Disorders - Anxiety Disorders
Parbery-Clark, C., Lubamba, M., Tanner, L., McColl, E.
BACKGROUND: The aim of this systematic review was to
evaluate the effectiveness of Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAIs), particularly Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) and Animal-Assisted Activity (AAA), in
improving mental health outcomes for students in higher education. The number of students in higher education reporting mental health problems and
seeking support from universities' student support services has risen over recent years. Therefore, providing engaging interventions, such as AAIs,
that are accessible to large groups of students are attractive.\rMETHODS: MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Embase and Cochrane Library were searched from relative
inception to end of April 2020. Additionally, a grey literature search was undertaken. Independent screening, data extraction and risk of bias
assessment were completed, with varying percentages, by two reviewers.\rRESULTS: After de-duplication, 6248 articles were identified of which 11
studies were included in the narrative synthesis. The evidence from randomised controlled trials suggests that AAIs could provide short-term
beneficial results for anxiety in students attending higher education but with limited evidence for stress, and inconclusive evidence for depression,
well-being and mood. For the non-statistically significant results, the studies either did not include a power calculation or were under-powered.
\rCONCLUSIONS: Potential emerging evidence for the short-term benefits of AAI for anxiety, and possibly stress, for students in higher education was
found.
International Journal of Environmental
Research & Public Health [Electronic Resource], 18(20) : 14
- Year: 2021
- 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
Pang, N. T. P., Tio, V. C. S., Bhupendar-Singh, A. S., Tseu, M. W. L., Shoesmith, W. D., Abd-Rahim, M. A., Mohd-Kassim, M. A.
INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 has trickle down effects psychologically on multiple strata of society, particularly university students.
Apart from the worry of contracting or spreading COVID-19, Malaysian university students were also locked down in campuses, suffering significant
psychological distress. Hence, an online mindfulness intervention was proposed to alleviate psychological distress and improve psychological
flexibility and mindfulness. METHOD(S): The study was a quasi-experimental study, with university students as participants. Intervention group
participants were instructed to fill up online questionnaires which included basic demographics, as well as instruments assessing depression,
anxiety, stress, mindfulness, psychological flexibility and fear of COVID-19 before and after the one-hour intervention. The control group completed
pre- and postquestionnaires then subsequently crossed over to the intervention group. Repeated measures ANOVA was performed to assess time*group
effects. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION(S): 118 participants were involved in this study. There was significant difference in terms of anxiety (F(1, 116) =
34.361, p<.001, partial eta-squared = .229) and psychological flexibility between these two groups ( F(1, 116) = 11.010, p = .001, partial eta-
squared = .087), while depression, stress, mindfulness and fear of COVID-19 showed no difference. Results of this study corroborates the efficacy of
online single session mindfulness therapy as a viable short-term psychological intervention amidst financial and time constraint. As university
students are in the age group of highest incidences of depressive and anxiety disorders, it is crucial to utilize resources to address as many
students as possible to ensure maximal benefit.
, 11 :
- Year: 2021
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any), Depressive Disorders
- Type: Controlled clinical trials
-
Stage: Universal prevention, At risk (indicated or selected prevention)
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any), Mindfulness based
therapy
Ozogul,
A.
Introduction: The literature shows a high prevalence of psychopathological problems, anxiety and depression
among university students because of academic expectations, uncertain future plans, staying away from their family, economic issues and peer
relationships. Although these problems show high prevalence among university students, providing them a professional care is limited so most of
problems remain untreated. Nowadays the students use digital technologies commonly therefore web based and computer delivered interventions may be
useful for them to improve resilience and coping strategies. Objective(s): The intent of the study was to review systematically the impacts of web
based and computer delivered interventions regarding stress management among university students. Method(s): Several databases were searched with
using key words such as university students, online interventions, web based interventions and stress management. Randomised controlled studies were
reviewed. Result(s): We found 284 article with the key words. Only four of them met the including criterias. All results of reviewed articles show
that web based online interventions have an impact to reduce depression, stress and anxiety level among students. According to the results students
improved coping skills against stress after web based online sessions. Conclusion(s): The findings show that web based and computed delivered
interventions can be effective to improve resilience and reduce students' depression, anxiety and stress symptoms when compared non-interactive and
inactive controls. In addition online interventions regarding stress management may provide us to reach out large group of university students.
