The Mind-Body Medicine Research Concil has been founded by the Insitute for Integrative Health Care and Health Promotion 

The Institute for Integrative Health Care and Health Promotion (IGVF), Faculty of Health/School of Medicine at Witten/Herdecke University, Germany focuses its attention on improving primary health care and increasing the effectiveness of health promotion efforts for patients. While the implications of our research findings certainly contribute to improving health outcomes at the population level, our focus remains on the individual and his or her personal resources and the pathways through which protective (salutogenetic) factors – including, but not limited to, resilience, self-efficacy, self-care and -healing, and the motivation to improve one’s personal health behaviors – can be activated and strengthened.

For this, we apply basic and applied sciences, from neurobiology to general health research, including integrative as well as mind/body medicine (MBM). Tobias Esch, a university professor, researcher, and physician, serves as the institute’s director and has founded the university’s outpatient clinic in general medicine, thus closing the gap between rigorous research and patient-focused practice, and ensuring that the research conducted remains clinically relevant to patients.

Our research efforts are driven by a team of researchers and health care practitioners from a wide spectrum of disciplines who work closely and effectively with one another. Witnessing the successful fusion of research and practice at the institute has led us to pursue additional and similarly fruitful collaborations.

2024

Anders, M., Šustr, M., Bůžek, M., Sebalo Vňuková, M., & Ptáček, R. (2024). Naturalistická observační studie důvodů a způsobu změny skladby psychofarmakologické léčby depresivní poruchy v psychiatrických ambulancích. Ceská a Slovenská Psychiatrie, 120(1). ISSN 1212-0383. http://www.cspsychiatr.cz/detail.php?stat=1567

Brečka, T. A., Ptáček, R., Sebalo, I., Anders, M., & Sebalo Vňuková, M. (2024). Impact of religion and spirituality on the incidence of depression and mental health among young adults in the Czech Republic. Frontiers in Psychology, 15. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1423730

Brinkhaus, B., & Esch, T. (2024). Integrative Medizin und Gesundheit – Konstrukt einer modernen Medizin. In Toolbook Ärztin:Arzt. Medizinisch Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft Berlin.

Büttiker, P., Boukherissa, A., Weissenberger, S., Ptacek, R., Anders, M., Raboch, J., & Stefano, G. B. (2024). Cognitive Impact of Neurotropic Pathogens: Investigating Molecular Mimicry through Computational Methods. Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology, 44(1), 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10571-024-01509-x

Esch, T. (2024). Gesundheitsförderung als Grundlage einer zeitgemäßen medizinischen Versorgung [Conference presentation]. 130. Kongress der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Innere Medizin.

Esch, T., & Esch, S. M. (2024). Stressbewältigung (4. Auflage): Das Manual zum BERN-Programm. Medizinisch Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft Berlin. ISBN 978-3-95466-832-8.

Esch, T. (2024). Transparenz als Voraussetzung von Patienten-Compliance und Partizipation am Beispiel von OpenNotes. In C. Straub (Ed.), Transparenz im Gesundheitswesen. Medizinisch Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft.

Esch, T. (2024). Von der Tragödie zum Triumph – Wie Krisen uns wachsen lassen [Conference presentation]. Jahreskongress 2024 – Deutsche Gesellschaft für Hypnose und Hypnotherapie.

Esch, T. (2024). Wofür stehst du morgens auf? Über einen Zusammenhang zwischen Glück, Gesundheit und Sinn [Conference presentation]. 19. Mind-Body Medicine Summer School, Universität Duisburg-Essen.

Esch, T. (2024). Wofür stehen Sie morgens auf? Auf den Spuren von Glück, Sinn und einer vierten Dimension der Gesundheit [Conference presentation]. 4. Psychoneuroimmunologie Kongress, Innsbruck.

Esch, T., & Michaelsen, M. M. (2024). Digitale Achtsamkeit und Künstliche Intelligenz: Chancen und Herausforderungen in der modernen Mind-Body-Medizin // Digital mindfulness and artificial intelligence: Opportunities and challenges in modern mind-body medicine. Zeitschrift für Komplementärmedizin. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-2463-8142

Esch, T., Stefano, G. B., & Michaelsen, M. M. (2024). The foundations of mind-body medicine: Love, good relationships, and happiness modulate stress and promote health. Stress and Health, e3387. https://doi.org/10.1002/smi.3387

Herker, J., Michaelsen, M. M., & Esch, T. (2024). Nutritional behavior change in primary care: What do you know and what do you need? A qualitative study. THE MIND - Bulletin on Mind-Body Medicine Research. https://doi.org/10.61936/themind/202412128

