There exists no examination of what is the minimum anti-hypertensive threshold intensity for isometric exercise training. Twenty two normotensive participants were randomly assigned to training intensities at either 5 % or 10 % of their maximal contraction. Twenty participants completed the study. Clinical meaningful, but not statistically significant, reductions in systolic blood pressure were observed in both 5 % and 10 % groups –4.04 mm Hg (95 % CI –8.67 to +0.59, p=0.08) and –5.62 mm Hg (95 % CI –11.5 to +0.29, p=0.06) respectively after 6 weeks training. No diastolic blood pressure reductions were observed in either 5 % –0.97 mm Hg (95 % CI –2.56 to +0.62, p=0.20) or 10 % MVC +1.8 mm Hg (95 % CI –1.29 to +4.89, p=0.22) groups respectively after training. In those unable to complete isometric exercise at the traditional 30 % intensity, our results suggest there is no difference between 5 and 10 % groups and based on the principle of regression to the mean, this could mean both interventions induce a similar placebo-effect.

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the association between Psychological Resilience (PR) and depression at global, dichotomous and subcomponent levels. Methods: A sample of 330 participants (117 males and 213 females) was randomly recruited from an electorate in Australia and completed the Zung Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) and Connors-Davidson Resilience Scale (CDRISC). Results: PR was significantly and inversely associated with total SDS score at a global level. Only one of the three CDRISC factors was significantly associated with total SDS score and also with three of four SDS depression subtypes. Conclusions: Because of the different nature and treatment requirements for depression subtypes, PR may be applicable to a limited range of depressed patients, particularly those who do not exhibit Anhedonia.

Purpose: Hormonal and inflammatory factors have been suggested as potentially influencing depressive state and depressive symptoms, but rarely compared for their relative contribution to these states and to specific depressive symptoms. This study examined cortisol:C-reactive protein (CRP) ratio, plus cortisol and CRP separately, as correlates of global depression and fatigue-related depression. Patients and methods: One hundred and twenty-six community volunteers from rural Australia provided saliva and serum samples, and also completed a depression inventory. Results: There was a significant correlation between cortisol:CRP ratio and depression-related fatigue, and this resolved to the effects of CRP rather than cortisol. Most of the variance in this association came from patients who were “depressed”, and there were no significant gender associations. Conclusion: Inflammation, rather than HPA-axis activity, was associated with depression-related fatigue, supporting a model that places inflammation as a contributor to one of the major symptoms and predictors of depression. Individualization of therapy for depression-related fatigue in chronically stressed or physically ill patients might benefit from future research into cytokine therapy.