European Psychiatry, 64(Supplement 1) : S756-
S757
- Year: 2021
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any), Depressive Disorders
- Type: Systematic reviews
-
Stage: At risk (indicated or selected prevention)
-
Treatment and intervention: Service Delivery & Improvement, Technology, interventions delivered using technology (e.g. online, SMS)
Osborn, Tom L., Venturo-
Conerly, Katherine E., Arango, G., Roe, Elizabeth, Rodriguez, Micaela, Alemu, Rediet G., Gan, Jenny, Wasil, Akash R., Otieno,
Benny H., Rusch, Thomas, Ndetei, David M., Wasanga, Christine, Schleider, Jessica L., Weisz, John R.
Importance: Low-cost interventions for adolescent depression and anxiety are needed in low-resource
countries such as those in Sub-Saharan Africa. Objective: To assess whether Shamiri, a 4-week layperson-delivered group intervention that teaches
growth mindset, gratitude, and value affirmation, can alleviate depression and anxiety symptoms in symptomatic Kenyan adolescents. Design, setting,
and participants: This school-based randomized clinical trial included outcomes assessed at baseline, posttreatment, and 2-week and 7-month follow-up
from 4 secondary schools in Nairobi and Kiambu County, Kenya. Adolescents aged 13 to 18 years with elevated symptoms on standardized depression or
anxiety measures were eligible. Intent-to-treat analyses were used to analyze effects. Recruitment took place in June 2019; follow-up data were
collected in August 2019 and February 2020. Intervention: Adolescents were randomized to the Shamiri intervention or to a study skills control. All
adolescents in both conditions met in groups (mean group size, 9) for 60 minutes per week for 4 weeks. Main outcomes and measures: Primary outcomes
were depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-8 item) and anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 item) symptoms. Analyses of imputed data were
hypothesized to reveal significant reductions in depression and anxiety symptoms for adolescents assigned to Shamiri compared with those in the study
skills group. Results: Of 413 adolescents, 205 (49.6%) were randomized to Shamiri and 208 (50.4%) to study skills. The mean (SD) age was 15.5 (1.2)
years, and 268 (65.21%) were female. A total of 307 youths completed the 4-week intervention. Both Shamiri and study skills were rated highly useful
(4.8/5.0) and reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety, but analyses with imputed data revealed that youths receiving Shamiri showed greater
reductions in depressive symptoms at posttreatment (Cohen d = 0.35 [95% CI, 0.09-0.60]), 2-week follow-up (Cohen d = 0.28 [95% CI, 0.04-0.54]), and
7-month follow-up (Cohen d = 0.45 [95% CI, 0.19-0.71]) and greater reductions in anxiety symptoms at posttreatment (Cohen d = 0.37 [95% CI, 0.11-
0.63]), 2-week follow-up (Cohen d = 0.26 [95% CI, -0.01 to 0.53]), and 7-month follow-up (Cohen d = 0.44 [95% CI, 0.18-0.71]). Conclusions and
relevance: Both the Shamiri intervention and a study skills control group reduced depression and anxiety symptoms; the low-cost Shamiri intervention
had a greater effect, with effects lasting at least 7 months. If attrition is reduced and the clinical significance of outcome differences is
established, this kind of intervention may prove useful in other global settings where there are limited resources, mental illness stigma, or a
shortage of professionals and limited access to mental health care. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)
JAMA Psychiatry, 78(8) : 829-
837
- Year: 2021
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any), Depressive Disorders
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: At risk (indicated or selected prevention)
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any), Other Psychological Interventions
Orsolini, L., Pompili, S., Salvi, V., Volpe, U.