Hoetger, C., Michaelsen, M. M., & Esch, T. (2024). Improving patient comprehension: A Delphi technique-driven approach to visualizing self-reported patient data. THE MIND - Bulletin on Mind-Body Medicine Research. https://doi.org/10.61936/themind/2024121216

Kettler, C., Weber, R.-M., Anand, C., Husain, S., Koeder, C., Michaelsen, M. M., Esch, T., & Englert, H. (2024). Effekt eines community-basierten Lebensstil-Interventionsprogramms auf die Selbstwirksamkeitserwartung von Bürger*innen in Bezug auf eine gesunde Ernährung [Conference paper]. Ernährung und Alltagsbewältigung – ein Spannungsfeld für Individuum, Haushalt und Gesellschaft.

Kettler, C., Weber, R.-M., Anand, C., Husain, S., Schoch, N., Michaelsen, M. M., Esch, T., & Englert, H. (2024). Can participants’ self-efficacy be changed through a community-based lifestyle intervention? Results of the Healthy Lifestyle Community Program (HLCP). THE MIND - Bulletin on Mind-Body Medicine Research. https://doi.org/10.61936/themind/2024121214

Meier-Diedrich, E., Dahling, V., Esch, T., Hägglund, M., Heinze, M., Hochwarter, S., Wagener, M., & Schwarz, J. (2024). Pilotierung und Evaluation einer partizipativen, digitalen Akte für gerontopsychiatrische Patienten und ihre Care-Partner [Piloting and evaluation of a participatory digital record for geriatric psychiatric patients and their care partners]. Nervenheilkunde. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-2357-5393

Meier-Diedrich, E., Esch, T., Hägglund, M., Hochwarter, S., Heinze, M., Wagener, M., Dahling, V., & Schwarz, J. (2024). Erfahrungen älterer, psychisch erkrankter Patientinnen und ihrer Care-Partnerinnen mit Open Notes und Proxy-Access: Qualitative Interviewstudie [Poster presentation]. Symposium für Digitale Medizin. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.12386.95688

Meier-Diedrich, E., Esch, T., Hägglund, M., Heinze, M., Hochwarter, S., Speck, J., Wagener, M., Dahling, V., & Schwarz, J. (2024). Experiences of elderly mental health patients and their care partners using a proxy account to access open notes: Qualitative study (Preprint). JMIR Aging. https://doi.org/10.2196/66690

Michaelsen, M. M., Klode, C., & Esch, T. (2024). Highlights from the 1st International Scientific Conference on Mind-Body Medicine. THE MIND - Bulletin on Mind-Body Medicine Research. https://doi.org/10.61936/themind/202412121

Michaelsen, M. M., & Esch, T. (2024). Correlations, causality, and mechanisms between happiness and health. In Encyclopedia of Happiness, Quality of Life and Subjective Wellbeing (pp. 90–98). Edward Elgar Publishing. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781800889675.00020

Michaelsen, M. M., & Esch, T. (2024). Mentale Gesundheit – Stressreduktion und Resilienz durch digitale Achtsamkeitsinterventionen. In J. A. Werner & A. Schmidt-Rumposch (Eds.), Human Hospital (pp. 150–161). MWV Medizinisch Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft. ISBN 978-3-95466-855-7.

Michaelsen, M. M., & Esch, T. (2024). The program of the 1st International Scientific Conference on Mind-Body Medicine: 4th and 5th of November, 2024. THE MIND - Bulletin on Mind-Body Medicine Research. https://doi.org/10.61936/themind/202410094

Michaelsen, M. M., Hoetger, C., Schiek, H., & Esch, T. (2024). App-based smoking cessation: Presenting a novel theory-based intervention [Poster presentation]. 58. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Sozialmedizin und Prävention e. V. (DGSMP). https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.14334.60483

Michaelsen, M. M., Uhl, J., Mindrup, L., Neumann, C., Langer, L., & Esch, T. (2024). Entwicklung einer (digitalen) gesundheitsfördernden Intervention für ältere Menschen in Pflegeheimen: Beschreibung und Reflexion eines personenzentrierten Co-Design-Ansatzes [Conference presentation]. 58. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Sozialmedizin und Prävention. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.33818.45761

Michaelsen, M. M., Uhl, J., Mindrup, L., Neumann, C., Langer, L., & Esch, T. (2024). Entwicklung einer (digitalen) gesundheitsfördernden Intervention für ältere Menschen in Pflegeheimen: Beschreibung und Reflexion eines personenzentrierten Co-Design-Ansatzes [Conference presentation]. 23. Deutscher Kongress für Versorgungsforschung.

