Disorders - Anxiety Disorders
Dapari, R., Bashaabidin, M. S. M., Hassan, M. R., Dom, N. C., Rahim, S. S. S. A., Wan-Mahiyuddin, W. R.
Depression, anxiety, and stress (DAS) among adolescents have become a public health
concern. The aim of this study was to develop, implement, and measure an IMB-based health education intervention module for reducing DAS among
adolescents in boarding schools in the state of Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. A single-blinded cluster randomised control trial (RCT) was conducted
among students with abnormal DASS-21 scores. They were divided into an intervention group (three schools, 62 participants) and a control group (three
schools, 57 participants). Participants in the intervention group received IMB-based health education, while participants in the control group
underwent the standard care session. To determine the effectiveness of the intervention, the Generalised Linear Mixed Model (GLMM) analysis was
conducted. A total of 119 students participated in this study, and no loss to follow-up was reported. Both intervention and control groups showed
significantly reduced DAS scores (p < 0.005). However, the reduction of these scores was greater in the intervention group. The GLMM analysis
revealed that the intervention was effective in reducing depression (s = -2.400, t = -3.102, SE = 0.7735, p = 0.002, 95% CI = -3.921, -0.878),
anxiety (s = -2.129, t = -2.824, SE = 0.7541, p = 0.005, 95% CI = -3.612, -0.646), and stress (s = -1.335, t = -2.457, SE = 0.536, p = 0.015, 95% CI
= -2.045, -0.266) among adolescents. The IMB-based health education module was effective in reducing DAS among adolescents in boarding schools.
Copyright © 2022 by the authors.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public
Health, 19(22) :
- Year: 2022
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any), Depressive Disorders
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: Universal prevention
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any), Psychoeducation, Skills training, Other Psychological Interventions
Dambi, J., Norman, C., Doukani, A., Potgieter, S., Turner, J., Musesengwa, R., Verhey, R., Chibanda, D.
Background: Common mental health disorders (CMDs) are leading
causes of disability globally. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated the burden of CMDs. COVID-19 containment measures, including
lockdowns, have disrupted access to in-person mental health care. It is therefore imperative to explore the utility of digital mental health
interventions to bridge the treatment gap. Mobile health technologies are effective tools for increasing access to treatment at a lower cost. This
study explores the utility of Inuka, a chat-based app hinged on the Friendship Bench problem-solving therapy intervention. The Inuka app offers
double anonymity, and clients can book or cancel a session at their convenience. Inuka services can be accessed either through a mobile app or the
web. Objective(s): We aimed to explore the feasibility of conducting a future clinical trial. Additionally, we evaluated the feasibility,
acceptability, appropriateness, scalability, and preliminary effectiveness of Inuka. Method(s): Data were collected using concurrent mixed methods.
We used a pragmatic quasiexperimental design to compare the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary clinical effectiveness of Inuka (experimental
group) and WhatsApp chat-based counseling (control). Participants received 6 problem-solving therapy sessions delivered by lay counselors. A
reduction in CMDs was the primary clinical outcome. The secondary outcomes were health-related quality of life (HRQoL), disability and functioning,
and social support. Quantitative outcomes were analyzed using descriptive and bivariate statistics. Finally, we used administrative data and
semistructured interviews to gather data on acceptability and feasibility; this was analyzed using thematic analysis. Result(s): Altogether, 258
participants were screened over 6 months, with 202 assessed for eligibility, and 176 participants were included in the study (recruitment ratio of 29
participants/month). The participants' mean age was 24.4 (SD 5.3) years, and most participants were female and had tertiary education. The mean
daily smartphone usage was 8 (SD 3.5) hours. Eighty-three users signed up and completed at least one session. The average completion rate was 3 out
of 4 sessions. Inuka was deemed feasible and acceptable in the local context, with connectivity challenges, app instability, expensive mobile data,
and power outages cited as potential barriers to scale up. Generally, there was a decline in CMDs (F2,73=2.63; P=.08), depression
(F2,73=7.67; P<.001), and anxiety (F2,73=2.95; P=.06) and a corresponding increase in HRQoL (F2,73=7.287; P<.001) in
both groups. Conclusion(s): Study outcomes showed that it is feasible to run a future large-scale randomized clinical trial (RCT) and lend support to
the feasibility and acceptability of Inuka, including evidence of preliminary effectiveness. The app's double anonymity and structured support were
the most salient features. There is a great need for iterative app updates before scaling up. Finally, a large-scale hybrid RCT with a longer
follow-up to evaluate the clinical implementation and cost-effectiveness of the app is needed. Copyright ©Jermaine Dambi, Clara Norman, Asmae
Doukani, Stephan Potgieter, Jean Turner, Rosemary Musesengwa, Ruth Verhey, Dixon Chibanda.
JMIR Mental
Health, 9(10) :
- Year: 2022
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any), Depressive Disorders
- Type: Controlled clinical trials
-
Stage: At risk (indicated or selected prevention)
-
Treatment and intervention: Service Delivery & Improvement, Psychological Interventions
(any), Problem solving therapy (PST), Supportive
therapy, Other Psychological Interventions, Technology, interventions delivered using technology (e.g. online, SMS)
Dai, Z., Jing, S., Xiao, W., Huang, Y., Chen, X., Fu, J., Pan, C., Tang, Q., Wang, H., Su, X.
Objective: To evaluate the effect of mindfulness intervention on improving mental health among
undergraduate nursing students during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in China. Method(s): An online mindfulness intervention course
named Mindfulness Living With Challenge (MLWC) was developed by the research team, and a randomized controlled trial using MLWC among Chinese
undergraduate nursing students was carried out. A total of 120 undergraduate nursing students were randomized into control (60 students) and
intervention groups (60 students) via a WeChat mini program. Self-administered questionnaire surveys were conducted at pre- and post-intervention,
measuring depression, anxiety, stress, mindfulness, and perceived social support. After intervention, the acceptance of the online mindfulness course
among participants was assessed by employing the theory of technology acceptance model (TAM). Result(s): Among the enrolled 120 participants, 86.67%
(52/60) and 93.33% (56/60) of the intervention and control groups remained completed the trial and the questionnaire surveys. Compared with the
control group, the reduction of anxiety and stress symptoms, as well as the improvement of mindfulness level and perceived social support in the MLWC
intervention group were statistically significant (P < 0.05), while the change in depression was not statistically significant. The scores of the
four dimensions in TAM ranged from (5.88 +/- 0.94) to (5.91 +/- 0.97). Conclusion(s): Online mindfulness intervention implemented in this study is
effective in improving mental health among undergraduate nursing students, and they were interested in this intervention. Clinical trial
registration: [www.ClinicalTrials.gov], identifier [ChiCTR2 200058103]. Copyright © 2022 Dai, Jing, Wang, Xiao, Huang, Chen, Fu, Pan, Tang, Wang and
Su.
Frontiers in Psychiatry, 13 (no pagination) :
- Year: 2022
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any), Depressive Disorders
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: Universal prevention, At risk (indicated or selected prevention)
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any), Mindfulness based
therapy
Dai, M., Liu, G.
Background:
COVID-19 has been confirmed as a public health emergency and may give rise to adverse emotions such as anxiety and fear, and even stress reactions in
serious cases. In a critical period of emotional development, adolescents experience more psychological stress fluctuations. Mindful self-compassion
training is a simple and easy psychological assistance technology that has been recognized as effective, but it has not been applied to adolescents'
psychological problems caused by the epidemic.\rMethods: From September 2021 to January 2022, adolescent volunteers were recruited in this study from
four communities in Chongqing, China. A total of 107 adolescents volunteered to participate in this intervention experiment and were divided by the
table of random numbers into 53 in the experiment group and 54 in the control group. The experiment group was intervened using mindful self-
compassion training in combination with aerobic exercise for two months, while no intervention measures were taken in the control group. Stress
Appraisal Measure, Profile of Mood States and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index were the scales adopted to evaluate the effect before and after the
intervention.\rResults: The experimental group had significantly lower negative mood, stress, sleep scores than the control group (P < 0.001) and
significantly higher differences before and after treatment than the control group (P < 0.001).\rConclusion: The intervention in this study can
effectively reduce the level of negative mood and stress in individuals, and improve their vitality and sleep quality and provides new insights for
the implementation and improvement of psychological assistance technology.
Iranian Journal of Public Health, 51(11) : 2564-2572
- Year: 2022
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any), Depressive Disorders
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: At risk (indicated or selected prevention)
-
Treatment and intervention: Complementary & Alternative
Interventions (CAM), Psychological Interventions
(any), Mindfulness based
therapy, Physical activity, exercise
Cooke, E., Henderson-Wilson, C., Warner,
E., LaMontagne, A.
With levels of stress and anxiety rising among the university
community, universities worldwide are implementing animal-assisted interventions (AAIs) on campus. However, to date, little is known about how to
implement these initiatives. Questions also remain as to the impact of evaluated AAIs on health and wellbeing. Therefore, this study sought to review
the implementation and effectiveness of previous AAIs in university settings. Electronic databases ProQuest Central, Gale and 16 databases within
EBSCOHost were searched with key words, such as AAI, and university or college students for relevant articles. Inclusion criteria included primary
research studies that measured a health, wellbeing or behavioural outcome. A total of 47 articles met inclusion criteria, including 24 RCTs. There
was limited reporting on the implementation of AAIs in the higher education setting. A total of 11 different mental health and behavioural outcomes
have been summarized, with stress, anxiety and mood providing favourable results. An AAI on campus may provide a form of stress and anxiety relief
for the university community. Other mental health and behavioural outcomes require further research to determine their effectiveness. These findings
highlight that an AAI on campus could potentially provide a form of stress and anxiety relief, and could be a strategy for addressing rising levels
of psychological stress and mental health issues among university students and staff in Australia and internationally. Copyright © The Author(s)
2022. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: [email protected].
Health promotion
international., 29 :
- Year: 2022
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any)
- Type: Systematic reviews
-
Stage: Universal prevention, At risk (indicated or selected prevention)
-
Treatment and intervention: Complementary & Alternative
Interventions (CAM), Other complementary & alternative
interventions
Chiodelli, R., Jesus, S. N., Mello, L. T.
N., Andretta, I., Oliveira, D. F., Costa, M. E. S., Russell, T.
Rates of mental health issues have
been increasing among university students. This study investigates the effects of the Interculturality and Mindfulness Program (PIM) on academic
students on mindfulness, emotional regulation, depression, anxiety, stress, life satisfaction, optimism, positive solitude, and loneliness. A quasi-
experimental research was conducted, with pre- and post-test comparative measurements in three groups: in-person (IG), synchronous online (OG), and
passive control (CG). A diverse group of students (n = 150; mean age = 25.4 +/- 8.31) participated from two universities in Portugal. When compared
to the CG, both active groups (IG and OG) demonstrated a beneficial interaction effect in acceptance, positive solitude, optimism, and mindfulness.
The IG demonstrated a positive interaction effect in awareness and satisfaction with life, whereas the OG indicated a favorable interaction effect in
impulse. When analyzing the intra-group effects, both active groups presented a significant improvement in stress, emotion regulation, mindfulness,
positive solitude, and optimism. The OG demonstrated an improvement in awareness and loneliness. The main limitations of this research are that
students were not randomly assigned, and groups were heterogeneous in nationality, education level, and sex. Nonetheless, PIM has indicated
beneficial results in both IG and OG, and is a promising intervention for the prevention of mental health issues (e.g., stress, difficulties in
emotional regulation, and loneliness), as well as for the promotion of well-being (e.g., positive solitude, mindfulness, life satisfaction, and
optimism).
European Journal of Investigation in Health Psychology & Education, 12(10) : 1500-
1515
- Year: 2022
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any), Depressive Disorders
- Type: Controlled clinical trials
-
Stage: Universal prevention
-
Treatment and intervention: Service Delivery & Improvement, Psychological Interventions
(any), Other Psychological Interventions, Mindfulness based
therapy, Technology, interventions delivered using technology (e.g. online, SMS)
Chawla, G., Azharuddin, M., Ahmad, I., Hussain, M. E.
Objectives: To determine the effects of whole-body vibration (WBV) training on depression, anxiety, stress, and quality of life (QoL) in
college students. Method(s): The participants comprised college students who led physically inactive lifestyles as revealed by their Medical Outcomes
Study Form 36 (SF-36) scores, and with elevated scores of Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS) test. They were randomly allocated to two groups of
15 each: (a) the WBV group (male = 3, female = 12) and (b) the exercise group (male = 6, female = 9). The participants in the WBV group performed
prescribed exercises while they stood on a vibrating platform whereas those in the exercise group performed the same exercises but without the
vibrating platform. After four weeks of twice-a-week training, DASS and SF-36 were measured. The pre-and post-scores were compared between the
groups. Result(s): Depression (p < 0.001), anxiety (p < 0.001), and stress (p < 0.001) were found to reduce significantly for the WBV group compared
to the exercise group. There was also significant within-group improvement in all the components of SF-36 (p < 0.040). Conclusion(s): Exercising on
the WBV platform may reduce depression, anxiety, and stress in college students and improve their overall QoL. Copyright © 2022, Oman Medical
Specialty Board. All rights reserved.
Oman Medical
Journal, 37(4) :
- Year: 2022
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any), Depressive Disorders
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: At risk (indicated or selected prevention)
-
Treatment and intervention: Complementary & Alternative
Interventions (CAM), Physical activity, exercise, Other complementary & alternative
interventions
Chang, T. F. H., Ley, B. L., Ramburn, T. T., Srinivasan, S., Hariri,
S., Purandare, P., Subramaniam, B.
College students experienced increased stress and anxiety during
the COVID-19 pandemic. This study evaluated the effect of brief online Isha Upa Yoga modules on undergraduates' mental health and well-being.
Randomized control trial (RCT) with waitlist control crossover (N=679). The intervention group was instructed to learn and practice the modules daily
for 12weeks. At the end of the 4-week RCT, the control group was instructed to learn and practice the modules for the remaining 8weeks. Primary
outcomes included stress and well-being. Secondary outcomes included anxiety, depression, resilience, positive affect and negative affect. Linear
mixed-effects models were used for analyses. Isha Upa Yoga significantly reduced stress (Group [intervention, control]xTime [baseline, Week 4]
interaction, p=.009, d=.27) and increased well-being (GroupxTime interaction p=.002, d=.32). By the study's end, the intervention and control groups
experienced significant improvements in well-being (p<.001, p<.001), stress (p<.001, p<.001), anxiety (p<.001, p<.001), depression (p<.001, p=.004),
positive affect (p=.04, p<.001), and negative affect (p<.001, p<.001). Online Isha Upa Yoga shows promise for mitigating the pandemic's negative
impact on undergraduates' mental health and improving their well-being. Copyright © 2022 The International Association of Applied Psychology.
Applied Psychology: Health and well-being, 14(4) : 1408-
1428
- Year: 2022
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any), Depressive Disorders
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: Universal prevention, At risk (indicated or selected prevention)
-
Treatment and intervention: Complementary & Alternative
Interventions (CAM), Service Delivery & Improvement, Mind-body exercises (e.g. yoga, tai chi, qigong), Physical activity, exercise, Technology, interventions delivered using technology (e.g. online, SMS)
Chandler,
L., Patel, C., Lovecka, L., Gardani, M., Walasek, L., Ellis, J., Meyer, C., Johnson, S., Tang, N. K. Y.
University is a time of significant transitions
during a young adult's life, with delayed and shortened sleep and poor mental health a common occurrence. This systematic review and meta-analysis
examined the effect of both multi-component and single-component sleep interventions on improving university students' sleep and mental health. Five
databases (MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Embase, CINAHL and Cochrane Library) were searched for relevant literature published until April 2022. Treatment
studies including university students aged 18-24 years, participating in a sleep intervention (multi-component, e.g., CBT-I, or single-component,
e.g., sleep hygiene) were eligible. Comparator groups were either active, i.e., alternative intervention, or passive, i.e., waitlist control or
treatment-as-usual, with study outcomes to include measures of sleep and mental health. Of 3435 references screened, 11 studies involving 5267
participants, with and without insomnia symptoms, were included for a narrative synthesis on intervention designs and methodology. Six studies
eligible for meta-analyses showed a moderate effect of sleep interventions in reducing sleep disturbance (SMD = -0.548 [CI: -0.837, -0.258]) at
post-treatment, alongside a small effect in improving anxiety (SMD = -0.226 [CI: -0.421, -0.031]) and depression (SMD = -0.295 [CI: -0.513, -0.077]).
Meta-regression examining study and intervention characteristics identified subpopulation (experiencing insomnia or not) as a significant moderator
for effects on sleep (p = 0.0003) and depression (p = 0.0063), with larger effects in studies with participants experiencing insomnia. Comparison
group type (active or passive) was also a significant moderator (p = 0.0474), with larger effects on sleep in studies using passive comparison
groups. Study type, delivery format, and intervention duration were not identified as significant moderators. At follow-ups, small but significant
effects were sustained for anxiety and depression. Protecting and promoting sleep amongst university students may help safeguard and advance mental
health. Copyright © 2022 The Authors
Sleep Medicine, 100 : 354-363
- Year: 2022
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any), Depressive Disorders
- Type: Systematic reviews
-
Stage: Universal prevention, At risk (indicated or selected prevention)
-
Treatment and intervention: Complementary & Alternative
Interventions (CAM), Psychological Interventions
(any), Cognitive & behavioural therapies (CBT), Psychoeducation, Other Psychological Interventions, Other complementary & alternative
interventions
Cervin, M., Lundgren, T.