Background and Objectives: The Internet
is widely used and disseminated amongst youngsters and many web-based applications may serve to improve mental health care access, particularly in
remote and distant sites or in settings where there is a shortage of mental health practitioners. However, in recent years, specific digital
psychiatry interventions have been developed and implemented for special populations such as children and adolescents. Material(s) and Method(s):
Hereby, we describe the current state-of-the-art in the field of TMH application for young mental health, focusing on recent studies concerning
anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder and affective disorders. Result(s): After screening and selection process, a total of 56 studies focusing on
TMH applied to youth depression (n = 29), to only youth anxiety (n = 12) or mixed youth anxiety/depression (n = 7) and youth OCD (n = 8) were
selected and retrieved. Conclusion(s): Telemental Health (TMH; i.e., the use of telecommunications and information technology to provide access to
mental health assessment, diagnosis, intervention, consultation, supervision across distance) may offer an effective and efficacious tool to overcome
many of the barriers encountering in the delivery of young mental health care.
Medicina, 57(8) :
- Year: 2021
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Depressive Disorders
- Type: Systematic reviews
-
Stage: Universal prevention, At risk (indicated or selected prevention)
-
Treatment and intervention: Service Delivery & Improvement, Psychological Interventions
(any), Technology, interventions delivered using technology (e.g. online, SMS)
Orosa-Duarte, A., Mediavilla, R., Munoz-Sanjose, A., Palao, A., Garde, J., Lopez-Herrero, V., Bravo-Ortiz, M. F., Bayon, C., Rodriguez-Vega, B.
OBJECTIVE: To
compare the effect of a mindfulness-based mobile application versus an in-person mindfulness-based training program in terms of reducing anxiety and
increasing empathy, self-compassion, and mindfulness in a population of healthcare students. METHOD(S): The authors conducted a single-blind,
randomised controlled trial with three parallel groups. Participants were allocated to the mobile app, the in-person mindfulness-based program
(IMBP), or a control group. Assessments at baseline and postintervention (8weeks) included measures of anxiety, empathy, self-compassion, and
mindfulness. RESULT(S): Of 168 students randomised, 84 were analysed on an intention-to-treat basis (app: n=31; IMBP: n=23; control: n=30). The
mobile app group showed a large effect size for reductions in trait anxiety compared with controls (g=0.85, p=0.003), and a medium, nonsignificant
effect compared with the IMBP group (g=0.52, p=0.152). Participants from both interventions experienced a significant increase in self-compassion and
mindfulness compared with controls. Levels of empathy remained unchanged for the 3 arms. CONCLUSION(S): A mobile app can be as effective as an IMBP
in reducing anxiety and increasing self-compassion and mindfulness among healthcare students.
Medical teacher, : 1-
21
- Year: 2021
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any)
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: At risk (indicated or selected prevention)
-
Treatment and intervention: Service Delivery & Improvement, Psychological Interventions
(any), Mindfulness based
therapy, Technology, comparing delivery mode (e.g. online vs. face-to-face)
Olsson, N. C., Juth, P., Ragnarsson, E. H., Lundgren,
T., Jansson-Frojmark, M., Parling, T.
Recent reviews estimated that the worldwide prevalence of anxiety and depression in children and adolescents is increasing, which has led
to rising demands for treatment. Studies on clinical outcomes have shown positive effects of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in children and
adolescents with anxiety and depression. However, there is a limited body of studies on the perspectives and experiences of the treatment
participants. The objective of this review was to investigate treatment satisfaction with CBT among children and adolescents with anxiety and
depression. We focused on the reporting quality of the treatment satisfaction and experiences of participants in the selected studies. From 1379
identified studies, 35 were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The results of a meta-synthesis and proportional meta-analysis
suggest moderate to high treatment satisfaction with CBT in depressed and anxious children and adolescents. The included studies showed moderate to
good reporting quality on treatment satisfaction. The measurements used varied, indicating a risk of different evaluations under the concept of
\"treatment satisfaction\". The common topics measured for treatment satisfaction were acceptability, treatment usefulness, alliance, barriers,
recommendation, and others, leading to uncertainty concerning generalization. A wide variety of measures were used, indicating the need for
standardized measures for treatment satisfaction in future research. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)
Journal of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapy, 31(2) : 147-
191
- Year: 2021
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any)
- Type: Systematic reviews
-
Stage: Disorder established (diagnosed disorder)
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any), Cognitive & behavioural therapies (CBT)
Olga, P., Irina, S.
