Overview of Research Program
Motivational and self-regulatory determinants of health-related behaviors such as physical activity, healthy eating, nature immersion and contemplative practices.
Behavior change interventions with an impact on health and well-being, focusing on physical activity, eating behaviour, weight management, and nature-related behaviors.
The experience of altered states of consciousness and the adoption and regulation of behaviors such as physical activity, eating, nature immersion, and contemplative practices.
Measurement aspects in the study of self-regulation, motivation, physical activity/exercise, eating behaviors, nature-related behaviors, and contemplative practices.
Highlighted Projects
Highlighted Publications
Bellicha, A., van Baak, M. A., Battista, F., Beaulieu, K., Blundell, J. E., Busetto, L., Carraça, E. V., Dicker, D., Encantado, J., Ermolao, A., Farpour-Lambert, N., Pramono, A., Woodward, E., & Oppert, J.-M. (2021). Effect of exercise training on weight loss, body composition changes, and weight maintenance in adults with overweight or obesity: An overview of 12 systematic reviews and 149 studies. Obesity Reviews: An Official Journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity, e13256. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/obr.13256
Highlighted News
FMH-CIPER was present at Insight: Psychedelic Research & Therapy
With a lecture named “Can Psychedelics Improve Diet, Exercise, Meditation, and Weight Control?”, Pedro Teixeira was a presenter at the Insight 2021 conference in Berlin, organised by the MIND Foundation. This talk was based on the review article, “Psychedelics and health behaviour change”, published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology and recently covered by Lucid News.
Jorge Encantado completed his PhD in Health Psychology
Jorge Encantado, researcher at the PANO-SR Research Group, successfully defended his doctoral dissertation titled "Digital Health for Weight loss Maintenance" on July 8th at ISPA - Instituto Universitário.
Pedro Teixeira new Research Director at the Synthesis Institute
Pedro Teixeira has been hired as Director of Research at the Synthesis Institute (partial time position) to coordinate all research projects and activities, in collaboration with leading research organizations worldwide. The Synthesis Institute is a pioneering organization in the field of psychedelics, providing legal, medically-supervised experiential retreats; practitioner training programs; and science outreach and dissemination activities.
Expert Consensus Article on Self-Determination Theory Techniques Published in Motivation Science
The article "Classification of Techniques Used in Self-Determination Theory-Based Interventions in Health Contexts: An Expert Consensus Study" has been published in APA's Motivation Science. Involving a large number of experts in self-determination theory (SDT), it presents the first consensus-based set of motivation and behavior change techniques based on SDT. It focuses on health contexts and behaviors, such as physical activity and eating.
World Physical Activity Day
On the World Physical Activity Day (6th April), the Order of Portuguese Psychologists launched a new edition of the "Dialogues of Psychology" dedicated to physical activity with many practical tips to keep moving and with good energy levels in this phase of isolation. Marlene Silva from PANO-SR team moderated the session, with the participation of António Palmeira (also a PANO-SR team member) and Rute Santos (from the Health Directorate-General).
Champ4life Study Protocol: A One-Year Randomized Controlled Trial of a Lifestyle Intervention for Inactive Former Elite Athletes with Overweight/Obesity
A new article on a preventive and educational program directed to former elite athletes was recently released. PANO-researchers Ines Santos, Eliana Carraça e Marlene N Silva were co-authors, involved in intervention implementation and description. The CHAMPS4LIFE is an evidence- and theory-based program using a randomized control trial design and aims to promote sustained healthy lifestyle behaviours in the post-career transition.
