Disorders - Anxiety Disorders
Soltan, F., Cristofalo, D., Marshall, D., Purgato, M., Taddese, H., Vanderbloemen, L., Barbui, C., Uphoff, E.
Background: An unprecedented number of people around the world are experiencing forced displacement due
to natural or man-made events. More than 50% of refugees worldwide are children or adolescents. In addition to the challenges of settling in a new
country, many have witnessed or experienced traumatic events. Therefore, refugee children and adolescents are at risk of developing mental health
problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder, and require appropriate and effective support within communities. Objective(s): To assess the
effectiveness and acceptability of community-based interventions (RCTs only) in comparison with controls (no treatment, waiting list, alternative
treatment) for preventing and treating mental health problems (major depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, psychological distress) and
improving mental health in refugee children and adolescents in high-income countries. Search Method(s): Databases searches included the Cochrane
Common Mental Disorders Controlled Trials Register (all available years), CENTRAL/CDSR (2021, Issue 2), Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, six other databases,
and two trials registries to 21 February 2021. We checked reference lists of included study reports. Selection Criteria: Studies of any design were
eligible as long as they included child or adolescent refugees and evaluated a community-based mental health intervention in a high-income country.
At a second stage, we selected randomised controlled trials. Data Collection and Analysis: For randomised controlled trials, we extracted data
relating to the study and participant characteristics, and outcome data relating to the results of the trial. For studies using other evaluation
methods, we extracted data relating to the study and participant characteristics. W derived evidence on the efficacy and availability of
interventions from the randomised controlled trials only. Data were synthesised narratively. Main Result(s): We screened 5005 records and sought
full-text manuscripts of 62 relevant records. Three randomised controlled trials were included in this review. Key concerns in the risk of bias
assessments included a lack of clarity about the randomisation process, potential for bias is outcome measurement, and risk of bias in the selection
of results. Primary outcomes. There was no evidence of an effect of community-based interventions when compared with a waiting list for symptoms of
post-traumatic stress (mean difference (MD) -1.46, 95% confidence interval (CI) -6.78 to 3.86: 1 study; low-certainty evidence), symptoms of
depression (MD 0.26, 95% CI -2.15 to 2.67: 1 study; low-certainty evidence), and psychological distress (MD -10.5, 95% CI -47.94 to 26.94; 1 study;
very low-certainty evidence). There were no data on adverse events. Secondary outcomes. Three trials reported on short-term changes in child
behaviour, using different measures, and found no evidence of an effect of the intervention versus a waiting list (low to very low certainty). None
of the trials reported on quality of life or well-being, participation and functioning, or participant satisfaction. Authors' conclusions: There is
insufficient evidence to determine the efficacy and acceptability of community-based mental health interventions for refugee children and
adolescents. Copyright © 2022 The Cochrane Collaboration. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cochrane Database of Systematic
Reviews, 2022(5) (no pagination) :
- Year: 2022
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Depressive Disorders
- Type: Systematic reviews
-
Stage: At risk (indicated or selected prevention)
-
Treatment and intervention: Service Delivery & Improvement, Psychological Interventions
(any), Other service delivery and improvement
interventions
Shin, J. H., Kim, C. S., Cha, L., Kim, S., Lee,
S., Chae, S., Chun, W. Y., Shin, D. M.
Dark chocolate has long been recognized for its mood-altering properties; however, the evidence regarding the
emotional effects of daily dark chocolate intake is limited. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effects of dark chocolate intake on mood in
everyday life, with special emphasis on the gut-brain axis. Two different dark chocolates (85% and 70% cocoa content) were tested in this study. In a
randomized controlled trial, healthy adults (20-30 y) consumed either 30 g/d of 85% cocoa chocolate (DC85, n=18); 70% cocoa chocolate (DC70, n=16);
or no chocolate (control group, CON; n=14); for 3 weeks. Mood states were measured using the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). Daily
consumption of dark chocolate significantly reduced negative affect in DC85, but not in DC70. To assess the association between the mood-altering
effects of dark chocolate and the gut microbiota, we performed fecal 16S rRNA sequencing analysis for the DC85 and CON groups. Gut microbial
diversity was significantly higher in DC85 than CON (P<.05). Blautia obeum levels were significantly elevated and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii levels
were reduced in DC85 compared to CON (P<.05). Furthermore, we found that the observed changes in negative affect scores were negatively correlated
with diversity and relative abundance of Blautia obeum (P<.05). These findings indicate that dark chocolate exerts prebiotic effects, as evidenced by
its ability to restructure the diversity and abundance of intestinal bacteria; thus, it may improve negative emotional states via the gut-brain axis.
