Not Available

Funder

Organizational Unit

Publications

Nutritional counselling in adults promoting adherence to the Mediterranean diet as adjuvant in the treatment of major depressive disorder (INDEPT): a randomized open controlled trial study protocol

Publication . Sousa-Santos, Nuno; Fialho, Mónica; Madeira, Teresa; Clara, Cátia; Veiga, Sofia; Martins, Raquel; Barros, Neuza; Santos, Gabriela; Santos, Osvaldo; Almeida, Carolina; Ganança, Licínia; Campos, Rui C.; Camolas, José; da Silva, Alda Pereira; Guarino, Maria Pedro Sucena; Heitor, Maria João

Background Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a leading cause of disability worldwide. Approximately one-third of patients with MDD do not respond to treatment, and often exhibit elevated inflammation biomarkers, which are associated with worse prognosis. Previous research has linked healthier dietary patterns, such as the Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet), with a lower risk of MDD and symptoms of depression, potentially due to their anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a nutritional counselling intervention promoting MedDiet to alleviate symptoms of depression in adults recently diagnosed with MDD and presenting with elevated inflammation biomarkers. Methods This study is a randomized controlled trial (RCT) that will recruit adults from outpatient clinics, between the ages of 18 and 70 years who have been diagnosed with MDD and are currently receiving treatment with the first prescribed antidepressant, and who exhibit elevated inflammation biomarkers (interleukin-6 and/or C-reactive protein). The control group will receive treatment-as-usual (TAU) only. The primary outcome of the study will be the change in symptoms of depression, as measured by the Beck Depression Inventory 2 (BDI-II), after 12 weeks of intervention. Data analysis will follow an intention-to-treat approach. Secondary outcomes will include changes in inflammation biomarkers, quality of life, adherence to the MedDiet, and cost-effectiveness of nutritional counselling. All outcomes will be assessed at baseline, after the 12-week intervention, and at 6- and 12-months post-baseline. Discussion This study will be the first RCT to evaluate the effect of a nutritional intervention with anti-inflammatory properties, as an adjuvant in the treatment of MDD, in individuals diagnosed with MDD and elevated inflammation biomarkers. The results of this study may contribute to the development of more effective and personalized interventions for MDD patients with elevated inflammation biomarkers.

2023-04-04Journal article

Open access

Family bereavement care interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic: a scoping review protocol

Publication . Laranjeira, Carlos; Moura, Débora; Marcon, Sonia; Jaques, Andre; Salci, Maria Aparecida; Carreira, Lígia; Cuman, Roberto; Querido, Ana

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant disruptions to daily social routines and to the lived experience of bereaved families. This article outlines the protocol for a scoping review of published studies to evaluate psychosocial and psychotherapeutic interventions intended to help family carers adjust to grief, loss and bereavement due to COVID-19. This review addresses one broad research question: ‘What do we know about bereavement support interventions for family carers of COVID-19 victims?

2022-04-08Journal article

Open access

Circular Economy for Cities and Sustainable Development: The Case of the Portuguese City of Leiria

Publication . Antunes, João Cesar Cadima; Eugénio, Teresa; Branco, Manuel Castelo

The principles of the circular economy play a central role in the global economy, and its application is suggested in the context of business and urban development for creating cities capable of reinventing themselves in the long term. The main objective of this study is to assess the perception of the inhabitants of the city of Leiria (Portugal) regarding the concept of the circular economy and the acceptance of circular actions and projects, gathering their opinions and motivations, and understanding the challenges they perceive for implementing the circular economy. This study is relevant because, to date, no work has analyzed the circular practices of citizens and consequent projects for a city. The adopted methodology consisted of a mixed qualitative and quantitative approach, which was materialized in the administration of an online questionnaire to the inhabitants, workers, or students of the Municipality of Leiria. We obtained a sample of 547 answers. These results underwent statistical analysis, and it was concluded that the familiarization of study participants with the circular economy is low, but that they have a positive predisposition to engage in rental, reuse, article repair, and recycling activities. The municipality should continue to invest in the extension and promotion of circular economy initiatives in the city, since there is a predisposition of respondents towards using them, which may lead to the conclusion that they would support their implementation. This is an initial step that should promote further research into understanding the perception of citizens regarding circular economy initiatives and actions, followed by how it might be supported to achieve its full potential in cities.

2022-02-02Journal article

Open access

Non-Financial Reporting and Assurance: A New Opportunity for Auditors? Evidence from Portugal

Publication . Eugénio, Teresa; Gomes, Sónia; Branco, Manuel Castelo; Morais, Ana Isabel

Research on auditing professionals’ perceptions of non-financial reporting and its assurance is relatively scarce, and the majority of the existing studies pay little attention to the assurance aspect. Our study contributes to strengthening this type of research by investigating Portuguese audit professionals’ perceptions of non-financial reporting and its assurance. The purpose of the current paper is to identify the perceptions of Portuguese audit professionals about non-financial reporting, particularly the responsibility for its preparation, its mandatory or voluntary natures, and how to improve non-financial reporting and its assurance. We also analyze whether these perceptions are associated with sex and work experience. The perceptions of statutory auditors were surveyed by using a questionnaire. Results allow us to conclude that Portuguese statutory auditors agree that non-financial reporting assurance is an important practice, and that company management should be responsible for the preparation and publication of non-financial reports. They consider that assurance of these reports should be conducted by a statutory auditor and think that the Institute of Portuguese Statutory Auditors should have a more active role in this matter. Notwithstanding, very few of the respondents have experience with this type of assurance, which may explain their acknowledgment of the importance of additional training. Work experience and sex do not influence the perceptions of the auditors. Findings suggest the existence of a positive attitude towards non-financial reporting and its assurance associated with the acknowledgement of its underdevelopment in Portugal. As far as we are aware, our study is the first to focus exclusively on Portuguese auditing professionals’ perceptions concerning non-financial reporting and assurance.

2022-10-19Journal article

Open access

Vale a pena as organizações terem práticas de gestão socialmente responsáveis?

Publication . Frizon, Jucelia Appio; Eugénio, Teresa; Falcão, Ana Sílvia

Conhecer a perspectiva dos colaboradores é fundamental para alinhar uma boa Gestão de Recursos Humanos. Para tanto, buscou-se verificar se os colaboradores de organizações portuguesas percebem a presença de práticas de gestão alinhadas à Responsabilidade Social Corporativa (RSC) e se essas impactam o Desempenho Organizacional (DO). O delineamento metodológico adotado caracteriza-se como um estudo descritivo e quantitativo. Pela análise de regressão múltipla, dá-se ênfase a que o fator com maior impacto positivo sobre a percepção de desempenho da organização, ao proporcionar saúde e segurança no local de trabalho, foram as práticas de gestão econômico-financeira socialmente responsáveis (β=0,327) e as estratégias de negócios da organização alinhadas à responsabilidade social (β=0,277). Entre as práticas que impactam a interação e comprometimento da organização com a comunidade, pode-se enfatizar as estratégias de promoção da marca alinhadas aos princípios da RSC (β=0,305) e, novamente, as estratégias de negócios da organização alinhadas à responsabilidade social (β=0,266).

2022Journal article

Open access