Sebalo, I., Sebalo Vňuková, M., Ptáček, R., & Páv, M. (2024). Markers of predicting discharge from forensic psychiatric hospitals in Czechia. International Journal of Social Psychiatry. https://doi.org/10.1177/00207640241255575

Schönfeld, S., Rathmer, I., Uhl, J., Onescheit, M., Langer, L., Michaelsen, M. M., Esch, T., & Hoetger, C. (2024). Gesundheitsförderung, Stresserleben und Arbeitszufriedenheit bei Pflegeauszubildenden. Prävention und Gesundheitsförderung. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11553-024-01101-7

Schiek, H., Esch, T., Michaelsen, M. M., & Hoetger, C. (2024). Combining app-based behavioral therapy with electronic cigarettes for smoking cessation: A study protocol for a single-arm mixed-methods pilot trial. Addiction Science & Clinical Practice. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13722-024-00483-5

Schwarz, J., Hoetger, C., Over-Pluschke, L.-S., Muehlensiepen, F., Schneider, M., Thoma, S., & Esch, T. (2024). Psychiatrists’ perceptions of conditions and consequences associated with the implementation of open notes: Qualitative investigation. BMC Psychiatry. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-024-05845-6

Stefano, G. B. (2024). Quantum Computing and the Future of Neurodegeneration and Mental Health Research. Brain Sciences, 14(1), 93. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci14010093

Stefano, G. B. (2024). Viral targeting of mitochondria may alter cognition and enhance viral transmission. THE MIND - Bulletin on Mind-Body Medicine Research, 4, 5–9. https://doi.org/10.61936/themind/202406043

Stefano, G. B., Büttiker, P., Weissenberger, S., Raboch, J., & Anders, M. (2024). Semaglutide: A potential therapeutic for mitochondria-associated disorders. THE MIND - Bulletin on Mind-Body Medicine Research, 3. https://doi.org/10.61936/themind/202412123

Stefano, G. B., Weissenberger, S., Ptacek, R., Anders, M., Raboch, J., & Büttiker, P. (2024). Viruses and Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Neurodegeneration and Cognition: An Evolutionary Perspective. Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology, 44(1), 68. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10571-024-01503-3

Stefano, G. B., Büttiker, P., Simon Weissenberger, M. A., Raboch, J., & Kream, R. M. (2024). Viruses May Be Redefined as Self-Replicating Entities: Expanding the Definition of Life. Mind-Bull. Mind-Body Med. Res., 3, 2-8. https://doi.org/10.61936/themind/202412122

Uhl, J., Michaelsen, M. M., & Esch, T. (2024). Bürokratische Belastungen und Bewältigungsstrategien zur Erhaltung der Gesundheit von Führungskräften: Eine qualitative Untersuchung [Poster presentation]. 58. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Sozialmedizin und Prävention e. V. (DGSMP). https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.21045.49128

Uhl, J., Michaelsen, M. M., & Esch, T. (2024). Bürokratische Belastungen und Bewältigungsstrategien zur Erhaltung der Gesundheit von Führungskräften: Eine qualitative Untersuchung [Conference presentation]. 23. Deutscher Kongress für Versorgungsforschung.

Wrede, S., Sobke, S. C., Michaelsen, M. M., & Esch, T. (2024). Implementation of mindfulness at work considering digital support: A qualitative study with a systems theory approach. Journal of Workplace Behavioral Health. https://doi.org/10.1080/15555240.2024.2388646


2023

Büttiker, P., Weissenberger, S., Esch, T., Anders, M., Raboch, J., Ptacek, R., Kream, & R. M., & Stefano, G.B. (2023). Dysfunctional mitochondrial processes contribute to energy perturbations in the brain and neuropsychiatric symptoms. Front. Pharmacol. 13:1095923. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2022.1095923

Esch, T., Welzer, H., Utsch, M., & Donner, S. (2023). PSYCHOLOGIE HEUTE - Bei sich ankommen. 13-21. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/370471634_PSYCHOLOGIE_HEUTE_-_Bei_sich_ankommen

Michaelsen, M. M., Ecken, T. S., Herker, J. & Esch, T. (2023). Achtsamkeit & Ernährung - Neurobiologische Mechanismen achtsamen Essens. Sportärztezeitung, 4, 90–95. https://sportaerztezeitung.com/rubriken/psychologie/15096/achtsamkeit-ernaehrung/

Michaelsen, M. M., & Esch, T. (2023). Understanding health behavior change by motivation and reward mechanisms: a review of the literature. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, 17. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1151918