Copyright © 2021 The Author(s)
, 99 (no
pagination) :
- Year: 2022
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any), Depressive Disorders
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: Universal prevention
-
Treatment and intervention: Complementary & Alternative
Interventions (CAM), Dietary advice, dietary change, Other complementary & alternative
interventions
Sharma, S. K., Kala, N., Telles, S.
BACKGROUND: Previous studies assessed yoga breathing
practices individually. This exploratory, randomized crossover study assessed attention and anxiety following four yoga breathing practices, breath
awareness, and quiet seated rest.\rMATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-eight male volunteers between 20 and 37 years (group mean age +/- SD; 24.08 +/- 4.01
years) were assessed in six sessions in random order (www.randomizer.org) on separate days. The sessions were: (i) alternate nostril yoga breathing,
(ii) bellows yoga breathing, (iii) bumblebee yoga breathing, (iv) high-frequency yoga breathing, (v) breath awareness, and (vi) quiet seated rest.
The sessions were for 18 min each. Six letter cancellation test (SLCT) and Spielberger's State Trait Anxiety Inventory-state (STAI-s) were
administered pre and post each session. Data analysis used general linear mixed model analysis, with fixed effect of states (pre and post) and
sessions.\rRESULTS: A significant main effect of states was observed on total attempted (F1,407 = 5.374, p = 0.021) and net attempted scores (F1,407
= 6.178, p = 0.013) of the SLCT, with a significant increase in scores following high-frequency yoga breathing (padj = 0.031 for total attempted
scores; padj = 0.029 for net attempted scores). Also, a significant main effect of states on STAI-s scores was observed (F1,407 = 33.979, p < 0.001),
with a significant decrease in scores following alternate nostril yoga breathing (padj = 0.001), bellows yoga breathing (padj = 0.008), bumblebee
yoga breathing (padj = 0.002), and high-frequency yoga breathing (padj = 0.042) compared to the corresponding pre state. There was a significant main
effect of sessions (F5,407 = 3.043, p = 0.010) on STAI-s scores, with scores post alternate nostril yoga breathing significantly lower than post
breath awareness (padj = 0.037).\rCONCLUSION: Following high-frequency yoga breathing sustained attention was better than before while state anxiety
decreased in post-pre comparisons of alternate nostril yoga breathing, bellows yoga breathing, bumblebee yoga breathing, and high-frequency yoga
breathing. The differences between breathing practices may be due to differences in degree of volitional regulation of breathing and in the breath
patterns modified volitionally. The generalizability of the findings was limited by including an all male, yoga experienced sample. Future research
should include participants of both genders and could include different levels of yoga experience, with assessments including objective measures of
attention and anxiety.
Complementary Medical Research, 29(2) : 120-126
- Year: 2022
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any)
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: Universal prevention
-
Treatment and intervention: Complementary & Alternative
Interventions (CAM), Mind-body exercises (e.g. yoga, tai chi, qigong)
Shank, L. M., Grace, V., Delgado, J., Batchelor, P., de Raadt St James, A., Sundaresan,
A., Bouchedid, L.
BACKGROUND: Children in Palestine may be at high risk for anxiety
symptoms. However, access to mental health services is limited. Therefore, the objective of this study was to conduct a pilot randomized controlled
trial to examine whether a guided audiovisual paced breathing intervention was feasible, acceptable, and improved anxiety symptoms in Palestinian
children.\rMETHODS: Students (6-10 years old) in an after-school program in Palestine were randomly assigned to the intervention or control
condition. All participants completed a pre- and post-intervention measure of anxiety using the Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale.
Participants in the intervention completed 24 sessions over 8 weeks and rated breathing ease as well as pre- and post-session relaxation on a 5-point
Likert scale. To examine condition differences in post-intervention anxiety, four analyses of covariance were conducted, adjusting for age, sex, and
pre-intervention anxiety.\rRESULTS: A total of 144 participants (65.3% girls; Mage = 7.5 +/- 1.2; 50% per condition) enrolled in the
study. There were no differences in demographics or baseline anxiety between the two conditions (ps > .05). Participants reported that it was easy to
breathe during the sessions (Ms = 4.1-4.7, SDs = 0.5-1.1). For all but the first session, participants reported being more relaxed after the
breathing session than before (ps < .003). Post-intervention, participants in the intervention reported fewer anxiety symptoms compared to
participants in the control condition (ps < .01).\rCONCLUSION: A guided paced breathing audiovisual intervention was feasible and had a significant
positive impact on anxiety symptoms in Palestinian children compared to a control condition. Future research should examine whether the audiovisual
guided breathing intervention significantly improves long-term outcomes.
