Disorders - Anxiety Disorders
Esbjorn, B. H., Somhovd, M. J., Nielsen, S.
K., Normann, N., Leth, I., Reinholdt-Dunne, M. L.
Objective: Specific parental behaviors and cognitions are associated with child anxiety. Studies informing us of the directionality of the
associations are lacking. We investigated the effect of parental involvement in children's anxiety treatment on parental behaviors and cognitions.
Method: Children (N= 54, 7-12 years) and parents were randomly allocated to different treatment groups (involved, not involved). Observed behavior,
self-reported behavior and cognitions were assessed separately for mothers and fathers at pre-, posttreatment and follow-up. Results: There were no
differences over time for self-reported parental efficacy and observed negativity, but self-reported autonomy granting increased for both groups over
time. Differential effects were found between groups for observed paternal over-involvement (fathers involved in treatment showed a more rapid
decrease) and self-reported maternal autonomy-granting (non-involved mothers showed a greater increase). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that child
anxiety significantly influences parental behaviors and cognitions. Child therapy may successfully change the family system. (copyright) 2014.
Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 28(7) : 664-
670
- Year: 2014
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any)
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: Disorder established (diagnosed disorder)
-
Treatment and intervention: Service Delivery & Improvement, Psychological Interventions
(any), Cognitive & behavioural therapies (CBT), Other service delivery and improvement
interventions
Elliott, D., Polman, R., Taylor, J.
This investigation examined the effects
of relaxing music for anxiety control on measures of competitive state anxiety and the performance of a simple motor skill. Seventy-two undergraduate
students volunteered to participate in the study. Participants were informed that they would be required to partake in a sport competition, possibly
with an audience present, and possibly whilst being filmed. Participants were randomly allocated to one of three intervention conditions, listening
to relaxing music for anxiety control, listening to non-relaxing music or a no music control. During the 10-minute intervention period, measures of
anxiety (CSAI-2R, subjective relaxation and HR) were taken on three occasions (baseline, pre-intervention and post-intervention). Repeated measures
MANOVA showed that all three interventions provoked significant reductions in competitive state anxiety. Condition had no impact upon any of the DVs.
These results suggest that listening to relaxing music for anxiety control was no more effective at reducing competitive state anxiety than non-
relaxing music or a period of silence. ES, mean difference and 90% CI data did however provide some support for the application of relaxing music for
anxiety control. There were no between-condition differences in motor task performance. (copyright) 2014 Copyright European College of Sport
Science.
European Journal of
Sport Science, 14(SUPPL.1) : S296-S301
- Year: 2014
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any)
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: Universal prevention
-
Treatment and intervention: Complementary & Alternative
Interventions (CAM), Creative expression: music, dance, drama, art, Relaxation
Eloff, I., Finestone, M., Makin, J. D., Boeving-Allen, A., Visser, M., Ebersohn, L., Ferreira, R., Sikkema, K. J., Briggs-Gowan, M. J., Forsyth, B. W. C.
OBJECTIVE:: The objective of this study is to assess the efficacy of an intervention designed to promote resilience in young
children living with their HIV-positive mothers. DESIGN/METHODS:: HIV-positive women attending clinics in Tshwane, South Africa, and their children,
aged 6-10 years, were randomized to the intervention (I) or standard care (S). The intervention consisted of 24 weekly group sessions led by
community care workers. Mothers and children were in separate groups for 14 sessions, followed by 10 interactive sessions. The primary focus was on
parent-child communication and parenting. Assessments were completed by mothers and children at baseline and 6, 12 and 18 months. Repeated mixed
linear analyses were used to assess change over time. RESULTS:: Of 390 mother-child pairs, 84.6% (I: 161 and S: 169) completed at least two
interviews and were included in the analyses. Children's mean age was 8.4 years and 42% of mothers had been ill in the prior 3 months. Attendance in
groups was variable: only 45.7% attended more than 16 sessions. Intervention mothers reported significant improvements in children's externalizing
behaviours (ss = -2.8, P = 0.002), communication (ss = 4.3, P = 0.025) and daily living skills (ss = 5.9, P = 0.024), although improvement in
internalizing behaviours and socialization was not significant (P = 0.061 and 0.052, respectively). Intervention children reported a temporary
increase in anxiety but did not report differences in depression or emotional intelligence. CONCLUSION:: This is the first study demonstrating
benefits of an intervention designed to promote resilience among young children of HIV-positive mothers. The intervention was specifically designed
for an African context and has the potential to benefit large numbers of children, if it can be widely implemented. (copyright) 2014 Wolters Kluwer
Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
AIDS, 28(SUPPL. 3) : S347-S357
- Year: 2014
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any)
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: At risk (indicated or selected prevention)
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any), Skills training, Other Psychological Interventions
Dugailly, P. M., Fassin, S., Maroye, L., Evers, L., Klein, P., Feipel, V.
