Disorders - Anxiety Disorders
Jarrett, M. A., Ollendick, T. H.
Objective: The present study evaluated a
10-week psychosocial treatment designed specifically for children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and a comorbid anxiety
disorder. Method: Using a nonconcurrent multiple baseline design, the authors treated 8 children ages 8-12 with ADHD, combined type, and at least 1
of 3 major anxiety disorders (separation anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social phobia). The integrated treatment protocol involved
parent management training for ADHD and family-based cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxiety. Pretreatment assessments included semistructured
diagnostic interviews and other standardized measures to determine study eligibility. Children were randomized to 1 of 3 baseline control conditions
(i.e., 2, 3, or 4 weeks) and subsequently treated in a university-based psychosocial treatment clinic. Weekly assessments of ADHD and anxiety
disorder symptoms occurred throughout treatment and comprehensive assessments were obtained at pretreatment, 1-week posttreatment, and 6-months
posttreatment. Results: Single-case results supported greater success in the treatment phase relative to the baseline phase for both ADHD and anxiety
symptoms, and ADHD and anxiety symptoms appeared to change concurrently. Pre-post group analyses revealed significant and clinically meaningful
improvements in ADHD and anxiety symptoms at 1-week posttreatment, but only anxiety symptoms moved into the subclinical range. At 6-months follow-up,
treatment effects were maintained with new movement into the subclinical range for ADHD. Conclusions: The present study provides initial data on an
integrated treatment protocol for ADHD and anxiety. Further replication and evaluation are needed. Implications of the findings are discussed.
(copyright) 2012 American Psychological Association.
Journal of Consulting & Clinical Psychology, 80(2) : 239-
244
- Year: 2012
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any)
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: Disorder established (diagnosed disorder)
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any), Cognitive & behavioural therapies (CBT), Other Psychological Interventions
Goes, T. C., Antunes, F. D., Alves, P. B., Teixeira-Silva, F.
Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential anxiolytic effect of sweet orange (Citrus sinensis)
aroma in healthy volunteers submitted to an anxiogenic situation. Design: Forty (40) male volunteers were allocated to five different groups for the
inhalation of sweet orange essential oil (test aroma: 2.5, 5, or 10 drops), tea tree essential oil (control aroma: 2.5 drops), or water (nonaromatic
control: 2.5 drops). Immediately after inhalation, each volunteer was submitted to a model of anxiety, the video-monitored version of the Stroop
Color-Word Test (SCWT). Outcome measures: Psychologic parameters (state-anxiety, subjective tension, tranquilization, and sedation) and physiologic
parameters (heart rate and gastrocnemius electromyogram) were evaluated before the inhalation period and before, during, and after the SCWT. Results:
Unlike the control groups, the individuals exposed to the test aroma (2.5 and 10 drops) presented a lack of significant alterations (p>0.05) in
state-anxiety, subjective tension and tranquillity levels throughout the anxiogenic situation, revealing an anxiolytic activity of sweet orange
essential oil. Physiologic alterations along the test were not prevented in any treatment group, as has previously been observed for diazepam.
Conclusions: Although more studies are needed to find out the clinical relevance of aromatherapy for anxiety disorders, the present results indicate
an acute anxiolytic activity of sweet orange aroma, giving some scientific support to its use as a tranquilizer by aromatherapists. (copyright) 2012,
Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.
Journal of Alternative & Complementary
Medicine, 18(8) : 798-804
- Year: 2012
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any)
- Type: Controlled clinical trials
-
Stage: Universal prevention
-
Treatment and intervention: Complementary & Alternative
Interventions (CAM), Other complementary & alternative
interventions
Jing, W., Wahab, M. N. A., Ming, G., Jingya, B.