Child & Adolescent Mental
Health, 27 : 27
- Year: 2022
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any)
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: Universal prevention
-
Treatment and intervention: Complementary & Alternative
Interventions (CAM), Meditation
Schniering, C. A., Einstein, D., Kirkman, J. J. L., Rapee, R. M.
OBJECTIVE: Adolescents experiencing both anxiety and mood disorders show greater life impairment than those with either disorder
alone. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of an online cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) program for these comorbid youth.\rMETHODS:
Ninety-one adolescents aged 12 to 17 years (M = 14.29, S.D. = 1.62; 66% female) participated if they met DSM-5 criteria for both an anxiety and
depressive disorder. Diagnoses were assessed by structured interview and participants also completed measures of symptoms, negative thoughts, and
life interference. Participants were randomly allocated to either active treatment (n = 45) or wait (n = 46). Treatment comprised access to an 8-
module, online program and was supported by 8, 30-minute telephone sessions with a therapist and the youth, of which the caregiver participated in
four.\rRESULTS: Treated participants showed significantly greater reduction than waiting participants on the primary outcome: total number of
disorders and were more likely to remit from all anxiety and mood disorders (43.8% vs 20.9%). Secondary outcomes covering symptoms of anxiety and
depression showed similar group by time differences, but there was no significant group by time interaction on life interference.\rCONCLUSIONS: This
brief, easily accessible, online intervention that requires relatively low levels of therapist time showed promising impact for a very impaired
population.\rREGISTRATION: This trial was registered on the ANZ clinical trials registry-ACTRN12616000139471.
, 311 : 88-
94
- Year: 2022
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any), Depressive Disorders
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: Disorder established (diagnosed disorder)
-
Treatment and intervention: Service Delivery & Improvement, Psychological Interventions
(any), Cognitive & behavioural therapies (CBT), Technology, interventions delivered using technology (e.g. online, SMS)
Sazawa, K., Kawada, S., Ogawa, Y.
[Purpose] Inhalational aromatherapy using lavender essential oil or
essence is known to alleviate pain and anxiety during rehabilitation. However, the effects remain unclear in individuals who are unaware of their
pain and anxiety. In this study, we investigated the effects of lavender aromatherapy during sleep in females who did not experience pain or anxiety.
[Participants and Methods] The study included 24 healthy females who were randomly allocated to control and aromatherapy groups. The control group
used skin patches without aroma, and the aromatherapy group used lavender aroma-infused skin patches for seven consecutive nights. Psychological and
physiological indices were measured before, during, and after the intervention. [Results] The lavender aroma-infused skin patches ameliorated a
negative mood associated with fatigue and anxiety. However, neither group showed a change in pulse rate and salivary cortisol concentration upon
waking. Furthermore, no significant intergroup difference was observed in sleep quality. [Conclusion] Lavender aromatherapy during sleep improved a
negative mood associated with fatigue and anxiety in females who did not experience pain and anxiety; however, physiological indices remained
unaffected.
Journal of Physical Therapy Science, 34(7) : 503-
508
- Year: 2022
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any), Depressive Disorders
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: Universal prevention
-
Treatment and intervention: Complementary & Alternative
Interventions (CAM), Other complementary & alternative
interventions
Savaglio, M., O'Donnell, R., Hatzikiriakidis,
K., Vicary, D., Skouteris, H.
Australia has undergone significant youth mental health reform
over the past 10 years, leading to numerous studies examining the effects of community-based mental health care programs for Australian youth.
However, no synthesis of this literature currently exists. Therefore, this systematic review aimed to: (1) describe the types of community-based
mental health programs that have been delivered to Australian youth in the past 10 years; and (2) examine their impact in improving young people's
mental health symptomology and psychosocial functioning. A systematic search of the peer-reviewed literature was conducted. Studies were included if
they evaluated the extent to which such programs improved mental health symptomology (e.g., depression, anxiety, substance use) and/or psychosocial
outcomes (e.g., social functioning, school engagement, employment) for Australian youth aged 10-25 years. Thirty-seven studies were included. Four
types of community-based youth mental health care programs were identified: therapy (n=16), case management (n=9), integrated 'one-stop-shop' (n=6)
and lifestyle (n=6) programs. The majority of therapeutic programs were effective in reducing mental health symptomology. Case management and
integrated approaches consistently yielded significant improvements in both symptomology and psychosocial outcomes. Lifestyle programs were effective
in alleviating depressive symptoms, but inconclusive for other outcomes. This review provides support for youth-friendly, systemic, multidisciplinary
and integrated assertive outreach models of community mental health care to improve outcomes for young Australians experiencing mental health
concerns. Several recommendations for future research are provided to strengthen the local evidence-base supporting community mental health programs
to ultimately enhance young people's life trajectory. Copyright © 2022. The Author(s).