Background: Modern life realities in the developed countries presuppose an attentive attitude to human health, and the success of the
dynamic development of society greatly depends on the health of young people. It is them who will have to identify and solve global issues regarding
transformation and development of the state and society in the future. Great difficulties can arise with a change in the teaching time and regime for
students of higher educational institutions. During the COVID-19 pandemic, having moved from classrooms to isolated flats or houses, students were
left without a direct, open opportunity to communicate with their peer sand teachers. They had to spend a lot of time at a computer and lead a
passive lifestyle, having dramatically changed their usual conditions to self-isolation. Methodology: The current study has been conducted using
methods of pedagogical observation, a questionnaire and an online testing. The experimental platform for the study was the physical training (PT)
classes at the Russian University of Transport in Moscow. The pedagogical experiment was conducted from September 2019 till May 2020. Result(s): The
conducted online testing has shown a significant decline in the indicators of anxiety in the experimental group (P <0.01) compared with the control
group. The results of the current study showed that the students of the experimental group, being trained according to the methodology developed by
the authors of the current paper, significantly reduced the indicators of situational anxiety on 32.3%, and personal anxiety on 33.3%. The indicators
of situational and personal anxiety among students of the control group were moderate (mean). Conclusion(s): The effect of the combination of
volleyball and oriental health-improving practices on the psycho-emotional state of a person allowed students to reduce the indicators of their
situational and general anxiety, which has confirmed a positive effect of oriental health-improving practices combined with sports games on health.
Copyright © 2021, Institute of Medico-Legal Publications. All rights reserved.
Indian Journal of Public Health Research and Development, 12(4) : 284-
290
- Year: 2021
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any)
- Type: Controlled clinical trials
-
Stage: Universal prevention
-
Treatment and intervention: Complementary & Alternative
Interventions (CAM), Physical activity, exercise
OBryan, E. M., McLeish, A. C., Norr, A. M., Ely, S., Bass, Z., Davies, C. D., Capron, D. W., Schmidt, N. B., Mano, K. E. J.
It is estimated that
individuals with severe health anxiety (HA) utilize 41 %-78 % more healthcare resources than individuals with identified medical diagnoses. Thus,
identifying targets for intervention and prevention efforts for HA that are appropriate for primary care or specialty clinic settings is imperative.
The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the effect of a single-session, computerized anxiety sensitivity (AS) intervention on AS and HA.
Participants were 68 university students (79.4 % female; Mage = 19.68) with elevated levels of AS and HA. Participants were randomized to
either the AS intervention condition or an active control condition and completed self-report and behavioral follow-up assessments at post-
intervention, 1-week follow-up, and 1-month follow-up. Results indicated a significant Time x Condition interaction for ASI-3 at each follow-up
assessment (all ps <.001), such that individuals in the active condition exhibited greater reductions in AS compared to the control condition. There
was no significant Time x Condition interaction for HA at any follow-up. Mediation analyses revealed a significant indirect effect of Condition on
changes in HA through changes in AS. No significant effects were observed for behavioral outcomes. Findings suggest that this intervention
successfully reduces AS among those who are high in HA and AS and may indirectly contribute to reductions in HA over time through reductions in AS.
Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd
, 82 (no
pagination) :
- Year: 2021
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any)
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: At risk (indicated or selected prevention)
-
Treatment and intervention: Service Delivery & Improvement, Psychological Interventions
(any), Psychoeducation, Attention/cognitive bias
modification, Technology, interventions delivered using technology (e.g. online, SMS)
O’Dea, B., Subotic-Kerry,
M., King, C., Mackinnon, A. J., Achilles, M. R., Anderson, M., Parker, B., Werner-Seidler, A., Torok, M., Cockayne, N., Baker, S. T. E., Christensen,
H.