Michaelsen, M. M., Graser, J., Onescheit, M., Tuma, M. P., Werdecker, L., Pieper, D., & Esch, T. (2023). Mindfulness-based and mindfulness-informed interventions at the workplace: A systematic review and meta-regression analysis of RCTS. Mindfulness. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-023-02130-7

Poslt Königová, M., Sebalo Vňuková, M., Řehořková, P., Anders, M., & Ptáček, R. (2023). The effectiveness of gluten-free dietary interventions: A systematic review. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, 1107022. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37034934/

Sebalo Vňuková, M., Sebalo, I., Anders, M., Ptáček, R., & Surman, C. (2023). Psychometric Properties of the Czech Version of the Vanderbilt ADHD Diagnostic Parent Rating Scale. Journal of Attention Disorders, https://doi.org/10.1177/10870547231167567

Smetackova, I., Ptacek, R., Vnukova, M., & Dechterenko, F. (2023). The impact of ADHD in an individual’s daily life on planning, coping and time perspective. Ceskoslovenska Psychologie, 67(1), 15-29.

Stefano, G. B. (2023). Artificial Intelligence as a Tool for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Neurodegenerative Diseases. Brain Sciences, 13(6), 938. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13060938

Stefano, G. B., Büttiker, P., Weissenberger, S., Anders, M., Raboch, J., Ptacek, R., & Kream, R. M. (2023). Potential Prion Involvement in Long COVID-19 Neuropathology, Including Behavior. Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology, 1-6. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10571-023-01342-8

Stefano, G. B., Büttiker, P., Weissenberger, S., Esch, T., Anders, M., Raboch, J., Kream, R. M., & Ptacek, R. (2023). Independent and sensory human mitochondrial functions reflecting symbiotic evolution. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2023.1130197

Stefano, G. B., Büttiker, P. Weissenberger, S., Esch, T., Michaelsen, M., Anders, M., Raboch, J., & Ptacek, R. (2023). Artificial Intelligence: Deciphering the links between psychiatric disorders and neurodegenerative disease. Brain Sciences, 13(7), 1055. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13071055

Stefano, G. B., Kream, R. M., & Esch, T. (2023). Mobility Coupled with Motivation Promotes Survival: The Evolution of Cognition as an Adaptive Strategy. Biology, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.3390/biology12010080

Urbanová, L., Vňuková, M. S., Anders, M., Ptáček, R. & Bušková, J. (2023). The Updating and Individualizing of Sleep Hygiene Rules for Non-clinical Adult Populations. Prague Medical Report, 124(4), 329-343. https://doi.org/10.14712/23362936.2023.26

Vňuková, M., Děchtěrenko, F., Weissenberger, S., Anders, M., & Ptáček, R. (2023). Childhood School performance in adults diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Journal of Attention Disorders, 27(3), 307-312. https://doi.org/10.1177/10870547231167567

Vňuková, M., Ptáček, R., Děchtěrenko, F., Weissenberger, S., Ptáčková, H., Braaten, E., Raboch, J., Anders, M., Klicperová-Baker, M., & Goetz, M. (2021). Prevalence of ADHD symptomatology in adult population in the Czech Republic–A National Study. Journal of Attention Disorders, 25(12), 1657-1664. https://doi.org/10.1177/10870547221147547

Vňuková, M. S., Sebalo, I., Brečka, T., Anders, M., & Ptáček, R. (2023). Burnout syndrome in the Czech Republic: The decreasing trend over the years. Frontiers in Public Health, 11, 1099528. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1099528


2022

Altmann, N., Scheer, L. & Esch, T. (2022). Digitale Kommunikation in der Praxis: Chancen, Risiken, Tipps und Tools. In M. Henningsen, P. Stachwitz, S. Fahimi-Weber, B. Afzali & N. Altmann (Hrsg.), Die digitale Arztpraxis: Technik, Tools und Tipps zur Umsetzung. Medizinisch Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft.

Büttiker, P., Stefano, G. B., Weissenberger, S., Ptacek, R., Anders, M., Raboch, J. & Kream, R. M. (2022). HIV, HSV, SARS-CoV-2 and Ebola Share Long-Term Neuropsychiatric Sequelae. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, 18, 2229–2237. https://doi.org/10.2147/NDT.S382308

Esch, T. (2022). The ABC Model of Happiness-Neurobiological Aspects of Motivation and Positive Mood, and Their Dynamic Changes through Practice, the Course of Life. Biology, 11(6). https://doi.org/10.3390/biology11060843

Esch, T. (2022). The ABC Model of Happiness. Encyclopedia. https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/24683; (accessed on 30 June 2022)

Esch, T. & Brinkhaus, B. (2022). Die Bedeutung der Selbstregulation in der Integrativen und Mind-Body-Medizin. In A. Mollik (Hrsg.), Mindful Doctor: Next Generation Leadership in Medizin und Gesundheit. Medizinisch Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft.