, 16 :
- Year: 2022
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any), Depressive Disorders, Eating Disorders
(any), Psychosis Disorders, Substance Use Disorders (any)
- Type: Systematic reviews
-
Stage: At risk (indicated or selected prevention), Disorder established (diagnosed disorder), First episode (psychosis only)
-
Treatment and intervention: Complementary & Alternative
Interventions (CAM), Service Delivery & Improvement, Psychological Interventions
(any)
Sauer, K. S., Witthoft,
M.
The Inhibitory Learning Theory (ILT; Craske et al., 2008) changed the focus of exposure-based treatment from erasing
excitatory associations and fear reduction (habituation (HA)) to reinforcing inhibitory associations and fear toleration (inhibitory learning (IL)).
Studies which directly compare both approaches, IL versus HA, are scarce. The present study aimed at implementing and comparing an IL-based (n = 26;
Age: M = 23.59, SD = 4.38) with a HA-based (n = 28; Age: M = 25.46, SD = 6.22) experimental exposure approach (including in vivo, interoceptive, and
in sensu exposure) in a sample of people with heightened health anxiety. A significant pre- to post-intervention reduction of state health anxiety (p
< .001), which was especially associated with an increase of distress tolerance (DT) pre- to post-exposure (F (1, 50) = 12.2, p < .001, etap2 = .20),
was observed. A superiority of the IL-based over the HA-based exposure intervention was not detected in relation to major outcomes (e.g., state
health anxiety), as well as in relation to a change of DT. The present study underlines the importance of strengthening DT (for heightened health
anxiety) during an exposure-based intervention. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)
Journal of Experimental Psychopathology, 13(4) : ArtID
20438087221138716
- Year: 2022
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any)
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: At risk (indicated or selected prevention)
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any), Exposure therapy, Exposure
and response prevention
Sari Ozturk, C., Kilicarslan Toruner, E.
PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the
effectiveness of mindfulness-based mandala activity on the anxiety levels and spiritual well-being of nursing students who started clinical practice
after distance education during COVID-19 period. DESIGN AND METHODS: This study is a randomized controlled study employing a pre-/posttest design
with a single-blind, parallel group. The study was completed with a total of 170 participants (n=84, intervention group; n=86, control group). Data
were collected using the Descriptive Characteristics Form, State-trait Anxiety Inventory, Spirituality Well-Being Scale, and Scale of Positive and
Negative Experience. The intervention group participated in three mindfulness-based mandala sessions. This study was registered with
ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT05053178. FINDINGS: In three sessions, there was a significant decrease in the intervention group compared with the control
group regarding the mean values of pretest and posttest anxiety levels. Evaluation of the mean scores Spiritual Well-Being Scale before and after the
intervention showed a significant decrease in the scores between groups (p<0.05). PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: With mindfulness-based mandala activity, the
well-being of nursing students can be increased. Copyright © 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Perspectives in Psychiatric Care, 58(4) : 2897-
2909
- Year: 2022
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any)
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: Universal prevention
-
Treatment and intervention: Complementary & Alternative
Interventions (CAM), Psychological Interventions
(any), Mindfulness based
therapy, Other complementary & alternative
interventions
Sanchez-Herrera, S., Guerrero-Barona, E., Sosa-Baltasar, D., Moreno-Manso, J. M., Duran-Vinagre, M.
A.
The aim of this article is to evaluate the effectiveness of the implementation of a psycho-educational intervention programme. The objective
of this programme was to achieve optimisation of self-concept and basic socio-emotional skills for comprehensive development in the adolescent stage.
The sample consisted of 402 students from 19 groups from public secondary schools in the province of Badajoz. A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest
design was applied with a control group using the Trait Meta-Mood Scale, Self-Concept Form 5, and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. The analysis
showed that the programme was effective in the family and social dimensions of self-concept, while in the other dimensions, the changes were not
statistically significant. The results for emotion perception, understanding and regulation show that there were no statistically significant
differences in the experimental group, although there were significant differences in the control group.