Islamic prayer (Salah) is a practice of formal prayer in Islam. Salah is known to improve psychological, musculoskeletal
and cerebral effects and gain significant health benefits students. This study explored the experience of devoutness-based Salah training for female
college students in Salah practitioners and compared them with respective controls. The index of Phalange temperature (PT) is also surveyed by
approaches of performing Salah, which is possible in using psychophysiological signals as strategies of relieving symptoms of stress. In this study,
a group of subjects who practiced devoutness-based Salah for 22 days showed more pronounced improvement of PT on day 22 compared to day 1. The
control group did not show important changes baseline and on day 22. PT was explored through the analysis of measured psychophysiological signals and
for the analysis of procedures to performing Salah, which was explored. Psychophysiologically-driven instruments and data displays for mitigating
stress, anxiety and depression symptoms and promoting health situation purposes were built. The findings are as follows: (1) Participation in
performing devoutness- based Salah program can lead to significant reduction in levels of stress in female college students who suffered from stress
disorders. (2) This study demonstrates that the protocol is an opportunity to spend a little time in performing devoutness-based Salah, makes
psychophysiological benefits effectively by evaluating the PT.
HealthMED, 6(11) : 3548-
3557
- Year: 2012
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any)
- Type: Controlled clinical trials
-
Stage: Universal prevention
-
Treatment and intervention: Complementary & Alternative
Interventions (CAM), Other complementary & alternative
interventions
Galla, B. M., Wood, J. J., Chiu, A. W., Langer, D. A., Jacobs, J., Ifekwunigwe,
M., Larkins, C.
The current study sought to evaluate the relative long-term efficacy of a
modularized cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) program for children with anxiety disorders. Twenty four children (5-12 years old) randomly assigned
to modular CBT or a 3-month waitlist participated in a 1-year follow-up assessment. Independent evaluators blind to treatment condition conducted
structured diagnostic interviews, and caregivers and children completed symptom checklists at pre- and post-, and 1 year follow-up assessments.
Analyses revealed that 71.4% of children who received CBT demonstrated a positive treatment response 1 year following treatment, and 83.3% were free
of any anxiety diagnosis at 1 year follow-up. Analyses further revealed robust effects of intervention on diagnostic outcomes, caregiver- and child-
report measures of anxiety at 1 year follow-up. Results provide evidence of an ongoing advantage on anxiety-specific outcomes for this modularized
school-based CBT program 1 year post-treatment.
Child Psychiatry &
Human Development, 43(2) : 219-226
- Year: 2012
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any), Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Social phobia (social anxiety disorder)
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: Disorder established (diagnosed disorder)
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any), Cognitive & behavioural therapies (CBT)
Garrido, M., Espino,
J., Gonzalez-Gomez, D., Lozano, M., Barriga, C., Paredes, S. D., Rodriguez, A. B.
Purpose: Jerte Valley cherries contain high levels of tryptophan, serotonin, and melatonin. These molecules have been shown to be
involved in mood regulation. It has been suggested that a complex inter-relationship between brain serotonin, circulating levels of cortisol (the
major stress hormone), and the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis exists in the regulation of stress responses, where cortisol and serotonin act as
markers of mood disturbances. Moreover there is growing evidence that altered HPA activity is associated with various age-related pathologies. The
present study evaluated the effect of the ingestion of a Jerte Valley cherry-based product, compared to a placebo product, on urine cortisol and 5-
hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) levels, and on mood in young, middle-aged, and elderly participants. Methods: Cortisol and 5-HIAA acid levels were
measured by commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. The mood state profile was analysed using a visual analogue scale and the state-trait
anxiety inventory. Results: Our findings showed that the ingestion of the Jerte Valley cherry product decreased urinary cortisol and increased
urinary 5-HIAA levels in all the experimental groups. Moreover, the cherry product was able to lessen anxiety status in the middle-aged and elderly
participants, and enhanced subjective mood parameters, particularly family relationships in young participants, and frame of mind and fitness in both
middle-aged and elderly subjects. Conclusions: The consumption of the Jerte Valley cherry product may protect against stress and act as a mood
enhancer by increasing serotonin availability to the organism, particularly with advancing age. (copyright) 2012 Elsevier Inc.
Experimental Gerontology, 47(8) : 573-580
- Year: 2012
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any)
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: Universal prevention
-
Treatment and intervention: Complementary & Alternative
Interventions (CAM), Homeopathic, plant-based medicines
Gulliver, A., Griffiths, K. M., Christensen, H., Mackinnon, A., Calear, A. L., Parsons, A., Bennett, K., Batterham, P. J., Stanimirovic,
R.
Mental disorders are more common in young adults than at any other life stage. Despite this, young people have low
rates of seeking professional help for mental health problems. Young elite athletes have less positive attitudes toward seeking help than nonathletes
and thus may be particularly unlikely to seek help. Interventions aimed at increasing help-seeking in young elite athletes are warranted. To test the
feasibility and efficacy of three Internet-based interventions designed to increase mental health help-seeking attitudes, intentions, and behavior in
young elite athletes compared with a control condition. We conducted a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of three brief fully automated Internet-
based mental health help-seeking interventions with 59 young elite athletes recruited online in a closed trial in Australia. The interventions
consisted of a mental health literacy and destigmatization condition, a feedback condition providing symptom levels, and a minimal content condition
comprising a list of help-seeking resources, compared with a control condition (no intervention). We measured help-seeking attitudes, intentions and
behavior using self-assessed surveys. Participation was open to elite athletes regardless of their mental health status or risk of mental illness. Of
120 athletes initially agreeing to participate, 59 (49%) submitted a preintervention or postintervention survey, or both, and were included in the
present study. Adherence was satisfactory, with 48 (81%) participants visiting both weeks of assigned intervention material. None of the
interventions yielded a significant increase in help-seeking attitudes, intentions, or behavior relative to control. However, at postintervention,
there was a trend toward a greater increase in help-seeking behavior from formal sources for the mental health literacy/destigmatization condition
compared with control (P = .06). This intervention was also associated with increased depression literacy (P = .003, P = .005) and anxiety literacy
(P = .002, P = .001) relative to control at postintervention and 3-month follow-up, respectively, and a reduction in depression stigma relative to
control at postintervention (P = .01, P = .12) and anxiety stigma at 3-month follow-up (P = .18, P = .02). The feedback and help-seeking list
interventions did not improve depression or anxiety literacy or decrease stigmatizing attitudes to these conditions. However, the study findings
should be treated with caution. Due to recruitment challenges, the achieved sample size fell significantly short of the target size and the study was
underpowered. Accordingly, the results should be considered as providing preliminary pilot data only. This is the first RCT of an Internet-based
mental health help-seeking intervention for young elite athletes. The results suggest that brief mental health literacy and destigmatization improves
knowledge and may decrease stigma but does not increase help-seeking. However, since the trial was underpowered, a larger trial is warranted.
2009/373 (www.clinicaltrials.gov ID: NCT00940732), cited at http://www.webcitation.org/5ymsRLy9r.
Journal of Medical Internet
Research, 14(3) : e69
- Year: 2012
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any), Depressive Disorders
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: At risk (indicated or selected prevention)
-
Treatment and intervention: Service Delivery & Improvement, Psychological Interventions
(any), Psychoeducation, Self-help, Technology, interventions delivered using technology (e.g. online, SMS)
Hoek, W., Schuurmans, J., Koot, H. M., Cuijpers, P.
Background: Symptoms of depression and anxiety are highly prevalent in adolescence and they are the cause of considerable suffering. Even
so, adolescents are not inclined to seek professional help for emotional problems. Internet-based preventive interventions have been suggested as a
feasible method of providing appropriate care to adolescents with internalizing symptoms. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of
preventive Internet-based (guided) self-help problem-solving therapy (PST) for adolescents reporting mild to moderate symptoms of depression and/or
anxiety as compared to a waiting list control group (WL). Methodology/Principal Findings: A total of 45 participants were randomized to the 2
conditions. PST consisted of 5 weekly lessons. Participants were supported by e-mail. Self-report measures of depression and anxiety were filled in
at baseline and after 3 weeks, 5 weeks, and 4 months. Of the 45 participants, 28 (62.2%) completed questionnaires after 3 weeks, 28 (62.2%) after 5
weeks, and 27 (60%) after 4 months. Hierarchical linear modeling analyses revealed overall improvement over time for both groups on depressive and
anxiety symptoms. However, no significant group x time interactions were found. No differences were found between completers and non-completers.
