in minor and major neurocognitive disorders". Proponents: M. Amanzio; A. Chiò; L. Lopiano; I. Rainero; S. Palermo. Dates: September 4, 6, 10, 11, 13, 17, 20, 27 and October 4, 2019 (14:00-16:00). Hours: 16. Credits: 9.

- PhD Course: "Bibliography and bibliometrics like pros - Stay-up-to-date: Mendeley to organize your bibliography and Feedly to follow literature updates". October 2, 2019 (9:00-13:00)

- D-day 2019 - Scuola di Dottorato - Area Scienze della Vita e della Salute, Turin, 2019. Poster presentation: Botto R., Bovero A., Di Giovanni Y., Fonti I., Torta R. "Total pain" in end-of-life cancer patients: the necessity to implement pharmacological treatments with psycho-socio-spiritual interventions. D-day, 2019.

- PhD Course: "MATLAB". Proponent: T. Costa. Dates: September 11 and 12, 2019 (10:00-13:00). Hours: 6. Credits: 3.

- Workshop: "Tools for Research Evaluation and Scientific Production Analysis", Turin, 09/07/19.

- Conference: "From split-brain to emotional consciousness. A tribute to Joseph LeDoux" (attended only morning), Turin, 17/04/19.

- Conference: "Eating disorders and substance abuse: the impact of stressful lifestyles on brain functioning", Credits: 4, Turin, 01/03/19.

- Data report PhD students XXXIII Cycle, Turin, 05/02/19.

- PhD Course: “Neurobiologically based” psychological treatments of traumas and depression Proponents: R. Torta; L. Ostacoli. Dates: January 31 (8.30-13.30); February 6 (8.30-13.30).  Hours: 10. Credits: 5, Turin, 31/01/19 and 06/02/19.

- Presentation and usage of SciVal Platform, Turin, 05/12/18. 

- Seminar "The networked brain: interactions between emotion, motivation, and cognition" - Luiz Pessoa, Turin, 21/11/18.

- XXVI National Congress SIPF, Turin, 14-15/11/18.  

 

- Subject expert in Psychoncology and Palliative Care, Department of Psychology, University of Turin since 2019;

- Graduate co-tutor and member of the Degree Commission, Department of Psychology, University of Turin, since 2019;

- Tutor and member of the Scientific Committee of the II level Master in Palliative Care and Pain Therapy for Psychologists, Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin.

- From october 2018 to date: Teaching activity on the subject: Psycho-oncology and palliative care (course title: Psycho-oncology and palliative care) - Course of Master Degree in Science of Body and Mind of Department of Psychology - University of Turin - hours of teaching: over 50 - academic years: 4

- From october 2019 to date: Teaching activity on the subject: Clinical Nursing of Mental Discomfort (Course title: Clinical Nursing of Mental Discomfort) - Course of Three-years Degree in Nursing of Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences - University of Turin - Hours of teaching: 18 - academic years: 2

- From may 2019 to date: Teaching activity on the subject: Methodology of research in palliative care (course title: Methodology of research in palliative care) - Course in the II level Master in Palliative Care and Pain Therapy for PsychologistsDepartment of Neuroscience - University of Turin - Hours of teaching: 2 - academic years: 2

- Didactic assistance at the university exams in Psychoncology and Palliative Care, Course of Master Degree in Science of Body and Mind, Department of Psychology, University of Turin since 2018; 

- Didactic assistance at the university exams in Nursing of the psychic disorders, Course of Three-years Degree in Nursing, Department of Public and Pediatric Health Sciences, University of Turin since 2019; 

- Thesis assistance to over 30 university students;

- Held the first edition of the CREI course for psychologists at the XXV Italian National Congress in Reumathology ", Rome, june 2022. 

- Held a speech at the conference "Fibromyalgic Syndrome: What the Psychologist must know and which is his role in the treatment and the clinical framework", Milan, december 2019.

 

- BJPsych Open 2022 Prize for "Editor's Choice" for Naldi, A., Vallelonga, F., Di Liberto, A., Cavallo, R., Agnesone, M., Gonella, M., ... & Leombruni, P. (2021). COVID-19 pandemic-related anxiety, distress and burnout: Prevalence and associated factors in healthcare workers of North-West Italy. BJPsych open, 7(1).

- Reviewer certificates for over 20 articles reviewed for indexed peer-reviewed international journals. 

 

 

 

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