Objective: The objective of this study is to assess the effect of a single session of a general osteopathic
treatment (OG) on several psychological features. Methods: Thirty-four asymptomatic female volunteers (age) completed baseline auto-questionnaires
about anxiety, body satisfaction and global self-perception. Then, they were randomly assigned to OG or to control group (restful state). Each
intervention was performed during 30min. After the session, psychological data were collected using the same auto-questionnaires. To test the effect
of treatment we used ANOVA for repeated measures and compared changes over time between OG and control groups. Results: At baseline, characteristics
were comparable between groups. Following the intervention, we observed improvements in psychological state in both OG and control groups.
Nevertheless, OG had a significant larger effect over restful state for anxiety and global self-perception (p<0.02). Conclusions: The present study
suggests that an osteopathic approach using articular and soft tissue mobilisations has an effect, at least in the short term, on anxiety and global
body perception. Further investigation is needed to confirm the relevance and broaden the scope of the present study. (copyright) 2013 Elsevier
Ltd.
International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine, 17(2) : 94-
101
- Year: 2014
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any)
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: Universal prevention
-
Treatment and intervention: Complementary & Alternative
Interventions (CAM), Other complementary & alternative
interventions
Fergus, T. A., Wheless, N. E., Wright, L. C.
Self-focused attention
is an important target of intervention within Wells's (2009) metacognitive therapy and the attention training technique (ATT) is one component of
metacognitive therapy that purportedly alters focus of attention. However, we do not yet fully understand whether ATT causes changes in focus of
attention, the effectiveness of ATT compared to other techniques in reducing self-focused attention, and how ATT leads to its therapeutic gains. A
laboratory-based component study was completed to address these gaps in the literature. Nonclinical participants were randomly assigned to one
session of ATT (n=38) or a mindfulness-based task (n=38). ATT and the mindfulness-based task differentially changed focus of attention, with ATT
causing greater external focus of attention and the mindfulness-based task causing greater self-focused attention from pre-to-post manipulation. ATT
and the mindfulness-based task both led to reductions in anxiety. Reductions in self-focused attention were related to less anxiety following ATT,
whereas increases in self-focused attention were related to less anxiety following the mindfulness-based task. Conceptual and therapeutic
implications are discussed.
Behaviour Research & Therapy, 61 : 150-
155
- Year: 2014
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any)
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: Universal prevention
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any), Mindfulness based
therapy, Attention/cognitive bias
modification
Collins, S., Woolfson, L.M., Durkin, K.
Anxiety disorders are common in children and may signal risk of depression, social, or academic difficulties. This study
evaluated the effects of a universal mental health promotion intervention delivered in primary schools. Three hundred and seventeen 9- to 10-year-
olds were randomly allocated by class group to intervention conditions (psychologist-led or teacher-led), or a comparison condition. Coping and
anxiety were measured pre- and post-intervention and at six-month follow-up. Significant anxiety reduction and improved coping were found post-
intervention and at follow-up. There were no significant differences between the teacher- and psychologist-led intervention groups. Results indicated
that a universal school programme delivered by teachers can have positive effects on anxiety and coping. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2014 APA, all
rights reserved). (journal abstract)
School Psychology International, 35(1) : 85-
100
- Year: 2014
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any)
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: Universal prevention
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any), Cognitive & behavioural therapies (CBT), Skills training
Crawley, S. A., Caporino, N. E., Birmaher, B., Ginsburg, G., Piacentini, J., Albano, A. M., Sherrill, J, Sakolsky, D., Compton, S. N., Rynn,
M., McCracken, J., Gosch,
E., Keeton, C., March, J., Walkup, J. T., Kendall, P. C.
This study examined (a) demographic and clinical characteristics
associated with physical symptoms in anxiety-disordered youth and (b) the impact of cognitive-behavioral therapy (Coping Cat), medication
(sertraline), their combination, and pill placebo on physical symptoms. Youth (N = 488, ages 7 - 17 years) with a principal diagnosis of generalized
anxiety disorder, separation anxiety disorder, or social phobia participated as part of a multi-site, randomized controlled trial and received
treatment delivered over 12 weeks. Diagnostic status, symptom severity, and impairment were assessed at baseline and week 12. The total number and
severity of physical symptoms was associated with age, principal diagnosis, anxiety severity, impairment, and the presence of comorbid internalizing
disorders. Common somatic complaints were headaches, stomachaches, head cold or sniffles, sleeplessness, and feeling drowsy or too sleepy. Physical
symptoms decreased over the course of treatment, and were unrelated to treatment condition. Clinical implications and directions for future research
are discussed (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00052078). (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2014 APA, all rights reserved). (journal abstract)
Child Psychiatry & Human Development, 45(4) : 398-
407
- Year: 2014
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any), Social phobia (social anxiety disorder)
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: Disorder established (diagnosed disorder)
-
Treatment and intervention: Biological Interventions
(any), Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), Psychological Interventions
(any), Cognitive & behavioural therapies (CBT)
De-Voogd, E. L., Wiers, R. W., Prins, P. J. M., Salemink, E.
Background and objectives An attentional bias for
negative information plays an important role in the development and maintenance of (social) anxiety and depression, which are highly prevalent in
adolescence. Attention Bias Modification (ABM) might be an interesting tool in the prevention of emotional disorders. The current study investigated
whether visual search ABM might affect attentional bias and emotional functioning in adolescents. Methods A visual search task was used as a training
paradigm; participants (n = 16 adolescents, aged 13-16) had to repeatedly identify the only smiling face in a 4 null 4 matrix of negative emotional
faces, while participants in the control condition (n = 16) were randomly allocated to one of three placebo training versions. An assessment version
of the task was developed to directly test whether attentional bias changed due to the training. Self-reported anxiety and depressive symptoms and
self-esteem were measured pre- and post-training. Results After two sessions of training, the ABM group showed a significant decrease in attentional
bias for negative information and self-reported social phobia, while the control group did not. There were no effects of training on depressive mood
or self-esteem. Limitations No correlation between attentional bias and social phobia was found, which raises questions about the validity of the
attentional bias assessment task. Also, the small sample size precludes strong conclusions. Conclusions Visual search ABM might be beneficial in
changing attentional bias and social phobia in adolescents, but further research with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up is needed. (copyright)
2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Journal of Behavior Therapy & Experimental Psychiatry, 45(2) : 252-259
- Year: 2014
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any), Social phobia (social anxiety disorder), Depressive Disorders
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: Universal prevention
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any), Attention/cognitive bias
modification
Dennis, T. A., O'Toole, L. J.
Interest in the use of mobile technology to deliver mental-health services
has grown in light of the economic and practical barriers to treatment. Yet research on alternative delivery strategies that are more affordable,
accessible, and engaging is in its infancy. Attention-bias modification training (ABMT) has the potential to reduce treatment barriers as a mobile
intervention for stress and anxiety, but the degree to which ABMT can be embedded in a mobile gaming format and its potential for transfer of
benefits is unknown. In the present study, we examined effects of a gamified ABMT mobile application in highly trait-anxious participants (N = 78). A
single session of the active training relative to the placebo training reduced subjective anxiety and observed stress reactivity. Critically, the
long (45 min) but not the short (25 min) active training condition reduced the core cognitive process implicated in ABMT (threat bias) as measured by
an untrained, gold-standard protocol. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2014 APA, all rights reserved). (journal abstract)
Clinical Psychological
Science, 2(5) : 576-590
- Year: 2014
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any)
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: At risk (indicated or selected prevention)
-
Treatment and intervention: Service Delivery & Improvement, Psychological Interventions
(any), Attention/cognitive bias
modification, Technology, interventions delivered using technology (e.g. online, SMS)
Di-Simplicio, M., Doallo,
S., Costoloni, G., Rohenkohl, G., Nobre, A. C., Harmer, C. J.
Anxiety and depression
are associated with altered ocular exploration of facial stimuli, which could have a role in the misinterpretation of ambiguous emotional stimuli.
However, it is unknown whether a similar pattern is seen in individuals at risk for psychopathology and whether this can be modified by
pharmacological interventions used in these disorders. In Study I, eye gaze movement during face discrimination was compared in volunteers with high
vs low neuroticism scores on the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire. Facial stimuli either displayed a neutral, happy, or fearful expression. In Study
2, volunteers with high neuroticism were randomized in a double-blind design to receive the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor citalopram (20 mg)
or placebo for 7 days. On the last day of treatment, eye gaze movement during face presentation and the recognition of different emotional
expressions was assessed. In Study I, highly neurotic volunteers showed reduced eye gaze towards the eyes vs mouth region of the face compared with
low neurotic volunteers. In Study 2, citalopram increased gaze maintenance over the face stimuli compared with placebo and enhanced recognition of
positive vs negative facial expressions. Longer ocular exploration of happy faces correlated positively with recognition of positive emotions.
Individuals at risk for psychopathology presented an avoidant pattern of ocular exploration of faces. Short-term SSRI administration reversed this
bias before any mood or anxiety changes. This treatment effect may improve the capacity to scan social stimuli and contribute to the remediation of
clinical symptoms related to interpersonal difficulties. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2015 APA, all rights reserved). (journal abstract)
Neuropsychopharmacology, 39(13) : 3059-
3066
- Year: 2014
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any)
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: At risk (indicated or selected prevention)
-
Treatment and intervention: Biological Interventions
(any), Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
Di-Simplicio, M., Norbury,
R., Reinecke, A., Harmer, C. J.
Short-term antidepressant administration has
been reported to decrease amygdala response to threat in healthy volunteers and depressed patients. Neuroticism (N) is a risk factor for depression
but has also been associated with slow or incomplete remission with antidepressant drug treatment. Our aim was to investigate early selective
serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) administration neural effects on implicit processing of fearful facial expressions in volunteers with high levels
of N. Highly neurotic subjects received 20 mg/day citalopram versus placebo for 7 days in a double-blind, between-groups design. On the last day
haemoperfusion and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data during a gender discrimination task with fearful and happy faces were acquired.
A control group of non-neurotic volunteers was also tested. High-N volunteers had reduced responses to threatening facial expressions across key
neural circuits compared to low-N volunteers. SSRI treatment was found to elevate resting perfusion in the right amygdala, increase bilateral
amygdalae activation to positive and negative facial expressions and increase activation to fearful versus happy facial expressions in occipital,
parietal, temporal and prefrontal cortical areas. These results suggest that 7 days of SSRI administration can increase neural markers of fear
reactivity in subjects at the high end of the N dimension and may be related to early increases in anxiety and agitation seen early in treatment.
Such processes may be involved in the later therapeutic effects through decreased avoidance and increased learning about social 'threat' cues.
Psychological Medicine, 44(2) : 241-252
- Year: 2014
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any)
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: At risk (indicated or selected prevention)
-
Treatment and intervention: Biological Interventions
(any), Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
Adelman, C. B., Panza, K. E., Bartley, C. A., Bontempo, A., Bloch, M. H.
Objective: Access to qualified cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) remains a major barrier to improving clinical outcomes in
anxiety disorders. The current meta-analysis examined the efficacy of computerized CBT (cCBT) for anxiety disorders and the durability of treatment
gains during follow-up. Data Sources: We searched PubMed and references from included trials and previous meta-analyses in the area. Study Selection:
We included randomized controlled trials assessing the efficacy of cCBT for non-OCD and non-PTSD anxiety disorders. Data Extraction: Forty trials
involving 2,648 participants were included in this meta-analysis. We used a fixed-effect model to examine standardized mean difference in
posttreatment anxiety levels. cCBT was compared to wait-list, in-person CBT, and Internet control. We also examined moderators of cCBT treatment
gains over follow-up. Results: Meta-analysis indicated that cCBT was significantly more effective than wait-list control in the treatment of anxiety
disorders (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 0.92 [95% CI, 0.83 to 1.02], k = 31, z = 18.8, P < .001). Moderator analyses also found that cCBT
targeting specific anxiety disorders had greater efficacy than that targeting mixed anxiety symptoms. The efficacy of cCBT was equivalent to in-
person CBT in studies that compared them head-to-head, for both children and adults (SMD = 0.05 [95% CI, -0.09 to 0.19], k = 15, z = 0.7, P = .46).
Longitudinal studies indicate that individuals undergoing cCBT tended to continue to improve after completion of treatment, with longer follow-up
periods associated with greater symptom reduction. Conclusions: cCBT represents an efficacious intervention for the treatment of anxiety disorders
and may circumvent barriers to accessing traditional CBT treatments. Further research is needed to examine the effectiveness of cCBT in real-world
settings, for individuals with clinical comorbidities, and in comparison with more ecologically valid comparison conditions. (copyright) Copyright
2014 Physicians Postgraduate Press, Inc.
Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 75(7) : e695-
e704
- Year: 2014
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any)
- Type: Systematic reviews
-
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)