Background: Secondary schools have attempted to address gaps in help-seeking for mental health problems with little success. This trial
evaluated the effectiveness of a universal web-based service (Smooth Sailing) for improving help-seeking intentions for mental health problems and
other related outcomes among students. Method(s): A cluster randomised controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the 12-week outcomes of the Smooth
Sailing service among 1841 students from 22 secondary schools in New South Wales, Australia. Assignment was conducted at the school level. The
control condition received school-as-usual. The primary outcome was help-seeking intentions for general mental health problems at 12-weeks post-
baseline. Secondary outcomes included help-seeking behaviour, anxiety and depressive symptoms, psychological distress, psychological barriers to
help-seeking, and mental health literacy. Data were analysed using mixed linear models. This trial was registered with the Australian and New Zealand
Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12618001539224). Finding(s): At 12-weeks post-baseline, there was a marginal statistical difference in the relative
means of help-seeking intentions (effect size=0*10, 95%CI: -0*02-0*21) that favoured the intervention condition. Help-seeking from adults declined in
both conditions. There was a greater reduction in the number of students who \"needed support for their mental health but were not seeking help\" in
the intervention condition (OR: 2*08, 95%CI: 1*72-2.27, P<*0001). No other universal effects were found. Participants found the service easy to use
and understand; However, low motivation, time, forgetfulness, and lack of perceived need were barriers to use. Interpretation(s): Smooth Sailing led
to small improvements in help-seeking intentions. Refinements are needed to improve its effectiveness on other mental health outcomes and to increase
student uptake and engagement. Funding(s): HSBC and Graf Foundation. Copyright © 2021
The Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific, 12 (no
pagination) :
- Year: 2021
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any), Depressive Disorders
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: Universal prevention
-
Treatment and intervention: Service Delivery & Improvement, Psychological Interventions
(any), Cognitive & behavioural therapies (CBT), Psychoeducation, Technology, interventions delivered using technology (e.g. online, SMS)
Nieto, I., Vazquez, C.
Background: Negative interpretation bias is a potential risk factor for
emotional disorders. In this study, we tested a clinically inspired 4-session online Cognitive Bias Modification-Interpretation (CBM-
IClin) program to modify negative interpretation biases. Method(s): We randomized one hundred and twenty-one volunteer young adults (Mean
age = 21.6 years, SD = 3.5; 85 % women) with varying levels of emotional distress to either an experimental or waitlist control group. Mediation
analyses were used to disentangle the associations between the intervention, changes in interpretation biases (assessed by both a self-report and an
experimental task), and changes in measures of cognitive vulnerability and symptoms of depression and anxiety. Result(s): The results showed that the
CBM-IClin could change negative interpretation biases. Also, it had a direct effect on the change in negative memory bias, an indirect
effect on the change in depression symptoms via the change in interpretation bias, and both direct and indirect effects on the change in self-
reported dysfunctional attitudes. Limitation(s): The study included a non-clinical sample of participants and it did not control for some potential
confounding factors (e.g., attentional disorders). Furthermore, participants' engagement during the sessions at home was not supervised. Conclusion
(s): The CBM-IClin is a potential tool to prevent and intervene in emotional disorders in young adults and could complement other
traditional CBM procedures or clinical interventions. Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd
, 83 (no pagination) :
- Year: 2021
- 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), Attention/cognitive bias
modification
Newman, M. G., Jacobson, N. C., Rackoff, G. N., Bell, M. J., Taylor, C.
B.
AbstractIntroduction: Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is prevalent among college students.
Smartphone-based interventions may be a low-cost treatment method. Method: College students with self-reported GAD were randomized to receive
smartphone-based guided self-help (n = 50), or no treatment (n = 50). Post-treatment and six-month follow-up outcomes included the Depression Anxiety
Stress Scales-Short Form Stress Subscale (DASS Stress), the Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ-11), and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-Trait
(STAI-T), as well as diagnostic status assessed by the GAD-Questionnaire, 4th edition.
Psychotherapy
Research, 31(4) : 443-454
- Year: 2021
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any)
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: At risk (indicated or selected prevention), Disorder established (diagnosed disorder)
-
Treatment and intervention: Service Delivery & Improvement, Psychological Interventions
(any), Cognitive & behavioural therapies (CBT), Self-help, Technology, interventions delivered using technology (e.g. online, SMS)