BACKGROUND: The efficacy of technology-delivered cognitive-behavioral therapy (tCBT)
for pediatric anxiety disorders (ADs) is uncertain as no meta-analysis has examined outcomes in trials that used structured diagnostic assessments at
pre- and posttreatment.\rMETHODS: We carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of tCBT for pediatric
ADs that included participants <18 years of age with a confirmed primary AD according to a structured diagnostic interview. Nine studies with 711
participants were included.\rRESULTS: tCBT outperformed control conditions for remission for primary AD (37.9% vs. 10.2%; k = 9; OR = 4.73; p <
.0001; I2 = 0%; moderate certainty), remission for all ADs (19.5% vs. 5.3%; k = 8; OR = 3.32; p < .0001; I2 = 0%; moderate
certainty), clinician-rated functioning (k = 7; MD = -4.38; p < .001; I2 = 56.9%; low certainty), and caregiver-reported anxiety (k = 7;
SMD = 0.27; p = .02; I2 = 41.4%; low certainty), but not for youth-reported anxiety (k = 9; SMD = 0.13; p = .12; I2 = 0%; low
certainty). More severe pretreatment anxiety, a lower proportion of completed sessions, no face-to-face sessions, media recruitment, and a larger
proportion of females were associated with lower remission rates for primary AD.\rCONCLUSIONS: tCBT has a moderate effect on remission for pediatric
ADs and clinician-rated functioning, a small effect on caregiver-reported anxiety, and no statistically significant effect on youth-reported anxiety.
The certainty of these estimates is low to moderate. Remission rates vary substantially across trials and several factors that may influence
remission were identified. Future research should examine for whom tCBT is most appropriate and what care to offer the large proportion that does not
remit. Future RCTs should consider contrasting tCBT with partial tCBT (e.g., including therapist-led exposure) and/or face-to-face CBT.
Journal of Child Psychology & Psychiatry & Allied Disciplines, 63(1) : 7
-18
- Year: 2022
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any)
- Type: Systematic reviews
-
Stage: Disorder established (diagnosed disorder)
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any), Cognitive & behavioural therapies (CBT), Technology, interventions delivered using technology (e.g. online, SMS)
Castro-Camacho, L., Diaz, M. M., Barbosa,
S.
Given the high prevalence of
emotional disorders among college students, its high social, emotional and economic costs, and a large treatment gap, we designed and evaluated a
preventive group intervention based on the Unified Protocol for the transdiagnostic treatment of emotional disorders (UP; Barlow et al., 2011). A
total sample of 128 college students in a state university in Bogota (Colombia) was recruited for this quasi-experimental study with three assessment
points: pre-treatment, post-treatment, and three-month follow-up. Participants were included in the control or intervention conditions based on non-
random assignement. At the end of the intervention, group analysis suggested significant declines in transdiagnostic risk factors and neurotic
temperament and gains in mindfulness, perceived control, and emotional dysregulation. Significant declines were found also for emotional variables
such as stress, anxiety, and depression. These results suggest that a preventive intervention based on the Unified Protocol may have a significant
impact on several transdiagnostic risk factors and emotional variables making it a promising prevention and mental health promotion program for
college students. Since this is the first Colombian study on the matter, its replication and the use of larger and more diverse samples are
recommended for future research. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)
Journal of Behavioral and
Cognitive Therapy, 32(2) : 111-123
- Year: 2022
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any), Depressive Disorders
- Type: Controlled clinical trials
-
Stage: Universal prevention
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any), Cognitive & behavioural therapies (CBT)
Carlson, J. M., Fang, L., Koster, E. H. W., Andrzejewski, J. A., Gilbertson, H., Elwell, K. A., Zuidema, T. R.
Attention bias modification (ABM) was developed to alleviate anxious symptoms by way of a reduction in anxiety-linked attentional bias to
threat. Central to the rational of ABM is a learning-related reconfiguration of attentional biases. Yet, the neuroplastic changes in brain structure
that underlie this learning are unresolved. The amygdala, anterior cingulate cortex, and lateral prefrontal cortex are part of a system linked to
attentional bias to threat and its modification with ABM. We assessed the extent to which ABM modulates gray matter volume and resting-state
functional connectivity. Sixty-one individuals selected for attentional bias to threat and heightened trait anxiety completed a 6-week multi-session
ABM protocol with 7200 total training trials. Participants were assigned to either an ABM (n = 30) or a control (n = 31) condition. We found that
participants' levels of attentional bias and anxiety did not differ following ABM and control training interventions. However, the ABM group
displayed greater levels of anterior cingulate cortex gray matter volume as well as greater superior frontal gyrus resting-state functional
connectivity with the anterior cingulate cortex and insula. Changes in anterior cingulate cortex gray matter volume were linked to reduced anxious
symptoms in the ABM, but not control, group. These findings suggest that ABM distinctively impacts structural and functional neural mechanisms
associated with emotion reactivity and cognitive control processes. Copyright © 2022 Elsevier B.V.
Biological Psychology, 172 (no pagination) :
- Year: 2022
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any)
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: At risk (indicated or selected prevention)
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any), Attention/cognitive bias
modification