Conclusions/Significance: Results show that depressive and anxiety symptoms declined in both groups. No support was found, however, for the
assumption that Internet-based PST was efficacious in reducing depression and anxiety in comparison to the waiting list control group. This finding
could represent lack of power. Trial Registration: Netherlands Trial Register NTR1322. (copyright) 2012 Hoek et al.
PLoS ONE, 7(8) :
- Year: 2012
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any), Depressive Disorders
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: At risk (indicated or selected prevention)
-
Treatment and intervention: Service Delivery & Improvement, Psychological Interventions
(any), Problem solving therapy (PST), Self-help, Technology, interventions delivered using technology (e.g. online, SMS)
Goldbeck, L., Ellerkamp, T.
Background: Music therapy has been shown to be effective for children with psychopathology, providing an alternative
nonverbal approach to the treatment of children with anxiety disorders. Objective: This pilot study investigates the efficacy of Multimodal Music
Therapy (MMT), a combination of music therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy, compared to treatment as usual (TAU). Methods: Thirty-six children
aged 8-12 years with a primary diagnosis of an anxiety disorder were randomly assigned to 15 sessions of MMT or to TAU. Diagnostic status and
dimensional outcome variables were assessed at the end of treatment and 4 months later. Results: MMT was superior compared to TAU according to the
remission rates after treatment (MMT 67%; TAU 33%; x2 5 4.0; p 5 0.046) and remissions persisted until four months post-treatment. Dimensional
measures showed equivalent improvement after either MMT or TAU. Conclusions: The results regarding the efficacy of MMT are promising for children
with anxiety disorders. Further evaluation with larger samples and comparisons to pure CBT are recommended. (copyright) 2012 by the American Music
Therapy Association.
Journal of Music Therapy, 49(4) : 395-413
- Year: 2012
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any), Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Social phobia (social anxiety disorder), Specific
Phobia
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: Disorder established (diagnosed disorder)
-
Treatment and intervention: Complementary & Alternative
Interventions (CAM), Creative expression: music, dance, drama, art
Hopkins, M. E., Davis, F.
C., VanTieghem, M. R., Whalen, P. J., Bucci, D. J.
The effects of regular exercise versus a single bout of exercise on
cognition, anxiety, and mood were systematically examined in healthy, sedentary young adults who were genotyped to determine brain-derived
neurotrophic factor (BDNF) allelic status (i.e., Val-Val or Val66Met polymorphism). Participants were evaluated on novel object recognition (NOR)
memory and a battery of mental health surveys before and after engaging in either (a) a 4-week exercise program, with exercise on the final test day,
(b) a 4-week exercise program, without exercise on the final test day, (c) a single bout of exercise on the final test day, or (d) remaining
sedentary between test days. Exercise enhanced object recognition memory and produced a beneficial decrease in perceived stress, but only in
participants who exercised for 4 weeks including the final day of testing. In contrast, a single bout of exercise did not affect recognition memory
and resulted in increased perceived stress levels. An additional novel finding was that the improvements on the NOR task were observed exclusively in
participants who were homozygous for the BDNF Val allele, indicating that altered activity-dependent release of BDNF in Met allele carriers may
attenuate the cognitive benefits of exercise. Importantly, exercise-induced changes in cognition were not correlated with changes in mood/anxiety,
suggesting that separate neural systems mediate these effects. These data in humans mirror recent data from our group in rodents. Taken together,
these current findings provide new insights into the behavioral and neural mechanisms that mediate the effects of physical exercise on memory and
mental health in humans. (copyright) 2012 IBRO.
Neuroscience, 215 : 59-
68
- Year: 2012
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any)
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: Universal prevention
-
Treatment and intervention: Complementary & Alternative
Interventions (CAM), Physical activity, exercise
Drake, K. L., Ginsburg, G. S.
It is
now widely accepted that anxiety disorders run in families, and current etiological models have proposed both genetic and environmental pathways to
anxiety development. In this paper, the familial role in the development, treatment, and prevention of anxiety disorders in children is reviewed. We
focus on three anxiety disorders in youth, namely, generalized, separation, and social anxiety as they often co-occur both at the symptom and
disorder level and respond to similar treatments. We begin by presenting an overview of a broad range of family factors associated with anxiety
disorders. Findings from these studies have informed intervention and prevention strategies that are discussed next. Throughout the paper we shed
light on the challenges that plague this research and look toward the future by proposing directions for much needed study and discussing factors
that may improve clinical practice and outcomes for affected youth and their families. (copyright) 2012 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.
Clinical Child &
Family Psychology Review, 15(2) : 144-162
- Year: 2012
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any), Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Social phobia (social anxiety disorder)
- Type: Systematic reviews
-
Stage: Universal prevention, At risk (indicated or selected prevention), Disorder established (diagnosed disorder)
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any)
Francis, S. E., Mezo, P. G., Fung, S. L.
This review critically evaluates self-control skills interventions in the treatment of childhood
anxiety and depression, outlining conditions under which these interventions are successful and the specific role of parents. Findings indicated that
self-control skills interventions are successful with both children and adolescents, in the context of other cognitive behavioral techniques and as
the primary treatment component, and with and without parental involvement. However, despite consistent evidence of success in both pre-post and
waitlist control designs, self-control skills treatments have not demonstrated superior efficacy when compared to other active treatments. Continued
application and evaluation of these interventions amongst children and adolescents are recommended.
Psychotherapy Research, 22(2) : 220-
238
- Year: 2012
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any), Depressive Disorders
- Type: Systematic reviews
-
Stage: At risk (indicated or selected prevention), Disorder established (diagnosed disorder)
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any), Skills training
Eldar, S., Apter, A., Lotan, D., Edgar, K. P., Naim, R., Fox, N. A., Pine, D. S., Bar-Haim, Y.
Objective: While attention bias
modification (ABM) is a promising novel treatment for anxiety disorders, clinical trial data remain restricted to adults. The authors examined
whether ABM induces greater reductions in pediatric anxiety symptoms and symptom severity than multiple control training interventions. Method: From
a target sample of 186 treatment-seeking children at a hospital-based child anxiety clinic, 40 patients with an ongoing anxiety disorder who met all
inclusion criteria were enrolled in the study. Children were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: ABM designed to shift attention away from
threat; placebo attention training using stimuli identical to those in the ABM condition; and placebo attention training using only neutral stimuli.
All participants completed four weekly 480-trial sessions (1,920 total trials). Before and after the attention training sessions, children's
clinical status was determined via semistructured interviews and questionnaires. Reduction in the number of anxiety symptoms and their severity was
compared across the three groups. Results: Change in the number of anxiety symptoms and their severity differed across the three conditions. This
reflected significant reductions in the number of anxiety symptoms and symptom severity in the ABM condition but not in the placebo attention
training or placebo-neutral condition. Conclusions: ABM, compared with two control conditions, reduces pediatric anxiety symptoms and severity.
Further study of efficacy and underlying mechanisms is warranted.
American Journal of Psychiatry, 169(2) : 213-
220
- Year: 2012
- Problem: Anxiety Disorders (any)
- Type: Randomised controlled trials
-
Stage: Disorder established (diagnosed disorder)
-
Treatment and intervention: Psychological Interventions
(any), Attention/cognitive bias
modification