International Journal of Environmental Research & Public Health [Electronic
Resource], 19(13) : 02
- Year: 2022
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any)
- Type: Controlled clinical trials
-
Stage: Universal prevention
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any), Psychoeducation, Other Psychological Interventions
Salemink, E., de Jong, S. R., Notebaert, L., MacLeod, C., Van Bockstaele,
B.
Background and objectives: Interpretation bias plays a crucial role in anxiety. To test the causal role and potential clinical
benefits, training procedures were developed to experimentally change interpretation bias. However, these procedures are monotonous and plain, which
could negatively affect motivation and adherence. The aim of this study was to make the interpretation training more engaging and enjoyable, without
compromising its effectiveness, through gamification. Methods: The training was gamified by including extrinsically and intrinsically motivating
elements such as points, scores, time-pressure, fun and adaptive elements (training at an individually challenging level). A 2 (Type: Gamified vs.
Standard) x 2 (Training Valence: Positive vs. Placebo) between-subjects design was used with random allocation of 79 above-average anxious
individuals. Post-training, we assessed the liking and recommendation of the training task, interpretation bias (Recognition task and the Scrambled
Sentence Task) and anxiety. Results: Participants experienced the gamified training tasks as more engaging and enjoyable than the standard tasks,
although it was not recommend more to fellow-students. Both positive training conditions (gamified and standard) were successful in eliciting a
positive interpretation bias when assessed with the Recognition task, while only the standard positive training impacted on interpretations when
assessed with the Scrambled Sentence Task. No differential effects were observed on anxiety. Limitations: The study involved only a single-session
training and participants were selected for high trait (and not social) anxiety. Conclusions: The gamified training was evaluated more positively by
the participants, while maintaining the effectiveness of eliciting positive interpretations when assessed with the Recognition task. This suggests
that gamification might be a promising new approach.
Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 76 : 1-
8
- Year: 2022
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any), Social phobia (social anxiety disorder)
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: At risk (indicated or selected prevention)
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any), Attention/cognitive bias
modification
Saelid,
G. A., Czajkowski, N. O., Aaro, L.
E., Andersen, J. R., Idsoe, T., Helleseter, M. D., Holte, A.
BACKGROUND: The previous decades have shown increased symptoms of depression and anxiety among adolescents. To promote mental health and
reduce mental illness, the government of Norway has, as in other countries, pledged that all schools must incorporate life-skills education. We
report results from an evaluation of MindPower, a modification of the Coping With Depression (CWD) course, delivered universally in the classroom to
secondary high school students, aged 15-16 years, in one county in Norway. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of MindPower on symptoms
of depression and anxiety.\rMETHODS: We utilized a two-groups` delayed intervention design where 110 first year high school classes were randomized
into one of two intervention groups (IG1 and IG2). IG1 participated in MindPower while IG2 served as a control group for four months until the
intervention started also in this group. IG1 and IG2 responded to questionnaires before and after the eight weeks course, at the start of the first
and the second booster session, and at the five months follow up. Questionnaires, including online versions of the Hopkins Symptom Checklist (SCL-8)
and the Reynolds Adolescent Depression Scale (RADS-2:SF), were administered to 1673 out of a total of 2384 students. SCL-levels were also compared
with those from a large population study (UngData).\rRESULTS: According to mixed model analyses, SCL-8 and RADS-2:SF showed significant baseline
differences between IG1 and IG2. In IG1 and IG2, both SCL-8 and RADS-2:SF showed a small but significant increase in mean scores throughout the study
period, with markedly lower mean scores among boys. The SCL-levels were first lower for both girls and boys and then after the completion of
MindPower the SCL-levels, equal to the SCL-levels in UngData.\rCONCLUSIONS: No effects of the intervention were found. This large universal school-
based trial suffered from considerable drop-out of participants. Experiences from implementation and evaluation of universal mental health promotion
and preventive school interventions are thoroughly discussed, including, preparation, resources, support, time, realistic expectations, teacher
selection and training, implementation, research designs and more. Several empirically based, practical advices are presented. Clinical Trial
registration 27/08/2018. Registration number NCT03647826.
BMC
psychology, 10(1) : 14
- Year: 2022
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any), Depressive Disorders
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: Universal prevention
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any), Cognitive & behavioural therapies (CBT), Other Psychological Interventions