Disorders - Anxiety Disorders
Kaviani, Hossein, Javaheri, Foroozan, Hatami,
Neda
A randomized, controlled study was conducted in a non-clinical population to investigate the impact of
mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) on depression, anxiety, automatic thoughts, and dysfunctional attitudes, normally induced by exam as a
real stressful setting. The participants were randomly assigned either to receive 8 weekly 2.5- hour MBCT or remain in a waiting list control group.
A series of two-way ANOVA with repeated measures were performed to detect if the application of MBCT would result in a systematic reduction in the
dependent variables over five assessment points: pre-test, session 4, session 8, first follow-up (1 month) and second follow-up (6 months). The
results indicated that MBCT was effective at helping participants to deal with their anxiety and depressive feelings before, during and after
stressful circumstances. In addition, the reductions in negative automatic thoughts and dysfunctional attitudes in those who received MBCT were
significant. The findings provide further evidence that MBCT might be a useful intervention for enhancing well-being in non-clinical populations who
are susceptible to experience anxiety and depression in real life situations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved) (journal
abstract)
International
Journal of Psychology & Psychological Therapy, 11(2) : 285-296
- Year: 2011
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any)
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: At risk (indicated or selected prevention)
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any), Cognitive & behavioural therapies (CBT), Mindfulness based
therapy
Knox, M., Lentini, J., Cummings, T. S., McGrady, A., Whearty, K., Sancrant, L.
Twenty-four
children and adolescents aged 9-17 who were referred for treatment for anxiety were assigned to either a game-based biofeedback group or a waiting
list comparison group. The eight-session biofeedback intervention included psychoeducation, identification of triggers and signs of anxiety, and in
vivo practice. The intervention used computer-based gaming technology to teach and practise relaxation. Analyses using ANCOVA revealed significant
differences in posttest scores of anxiety and depression measures between the two groups. The intervention group reduced anxiety and depression
scores on standardised tests. Findings suggest that biofeedbackassisted relaxation training can be useful in decreasing anxiety and depressive
symptoms in anxious youths. (copyright) 2011 Radcliffe Publishing.
Mental Health in Family Medicine, 8(3) : 195-
203
- Year: 2011
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any)
- Type: Controlled clinical trials
-
Stage: At risk (indicated or selected prevention), Disorder established (diagnosed disorder)
-
Treatment and intervention: Complementary & Alternative
Interventions (CAM), Service Delivery & Improvement, Psychological Interventions
(any), Biofeedback, neurofeedback, audio/video feedback, Relaxation, Technology, interventions delivered using technology (e.g. online, SMS)
Kiecolt-Glaser, Janice K., Belury, Martha A., Andridge,
Rebecca, Malarkey, William B., Glaser, Ronald
Observational studies have linked lower omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and higher omega-6 (n-6) PUFAs with inflammation
and depression, but randomized controlled trial (RCT) data have been mixed. To determine whether n-3 decreases proinflammatory cytokine production
and depressive and anxiety symptoms in healthy young adults, this parallel group, placebo-controlled, double-blind 12-week RCT compared n-3
supplementation with placebo. The participants, 68 medical students, provided serial blood samples during lower-stress periods as well as on days
before an exam. The students received either n-3 (2.5 g/d, 2085 mg eicosapentaenoic acid and 348 mg docosahexanoic acid) or placebo capsules that
mirrored the proportions of fatty acids in the typical American diet. Compared to controls, those students who received n-3 showed a 14% decrease in
lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated interleukin 6 (IL-6) production and a 20% reduction in anxiety symptoms, without significant change in depressive
symptoms. Individuals differ in absorption and metabolism of n-3 PUFA supplements, as well as in adherence; accordingly, planned secondary analyses
that used the plasma n-6:n-3 ratio in place of treatment group showed that decreasing n-6:n-3 ratios led to lower anxiety and reductions in
stimulated IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) production, as well as marginal differences in serum TNF-α. These data suggest that n-3
supplementation can reduce inflammation and anxiety even among healthy young adults. The reduction in anxiety symptoms associated with n-3
supplementation provides the first evidence that n-3 may have potential anxiolytic benefits for individuals without an anxiety disorder diagnosis.
ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00519779. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved) (journal abstract)
Brain, Behavior & Immunity, 25(8) : 1725-
1734
- Year: 2011
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any)
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: At risk (indicated or selected prevention)
-
Treatment and intervention: Complementary & Alternative
Interventions (CAM), Fish oil (Omega-3 fatty acids), Omega 3 fatty
acids (e.g. fish oil, flax oil)
Lemmens, S. G., Born, J. M., Martens, E. A., Martens, M. J., Westerterp-Plantenga, M. S.
Consumption of meals with different
macronutrient contents, especially high in carbohydrates, may influence the stress-induced physiological and psychological response. The objective of
this study was to investigate effects of consumption of a high-protein vs. high-carbohydrate meal on the physiological cortisol response and
psychological mood response. Subjects (n = 38, 19 m/19f, age =25 (plus or minus) 9 yrs, BMI = 25.0 (plus or minus) 3.3 kg/m2) came to the university
four times, fasted, for either condition: rest-protein, stress-protein, rest-carbohydrate, stress-carbohydrate (randomized cross-over design). Stress
was induced by means of a psychological computer-test. The test-meal was either a high-protein meal (En% P/C/F 65/5/30) or a high-carbohydrate meal
(En% P/C/F 6/64/30), both meals were matched for energy density (4 kJ/g) and daily energy requirements (30%). Per test-session salivary cortisol
levels, appetite profile, mood state and level of anxiety were measured. High hunger, low satiety (81 (plus or minus) 16, 12 (plus or minus) 15 mm
VAS) confirmed the fasted state. The stress condition was confirmed by increased feelings of depression, tension, anger, anxiety (AUC stress vs. rest
p < 0.02). Consumption of the high-protein vs. high-carbohydrate meal did not affect feelings of depression, tension, anger, anxiety. Cortisol levels
did not differ between the four test-sessions in men and women (AUC nmol(middle dot)min/L p > 0.1). Consumption of the test-meals increased cortisol
levels in men in all conditions (p < 0.01), and in women in the rest-protein and stress-protein condition (p < 0.03). Men showed higher cortisol
levels than women (AUC nmol(middle dot)min/L p < 0.0001). Consumption of meals with different macronutrient contents, i.e. high-protein vs. high-
carbohydrate, does not influence the physiological and psychological response differentially. Men show a higher meal-induced salivary cortisol
response compared with women.
PLoS ONE, 6(2) : e16826
- Year: 2011
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any), Depressive Disorders
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: Universal prevention
-
Treatment and intervention: Complementary & Alternative
Interventions (CAM), Dietary advice, dietary change
McGrath, Patrick J., Lingley-Pottie, Patricia, Thurston, Catherine, MacLean, Cathy, Cunningham, Charles, Waschbusch, Daniel A., Watters, Carolyn, Stewart, Sherry, Bagnell, Alexa, Santor,
Darcy, Chaplin, William
Objective: Most children with mental health disorders do not receive timely care
because of access barriers. These initial trials aimed to determine whether distance interventions provided by nonprofessionals could significantly
decrease the proportion of children diagnosed with disruptive behavior or anxiety disorders compared with usual care. Method: In three practical
randomized controlled trials, 243 children (80 with oppositional-defiant, 72 with attention-deficit/hyperactivity, and 91 with anxiety disorders)
were stratified by DSM-IV diagnoses and randomized to receive the Strongest Families intervention (treatment) or usual care (control). Assessments
were blindly conducted and evaluated at 120, 240, and 365 days after randomization. The intervention consisted of evidence-based participant
materials (handbooks and videos) and weekly telephone coach sessions. The main outcome was mental health diagnosis change. Results: Intention-to-
treat analysis showed that for each diagnosis significant treatment effects were found at 240 and 365 days after randomization. Moreover, in the
overall analysis significantly more children were not diagnosed as having disruptive behavior or anxiety disorders in the treatment group than the
control group (120 days: œá¬= 1 = 13.05, p < .001, odds ratio 2.58, 95% confidence interval 1.54‚Äì4.33; 240 days: œá¬= 1 = 20.46, p < .001, odds
ratio 3.44, 95% confidence interval 1.99‚Äì5.92; 365 days: œá¬= 1 = 13.94, p < .001, odds ratio 2.75, 95% confidence interval 1.61‚Äì4.71).
Conclusions: Compared with usual care, telephone-based treatments resulted in significant diagnosis decreases among children with disruptive behavior
or anxiety. These interventions hold promise to increase access to mental health services. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights
reserved) (journal abstract)
Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 50(11) : 1162-
1172
- Year: 2011
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any)
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: Disorder established (diagnosed disorder)
-
Treatment and intervention: Service Delivery & Improvement, Technology, interventions delivered using technology (e.g. online, SMS)
McMillan, L., Owen, L., Kras, M., Scholey, A.
There are surprisingly few randomised, controlled trials into
the effects of dietary change on mood and cognition in healthy individuals. Here we examined the effects of 10 days of changing to a nutrient-rich
diet on mood and cognitive performance. Young female adults (N = 25) were randomised to a diet change (DC), or a no change (NC) control group. Those
in the DC condition adhered to the nutrient-dense Mediterranean diet. Mood and cognitive performance were assessed at baseline and on day 10.
Compared with the NC group, the DC group showed significant improvements in self-rated vigour, alertness and contentment. Changes in cognitive tasks
were somewhat inconsistent. These preliminary findings require verification in larger trials but suggest that appropriate dietary change may benefit
mood and some aspects of cognitive performance in healthy adults. All rights reserved, Elsevier.
Appetite, 56(1) : 143-147
- Year: 2011
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any), Depressive Disorders
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: Universal prevention
-
Treatment and intervention: Complementary & Alternative
Interventions (CAM), Dietary advice, dietary change
Lavasani, Masoud Gholamali, Khandan,
Farah
Present project assess the effectiveness of cooperative learning over
the mathematic anxiety and review the behavior of help seeking in first grade high school girl students. The experimental research procedure was in
the form of pre-post tests after a period of 8 sessions of teaching. To measure the variables, the questionnaire of mathematic anxiety (Shokrani,
2002) and the questionnaire of help seeking technique (Ghadampour, 1998) were practiced (accepting or avoiding help seeking).To perform the
assignment, 40 girl students from two schools were selected randomly and based on the highest mark of mathematic anxiety in pretest level and also
after completing the two questionnaires; centered on matching process; they were placed in two groups of control and experimental. Teaching
methodology of mathematic courses was offered in traditional method in control group but in experimental group, teaching methodology was cooperative
learning method. After concluding the teaching sessions, once more, two questionnaires of mathematic anxiety and help seeking behavior were
accomplished for the students. To analyze the data, the statistics method of analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was implemented. The accomplished
results indicated that cooperative learning method, in comparison with traditional technique, significantly decreases mathematic anxiety in students
and increases help seeking behavior and decline the avoidance factors (p < 0.05). These changes are, therefore, marked and meaningful in control
group. Consequently, it is determined that the cooperative learning method can decrease the mathematic anxiety and increase help seeking behavior in
students. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved) (journal abstract)
Cypriot Journal of Educational Sciences, 6(2) : 61-74
- Year: 2011
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any)
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: At risk (indicated or selected prevention)
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any), Other Psychological Interventions
Myint, K., Choy, K. L., Su, T. T., Lam, S. K.
Although mindfulness meditation practice appears to confer positive effects on various clinical
conditions, physiological responses to this practice in healthy individuals are largely unknown. This study is aimed at evaluating the physiological
effects of short-term mindfulness meditation in university students intending to take a written term examination. Young healthy university students
(n=18) recruited as participants were divided equally into a meditation group without examination stress, a non-meditating group with examination
stress, and a meditation group with examination stress. The meditation intervention groups were offered mindfulness practice twice daily of 1 h each
time for a period of 5 weekdays, except for weekends, for 3 consecutive weeks. The parameters measured included heart rate, blood pressure and serum
cortisol. Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) were also obtained to monitor any negative psychological symptoms. All parameters were measured
before intervention, just after intervention, which also coincided with the eve of the academic examination and at 3 weeks after. The DASS-Stress
scale was significantly (p<0.05) reduced after intervention in the meditation group with no examination challenge. However, no significant changes
were found in the cardiovascular and cortisol outcomes amongst all groups for all time lines. Even though these findings did not show any significant
physiological responses to the short-term mindfulness practice in stressful conditions, nonetheless, the results demonstrate the potential benefits
of this practice in alleviating stress in the neutral environment of university students. Future studies should address the effects of mindfulness
practice in larger groups exposed in stressful situations.
Biomedical Research, 22(2) : 165-
171
- Year: 2011
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any), Depressive Disorders
- Type: Controlled clinical trials
-
Stage: Universal prevention
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any), Mindfulness based
therapy
Midgley, N., Kennedy, E.
For many years psychoanalytic and psychodynamic
therapies have been considered to lack a credible evidence-base and have consistently failed to appear in lists of 'empirically supported
treatments'. This study systematically reviews the research evaluating the efficacy and effectiveness of psychodynamic psychotherapy for children
and young people. The researchers identified 34 separate studies that met criteria for inclusion, including nine randomised controlled trials. While
many of the studies reported are limited by sample size and lack of control groups, the review indicates that there is increasing evidence to suggest
the effectiveness of psychoanalytic psychotherapy for children and adolescents. The article aims to provide as complete a picture as possible of the
existing evidence base, thereby enabling more refined questions to be asked regarding the nature of the current evidence and gaps requiring further
exploration. (copyright) 2011 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.
Journal of Child
Psychotherapy, 37(3) : 232-260
- Year: 2011
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any), Depressive Disorders, Eating Disorders
(any)
- Type: Systematic reviews
-
Stage: Disorder established (diagnosed disorder)
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any), Psychodynamic/Psychoanalysis
Miller, Lynn D., Laye-Gindhu, Aviva, Liu, Yan, March, John S., Thordarson, Dana S., Garland, E. Jane
The present
research examined the effectiveness of a cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) based intervention program, FRIENDS, for children from grades 4 to 6,
using random assignment at the school-level and an attention-control design in two longitudinal studies. The first study targeted children with
anxiety symptoms (N = 191, mean age = 10.1) as screened with self, parent, and teacher-reports; the second study took a universal approach with full
classrooms of children participating (N = 253, mean age = 9.8). The results showed no intervention effect in both studies, with children’s anxiety
symptoms decreasing over time regardless of whether they were in the story-reading (attention control) or FRIENDS condition. The findings also
indicated that girls reported a higher level of anxiety than boys and children in higher grades reported lower anxiety relative to younger children
in both studies. In addition, similar patterns were found using a subgroup of children with high-anxiety symptoms from both studies. (PsycINFO
Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved) (journal abstract)
Behaviour Research & Therapy, 49(5) : 315-323
- Year: 2011
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any)
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: Universal prevention, At risk (indicated or selected prevention)
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any), Other Psychological Interventions
Miller, Lynn D., Laye-Gindhu, Aviva, Bennett, Joanna L., Liu, Yan, Gold, Stephenie, March, John S., Olson, Brent F., Waechtler,
Vanessa E.
Anxiety disorders are prevalent in the school-aged population and are present across cultural groups. Scant research exists on culturally
relevant prevention and intervention programs for mental health problems in the Aboriginal populations. An established cognitive behavioral program,
FRIENDS for Life, was enriched to include content that was culturally relevant to Aboriginal students. Students (N = 533), including 192 students of
Aboriginal background, participated in the cluster randomized control study. Data were collected three times over 1 year. A series of multilevel
models were conducted to examine the effect of the culturally enriched FRIENDS program on anxiety. These analyses revealed that the FRIENDS program
did not effectively reduce anxiety for the total sample or for Aboriginal children specifically. However, all students, regardless of intervention
condition, Aboriginal status, or gender, reported a consistent decrease in feelings of anxiety over the 6-month study period. (PsycINFO Database
Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved) (journal abstract)
Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 40(4) : 618-
629
- Year: 2011
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any)
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: Universal prevention
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any), Other Psychological Interventions
Muto, T., Hayes, S. C., Jeffcoat, T.
International
students often experience significant psychological distress but empirically tested programs are few. Broadly distributed bibliotherapy may provide a
cost-effective approach. About half of the Japanese international students in a western university in the United States (N= 70) were randomly
assigned to a wait-list or to receive a Japanese translation of a broadly focused acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) self-help book. Although
recruited without regard to health status, the sample was highly distressed with nearly 80% exceeding clinical cutoffs on one or more measures. After
a 2-months period for the first treatment group to read the book and a 2-month follow up, wait-list participants also received the book. Students
receiving the book showed significantly better general mental health at post and follow up. Moderately depressed or stressed, and severely anxious
students showed improvement compared to those not receiving the book. These patterns were repeated when the wait-list participants finally received
the book. Improvements in primary outcomes were related to how much was learned about an ACT model from the book. Follow-up outcomes were
statistically mediated by changes in psychological flexibility, but not vice versa and were moderated by level of initial flexibility. Overall, the
data suggest that ACT bibliotherapy improved the mental health and psychological flexibility of Japanese international students. (copyright)
2011.
Behavior Therapy, 42(2) : 323-
335
- Year: 2011
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any), Depressive Disorders
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: At risk (indicated or selected prevention)
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any), Acceptance & commitment therapy
(ACT), Self-help