Esch, T. & Stefano, G. B. (2022). The BERN Framework of Mind-Body Medicine: Integrating Self-Care, Health Promotion, Resilience, and Applied Neuroscience. Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience, 16, 913573. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnint.2022.913573

Henningsen, M., Stachwitz, P., Fahimi-Weber, S., Afzali, B. & Altmann, N. (Hrsg.). (2022). Die digitale Arztpraxis: Technik, Tools und Tipps zur Umsetzung. Medizinisch Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft.

Jacobs, A., Flägel, K., Werdecker, L. & Esch, T. (2022). Peak Moments im Ärzt*innen-Patient*innen-Kontakt der hausärztlichen Praxis–eine qualitative Studie mit Allgemeinmediziner*innen in Deutschland [Peak moments in physician-patient consultations in general practice: A qualitative study among primary care physicians in Germany]. Zeitschrift für Evidenz, Fortbildung und Qualität im Gesundheitswesen, 172, 31–39. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.zefq.2022.04.028

Karwetzky, C., Michaelsen, M. M., Werdecker, L. & Esch, T. (2022). The U-Curve of Happiness Revisited: Correlations and Differences in Life Satisfaction Over the Span of Life-An Empirical Evaluation Based on Data From 1,597 Individuals Aged 12-94 in Germany. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 837638. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.837638

Koch, S., Esch, T. & Werdecker, L. (2022). Effects of a Yoga-Based Stress Intervention Program on the Blood Pressure of Young Police Officers: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine, 28(3), 234–240. https://doi.org/10.1089/jicm.2021.0294
Michaelsen, M. M. & Esch, T. (2022). Functional Mechanisms of Health Behavior Change Techniques: A Conceptual Review. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 725644. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.725644

Michaelsen, M. M. & Esch, T. (2022). Meditations- und Achtsamkeitsinterventionen zur Förderung psychischer Ressourcen in der supportiven onkologischen Behandlung. Onkologische Welt, 13(03), 157–161. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-1729-9464

Schönfeld, S., Rathmer, I., Michaelsen, M. M., Hoetger, C., Onescheit, M., Lange, S., Werdecker, L. & Esch, T. (2022). Effects of a Mindfulness Intervention Comprising an App, Web-Based Workshops, and a Workbook on Perceived Stress Among Nurses and Nursing Trainees: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR research protocols, 11(8), e37195. https://doi.org/10.2196/37195

Schwarz, J. & Esch, T. (2022). OpenNotes in Mental Health? Pro. Der Nervenarzt, 93(11), 1163–1164. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00115-022-01357-4

Stefano, G. B., Büttiker, P. & Kream, R. M. (2022). Reassessment of the blood-brain barrier: a potential target for viral entry into the immune-privileged brain. Germs, 12(1), 99–101. https://doi.org/10.18683/germs.2022.1310

Stefano, G. B., Büttiker, P., Weissenberger, S., Ptacek, R., Wang, F., Esch, T., Bilfinger, T. V., Raboch, J. & Kream, R. M. (2022). Biomedical Perspectives of Acute and Chronic Neurological and Neuropsychiatric Sequelae of COVID-19. Current Neuropharmacology, 20(6), 1229–1240. https://doi.org/10.2174/1570159X20666211223130228

Stefano, G. B. & Kream, R. M. (2022). Mitochondrial DNA Heteroplasmy as an Informational Reservoir Dynamically Linked to Metabolic and Immunological Processes Associated with COVID-19 Neurological Disorders. Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology, 42(1), 99–107. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10571-021-01117-z

Stefano, G. B. & Kream, R. M. (2022). Viruses Broaden the Definition of Life by Genomic Incorporation of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Processes. Current Neuropharmacology, 20(10), 1888–1893. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35450524/

Werdecker, L. & Esch, T. (2022). Glück in der Hausarztpraxis – Ergebnisse einer qualitativen Studie unter Praxisteams. Zeitschrift für Allgemeinmedizin, 98(1), 24–29. https://doi.org/10.53180/zfa.2022.0024-0029

Werdecker, L. & Esch, T. (2022). Stress und Gesundheit. In R. Haring (Hrsg.), Gesundheitswissenschaften. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg.