Disorders - Anxiety Disorders
Rodrigues, J. M., Matos, L. C., Francisco, N., Dias, A., Azevedo,
J., Machado, J.
CONTEXT: Students are vulnerable to developing anxiety, a psychiatric disorder closely related to emotional stress,
when systematically stressed by classes, homework, and evaluations. Qigong integrates physical, respiratory, and mental exercises, inducing
vegetative biofeedback with significant effects on physiological regulation.\rOBJECTIVE: The current study aimed to assess the potential effects of
specific Qigong exercises on students' anxiety levels and evaluate the feasibility of practical integration in a daily school context.\rDESIGN: The
research team developed a randomized controlled trial.\rSETTING: This study was performed in Cedros and Horizonte private schools located in Vila
Nova de Gaia in Portugal.\rPARTICIPANTS: Participants were 104 high-school students at the schools.\rINTERVENTION: Participants were randomly divided
into three groups: (1) an intervention group, the Qigong (QG) group (n = 34), which performed Qigong exercises; (2) a control group, the TV
documentary (TVD) group (n = 34), which watched a TV documentary; and (3) a second control group, the typical school duties (TSD) group (n = 36),
which performed regular school duties.\rOUTCOME MEASURES: Anxiety levels were assessed through a psychological test, the State-Trait Anxiety
Inventory (STAI) and salivary cortisol tests.\rRESULTS: Psychological and biochemical variables assessed at baseline and postintervention showed a
greater decrease in anxiety levels in the QG group than in the other two groups.\rCONCLUSIONS: Qigong seems to be an efficient tool to reduce anxiety
and control the stress of high-school students.
Advances in
Mind-Body Medicine, 35(3) : 10-19
- Year: 2021
- 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)
Richesin, M. T., Baldwin, D. R., Wicks, L. A. M.
Engaging in creative
activities is known to increase well-being by reducing levels of stress, anxiety, and improve life satisfaction. Similarly, virtual reality has
emerged as an effective method for decreasing negative emotions and enhancing aspects of mental health. aspects of mental disorders. The primary aim
of the current study was to compare 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional art-making on measures of stress, anxiety, and mood in a non-clinical college
student sample. Forty-four participants were randomly assigned to a classic art-making intervention in 2-dimensions, a novel art-making intervention
in 3-dimensional virtual reality, or a non-artistic control intervention in virtual reality in order to examine the beneficial outcomes of each
method. Both physiological (heart rate, skin conductance, & alpha amylase) and self-report measures (stress, anxiety, & mood) were recorded before
and after the interventions. Results show that all groups demonstrated a similar ability to reduce anxiety and enhance mood. More specifically, the
virtual reality art making group displayed the greatest decrease in heart rate. Also, significant correlations emerged between salivary alpha amylase
and the self-report measures (anxiety and negative affect). We discuss a common quality of these groups which may provide insight for future studies
regarding art making interventions and health outcomes. Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd
Arts in Psychotherapy, 75 (no pagination) :
- Year: 2021
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any)
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: Universal prevention
-
Treatment and intervention: Complementary & Alternative
Interventions (CAM), Service Delivery & Improvement, Creative expression: music, dance, drama, art, Technology, comparing delivery mode (e.g. online vs. face-to-face)
Ramdhonee-Dowlot, K., Balloo, K., Essau, C. A.
Background: The present study examined the effectiveness of a transdiagnostic prevention programme, Super Skills for Life (SSL),
among children and adolescents with emotional problems in residential care institutions (RCIs) in the low- and middle-income country of Mauritius
using a randomised waitlist-controlled trial (RCT). SSL is based on the principles of cognitive behavioural therapy, behavioural activation, social
skills training, and uses video-feedback and cognitive preparation as part of the treatment. Method(s): The RCT involved 100 children and adolescents
aged 9 to 14 years, from six RCIs, randomly allocated to either an SSL intervention group (IG) or a waitlist-control (WLC) group. A set of
questionnaires measuring internalising and externalising problems, emotion regulation and self-esteem, and experimental tasks measuring attentional
bias and inhibitory control, were completed at baseline, post-intervention and 3-month follow-up. Participants also completed a 2-min video speech
task during the first and final sessions of the SSL intervention. Result(s): Children and adolescents in the IG showed significant improvements in
internalising symptoms (e.g. anxiety and depression), externalising symptoms (e.g. conduct problems and hyperactivity), and inhibitory control, and
an increase in adaptive (except putting into perspective strategy) and decrease in maladaptive emotion regulation strategies, at both post-
intervention and follow-up. These findings were not replicated among children in the WLC. Limitation(s): The small sample size and lack of an active
control group were the major limitations of this study. Conclusion(s): This study provides evidence for the effectiveness of a transdiagnostic
prevention programme for emotional problems in RCIs in a low- and middle-income country. Copyright © 2020
, 278 : 327-
338
- Year: 2021
- 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)
Putwain, D.
W., von-der-Embse, N. P.
Background and objectives: Cognitive-behavioral interventions have been shown to be effective treatments for test anxiety. Studies on
school-aged populations, however, are lacking. Design and methods: In the present study we evaluated a six-session cognitive-behavioral intervention
for test anxiety in a sample of secondary school students aged 14-16 years preparing for high-stakes examinations. Furthermore, we extended outcomes
to include school-related wellbeing and clinical anxiety. A screening procedure was used to identify highly test anxious persons who were randomly
allocated to intervention or wait-list control groups. Result(s): Test anxiety showed a large reduction following intervention compared to control
group participants who showed a moderate reduction. Clinical anxiety showed a small to moderate reduction following intervention compared to control
group participants who showed a negligible reduction. The reduction in clinical anxiety was mediated by concurrent reductions in test anxiety.
Conclusion(s): This supports an integrative network approach that deactivating core aspects of anxiety can deactivate associated networks of anxiety
symptoms. The intervention showed no impact on school-related wellbeing which increased at a similar rate for both intervention and control group
participants. This is likely because test anxiety is just one contributor of many to school-related wellbeing. Implications for school-based
treatments are discussed.
Anxiety, stress, and
coping, 34(1) : 22-36
- Year: 2021
- 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)
Plaisted, H., Waite,
P., Gordon, K., Creswell, C.
Cognitive behavioural therapy is an effective treatment for anxiety disorders in children and young
people; however, many do not benefit. Behavioural exposure appears to be the critical ingredient in the treatment of anxiety disorders. Research with
adults has identified innovative strategies to optimise exposure-based treatments, yet it is not clear how to optimise the effects of exposure for
children and young people. This review was a preliminary exploration of the association between potential optimisation strategies and treatment
procedures and outcomes for the treatment of child anxiety symptoms/disorders. We searched Psych-Info and Medline databases using a systematic search
strategy and identified 29 articles. We found preliminary evidence that some specific strategies may enhance the effects of exposure, such as
dropping safety behaviours, parents and therapists discouraging avoidance, and the use of homework. However, not one significant finding was
replicated by another study for the same timepoint using the same methodology. To a large degree, this lack of replication reflects a limited number
of studies combined with a lack of consistency across studies around conceptualisations, methodological approaches, and outcome measures making it
difficult to make meaningful comparisons between studies and draw firm conclusions. Examination is needed of a wide range of theoretically-driven
potential optimisation strategies using methodologically robust, preclinical studies with children and young people. Furthermore, the methods used in
future research must enable comparisons across studies and explore developmental differences in the effects of particular optimisation
strategies.
Clinical child and family psychology review, 24(2) : 348-
369
- Year: 2021
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any)
- Type: Systematic reviews
-
Stage: Disorder established (diagnosed disorder), At risk (indicated or selected prevention)
-
Treatment and intervention: Biological Interventions
(any), Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), Antidepressants
(any), Psychological Interventions
(any), Cognitive & behavioural therapies (CBT), Exposure therapy, Exposure
and response prevention, Skills training, Other Psychological Interventions, D-cycloserine (DCS), Attention/cognitive bias
modification
Phillips, S., Mychailyszyn, M.
Anxiety disorders are
one of the most prevalent disorders in youth and can have substantial negative impacts when left untreated. Parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT)
is an evidence-based approach for treating externalizing problems within youth. However, PCIT may have a unique advantage for treating anxiety
symptoms and disorders because of its accessibility for younger children that may be too young to benefit from traditional cognitive behavioral
therapy. The parent training aspect of PCIT could also give added support to parents by teaching them more effective ways to cope with their child's
anxiety symptoms. The current meta-analysis aimed to determine the efficacy of PCIT and adaptations to PCIT in reducing anxious symptomology in
youth. PsycINFO and PubMed were searched for relevant articles and yielded 15 articles that met inclusion criteria. Statistical analyses showed that
PCIT overall was significantly more effective at reducing anxious symptomology than control groups. In addition, participants who had comorbid
diagnoses in addition to anxiety had comparable reductions in anxiety as participants who did not have comorbid diagnoses. Participants with
subclinical anxiety levels also demonstrated significant reductions in anxiety symptoms overall, suggesting that PCIT may be a promising early
intervention for halting the progression toward disorder-threshold anxiety. Overall, this meta-analysis provides preliminary evidence that PCIT is an
effective intervention for in ameliorating anxiety symptoms in youth. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)
Children and Youth
Services Review Vol 125 2021, ArtID 105986, 125 :
- Year: 2021
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any)
- Type: Systematic reviews
-
Stage: At risk (indicated or selected prevention), Disorder established (diagnosed disorder)
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any), Other Psychological Interventions
Perkins, A. M., Bowers, G., Cassidy, J., Meiser-Stedman, R., Pass, L.
OBJECTIVE: This randomized controlled trial feasibility study aimed to investigate
a single-session mindset intervention, incorporating third-wave constructs, within educational settings as a universal tool to promote emotional
wellbeing. METHOD(S): Eighty adolescents (age M=16.63) were randomized to the 30-min computer intervention or a usual curriculum waitlist. Outcome
measures were administered at baseline, posttreatment, 4-week, and 8-week follow-ups. RESULT(S): Student feedback about the intervention and trial
procedure was mainly positive. Participants engaged with the intervention content and data were suggestive of possible small-large intervention
effects for targeted mechanisms of personality mindset and psychological flexibility. Between-group differences over time across wellbeing outcomes
of self-compassion, self-esteem, low mood, and anxiety also yielded some promising results, though assessments of reliable change were less clear. No
harm was reported. CONCLUSION(S): The intervention and study design were deemed feasible, though areas for improvement were noted. A full-scale trial
to determine effectiveness is warranted. Copyright © 2021 The Authors. Journal of Clinical Psychology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Journal of clinical psychology, 77(4) : 946-
967
- Year: 2021
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any), Depressive Disorders
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: Universal prevention
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any), Other Psychological Interventions
Peris, T. S., Thamrin, H., Rozenman, M. S.
Parent- and family-level
correlates of youth anxiety are well-documented, and they highlight potential targets for family-focused intervention. Although family-based
approaches for treating youth anxiety generally are considered efficacious for achieving symptom reduction, they vary in format and approach and it
remains unclear whether they offer an advantage over individual child treatment. To better understand the current state of the evidence, we used
meta-analytic methods to examine the therapeutic approaches described in existing family interventions for child and adolescent anxiety, whether they
mapped to the major mechanisms proposed in the literature, and the timeline along which relevant parent/family variables were measured. We examined
how these mechanism-focused family interventions performed in RCTs relative to individual child CBT and whether they shifted symptoms and relevant
parenting behaviors. A total of 11 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) compared individual cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) to CBT+ a family
component (CBT + FAM) and included a youth anxiety measure at pre- and post-treatment; only half of these (n=6) also included a parent/family
functioning measure at both pre- and post-treatment (across both primary and secondary outcome papers). Only a single study included anxiety measures
at a mid-treatment time point, and none included parent measures at a mid-treatment time point. Findings are discussed in terms of design
considerations and advancing the field of family intervention for youth anxiety. Copyright © 2021
, 286 : 282-295
- Year: 2021
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any)
- Type: Systematic reviews
-
Stage: Disorder established (diagnosed disorder)
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any), Cognitive & behavioural therapies (CBT), Other Psychological Interventions
Peris, T. S., Sugar, C. A., Rozenman, M. S., Walkup, J. T., Albano, A. M., Compton, S., Sakolsky, D., Ginsburg, G., Keeton, C., Kendall, P. C., McCracken, J. T., Piacentini, J.
OBJECTIVE: (1) To describe rates of long-term service use among subjects previously enrolled in a landmark study of
youth anxiety disorder treatment and followed into early adulthood; (2) to examine predictors of long-term service use; and (3) to examine the
relationship between anxiety diagnosis and service use over time.\rMETHOD: The Child/Adolescent Anxiety Multimodal Extended Long-term Study
prospectively assessed youths treated through the Child/Adolescent Anxiety Multimodal Study at ages 7-17 years into early adulthood. A total of 319
youths (mean age 17.7, 55.2% female) previously randomized to cognitive-behavioral therapy, sertraline, combination, or placebo for the treatment of
anxiety participated; 318 had service use data. Four annual clinic assessments were conducted along with telephone check-ins every 6 months.
\rRESULTS: Overall, 65.1% of participants endorsed receiving some form of anxiety treatment over the course of the follow-up period, with more
subjects reporting medication use than psychotherapy; 35.2% reported consistent use of services over the course of the study. Overall, service use
declined over time in subjects with less severe anxiety but remained more steady in those with recurrent/chronic symptoms. Levels of life stress and
depressive symptoms were associated with amount of service use over time whereas treatment-related variables (type of initial intervention, acute
response, remission) were not. A subset of youths remained chronically anxious despite consistent service use.\rCONCLUSION: These findings point to
the need to develop models of care that approach anxiety disorders as chronic health conditions in need of active long-term management.
Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 60(4) : 501-
512
- Year: 2021
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any)
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: Disorder established (diagnosed disorder)
-
Treatment and intervention: Biological Interventions
(any), Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), Antidepressants
(any), Psychological Interventions
(any), Cognitive & behavioural therapies (CBT)
Pereira, J. C. M., Besana, F., Soardo, L., Kaur, S., Cabras, A., Arienti, V., Vaquerizo-Serrano,
J., dePablo, G. S., Fusar-Poli, P.
Introduction: Anxiety disorders are considered amongst the highest
prevalent mental disorders, with literature stating that up to 33.7% of the population is affected during their lifetime.[1] Anxiety disorders are
characterized by a progressive and persistent course and are associated with considerable functioning impairment. [2] Given the impact of anxiety
disorders it's clear the importance of prevention. In the present work, we aim to investigate the effectiveness of interventions to prevent anxiety
features in young people. Method(s): A multi-step literature search was performed to identify relevant articles comparing post-test efficacy
(Hedges' g=ES) of universal or selective interventions for poor mental health outcomes vs a control group. To note, we followed Gordon's
classification of prevention of physical illness. As so, universal prevention targets individuals in the general population or in a whole population
group that has not been identified based on increased risk. On the other hand, selective prevention targets individuals or subgroups of the
population at risk of developing a mental disorder due to biological, psychological or social risk factors. In this work, we did not review indicated
preventive approaches. Inclusion criteria were a) original interventional studies, b) including an intervention and control group, c) reporting
meta-analysable data, d) in individuals < 35 years old and c) written in English language. Data were selected and extracted by independent
researchers. Discrepancies were resolved through consensus. A subgroup analysis was performed including four specific intervention categories
(psychoeducation, psychotherapy, combined interventions, and other interventions). Random-effects meta-analyses were conducted because of high
heterogeneity. The meta-analysis was conducted using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA) version 3. Result(s): We included 87 studies on anxiety
features, totalling 28992 subjects (14428 individuals in the intervention group and 14564 in the control group). Of the 87 included studies, 32
(36.78%) focused on universal interventions and 55 (63.22%) on selective interventions. The majority of the studies focused on children and
adolescents (51 studies, 58.62%). Regarding specific interventions: 31 studies focused on psychoeducation interventions (35.63%), 21 studies on
psychotherapy (24.14%), 16 studies on combined interventions (18.39%), and 19 on other interventions (21.84%). Universal and selective preventive
interventions for anxiety features were effective (ES=0.393, 95%CI=0.273-0.514). Psychotherapy had the highest effect size (ES=0.453, 95%CI=0.274-
0.631) followed by psychoeducation (ES=0.425, 95%CI=0.140-0.709) and other interventions (ES=0.345, 95%CI=0.158-0.532). Heterogeneity across the
included studies was statistically significant (p<0.001). Publication bias was not detected (p>0.05). Conclusion(s): According to our findings,
preventive interventions for anxiety features carried out in young people might be effective, especially psychotherapy, although the effect sizes
were small. In fact, cognitive behavioural interventions have been suggested to be effective to reduce anxiety symptoms, being considered a first
line treatment to anxiety disorders according to NICE guidelines.[3] Although future consolidating research is needed, prevention programs based on
cognitive behavioural interventions and psychoeducation (at schools or in the community) may reduce anxiety features in young people. No conflict of
interest Copyright © 2021
, 53(Supplement 1) : S24-
S25
- Year: 2021
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any)
- Type: Systematic reviews
-
Stage: Universal prevention, At risk (indicated or selected prevention)
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any), Psychoeducation, Other Psychological Interventions
Pascoe, M. C., Bailey, A. P., Craike, M., Carter, T., Patten, R. K., Stepto, N. K., Parker, A. G.
Exercise can improve mental health; however many tertiary students do not reach
recommended levels of weekly engagement. Short-term exercise may be more achievable for tertiary students to engage in to promote mental health,
particularly during times of high stress. The current scoping review aimed to provide an overview of controlled trials testing the effect of short-
term (single bout and up to 3 weeks) exercise across mental health domains, both at rest and in response to an experimentally manipulated laboratory
stress task, in tertiary students. The search was conducted using 'Evidence Finder,' a database of published and systematic reviews and controlled
trials of interventions in the youth mental health field. A total of 14 trials meet inclusion criteria, six measured mental health symptoms in
response to an experimentally manipulated laboratory stress task and the remaining eight measured mental health symptoms. We found that short-term
exercise interventions appeared to reduce anxiety like symptoms and anxiety sensitivity and buffered against a drop in mood following an
experimentally manipulated laboratory stress task. There was limited available evidence testing the impacts of exercise on depression like symptoms
and other mental health mental health domains, suggesting further work is required. Universities should consider implementing methods to increase
student knowledge about the relationship between physical exercise and mental health and student access to exercise facilities. Copyright © 2021, The
Author(s).
, 7(1) (no
pagination) :
- Year: 2021
- 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), Physical activity, exercise
Parilli-Moser, I., Dominguez-Lopez, I., Trius-Soler, M., Castellvi, M., Bosch, B., Castro-Barquero, S., Estruch, R., Hurtado-Barroso, S., Lamuela-Raventos, R. M.
Background:
Peanuts are rich in bioactive compounds that may have a positive impact on memory and stress response. Objective(s): To evaluate the effect of
regular consumption of peanut products on cognitive functions and stress response in healthy young adults. Design(s): A three-arm parallel-group
randomized controlled trial was conducted in 63 healthy young adults that consumed 25 g/day of skin roasted peanuts (SRP, n = 21), 32 g/d of peanut
butter (PB, n = 23) or 32 g/d of a control butter made from peanut oil (free of phenolic compounds and fiber) (CB, n = 19) for six months. Polyphenol
intake, cognitive functions, and anxiety and depression scores were evaluated using validated tests. Fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and plasma
and fecal fatty acids were assessed by chromatographic methods. Urinary cortisol was quantified by an enzymatic method. Result(s): Comparing the two
interventions with the control, a significant reduction in anxiety scores was observed in the SRP compared to the CB group. After the intervention,
consumers of SRP and PB had an improved immediate memory (p = 0.046 and p = 0.011). Lower anxiety scores were associated with SRP and PB (p < 0.001
and p = 0.002, respectively) and lower depression scores with SRP, PB and CB (p = 0.007, p = 0.003 and p = 0.032, respectively). Memory functions and
stress response were significantly correlated with polyphenol intake, fecal SCFAs, plasma and fecal very long chain saturated fatty acids (VLCSFAs).
Conclusion(s): Regular peanut and peanut butter consumption may enhance memory function and stress response in a healthy young population. These
effects seem to be associated with the intake of peanut polyphenols, increased levels of fecal SCFAs, and unexpectedly, VLCSFAs, which were also
present in the control product. Copyright © 2021 The Author(s)
, 40(11) : 5556-5567
- Year: 2021
- 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